#jason begs bruce to accept him as he is and bruce says ‘’but I can fix you. I can make you as you were.’’

[unboundbnha]

I’m writing a Jason Todd fic that has everything I want. The foundation of the fic is love: it’s Bruce’s love for his long-lost son. But it’s love that’s gone wrong. It’s love, but it’s love for someone who’s gone (or never existed in the first place). It’s Bruce’s fear — of losing the people he loves, of losing what makes him feel like he’s making the right choices, of feeling completely lost, because admitting that he’s making a mistake, making MANY mistakes, well. That means he’s failed. He can’t fail. Not in this. Not again.

This fic is about love: one person begging the other to see them, to love them as they are, to help them in the way they need. The other person is suffocating the first because they love them. They love them so much and just want them to be happy, but happiness to them has a certain look. Happiness can only be achieved in the right way. It’s horrible and painful and frightening and sad. It’s a story about love. It’s a horror. It’s a ghost story. Don’t you see? In the end, it’s all about love. And how sometimes the people who love us are the ones who kill us.

[stormz369]

☕💖 Can I Get Your Number? ☕💖 Ch 21

Jason Todd x (f)Chubby!Reader

written with a female reader in mind, first person pov, no use of Y/N, will probably get NSFW later, let me know if there's anything else I should tag this with!

warnings/labels: hard conversations, angst (minimal comfort), boundary breaking wc: 3.2k

Chapter Selection

A thin beam of soft yellow light spread across the bed, and I turned to face the door. Damian stood, gripping the doorknob. I sat up, gesturing for him to come in. He stepped inside, shutting the door behind him, but didn’t step away from the wall.

“... I need you to know that I would never have hurt you.” He whispered wetly.

“... What?” I frowned, sitting on the edge of the bed.

“... Father told you about us. … You know I was trained to be a living weapon. A remorseless killing machine. … I broke into your apartment, and you barely batted an eye. You let me come back, over and over, and I … It is important to me that you know, I would never have hurt you. I will never hurt you. I … I’m good now. … I promise, I’m good.”

“Oh, Damian…. Come here sweetheart.” I patted the bed next to me, and he slowly approached, sitting next to me. I held an arm out, letting him decide if he wanted to accept a hug or not. He considered me for a moment before leaning in and I wrapped my arms around him, stroking his back gently. “Of course you are good! You are so, so good, Damian. I promise you, I am not afraid of you, or mad that you didn’t tell me, or anything like that.”

He slowly wrapped an arm around my back. “... You’re not mad?”

“I’m not mad at you, kiddo.”

“... You were screaming at Father.”

“Well, I am mad at Bruce.”

“Why?”

“Your safety is his responsibility, and he’s letting you spend your time fighting criminals … Jason died doing this, and Bruce did nothing about it. He let another kid come in and start the process all over again. And now you …”

Damian frowned; “Father couldn’t stop us if he tried. We choose to do these things, he doesn’t make us. If I said I didn’t want to anymore, he would be thrilled.”

“ … Then stop. Please, stop. Please, Damian, be safe, and happy, and free, let someone else clean up the messes. They’re not your messes…” Tears filled my eyes again and I shut my eyes, silently begging him to agree. “You’re not obligated to do this. You’re just a kid… You deserve to be a kid. I don’t care what anyone else tried to make you be, you are good, and you are kind, and you are a person. You aren’t responsible for the world’s problems, Damian. Please…”

“... I can’t. I’m sorry. … I have the skills necessary to help people survive the worst days of their lives. There are people who are living normal, happy lives because I made sure they survived their worst day. … I’m proud of that. I’m going to keep doing it. I’m not alone, I always have a team. We make a difference, and I … my dreams aren't filled with the screams of my victims anymore. … I don’t ever want to hear those screams again. … I’m going to keep fighting…. They taught me to be a monster. I’m going to use it to be a hero.”

I took a deep, shaky breath, kissing his forehead. “I … I don’t know what to say to that … I … nothing in my life could have prepared me for this … Just … please, please always come home to us. Ok? … I … I won’t be able to take it …”

“I will. I’ll always come home. I know how to take care of myself, you know.”

I nodded slowly. “... I know you do. ... But worrying is part of the job description for being an adult in a kid’s life. So I’m going to worry, and sometimes you’re going to entertain my worries without fighting me on it. Ok?”

He smiled a little and nodded, letting me hold him like that for a little while before he finally pulled back. “... Can I stay?”

I nodded, scooting back to make room on the bed. “I’d like that.”

The bed was big enough that we didn’t have to cuddle close like at my apartment, but Damian did set his hand near mine. I could feel his warmth on the side of my hand, like a guiding light in the darkness. We laid in silence for a long while, just existing in the moment.

“You’re going to keep dating Todd?”

“...If he’ll let me.”

“Why wouldn’t he let you?”

“... Among other things, I … I used what happened to him in the fight, and how that was making him act, to manipulate him into letting me take the blood sample Tim and Babs needed. … It was for his own good, but I still knowingly crossed his boundaries. And I … don’t know if he’ll forgive me. … I don't deserve to be forgiven.”

“... He might not remember.”

“If he doesn’t, I’ll tell him.”

“Why?”

“Because keeping a secret like that from him would be cruel. He deserves to know what kind of person he’s dating, … if he’s going to continue dating me at all…”

He regarded me for a moment, frowning deeply. “... He’ll forgive you.”

“You think so?” Damian nodded. “... I really hope you’re right. …”

“He will. And that will make you my sister.”

I blinked a bit; “... You want me to be your sister?”

He nodded. “It’s the appropriate title, given our situation.”

“Situation?”

“If you marry him you’ll be my sister-in-law. It may not be an official title yet, but you have more than earned it. So, … unless you object, … Todd will stop making his ‘mommy’ jokes, and I will call you sister.”

I shook my head quickly, sniffling; “No, I don’t object at all!”

He nodded, gently squeezing my hand on the sheets. “.... Can Jon still sleepover next weekend?”

I chuckled, brushing my tears away; “Of course, sweetheart. Nothing about our plans has changed.”

He smiled a little and nodded. “Thank you, Sister.”

