#it just means that Jason came back to Dick being everything he had ever wished from the man for others

[brucedefender4eva]

Alfred felt as though it was incredibly inappropriate for a butler to accompany his young master to any sort of gala or gathering so Bruce had to get used to being by himself very quickly at a young age

Due to being left all alone when he would usually be with his parents, Bruce was put in increasingly unsafe situations over and over. Most of the time, there was no safe adult for him to feel comfortable enough telling. And if there was, how would he know they were safe?

He could tell Alfred, but what good would that do? Alfred has told him time and time again that he is his employee, nothing more and nothing less. Alfred cannot help him. Alfred cannot save him

Alfred doesn’t want to

I believe that at a very early age, due to how most of the socialites and rich people are in Gotham, Bruce had to get used to unwanted stares, touches, and advances

And he’s so pretty. He’s been so pretty ever since he was small, even with his parents alive they had to work hard to keep him safe. To keep others away. To draw a hard line in the sand for what is acceptable and what is not. But now they’re gone and he’s trying to keep himself safe. But people always want to touch, take, possess, and destroy pretty things

But all of his children are pretty too.

With all of his kids he makes sure that they’re as safe as can be, unlike how it was with him

The first time that he brings Dick to a gala, he holds the boy the entire time. Dick’s face is mostly tucking into Bruce’s suit jacket, shielding him from the flashes of the paparazzi and unwanted stares. Especially with his ‘exotic’ heritage of being Romani… it’s a recipe for disaster in Gotham

Bruce refuses to let a single person touch Dick, even socialites that he trusts. He knows how quickly someone you trust can turn on you once they realize you’re vulnerable.

He keeps Jason by his side as well. Gotham high society hates anyone who didn’t grow up rich. If he’s not by Jason’s side, he makes sure Dick is. Dick can now fend for himself, but Bruce always makes sure they’re in his line of sight.

Tim has been to these parties before, and considering how negligent his parents were… Bruce makes sure to tell Tim that he would never be mad at him for anything that happened and he is not to blame. That adults should have protected him and saved him. He tells Tim all the things he wished someone had told him when he was younger. They hug and cry about it.

He’s always so thankful that Stephanie never wanted to go to galas as mean as it makes him sound. She never had to be subjected to the cruelties of adults who had no business leering after young girls. Now that she’s older and sometimes pops in if Tim’s going, Bruce knows that they’ll protect each other.

Cass is strong and smart, but she’s also very very new to this life and more vulnerable than the rest of his kids. Bruce wishes he could give her a sense of normalcy. It’s just another thing that’s he failed at.

He knows that if push came to shove, like the rest of his children, she would not hesitate to defend herself. But there should be no shove. She shouldn’t have to. Bruce dances with her all through the night every time she decides to grace a gala with her magnificent presence. It keeps her happy, it keeps her away from harm

His youngest baby is a fire cracker, ready to take on anyone and anything that could possibly be perceived as a threat to him and his family. As much as his other babies joke that he keeps Damian nearby to stop him from stabbing people, he doesn’t want anyone to look at Damian.

Damian is barely older than he was when he returned back to Gotham high society. The only difference is that Damian now has him and all of his siblings. It’s still hard to let go, even if he knows his children are there to keep an eye on everything

Duke is very similar to Jason in more ways than one, epically since he was also born on the ‘poorer’ side of Gotham that most elites loathe unjustly. He’s seen it before, even with high standing black families. Being suddenly accused of stealing a watch or pickpocketing an expensive pearl necklace. Lives ruined simply because of the color of their skin

Nothing like that will ever happen to Duke in his presence. Bruce knows he can’t protect Duke from all the racism in the world, but man if he doesn’t want to try

Bruce has never let his family deal with his issues. He believes he’s simply not worth the trouble. So whenever he gets hit on at galas in ways that make him uncomfortable he just fakes a smile. When he feels unfamiliar hands touching him and grabbing at his body, he fakes more smiles and leans into if there are too many people watching.

Just as he’s about to make an excuse, any kind of excuse to finally get away and take a breather, Dick suddenly pops up in front of him while he feels Jason and Duke slide up behind him, pushing away the elites that had circled him

Bruce makes a soft confused sound, trying to figure out what was happening, but then Damian’s tugging on his sleeve and he already has his baby in his arms. The whirlwind that is Tim and Steph together sweep him away from the confused group of elites.

The group makes their way back over to where Cassandra is smiling expectantly, giggling softly at the confused expression on Bruce’s face.

“Dance with me?” She requested softly, knowing that Bruce would never refuse her. Bruce squeezes Damian to his chest before handing him over to Tim, which Damian surprisingly doesn’t protest

Bruce takes Cassandra’s hand and they dance around the ballroom floor with ease, over and over one of Bruce’s children came and swept him away before anyone else could get the chance

“Don’t worry, we got you Dad.” Dick smiled softly as Bruce spun him around before being passed over to Stephanie and Damian.

“I know.” Bruce chuckled, feeling so safe for the first time in a long time. “I know.”

[anonymous-existences]

DCXDP Prompt 13 :

@demonic0angel I'm gonna borrow a bit of your 'First Burn' Prompt If ya don't mind <33 just a teeny bit(cuz song hehe) and make it more ANGSTY!!

Danny and Bruce are divorced, Only Dick knew they were together, Danny and Bruce's love started in college, oh how their love and passion were true and gentle, everyone around them wished them happy memories.

But as Bruce took the Mantle of Batman, He never told Danny, neither did Alfred have the heart to tell Danny that he was always getting into dangerous situations as he roamed around Gotham as a Vigilante, Sneaking out at night from their bed.

Bruce and Danny both adopted Dick, Little Richard 'Dick' Grayson, Danny's little boy, his precious little star. Bruce saw how much Danny cared for Dick, Bruce thought Dick could be a distraction for Danny so Danny doesn't notice his secret Vigilante nightlife.

....

Danny knew. He knew everything alright. Danny tries to not cry every night as he feels Bruce sneak away in the middle of the night, every whispers of love that Bruce utters to Danny felt like lies, Danny knew he had secrets too, His Past Vigilante life as a teenager is something he never told Bruce.

But this is something Danny is slowly breaking himself into denial, His husband is a vigilante, that's fine, he was fine with that, but the way he interacted with other women made Danny's heart break, even other heroes... Too close, Too Intimate, Too Comfortable.

Danny stopped following Bruce everytime he left by that time, he felt so hurt and so insecure of himself everytime he saw 'Batman' Interact with those others so.. closely.

It made Danny's core scream in doubt and his emotions derailing into confronting Bruce.

He thought Confronting Bruce about his nightly sneaking would get Bruce to finally trust Danny with the information about Him being Batman but no, it made Danny doubt so much more, Days of constant fight and reuniting, His Little Boy, Dick , and Alfred was the last thing keeping Danny in mental order, Organized and Composed as he always should be. Even if Bruce is Acting like a Playboy Brucie Wayne.

He tried to do what Jazz would have done but nothing FUCKING worked and Danny was always on edge, he felt that everything his husband said was a lie, he loved Bruce but why won't Bruce trust him? Please... please, just tell him the truth, I won't be mad. Please. Just tell me. Tell me everything. TELL ME! PLEASE! IM BEGGING YOU! JUST TELL M—

Danny loves Bruce, But as day passes, that love slowly felt one sided.

....

Dick didn't mean it, it was supposed to be a harmless little prank, he didn't know how rocky Bruce and Danny's Marriage was, he didn't know. He really didn't.

He didn't know a picture of Batman with Selina would seal it off. He didn't know a single lipstick would finish it all. He was only a child. It was his fault. He felt that it was his fault— why wouldn't he? He didn't know.. he really didn't.

Danny and Bruce screamed, it was nothing that Dick could have ever heard before, he didn't know at all. He really didn't.... It was only supposed to be a prank.. He didn't mean it...

...

Bruce soon took in Jason, Dick noticed how much Jason looked like Danny, Dick wanted to yell, he wanted to scream at Bruce, He wanted to confront him about passing the mantle to Jason— but... It's no use fighting against someone that's like Bruce. Not like Batman.

Dick secretly kept contact with Danny and his Family, Dani And Jazz was still his aunt as they lived in Bludhaven, he could always go to them as Nightwing and they'd know to help him without questioning. Dick felt bad everytime he did. He felt as though he was burdening the family of the person who's marriage he ruined, his own Father.

The only Father who could actually handle and was a real father.

Everything passed by so quickly.

Jason Died.

Tim Was adopted and he became Robin.

Jason came back to life.

Dick immediately took Jason to Danny.

Damian Came into their lives. Dick felt his blood Boil when Damian did but he couldn't blame Damian, Dick accepted Damian with a whole heart, acting like the Danny which the Manor Lost because of Bruce.

He will be the person who loved everyone, just like Danny, even if sometimes it's tiring— he just needs to keep being the Father of these children that Bruce struggles to be, It's the only Way Dick could honor Danny.

...

Bruce misses Danny Dearly, he regrets many things.

But the one he regrets the most is...

Losing Danny.

Danny and Bruce are Divorced Because Bruce Fucked up with being Batman and didn't tell the truth, Dick wanted to do a little prank cuz a kid will do pranks and snuck a lipstick on Bruce's coat and a picture of Selina with a kiss mark on it. Danny and Bruce's marriage are rocky as fuck, Dick secretly takes the other Wayne kids to Danny and they come to love Danny as their father much like Dick is attached to Danny, Jazz and Dani are the Wayne's Therapists. Specifically Jazz, she's the Best, Uncle Dan is Jason's Favorite mechanic.

Bruce Misses Danny dearly and wants him back and will try and probably try to court Danny again, nonstop as Batman, Danny still loves Bruce and hadn't moved on, His core is very much attached and embedded in the memory and love of Bruce Wayne, thus he is just waiting for Bruce to finally step up.

Yes this was Angsty, I apologize <33 but yes.

[the-sinful-voice-witch]

Crimes against Stephanie Brown:

Getting only 24 issues of her run as Batgirl. I wish she had more, after all isn't Cass getting now a new run as Batgirl again?

Not appearing at the boy wonder comic when it was specifically Robins related and instead they put Barbara as Batgirl (like if you wanted a Batgirl use the fucking Batgirl who used to be a Robin).

Not being included at birds of prey with Cass and Babs.

Getting 2 heroes team projects with her included rejected. (In one she was with Supergirl and Damian, denying us that is a hate crime)

Not appearing in Damian's drawing of people who loves him when she is canonically the first big sister figure he had and she helped him be a kid and have fun.

Getting her character denigrated by Tim's bisexual actions like: dumping her without giving her a reason or having a proper talk, ghosting her for months, only talk to her after their friends force him to do it and then without warning or asking her introducing his new boyfriend to her and make her react like a fujoshi 13 years old wattpad writter saying that "the best day ever" Is meeting her ex' new boyfriend in the most cringe way ever.

The time they tried to erase her time as Robin and Batgirl in the new 52 reboot

Only let her be Robin for 2 months and was fired for doing something every Robin has done more than once.

Dying so fast in DCeased when she became Damian's Robin and never coming back even after Taliah said she would use the Lazarus pit on her.

Not having a visual reaction of Selina, Cassandra, Dick and Babs to her being alive.

Jason not mentioning her to rub it on Batman's face when he came back to life for revenge or mentioning her to black mask, what a wasted opportunity!

Never had the realistic representation of the trauma she should have after being tortured by black mask.

Never hanging out properly again with huntress (well I think they were seen together again once but not enough), Supergirl, Black Canary or Green Arrow junior after the reboot.

The fact that in my opinion she never got a proper apology from all the people that wronged her and treated her badly, like a lesser fighter, like she was a bother, like she wasn't made for vigilante life, I think I saw Tim apologizing to her but it felt shallow.

Not showing us Tim visually crying for her death.

Completely ignore how was her very first interaction with Catwoman, in which Selina was extremely kind and sweet with her only to screw it in the second meeting in her run as Batgirl and later in the new 52 reboot making Selina be a jerk to her.

Making Alfred be cold and dry to her in their first interaction, yes he later cries on her death and then he is very happy when she comes back and later he stands up to her against Batman's stupid tests but it doesn't erase the fact that he was mean to her when he met her and I think that was out of character with Alfred.

Her teen pregnancy arc, some people might think this was a way to make her character more tragic and deep but that pregnancy arc didn't bring anything good to her character because it was all about Tim not her and it makes my blood boil. This arc was just a cheap "easy" Way to make Tim and Steph become closer in their relationship by making Tim be there for her and taking care of her even though he wasn't the father and help her and that and I suppose it was also to make more dramatic her death telling Batman that she had a daughter and Batman be all like: "I'll make sure the baby never has to ask for anything" And then Steph dies... Seriously this is the one thing I wish they could erase from canon FOREVER, making Steph go through that just to make her deepen her relationship with Tim only for getting killed off and eventually dumped with everything she already had on her plate was CRIMINAL

Jason not meeting her properly before the stupid new 52 reboot and still not having the trauma and dead Robin talk with her.

