#it's missing duke hood hours

[frownyalfred]

things that make Gotham criminals say “oh shit”:

Batman showing up to the hideout and not asking any questions

Nightwing cracking his escrima sticks together with 0 witty banter or foreplay

Red Hood when his hands are shaking

Injured Robin and Batman known to be in near proximity 

Any sightings of Batman on Robin II’s death anniversary

Superman in Gotham without an escort

Batman speeding through the Narrows on a motorcycle and not the Batmobile

Red Hood abandoning his guns and throwing punches instead

Robin fighting with a sword and 0 supervision

Jim Gordon trying to quit cigarettes for the 19th time on the night shift

Any captured Batkid too injured/tired/frightened to taunt the responsible criminals

Batman bleeding and/or missing any major parts of his armor

Any Bat vigilante other than Duke outside during daylight hours

[that1emowitch]

Bruce, high on painkillers, is being babysat by Jason. Jason has to do an emergency Red Hood thing, and lacking an alternative, slaps a stock domino on Bruce and drags him along.

Bruce proceeds to say/do the most unhinged shit. The goons are suddenly viscerally aware of where Hood got it from.

WOW okay you guys are unhinged, you know that?

(And I love it <3)

A/N: I fully intended to write a crack fic, but the feels crawled in through the plot holes I missed and made their homes in the heart of the story. Also I don't know what you mean by 'stock domino' so I'm assuming it's one of those dollar store ripoffs.

(TW: Accidental overdosing on painkillers, mentions of blood, Jason's usual level of swearing, some goons almost dying but like in a funny way.)

Word Count: 2328

Jason wants to scream.

Like, let it rip out on an abandoned cliff in the howling rain kinda scream.

But no, he's stuck babysitting Brucie Wayne who accidentally OD'd on fucking painkillers after trying to treat himself in Alfred's unfortunate absence (how does that even happen?!).

Dick and Damian are out doing some brotherly-bonding thing, Tim's with the Titans, Duke and Cass are at the movies, and Steph has declared herself "not one of Bruce's kids." Leaving Jason as the only one free to look after their "Dad".

Jason pushes Bruce down on the Batcave's gurney for the billionth time after he attempts (keyword: attempts) to walk again, scowling. None of them are getting any waffles from me again. Or pancakes. Or scones. Or anything I make for them out of my sweet, kind heart. Those little shits.

Jason puts two fingers on Bruce’s wrist, checking his pulse. His skin is cold and clammy, breathing slow, but at least he’s not vomiting anymore. He sighs, collapsing on a chair beside Bruce. He's tired. So fucking tired.

Just as Jason's eyes flutter shut for a moment, the Batcomputer's alarm suddenly blares.

Bruce shoots up, shouting, "ALARM!"

Grumbling, Jason drags himself to the computer, pushing Bruce down along the way. He opens the glaring red notification, brows creased.

Black Mask's goons have intercepted some military shipment...

"Ugh..." Jason groans, and moves to put on his helmet (he never changed out of his costume), checking his guns, when a sudden crash from behind him snaps his attention to the man-child he's supposed to be babysitting.

Bruce has stepped off the gurney and collapsed face-down on the med bay's floor.

He can't just leave him there, can he?

Jason considers his options: He could either strap Bruce to the gurney and leave (in which case Dick will have his head), or he could take Bruce out on the streets with him (in which case Dick will absolutely want to murder him.)

Jason smirks. It’s obvious which one’s the right choice.

Ten minutes later, Jason’s riding through the city at over a hundred miles per hour, with Bruce strapped to the backseat of his motorcycle. Bruce is wearing a dollar store ripoff of the Robin domino and a Robin-themed cape made of Tim’s bedsheets, looking absolutely ecstatic at the high speed.

They arrive at the warehouse where Black Mask’s goons have transported their stolen goods, parking in a shadowed spot a building away. Jason gets off, helping Bruce onto his feet, and says, “Now, I’m going to go shoot some people, you stay hidden and quiet, got that?”

“Guns are bad,” Bruce replies, holding a finger to Jason’s helmet. “Just like clowns. And ducks.”

Raising an eyebrow, Jason shakes his head. He doesn’t have time for this right now.

Jason quickly scales the nearest building, grappling to the roof of the warehouse. He peeks in through a hatch in the roof to survey the area. There are about a dozen armed goons, none of them looking very bright. There are 4 crates they’re guarding, likely filled with ammo.

Cocking his guns, Jason jumps down through the hatch, landing right in the middle of the warehouse with a ‘thud’ sound. “Surprise,” He grins, raising his guns.

“Aye, that’s Red Hood, ain’t it?” Comes a goon’s terrified voice. The others around him immediately aim their guns at Jason— they’re clearly untrained.

Suddenly there’s another thud behind him. “That’s a bucket, you morons!” Comes a too-familiar, slurred voice. Jason turns around to come face-to-face with Bruce, eyes wide. 

In a fight with any real criminals, this distraction would have cost Jason his life. But luckily these adorably clueless goons are just as shocked as him.

Unfortunately the distraction only lasts for a few seconds. Jason immediately jumps into the fight, shooting three goons in the kneecaps and dodging a few bullets. From the corner of his eye, he sees two more goons running out the door, crying. He punches another guy in the face, instantly knocking him out, and is about to turn back to check on Bruce when suddenly something hard collides with his skull.

Jason staggers slightly, trying to regain his balance, when he sees a goon holding a giant stone, wearing a proud grin.

Fuck, his helmet’s probably busted…

Then suddenly Bruce is running towards the goon, hands fisted and veins popping, screaming, “NO ONE HURTS MY SON!”

Then Bruce’s fist collides with the goon’s with a sickening crunch, splattering blood across the floor as the man crumples to the ground. Bruce doesn’t stop there, and continues to beat him up, yelling profanities.

It warms Jason’s cold, (un)dead heart to watch that— to see his Dad fighting for him. It’s like they say, you’re most truthful when you’re drunk— or high. This is how much Bruce loves him.

Then another thought strikes him— Bruce is going to regret being this violent when he sobers up. It’s going to claw at him, tear him up, and he’s going to compartmentalize and end up punishing himself by overworking.

Jason rushes forward, pulling Bruce off of the man. “B— Robin, stop!” He shouted, looking into the man’s domino-covered eyes.

Bruce’s brows furrow. “Robin?”

Jason points to Bruce’s Robin-themed cape and stock domino.

“Ah.” Bruce nods, pulling away. “You okay? Did you see any duck?”

“Duck?” Jason pauses in confusion. But before he can question it farther, he spies the three remaining goons using a ladder to climb up through the roof of the warehouse, trying to escape.

“Stay here. And do not move.” Jason orders Bruce, and runs after them.

He makes his way up the ladder as fast as he can , exiting under the polluted night sky. The goons, the ridiculously stupid goons, are standing around the edge of the roof, trying to figure out how they’re going to get down.

He doesn’t get paid enough to deal with this ridiculous shit.

Actually, scratch that, he doesn’t get paid at all.

“Wow, you guys are pathetic,” Comes Red Hood’s robotic voice, startling the goons, and one of them accidentally topples over the edge, screaming. Jason ensures that the guy’s hanging on tight— he can wait.

He cocks his guns, aiming both at the two standing goons. Both men are trembling with fear, hands up in surrender. “Hood— Mr. Hood, please—” One of them squeaks, but one look from Jason shuts him up.

“Please. Mr. Hood was my father,” Jason quips, his robotic chuckle sounding sinister. 

That’s when he hears another voice behind him (again)— “But I’m your father.”

Jason jumps, whipping around. “How did you— I didn’t even hear you come!”

Bruce just shrugs innocently, waving his bloodstained hands at the terrified goons.

Then Jason hears the distinct sound of a gun being cocked. From the corner of his eye he sees the bolder of the goons, the one that had spoken before, taking aim.

“DUCK!” He yells, falling out of the way.

Instead of dodging, Bruce falls into a defensive stance, looking around frantically. “Where?!”

The bullet barely misses Bruce’s ear as he turns his head.

Jason has had it with sky-high Bruce now. Annoyance rising, he quickly shoots the two goons in the kneecaps, forgetting about the one hanging off the edge, and stalks up to Bruce, glaring.

“What is up with you and ducks?!” He demands, his voice raised.

“Ducks are evil,” Bruce spits, nose wrinkled. “Just like clowns. And bats.”

Jason’s brows raise. “Bats are evil?”

“Yeah, duh, that’s why everyone’s scared of Batman.” Bruce rolls his eyes, his drawl sounding too much like Steph. “Bats are scary.”

“You really took ‘become what you fear’ too literally, huh?” Jason snorts, putting his guns back in their holsters. Then he takes off his helmet, checking the damage— just a slight crack at the back. Not too bad.

“You know, I fell into a hole and into a cave when I was a boy and a dozen bats attacked me. I nearly died.” Bruce continues, gesturing towards the air with his hands. 

“Yeah, right.” Jason shakes his head, chuckling. “Now come on, we gotta get you back.”

That’s when another voice rings out, high-pitched and scared. “Um, Mr. Hood? Please HELP! Please, please, please—”

Jason’s attention snaps to the corner of the roof— ah, right, the goon’s still hanging off the edge, isn’t he?

He grumbles, making his way over, and squats above the man, shaking his head. The man below him looks like he’s pissed himself, face ashen, tears running down his cheeks, muttering, “I’m gonna die, I’m gonna die, I’m gonna die…” On repeat.

“I’ll pull you up on one condition,” Jason looks down at him, voice low. “Never become a gun for hire again. If I see you fighting on the streets…” He pulls out his gun.

“No, no, I won’t, I swear…” The man whimpers, eyes squeezed shut. Jason sighs, and grabs the man by the collar and hauls him up. He crumples onto the roof, curling into a ball.

“Take out your phone and dial 911, tell them you’ve been naughty,” Jason orders, his gun pointed at the man’s head. (What? A guy needs to have some fun.)

The man whines, and immediately obliges.

“Pathetic,” Jason ties the man up quickly, and makes his way over to Bruce, who was sitting on the floor of the roof, taking apart some random crushed handphone he’s found.

“Get up, old man. GCPD will be here soon. We’re going home.” He pulls Bruce up, ignoring how he longingly stares at the dismantled phone.

The two of them grapple down from the roof, landing safely on the pavement. As they walk towards his bike, Bruce says, “Did you know I ate a phone once?”

Jason stumbles slightly. “What?”

“Tasted nice. Like electricity. Crackle-y.” Bruce hummed, his face straight (as straight as someone dating Superman could be). He isn't kidding.

That, or he's delusional.

“Don't try it. You might turn into a computer or something.” Bruce nodded very seriously.

“Oh god,” Jason snorts. “I'm so glad my helmet’s recording all this. Perfect blackmail material.”

“Black's a very, very pretty color.”

Jason rolls his eyes, revving the motor, making sure Bruce is safely strapped onto the backseat behind him. “You're just emo.”

“What's emo?” Bruce raises an eyebrow, words slightly slurred.

“Y'know, when people wear all that black makeup, skinny jeans, with hair covering their eyes.” Jason explains, putting a spare helmet on Bruce's head. “And listen to, like, My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy and Panic! At The Disco. The Emo Trinity.”

“Oh, oh!” Bruce's eyes sparkle. “Dickie used to do that! He went to a My Chemmy concert once, but he didn't want me coming along.” He pouts.

Jason thinks of all the times Gerard Way has shoved a mic down his throat and grabbed his junk. “Yeah, I wonder why.”

Then he turns around to look Bruce in the eye. “But, Golden Boy was emo? Seriously?”

Bruce just smiles and nods, saying, “Now go.”

“Going,” Jason smirks and speeds down the streets of Gotham city, not slowing down until their surroundings change from shitty apartment buildings and broken street lights to the eerie quiet of Bristol. He can see the Manor in the distance when he takes a hidden turn, straight down the road that leads to the Batcave. 

He pulls into the underground ‘garage’ section of the Cave, parking his bike before helping Bruce off. As he removes Bruce’s ripoff domino and “cape”, he says sternly, “Now, you tell no one of what we did today, got that? Not a soul.”

Bruce just flashes a thumbs-up and smiles in the most un-Bruce-like way possible. It’s a little creepy, honestly.