“You’re welcome, baby brother.”

Dick had been right about things looking different in the morning. But they certainly didn’t look better. In the light of day I saw Damian, curled up next to me. He was small for a fourteen year old. He could pass for ten effortlessly, younger if he played it right. He was so small, looking so fragile, and there on his arm, peeking out from under his pj top, was a crisp white bandage. That hadn’t been there when he left my apartment the night before. Which meant he had been injured fighting Mr. Freeze. 

He was injured. … And Jason was in the Batcave, fighting the effects of Mr. Freeze’s experiment. … It was morning, and my boys were going to have to deal with the consequences of last night for the next several weeks, if not longer. Was Steph injured? Was Dick? The only one I hadn’t seen on the news was the Signal - Duke. He was the only one who was definitely ok, from last night. But was he nursing any injuries from his patrols? It was entirely possible. Surely they all had some scars, but Jason was the only one of them with such obvious ones … It seemed improbable that the others had avoided being hit so much more often than Jay. … Which probably meant that most of his scars would look more like theirs if … what? … What was the missing variable? …

I slowly slid out of bed, making sure Damian was tucked in comfortably, and slipped out of the room, going back to Bruce’s office. Before I got there, I ran into Alfred in the hall. He smiled gently, calling me Miss; “is there anything I can do for you?”

“I need to speak to Bruce, Alfred. Do you know if he’s up yet?”

He nodded. “I believe he’s checking on Master Jason. Would you like me to show you the way?”

I thought for a moment. When Bruce had led me up to the mansion the night before, Babs and Tim had been stripping Jason for treatment. And he still hadn’t shown me his chest yet. I had crossed so many of his boundaries last night, I was not about to cross another. “... No, Jason wouldn’t want me down there until he’s awake. Can I just wait for him in his office?”

Alfred nodded, gesturing for me to go inside, and turned on his heel to let Bruce know I was waiting. I sat in the same chair from the night before, watching the birds outside the window. When Bruce finally arrived, he took a seat on the other side of his desk, frowning slightly.

“... Why are Jason’s scars so prominent?”

Bruce frowned more; “... what do you mean?”

“Obviously all of you get hit, but only Jason has so many, and his are incredibly visible. Why does everyone else have normal, healed scars, and he has those?” I watched Bruce’s face.

“... Jason doesn’t seek medical treatment. Not here, not at the hospital. If he can handle it himself, he does, no matter how poorly. He only gets professional care when he’s brought in unconscious.”

“Why?”

“... I don’t know. He wasn’t so opposed to medical attention before … the Pit.”

I sighed softly, nodding once. “... Ok. … You said that when I had a trajectory, you had funding available for my education?”

Bruce tilted his head, curious. “Yes?”

I nodded. “If Jason can forgive me, … if he can ever trust me again, I want to be able to help him. And the thing it looks like he needs most is someone he trusts with medical equipment. So, if he somehow finds it in him to trust me, after everything I did, you will fund my medical training.”

Bruce nodded. “You want to be a doctor?”

“No. I want to take care of Jason. And Damian. … Any of them really.” I frowned. “Dick, Steph, Tim, Duke. They can all come to me, if they wish.”

“... A sort of … vigilante clinic?”

“... Call it what you want. … But, let me be perfectly clear on one point. I want you to fund this. I do not want you coming to me for treatment. Not ever. … I will never be able to forgive you for what those children have been through, Bruce. I will never forgive you for Jason’s pain, or for how brave Damian has had to be to survive the life you have subjected him to.”

Bruce nodded slowly. “... I do not seek your forgiveness, young lady. You have no idea the choices I have had to make. … But I have seen first hand that you are good for Jason, and Damian seems happier with you around as well. And their happiness matters to me more than you could know. … So, yes. I will fund your medical education, and when you are ready I will keep you stocked with the supplies you will need for them. You'll have a salary, so you can be available when you are needed. … You will need better security as well, it will be taken care of.”

I nodded slowly. “Two more things. First, I will need more self defense training if I’m dating a vigilante.”

He nodded. “You would be welcome to join our household’s Thursday training sessions. … What else?”

“... I want to be added to the emergency contact list at Damian’s school. … Frankly, Bruce, the ways you have failed him terrify me. I can’t fix that any more than you can, but I can guarantee that at every school event parents are meant to go to, Damian will have at least one adult in attendance. I will go to his parent/teacher conferences, whether you’re there or not. I will go to after school activities, PTA meetings, I’ll chaperone field trips and dances, whatever it takes to make sure he knows that this part of his life matters… And I don’t want you to do anything to discourage him from spending time with me either. If he wants to spend the night at my place on a school night, I will make him dinner, help him with homework, tuck him in, make breakfast, and get him to school on time in the morning. And you will say nothing about it.”

Bruce frowned. “Damian is perfectly fine here on school nights.”

“Damian thought your public persona was more important to you than his emotional wellbeing. That is what you have taught him; that you don’t value him as your child, just as a soldier. He needs to be allowed to be a child. If he wants to spend time with me, I will be there. If it’s on a school night, I will make sure he’s ready and at school on time. He feels safe with me, so I will be available to him any time, day or night. Because he may be your son, but I am his adult. If you have any love for him, you will not make it harder for him to have a childhood than you already have. You will put your ego aside, and let him have this. Because you know, in the end, I will be better at this than you are.

You are consumed by the Bat. That’s the way it is, and there’s no changing it. If you were to step back even for a moment, every psychotic clown, mad scientist, and brightly colored sociopath out there would drag everyone into the darkness. That’s the world we live in, the world you have established for yourself. There is no space left in you for Damian's ordinary childhood needs. But I can and will dedicate every moment to my boys' emotional and physical wellbeing. That can be what my life is, and I will be happy to do it. So, you can be consumed with the Bat. And I will be consumed with them.”

Bruce stared me down, frowning deeply. “... You are an incredibly intense person … I hope you know what you're doing.”

“Does that mean…?”

“I’ll have you listed as the primary point of contact for Damian’s school.”

“Thank you.”