[bluejaysandblackbats]

Keepsafes

Fandom: Batman, DC Comics

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

Chapters: 81/?

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

Chapter Eighty-One: Joey

Dick ran into a blond boy, signing to a woman, and he apologized with a simple sign. “You understand me?” the boy questioned. 

“I understand,” Dick replied, “My name is Dick.” Dick fingerspelled his name. “Short for Richard. This is my brother, Bruce Wayne.”

“Joey. Short for Joseph. This is my mom, Adeline Kane,” Joey replied. “I’m hearing, by the way.” Joey pulled his collar down to show Dick his scar. 

“I see. My cousins on our mom’s side are Kanes. Does your mom know Martha Wayne or Jacob Kane?” Dick questioned. 

Joey turned to his mom and asked if she knew them. “Jacob Kane is pretty well known, but we’re not related. He’s got a great reputation, though,” Adeline answered verbally. Adeline turned her attention to Bruce and squinted at him. 

“Hi, I’m Bruce. Dick’s older brother… I think we met in Brussels shortly before my Aunt Gabi passed,” Bruce explained. 

Adeline frowned as the memory came to her. “Did they ever find the man who shot you?” Adeline asked. Dick’s eyes widened, and he went sort of green. Dick knew little of his older brother before he came to live at the manor. Bruce didn’t volunteer that sort of information readily. 

Bruce placed a steadying hand on the back of Dick’s head. “They did,” Bruce answered. 

Dick looked up and over at Bruce before returning his attention to Joey. “I’m sorry about Gabi. She was a wonderful woman,” Adeline whispered. 

“I appreciate that. Thank you,” Bruce gently smiled. 

**

Thomas gave Cassandra his phone to speak to David, and she sat on the couch. “Hi, Cassandra,” David greeted her. He almost sounded cheerful. 

“Hi. Did you get my letter?” Cassandra asked. 

“I did… I’m trying. I know—. I never wanted a daughter until I had you. Now, you’re all I can think about. I love you so much, Cassie, and I know it doesn’t change anything. I’m not warm or affectionate like the Waynes… 

“I don’t hate you for not being what I want you to be. I think I love you more because you go against everything I believe in and understand to be true. You are a weapon, but you chose to be something else. Something beautiful. Maybe you were always meant to be good… Maybe you’re what your mother and I couldn’t be. 

“Doesn’t mean I want you dead or anything. It just means I have to change the way I look at things. Change my idea of what your future looks like. I’m a killer. If I wasn’t in here, I’d still be a killer. It’s just who I am… You aren’t like me. Your loyalties are—.”

“I’ll be old enough to do youth MMA in two more years,” Cassandra interrupted. “It’s not killing, but I could show you that I still like to fight.”

“I didn’t know—. You’re a good daughter… I wish I had been a better father,” David whispered. “I uh—. I gotta go, Cassie… But tell Thomas I said I’m sorry I tried to kill him.”

Cassandra smiled. “I love you… And I will. Bye, Pop,” Cassandra replied. 

“I like that. Bye, Cassie,” David replied before hanging up. 

Thomas looked at Cassandra and waved. “Good chat?” Thomas questioned. 

“He said he was sorry for trying to kill you,” Cassandra smiled. Thomas sat on the couch, and she climbed onto his lap. 

“Well, next time he calls, I want you to tell him I forgave him a long time ago… You told him about youth MMA?” Thomas asked. Cassandra nodded. “How’d he feel about that?” 

“I think he was happy,” Cassandra replied. “I think I’m happy, too.” 

**

Harvey tickled Gilda on the living room floor until someone rang the doorbell, and Harvey froze and covered her mouth. “Maybe they’ll go away,” Harvey whispered. 

“Harvey Dent… We’re coming!” Gilda shouted.

“You would’ve been in just a little while if you hadn’t forced me to answer the door,” Harvey muttered as he helped her off the blanket on the floor. 

Gilda smiled and grabbed his hand, kissing his knuckles. “I’ll make it up to you. Come on,” Gilda whispered. 

Harvey gestured for Gilda to stand behind him as he looked through the peephole and answered the door. “Dad?” Harvey asked. “Gil’, go in the room.” 

“I wanna stay here,” Gilda whispered. 

“Gilda, please,” Harvey whispered. The smell of beer hit him, and Harvey’s stomach turned. 

“She’s a pretty little thing… Is this the wife?” Harvey’s father questioned. 

“Yeah… This is my wife, which is why I want her to go in the room. What are you doing here? I told you how I felt about you coming around me when you’re—.” Mr. Dent pushed past him into the house, and Harvey grabbed his arm. “Dad, stop. Gilda, go into the room and lock the door.” Gilda saw the distress in Harvey’s face, and she did as he asked. 

“What’s the matter? You too good to see your old man now?” Mr. Dent asked. 

“I don’t wanna fight. I just want you to get out—.” 

“Harvey, don’t be like that. I wanted to talk to you about—.” 

“No. No, I don’t wanna talk to you. Get out,” Harvey replied as he tried to push Mr. Dent toward the door. “Get out. Get out of my house!” 

Mr. Dent shoved Harvey back onto the couch. “You listen to me!” Mr. Dent whispered. 

Harvey was much bigger than his father, and it was his house… But the fear from his childhood hadn’t left him. Mr. Dent staggered forward, grabbing Harvey’s shoulder and breathing liquor into Harvey’s face. Harvey turned his head, feeling the full weight of his father as he seemed to fall forward gradually. Harvey made a soft noise of protest like a whimper as he tried to roll away, but Mr. Dent would’ve fallen on him if he moved. And the embarrassment would quickly turn to rage. 

Harvey lay on the couch, stiff and afraid as he waited for Mr. Dent to move away. “Why’d I have to hear the news from someone else?” Mr. Dent asked. 

“It’s not like you show up for anything, Dad… I told Thomas—.” 

“You told him about your baby—.” 

“What? No. What are you talking about?” Harvey questioned. 

“Be honest with me—. “

“That’s none of your business… And for your information, if Gilda was pregnant, I wouldn’t want you anywhere near our child,” Harvey replied. “And for your information… She’s not pregnant.” A lie. “Please let me take you home, Dad. Okay.” 

“Let me say… Let me say goodbye to my daughter-in-law,” Mr. Dent mumbled. 

“I don’t think that’s a good idea. She’s not feeling well,” Harvey lied. “Come on. Let’s go.” 

“Okay,” Mr. Dent muttered, “Bye, Gil’!” 

**

Bette giggled as Dylan blindfolded her and walked her through the house with cheerful intention. “Daddy, what are you doing?” Bette laughed. 

“We’re going to see Maël,” Dylan replied. 

“Daddy, I know what Maël looks like,” Bette giggled as she reached for her blindfold. 

“Hey, no. Come on, humor me, Mary Elizabeth,” Dylan interrupted her. “We’re almost there.” He opened the door to the drawing room and took Bette’s blindfold off. “Her name is Miette.” The black bundle of curls lifted her head and revealed two dark hazel eyes. A bardet. Her mouth open and panting as she smiled at Bette. Clothed in a floral harness, she was sweet-looking and patient, waiting for Bette to approach. 

Bette stood uncharacteristically still, and Maël and Dylan panicked and started stammering.

Bette got on the ground and held Miette’s face in her hands. Mielle kissed her face as Bette started crying. “Oh, bun… We thought it’d be a good idea to really start acting like a family… And I—. With your mom, we got Saga. Now, we have Miette… I just—.” 

“You’re the best daddies in the whole world,” Bette cried. “Where did you get her?” 

“My assistant, Nasir, went to Metropolis to move his mother into the assisted living facility nearby, and he’s allergic to Miette. Maël was in Metropolis for work, so I asked if he could get a feel for Miette,” Dylan explained. 

“And she’s quite smart. She’s still quite young. Only two and a half,” Maël added. “She’s very sweet. Nasir said that Miette used to sleep in his mother’s bed. She’s the daughter of their family dogs.” 

“She’s gorgeous,” Bette smiled, “Aren’t you, Miette? You are going to be so happy here. Wait, does she speak English?” Maël and Dylan chuckled.

[cursedkeyboard]

Babies shouldn't grow up ☆ Jason Todd & GN!Reader (PT.4)

What does Jason do as he raises his kid lovingly like he wished he'd been raised? Try his best and fail spectacularly to keep his nosy family away, of course. [PART ONE ♤ PART TWO ♤ PART THREE ♤ PART FOUR ♤ PART FIVE ♤ PART SIX]

Pairings: Platonic Jason Todd & Child GN!Reader / Batfamily & Jason Todd

After about a year and quite a few months, maybe around the second christmas Jason spent with you, Jason became antsy

The problem wasn't with you two, no

You were his angel and almost never caused him any trouble, even if he'd always call you brat and squirt

The problem was Bruce and Dick and his entire nosy ass family trying to find out why hadn't he come home for christmas a second year in a row

Not only that, he also had cut back on many other activities he'd usually do with friends or his family

Like taking over patrol shifts for others, hanging out with Roy, visiting the manor to see Ace and Alfred, and gossiping with Babs

C'mon, you know he's totally the type to think his kid is so much better than everyone

You're his damn best friend, his confidant, the person he trusts most in the world and would die for in a blink

So Jason wouldn't even notice he was neglecting every other person in his life until they started blowing up his phone and trying to break into his apartment

Like the fucking demon brat did

Damian tried, at three in the morning, with his katana and everything

His excuse? He was tired of everyone talking about why Jason was growing distant and decided to solve the mystery by infringing his privacy

Jason's excuse to grabbing him by the collar and throwing him out of he window before he could take another step inside? You had classes that day

And children are supposed to sleep a lot to grow

He thought that'd be the end of it, after properly threatening every single one of them into staying the fuck away from his home

but then again, Jason should've never put faith in people who are nosy for a living

So he started having to hide you during the day when the two of you hung out

Jason took you to Bat Burger after a rough day at school? Dick conventionally shows up minutes later! And you hide under the table

Jason and you were taking a morning walk to start the day? Surprise! Cass is suddenly coming your way. And you're jumping into a bush (he helped you take the twigs out of your hair later but laughed the entire time)

You finally convinced Jason to watch the latest superhero movie that just came out? Ho, boy! Look, Duke just so happened to also have been wanting to see it! Aaand you have to pee real bad

For you it's like a game, never let the Waynes catch you

The rewards are many; head pats, Jason's laughter, a hardcover book that you had been eyeing

The consequences of failing...?

That was the scary part for Jason

He'd spend nights thinking about it after tucking you in bed

Would they take you away? Would they think he's abusing you? Would they be disappointed in him for thinking he could be anything else but a disappointment?

Irrational and emotional, those thoughts were, but you were the life of Jason's life

Fuck, you're the one person he hadn't let down yet

The one person he didn't disappoint or hurt

You thrived every day, growing up and putting on weight, learning more every moment because you had a thirst for knowledge just like him

God, every time you looked at him like he was your whole world

Like he was your damn hero

It gave his life a little more meaning

He wanted to keep you safe, watch you grow into a beautiful person, better than he could ever hope to be

But he also wanted you to stay being his

His kid

Not taken away by protective services or recruited into Bruce's little army of children

So imagine how his stomach dropped when during one fateful night, as he helped you with your haircare routine

–Jason sitting on the couch and you between his legs on the floor, your back to him–

his door opened up, was picked open, and a good portion of his family (Dick, Damian, Stepth, and Bruce) waltzed in like they fucking owned the place

There was no way to hide, both of you caught off guard

"Jason! Games' over, buddy, we're here now–"

"Is– Is that a child?"

"What the fuck."

Jason was torn between taking them on on a 4v1 or pulling you in his arms and jumping out of the window

You chose for him, quickly climbing on the couch and hiding away under his arm, almost completely covered by his bulky form

You're not a coward but you're also not good with people like you are with Jason

You also don't exactly like the big bat after everything he did to your da–

To Jason

"Tell me you didn't kidnap a child, Jay."

"No, Steph, I didn't fucking kidnap anyone–"

"Is this why you didn't let me in? I expected better from you, Todd."

"You fucking brat– Can you just leave–"

"No, no, hang on, am I an uncle? Oh, my god, am I? Holy shit, I am!"

"You're not a fucking uncl–"

"Jason, explain."

And oh, how that terrified Jason

He hated the way Bruce was staring at you, like you were a puzzle, something he needed to figure out before he could ultimately collect

It almost made Jason snarl like a wounded dog

You were his kid, god damn it, and Jason would be damned if he let Bruce take you

So he swallowed his fear and clenched his trembling hands and made everyone sit down before he explained

He asked you if you wanted to go to your room, just in case you didn't feel comfortable around them, but you shook your head

"I don't wanna leave you alone."