“And even if you remember this once you sober up you won’t talk, because you swore on your soul not to tell.”

“Mhm. Kay.”

“Good.” Jason smiles slightly, helping Bruce back to the gurney, making him lie down. He checks him over for any symptoms that the painkiller overdose is making his health worse. His skin’s still cold and clammy, but his breathing’s more steady. His pupils aren’t as small anymore, and he’s way more responsive than he was an hour ago.

Huh. Maybe all he really needed was some exercise.

Jason sits down beside his father, taking a deep breath. “Hey, uh… Did you really mean that, back there? That… That I’m your son?”

Bruce’s brows furrow. “Yes, who else’s son would you be? Superman’s?”

A short laugh escapes Jason. He moves closer to Bruce, lying down so his head is resting beside the older man’s. “I just…” He sighs, unable to form the right words. “I know it doesn’t always seem like it, but… I love you, Dad.”

“Aww, Jaybird…” Bruce’s hand moves sluggishly to cradle Jason. “I love you so much more than you could ever imagine.”

A small smile plays on Jason’s lips as he closes his eyes, leaning into his Dad’s touch. Maybe… maybe babysitting a high Bruce isn’t so bad.

[BONUS!!!]

Dick walks into the infirmary nearly an hour later with Damian trailing behind him, intending to check up on Bruce. He’s been ringing Jason’s phone for a while now, but he hasn’t been picking up. And… Honestly, Dick’s getting worried.

“Tt. I knew we shouldn’t have left Father’s safety in the hands of an incompetent fool such as Todd,” Damian frowns, scowling.

“No, no, it’s probably just a misunderstanding,” Dick tries to reassure his baby brother, but he picks up his pace. “I mean, we both know what Jason’s like. One moment he’s nice, one moment he’s—”

His voice trails off as he sees Jason sitting on a chair beside Bruce, who’s on the gurney— both asleep, with Jason’s head resting on Bruce’s shoulder, and Bruce cradling him.

“Aww, Little Wing…” Dick smiles, pausing. Even Damian freezes behind him. Dick steers him away, back into the main house, so as to not disturb the sleeping pair. “Yeah, they’re okay. Nothing bad happened.”

[the-broken-truth]

Yandere One-Shot: Platonic Yandere Dimitrescu Family w/ Young Female Maid Reader [PART 3]

Broken Truth: Hey everyone, I've completed the script for the third installment of our storyline. Let's get started! Enjoy, My Shadow Pups! Let the words weave together!

Quick Summary: [Name] [Surname] is the youngest of three daughters on her father's farm. While she takes care of the farm and her ill mother, her elder sisters spend their time being lazy and spending any money she makes. They often complain about their financial situation but do nothing to improve it. Frustrated with their lifestyle, [Name] decides to apply for a job at Castle Dimitrescu. Despite her mother's dismay and her sisters' delight, she lands the job. However, things take a dark turn when the Lady of the Castle and her daughters take a personal interest in [Name]. They decide that her family is no longer deserving of her, leaving [Name] to face a difficult choice.

Notes:

[Name] is 15 years old.

[Older Sister] is 27 years old.

[Middle Sister] is 23 years old.

[Father] is dead and gave the farm to [Name] in his will because he knew she would take care of it.

[Mother] is 57 years old and has a deadly illness. There's an elixir that the Duke has to heal her but it's expensive.

Regardless of her young age, [Name] can cook, clean, bake, sow, and repair rather well, as if she were a professional.

[Part One] - [Part Two] - [Part 3] (You Have Arrived)

[Castle Dimitrescu - Dining Hall - Supper Time]

Alcina Dimitrescu sat at the head of the table, eagerly awaiting the arrival of her beloved daughters for dinner. As she looked around the dining hall, she couldn't help but notice that it was spotless. Despite having occupied Castle Dimitrescu for some time, it had never looked this clean before. The runner was free of blood stains, the wooden floor was perfectly polished, and the carpet was swept and also free of blood stains. The goblets and fine china that rested on the table were free of dust. Everything was perfect. Alcina gazed at the maids who stood at attention against the wall, ready to serve their mistresses, including the newest addition to her collection: [Name] [Surname].

The owner of the surname farm stood with perfect posture, her hands behind her back, her focused eyes locked on the lady's voice, ready to act quickly and effectively. She had been taught by her father to be efficient and attentive. Despite hours of cleaning and preparing, her uniform remained flawless, free from wrinkles and dust. Alcina was impressed; usually, maids would have wrinkles and dust on their clothes after the first day, but this girl was different. The Lady of the Castle was intrigued by her and would keep a close eye on her. There was something about her that Alcina couldn't quite put her finger on.

Alcina's thoughts were interrupted by the sounds of buzzing coming from the halls - from the corner of her eye, she could see the maids tense up at the sound of her daughters approaching but the youngest maid remained as still as a statue, completely unaffected by the sound of the Dimitrescu Daughters coming closer to her location; was she unafraid of the Young Ladies of Castle Dimitrescu? Alcina couldn't help but wonder and smirk - she would insert the fear of Castle Dimitrescu within this girl.

The first to enter the dining hall was Bela Dimitrescu - Alcina's Eldest Daughter and - in her opinion - her most responsible daughter. Bela's hood was down, allowing her long blonde hair to flow behind her as she hovered over to her seat and took a seat to the right of her mother.

"Sorry for being late, Mother. I had to wake Dani up to make sure she didn't miss dinner again." Bela explained.

"I understand, My Daughter. We do not want your sister attacking the nighttime maids for a midnight snack again." Alcina groaned as she recalled what happened the last time her youngest daughter skipped dinner - that was a difficult mess to deal with, the blood stained one of her favorite paintings that Donna painted for her. She kept the painting in her art room, trying to think was ways to remove blood from it without damaging the artwork - easier said than done.

Soon enough, 2 more clusters of flies entered the room and formed into the Middle Child of the Dimitrescu Family and the Youngest of the Dimitrescu - Cassandra and Daniela Dimitrescu. Cassandra's long brown hair flowed behind her as she hovered to her seat while Daniela stood there running a hand through the shaved side of her red hair. She started heading to her seat when she stopped, sniffed the air for a while, and turned to look over to the maids - who stiffened as her eyes raked over them until they stopped on the newest addition of the maids.

"OH! What have we here?" Daniela asked with a grin that would put the Cheshire Cat's to shame as she hovered over to [Name] - who locked eyes with Daniela as she looked her over as if she were examining a shiny new toy. "Mother got us a new toy to play with and this one smells so good! What's your name, pretty thing?"

"Lady Dimitrescu, permission to speak?" [Name] asked as her eyes remained locked with Daniela's and her hands remained behind her back.

"Your request is granted, Maid [Surname]." Alcina said - surprised that the maid would have enough respect and common sense to ask her lady and mistress permission to speak to her daughter; this one was very different from the others.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Lady Daniela. I am [Name] [Surname] and I look forward to being of service to you." [Name] said as she placed on hand across her chest to place over her heart and bowed her head to show her respect and submission to Daniela.

"OH! Mother, I like this one! Can I keep her, please?! I promise not the break this one like I did the last time!" Daniela said as she turned to face her mother with a large smile and puppy eyes.

"No, darling. Maid [Surname] is not a toy. She is a rather hard worker for her young age." Alcina said.

"Really? How old is she?" Bela asked.

"She is 15 years of age, My Eldest." Alcina said.

"Only 15 and she is working as a maid here? Are you certain that is a good idea, Mother?" Cassandra asked.

"Quite certain. Do you see the dining hall? She cleaned it as her test to prove that she would be able to handle work around the castle." Alcina said as she gestured around the dining hall.

"How the hell did she get the blood stains out of the runner? Even the old stains are gone." Bela asked.

"I used lemon juice, Lady Bela." [Name] said.

"Lemon Juice? That actually works?" Daniela asked.

"It most certainly does, Lady Daniela. I used it all the time to get the blood stains out of my clothes during my farm work." [Name] explained. Daniela looked at [Name] with a large smile on her face before she hovered over to her seat and sat down beside Cassandra. The family waited for the chefs to arrive from the back with the food. Tonight's dinner of fine steak with blood sauce, the family ate but Danield seemed displeased.

"Mother, the blood on this meat doesn't taste all that good. What type is it?" She asked.

"The chef told me it was A+. Is there something wrong with it, my daughter?" Alcina asked.

"Most of the dishes they serve have A+ Blood and I have grown sick of the taste. I want something different. Don't we have other blood in stock?" Daniela whined as she dropped her fork with a piece of steak still on the end. Alcina explained that A+ Blood was the only type they had in stock because that was the dominant type from the donors who were paid for their blood but Daniela was still displeased.

"Lady Dimitrescu." [Name's] Voice called out, causing the Lady of the Castle to look at her with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes?" Alcina asked.

"If I am allowed, I might be able to aid Lady Daniela with her problem. May I try something?" [Name] asked. Alcina was curious about what the young girl was planning and gestured her hand in a way that told [Name] she was allowed to proceed. The youngest maid walked over to the table and removed her hands from behind her back while her right hand reached into her pocket and pulled out a small knife. She opened the knife and used it to slice open the palm of her other hand, allowing the blood to build up from the open wound, and held her hand over the steak Daniela was eating, allowing her blood to spill over the meat. [Name] moved her hand around to ensure every inch of the steak was moved in blood before she retrieved and piece of cloth from her pocket wrapped her hand to stop the blood flow and nodded to Daniela, who sliced a piece from the steak and took a bite - her eyes widened as the flavor of the blood hit her tongue.

"My daughter... Are you alright? You have grown silent." Alcina asked. Daniela said nothing as she continued to cut the steak and consume it like a starving creature until it was gone - she then attempted to lick the blood from the platter but once it was gone, she turned to face [Name] with a crazed look in her eyes.

"More! I want more!" Daniela lunged from her seat and grabbed [Name's] forearm, yanking the cloth from her hand and forcing the bleeding wound to her mouth to drink as much of the blood as she possibly could. Alcina - completely confused by her daughter's actions - rose from her seat to stop Daniela but the calmness of [Name's] face told her that she wasn't in danger - the young maid didn't fight as Daniela drank her blood and soon enough, the young mistress pulled away, licking the leftover blood from her lips with a smile of satisfaction on her face.

"Has your appetite been sated, Lady Daniela?" [Name] asked.

"This... This was the best blood I have ever tasted. What is your blood type?!" Daniela asked.

"To the best of my knowledge, I am AB Negative." [Name] explained.

"AB Negative? I have not heard of that blood type. I have heard A Negative, even B Negative, but never AB Negative." Alcina said with confusion in her voice.

"It is a rather rare blood type, Lady Dimitrescu." [Name] explained, "Another rare blood type - also known as the Universal Blood Type - is O Negative."

"You know a lot of blood types." Cassandra said.

"Just enough to stay alive. Never know when you might need a donor, it could just save your life." [Name] said.

"Are there anything other people in the village with your blood type? Your sisters perhaps?" Alcina asked.

"To be honest, I am not certain, Lady Dimitrescu. My sisters were not very keen on having blood work done or having examines from the village doctor." [Name] said.

"I want to taste her blood as well." Cassandra said as she rose to her feet.

"No! She is mine! Her blood is mine, too! I tasted it first, so it's mine by right!" Daniela said as she held [Name] close to her chest while hissing at her sister, who hissed back.

"You can't just hog the rare blood bag for yourself, Dani! That's not fair!" Cassandra yelled.

"Now, now, daughters. That is enough. Maid [Surname] needs to rest from allowing Dani to drink her blood. We shall deal with this situation in the morning. Maid [Surname], you are dismissed. Return to the Maid Quarters and get some rest. Your work resumes tomorrow." Alcina ordered as Dani released her grip on the girl.

"As you wish, Lady Dimitrescu." [Name] said as she bowed and walked out of the dining hall with all eyes on her.

This girl - this rare blood type - was going to be interesting to keep around.

[laurasimonsdaughter]

Ceres made sure to watch the Duke and his men enter the tavern under the cover of darkness before making their own appearance. They had left Isolt behind in a rather fretful state, but at least she had stopped trying to argue with them. They could not really blame her for it, she seemed so genuinely concerned for their safety. And her own, clearly. She seemed as terrified of her father as she were furious with him.