Jason woke to the smell of a sterile room, and the sound of his vital signs being monitored. He ripped the monitors off, climbing off the table. The memories from the night before flooded his mind, leaving him a bit nauseous, but he continued staggering away. He found a pile of his clothes, pulling them on quickly, and stumbled out of the room.

The cave was empty. But she said she wasn't leaving … So where was she? Was it a lie? Had she gone home? Her helmet was still on Dick's handlebars. He found his phone and checked his texts.

💖���: Hey baby, lockdown's pretty scary, huh? Hope you're safe! ❤️

5:40pm

💖☕: Jace? You safe?

6:30pm

💖☕: … Jason? If you're getting these, I'm getting really freaked out. Please tell me you're ok.

8:45pm

Her most recent messages were all from before she found out he was Red Hood. Maybe it was too much for her … He had been so entirely out of control, maybe she didn't want to be with him anymore. God, had he really tried to get her to have sex with him? Fuck, that was humiliating. Maybe she didn't like him pressuring her like that … Maybe she hated him for lying for so long. He should have told her before the gala.

He gasped for breath, shaking. She was gone, wasn't she? She hated him now, and she was gone. He was alone … alone … so alone …

He didn't feel his knees hit the cold stone floor, or hear his screams echoing around the cave. He didn't even register the tears running down his cheeks. He only felt his heart shattering.

Small feet slowly came into view, and Damian crouched in front of him, frowning. “... I heard you from the kitchen. What's wrong?”

Jason's hands fisted in his hair as he took a gasping breath; “... Sh- she's gone … She's gone …”

Damian frowned more. “She's in the sitting room, Todd. She didn't want to check on you herself; something about you not wanting her to see your chest.”

Jason's head snapped up to look at Damian's face; “... She … she's here? She didn’t leave?”

Damian nodded, standing, and offered the large man a hand. “Breath, wipe your face, and let's go.”

Jason frowned, taking a deep breath. “... Why are you … being like this?”

“Sister thinks she broke your trust. I'd put her at five, maybe ten minutes from a full panic attack. Now fix your face, get up there, and tell her you love her. … You do still love her, don't you?”

Alfred gently pressed a cup of tea into my hands. Tim and Dick stared at me from across the sitting room, sipping from their own cups. I simply stared into mine, going numb again. It had been hours, but Jason was still unconscious.

“... You seem … upset. … In a way I wasn't anticipating.” Tim frowned.

“I am upset, Tim.” I sighed.

“... Do you want to talk about it?”

“... No.”

Babs reached for my hand. “You did well, yesterday…”

I snatched my hand away, growling; “No! No I did not! How can you even say that?”

“You probably saved Jason's life.” Dick frowned.

“I used the position of power I had over him to force him to do things he didn’t want to do! Things he wasn’t ready for. He begged in that alley, begged, no needles! And I made him give me the blood sample you wanted. … He was all over me, it was uncomfortable and weird, and I knew it was the pheromones, but I didn’t even try to stop him! It was easier to just keep him calm! … He hadn’t told me he’s Red Hood, I told him to take his helmet off, and he didn’t even hesitate. Because he couldn’t! … I took his choices from him. And I did it because it was easier. … How can he ever look at me the same ever again? How can he trust me? How can I ask him to trust me?! I’m not the safe person I promised to be! He shouldn't trust me!” I buried my face in my knees, sobbing. “I promised him, every single day since we met, we never had to do anything he wasn't ready for! I promised! And the second I had the ability to make him go against his own wishes, I broke my promise! H- how can I claim to love him when I did that?! How do I even start to apologize??”

I shook violently, sobbing into my knees, until a large, familiar pair of arms wrapped around my shoulders. Jason's chin rested on my shoulder as he pulled me close. “We talk it out. Just like everything else, we'll figure it out together. Right, princess?”

I gasped sharply, turning toward him. “J- Jason? … Y- … you're …”

He gently cupped my cheek, smiling gently. “I'm ok, doll. Come on, let's talk.”

Next->

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[varpusvaras]

Winnick will come this close to writing a good, rightfullly angry character with BPD/CPTSD and ruin it by making him his conception of "a dangerous psychopath" because dc's understanding of mental illness begins and ends with the joker.

I like that Jason was angry i'm not gonna lie I enjoy the "bad victim who doesn't accept that they were a necessary sacrifice, who doesn't think what happened to them is something they should be expected to tolerate, like fuck your greater good, you weren't there, it isn't worth this." I think even looking at Jason's past before getting adopted he has reason to be angry, like he is poor af and starving and he had to take care of his mom and his dad is in jail because he couldn't see another way to provide and he gets trafficked -he has so many reasons to be angry. And he's not, and I love jaybin, but I think there are so many ways and things he can be angry about without it feeling classist. And I love that he can't emotionally regulate, that he has so clearly BPD/CPTSD because why the fuck would he not, have you seen his life (and that's not even counting the csa hc, which i am because willfully and consistently implying csa and then not addressing it/denying it feels like feeding into a culture of taboo that ruins lives and getting away with covert victim-blaming at the same time). The issue is that they lack finesse or any kind of understanding of anger. The think anger is a personality trait. They think angry = evil. They think being angry means you're violent at and about everything, that you shoot indiscriminately even though you've known better since you were a kid, that you're suddenly treating women like shit (which, wtf seriously) which okay maybe THEY treat women shitty for no reason when they're angry, but that'd be more of a them problem I'd say. Their portrayal of anger is classist because their conception of emotions hasn't evolved since fucking Descartes. Think anger = bad = poor and not only doesn't it occur to them that this is classist, they so instinctively assign moral value to the concepts of poor and angry that they don't realise it and just conceptualise poor=angry and end up with incredibly classist portrayals of anger. You can write characters that are mentally ill and violent without being ableist, you can write characters that are poor and angry without being classist, but that requires a level of respect for people, introspection, humility willingness to learn about the sensitive topics you are exploring that is simply not accessible to Winnick and so many other dc writers.