"...Okay, okay, squirt, what you say goes."

None of them missed the way Jason easily wrapped his arm around you, tucking you close, and how you hid you face partially in his shoulder, glancing at them with one eye

And so, he began telling his tale

Interrupted only a few times because Dick couldn't shut the fuck up to save his life and Damian thinks being insufferable is a good personality trait, Jason finally let the cat out of the bag after about two years of keeping it hidden

"Why didn't you come to us? We could've helped."

"Helped? Bruce, look at the demon spawn, he sleeps with a knife under his pillow and he's, what? Thirteen? This kid here sleeps with a Garfield plushy, like children should."

At that, you slapped his shoulder (it still didn't hurt) and all Jason did was chuckle and kiss your forehead

It was jarring for all of them to see such a soft version of their most volatile family member

In fact, they could now see how the entire apartment had changed

No longer was it a... mojo dojo casa house of sorts, but a cozy and welcoming environment

Shit, the fridge even had cute magnets on it to hold all of your drawings

Frames with pictures of you two were placed everywhere, along with your awards from school and his own additions like a couple of plants and vinyls on the walls

It stung a little to know he'd kept a whole child away from them for so long, to know he didn't trust them enough

It especially hurt Bruce, since technically this was his first grandchild

All in all, everyone eventually fell silent, one fuming, some curious, and others brooding

Until you broke it by finally speaking, tilting your head until you were looking directly into Batman's glowing eyes

"I don't care if you're Batman or Bruce Wayne, if you hurt Jason again, I'll kill you myself."

To say Jason was proud was putting it mildly

He was so ecstatic he could make that day a national holiday

Jason ignored the rest of his family freaking out about how you knew Batman's identity and hugged you close, squeezing you gently

"Fucking love you, kiddo."

To be continued...

[msfcatlover]

Nightwing!Damian would still be of the Corruption, though he has so many healthy relationships in his life that its influence on him is slipping. His swarm is smaller now than it’s ever been. His power fades day by day. He might even manage to be human again someday (he doesn’t know how he feels about that, when his swarm are so beloved & his monster side has always been a source of pride for Damian.)

Tim was always going to be of the Eye, being Oracle only doubles down on it.

Cass in the TMA AU is basically Agnes Montague, but for the Stranger. That wouldn’t change either.

Steph was only just starting out when Damian took her under his wing. She never fully got caught in the spiraling fixation on destroying her father by any means necessary, she couldn’t pursue one goal to the exclusion of all others, and as the first fully human (non-Alfred) member of the team, everyone would be doing their best to protect that humanity, monitoring her for any sign of supernatural influence and guiding her away before it could get its hooks in her (they are still Bruce’s children, after all.) Until she came out of the dirt, unsheltered & unprotected, already marked so many times over, with fear & rage boiling in her blood. Until Talia gave Steph her mind back, gave Steph a purpose again, and the rage boiled over plasmatic hate. Until Steph laughed like a roaring maelstrom, sparks crackling in her wild hair, something bordering on madness in her eyes, and Talia thought: Oh. I have made a mistake. (The storm would be leashed, eventually. Steph does have self control, she has goals to achieve, plans to make, and power alone could not do that. But in that moment, when Steph realized her killer was still killing people despite everything that had happened, in her pain & fury, she gave in. She stepped backwards off that invisible ledge and plunged headfirst into what she knew she was Becoming. She embraced it, wholeheartedly. In that moment, it almost wasn’t Stephanie Brown in that garden, but the Cataclysm itself inside her skin. Almost.)

Duke… I’m still struggling to think of a good match for, but honestly in this AU… His ability to connect, to make people listen to him, his desire to step up & save the city himself if he has to, and the fact Duke is the eldest/first batkid in this AU (giving him & Bruce even more in common when Batman had only ever fought alone) all make me want to say Web. BUT with his powers, his ability to lead a crowd, the sheer scale of his potential, I also want to say Vast? What little I know of Gnomon also says Vast, ALTHOUGH…. …we could play off their shadow control, invert Duke’s light powers for this AU, and say Dark. Which would make Duke borderline antithetical to Web!Bruce, but hey, maybe Web!Bruce wants to prove to himself just how much choice he still has—that the Web can make him as uncomfortable as it likes, but he’s still going to take care of a child in need. (Assuming he is going against the Web’s wishes, of course, and it isn’t reverse psychologying him…) (My gut says Web!Duke, though. The more I think about it, the more I like Web!Duke conceptually… but I am worried that it doesn’t fit him. That Duke’s all-or-nothing “if no one else is going to, I’ll do it myself” attitude & raw charisma is not close enough to the Web’s need for control. I don’t like it when people just assign characters an Entity for the Aesthetic(TM) or for shallow, surface-level reasons—it has to resonate with their own personal failings, or else what’s even the point?)

Jason was human when he joined the family, and they’d want to keep him that way… but I think by the time he gets back from the Red Robin arc, Jason would’ve been claimed by the Hunt.

Dick gets scooped up by the family almost immediately in this AU, and Cass does her best to temper in his early-days bloodlust. With Cass as his Batman, I think Dick would be tempted by the Vast, but ultimately chase after her by embracing his own Otherness. (Or Dick was already a Stranger when his parents fell. But honestly, I like the arc of Dick learning to love himself & following in his mentor’s footsteps so much more than making him a Stranger because Circus.)

[koraesrambles]

Thoughts on the conclusion of Gotham War

Alright, so I've made it absolutely no secret that I've been enjoying the crap out of Gotham War. Is it structurally sound with good pacing and clear stakes? HELL no. It's not an air tight story, there are so many holes in all of the characters logic, but it is also an extremely good time.

I don't mind loose storylines in comics like this. Mostly because the premise "full grown man dresses up as a bat and cannot stop himself from mass adopting every orphan that looks like him" is already so ridiculous that anything they posit as a solution in their "war on crime" I think, "Yeah, I can see that." None of the rules of this world make sense.

But I don't really read most things for their air tight plot. Slight detour (There's a point, I swear!), but some perfect examples of this are Puss in Boots and the Last Wish and The Super Mario Bro movie. The last wish is PHENOMENAL. A literal work of art. I've seen it so many times and just basked in it's beauty. Love everything about it, absolutely stellar. But do you know what movie made me look up fan content, read fics, and forced me to buy the digital copy of the movie before the DVD came out? Yep. Mario Bros.

Why? Because I like stories about brothers who love each other and the mario movie gave me exactly that. It's not an air tight, phenomonal story with gorgeous real world applications, but it gave me a fun time where two characters worried about each other incessantly and honestly? that is what I'm here for.

So back to Gotham War. If I'm not actually looking for a ground breaking story (which honestly, I know those happen in these big super hero comic books but I feel like they're usually the *exception* rather than the rule) and just want good character interactions, then Gotham War delivered phenomenally. Especially since my favorite character was the one constantly being wrung through the wringer.

It was a great time. I enjoyed reading it, the art is better than anything I could ever produce even when the characters made weird faces. It was great. But did they stick the ending?

Eh, endings are hard. I would love to see more consequences for Bruce. Him just going off at the end and getting away with the horrible things he did to Jason is annoying. I almost wanted Jason to actually die at the end there, just so that Bruce would feel stupid and sad. If Bruce never acknowledges what he did to Jason (which . . . he probably won't, given the track record) then I'll be pretty disappointed. That's some juicy angst right there that should absolutely be addressed.

And I appreciated that literally every character that interacted with Bruce that knew about what he'd done yelled at him for it. Even Dick's seeming about-face at the end with "I'm sure you had your reasons" came after two weeks of getting used to the idea AND him trying to actually get Bruce to make good choices for once. I mean, Bruce doesn't, but A for effort, Dick. Thanks for punching him in the face last time, that was cathartic.

I surprisingly really like the fact that it wasn't Zur who did this to Jason. It was Bruce. Horrible, wacked-out, messed up Bruce Wayne who is so desperate to control everything around him and so terrified of losing the people he loves that he constantly overrides them like they're his freaking pets. Bruce is in a BAD place, and I sure hope that there will be tons of fics exploring that even if canon never acknowledges it.

But that's how I deal with comic universes like this. Everyone jokes that "Canon? what canon!" and we all laugh but honestly . . .yeah. Like, seriously. Canon is whatever works for the writer's plot in the moment. They make stuff up and contradict themselves all the time. They're constantly retconning stuff. It doesn't take away from any of the stories I like, I can still read them. And at this point, legitimately, I approach every single comic I come up on as though it's an AU. There is no canon timeline for me, because it's too messy. DC is literally just an AO3 platform that's allowed to make money.

Because the people who originally created these characters are long gone. These guys (gender neutral) writing and drawing the comics now are just fans like we all are. It's all fake. None of it is real. So let's all just have a good time.

I was talking to some friends about this and they pointed out, "It's difficult because people feel like when they're constantly screwing around with things like that why should they even care about the characters?" And they were absolutely right, that's extremely frustrating to deal with. I put a lot of emotional investment into characters, but every writer is going to approach the characters differently and with a universe like DC has, you just have to roll with it. There are no stakes. We all complain about it, but nothing is done to change it because we love these characters and we'll keep coming back for more, and so they keep having to make more content and that means messing with stuff they already have. It's a never ending cycle. These are living legends, mythology that's being written out in real time. Nothing about them are ever going to be cohesive.

Wow this is getting long, sorry about that. Things I loved about the Gotham War conclusion: Jason almost sacrificing himself and being a hero even though he was terrified. A+ content. Gorgeous, you go my boy! Tim telling everyone how to beat up all the rouges (Good job sweetheart, way to be a morally ambiguous little shit like you always are). Even if he claimed to be the second best robin at the end, those are fighting words my man. I also liked Jason's "Go 'save' another one of your sons." jab. That was great. I liked that everyone told Bruce he was wrong, even if it could have been stronger. The rest of the issue was plot stuff that I didn't really care too much about. I really like Bat/Cat, so I didn't mind those scenes too much even though Bruce is still the worst (affectionate AND derogatory).

I didn't really expect anything spectacular from the conclusion, and it really did end kind of like what I expected (nothing's changed except now Jason gets to deal with the Joker when he's sick with Super Anxiety -- which I actually am really excited for). But it wasn't as much fun as some of the previous issues.

That said, I would not mind owning an omnibus of all the gotham war issues, if just to re-read all of my favorite scenes. There were some truly unhinged crap in there, and that's just my cup of tea.

Story telling quality? eh, 6/10

enjoyment had? 9/10

[lighttothecityofroses]

going to be mean and blunt about the robins rq

dick: the First one. you can dress it up as whatever as him being a minority him being a marysue wunderkind him having eldest daughter syndrome whatever whatever idc his value is inherent in being the first one. he’s my favorite but he’s the first and that’s what he brings to the table. literally every part of his character is just the idea of the The First One amplified. they could write him out of the dc story they could ! but it’s not his flexibility as a person/character that keeps him relevant it’s because he sets the tone always. everyone else gets to be different because he set the standard first and it’s BECAUSE he came first that he’s written like this.

jason: the Dead one. stephanie’s dead too, you say. god i wish DC would acknowledge that, i reply. death arcs are sexy and cool and put everyone else in the wrong because dying and coming back makes you the ultimate object of pity. unfortunately dc found jason so boring that somehow even with a death arc as his only personality trait his run was so boring without other characters they had to shut him down at 50 issues

tim: the Boring one. this post was actually motivated by seeing a post that tried to make tim interesting and i would just like to say: stop. there is nothing fundamentally unique or likable about him. name one thing tim has going for him i’m begging you…smarts? dick is smarter*. skills? damian’s been training since birth**. strength? jason is 6 2”. humor? stephanie literally slapped batman. initiative? duke started a robin collective WITHOUT walking up to a dude and saying “hey remember when ur parents died ! sucked for me tbh” PLEASE. “oh but he’s the relatable one :(((!” i hate to break it to you but if you relate to tim you’re probably just as boring and no one’s told you yet. consider this your wakeup call. now try to imagine a world without him. you can’t because DC won’t stop putting him in things. it’s killing me

stephanie: the Girl one. white and blonde and the target of every horrific Women As A Cautionary Tale storyline in the batman universe ever. because she already has MAJOR diversity points for being female in the robin costume, the writers and the fandom decided to ransack her character for things to beef up tim’s disgustingly sparse resume with. this has left behind a Girl Best Friend Doll in purple with a drawstring in her back to let her say unfunny one-liners and the words “We Can Do It!” © Rosie the Riveter

Damian: the Exotic one. god forbid we have one story that does not involve his Evil Heritage and Evil Family. where are he talia and ras from again? the Mystical Orient, did you say? come again? oh, you mean the [unspecified landmass] of the Savages who Must Be Converted To The American Values of Apple Pie and Bravery? everything about damian has to tie back to his exoticism, his temperament his weaponry his fucking dialogue (and like the vernacular (separate story) that he’s given that conflates east + antiquation -> to imply backwardness) of it establishes him as the Other and makes it the conflict all the time. you don’t see tim’s white people manners learned from his mother being an issue to overcome do you

Duke: the New one. technically not even robin to begin with, thank GOD because while it would be sweet to see a younger duke maybe have been a robin it would have come at the expense of his family, AND ON THAT NOTE in fanon it constantly does??? the guy is Batfamily but he has his own cast (and that’s how you create a HeroProtagonist in the dcverse) and he was established as an outside individual a la Kate or Dick (90s). try and respect that

there’s no point to this btw. but i said what i said

*babs is not mentioned because she’s not a robin

**cass, again, not mentioned because she’s not a robin

[a-reader-and-a-writer-for-all]

The Dream (One Bad Day.... One-Shot)

Fandom: Batman, Batfam, Batmom

Word Count: 1795

TW: Some Language, Angst

Series Masterlist

You’ve had basically the same dream every night for the past five years. Ever since the night you were first arrested. Some of the details shift, people age, and the end can go in different directions, but the basic points are always the same. Half memory, half dream, this experience can shift between ending gut-clenchingly horribly to blissfully wonderful depending on those everchanging details.