No matter what Isolt thought, Ceres understood the ways of nobility quite well. When they entered the tavern it was with a hood obscuring all of their face that wasn’t covered, and a cloak obscuring most of the rest of them.

The tavern was still fairly crowded at this hour, but the Duke was impossible to miss. He sat alone, his drink untouched, his head raised as if he was holding court.

Ceres crossed the noisy room and sat down across from him with a polite nod. "Evening, Your Grace."

[Read the rest of The Heiress and the Rogue on AO3.]

[bartxnhood]

beside you | c.h

calum hood x reader

summary: while calum is on tour, you often send him videos of your daily life while he’s gone. until you stop randomly and work on a surprise for him.

warnings: none, just SO MUCH FLUFF.

a/n: can you guys tell i like to write for calum ? especially sweetheart cal ?? anyways, enjoy !!

Copyright © 2022 bartxnhood. All rights reserved. This original work is not allowed to be reposted on any platform in any format.

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“hi hun!” you beamed through the phone, panning to your side where duke laid, passed out. “i know it’s late there but i just woke up. i’ve got to run a few errands and then i have a meeting for work later. i hope tour is going well, i miss you bunches. i love you!” you frowned, then blew a kiss for the camera and ended the video.

calum couldn’t count how many times he watched the video, seeing your beautiful smile and duke laying in bed with you. his heart ached to be away from home. especially after two years of being home, he hated the idea of leaving you alone but you had assured him you would be okay. so, to help you thought you’d send calum videos during your day so he wouldn’t miss anything.

naturally, he loved them.

“mom is stopping by to help with work around the house” you were walking in the hallway, from your bedroom to the living room. “oh, and” you paused, walking to the couch and turning the camera around. “duke misses you.” you showed duke laying in his spot on the sofa. “but i miss you more” you panned the camera back around to you smiling brightly.

on days he had off, he would check the time zones and if he knew you’d be awake he’d call. specifically facetime. he had to see your face.

“i love your videos” he smiled, shifting his computer to the bar table on the bus. you laughed, “i’m glad my efforts are being seen” he chuckled, rubbing his eyes. “just two months left. but it feels like it’s going by so slow” he finally changed the subject. “i know” you frowned, “but once it’s over you’ll get the well-deserved break you need. me and duke will baby you the entire time” you held the dog up to the camera, who obviously had no idea what was going on but he looked happy nonetheless.

“i know you’re tired, but, all the videos i’ve seen from the shows you looked so happy. so alive on stage” he smiled, recalling all of the memories. “i love being on stage, y/n. i can be myself, i love seeing the fans. i love all of it but, i just miss being home. i miss being with you” his smile soon turned into a frown.

the call lasted hours, the two of you just catching up. well, mainly it was just him telling you his best memories with the guys thus far. you had kept him updated on life at home, and he was finally telling you about life on tour.

the weeks following, your messaging was beginning to get shorter. no more videos, very rarely would you even send a photo. your responses were relatively one word. calum began to get worried, often trying to call and when you did answer you kept it short.

he began to wonder if he had done anything to upset you, was it the call? what could’ve happened for you to become distant like that? but, you had your reasons.

he checked his phone as he stood outside of the dressing room. you hadn’t messaged him for almost two days, no video or update on how you were. calum began to get worried, he would send you messages when he could but he still got no reply.

finally, he tried calling. it immediately went to your voicemail. he took his phone away from his ear and sent you another text.

“i’m so worried. please text me back.”

“excuse me, do you know where i can find a calum hood?” a voice spoke from behind him, he shot up from his phone and spun around to find you. all of his worries were relieved seeing your face. calum stuffed his phone into his pocket before walking to you and taking you in his arms.

you could’ve sworn you saw tears in his eyes, but he wouldn’t admit it.

he held you so tightly. lifting you off the ground, spinning you. “oh my god” he spoke into your skin. “i’ve been so fucking worried, y/n” he gently put you back on the floor, pulling away to look at you. “why are you here?”

you grinned, “the guys have been telling me you’ve been feeling down. so, i’ve spent two weeks planning this whole thing. hence my absence.” you admitted. he pulled you in for a quick kiss, “i love you for that, but don’t you ever scare me like that again” you laughed, “okay”.

it had been a long week for calum, it was finally nearing the last month of tour. he was very drained both physically and mentally. so, when you surprised him, it was the perfect timing. “you didn’t have to come.” he murmured, head resting on your chest. now back at the hotel room. “i did, i wanted to” you hummed. he shifted, looking up at you.

“it means so much. i’ve missed you so fuckin much. it’s been so hard” he felt like he hadn’t seen you in years. yes, the videos you sent helped but it just wasn’t the same.

“well you have me the rest of this tour, then we can go on a nice vacation or a staycation. whichever you prefer.” you pressed a kiss on the top of his head. he laid there, just smiling at you. he couldn’t stop looking at you, he longed to be in your presence for so long so he wanted to savor the moment.

“why are you looking at me like that?” you laughed, even after all these years he could make you bashful without even trying.

“i’m just realizing how in love with you i am, and how much you mean to me.”

[ao3feed-brucewayne]

Lifelines

by SomebodyIUsetoKnow After everything that went down with the Crime Syndicate and then Spyral, Nightwing couldn't do it anymore. Five years after retiring the mask, five years after Bruce had once again cut him out of the family, Dick Grayson returns to Gotham. But Detective Grayson is not the only transfer from Bludhaven. An enemy from across the bay makes an explosive debut onto the scene of Gotham's organized crime that has the GCPD racing against a clock that could cost the lives of thousands. Including one of their own. The Batfamily has only seventeen hours before it is too late to reclaim the piece their family had been missing for far too many years. Words: 4365, Chapters: 1/5, Language: English Series: Part 4 of Must Be Tuesday Fandoms: Batman - All Media Types, Nightwing (Comics), Gotham Knights (Video Game 2022), DCU, DCU (Comics) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Categories: Gen Characters: Dick Grayson, Kate Kane (DCU), Renee Montoya, Bruce Wayne, Dinah Lance, Duke Thomas, Tim Drake, Alfred Pennyworth, Barbara Gordon, Stephanie Brown, Jason Todd, Damian Wayne, Cassandra Cain, Jim Gordon (mentioned), Maggie Sawyer (mentioned), Amy Rohrbach (Mentioned), Harley Quinn (mentioned), Poison Ivy (mentioned), Original Main Villain Character, Justice League Characters (Mentioned and Brief appearances) Relationships: Batfamily Members & Dick Grayson, Dick Grayson & Everyone, Kate Kane/Renee Montoya Additional Tags: Post-Forever Evil (Comics), Post-Spyral Arc (Comics), Dick Grayson is Not Nightwing, Detective Dick Grayson, Bruce Wayne is Batman, Dinah Lance is Black Canary, Duke Thomas is Signal, Tim Drake is Red Robin, Barbara Gordon is Batgirl and Oracle, Stephanie Brown is Spoiler, Jason Todd is Red Hood, Damian Wayne is Robin, Cassandra Cain is Black Bat, Non-Consensual Touching, Non-Consensual Bondage, Canon-Typical Violence, Kidnapping, Hostage Situations, Bombs, Dick Grayson Whump, Hurt Dick Grayson, Romani Dick Grayson, Bruce Wayne Gets Therapy, Trying to Explain why Bruce is/was a Bad Parent, Bruce Wayne Tries, he's getting better, Batfamily gets their heads out of their asses, Protective Batfamily, Batfamily on the Warpath, Hurt/Comfort, Explicit Language, Alfred Pennyworth is the Best, Alfred Pennyworth is So Done, Protective Alfred Pennyworth via https://ift.tt/8sXa3ED

[lovesosweeet]

better left unsaid // cth

chapter twenty two

in which orion has leukemia, and calum doesn’t know.

calum hood x fem!oc

read other chapters

TW: mentions of disordered eating, weight loss, body image descriptions

october 1, 2018 san diego, california calum

I could barely sleep last night with the excitement of reuniting with Orion at the front of my mind. I get to hold her, touch her, kiss her, be with her… today. It’s finally here. The day that we’ve been pining for is finally here.

I wake up early so I can be ready when she gets here. We slept on the bus last night after we drove out here from Denver. It’s quiet when I wake up, unsurprisingly. I grab my duffel bag of clothes and toiletries and head into the venue to take a shower. There’s no show today, but we’re camped out here for now. I’m supposed to stay at Orion’s family’s house tonight, but the rest of the band and crew are at a hotel.

As I get to the door into the venue, Gus is already here. I swear, the man is always working. His shifts are 12 hours at a time. He’s tired as he greets me, but still cheery.

“Orion comes today, right?” He asks me with a knowing smile. He knows the answer. The question is practically rhetorical.

I smile back at him without a second thought. Of course I’m smiling — I get to see my girl today. “Yep, she’s gonna be here around 10!”

Gus nods and opens the door for me. “Only three and a half hours to go, then.”

We leave the conversation there and I enter the building, looking around for signage to direct me to the dressing room. I find it and head that way. It’s nice to be in the venue this early. No one else is awake, aside from a handful of stray security guys and a janitor that’s mopping the floor.

I take what Orion would call an everything shower. It consists of scrubbing my entire body with a container of sugar scrub I stole from her abundant stash, slathering my body in some body wash from LUSH that she got me hooked on, shaving everything, shampoo, conditioner, exfoliating my face… everything. I want to look, feel, and smell my best for her, even though I know she wouldn’t care if I smelled like cat piss and looked like a complete mess.

When I get out of the shower, I text her, since it’s roughly when she will wake up anyway.

To: my love + stars gooooood morning!!!!! ☀️ today is the DAY!!!! drive safe and let me know when you hit the road. can’t wait to see you my love.

Back on the bus, I try to get my bunk in order. I make the bed as well as I can and organize my stuff so it doesn’t look quite as chaotic.

“Cal? What time is it?” Ashton’s voice sounds from the bunk above mine.

“It’s a little after seven,” I answer, trying to whisper.

“Why are you up this early?” He whispers back.

“We’re in San Diego, dude.”

Ashton opens the curtain to his bunk then so he can look at me. “Shit, didn’t even realize. You excited?” He smiles, already knowing my answer. Another practically rhetorical question.

“Can’t fucking wait.”

—

I spend my morning with Ashton inside the venue, just aimlessly scrolling on my phone while he reads a book. We’ve both downed a cup or two of coffee and eaten a few of the snacks we have backstage. It’s just bananas and granola bars currently, which is fine by me. I’m not really hungry. The excitement is all consuming.

My phone is already unlocked, watching Orion’s blinking blue dot on the Find My Friends app get closer and closer to mine. She stopped at her family’s house on her way here to drop off Duke so we can spend the day together. As her dot gets onto the premises of the venue, she starts calling. I answer instantly.

“Hi,” I answer. Ashton looks over at me then and he starts to smile. I’m sure he’s missed her too.

“Hi, I’m pulling in now. Matt told them I’m coming, right?”

“Of course. You’re his favorite, remember?”

She giggles. “Okay, sure. I’ll see you in a minute.”

“Can’t wait.” And then I hang up.

I get off the couch, brushing crumbs from my granola bar off my lap. I turn to Ash.

“Gonna go meet her. We’ll be back in a minute.”

He nods, looking back down to his book.

I walk around the maze of the backstage area, following signs to the exit. More crew are walking around now, all nodding to me politely as we pass each other. I open the back door to the buses and am greeted by the bright sunshine and Gus’ replacement.

I look around, trying to spot Orion’s silver sedan. I spot it parked behind the buses, but don’t see her.

Then, there she is, walking toward me with a glowing smile on her face, wearing a baggy green hoodie, presumably some shorts that I can't see, and a beat-up pair of New Balances. I take a few jogging steps toward her, but she's running, so we meet after just a few seconds.

I wrap her into my arms as quickly as I can from the moment I see her, but the second she’s there, pressed into my chest, I can’t help but notice she’s… different. Orion has always been tiny. She’s 5 feet tall and has always been pretty thin, but she had some slight curves still. Now, she’s bony and frail. Normally, I don’t like to comment on her appearance unless it’s telling her how absolutely gorgeous she is, except this time. I can’t help it. All I can think is that she’s smaller. I want to comment about it, and I try to hold it in, but I don’t trust myself to be able to do so.