And here comes my very hot take that I'm too cowardly to say off anon: the pit shouldn't have healed Jason's malnutrition. Like, outside of canon I love big jay, I love big men who are emotionally vulnerable and need comfort etc. but in canon? It just comes off as another way to adultify Jason, and make the horrible things that happen to him acceptable. Jason "sleeping with Talia because he is fucked up about Bruce" because they both look like adults until you realise this is actually just rape and you can't put any responsibility of Talia taking advantage of the kid under her care (very ooc of course) on the child himself. Jason fighting Mia looking like a 40 years old beating up a teenage girl when they're the same damn age. Fucking Ethiopia 2.0. And Jason's murders as well, for the matter. Like don't get me wrong the duffle bag of doom is an iconic villain move, but it's just that: a massive shock effect and a "psychopathic" move. We shouldn't need Jason beheading anyone to be horrified, because just one murder, if written correctly, should be enough. A child killing someone is a terrible thing. A child being put in a position where they think killing someone is the only solution to ending suffering (thinking about the Garzonas case) is a terrible thing. A kid trying to kill his murderer (because fuck his death has to matter it has to) and only begging to be allowed it should be horrifying. Jason, with his unhealed malnutrition making him look a couple of years smaller and younger than his physical age, should look his mental age. It should be impossible to look away from the reality of what he is: a traumatized teenager who wasn't allowed to grow up. And he has a gun. This is already a horror story.

Make utrh!Jason a villain if you must, but have the guts to sit with it. Don't shove the fact that he was a hero and a victim under the rug because it's uncomfortable. Sit with the unease that sometimes someone is doing something bad and is suffering a lot, and maybe they're doing the bad thing because they don't know how to survive the suffering, and suddenly it's not easy separating hero from villain from victim. Your imaginary lines in the sand will not protect you from the crude reality of the complicated and shitty situations you have chosen to depict; you open the can of worms now you can't look away and let the worms roam free just because you're squeamish.

How does it feel to be psychic and be in my head and write part of my essay on Jason for me? Fuck, I have so much to say about this but I need a good night of sleep to formulate it correctly. Look for a longer answer tomorrow, but in the meantime, everyone sit down and look at this and look at it hard. Thank you.

[dairy-farmer]

imagine this, right? i js got the idea. might not be the best one in the world, but here.

dick and tim have been married for anywhere around three years. tim’s twenty four at this time, dick’s thirty-one. their love life is incredible, sex life just as good. tim kisses him in the mornings. they go out every sunday. the batfamily’s come to accept it because they’re so in love. their honeymoon phase is literally their whole marriage.

‘disgustingly in love,’ — jason.

‘dick has stooped so low,’ — damian.

‘please don’t make out on the couch,’ — duke.

they’re the kind of couple people hate, the bond that people want to have, and—

then dick cheats.

it wasn’t a good decision, but happened with this villain—‘and you know how the men in this family are with villains, tim, how the villains are with us. she was hot. and it had been going on for weeks. i refused until he didn’t. i tried, tim.’ dick doesn’t have a good excuse. tim’s out of his life within a week, divorce proceedings already starting.

it’s dick’s all time low. tim doesn’t even look at him. dick begs him to stay as he packs his bags. he says he’ll never do it again, it was a one-off occasion, but tim’s trust is like stained glass, so pretty when he has it, so devastating when it shatters.

tim’s friends despise dick. kon-el always challenges his authority on joint missions now. steph outright says the divorce was his fault and disinvited him from outings because it was still so fresh and tim would be there. wally and cassie give him looks and fall into whispers whenever he passes. jason jokes about it and has it in every low blow he can muster.

he still sees tim every other day, because of their careers, but tim avoids his patrol areas and bruce purposely sets them apart.

once or twice, bruce mentions how they should forget grudges on the job, but he can’t help it.

almost a year passes, and tim’s birthday happens. dick watches it happen from his phone, scrolling his socials, and breaks down. it’s a cycle of him wanting tim to feel as useless as dick without him, to him wishing the best, until he admits he wants nothing more than tim again and hates himself for losing that.

he buys him a gift that night. leaves it on tim’s usual work space in the batcave. that evening, he finds a sticky note on his door with the word “thanks.”

he places one on tim’s desk, so sure it’s him, giddy with the idea of them talking again, he writes back, “ur welcome.”

it should be the end. instead, dick finds a “how did u know i’d want this?” on his nightwing suit. he replies with, “because ur tim” and places it on the zesti can in the bundle, because tim takes one around this time, and always follows their placement.

“what does that mean” on dick’s shoes in the morning.

“u like collections” on a figurine tim left in the parlour.

“i know and i couldn’t even get my hands on this one” the inside of dick’s smoothie mix bottle.

“what? u can’t get ur hands on a simple superman figurine?” the side of the leg extension/curl machine in the home gym, timed before tim’s work out.

“there was only five of this one ever made.” the mirror in dick’s en-suite.

“and now u have one of them :)” tim’s degenerate energy dark chocolate bar container.

they go on like this for a couple weeks. start hanging around the manor that much more often to encounter their next note.

“did u see what she wore to the gala? (he forgot her name, so there’s a doodle of a woman with pronounced ears and a bad tiger print scarf crammed on the note)” “didn’t you wear five toed shoes to a gala?” “it wasn’t tiger print.”

“i love alfred’s cookies.” “ur sticky note has crumbs.” “don’t talk to me about sanitary stick notes, piss stain” “u could smell the apple juice stop with the piss allegations :(”

and so forth. eventually, dick musters the courage to talk to tim again. he says hi one night they cross paths on patrol. it’s the most awkward reaction he gets, silence, then a returned, ‘hi.’

the sticky notes stop.

dick hates himself for a total of three days before tim asks if he wants to work a case together. he hops on it fast.

they spend all night looking through it, figuring it out. it’s difficult. they spend the night after that to finish it. tim’s speaking to him again, a bit more like a friend, more sarcastically, and dick knew he couldn’t stay away forever.

a month later, and he might mention something of their past, hinting on it. dick hasn’t gotten over tim. ever. tim replies, in the kindest way possible something that translates to ‘we’re never getting back together.’

dick is heartbroken.

their interactions change as soon as tim is aware dick’s still into him. not in the way he distances, but in the way he talks to dick, leaning over his shoulders to show him new installations and software, holding his forearm time to time, casually, like his hand just slid there without thinking, and hanging an arm over his shoulder enough for dick to ask himself why.

dick once asks, while tim is dealing with a bad gash and he’s in daring spirits, ‘do you ever miss us?’