But tonight, tonight you are having the best possible version of the dream. It is the one where every single moment is perfect and the only pain comes from knowing it will end and you will have to wake up from it. But while you are in it, it is your version of Heaven.

You are half-asleep in front of the Batcomputer, curled up under your favorite blanket. Just as you begin fully drifting off, you feel a set of fingers lightly brush against the side of your face. Smiling, but still keeping your eyes closed, you murmur, “You’re home early.”

“Honey, it’s 4:30 in the morning.”

“Exactly. You’re normally out much later.”

“I couldn’t wait to see you.” His lips press firmly into yours as you smile through the kiss.

When he pulls away, you finally open your sleep-heavy eyes. Rubbing your face, you grumble, “You know I hate when you kiss me with that thing on. It always pokes my nose.”

Bruce chuckles as he pulls off the cowl. Leaning over he gives you a small peck on the tip of your nose then a real kiss on your lips. “Better?”

“Much. Now where are the boys? Don’t tell me you came home early and made them stay out?”

“Now, what kind of father do you think I am?”

“A terrible one!” You look over your shoulder to see your sons walking into the Batcave, each with a bag of food and drinks. Dick is in the front, but you can’t take your eyes off of Jason.

“Uh oh, what did he do this time?” you say with a grin.

“He sent us on a food run then didn’t give us any way to pay. We had to get it….with our own money!”

“Oh no! The horror!”

“Nuh-uh, Jay. There was no ‘us’ or ‘we’. You didn’t pay for anything. I did!” Dick playfully shoves his younger brother.

“Fine, but the point is still valid. Who asks someone to pick up food for them without giving them a way to pay for it. That’s just rude.”

“If you recall, you said the two of you were stopping for food and you asked if I wanted anything. I said no. So how is that me asking you to pick up food? Or how does it become my responsibility to pay?” Bruce grumbles, but you could see a slight twinkle in his eyes.

“Well, because we brought Ma this.” Jason holds out a pink milkshake.

Your eyes light up. “Oh, gimmie, gimmie, gimmie! “

Jason chuckles as he hands it over. “God, you’re worse than a damn 6-year-old.”

“Hey, you watch your fucking mouth, mister!” You bark out between a mouthful of milkshake.

“Sorry, Ma.” Jason smiles as he bends down and kisses your head. The moment he touches you, a bolt of electricity floods through your system. You know he’s gone. He shouldn’t be here. But a small voice in the back of your head whispers, It’s okay… just give yourself this moment. For now, he is here and that’s all that matters. So, you let yourself fall back into the illusion, you let Jason be alive for the time being.

You stare into his eyes, and he gives you a sad, knowing smile. He pulls you into a tight hug and whispers in your ear, “Thank you, Ma. I know what you did, and it means everything to me.”

Before you can respond, he straightens up and starts to leave the cave. But you can’t let him leave like that, not without one last glance at your baby boy.

“Jay…” – he turns to look at you – “…Don’t stay up too late, okay?”

He smiles one last time and says, “As you wish, Ma.” And he disappears into the darkness.

You lean your head back in the chair, trying to stay in the fantasy where Jason is just heading up to his room. Where he is still alive and back as a part of your family. But the truth tickles at the back of your brain.

A hand on your shoulder pulls you from these thoughts. You smile up at your eldest son. “Hey, Dickie. Thanks again for the milkshake. It really hit the spot.”

“Anytime, Mom.” Dick smiles back. He intertwines his fingers with yours and you realize it is the first time you have touched him in a really long time without voices yelling about maintaining a distance barrier. You squeeze his hand tighter as you begin rubbing small circles with your thumb.

“Dick…. I hope you know that whatever I did… it wasn’t because I loved him more. I never meant to lose you too.”

Dick nods understandingly. “I know, Mom. I never thought any differently. You did what you had to do to deal with his loss. I’m just sorry about how things turned out.”

“I’m so proud of you and the man you’ve become. And I don’t know if I’ve ever told you that. Why did I never tell you that?” Tears start to form at the corners of your eyes, but Dick gently wipes them away.

“You didn’t have to. I already know.” He pulls you into a tight hug just like Jason had. Just another one of your boys who had essentially been taken from you.

As he walks away, you call after him, “Dick…keep an eye on Bruce. He needs someone like you to keep him grounded. And he’s always listened to you.”

Dick stares at you sadly. “Not always. Not when it mattered most.” And he too disappears into the dark.

You stare up at the ceiling high above you, trying to control the storm raging within you. You feel Bruce approach and stand next to your shoulder.

“Are you thinking about it again?”

“When am I not?”

Bruce crouches down to your level and takes your hand. “Hey, look at me.” You hesitate for a moment, then turn your eyes to meet his. They are full of a love and devotion you haven’t seen in a long time. “It’s okay. I know we had a rough time right after it happened, but we’ve both moved on since then. I get why you did what you did. I might not like it, but I understand why you thought you had to kill him. And it’s over now. Jay’s back, the Joker’s gone, and our life is about to get a whole lot better.” He kisses your temple firmly before standing. “Now it’s time for you to get some sleep. It’s not good to be up this late.”

He gently helps hoist you out of the chair. Your blanket falls to the floor as you teeter slightly, adjusting to your new equilibrium caused by your protruding stomach. You smile brightly as you feel a flurry of movement just beneath your skin. Taking Bruce’s hand, you place it just above your belly button. “She wants to say hello.”

“I think you mean he wants to say good night.”

“What makes you so certain it’s a boy?”

“Well, what makes you so certain it’s a girl? If you just let the doctor tell us, we wouldn’t have to keep playing this guessing game.”

You shrug. “I like the mystery. And regardless, I love this little one so much already, it doesn’t really matter. It’s part you and part me. What more could I ask for?” You loved both of your sons as if they were your own, but the thought of you and Bruce raising a baby that was your own….it had always been your deepest desire. And at one time, it was almost a reality until…..No! You slam down the barrier blocking those memories from slipping in. Not now, not in this moment. This is all that matters. And it works. You are left with just the thought of the here and now. And you take Bruce’s hand in yours.

But then you feel it. Starting from far off in the distance, you could sense the rumbling, shimmering, shakiness of the dream failing as consciousness struggled to gain control once more. Panic floods through you and you throw yourself into Bruce’s open arms.

“No, not this time. Not this one. Please, please Bruce, let me stay. This, this is everything I have ever wanted. You, Dick, Jason,….our baby. Happy and together just like it was supposed to be. I can’t lose it all again. I can’t wake up empty and alone again, trapped in that cell with no way out. Please, I don’t care what it means, just let me stay here, with you. Let us be a family again.”

Bruce cups your cheek in his hand. “My heart, you know that can’t happen. This isn’t real. This is just the life that could have been, should have been. And maybe it is, in some other world, in some other time, but not for us. And I’m so sorry for that. I’m so sorry I wasn’t the man you needed, the man I should have been. And I’m so sorry for the pain and loss you’ve had to endure because of that. And I’m so sorry that you have to go through this again, and again every night. If I knew how, I would make it so you never had to come back and experience it again.”

You shake your head. “Oh, Bruce. Even if that were an option, I wouldn’t choose it. I would take the pain of losing you a million times just to spend one moment back in your arms. Even if I know it’s not real. Because it was once. And because being loved by you….. it was the greatest experience of my life.” The world around you shakes and cracks apart. Everything blurs except for you and the man you loved. You trace your fingers down his face, trying to hold on to this feeling for as long as possible. “The night we met, you told me that you didn’t believe in happily ever after, but I said we would be the proof that it was real. I guess you were right after all.”

Bruce pulls you close, arms wrapping around you in a tight embrace. Your eyes flutter closed as his lips brush up against your ear and he whispers, “It’s never too late.”

The prison security alarm wakes you from your restless slumber.

[invisibleanonymousmonsters]

Childhood

Father of Mine – Part 1 and Part 2

+ This Game of Ours

Jason’s eyes snapped open at a sound that no human should be able to hear.

Ever since he’d been resurrected from the Lazarus pit, his senses had grown abnormally acute – amongst other strange things. 

Sometimes he swore he could even hear Y/N’s heartbeat. It was easiest to do with her, after all he was so intone with her very being.

But all of that made nearly impossible for anyone to sneak up on him – let alone in his own home. Which someone was. He could feel it.

Jason’s eyes glanced down at Y/N, who was sound asleep on his chest.

Ever so carefully, he lifted her body off of him so he could slip out of bed.

But Y/N was a light sleeper, unfortunately. She must’ve inherited that from Bruce, even though she wasn’t even raised by the man.

Y/N winced as her eyes opened just in time to see Jason grabbing one of his hidden guns from below their bed frame.

“What’s going on?” Her voice raspy.

“Nothing,” Jason lied. “Stay here.”

Now that she found out about another hidden gun in their apartment, Jason knew he was going to return to a lecture from Y/N. She never hid her hatred for guns, and had asked him to keep them out of their apartment.

“Jason…” Y/N whispered desperately, now more awake and concerned.

“Stay here,” Jason said, more firmly this time.

Then he quickly kissed her, leaving even less room for her to argue.

In only his black boxer briefs, Jason snuck out of their bedroom and into the living room without making any sound. Y/N had always been shocked at how quiet her giant boyfriend could make himself.

Just as Jason raised his gun, he heard the familiar voice.

“Put some clothes on, Todd.”

Damian stepped out of the shadows.

To Jason’s surprise, he was in civilian clothes and not in his Robin uniform.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing, breaking in like that?” Jason reprimanded as he uncocked the gun.

But before Damian could defend himself, the bedroom door squeaked open and Y/N was rushing out into the living room.

“I told you to stay there,” Jason growled.

Y/N rolled her eyes at her boyfriend’s overprotectiveness. “Obviously I recognized Damian’s voice, Jason.”

Then Y/N looked at her half-brother for a second and quickly realized Damian had come there for a reason.

“Everything alright, Damian?” She asked carefully.

“Yes,” he lied.

Jason remembered when Damian despised Y/N. He saw her as a threat to his claim to the Wayne throne. But Y/N had immediately made her intentions clear. “I have my own reputation, money, and career that I built without a name attached to me. I want nothing to do with Wayne Enterprises,” she had told Damian as soon as she realized he saw her as some sort of competition.

It took Damian months to even acknowledge Y/N. And he really only did because both his father and Dick – basically his surrogate father – scolded him for not doing so.

Slowly but surely, the two grew closer.

Y/N didn’t put up with Damian’s attitude. But she also didn’t scold him like a child. If he was rude or aggressive, she spoke to him the same way she would speak to a grown man who behaved in such a manner. Somehow it made the boy slowly start to respect her more.

Eventually, they bonded over their mutual love of the arts. Damian was impressed with her photographs, while Y/N was honored whenever Damian decided to share his drawings with her. Y/N had gifted Damian his first camera. And Damian once gave her a few lessons on the basics of sketching and painting.

Who knew Waynes were the creative type?

And it was when Damian’s pets all seemed to be obsessed with Y/N that the boy finally decided to get over his original opinions and feelings.

It was by no means a short or easy battle. But the rest of the family was relieved when Damian finally accepted Y/N as one of their own.

“How about I make us some hot chocolate?” Y/N offered Damian.

The boy just shrugged, but she noticed his eyes subtly light up.

She never understood why he refused to let himself feel joy in the simple things. It was like she could catch him stopping himself from being a kid.

“I’m going to bed,” Jason announced with exhaustion.