“Hi,” I breathe, my face buried in her hair. I didn’t even remember to take in how short it is now. Her frail frame is the only thing on my mind.

“Hi,” she says back. She’s squeezing me back as hard as she can. Her arms are bonier than normal, somewhat masked by the oversized hoodie, but they’re there.

My hands slide up the sides of the hoodie she's wearing — technically mine — to grip her waist and I can instantly tell just how differently her body is shaped now. She feels fragile, far smaller than she was before. It's so obvious. Has the time apart really been this hard on her? I know it's been bad, but not unhealthily losing 20 pounds bad. Have I just not paid enough attention on our Facetimes? Am I that oblivious?

What happened?

Before I know it, the question falls out. “Did you lose weight?” I can't help it. The words tumble from my mouth and my hands scan her rib cage, feeling how much the bones protrude from her skin. She feels like just skin and bones, but she was trying to hide it under my baggy sweatshirt. Orion steps back so she can look at me.

Now, I notice her face and that her cheekbones jutting out sharper than before. Her cheeks are hollow, her eyes sunken in. She looks sick. 

Has she been struggling so badly this whole time? Why wouldn't she tell me? Did I not look at her at all while I’ve been gone? I’ve seen her face, but I don’t know how I could have missed that it looks like this. My heart aches at the thought of her being too sad to eat, too depressed to move. Things have to have been hard on her if this is how she is now. It’s all my fault.

"Just a little," she mutters. Now she can't even look me in the eye. She's suddenly trying not to cry.

My hands can encircle her waist, completely. She's so much smaller than she was before and there's no way it's healthy for her to be so thin. "Orion, it doesn't feel like 'just a little.'"

Her eyes finally meet mine, holding so much more emotion than I can swim through. What're normally almost orange irises are dark and muddy. "It's fine, okay?"

Her voice is so meek and sad that it pains me to hear. I don't want to press it. We don't need to have a full conversation about her possible disordered eating or stress-starving herself outside of a venue in San Diego. But I can't just drop the fact that she feels like she's down to just her skeleton and organs.

Orion's eyes search mine like she's trying to find the right thing for her to say in the depths of my eyes. I didn't mean to make her cry. I just can't believe that she is so much less of herself than she was two months ago, and I feel like it's my fault for leaving. How can this have happened? Does she need help? I try to put a pin in all the questions I have, but they cloud my thoughts and it's hard to think about anything else. I want to be excited that we’re finally together again, but excited is nowhere near the top of the list of the emotions I’m feeling right now.

"Orion's here!"

"Oh my god, O!"

"Ah! Orion! Cal, why didn't you tell us she was here?!"

"We've missed you so much!"

Suddenly there's a mini stampede of my bandmates, their partners, and some of our crew, all encircling us. It's a mess of limbs and excitement, and I'm pushed back from my girlfriend unwillingly. Everyone else now gets to feel just how frail she is.

Orion is grinning now, a fake smile plastered on her face while giving everyone hugs back and saying how happy she is to see them. Before I know it, Luke is picking her up and throwing her over his shoulder, carrying her inside. Everyone else follows. Orion giggles and tries to answer questions that everyone throws at her. They all are gone shortly, and I don't even realize that Ashton is still standing with me outside until he speaks.

"Alright, mate?" He asks, patting my back between my shoulders. When I lock eyes with him, he's sympathetic, as if he can tell something is wrong.

I don't know what's going on with Orion yet, so I don't want to start talking about it with Ashton. If it's an eating disorder, that's not something I can just share with him without her consent. As much as I want to describe what I just saw in my girlfriend and felt on her body, I can't tell him.

I clear my throat and plaster on a smile. "Yeah, just still in shock that she's here, I guess."

Ashton nods. “C’mon, let’s go save her.”

read next chapter

a/n: !!!!!!!!!!!! hi hope you liked this one!!!! drama is coming :) two cal pov's in a row who am i!!

[kippykasey]

Hey @darke15

Its finally time for the live reaction of season 2 of Soldier and the Spy.

S2E1

- leave it to Boone to make a dramatic entrance

- of course Duke is being a mother hen over a breakout

Error. Bad connection redacted comments. Please try again.

- Jack has it bad for Duke and its adorable

- Jack and Zac are the first of my children as they are cinnamon rolls and I will fight for them.

Connection reestablished. Please continue.

- wait wait wait Rafael is the one who is going to treat our girl ghost??? Hell yeah!

- just waiting for Belov to meet someone new who knows what he's saying and messes with him

- please pause the tension caused by brainwashed Ghost for some adorable children

- Raf is something else.

- The Hadar and Jack gym moment made me snicker. Poor Jack just wanted to make sure a fight didn't break out.

- Belov and Zac are like Spike and Jerry (I don't know why that correlation popped into my head but it did) unlikely friends

- me going my whole life thinking it was 'Golf' Coast... yep

- nooo not the ptsd ahhh poor Dugan

- catch me giggling over the idea of a wooden child puppet being a drug dealer

S2E2

- okay but Duke would be a badass bar tender. Love it

- this part (Lawrence being drugged) is so wonderfully written (as odd as that sounds)

- 💉💉he got his shot💉💉

- Boone having flashbacks from Rook gives me gross vibes

- we love a protective Duke

- all dresses with pockets are superior

(I am technically supposed to be working but I'm hooked. Ahhhhh)

- “Only Marines take in hood rats.” true for the marines I know

- Jack is too kind

- oh look a meet-cute run in

(Totally had a small panic over bad internet and thinking all the comments from ep2 so far didn't save but we good)

- Belov, bear, vodka is not a food group

- the gossip mill is deep.

- oh, Boone, darlin'. Someone give this gal a hug

- the friendships forming are beautiful to watch

S2E3

- ah Boone and Duke banter, I missed it

- cackling at this tech class

- During all of the fights for Alpha picks I just imagine the nurses getting upset at select few that they constantly see

- oh so that's how T becomes senator. I like it

- Nea helping set up Jack and Duke unknowingly

S2E4

- lil happy dance at the first use of Senator Johnson

- i would like to take this time to thank General Garner for taking vacation

- giggling like a school girl at poor Jack's expense

- now laughing at Duke's expense

- pass code guesses: alphaone or alphatwo

- Jack and Duke obviously crushing but oblivious

- Jack, don't compare relationships

S2E5 (about halfway through and its only been 5 hours, since I'm working and multitasking)

- whoa there no going after kids or we gonna have a problem and you aren't gonna win

- watch them become a team because they get caught sneaking out for drinks

- Hadar going to save the day?

- Montana plates huh? 👀

- mmm the baby blue camero

- I caught that Fury mention

- Thomas Frazier consider yourself fired

- Bardot Calinescu sounds familiar, was it referenced in BS:A?

S2E6

- Boone how scandalous lol

- well there goes one of my code guesses, alphaone is still there and my third would be outbreak (that was Johnsons code name if I remember)

-alpha two is literally going to be formed in a bar to save Johnson.

- “And,” Rafael said, the smile on his face growing, “I know just the guy to get us to Dugan.” mhm his name is Jack Bennett

- didn't see Sherlock coming

- ugh this comparison to wonderland is beautiful

- hell yeah! Go Zac!!

- we going to throw hands and then get back to slapping some sense into Boone for doing stupid shit

S2E7 (just a random time update its like 12:30)

- eeeeeeee! He asked him out! It begins!

- happy dance at alpha 2 forming to save kids

- no no no we going to fight

- DARKE NO. OMG NO. THAT CLIFFHANGER. That's so mean. My heart is racing and I. .... *incert scream here*

S2E8

- nia being so strong ♡

- i just feel like a ball of anxiety right now. 20 minutes to save the girls before a big boom boom

- oh sjit oh shit panic

- this is a stressful situation Duke shooting and coming out of the dark is not supposed to be attractive!

- “You and I remember Havana very differently,” 👀

- oh my god. Go alpha two

- not Jack finding out Duke wants to kiss him by a child in a death zone

- wish I had ice cream to get through the heart palpation you caused :P

- Ghost is awake!!

S2E9

- Duke ruining his own love life

- pour the champagne for Senator Johnson!

- Amma ♡

- Winter Soldier just seems like a stalker, promising to find Ghost. (Bad joke)

S2E10 (time update 2:16)

- well a stabbing is one way to start an episode

- home to New Eden

- squealing over Duke and Jack is just a thing now

- the fact that Thomas still has a job... prick

S2E11 (last one)

- honestly New Eden is probably the best place for Ghost right now

- short sweet and Raf better not disrespect the car like that again or we gonna fight

So in total it only took me like 9.4 hours to binge read everything. But yes ♡♡♡♡♡♡

Much love to the Alphas.

[httpsgfg]

mili!! pick like 3 or 4 questions you haven’t answered that you’d like to for the 5sos asks? or just one question! whatever you want to do. i looked and then promptly forgot which ones you’d already answered which is why i’m doing this very unconventionally asjkdjaka. ily!!! 💖

nat this is actually very cute and i'm going to use it as an excuse to post my fav photos of duke bc i miss that lil grandpa 🥺

15. fav 5sos dog?

in conclusion this is duke's world we're just living in it

5sos asks

[nighterwriter]

Coincidence

Dick Grayson x reader

Word Count: 1414

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

Dick was tired. Patrol had been rough and his body was paying the consequences of fighting one to five for hours on end in Gotham’s unforgiving rain. He groaned, trying to massage the tense part in his upper back that had been a victim of one too many punches. He picked up his phone and aimlessly scrolled through missed messages and social media posts, smiling softly when he reached your goodnight text.

Goodnight handsome. Be careful, be safe. Love you always.

Both of you had been busy the last three weeks, trying to juggle work life and personal stressors and because of this, the only time you talked was through good morning and good night texts. Dick’s chest ached. He missed you. He missed the smell of you that had faded from his apartment, the pastries you’d drop off at his work, the way your eyes glowed when you saw him at the end of a long work day. He wanted to be selfish and wake you up with a call - he knew you’d respond - but it wouldn’t be fair to you. At least you had a four-day weekend starting tomorrow - well today. He’d asked for the rest of the week off to spend it with you.

“The loverboy’s sad.” Tim craned his neck to read his texts and ducked when Dick tried to swat him away.

“Shut up dude.” 

“Aw, do ya need me to give you a good night’s kiss?” Duke puckered his lips and fought Dick’s outstretched hands. 

“Seems like you guys miss them more than me.”

“Duh,” Cass shrugged, “They’re cool.”

“They’re the only one that lets me get Warheads Double Drops.” Steph added.

“That burned your tongue to point of you needing grafts.” 

“It’s about living a good life, not living a long one.”

Damian sat in the throng, his face resting in a distasteful manner. He hadn’t liked you from the start. The family was weary at the beginning, which was customary, but the boy never seemed to warm up to you. He’d leave the room when you walked in and if he had to stay, he’d pick the farthest corner and ignore you until you left. You had tried to talk to him, but with the combination of his icy remarks and your aversion to confrontation, you thought it would be best to give him time and space. This broke Dick’s heart, of course. He had a feeling this would happen and tried to maintain the same amount of time he spent with his little brother, but every time something happened - whether it be because of work or something else - he knew that Damian would find a way to blame you. You understand and assured Dick you were okay with Damian’s feelings, they were brothers before you were together, but he could see the slight disappointment whenever you were ignored. You always wanted people to like you, but you knew that sometimes it wouldn’t work out that way, but it was a bigger bummer considering it was your boyfriend’s family.

“We’ve been busy with work, but we’re supposed to meet for lunch tomorrow.” He didn’t know why he was explaining this, but it felt better to get it off his chest instead of keeping it inside. God, he missed you.

Damian scoffed but didn’t say anything. Bruce looked up from the computer and opened his mouth, but Dick shook his head. It’s better to let him deal with it himself.

A noise came from the computer. Barbara frowned as she pulled up the tab, but then looked confused. 

“Someone’s at the front door.” It was three in the morning and raining heavily and Wayne Manor had gates that could only be accessed with a code.

“Excuse me, Mr. Wayne? I know it’s late and I didn’t mean to show up out of the blue, but I need help.”