‘maybe,’ tim says, ‘i miss the other stuff.’

‘the other stuff?’

‘like, the sex.’

he realizes quite soon that tim’s ‘we’re never getting back together’ euphemism wasn’t a full sentence, or concept. he did say something else after, to further soften it, but dick stopped listening then. he mentioned he didn’t mind them being friends, something other with benefits, and it clicks then.

we’re never getting back together, but we can hook up if you want.

tim didn’t say that word for word, but it’s clear he meant that now.

dick wants the same relationship with tim he had then, beyond sex. they were better than sex. sure, the sex was incredible, tim felt so good for him, and remembering it now starts a craving in him that furthers when tim’s fingers brush along his skin.

‘i meant more than that.’

tim shrugs. dick should probe, keep trying to pry something out of him. but dick is a weak man when tim offers him something.

‘but that’s fine. i miss it, too.’

dick wishes he could take the betrayal back. he hasn’t touched anyone else since the divorce. it felt like cheating, seeing someone else, made him sick and he wasn’t in the hottest mood without tim around. but now tim is, for him, and he’ll take whatever he can get.

that’s how dick ends up with his ex-husband on top, insisting he does all the work because he just sterilized and bandaged his side, and it’s best he stays down. tim slips down him, and it’s been a while, such a long time dick is throbbing before tim even starts. he grabs his hips so hard, and can’t even thrust up before tim scolds him and breathily threatens to stop if he keeps writhing so much, that he needs to keep still if he wants this.

dick strains not to lift into tim, trembling beneath him, running hands along his smooth torso. so, so pretty.

tim’s thighs work, slapping onto his flesh, his cock dripping on dick’s abs. dick wants to sear his finger prints into his hips. to account for how he can’t thrust his hips without tim aggressively palming at his stomach, shoving him down or making him jerk down with pain, he manhandles tim by his hips, plunging him down on his cock. tim sings so lovely, hunching over. he tries to kiss tim when he hovers close enough for it to work, but tim rights his posture the last second, bouncing on dick’s cock and he loses his mind. he squeezes his hips one handedly, the one thing anchoring him, focusing his other on rounding tim’s cock and rubbing.

hair haloes his bowed head, his blue eyes dazed then shutting tight, pretty lips falling ajar in a gasp. dick swallows down the i love you clawing in the back of his throat, and comes after tim, spurred on by how he tightens, his trembling, and that look on his face. tim slips off of him, first checking the bandages for any bleeding, and relaxing when there’s none.

finally, they clean up, but it happens again. and again.

it’s good for the reason hook ups often are. better because tim knows him, knows what turns dick on, and where on his body causes tremors to race about his nerves. it hurts for the reason that’s all it is. hook ups. tim never kisses him during them or stays too long for after care before he finds something to do.

dick is still so in love. he can’t complain. but he wants something more. he can be casual with anyone else, but not his timmy.

however this ends im not sure but it was an idea i had ig.

!!!!!! dick being so desperate to take back what he did and to be able to have tim again but not being able to. the most he can get is the occasional hookup but even then tim still keeps his distance and does not treat dick affectionatly and doesn't act like them meeting is anything other than a hookup. i love the idea that when tim starts treating dick more civilly, maybe even nicely he gets so happy and exxcited that it might mean more only to deflate when tim tells him no again.

dick starts getting affectionate, starts reaching for tim because he thinks maybe because tim is nice to him now, that because tim talks to him, doesn't look at him with dead fish eyes that it means...more.

and then any hope dick feels collapses when tim holds his hands and starts softly talking like dick is a child. "just because i can work with you and just because i laugh with you and am nice to you, it doesn't mean i forgive you dick. it doesn't even mean i miss you,"

just dick always getting his hopes high and then having them knocked out from under him.

dick was always stuck in this cycle of relationships. cycling through the same partners again and again and after cheating on tim it ends. he never enters that cycle again. instead he enters a new one. one where he reads into tim's behavior and words thinking he has a chance again, building his hope up again. only for it to be dashed.

[fidothefinch]

the sun will come out (tomorrow)

Jason was quiet as he climbed into the back seat of the Lexus.

Alfred gave him a thorough but subtle check over before he shut the door for his young charge. Nothing in his school uniform was amiss. His backpack looked lighter than usual, but then, he wouldn’t have as much homework today, due to the field trip. His pallor was acceptable, though his expression was that of a child who had seen too much of the world, much too early.

As he returned to his own seat, Jason’s forehead knocked gently against the glass of the window.

“How was your school trip, Master Jason?”

Jason inhaled shakily. “It was okay.” At Alfred’s silence, he continued, voice fractured, “I’m just ready to go home.”

Alfred hummed. “Of course.” He mentally scrapped his conversation starters as he pulled the car back into traffic. Jason had been buzzing with excitement all week, all month, leading up to the day. One of the theaters on Grand Avenue had arranged a special showing for the school children of Gotham. Alfred had expected no less than several hours’ worth of excited conversation, analyzing the musical motifs, dialogue, and themes of the show.

Despondence radiated from the back seat.

They had reached the outskirts of the city center when Jason’s small voice asked, “Am I a bad person?”

“Of course not!” Alfred was quick to reply. “Whatever would give you that idea?”

“But I’m not. . . plucky.”

“I overhear your conversations with Master Bruce, and I beg to differ.”

“No, really.” Jason scooted forward until his elbows could rest across the shoulders of either seat in the front, no doubt disregarding the parameters for effectively wearing a seat belt. “I don’t think I am. I don’t—I didn’t . . . .” he trailed off, clearly struggling to voice his thoughts.

“Does this have something to do with your field trip?”

Jason’s frame sagged, and he slipped back into his own seat again. “Annie never gave up hope,” he muttered.