It was clear to him that Damian came to see his sister, not him. And he was nice enough to leave the two of them alone. Even though he was a bit bitter that his girlfriend was being stolen from their bed.

Before turning back to the bedroom, Jason invaded Y/N’s space and gently grabbed her jaw before pressing a kiss to her lips.

“Gross,” Damian groaned.

Jason glared and pointed at the boy. “You’re in our apartment, demon spawn. I’ll kiss my girlfriend if I fuckin’ want to.”

Y/N just laughed as she watched Jason close their bedroom door behind him.

“Come on,” she nudged her head in the direction of the kitchen. “Let’s make some hot chocolate. I think I have some of Alfred’s cookies hiding somewhere, too.”

“I don’t know what you see in him,” Damian mumbled.

Y/N smirked and shook her head. Tonight, she wasn’t taking the bait. 

Once Damian decided he didn’t hate Y/N, he jumped right to making it known that he did not think Jason was good enough for her. But she knew it was an act – mostly.

“Why aren’t you on patrol?” She asked casually once they had giant mugs of hot chocolate and cookies in front of them, making sure to give the boy extra marshmallows. 

“I’m grounded,” Damian muttered.

Y/N tilted her head. “Grounded?”

It seemed like a far too normal concept for a family of vigilantes.

“Yes,” Damian confirmed.

“I’m guessing that means Bruce and Alfred don’t know you’re here…?”

“I snuck out,” he admitted.

“Why did you get grounded?”

“Father found out I was skipping school. And then that I skipped the school dance.”

“Why does it matter if you skipped the dance?” She asked, clearly confused.

Y/N was also struggling to imagine Bruce caring about such a trivial thing like that.  

“Father wishes for me to have normal experiences that young man of my age is expected to have,” Damian said with a roll of his eyes.

“School dances are lame,” Y/N commented.

Damian sat up straighter, not expecting that to be her response.

“I skipped prom. I didn’t want to go,” she added.

“Why not?” The boy challenge, somewhat caught off guard by that.

Y/N shrugged. “Bad music. Bad dancing. Tacky dresses. Just wasn’t all that appealing to angsty, teenage me.”

Damian just nodded slowly, and then got quiet.

“I have no desire to be normal,” he finally stated after a few minutes.

“I’m not taking his side, but I get why Bruce wants you to do these things, Damian. You were robbed of a lot of things because of the way you were raised. I’m not saying that it’s bad or good. But I think Bruce just wants to give you the opportunity to experience the life of a – well...of a kid.”

“And was your life normal?” Damian quickly asked.

Y/N nodded. “So normal that it was boring.” She laughed, “My entire life was normal until I met all of you weirdos.”

That got a smile out of Damian.

But then it slowly dropped and he seemed to get lost in his head.

“I don’t…I don’t have any friends,” Damian finally whimpered.

Y/N was shocked by the boy’s emotion.

Damian was always composed.

“It’s like they speak a different language. And it’s one I can never learn.”

“Oh, Damian,” Y/N sighed as she rushed from her seat to kneel beside him. “I know it must be hard to try and fit in. But you’re not doing anything wrong. None of that’s your fault.”

“Father is more than aware that I don’t need the education,” Damian’s voice shook as he tried not to cry. “He only forces me to attend so I can make friends. And that is one thing I am unable to do.”

Y/N let him breathe and have an opportunity to continue before she spoke again. 

“I hate school, so I skip. And the school dance seemed so ridiculous to me, so I skipped that too – even after father specifically requested that I attend.”

Y/N sighed, “And did you tell him how you’re feeling when he grounded you?”

Damian shook his head no.

She hadn’t expected anything different. She could easily imagine Damian lashing out at Bruce when he received his punishment, saying that the requests were a waste of his time and beneath him. 

Damian was good at hiding his emotional pain – maybe even better than their father.

Y/N was sure Bruce didn’t have a true understanding of what Damian was going through.

“Can I stay here tonight?” Damian asked.

“Of course,” she gave him a sad smile. “How about we take this hot chocolate to the couch and watch a movie?”

Damian shrugged. But it wasn’t a no.

Y/N let him pick the movie.

He chose Fantasia. 

When Y/N didn’t hide her surprise, he explained that he respected the animation and loved all of the classical music. Even when they did a child-like activity, he still always found way to remind the world that he was no normal child.

An hour later, both of them had fallen asleep on the couch with the movie still playing.

When Damian felt another presence, he awoke with a jolt and grabbed his hidden knife, holding it to the throat of the intruder.

But it was Jason, gently bringing Y/N’s sleeping body into his arms.

“Once again, demon spawn, you’re in our apartment,” Jason hissed with annoyance.

The man was completely unfazed by the feeling of a blade threatening to slit his throat. 

Damian huffed.

“I’m taking her to bed,” Jason explained the obvious. Then he nudged his head at the love-seat across from Damian. “There’s a blanket right there if you want to sleep on the couch. Or you can sleep in the guest bedroom.”

But Jason paused, with Y/N sleeping in his arms, as he noticed a strange look on Damian’s face.

“What?” He urged.

“If you ever hurt her, I’ll kill you myself,” Damian growled softly.

Jason looked utterly unimpressed. “You’d have to get in line,” he answered, making sure to keep his voice quiet to prevent waking Y/N.

But then Jason’s face softened. “Look, kid, I think you know that she’s the best thing to ever happen to me. I’d die before doing anything to mess this up.”

“Hmph,” was the only noise Damian made in response.

Jason rolled his eyes and carried Y/N back to their bedroom.

In all honesty, he couldn’t fall asleep while she had been in with Damian. With Jason’s weird enhanced hearing because of the pit, he was able to catch a bit of their conversation.

Jason softly place Y/N back in bed and pulled the covers up to her shoulders. When he joined her on the other side of the bed, she didn’t even wake as she slid back into his arms.

Now Jason could finally go to sleep.

When there was a knock on the apartment door the next morning, Damian and Y/N shared a look.

“I’ll get it,” Y/N sighed.

Jason had made all three of them breakfast that morning.

But now Damian pushed the food around his plate, knowing this was the end of his small rebellion. Who knew what his new punishment would be?

Y/N opened the door to unsurprisingly find her father.

Bruce was wearing a full suit, despite it being a Sunday morning. On top was a heavy, black overcoat with the back of the collar slightly propped up.

“You could have least told me he was here,” Bruce greeted his daughter.

She smirked mischievously and shrugged. “I’m no snitch.”

Damian appeared behind Y/N, not seeing the point in dragging this out any longer than necessary.

“Alfred’s downstairs with the car,” Bruce told his son evenly.

The disappointment in both his expression and tone was obvious.

Damian looked up at Y/N. “Thank you for having me, Y/N.”

“Next time, use the actual door so you don’t give me or Jason a heart attack.”

Damian smiled at that before walking past his father and down the hallway.

“Can I talk to you a second?” Y/N asked Bruce.

Her father seemed surprised by the request, but nodded anyways and closed the door behind him.

“I think Damian is really struggling – more than you think, I mean.”

Bruce’s brow furrowed and he crossed his arms. “He hasn’t even been remotely injured from patrols in months…”

“No, Bruce,” she quickly cut off. “Not as Robin. As Damian.”

Bruce was quiet.

“He doesn’t know how to fit in, Bruce. And you’re putting a lot of pressure on him to live a normal life. Bu he’s never gonna have normal. That was taken away from him before you even knew he existed.”

“He said that to you?” Bruce asked.

She nodded. “In so few words, yes.”

“And I’m assuming you have some advice,” he quirked a brow.

“Well, yeah. Maybe you should just homeschool him.”

“Y/N, the whole point of him going to school is to be around kids his own age. We both know the education is beneath him already.”

“But that’s the thing, Bruce. He’s never going to relate to any of those kids. Going to school makes him feel like a freak. Let him get homeschooled.”

“He needs to learn to make friends,” Bruce argued.

“You’re right. He does. But not with the spoiled brats of Gotham Academy. How many superheroes are you friends with?”

“He doesn’t consider them friends!” Jason shouted from the kitchen.

Y/N rolled her eyes. “Fine. How many superheroes are you acquainted with, who have kids around Damian’s age?”

Bruce’s jaw tightened.

“I know you like to keep your personal life away from Batman. But those are the only kids that Damian is ever going to relate to in some way. Do you get what I’m saying?”

To her surprise, Bruce nodded. “You’re right.”

Her brows shot up. “I am?”

Y/N had really expected him to fight her on this.

Bruce chuckled. “Of course you are. Out of everyone in this family, you are the only one who can say they had any semblance of a normal childhood.”

Suddenly his phone dinged and he glanced down at it.

“I have to go,” he regretfully told her.

When he looked back up at her, his face softened. “Come to the manor soon for dinner,” he asked her gently.

She gave him a soft smile and nodded, “I will.”

Bruce nodded in the direction of the kitchen where Jason was hiding. “And bring that one with you, will you?”

Y/N laughed. “He’ll go wherever I go. He’s like a puppy, that one.”

“I can hear you!” Jason called out.

Bruce laughed and stepped forward to give Y/N a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you for looking out for Damian, Y/N.”

“You don’t have to thank me, Bruce.”

––––––––––––––––––––

[batstorm93672]

Robin was dying...

Again...

How sad...

Yet no one was here

He was going to be alone

Alone just like he felt when in the Manor at times

So much blood down his chest and on his hands. Robin was going to die and no one was coming, no matter how much he called for his family to arrive. No one responded and he was going to die all over again.

What does one do when slowly approaching death? Reminisce on good moments?

...good moments... Robin might be able to count the amount of good moments he had on one hand.

Talia would sing such sweet lullabies in Arabic, it would make Damian start to fall asleep at times or he would feel safer whenever Ra Al Ghul was too tough on him.

Another good time was when Damian was around Dick and sometimes he had good times with his father.

Even Jason and Tim made Damian happy at times regardless of how annoying they may be.

Yet no one was here now...

Robin was dying

The only thing on his mind was his family... if only he was strong enough to say such nice things to them. To tell Dick that he loves him so much. To tell Jason that he and him aren't so different and he's happy to know that. To tell Tim that he's sorry again and that he's happy to be his brother. To tell Steph that even though they don't hang around much that he appreciates her enthusiasm. To tell Cass that if he could he'd play on his violin for her dances for as long as he can just to see her smile. To tell Duke that he's happy that he joined the family. To tell his father that he loves him and is happy to be with him. To tell Alfred that he's glad to have such an amazing person help him grow and improve.

It won't ever be told...

Robin is dying and it's getting dark now, everything is becoming slow. He's brushed with death countless times and died before, but why does this one feel so... painful? Maybe it's the wound slowly making him bleed out? Or as his now Lazarus Pit induced mother would say "You've grown weak, you've become emotional"? Yeah maybe the second one... Robin knows he's emotional now, but he doesn't despise it so much as he used to. Feelings are essential to being a family and simply being human, Damian has learned... but it doesn't seem to even really matter now.

As said before, he's dying and no one is here. He's going to die alone and full of unfulfilled wishes for his family.

So dark now...

Ah, is this it? The final part of it all? Dying even though father went through so much to bring me back... It's hard to tell if heros get more chances after dying already. Probably not... so there's no going back. Maybe I was forgiven for my sins? Maybe... I'll see everyone one day again... one... day...

.

.

.

This doesn't look like Hell, Damian would know. No this feeling is... alive. Alive? Is he alive?

"Damian! You're alive!" Who was that?

"Thank goodness Master Damian you took quite the time to awaken"

"...alive? How... no one responded, when did you all care?"

"You got to be joking, B and Dickie here almost tore Gotham apart looking for you"

"Don't only pin this on Bruce and I, not with you grabbing bad guys and scaring them for information on his location"

"I don't know what you're talking about"

"If you two could stop being annoying in front of someone barely awake? We were worried for you Damian"

"That's funny... you all were worried? Tt I'm not worth it"

Why was he saying that?

"You're on pain medication, it's making you a little loopy"

"Hah I'm so happy you all came, I thought I was going to die again hehe I'm so flattered that you all care... I was just about ready to let myself go... no one answered. It was getting dark... I was going to die. I was so scared that I wasn't gonna see you all again and then I'd go to Hell and might waste the chance that father gave me to return... I'm pathetic. Mother was right I'm emotional and weak... but is it really that bad? To be emotional I mean... if I wasn't then, I wouldn't have ended up loving you all. Ugh I'm tired..."

It was silent and for a second Damian thought he was alone again.

"Go to sleep son, we're not going anywhere"

"Mmkay... goodnight father"

Bonus:

After Damian had settled back into slumber, everyone almost broke out in tears.

"Did that come out of his mouth?" Jason was in shock and awe.

"He said he loves us!" Dick was sobbing with stars in his eyes.

"Oh he's most definitely not gonna remember this" Tim scoffed as he crossed his arms across his chest.