What the hell were you doing here? You had pulled your hood down and were looking directly into the camera, your arms hugging your torso. You could’ve been a clone, maybe Clayface in disguise, but you had that familiar look in your eyes and you had known the gate code that Dick made sure to teach you in case of emergencies.

“Wait! There’s a code word… Wellington!” 

“By God, how much longer are you planning on letting the poor child stand out there?” Alfred reprimanded, gathering towels and heading towards the front door. 

Dick followed, a pit of worry digging itself into his stomach. He’d told you the code for emergencies and by the way you were holding your stomach, you might’ve been hurt, but the color of the hoodie was too dark to make any conclusions. 

Relief flooded your face as Alfred opened the door.

“Good morning, Mr. Pennyworth. Sorry for the intrusion.”

“The only thing you should be sorry for is the cold you’re going to catch if stand out there a minute longer.” The butler ushered you in, wrapping you in towels.

Your face brightened when you saw your boyfriend. “Hey baby.”

“What’s wrong? How’d you get here? Why’re you here?” Dick gently rubbed a towel against your hair. 

“I took the bus and I walked here.”

“Babe, it’s three in the morning. What were you thinking?”

“I was thinking I needed to come here as soon as I could. Good thing bus fare at two in the morning’s cheap.” The rest of the group soon joined in the foyer, watching amused as the couple bickered. Your arms were still caged against your body and the closer Dick looked, the lumpier the area looked. “And I didn’t come here for you, I came for Damian.”

The boy’s scowl had deepened when you called his name and took a step towards him.

“I was gonna go to bed, but I remembered I had to take the trash out. When I got there, I found these little guys.” You cradled your stomach as you gently unzipped your hoodie. Cradled in your hands, five kittens were asleep, curled against each other. “No momma in sight.”

Damian’s face brightened when he saw the creatures. Two of them were all grey, one was grey and white and the other two were grey and black. Gently, you scooped two up and placed them in Damian’s awaiting hands, giving the other three to Cass and Jason. Your teeth were chattering as Dick wrapped a towel around you and threw your soaked hoodie to the floor. 

“I would’ve kept them ’til tomorrow, but my landlord saw me skulking around the trash and I’m pretty sure he’s been waiting for me to slip up and break my lease.”

“That’s why I told you to move in with me.” Dick murmured, pulling you into a hug and rubbing your back to generate some warmth. 

”We’re not having this conversation right now.”

“Where will they go?” Damian asked quietly, biting back a smile when one of the kittens let out a mewl.

“I can’t keep them, no pets allowed at my apartment complex and I don’t know the first thing about taking care of kittens,” You paused, “Maybe you could keep them? Or find them a loving home?”

He was quiet as he gingerly petted each kitten, eyes searching for any fleas or wounds. Dick wanted to believe that this had been planned. Kittens near your trash was as stereotypical as it got. But you never left without your phone (there was no trace of it on your person) and you risked getting sick which is something you hated because of your work’s shitty tendencies. It’s a coincidence, he thought as he kissed the top of your head repeatedly as he watched Damian play with the only kitten awake. One hell of a coincidence. One sent by someone who wanted you and Damian to get along.

“Off to the showers with you. You’ll spend the night in the manor before accompanying Master Dick back to Bludhaven for your much-needed time off.” Alfred’s words weren’t a suggestion. You nodded and kissed Dick before going to follow, but were stopped by Damian speaking.

“After you collect yourself… would you like to assist me in the kittens’ bathing and feeding?” He sounded uncomfortable, his eyes flitting quickly to yours and back to the kittens, but it was enough to make your heart swell.

“Yeah sure.”

Dick smiled as he watched you hide your giddiness as you followed Alfred. 

Maybe it was more than a coincidence.

[heartache-onthebigscreen]

Cal with a neurodivergent afab reader that has NVLD? Reader is also chronically ill with a lot of stomach issues and is laying down alot cuz they’re always exhausted. Also reader has no idea what gender they are but Cal doesnt care but also it always trying to help them figure it out. Cal seems to be one of yn’s main supports that really understands and loves every part of them, even the hard parts.

"i got you" - cth

an: this is almost a bit TOO relatable.

help for readers:

AFAB - Assigned Female At Birth

NVLD - NonVerbal Learning Disorder

pairing: calum hood x afab/neurodivergent!reader

summary: it has been a long, exhausting, day for YN. and of course, calum is there to help. always.

warnings: mental disorder, chronic illness, gender issues, cursing.

word count: 1.2k+

You burst through the door, dropping all of your items as Duke hurries up to you barking and whining from the excitement of you getting home.

You grumble and lightly shoo the dog away with your foot, not even bothering to pet him, earning a sigh of disapproval from the dog.

Still standing at the door, you begin to strip off your clothing, all the way down to your underwear and bra. You grab one of Calum’s hoodies laying on a nearby chair and throw it on, you then reach under the hoodie and take your bra off.

You stumble into the living room and throw yourself onto the couch, pulling a soft blanket over top of you and your hood over your head and curl up into a ball. Duke hops up on the couch with you and snuggles at the back of your legs right where your knees bend.

You let out a long sigh.

Finally.

You had been in pain, all day. And having to be at work, on your feet all day definitely did not help you. It seemed that every move you made further hurt your body, and all you wanted to do was curl up into a ball and escape from this.

Work was just as mentally exhausting.

It’s unknown how long you laid on the couch, it could have been minutes, or hours, but you did not move from that spot one time since you had gotten home.

Calum opens the front door, making you jump as Duke lets out a bark and jumps down from the couch to greet Cal. You hear Calum’s coos to the dog as he sets down his own items.

“Hey- shit,” you hear a stumble and a bang and you sit up to see Calum on the floor, having tripped over the clothes and things you had left on the floor.

“Sorry Cal,” you mumble, laying back down on the couch.

“S’alright,” Calum chuckles, “missed you.”

“Mmm,” is all you let out as you let your eyes shut, trying to rest as much as you can.

“You alright?”

You don’t answer. You curl up your legs more so Calum could sit if he wanted. Calum notices this silent invitation and you feel the weight of his body on the couch. He rests his hand on your calf, the touch making you jump a little, your body is still very overstimulated and sensitive to touch right now.

“Sorry,” Calum apologizes, “hurting?” he questions, knowing how you can get due to your chronic illness. Some days are worse than others.

You nod your head, still not opening your eyes.

“Need anything?”

You shake your head no.

You feel Calum shift on the couch, being sure to lightly touch your body as he squeezes behind you so he can spoon you. You relax in his embrace and he rests his hand on your stomach under the sweatshirt. He lightly rubs the area, knowing this is always where it hurts most, trying to soothe you.

“Long day?” Calum keeps his voice low.

You nod your head again as he presses a feather-like kiss to the side of your head.

“Wanna talk about it?”

You roll over from your position so you’re now facing Calum. You throw your leg around his torso so you both can fit on the couch. You keep your face close to his and finally open your eyes to find his comforting gaze.

“Work was a lot today,” you confess, “I- A lot of people got mad at me. And I still don’t get why! I do my job as I’m told! And the things I don’t get, I do get help for! I just can’t get the certain buttons on the computer, no matter how many times I fucking watch it happen. And then people kept getting mad at me and staring at me because I was moving so slowly. And I looked stupid half the time because these old men kept making jokes to me and I didn’t get them, not to mention me running into literally everything walking around the place.”

“YN-“

“And on top of that! Everything just hurts so fucking bad today. I could barely carry anything, and I kept getting looks when I asked for help, why? I took my break early which was a horrible idea because I had to suffer through the rest of the shift. All I did on my break was lay down in my car away from everyone so I didn’t have time to eat.”

“YN-“

“And back to the old men! Kept, telling me how ‘a pretty little lady shouldn’t be working a job like this.’ You know how that makes me feel, Cal! I don’t like being called a lady, I think? Sometimes, I don’t know. I just didn’t fucking like it today, it made me upset.”

“YN!” Calum interrupts your rant one last time, “jesus baby, you did have a long day. M’so sorry.” He soothes.

“Well, for one,” Calum starts, “the way you do your job is not your fault. You can’t help it, baby, it’s hard to do such an engaging job when you have a hard time understanding people as it is. Continue to take it slow, don’t stress out about it, alright?”

You nod your head. Understanding social cues and directions have always been an issue for you. You never picked up on the body language and expressions people used, not being able to tell how people felt, especially towards you.

Hell, Calum had to directly say to your face he had a crush on you, you would have never noticed if he didn’t.

And learning at work had always been hard, you were in training for god knows how long.

“Second, m’sorry everything hurts. I got your medicine refill while I was out,” Calum presses another kiss to your head, “sorry I didn’t get back sooner.”

“And third, I’m so sorry about those nasty men. I hate them, did ya have ya nametag on today? The one with the ya pronouns on it?”

Calum had always been so supportive of you, no matter what. Lately, your struggle has been your identity. You didn’t know what you liked being called, it seemed that no matter what was used, it didn’t feel right.

“Didn’t wear it, didn’t feel right,” you sigh.

“That’s okay,” Calum runs his fingers through your hair, “we’ll figure it out, yeah?”

You nod your head for what seems like the millionth time.

“It doesn’t bother you? The gender thing?” You double-check with him.

Ever since you brought this up with him, you’d been scared he found you weird or wouldn’t accept you, but he’s been so so loving through this personal struggle you dealt with, trying to help you find yourself.

In fact, he’s there for all the struggles. The illness, the disorders, everything. He hasn’t loved you an ounce less through your whole relationship.

He just wants to take care of you, and do what’s best for you.

“Of course not,” Calum answers, “I love you. And I got you.”

You smile for the first time today as you nuzzle yourself into his chest.

This, Calum, is your safe place.

[calumxkisses]

Sweet Creature | c.h.

pairing: calum hood x reader

genre: angst to fluff

warnings: i think implied smut?

summary: request - Heeyyy, can you do one, where they have a big fight and they are in quarentine, and they stop talking to each other, and the sleep in different rooms, with cal... kiss from brazil 🇧🇷

a/n: this is one of my favorite song! let me know what you think about it! i hope you enjoyed it ;)

you should read this imagine while listening to: sweet creature

➳

“What the hell is wrong with you?” a scream comes out of your lungs. Your face has turned red, your head hurts and you feel your heart pounding. Your throat is now dry and you feel your nails sticking into the palm of your hand.

What Calum notices, however, are the tears running down your face and the pain behind your eyes. What hurts him the most, though, is knowing he is the cause of your pain. He would like to hug you, tell you that he is sorry, that he loves you and that he doesn't even remember why you are fighting, but his pride prevents him from being the person he would like to be. The person you are in love with.

“All you do is whine.” he screams out, rolling his eyes and letting out a snort.

This discussion was the straw that broke the camel's back, filled by being forced to stay at home, by a canceled tour and canceled parties but, above all, by the concern of a world that is in chaos, with a fatal virus that spreads like wildfire.

He is worried, he feels the burden of not having to disappoint anyone, of being a good person who says the right things, of being a child who cares about their parents who live on the other side of the world and cannot go to visit, reassure, and that he can only see through a mobile phone screen.

“I have a right to be angry, you know that, right?” Your voice calms down a bit, but anger still runs through your veins. You walk up and down the room, with one hand on your forehead and being careful not to step on the broken glass of the fallen vase.

Calum has spent the last few weeks in the studio, out in the garden practicing, or locked in a room, anywhere but with you. He preferred to wake up early and go to sleep late, feel cold instead of holding you and skipping meals to avoid being with you.

For the first time in days, you get a good look at him: his hair has grown, as has the beard surrounding his face, he has terrible dark circles and the vein on his neck comes out prosperous, underlining how much he is screaming.

You felt abandoned, alone, left on the sidelines, and your feelings were amplified by the impossibility of going to someone, just to escape from that situation, to be held by someone else or just to talk over a coffee with a friend.

The only thing you could have done, was to ask him why, what you had done to deserve such treatment, and to spend some time together. And that’s where the scream started.

Tears roll down your face and you run your hand under your eyes to wipe them away. If you didn't notice them before, now the pinch caused by their wake has become hard to ignore.

“Are you going to cry now? God, you’re making me regret being with you. I really wish you weren’t born.”