Alfred’s heart stuttered at the name. If he and Bruce had realized which musical was showing this year—

“Camille and Ashton kept staring at me, and then on the bus ride back to school they kept whispering, and I was going to let it roll off my back, just like you always said. But then we were discussing it in class after, and Mrs. Mayhew was talking about ‘optimism’ and how it’s a good character trait. A-and,” Jason stuttered, breath hitching. “Ashton asked me if I could relate to Annie because I’m an orphan.”

Alfred sucked in a sharp breath, anger sparking in his chest. Before he could say anything, Jason barreled on.

“And then him and Camille started asking me a bunch of stuff about—about living on the street, and my mom? And I don’t know who, but someone else said—” and Jason’s breath hitched into a sob. “Said I wasn’t even a good orphan unless I was plucky like Annie.”

“Oh, Master Jason,” Alfred breathed. “Your classmates had no right to make demands like that. And they certainly have no right to tell you how you should feel or behave.”

Jason needed several seconds to collect himself, and still his voice was watery. “I know, but aren’t they right? I stole, and-and I did what I had to to survive. But I—there were times—I thought I was going to die. I lost hope, and-and what good can I be if I don’t have hope?”

Alfred waited a moment to reply, collecting his thoughts and wrestling his emotional reaction down. Jason’s quiet hitched breaths and sniffs filled the silence.

“Hope can be found again,” Alfred finally said, choosing his words carefully. “And I have much more respect for those that find hope than those who never faced losing it. Master Jason, you were a child in an impossible situation, and your resilience and capacity for kindness is a testament of your hope.”

A long sniff from the back seat.

“You give me hope,” Alfred admitted. He pictured the change he had witnessed in Bruce, the lightness Jason had brought to the Manor in Dick’s absence. That one of Gotham’s children could be exposed to the worst she had to offer, and yet still yearn to work toward her betterment, changed his outlook for the city.

“Thanks, Alfred.”

Later, there would be phone calls to make, poetry to slip under Jason’s door, hot chocolate to make. Right now, Alfred let his composure slip just a moment, and found Jason’s red-rimmed eyes in the rear-view mirror.

“Of course, Jason.”

[patchiko]

You’ve been given AK Jason so much love thx ☺️ if it’s not too much… what are some of AK Jason’s comforts? Does he have comfort foods? 🥘 Does he like the sound of the rain? 🌧️ Naps on the couch ? 🛋️

Thx 🥰

ill give this man love anytime💟

and its never too much anon, i love writing for him and yall!

Comforting Ak!Jay

(IM SO PROUD OF THIS I 💟 MY AUTISM)

(ngl this also just turned into my character analysis of Ak!Jay’s psychological gymnastics from Comics ((AK Genesis & Batman: AK)) and games) (still wrote the comfort shit tho)

hc, but i dont think any jason todds like the rain. it reminds them too much of the time he was a kid, didnt have a place to stay and went to sleep cold and wet

or when he was still young and with his family, his apartment would get flooded.

BUT ANYWAYS—

alone, i dont think jason can comfort himself very well.

beats himself for it when its over, drops him back into a spiral

just very much not healthy

HOWEVEER with someone is very different ,,

I Ramble Abt Jason Todd

post writing this, i feel like that one tweet thats like, ‘i never realized she was holding a plate of corn in this scene.’

Ak!Jays spirals or episodes come from two things, his self-esteem or self-worth, along with his lack of self-identity

Ak!Jason (Post/During AK) has a very hard time with his self worth, it solely stems from wanting to prove people wrong about himself. he obviously doesn’t like being perceived in the wrong way.

Ak!Jason (Post/During AK) says he’s move pasts his traumas, yet his identity and reasoning is constantly rooted in them, leading to so much contradictory dialogue and mental FUCKING GYMNASTICS.

ak!jay juggling if he wants to be loved by batman/batfam or wants to end it

i think he often ponders if he was better off being killed by the joker, or if he can really be redeemed from his actions as Arkham Knight by helping Gotham as Red Hood.

and if it’s enough for the people around him or someone to accept him.

if he can truly ever be loved

he has a lot of crisises about his identity and purpose more often then not b/c he cant find a reason for either besides his own anger and approval addiction.

, his biggest fear is losing, being worthless, and unwanted.

his constant drive is winning and proving himself as the best.

it causes his always feeling the need to prove himself, just so that hes wanted.

full pic is him on hid knees begging alfred for help,, my baby—-

the first introduction of his internalized self-deprecation is with his father, other then the Arkham Knight Annual

though he rejects this “truth” in the Annual, showing his determination to prove himself more then what Bruce and the Joker idealizes him to be, I think its a good mirror into Jasons mind and what really makes him start cracking

Ex. , his biological father canonically telling him he was a loser growing up, and his mom seems to personify/objectify Jason as gothams gravitation keeping them in gotham.

another example is the way he is talked to throughout scarecrows psychotropic

throughout the comic and game he goes between or showing a desire for a connection with bruce and praising joker for his upbringing, then chastising them.

its very clear jason has an identity issue, with him isolating himself because he believes he is too broken (game dialogues), his need for validation stemming from his childhood, his fear of abandonment, and overall internal dilemmas of wanting a connection or not. obviously hes not good with working out his emotions on his own without doing considerably impulsive things.

jason wanting to be his own person v jason wanting to be a better person for the people in his life

He see’s the place he was tortured as a rebirth for him, along with his plan to destroy Gotham and Bruce.(AK: Genesis)

This only comes from his desire to want his own separate identity, by ending these cycles of Bruces actions and Gothams nightmares he also believes that he will be truly free.

his only true identification with himself is anger and resentment, being built, gravitated, and broken by anger. feeling like hes always losing or lost, and his desire to just win something and therefore be wanted

okay to stop a fuckton of more rambling jason todd, abandoment issues, jealousy/obsession issues, need for connection, validation, relationships, self-destructive isolation, brainwashing induced perception issue, intense mood swings which also cause perception issues.

i guess it could try to be argued that Jason doesn’t actually want validation bc he got over the psychotropic; but i disagree with the way he constantly talks about being underestimated and feeling like he has to prove himself throughout the comics and his dialogue with Barbra in game.

i also want to make it clear that throughout the ak!comics he does help civilians so it does really have morality for other people. He does separate Gothams Gravity from the people, and claims the worst of the worst (villains and such) are the people who succumb to gotham.