Bruce leaned down and planted a kiss on Damian's forehead as Alfred smiled. "Goodnight Damian"

[butwhyduh]

Pregnancy scare with the Batboys?

These all happen at different times in their lives. Dick at 24, Jason 26, and Tim 20 because I feel like that’s the ages they’d like have this.

Warning: it’s gotta little bit of everything. Fluff, smut, convenience story robbery, blood, one little crude sex joke.

Dick

“I stopped at the store and got everything we need before the store comes in. Even got those pad tampon things you use,” Dick said waving the box proudly. You rolled your eyes and grabbed the box.

“And what prompted that?” You asked, eyes narrowed.

“A coupon deal on them,” Dick answered and you laughed.

“That makes more sense. Let me put these up and I’ll cook dinner,” you said, walking to the bathroom.

“Nope! I’m cooking,” Dick said happily.

“Okay,” you said planning to help him anyways.

You walked in the bathroom to put the box in your usual drawer only to find it full. When was the last time you needed one? You did the math and realized that it’s been almost 2 months. With your university schedule being crazy and Dick got hurt a few weeks ago, you’d forgotten all about your period.

You skin chilled at the thought. What if you were- what if you were pregnant? You were too young. You were 24 but it felt too young. You were only dating. You hadn’t gotten to the kids talk yet.

“Hey babe, where is the- what’s wrong?” Dick asked from the doorway. He looked at the package in your hand and the matching one in the drawer with confusion.

“Uh, I missed my period last month,” you said and his eyes widened. “I completely forgot.”

“Oh.”

He looked at you frozen. “Wait- are you saying you might be...”

“Maybe,” you answered. “We gotta get tests and everything. And stress can mess it up. And we’ve been using protection every time.”

“Yeah. I’ll run to the store, okay?” He said before hurrying out the door. You sat on the toilet with the box still in hand. What if you were pregnant? Dick was a good guy but he didn’t exactly have a ton of money. He was a part time gymnastics teacher. You were in college.

“Okay I got 4,” Dick said, back in record time. He gave you the bag and watched you.

“Dick?”

“Hu?”

“Get out of the bathroom.”

“Oh right,” he said, leaving and shutting the door. You could hear him pacing as you took the tests. You unlocked the door as you waited for the tests to finish. A neat little row of absolute terror on the side of the bathtub.

“Are they done?” Dick asked anxiously.

“No. We wait two minutes,” you said almost hollowly with stress and he nodded roughly.

“If you are... I’ll be here. I’ll be here for whatever you decide. No matter your choice,” Dick said holding your hands. You gulped.

“Yeah. Thanks. I can’t believe I forgot,” you said with a little laugh. He hugged your shoulders.

“Things have been crazy,” Dick said with a shrug. Your phone alarm went off and you quickly looked at all of the tests. Negative. You both relaxed. You sighed in relief.

“That would have been crazy,” you said with a laugh. Dick laughed a little too. “I am not ready to be a mom.”

“Yeah. Same. I’d need a better job and a better place. Not that there’s anything wrong with our apartment but it’s too small for a baby,” Dick rambled on. He stopped when he noticed your little grin. “You know, I meant what I said. I’m not going anywhere. I’m here for you.”

You didn’t answer but pulled him in for a kiss that Dick eagerly returned before finally pulling away because you were in the bathroom surrounded by used pregnancy tests and boxes of menstrual products.

“I’ll clean up while you get dinner started. Yeah?”

“Sounds like a plan,” Dick said with a kiss to your cheek.

Jason

You’d been thinking about it for a few days with a sense of denial. Your period was late. And you were mentally freaking out. You were too young. I mean, you were 26 but it felt too young! Your relationship was too new! You had been dating for 2 years but it felt too fast!

You hurried down to a corner store that you didn’t normally visit near your apartment to grab some tests. You jumped a little when the bell on the door rang as another customer entered the store. You had been too worried and stressed about picking from the 7 different types of pregnancy tests. Were they all the same or totally different? You just wanted to know ‘baby or naw.’ You grabbed three and put them in a hand basket.

“PUT your hands up where we can see them,” a man yelled and you froze before looking up, your hands above your head, basket on your wrist. “Take off any jewelry and pull out your wallets. We’ll be taking those,” a man in a ski mask said. There were a total of 12 customers and 2 shop clerks.

You carefully pulled your crossbody bag off your shoulder and held it out. A man grabbed it roughly from you and you made a tiny noise that made him smile. He looked you over and you wanted to shrink away.

There was a loud crashing noise as the side glass was broken and a man with a pair of guns blazing stood in the middle. The bright red helmet let you know that it was Jason and you almost sagged in relief. Almost. He pointed the gun at both criminals and shot at their knees. The rubber bullets hit them both in the knees and they fell before you could even move. He quickly punched them both in the head and they lost consciousness. Jason roughly tied them up by the register and everyone started to leave the building quickly while grabbing their things.

Jason grabbed you and pulled you from the building and up to the roof, basket still on your wrist. He rolled his helmet off and looked you over.

“Are you alright?” He asked holding your face in his hands. You grasped his wrists.

“I’m fine. I’m fine,” you reassured him. He looked you over before his eyes fell to the basket. Jason froze as he looked at the contents. A candy bar and 3 pregnancy tests.

“Are you? Why do you have these?” He asked, looking at your face quickly. You sat the basket down.

“Maybe,” you answered quietly. His mouth opened a little as if you speak but he didn’t. “I mean, I’m late.”

“Okay. Alright,” he said nodding. “We just need to test first. God, you were almost shot and you might be pregnant.”

He pulled you tightly in his arms until the armor pressed against you. Jason’s lips pressed against the side of your head. For one of the first times, he looked scared.

Back at your apartment, you could hear Jason pacing as you took the test. You unlocked the door and he came in, staring at them. Neither one of you spoke before the results came in. Negative. You breathed a sigh of relief.

“I would have been there for you. No matter what. But I’m glad that it’s negative. We should plan this stuff, you know? My job... it’s too dangerous,” Jason said carefully.

“I know. We can’t,” you said with a dry smile.

“I’d quit. If you were. So that you and the baby would be safe,” he said and you quickly looked at him.

“You shouldn’t have to,” you said.

“But I would.”

Tim

Tim’s hands were tight on your hips as he thrust in your from behind and you couldn’t stop making little noises. God, were you always this tight? He could barely control himself and the second you clamped around him in pleasure, Tim came as well. Both of you panted as he roughly and slowly thrust through your highs. Tim pushed in deeply before stopping to catch his breath and then pulling out.

“Fuck,” he said in a terrified voice. You turned to look at him confused. “The condom came off.”

Your eyes widened at the implication. “Did you- did you finish inside?” You asked as cold panic flooded your body. You were only using condoms at this point in time.

“Yeah. Definitely,” he said, looking down and in literally any other situation he would have loved the sight before him. His cum leaked out of you and Tim winced.

After a few minutes of trying to finally get the useless condom out, you were almost in full freak out. You were only 20. You couldn’t get pregnant!

“I’ll get plan B. Unless you don’t want it,” Tim said looking at you.

“Good idea. We definitely need that,” you said nodding. “But you can’t go to the store and buy plan B. Timothy Drake-Wayne buys plan B. Playboy like his father Bruce Wayne? I could just see the headline. I’ll go.”

“Smart,” he said. You quickly took a shower and threw on clothes before running down to a pharmacy. Your heart pounded as you asked the pharmacist for a plan B but she simply gave you a box that you paid for. You took the pill before even leaving the store and threw away the evidence as if someone cared what you did.

That night you had some nausea and cramping but were fine otherwise. Tim was extra nice in the next few weeks as you both waited to see if your period would ever come. He put in effort to see you more often and stay off his phone when you were together. Finally you woke up one morning with cramps where actually pleasantly happy to see that you had finally started to bleed. That didn’t happen often.

You told Tim who sagged in relief. He didn’t even know how much tension he held in his body before releasing it. He kissed your cheek and you laughed a little.

“Never buying that brand of condoms again,” he swore.

“I’m making an appointment to get birth control,” you said and he quickly turned to you.

“Really? No more condoms?” Tim said hopefully.

“It’ll take a little while to start working but yeah,” you said with a little smile. “Then I can be your Twinkie instead of your toaster strudel,” you laughed.

“Wow. I wish I could time travel to unhear that,” Tim said covering his face with a hand while laughing.

“You know that’s a good joke,” you laughed pushing his shoulder.

“...yeah,” he said with a grin.

[current-interest-writings]

Hello! Ive veen reading your writings and i love your work! May i please request a trans!reader dating Jason Todd but only realizing theyre trans (ftm) somewhere during the relationship and then breaking up with him bc theyre scared Jason wont like them anymore. Eventually when reader doesnt want to give an explanation they crack and tell him. Jason being Jason just comforts reader and tells them its okay he loves them anyways. Pls i am so sorry if this is too long and specific i was definitely in an angst with comfort mood while typing this. Of course it is completely your choice to write this! Thank you for reading and I hope you have an amazing and a wonderful day! :)

Jason Todd X Trans!Reader

!Warnings!- if you aren't comfortable reading fics about a trans read, then keep scrolling! other than that maybe some angst and comfort.

I hope I did this request some justice, and I hope readers enjoy it.

Dating Jason has been one of the best times in your life, it was almost the perfect relationship for you guys.

Dates were fun and well thought out

He had trust in you, which for him is rare

You guys had met through his older brother Dick, you were being targeted by someone for god knows what. But you needed protection, and Jason has many places to lay low. and from there the relationship formed.

after a few years of dating, you noticed that you weren't being honest with yourself. The outside appearance did not match the inside, to be honest, it scared you a little bit. And in this panic, you had decided it would be better to leave Jason, and maybe navigate what you were feeling alone.

Breaking up with Jason was hard,

"Jason, I know this is coming from out of left field but I think it's best that we break up."

"Why? was it something I did? is this because I'm the red hood?"

"No Jason, it really has nothing to do with you, this is because of me. you've done nothing wrong"

"Can I know what you think you've done? I need a clear answer"

"I don't have a clear answer, I don't really understand what's going on with me yet either."

"so no explanation?"

"I'm sorry"

it took a lot for you to walk out of the door, and drive yourself back home, you stared in the mirror a lot, and then looked away. it wasn't easy, the break up with one of the sweetest men you've ever known, and to see that the outside is not what you feel it should be.

You used an ace bandage to wrap over your sports bra, as a makeshift chest binder, You had know you were trans right now, but that didn't make your feelings any better, only slightly better.

But a week after the breakup Jason had enough, he needed to know what is going on. He drove to your place to see you, he knocked on the door instead of using the key he still had, and when you came to the door Jason had a spike of fear in him, you looked like you've been kinda upset. But you let him in.

"Hey"

"Hi Jay, What are you doing here?"

"I, I just need an answer as to what is exactly happened. we were happy or so I thought and then suddenly you end it. I just need to know why''

"Jason, I'm"

"I want an answer and not just some runaround."

''Jay I'm transgender"

he looked at you and then let out a laugh

"that's why you broke up with me?"

"I was scared Jay, That's why I did what I did. I was scared about what you would think about me, and I was just scared about what it means for my life. it's not a small change. I thought it was better to go about this on my own."

Jason just pulled you into his arms and cradled you pressing your head to his chest

"I love you, but sometimes you're stupid. I love you, and you being trans isn't going to stop me from loving you. You won't be going through this alone, I love you. And I'm not going to leave you alone, besides who else is going to make inappropriate jokes."

you let out a small chuckle, he of course will make terrible jokes at the worst timing.

"I know Jay, and I'm sorry for just breaking up with you."

"No it's okay, you were scared and I don't blame you. I wish you would've just talked to me first but I totally get it. I can't judge you, I came back from the dead and decided I wanted Bruce dead instead of being rational. Fear can make us do strange things"

and he did get it, he was by your side for everything

If you want to cut your hair? he's right there cheering you on

buying new clothes? he's there to provide his opinion and cheer you on

thinking about making surgical changes or not? he's right by your side, he's supportive no matter what you choose.

he's right by your side for all of your changes.

if/when you're ready to change your name? he's there making jokes about you choosing the name Jason.

"common it's an awesome name, and have you met me!"

"I'm not picking Jason as a name, that would be kinda awkward in bed"

"Alright, fair point that would be weird"

his family is ready to fight anyone who wants to purposely misgender you or deadname you.

He's by your side no matter what.

[mochegato]

Even the Losers

Chapter 11

Chapter 1     Chapter 10

“What do you mean he knew?” Dick asked, taking a seat in the chair across from Bruce.  He looked around for Alfred to make sure he wasn’t going to lecture them for talking about bat business in the manor when Bruce’s newest daughter could walk in on them at any moment.