Calum feels the pain it caused you before even reading the expression on your face. He puts his hand in front of his mouth in hopes of being able to block the words, but they have already left his lips and have come straight into your ears, getting stuck under your skin and breaking even the last pieces of the broken heart you have left.

His words hit you like a bolt from the blue. Arguing often leads to saying unthinkable words and among all the things you've been yelling at each other in the last hour, some bad words have certainly escaped, but nothing so terrible.

You feel a pain in your chest never felt before, deep and intense, and even the tears stop flowing. You inhale deeply, seeking relief in a breath of air and waiting for your body to react in any way, all is better than feeling full of pain. The room starts spinning, your head feels full and empty at the same time, and your legs struggle to bear the weight of your body.

Calum carefully scans your face, looking for any reaction from you to understand how much your mind has absorbed his words. His stress, his worries have led him to be a different person and the fear that you may leave him has terrified him, but his insecurities have done the opposite of what one expects, making he walk away from you and treating you coldly, and now he fears that he is really on the verge of being alone, with his broken heart in his hands, ready to mend every wound himself.

You didn’t deserve this.

“I can’t do this anymore. Not with you.” You whisper, lifting your face and looking him straight in the eye. The words he used, the coldness of his tones and the loneliness in which he left you have piled on top of each other on your chest, making it difficult for you to even breathe. You need time, space, whatever helps you figure out what to do.

“What do you mean?” He asks in a shaky voice. His eyes are glossy, his hands are shaking and his face has lost color. His heart carries so much goodness and you know it wasn't his intention to hurt you, but his words were like stab wounds and you need to take care of them now.

You don't want to leave, and not because you can't take a plane, but because Calum means too much to you and leaving is not an option to consider. If it ever ends up between you, after all you've been through, it should be in a more dignified way and not because of a stupid fight and insincere words.

“I’m going to sleep in the guest room for a while and then we’ll see what to do.” Is all you can say and all you can do.

“So you’re not leaving?”

“I don’t think so, at least not now.”

Silence.

And that silence means everything and nothing.

You pick up the pieces of your shattered heart and, after casting one last look at the boy in front of you, you take refuge in a room that doesn't belong to you. The air in the guest room is different, you can't breathe the love that characterizes every corner of yours and Calum's and even the sheets seem different, cold, painful. You put a hand through your hair and lean on the door, slowly sliding towards the floor and letting go of your frustration.

Calum closes his eyes and puts his hands to his face as his body slumps onto the sofa behind him. The house reigns in silence, the only audible sound is your sobs in another room and, before he knows it, he starts crying too. He doesn't care about wiping his face or stopping the moans that come out of his mouth, he deserves to feel awful and humiliate himself like that, the guilt is devouring him and he just thinks about how he wishes he could disappear, to make your life easier.

When you first met, he knew you were the right person from the first look you gave him. Behind your eyes, deep in the irises, there was a whole world, made of kindness, love and joy. You had your demons, but the strength you emanated made it clear that you were able to overcome them, even without knowing it. A world that he wanted to discover, with delicacy and patience, and in which he wanted to live.

But what he feared most was bringing darkness into the light you emanated, turning your smiles into tears and your heart into a mass of sharp pieces.

He had told you, while you were eating some heated pizza on a rainy morning, your legs were on his and your face on his shoulder. And you had caressed his face, wiping away the dirt on his lip with your thumb, assuring him that you would have love him anyway and that you would have happily shared some of your light, and then you had kissed him, and that kiss tasted like tomato sauce and love, a combination you still love with all your heart.

And now, the only thing he can do, besides pitying himself, is wondering if you're regretting sharing your joy with him, if you'd rather stay full of light instead of welcoming his demons. And he fears your answer is yes.

Duke rubs his face on his leg, asking for scratches but also showing his affection. He doesn't know what happened and Calum wonders if the dog, who loves you more than any other person has crossed the threshold of your home, would look at him differently knowing that he broke the heart of the person he loves most.

If so, as his mind is trying to convince him, he couldn't handle it. He would not be able to live knowing that he has let down another being he cares about. Because he cares about you, but it is difficult for him to show it, the fear of rejection is stronger than he would like.

So, he lowers himself a little and gently strokes the dog, hoping to be able to receive that affection he is so afraid of losing.

As Calum's world shatters before his eyes, you take care to gently reassemble what's left of yours. You're still on the floor, getting up takes too much energy and a motivation that you can't find.

How you feel about the guy down the hall cannot be described in words, there is no way to describe what his gaze makes you feel, the way his words reassure you or how his love warms your heart up. It just works like this. Your love does not need big gestures or difficult words and never like now, it is better to absorb the silence and be lulled by the air.

Perhaps it would have been better to remain silent, let the cold of his words slip on you and learn to live in the loneliness in which he left you, but you couldn't go on like this. Not fighting would have meant not caring about him or your relationship and that's exactly the opposite of how things are. He had to know how you felt and what you were missing.

The sweet sound of his voice or the warmth of his skin are essential for you, not only on a love level, but in the daily routine of your life. A routine that had changed, which was no longer full of joy and smiles, light and perfume, but of demons that wandered undeterred around the walls of your home, ready to bring the cold into your souls.

And that routine, once full of love, was now non-existent. No more words had been said between you, no meal had been eaten together and your bed had forgotten what love meant. The stars, ever present witnesses of the passion that surrounded your bodies, were now always absent, covered by gray clouds and black skies. Even the moon, which guards all lovers, shone with a paler and more blurred light.

The moon gave way to the sun, the grass grew and the days alternated on the calendar. And yet, it seemed to you that you were still still that afternoon. Sure, breathing had become less difficult and the tears had stopped flowing on your face, but even in the middle of spring the coldness brought chills on your body.

You have no idea what he is doing, occasionally you see the shadow of his shoes behind the door of the guest room or you hear broken melodies coming from the studio, but his face becomes more and more unknown.

You spend your days studying, working, playing with Duke or reading your favorite books. You wake up late and go to sleep early, hoping to feel less lonely.

The truth, however, is that you miss him immensely, like water in the desert or milk after eating spicy food. You need to be able to get lost in his eyes or just hold his hand. The headache meds don't work like his kisses on your forehead, and no number of blankets could bring you the same warmth that a hug from him gives off.

You feel so pathetic to need him by your side, but after so many years of loneliness, he was able to convince you that you were worthy of being loved just like everyone else and, specifically, that he would love you more than anyone else. And he had done it, always and anyway, for the sake of the joyful news and the bad of your depression, he had always been there, ready to show you that you were worth it.

He wants to do it, he wants to continue to hold you and to tell you how beautiful you are, how honored he feels to be the keeper of your heart and the champion of your love, but he believes that no apology would bring serenity to your sky.

What is he supposed to do? No words would express the humiliation he feels whenever he thinks back to your fight and his behavior, no hug or kiss would bring love into your broken heart.

He spent his nights awake, the insomnia caused by his thoughts was making it impossible for him to live. The table seemed too big and the bed too uncomfortable, the bass was always out of tune even as he spent hours adjusting its strings and no melody seemed catchy enough to lift your mood in the other room. He knew that when you were sick, listening to him play brought some peace to your troubled world, but now no sound would chase the bad weather away.

None of his gestures would be enough to show how bad he feels. Nothing can express the pain he feels and the regret of his words.

However, 3 years of relationship is enough for him to know what makes you smile. There is one song in particular, in the immense repertoire that is your music library, that you love to hum and listen to when the silence is too loud.

So, wearing his best shirt and trying to fix the clump of his hair, he sits down at the piano in the living room and, after taking a deep breath, he tries to voice his thoughts.

Sweet creature

Had another talk about where it's going wrong

But we're still young

We don't know where we're going

But we know where we belong

And oh we started

Two hearts in one home

It's hard when we argue

We're both stubborn

I know, but oh

As you put down your favorite book after reading it again, Calum's sweet, broken voice spreads throughout the house, bringing a sense of comfort to your heart. You can hear the pain behind his voice, and even though you know your wounds will take some time to heal, the words he screamed at you lose their value. One part of you is still angry but the other, curious and in love, wastes no time getting you out of bed and walking towards the room.

The piano overlooks the garden, the sun shines above and illuminates all the plants. Duke is chasing a butterfly, its tail wags quickly and some leaves are stuck in its fur. Calum has his back to you, his back leaning slightly forward as he looks outward, but his mind wanders somewhere else.

You lean on the door jamb that separates the two rooms and close your eyes, letting yourself be carried away by the music and breathing regularly, giving your body respite from all the accumulated stress.

Sweet creature, sweet creature

Wherever I go, you bring me home

Sweet creature, sweet creature

When I run out of road, you bring me home

Sweet creature

We're running through the garden

Oh, where nothing bothered us

But we're still young

I always think about you and how we don't speak enough

Calum watches the garden as the lyrics of the song automatically come out of his mouth. He was never good at playing the piano but, during the nights spent away from you over the years, he promised himself to learn all your favorite songs so he could sing them to you whenever you needed them.

And while Duke rolls around in the grass, he can't help but think about the thousand picnics you had on that same lawn, the laughter you shared and all those moments when he always fell in love a little more looking at you.

And even if the song doesn't belong to him, he can still feel every single word and a small tear falls down his face.

And oh we started

Two hearts in one home

I know, it's hard when we argue

We're both stubborn

I know, but oh

Sweet creature, sweet creature

Wherever I go, you bring me home

Sweet creature, sweet creature

When I run out of road, you bring me home

You take a few steps forward and, after taking a deep sigh, sit next to him. Calum winces at the contact but his face turns into a big smile after seeing you. He doesn't know if you're still mad at him or if his singing worked, but being able to see you again after so many days spent in agony brings a sense of peace to his messed up world. He knows that this song is not enough, that he will have to prove a lot more to you - even if you will probably forbid it - but knowing that he has you there, frees him from a weight that he carried inside.

And as usual, there is no need for words, he just needs to feel your head resting on his shoulder to know that you have come back to him. And when your hands touch his, he feels at home again.

Almost automatically, your hands begin to move to the rhythm of the music and your fingers touch the keys of the piano, accompanying Calum in the melody, just as he taught you.

Duke is rolling in the grass, the butterfly now forgotten, and his happy face is illuminated by the sun. It seems that the sky has returned to shine too, not just your eyes, and the pieces of the puzzle fit together perfectly again.

I know when we started

Just two hearts in one home

It gets harder when we argue

We're both stubborn

I know, but oh

Sweet creature, sweet creature

Wherever I go, you bring me home

Sweet creature, sweet creature

When I run out of road, you bring me home

You'll bring me home

There was no need to talk to him, or to explain, risking losing you was necessary for him to understand that something was wrong, that he had to find the right path, that you can risk skidding, the important thing is getting back on track.

“I am grateful to your mother for bringing you into the world, but even more grateful to you for being a part of my life. I'm sorry for what I said, I didn’t mean it. I love you and I always will.” He whispers, placing his hands on his thighs, as soon as he finishes singing the last words. His words are sincere, you can perceive the displeasure behind his tone and you know he believes what he says.

He kisses you on the forehead and, taking your hand in his and squeezing it, he rests his face on your head, closing his eyes and absorbing the silence, a cautious silence, full of peace and fresh air.

“I love you too.” You whisper back, closing your eyes in turn and letting yourself be lulled by the peace and serenity found. You know that everything will be fine, that even if you’ll have other fights, you will always find a way to get back to each other.

-

[fangirl-writes]

Ghost of You

Calum Hood x Reader

Warning(s): death, mourning, Calum crying on stage. Angst.

Notes: I saw a video on tiktok of Cal singing his heart out to this song so here we are. Not revised, written in one session.

Summary: Based on the song Ghost Of You. 

The boys were hesitant to keep the tour dates after what happened. Everyone needs time and they thought that the space between the accident and the first show wasn’t long enough.

But Calum disagreed. He assured his bandmates that he would have no trouble by the time the show came around.

They were skeptical, argued with him to the contrary, but Calum just looked at them with tears in his brown eyes and said, “Please. Please let me do this. She would have wanted me to do what I love.”

They didn’t argue after that.

Calum woke up the morning before they hit the road facing the side of the bed that would never be filled again.