(im only stopping bc im on mobile and couldn’t put anymore pictures)

im so upset.

theres so much i didnt get to talk abt

Ok Actually Comforting

so its pretty god damn hard to comfort this dude, he’s a chronic over analyzer, could probably turn anything and everything you say against himself or you, and yet would crave validation and intimacy.

which makes him a bit of a trip,, but i love him. so.

a lot of the time you’ll have to go with his flow

if its really bad he’ll isolate himself, he feels like he’s letting you down by breaking in front of you. He can’t let you see him as weak because to him its a liability for your relationship.

as well as the fact that his perception becomes very extreme/warped when very emotional. he’ll can range from believe your lying to him, to he’s not worth that kind of comfort and he’s wasting your time.

it takes a lot of patience for him to accept that he isnt an inconvenience to you and you do actually care

overtime, a lot of fucking time, he’ll slowly come around to this. instead of leaving for days or weeks at a time, Jason will leave for at most a day or two, but around midnight he’ll be home craving your presence.

he cant be alone again, he really doesn’t wanna be alone again, he needs to make sure you don’t wanna leave him.

probably just goes to sleep facing you, or holding your hand if hes feeling especially mushy.

he’d be so quiet, having the internal battle of leaving you or letting him feed into his desire of just having you around him.

In his words, needing a home. feeling safe, and warm. (I LIED I DELETED TWO PICS TO SHOW THIS)

jason thinking of alfred as home>>

Jason needs that in a partner! Someone who is warm to him! someone who makes him feel wanted or needed! Someone who makes him feel safe!

I think if you catch him just as he gets triggered/begins to spiral, you can help him not crash out.

Being over the top mushy with him isnt gonna work, he needs someone to ground him and be 100% with him.

sometimes he doesn’t need to talk or just doesn’t want to, again presence.

but acknowledging him every now and then to make sure he knows your not brushing him off or forgot about him.

when you’re in a closer relationship he definitely just wants you in his arms, needs to hold you close.

Home-cooked meals with him, justing going about your life with him, making him feel wanted, making him feel acknowledged.

i think he’d open up every now and then, but i think he’s also still a self-assured person who needs guidance at the right time. to just be sure he’s on the right path and youre with him.

one of his triggers is his own jealousy, accidentally making him feel like he’s replaceable or him believing you’ll get tired of him.

he needs so much reassurance.

just be there with him, guide him, love him, make sure he’s on the right path.

he needs a lot of things, sometimes its naps, sometimes its food, sometimes just to be in your arms, sometimes to help you cook, sometimes watching you work, sometimes he’ll have you lay your back on his chest and read with him, sometimes he just wants to fall asleep with you, sometimes he wants to cry in your arms, JUSDHRIDJDJDISO JASON TODD COME HOME WE MISS YOUUUU

HES MY HIGH MAINTENANCE GF

this was so satisfying to write i <3 jason todd

rq/inbox is open !! if you just wanna yap or wanna request somethin’ go ahead!

[anjuschiffer]

Of Forgotten Memories and A Beloved Mother

...So this was only suppose to me a oneshot but has turned into a short mulitchapter fic... enjoy!

-

Chapter 2: Dami's Whale

PREV | AO3

They had warned him several times to never lower his guard. Never. 

To never underestimate his opponents. 

And yet he did, causing this current dilemma.

“Give it back!” Damian yelled, running after a howling Jason, Damian chasing him with a Nerf gun in his hand. 

“I’m so glad it’s only a Nerf gun in your hand!”

“You’re lucky Dad doesn’t- Dad!” Damian yelled upon seeing their father enter the foyer, scowling at the fact that he just missed a shot. “Dad! Jason won’t give me back my sketchbook!”

“Jason.” Bruce tried to say sternly but failed when a smile escaped him. He had come back from work, Alfred walking off with his coat in hand and wasn’t expecting to hear Damian call him Dad shortly after entering the manor. After all, he was always calling him Father up until a few weeks ago. “Give Damian back his sketchbook.”

“I say you look at it. You should really be getting him better materials for his drawings instead of whatever office supplies you keep getting him.” Jason suggested as he gave back Damian his sketchbook. “Like seriously, whatever you’re getting him keeps drying up the day he opens it.

So I asked an artist buddy of mine to give me some suggestions.” Both stifled a smile when Damian’s scowl softened upon hearing the words ‘art store.’ “He highly suggested Holbein gouache or Winstor and Newton acrylics for someone who paints.” Jason said with an innocent smile.

The boys watched as Bruce gave it some thought.

“I’ll ask Alfred to look into it and we’ll take Damian to pick out whatever he wants.” 

“We’re going to an art store?” Damian asked with a twinkle in his eye. “Can I get whatever I want?”

“He’d buy the whole store while you’re at it.” Jason instigated, watching Damian stare at his sketchbook.

“Dad, we have to go. Now.” Damian practically begged, lifting his sketchbook to his father’s face. “I’ve been meaning to turn more of my sketches into portraits to put around the manor.” 

“Excellent idea, Master Damian.” Alfred spoke, returning from the coat room. “The manor can surely use a more modern touch to its decor. Your paintings will add a nice touch of color to this dreary place.”

“Alfred.” Bruce tried to admonish but was met with an unfazed look from the man.

“I’ll make sure to leave a list of some nearby art stores on your desk. If you’ll excuse me, I have dinner to prepare.”

-

Calls. Bruce forgot how much he hated them. But this one was an exception.

Bruce was already halfway through settling the conditions he had set down for the art store he had planned to take Damian that weekend when the boy himself hung up the call.

Bruce watched as Damian lifted his finger from the switch hook, his eyes not once looking away from Bruce’s. Bruce listened as the dial tone droned in his ear.

“Damian. I was in the middle of finalizing the trip to the-”

“I know.”

“So why-”

“Can’t we just enter like any other customer?”

“But you’re not any other-”

“Can’t we just go? I don’t care if people see us go in just like that. You’re my dad and- people should accept the fact that you’re my dad. And just like any other dad, you’re spending quality time with his kid- me. Is that too much?”