Dick scrunched his face in thought.  That wasn’t right was it?  She wasn’t his newest daughter.  She was his oldest child.  Well, not oldest.  He was the oldest.  But she was the one he had the longest.  He had her before he took in Dick.  He’d given her up and then taken Dick in soon after and honestly Dick wasn’t sure how to reconcile that.  He was eternally grateful that Bruce had taken him in and helped him, dealt with his rebellions and helped him focus his anger.  But if he’d had such patience for him, why not his own daughter?

Dick was forced off of his thought process by Bruce, bringing them back to the topic at hand.  “He knew we were going there somehow.  He just thought it was earlier than we had planned.”  Bruce sighed and ran his hands through his hair.  “He was wandering through the museum looking for us, or more specifically, her.”

Tim stared at the coffee table in front of him trying to work out how the Penguin could have known.  “Did you talk about it?  Somewhere that could have been bugged?”

Bruce shook his head.  “I didn’t really have time to.  It was all last minute.  But I don’t know about Marinette.”

“When did you plan it? Was it in your schedule?” Tim pressed.  “Because if there is a leak at WE with high enough permissions to have access to your calendar, that is a big problem.”  His eyes widened immediately.  “Not that a rogue going after Marinette isn’t!  It’s just another problem.”

Bruce raised an eyebrow at him but didn’t say anything about it.  “Dinner…” he sighed deeply in realization.   “The waitress. Right.  We’ll have to talk to her tomorrow.”

“You think she sold information?” Duke asked.

“Or she told someone who sold it, or someone overheard her gossiping, or…” Damian listed off in a condescending tone.  

“Are you going to warn Marinette?” Duke interrupted, his brow furrowing in concern.  They should have anticipated this.  They’d taken precautions for him after the official announcement of his new status, but they hadn’t moved to protect her yet.

Bruce nodded.  “I’ll talk to her about expectations of being my daughter.  So far, this is fairly expected.  I don’t want to send her into a panic, but she should know the dangers she’s going to have to face now.”  He sighed guiltily and pinched the bridge of his nose.  This was exactly what he had been trying to protect her from all those years ago.  And the idea that one of the rogues might have taken his child to get back at him, a baby who had no chance of protecting herself, still haunted him.

Cass frowned at him.  “Not safe,” she chastised.

“I’m not saying we don’t protect her too.  I think it would be a good idea to make sure we can keep an eye on her and be able to track her so we know if she’s been taken or involved in a rogue attack.  I’ll talk to her about safety precautions, so she isn’t announcing plans where others can hear her.  She’s planning on moving into the apartment with her friends soon, so that should help at night.”

“Good,” Dick agreed.  “From what Jason said about the other day and the concierge just letting it happen, the sooner we get her out of that hotel the better.”

“What do we know about her ability to defend herself?” Tim asked.

“According to her mother, none.  She’s never had training.  Never had to defend herself,” Bruce sighed.  That was exactly the upbringing he wanted for her, to never need to defend herself.  But now, that was biting them in the ass.  Because now, she might need to be able to defend herself and couldn’t.

Damian scoffed.  “She’s weak and defenseless, is what you mean.  We’re going to have to spend our time and our energy protecting her because she isn’t capable of it.”

“She’s innocent,” Bruce corrected.  “That was the entire point of sending her away, so she could be.  And that’s supposed to be our entire job, protecting the innocent.  She is no exception.”  They all froze when the door to the sitting room cracked open.

<><><><><> 

Marinette took a calming breath.  Driving up to the manor had been impressive, entering the manor had been even more so.  The entire place was dripping with history and prestige.  All the touches looked highest class, highest quality, all well thought out and coordinated over years of design, speaking of bespoke everything. It was about as far from what Marinette grew up in as there could be.  It was somber and distant.  Sterile even in its lavish details.

And yet, it wasn’t the imposing design that had her heart racing.  She could hear voices echoing through the empty halls.  She couldn’t make out anything being said, only the variations in baritones and tenor pitches to them.

“Relax, Pixie.  They’re going to love you.  You could tell them to fuck off,” he took a quick look around when he said it before relaxing back into his motivational speech.  “And you’d still come out as someone else’s favorite too.  There’s nobody in there you need to impress.”  He patted her on the back and squeezed her shoulder.  “Just maybe stay away from Damian.  He’s a spiteful little shit.  Better than he was when he came but… just to be safe…”

He took off his jacket and motioned to hers.  “Also,” he continued as he took her jacket, “don’t say the word ‘pineapple’.”

Marinette laughed and shoved him.  “Stop messing with me.  I’m nervous enough already.”  Jason looked at her suddenly very serious.  Marinette faltered for a second before scoffing.  “Shut up.”

“I’m telling you, just don’t say it.”

She rolled her eyes.  This had to be one of the most ridiculous conversations ever.  “Okay, first, I still don’t believe you. Second, why would I?”

Jason shook his head and backed away.  “I don’t know.  It always manages to come up though.”  He pointed at her as he backed out of the room.  “Fight the temptation.  I’m going to hang these up.  They’re in that room.”  He motioned vaguely toward a room down the hall, which considering how many rooms were down the hall wasn’t actually all that helpful.  “Go ahead, they’re expecting us.”

“You’re kind of an asshole, you know that,” she called after him.

“Only kind of?  You might like me more than the rest,” he called back with a laugh.

Marinette shook her head and started down the hallway. It couldn’t be that hard to find, right. There had to be signs.  “What do you think, Tikki?” she whispered almost too quiet for anyone to hear.

“Jason’s right,” she assured Marinette just as quietly. “They’ll love you.  Just be yourself.  It’s the next door on the left.”

Marinette grinned at her and noted the light under the door.  Definitely the right door.  “Thank you,” she whispered.  “Wish me luck.”  She took another breath and bolstered herself for the next few hours.  Hopefully it would go amazingly, but even if it didn’t, she could withstand a few hours of awkward, uncomfortable conversation and looks. She survived all the Graham de Vanily parties Adrien dragged her to, she could survive this.  She nodded to herself, silently cursed Jason for abandoning her, and pushed open the door.

The room immediately quieted as Marinette walked in. Everyone turned to her as a unit, tight anxious smiles on their lips.  Marinette froze and tried to smile politely at them, but she was pretty sure it looked more frightened than polite.  The people in the room continued to stare at her almost analytically.  The intensity of the stares was unnerving and unsettling. She almost backed out of the room until she felt someone step up next to her and sling their arm over her shoulder. She looked up hesitantly but breathed out a sigh of relief when she saw Jason next to her.

“Stop being weird.  You’re creeping her out,” Jason barked at them.

Jason’s order seemed to break them out of their trance. Everyone moved at once, jumping up to welcome her or moving rapidly towards her to shake her hand, except for the youngest who frowned and crossed his arms and a woman, who must be Cass, Marinette reasoned, who just waved from her spot next to Bruce.  Marinette tensed up but didn’t back away, instead bracing herself for the onslaught.  The noise became almost overwhelming as multiple people were speaking at once and Jason shouted back, pulling Marinette away from them.

“Enough!” Bruce yelled, instantly silencing everyone in the room.  He turned to Marinette with a warm smile.  “Sorry about that.  I was hoping for a more welcoming introduction, but with this family…” he motioned to the rest of the room with a defeated sigh.  

He crossed the room to her quickly but froze when he got to her, uncertain what form of physical welcome was allowed.  A handshake seemed too formal and distant, but a hug seemed too personal for only their second meeting in twenty years, well, technically fourth, but the first two didn’t exactly count.  On the other hand, last time they did la bise, so that was more appropriate, right?  He decided to leave it to Marinette, but she didn’t seem any more certain than he did, judging by her awkward wave and quick looks to his hand and cheek.

He smiled in response.  They’d figure it out eventually, hopefully.  For now, he just needed to make sure she felt welcome.  He opened his mouth to welcome her to the manor and start introductions but got cut off by a very excited Dick.

“Oh wow, I didn’t realize how much she looks like your mother until now.”  Dick moved right in front of Marinette examining every centimeter of her face intensely.  “Her eyes look just like hers.  They could be twins.  Do you have any pictures of her when she was a baby so we can compare?”

Marinette’s face went blank as she stared back at Dick. She quirked her head to the side trying to figure out how to respond to that, or if she was even supposed to, considering despite the fact that his face was only a handful of centimeters from hers, he wasn’t talking to her.  Her quandary was answered when Jason shoved Dick away harshly.  “She has a name, Dickweed,” Jason growled.  “And she’s right the fuck in front of you, have some respect.”

“Language Master Jason,” Alfred admonished coming into the room.  “But he is correct, Master Dick.”

“Right,” Dick said sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck.  “Sorry, Marinette.  That was rude.  Hi, I’m Dick.”  He held his hand out for Marinette.

Marinette shook it with a smile.  “It’s okay. I’ve always wondered where I got my blue eyes from.”  She chuckled a little nervously and shrugged.  “Mystery solved, I guess.”

Bruce laid a hand on her shoulder, drawing her attention back to him.  “I can show you pictures later, if you’d like to see, or whenever you’re ready.”  He pulled his hand away and shoved it into his pocket awkwardly. “Or, at some point I, or somebody else can give you a tour of the manor and I’m sure you’ll see lots of pictures of,” he paused only a fraction of a second, uncertain how she would take the term, “your grandparents.”

Marinette swallowed almost imperceptibly, but covered with a smile. “Yeah, that would be nice.”

The pause she took to respond would be missed by most people but a room full of people trained to detect tells like that didn’t miss it.  Duke jumped up with a big smile.  “Hi,” he shot out his hand to shake hers, “I’m Duke.  It’s nice to meet you.”

Marinette smiled back at him and shook his hand.  “Hi.  It’s nice to meet you.  Sorry for ruining your introduction gala.”

Duke scoffed.  “Are you kidding me?  I hate attention.  Thank you for taking the attention off of me.”  He suddenly cringed realizing what he was saying.  “I mean… That’s not what I meant.  Sorry it had to land solely on you.  Want me to do something stupid to get the attention back?”

Marinette laughed at his attempt to cover.  For once it wasn’t her saying the wrong thing with the best intention.  “No, please don’t and don’t worry,” she waved him off with a smile, “I knew what you meant.  Not your fault.  Honestly, not as bad as it could have been.  I’ve dealt with worse.”

“You have?” Jason asked, his face scrunching in concern.

Marinette shrugged at him and turned back to Duke.  “Glad I was at least able to help a bit.”

Duke grinned at her.  “You did. You’re already more helpful than most of them,” he motioned toward the rest of the family.  “Definite contender for new favorite sibling.”  Dick let out an exaggeratedly loud offended scoff while Cass shrugged and bobbed her head in agreement.  Tim furrowed his brow and exclaimed, “Hey!”  But the corner of his lips quirking up betrayed his act.

Jason glowered at Duke and stepped between them.  “Back off!  I already claimed her.”  He turned back to Marinette.  “Now what is this about you’ve dealt with worse?  Is there someone I need to have a talk with?”

“I’m sorry for being rude,” Bruce interrupted before the conversation went down a darker path than he was hoping for this meeting.  “Welcome to the manor, Marinette.  Thank you for coming.  You’ve already met Jason, Dick, and Duke.  That is Tim,” he motioned to the teen on the couch who waved politely but awkwardly.  His eyes only flicked to hers a few times and only for a fraction of a second before flicking away, a pained look shooting through them.  

“Next to him is Damian.”  He rolled his eyes and looked away, but didn’t attack like both Roy and Jason warned her he might, so she was taking it as a win.  “Cass is there,” he motioned toward Cass, who waved again, just as kindly as the first time.  “And this is Alfred.”

Alfred stepped forward and bowed slightly to Marinette.  “It’s a pleasure to see you again, Miss Marinette.”

Marinette narrowed her eyes at him as she scrutinized his face.  “You look familiar.”

Alfred’s eyes sparkled at her recognition.  He started to say something, but whatever it was got lost when Dick interrupted.  “Wait!” He jumped in Alfred’s face.  “Is this why you took all your vacations in Paris?” he exclaimed.  His eyes widening in realization.

“It is indeed, Master Dick,” Alfred nodded.

“That’s why you look familiar!” Marinette exclaimed.  “You were a repeat customer in the patisserie.”

“I am very happy to see you back in the manor, Miss Marinette,” Alfred gave her a curt nod as a smile played on the corners of his lips.

Marinette tensed at the reminder that she may have at some point have been in the manor.  It ripped open a Pandora’s Box of questions, each one more unsettling than the last. Had she been in the manor before? Had she interacted with her f… M. Wayne when she was a baby?  Did he hold her?  Did he kiss her head?  Did he hold her for a few minutes and hand her back like she did to Jamil’s baby, feeling no more connection than she had to Remi?  Did he cuddle her to his chest and hold her close only to hand her back and walk away?  Did he feel nothing when he held her?  Did his chest feel less tight when she was no longer near him?  Did he heave a sigh of relief when he handed her back?