He can’t sleep there. He hasn’t even made an effort to make the bed, holding on to the last outlines of where you had once been.

The sheets were ruffled and the comforter was pushed near the end of the bed, your pillow was propped up against the headboard where you had been sitting, drinking out of your coffee cup.

The coffee cup that still sat on the bedside table just next to your side of the bed.

A small tear fell from Calum’s eye as he noticed the ever fading lipstick stain on the rim. A subtle, but pretty pink that you always wore. The one that would sometimes stain his cheek before he went out on stage.

He wiped the tear and tried to smile.

Oh, what you’d say if you could speak to him now. “Wipe those tears away, Cal. You’ll be just fine.”

I’ll be just fine. Calum thought. Eventually, I’ll be just fine.

He got up from the bed, not bothering to prepare himself for the day yet.

His suitcases sat fully packed by the door; ready to be loaded onto the tour bus for the next few months.

He always had more suitcases than you did, for obvious reasons. But he swore you could fit everything you owned in that one little suitcase. A suitcase that wouldn’t be used again, and probably wouldn’t leave the closet.

Calum sighed, pushing away the thoughts and walking out of the bedroom. Trying to drown the thoughts of you out, like he always did, trying to think of anything else.

But he found walking down that hallway to make it especially hard.

In that hallway, in those photos, he swears he can see the ghost of you.

The first one hanging there is a picture of you and him that he used to find almost hilarious to behold. It was an older one, back when they were just getting big and he was still a teenager, it was one of you and him, taken when you were just a fan. Someone Calum didn’t think he’d probably ever see again.

But life works in mysterious ways.

The one across from that was the most recent, it was a selfie you took at Michael and Crystal’s wedding. Your tongue was hanging out of your mouth and you’d made you eyes cross, Calum was making a duck face, doing the same to his eyes.

It never failed to make him laugh.

Next was your first paparazzi appearance. You joked it was your claim to fame, being followed and snapped in a professional photo with Cal. It wasn’t anything special, really. Just a picture of the two of you walking down a street in L.A, holding hands and decked out in what was probably your laziest outfits ever. Calum had on a dark pair of sunglasses and you were smiling up at him, probably about to crack a joke to get that stoic look off his face.

The rest were either family photos, photos of him and the boys, you and your friends, or just silly pictures of the two of you together.

He tried to walk as fast through that hall as he could, trying to keep the tears from reaching his eyes.

But he couldn’t take them down. It might kill him.

He made it to the kitchen with little resistance and poured himself his own cup of coffee, trying to focus on the upcoming tour and not think about you.

He had deleted social media off his phone. He couldn’t take the constant notifications and reminders and apologies from fans. They missed you too, but Calum missed you an ungodly amount more.

He frowned when he saw the empty vodka bottle sitting on his kitchen counter. God his place was a mess. He needed to at least clean up before he left, maybe that’d get his mind off things.

Put on some music. Yeah, that’d be okay.

He finished his cup of coffee, washing the mug before hurrying off to get the other tasks finished before he had to leave.

He took out the trash, cleaned out the fridge, put away his dishes, swept the floors, vacuumed the floors, cleaned the windows, dusted the shelves.

All that was left was laundry.

He made it to the laundry room easily. But once he was in there, nothing was harder.

He filled a load with his dirty clothes, turning on the machine before tentatively reaching for the basket that held yours.

He blinked back tears when he noticed the old Zeppelin shirt sitting in there. The one that your wore when you ran away, and no one could feel your hurt.

“He’s a rockstar,” your family had said. “it won’t last.”

“I’m in love with him,” you had replied.

Too young, too dumb, to know things like love. Calum thought with a shake of his head. What did they know? But I know better, now.

Calum went through the rest of your clothes, a memory surfacing for almost each one. A old 5sos merch shirt that you’d worn on your first date, not even thinking about it. A pair of music note socks that he had a matching pair of. A pair of skinny jeans you had a love-hate relationship with. A white bra that you had thrown on stage at one of their concerts as a joke, only for it to end up catching on the neck of Calum’s bass.

He smiled at the memory. His entire face had gone bright red and he had looked down at you with an almost scandalized look. The other boys had to stop the song because they were laughing too hard.

He let your clothes lay back in the hamper after he was done. He didn’t see a reason to wash them yet.

But he tucked that old Zeppelin shirt into his travel bag.

He loaded his bags into the back of Michael’s car, ready to head to the bus. Crystal waved at him from the passenger seat, he waved back.

“You got your keys?”

Calum blinked, not even realizing he was going to need those now. “I didn’t even lock the door,”

Michael laughed, pushing his friend lightly towards his house again. “Go get them.”

Calum chuckled back, hurrying to do so.

It hadn’t even dawned on him that you wouldn’t be there to watch the house, that he needed to lock the door. He had already sent Duke to stay at Luke and Sierra’s but locking his door? He’d never even thought of it.

He grabbed his keys before pausing.

Yours were hanging there, too. A keychain with your initials on it dangling next to the keys.

He grabbed those instead.

“You ready for this, mate?” Ashton asked him as he slid into the back seat.

“Yeah,” Calum said, softly, caressing the keychain with his thumb. “Yeah, I am.”

And as Michael took off, looking back at his house, Calum could’ve sworn he saw the ghost of you.

***

The night was going great so far, the crowd was pumped up, screaming and hollering.

Cal had managed to get lost in the music, forgetting about his problems for hours.

Until the song he had been dreading all night.

He almost asked if they could take it off the setlist after he saw it.

But then they’d have given the sad, almost pitying look that they did when they talked about canceling the tour. And he didn’t think he could stand those looks again.

He took a deep breath as the piano notes began. He could do this.

“Let’s see those lights up in your hands,” Luke said, holding his arm up.

Calum reached his microphone and his breath caught in his throat.

Someone was holding a picture of you up. Almost as if they knew.

His eyes darted to a different part of the crowd only to find an even larger poster being held up and illuminated by the stage lights. It read your name, your birthday, and the day you-

Calum looked away again, trying to blink back tears.

“Wow look at all those-” Luke voice cracked and he cleared his throat. “Wow, you guys, this is...”

There were maybe hundreds of posters or photos being held up now along with the phone lights.

“You know, this is my first concert without her in a long time,” Calum found himself saying into the mic. “And this way she’s still here. Thank you guys. Thank you so much.”

The fans cried out in response and Calum cleared his throat, saying to his bandmates away from the mic. “Okay, let’s do this.”

Singing the song, Cal hadn’t realized how much it fit his situation until just then. He hoped it wasn’t some screwed up sort of fate that they would write this song and then he would lose you.

“So I drown it out like I always do,” Luke sang. “Dancing through our house...”

“With the ghost of you,” Calum chimed in, mind filled with thoughts of you. He didn’t drown them out this time, he just let them come.

“And I chase it down, with a shot of truth. Dancing through our house, with the ghost of you,”

“Too young... too dumb... to know things like love,” He could feel the tears falling down his cheeks. “Too young... too dumb...”

“You go!” Luke shouted, allowing the crowd to sing the chorus.

“So I drown it out like I always do,” They sang and Calum hung his head back, trying to hide his tears as he listened. “Dancing through our house. with the ghost of you.”

You would have loved this. You would have said that it gave you chills, hearing the crowd sing such a haunting song back to them.

“And I chase it down with a shot of truth. That my feet don't dance...”

“Like they did with you.” Luke sang the last line with the crowd before the stage went black and Calum rushed off to the side of the stage.

The boys followed quickly, wrapping him in a hug after they reached him, and for the first time since you’d been gone, Calum let himself just cry. He didn’t push it down or wipe his tears, he just cried. He let his best friends hold him and he cried.

But just there, like everywhere, wrapped in the arms of his friends, Calum could have sworn he felt the ghost of you.

[kimberly-spirits13]

Batfam Reacting to S/O Turning into a Robin HC (Request)

So this entire thing happens because you and Bruce were fighting Circe who just had to throw a spell at a civilian

You jump in front of the spell and catch it, taking the blow

This means that on site, you turn into a Robin

Wtf

Bruce is big mad now since now he thinks that you could be a Robin for the rest of your life and that’s just not cool

The moment that the fight is over, he calls in everyone from the league

Z, Constantine, Dr. Fate, Zatara, Wonder Woman, the whole lot

Once they find out what happens there’s a worry but eventually they find that it’s going to be alright and you’ll change back within the next 72 hours or so

72 HOURS

Bruce just simply cannot wait that long

he doesn’t know what to do with a bird like

ALFRED

They make sure to not try and feed you anything that’s too disgusting that you wouldn’t normally eat

No worms

That would be gross

Bruce does find it kind of funny that you turn into a Robin and not something else

So happy it wasn’t a bat

You’d get mixed and lost with the rest of them in the cave and that would be weird

Plus there’s a high chance that you’d just fall from the ceiling

Once you finally detransform from the entire debacle, Bruce is very happy to have you back

Gets special charms from Z and Constantine that repel bad magic back onto the user

Ensures that something like this doesn’t happen again

Dick Grayson:

This man does not know what to do

It’s a run in with Witch Boy that causes this to happen

Z!!!!!!

That’s the first person that he calls

Wally is really the one that takes you back to him since Dick wasn’t on this mission but you and Wally were leading it

You jumped in front of one of the newer recruits and that’s how that happened

Does this entire experience count as a souvenir?

Like maybe he just takes a feather that you drop or something and like SOUVENIR OF THAT ONE TIME THAT Y/N TURNED INTO A ROBIN

After the initial freak out mode, he just thinks that it’s kind of funny that it was a Robin

Z said that the spell was the wrong spell (thankfully) and you’d only turn into something that you loved for a little while

RObin yOU TuRNeD InTO A RoBIn

And that makes Dick a blushing mess

Once you finally do turn back, he teases you

Your most important question is did you eat anything gross

The answer was no but still

Trust issues

he does mention what the spell was and that lead to some blushing

Jason Todd:

This was the last thing that he had planned

The absolute last thing

On a mission that involved some weird magic stuff, you just happened to get turned into a Robin

What the literal hell is happening now

The first instinct is to see that it’s really you

Once you understand that you’re a Robin, you’re just like, oh, so this is happening now

And that’s just how it is, you fly up onto his shoulder and just run with it

Just sitting there like it’s no one’s business cause it isn’t

If anyone asks why there’s a Robin following, it’s just what’s happening now

He is concerned that you don’t turn into a human again

So he does make sure to ask and this time, it needs a counter spell

Z is the one to do this since Jason isn’t keen on trusting Constantine

Doesn’t take super long to do this since Z is already very powerful

We Stan a powerful helpful queen

So Jason goes to one of her shows and sneaks back stage still in the Red Hood uniform and explains what happens

Z just goes ahead, sets you on the floor, and does the transformation

It was really easy, not to painful, but it was weird to just be laying on the floor and not able to fly

You’ll only miss that part

Jason doesn’t miss any of it and still jokes about the fact that you were a Robin

“Babe at least you didn’t blow up in your time being Robin.”

JASON PETER TODD

Tim Drake:

So you turn into a Robin on a mission with the team

He was on this mission and watched the entire thing go down

The funny part was that you could still talk since the magic was somewhat incomplete

There’s just this small voice “WHAT THE HELL!”

And then Tim knows that it’s definitely you

Tim was going to take you to one of the magic users in the league

but since Diana was right there when you got back, you stormed up flew up to her and just mouthed off

“DIANA LOOK AT ME! THAT ASSHOLE CIRCE TURNED ME INTO A ROBIN! THERE’S NOTHING WRONG WITH ROBIN BUT I DON’T WANT TO BE ROBIN! WATCHA LOOKIN AT BATS! I’M NOT UP FOR ADOPTION!”

Tim just died laughing

Cause it really was funny that you were just a little tiny Robin and mouthing off at the most powerful heroes in the world

Recorded it 100%

When Diana takes you to Themyscira in order to get one of the Amazon’s to help, Tim obviously couldn’t come

So it’s about a three day long trip and during that period, Timmy is a mess

He needs to know what’s happening at all times to ensure that you’re alright

When you do finally get home, he tackles you into a hug and checks you up and down to make sure that there’s nothing still wrong

Very happy when he concludes that there’s nothing wrong anymore and you’re back to the regular Y/N

Damian Wayne:

His first instinct is to not let anyone touch you but him

He takes you everywhere and makes sure that you’re alright

You can’t talk but he’s helped birds before and has dated you for some time so he knows what no to do and what to do

That being said, he does want you back to normal ASAP

That means that he’ll call an emergency league meeting without Bruce’s approval

Although Bruce probably would have done the same thing since he really knows that Damian loves you and would make sure that you’re alright

That’s super important to him and the rest of the family since you are kind of family at this point

Damian insists that the magic users help turn you back very quickly

They call in Constantine since Z is off doing other things and he makes sure that he knows exactly what happens

Constantine has had some bad experiences with magic in the past and he wants to be sure that you’re not going to have anything really bad happen to you

Damian is the same way

Probably threatens John’s life if something goes wrong

Once you’re finally back, Damian also tackles you

Though Constantine has to hold him back at first since the shock of turning back and then having someone tackle you to the ground would be over whelming

But when he finally can, he does

Checks you over just like Tim and then doesn’t let you out of his sight for a week or so

It’s not that he doesn’t trust you, just not anyone else

He makes it a point that you’re too important to lose

Cuddles everywhere

Once he does step back and think about it though, he finds it kind of endearing that there are thousands of other things that you could’ve turned into but it was a Robin

It was sweet but didn’t need to last longer than it had to

Duke and Luke:

I’m putting these guys together since in my mind they’re pretty alike

Luke is the classical version of Duke and Duke is the Lofi/ alternative hip hop version of Luke

For these reasons they both have very similar reactions

And that would be to freak out

they take you to Bruce and get advice cause what is going on

They don’t have as much of a connection with the Robin deal since they weren’t ever technically Robin for Batman

Duke is a bit more of an arguable case but still

They do find it both suspicious and a bit comedic that it was a Robin out of anything else though

I have to say that they’re the most chill out of any of the Batfam when it comes to something like this since this kind of thing just happens a lot

Not turning into Robin, just weird outta pocket experiences

Like this is just another thing to add to the list of oh here we go again

Duke does think that you’re still really a pretty Robin

In the most non- weird way possible you’re just a pretty Robin

Luke doesn’t really pay attention to that and instead wants to get to the bottom of what happened so that it doesn’t happen again

They’re both really smart so they’ll figure it out but at different paces since one is more urgent than the other

Doesn’t mean that either care less though

Once you’re back they do make sure that extra diagnostics are run to make sure that nothing was effected and you’ll be okay long and short term

Once they’re satisfied it’ll all go back to being pretty normal

Sry this took so long, exams are running wild

[unlikelyempathpruneauthor]

Tour without You

Summary: fans saw the video of cal singing ghost of you and people think you two broke up.

a/n: SO YALL KNOW WHICH VIDEO I'M TALKING ABOUT RIGHT? Idk if he was actually crying, but a part of me tells me he was, but idk who knows, but i hope he was okay and is doing okay now.

You were currently home watching duke at yours and cal’s place. You couldn't go on tour with cal because of work, so being alone was a norm you had grown into. Whenever you didn't go on tour you and cal would spend time calling one another whenever a show was over, so he could see you and if you needed to comfort him for anything. He hated when he had to leave you alone, but you would reassure him you had someone that was a part of him. Duke would usually stay with the dog sitter, but when you stayed back home you watched duke. You two would have some quality time together as usual so the small pup can use his energy throughout the day.

For Cal though today, just wasn't his day. Their bus tour had taken a re-route, they got to the venue late, he couldn't focus during rehearsal since it was cut short, from them arriving late. Usually when stress came he was able to handle it well, but you usually were there to comfort him right there and then, which also added to his stress as well, not being able to be with you in moments like these. Fans in the audience and online had seen his expression and worried for him, especially when singing Ghost of you. He hated that his stress would reflect how he acts during shows, but today was really bad for him. Cal doesn't really notice when fans are recording, but a video had gone viral during the concert within minutes and fans skepulating about you and cal. You had no idea of this hence you not being near your phone all day and having a nice day out with duke. Your phone had been blasting all night and once you got home with duke you checked it once seeing all the notifications on all of your socials.You were slightly confused as to why there were so many so you checked it out.

@5SOSUPDATES: is it possible cal and y/n broke up? Could be because they haven been posting with one another. Also today’s performance he seemed sad, especially during Ghost of you.

“What the hell?” you said as the puppy barked at you as you continued to look for something that gave you some sort of idea that was going on. Then MTV also made a topic off of it.

SPECULATING BREAK UP RUMOURS: POPSTAR CALUM HOOD AND GIRLFRIEND Y/N L/N POSSIBLY BROKE UP BEFORE A SHOW DURING TOUR

You were quick to find the resources they were using to claim these speculations and there was a video of cal singing ghost of you, at first it was all good, he was singing good, you saw no sad emotions, but when it got to him harmonizing, with the ghost of you, that's when his expression changed. At first you thought that it was just the way he was singing. But you looked over and yeah you were convinced he was crying.

You tried to first go over anything you might have said to make him upset, but there was nothing, you texted when you could and he seemed fine the night before, so you didn't know what was wrong. Unless he lied to you, which he would do when he was away from you. He didn't want to bother you, but you always told him to talk to you when he was feeling down and not himself. You were always going to be there to talk to him always. Just then you got a call from mali, you were quick to answer as she probably has seen these as well.

“Mali, hey.” you said as she spoke, “hey super weried, but have you been on your socials and possibly MTV?” she asked as you sighed, “yes i have.” you said as she contuned, “okay, is it ture?? Did you two break up? Omg did cal do something because i swear-” she said as you giggled and cut her off, “no we didn't, well at least i think so, but uh, no i called him before this show and he seemed fine, but you know how he is, he doesn't tell the full truth until you get it out of him.” you said as she hummed, “thats true, well are you talking to him tonight?” she asked as you hummed back, “yeah i should be getting a call in about an hour, i dont think he has checked his phone yet, so i'll call you first thing alright?” you said as she hummed and you two said your goodbyes. As your phone was still blowing up, more and more rumours were being made, but you didn't expect to be getting attacked.

5SOSWILDFLOWER: Yall, there are some photos of y/n with another guy before cal had gone to tour, guess cal has a reason.

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Caly/n_stan: i don't think she would cheat though, they've been together for years.

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Lukehemmingsstan: i mean yeah but people change especially when dating a celeb, and it wouldn't be the first time a 5sos member would be cheated on.

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@mikeycliff5sos: i mean you can tell she was just in it for the money and the fame, she never spoke about her job.

You were at first confused as to what pictures you were talking about, but then you clearly remember you were with the dog sitter, who happens to be a guy. He was one of Cal's best friends and he always took care of duke when you were away. You were there before cal had gone to tour, to tell him personally that you were staying with duke, since you knew him and it would be nice to catch up on duke’s behavior. Of course the fans didn't know that, but that didn't mean they should attack you. You were kinda stressed about this situation, especially with the things being said, fans even started to question your real intentions with cal and wondered if you were just after cal for his money and fame questioning your line of work as well, which wasnt public because you line of work was importnatn, you were a visual editor at entertainment company and well you kept it private and you didn't want any problems.

On cal’s side of things, he hadnt checked his phone at all wanting to handle one side of stress at a time. After teh show he realxed before calling you, making sure he looked good and fine. But once he lifted his phone he had seen so many notifications, at first he thought it was about the show from tonight but when he clicked he saw everything that was being said about you and him that you two had broken up and the means things being said about you. He was quick to call you as you answered quickly hoping he was okay.

“Hey” you both said quite rapidly, “sorry you go first.” cal said as you sighed and spoke, “are you okay? But i want to know the full truth cal, you know you can talk to me.” you said as he rubebd his head and wished he had spoken to you before anything, he knew if he talked to you hten these rumours wouldnt be made. “Fuck love, im sorry, we had to reroute the show for tonight we got there late, and rehearsal was rushed and, today i didn't do my best to hide my stressed emotions, i tried, but i couldnt, all i wnated to do was talk to you before the show, but i wasnt able to,” he said as his voice was cracking and you felt bad for him, you knew he handled stress well, but you knew today was one of those days, “bub its okay, just talk to me about this kind of stress to help you when you can, no matter what time it may be. I know im not htere, but remeber im a phone call away, always. No matter waht okay, you call me when youre feeling like this.” you said as he smiled a little missing you so much more than he should be able to.

“Youre too good for me you know that? Im sorry for waht the fans are saying, i'll straighten it out babe, they shouldnt be saying this stuff about you,” he said as you giggled, “its fine, it hurt at first, but i mean this all happend beucase i was out with dukes dogsitter,” you said as he laughed a little, “gosh the fans are really out of hand, i love you so much, youre there for me more than many times i could even count, you know youre it for me,” he said as you blushed hearing his words, he would tell you this all the time. It was true, you were it for him and he was it for you. “And youre it for me too, and i'll happily be there for you, always you know that.” you said as he smiled and jsut couldnt wait to get home to you. After talking for about 2 hours, you said your goodbyes and you had gone with the rest of your day as cal had straighten out with the fans about his citation.

He posted a picture on his story of you and captioned it:

To clear out the rumours from today, me and y/n are happily together. y/n has not and has never cheated on me, for those who know she is everything to me and i will do anything to not lose her. There is no anger towards this situation jsut please, be careful with what you say on the interent, even if y/n and i dont post about us everyday its not htat wer are not together, we like to live in the present with one another since i go away for tour. Usually shes here with me, but sadly she isnt. So again please just be aware with what you are posting, we are human and things that were said towards her will hurt anyone.

[ao3feed-brucewayne]

Lifelines

read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/8sXa3ED by SomebodyIUsetoKnow After everything that went down with the Crime Syndicate and then Spyral, Nightwing couldn't do it anymore. Five years after retiring the mask, five years after Bruce had once again cut him out of the family, Dick Grayson returns to Gotham. But Detective Grayson is not the only transfer from Bludhaven. An enemy from across the bay makes an explosive debut onto the scene of Gotham's organized crime that has the GCPD racing against a clock that could cost the lives of thousands. Including one of their own. The Batfamily has only seventeen hours before it is too late to reclaim the piece their family had been missing for far too many years. Words: 4365, Chapters: 1/5, Language: English Series: Part 4 of Must Be Tuesday Fandoms: Batman - All Media Types, Nightwing (Comics), Gotham Knights (Video Game 2022), DCU, DCU (Comics) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Categories: Gen Characters: Dick Grayson, Kate Kane (DCU), Renee Montoya, Bruce Wayne, Dinah Lance, Duke Thomas, Tim Drake, Alfred Pennyworth, Barbara Gordon, Stephanie Brown, Jason Todd, Damian Wayne, Cassandra Cain, Jim Gordon (mentioned), Maggie Sawyer (mentioned), Amy Rohrbach (Mentioned), Harley Quinn (mentioned), Poison Ivy (mentioned), Original Main Villain Character, Justice League Characters (Mentioned and Brief appearances) Relationships: Batfamily Members & Dick Grayson, Dick Grayson & Everyone, Kate Kane/Renee Montoya Additional Tags: Post-Forever Evil (Comics), Post-Spyral Arc (Comics), Dick Grayson is Not Nightwing, Detective Dick Grayson, Bruce Wayne is Batman, Dinah Lance is Black Canary, Duke Thomas is Signal, Tim Drake is Red Robin, Barbara Gordon is Batgirl and Oracle, Stephanie Brown is Spoiler, Jason Todd is Red Hood, Damian Wayne is Robin, Cassandra Cain is Black Bat, Non-Consensual Touching, Non-Consensual Bondage, Canon-Typical Violence, Kidnapping, Hostage Situations, Bombs, Dick Grayson Whump, Hurt Dick Grayson, Romani Dick Grayson, Bruce Wayne Gets Therapy, Trying to Explain why Bruce is/was a Bad Parent, Bruce Wayne Tries, he's getting better, Batfamily gets their heads out of their asses, Protective Batfamily, Batfamily on the Warpath, Hurt/Comfort, Explicit Language, Alfred Pennyworth is the Best, Alfred Pennyworth is So Done, Protective Alfred Pennyworth read it on AO3 at https://ift.tt/8sXa3ED