No. She had to stop focusing on those questions.  That was the past.  Nothing would be gained from asking those questions tonight.  He wasn’t ready to give an answer and she wasn’t ready to receive it.  He’d apologized and she’d accepted.  She would just… let the questions plague her and slowly drive her into insanity.  That was the plan.  She quickly plastered on a smile and nodded back at Alfred.  “It is good to see you again, M. Pennyworth.”

“Please, call me Alfred,” he said, his amused smile turning sympathetic seeing the change in her demeanor.  “All the children do.”

Marinette smiled back, her smile more strained than before.  Was she one of the children?  She guessed technically she was.  “Only if you call me Marinette.”

“Of course, Miss Marinette,” Alfred nodded.

Marinette raised an eyebrow but nodded back.  She understood deeply ingrained British upper class formality.  She hadn’t survived parties with Felix and Adrien for nothing.  But if he wanted to embrace the detached formality, so would she.  “Thank you, M. Pennyworth.”

Alfred raised an eyebrow but said nothing.  “Maybe we could plan for a tour of the manor and a look through photo albums at a later time.  For now, dinner is ready.”

At Alfred’s pronouncement, everyone started moving out of the room. Marinette watched them all making their way toward what must be the dining room, but didn’t move herself.  It still felt awkward to walk around the manor… again, apparently.  She didn’t move until Jason threw his arm over her shoulder and gently prodded her forward.  She gave him a small smile and threw her arm around his waist.  

She looked past him to give Tim who had also hung back a bit, a small smile. He gave her a guilty smile back and a little wave.  Marinette gave him a quizzical look, trying to figure out what he had to feel guilty about. But it looked like he didn’t want to get too close with Jason at her side.  And as much as she wanted to ask what Tim was thinking about, she was beyond grateful that Jason had taken up post at her side.  She didn’t know if she would have been able to make it through this without him.  She squeezed his waist and looked up at him with a smile.  He looked down with a questioning look that quickly turned into a smile and he squeezed back.

Chapter 12

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[bluejaysandblackbats]

Lost Boys

Fandom: DC Comics, Batfam, Superfam

Summary: After Jonathan Lane Kent wipes himself from existence by canceling his own timeline, he finds himself stuck in the afterlife where he meets Jason Todd. He still wonders about the life un-lived on Earth, and how his parents would've felt about him.

Jason Todd, who is making the most of being dead, struggles with the reality of what he's left behind. He has one wish and one wish only: to send his family one final message.

Chapters: 9/?

Characters: Jonathan Lane Kent (Laney), Jason Todd, Catherine Todd, Boston Brand, Bruce Wayne, Clark Kent, Lois Lane, John Constantine, Raven, Talia al Ghul, Ra's al Ghul, Dick Grayson, Tim Drake

Relationships: Platonic JayLaney

Additional Tags: Angst, Platonic Relationships, Magical Jason Todd, Resurrected Jason Todd, Queerplatonic Relationships, Canon Divergent AU, POV Multiple

Chapter Nine: Afraid (Laney's POV)

Dick was handsome. He also had a sort of stern, parent-like demeanor about him. Jason looked like he was going to throw up, but he held himself together just fine. "I didn't tell Bruce. I wanted to make sure you were really alive, and from how you reacted to me, I'm guessing you don't want him to know," Dick answered Jason's question. He sat down at the little table in the motel room. Jason sat back down on the bed, and I stood close by him. "Are you okay?"

"Kind of?" Jason replied. He leaned back and stared up at the ceiling. Dick drummed his fingers on the table.

"You're a lot bigger than I remember," Dick mumbled awkwardly.

"I was fifteen the last time you saw me," Jason replied, "Sorry... I know you're just trying—. If you want to yell at me, that's fine."

Dick looked confused. "No. I don't want to yell at you. Jason, why would I be mad at you?" Dick asked. His voice was soft and sincere, and Jason shrugged. He still couldn't look Dick in the eye.

"Because it was my fault that I died—."

"Whoa! Hold on!" Dick and I exclaimed. Jason shushed us and massaged his temples.

"It wasn't your fault that you died... I'm not mad at you at all. Actually, I'm confused. Why didn't you come home?" Dick asked. Jason didn't answer him. "Jason, do you ever plan on coming home?"

"Jason, try to answer one of the questions. He came all this way. Give him a chance," I whispered.

"Why would I come home? Why would he want to see me? He's moved on," Jason answered. Dick frowned. "If he wants me to come back, he can tell me himself... And he can tell me why that freak is still living and breathing."

I could tell Jason was only snappy to keep from breaking down, but I don't think Dick understood. I took Jason's hand in mine and squeezed it. Jason made a soft noise and excused himself before going to the bathroom. I sat there staring at Dick. "You can't hear me, can you?" I asked. Dick didn't say anything. "Good... I don't need him getting a big head when I say he means everything to me... But I needed to say it out loud."

Jason came back a few minutes later, looking green around the gills. He gave me his hand and closed his eyes. "You okay?" I asked. Jason nodded.

Dick opened his mouth to speak, and Jason said he was sorry. "Why'd you come?" Jason questioned.

"I came because I wanted to see you... Who do you keep looking at?" Dick asked. Jason looked at me.

Jason took a deep breath. "He's my friend, Laney. You can't see him or touch him because Lane's dead... We were friends in the afterlife," Jason explained, "He's sitting right here... And Lane's not a hallucination, I checked."

"Your dead friend? Lane?" Dick asked. Jason nodded. "And how did you two meet?"

"You think I'm crazy—."

"No. I'm just asking a question. This is all pretty weird to me," Dick interrupted.

"I don't remember how I met him. I just know that he knows things about me that I haven't told anyone else," Jason answered, "And I think he's saving my life. I don't know. It feels like so much is going on. I just want to be angry, but he's making me process this. I don't know what I'd do without him."

I smiled at him. "Without me, you would be dead in minutes," I joked. Jason laughed.

"What?" Dick asked.

"He said I'd be dead without him... He might not be wrong, though," he chuckled. He took a deep breath.

"I'll be here for a few more days if you wanna go back to Gotham with me," Dick offered, "You don't have to see him right away if it doesn't feel right... You can even stay with me for a little while. We'll figure things out."

Jason pushed both hands through his hair, and he let Dick's offer sink in. "If I don't wanna see Bruce, you want me to stay with you?" Jason asked. Dick nodded. "You won't ask a lot of questions after today?"

"I'll try not to. Does your—? Does Lane have any requests?" Dick asked.

Jason looked at me. "Can't say I need anything... Tell your brother that you love him," I whispered. Jason shook his head. "Tell him. It was one of the things you said you wanted to do if you could do this living thing all over again."

Jason opened his mouth to argue, but I gave him a stern look. Jason got up and looked back at me before embracing Dick. He said something incoherent under his breath. Dick chuckled. "I love you too," Dick replied. Jason tried to hide it, but Dick and I could both see the relief in his eyes. It dawned on me just then that Jason didn't say he loved the family he had left because Jason wasn't sure they'd say it back.

"You don't make it as difficult to love you as you think you do," I whispered.

"You love me?" Jason asked out loud in response.

"Shut up," I replied, and he laced his fingers with mine.

"Okay, I'll shut up," Jason whispered. Dick looked confused, but I think he understood what was going on.

They both sat back down, and Dick whispered, "Thank you for looking out for him." I knew he couldn't see or hear me, but I smiled and nodded anyway. I owed Jason. He taught me how to be a kid and how to love. All I was doing was protecting him from his own stubbornness and rage. I could do that forever if I had to.

[batarella]

i tried to kiss my best friend - dick grayson

“Making me feel used isn’t going to convince me, Grayson.” “Okay. Sorry, but Y/N, there’s literally no one else I can do this with without feeling weird about it.”

A/N: Just some fluffy little one shots to brighten everyone’s day! Based on the TikTok challenge, I wrote one for the four guys bc my single ass wouldnt stop binging on these videos.

WORDS: 1000+ WARNINGS: NONE. A BIT OF ANGST IF YOU SQUINT BUT MOSTLY FLUFF

MASTERLIST | JASON | TIM | DUKE

—–

“Please.”

The man was desperate, begging even. It was almost two in the morning and he chose then to break into your apartment unannounced because his ‘ankle sprained’ three hours into patrol. But not even Nightwing emergencies were enough to hold back Dick Grayson’s shenanigans. He knew for a fact the oceanic blue of his widened eyes was as convincing as any telepathic intrusion, but he was doing this to you. That compulsion doesn’t work on you. Not when you’d gained immunity from them after spending every day for years on end trying not to let those very eyes cloud your own logic.

“Go to bed, Dick.”

“Y/N. Ten seconds. I swear.”

Dick scooched closer to you on the bed. You were under the covers and he was outside of them. Wearing none else but boxer shorts and a thin shirt, you were sure he’d collapse the first chance his head met the pillows—he didn’t. “Just fifty thousand more until I reach a million,” Dick said, referring to his followers on that god-forsaken app. “I need to post something.”

“Making me feel used isn’t going to convince me, Grayson.”

“Okay. Sorry, but Y/N, there’s literally no one else I can do this with without feeling weird about it.”

“Really,” you scoffed, looking away from your phone, “you don’t think this is weird?”

“It’s me.” The bastard gave you that award-winning, dimpled smile. “Come on.”

Of course, it wouldn’t be weird. Not with him. Not your best friend. But did that mean you could get out of this without it plaguing every space of your sanity for the next five, maybe ten, weeks?

Yes, but that didn’t convince you in the slightest when you knew those plaguing weeks would end up being worth it.

And it was a mistake even more when you put your phone down to look at him, now burying half his face into a pillow just to make his eyes even bigger. He knew his charm. Did it work on you? Yes and no: Yes, because every selfish voice in your head that had no care for the consequences and inevitable hurt would give up everything for the life of this man. No, because it’d lasted long enough that you eventually learned how to hold yourself back.

When you said the most subtle ‘fine’ beneath your breath, he shot up from the bed and already set up his phone on the nightstand nearby. You didn’t care to move away from being slumped lazily against the headboard, thinking you could get through this as miserably as being forced into labor. But at the sight of Dick sitting cross-legged in front of you like he always had as a kid, you just couldn’t fight that grin any longer.

The song started to play, and you thought what was most difficult will be to play along, act as if this wasn’t staged; as if this wasn’t the man you loved and you didn’t know what was going on. But then Dick took your hands and wrestled you against the headboard, his laugh as genuine and addicting as you’ve grown to yearn for, the camera might as well have ceased to exist. For that fifteen seconds, you let it disappear, and you pretended this wasn’t an act.

That he was here with you for real, that he wanted to kiss you because he loved you and not for anything else.

His hands grabbed your waist and pushed so you’d slide down, head to your shoulder while his finger dug into your skin where you’d either break into laughter or punch the nearest eye in the vicinity. That time, you were laughing. You were high above and nothing could reach you.

Dick kissed you suddenly. The surrounding mythical halo—that blinding light that pushed you close into this euphoric edge that was Dick and Dick alone—made it impossible to keep hold of that logical boundary you’ve worked too hard to build, of what was to come after and the realities you chose not to remember. He was on top of you; his hand was on your leg hooked over his hip. He made it look and feel so real that there was no reason you could ever tell yourself it wasn’t.

His lips transcended what your dreams let them on to be.

Someday you’ll hate him for doing this, hate him because it was another nail to your coffin, because this was another push into the inescapable chasm. For ten seconds, you didn’t hate him. You loved him. For those ten seconds, you loved him.

Then you hated him when he pulled away, smiling at you like he didn’t know he just granted every wish you’ve made since the first year you blew your candles and he was at your side. Prying your hand away from his cheek, you welcomed that emptiness after it’d spent too long knocking, everything you thought to expect exactly as they came. That night you didn’t sleep, you cried when he was at your side and you couldn’t reach over just to hold his hand. You laid in the darkness, staring at the back of his head, and you hated him and you loved him and you hated yourself most of all. Because no matter how long and how difficult it was to build that wall, it could never dream to stand against him.

You woke up late in the afternoon. Dick made you breakfast. Your head throbbed when you sat at the table, picked up your phone and went to his profile. By then, you thought the followers would come flooding in like a tide.

But there was nothing. “You haven’t posted it yet?” you asked when he took a bite out of the toast.

With a sheepish smile and a cough so subtle even when he wasn’t choking on anything, Dick instead took focus on his spoon ringing about the brim of his glass.

“Must’ve forgotten to press record.”

You stopped chewing, mouth gaping when you forced your then trembling eyes to look at him.

Dick pressed his foot against your leg under the table, sliding you another plate of toast. Turns out he lied about his ankle, too, because he insisted on spending the whole day at your place and not once did he ask for bandages.

------

MASTERLIST | JASON | TIM | DUKE

—–

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