And with that mini speech, Bruce agreed to just walking into the art store that weekend, doing his best to ignore the glances he and his son would get every now and then. 

Bruce had his share of following people around a store and trying to understand their enthusiasm regarding products. He would smile and give them nods of approval and sweet words of encouragement as they would ask him questions about items he could care less about. 

But unlike the various times he had to follow a woman around a jewelry store, Bruce found himself intrigued and actually invested in the conversation between Damian and the store employee who greeted them upon their arrival.

It didn’t take long for Bruce to completely ignore the stares and whispers that surrounded the two.

Heck, he was too busy absorbing every piece of information the store employee gave them, he didn‘t realize they had already been in the store for two whole hours.

He listened as the employee would ask Damian what media he was looking for and what type of project he was working on. 

They discussed different types of media, the types of paint and texture each variety would give him. How oil paint would give him the texture he wanted in this project but if he was on a short deadline, it would not be recommended to use.

Damian would then go on a lengthy discussion on how he didn’t have a deadline and would much rather use oil paint opposed to acrylic due to the tones he needed for this piece, considering he needed a paint that had a longer drying time frame. He also had to consider that he wasn’t set on all the colors of his painting and had found mixing oil paints was easier for him compared to acrylic paint. 

Bruce couldn’t forget the face the employee made upon hearing that.

Wrapping up the media choice, they moved on to canvases, something called gesso, as well as thinning and thickening agents for the paints. They then spent another hour at the brush aisle, Damian carefully selecting at least 20 different brushes before they made their way to the register to pay. 

Luckily there was no one in line and the employee who had helped them already placed most of their items into several canvas bags. Paints, carefully wrapped brushes, bottles of unrecalled liquids, palettes and containers peaked from them. When Bruce was told the whopping total of 700 and something he had to pay, Bruce just handed over his card. 

‘Pocket change,’ was all Bruce could think of when he heard the price.

As they waited for the employee to finish the transaction, Bruce realized it was already three in the afternoon. He turned to Damian to ask him what he wanted to do afterwards.

Maybe he was hungry. They had skipped lunch after all.

“Damian, what do you think about going to- Damian?” Bruce called out when he realized Damian wasn’t by his side, feeling a pit in his stomach. 

He was starting to notice the edges of his vision fuzz as he scanned the area near the counter. 

Empty, save for a single person who just realized Bruce was standing right in front of them.

“Damian?” He called out again, apologizing to the staff and letting them know he was coming back as he found himself picking up a jog as he searched the store for his son. 

“Damian.” But no response. “Damian.”

“Damian!” His chest felt heavier with each aisle he found void of his kid, his eyes darting all around as he passed by yet another aisle with no Damian in sight. 

“Damian!” He called out once again, when he came to a halt when his eyes caught sight of Damian standing near a gallery tucked in the back of the store. “Damian!” Bruce scolded as he turned the boy around to face him. “What are you-”

“She made that.” Damian cut him off, turning back to look at the wall behind him, Bruce only then realizing that the gallery was a collection of paintings. With a quick glance, he realized it was a collection of paintings put together by participants from one of the store’s events. 

A Mother’s Memories.

Each painting that hung on the wall portrayed one of the many memories that a mother who participated in the event cherished. 

Some mothers had painted their kids at a park, a family outing, visiting a farm or aquarium. Family time at home. Holidays. Birthdays.

Every painting had a child painted on the canvas, the children usually smiling back, except one.

There, on the upper most corner to the right, on a canvas no bigger than a sheet of paper was a painting of what appeared to be a bathtub filled halfway with water. A fluffy baby blue towel hung on its side, bubbles floating on the surface of the water. And there, right in the center was a lone blue whale. 

The tiny baby toy smiled right at them, as if having been waiting for them all this time.

Bruce looked back at Damian, noticing his son stuck in a trance. “She made that.” He said again, but louder this time around.

“She? Who are you referring to?” Bruce dared to ask.

“Momma did.” Damian easily answered, Bruce hearing his breath hitch. There was that name again.

Momma.

Ever since Dick told him about the day he found Damian talking about a person named Momma, he tried his best to coax an answer from Damian himself. But every time he tried to, all Damian could remember from her was the color of her eyes and her voice. 

“Talia?” Bruce asked, hoping it would jog up his memory a bit. 

Maybe this time, Damian could recover some information on the woman he once called ‘Momma.’

“No, Momma.” Damian clarified, his brows furrowed. “Mother never delved into the arts the way Momma did. She’s the one who taught me how to draw.”

“How did you figure out she was the one who made it?”

“The whale.” Damian pointed out, letting out a ‘tt’ when Bruce only stared back at him. “Momma made me that whale with her magic. There’s no other whale like that anywhere in the world.”

Bruce looked back at the whale, wondering how that exact whale didn’t look like any other baby toy on the market. “Momma even made sure to flawlessly replicate the Guardian’s Emblem at the top of the whale’s head.”

Guardian’s emblem? What was a Guardian?

“Emblem?”

“Don’t you see it?” Damian asked. “It’s right there.” Damian tried to point, but the longer Bruce stared at the whale, he couldn’t see what Damian was able to. “Dad, it’s-”

“Oh, I see you’ve taken a liking to one of my favorite pieces.” A voice spoke up, Bruce and Damian turning to see an old lady with a red ladybug cardigan. Her gray hair was short, two strands framed her wrinkly face, the curl ends reminding Damian on bug antennae. “Such a heartbreaking story that one has.” She said, tutting as she remembered the tale.  

“Heartbreaking?” Bruce asked. “Did something happen to the artist behind, um.”

“Dami’s Whale. That’s the piece’s name.

When I asked Marie why she chose to draw this piece, she told me that bath time was her baby’s favorite activity of the day.” The lady smiled when she saw Damian quickly look back at the painting.  “She told me she would do anything in the world to go back to those times, saying his squeals and laughter were all she needed to get through that part of her life.

When I asked her what she meant by that, she told me one thing.”

“What did she say?” Damian asked, returning his attention to the old lady. “What happened to her? To her baby?”

“They took him away from her.” The lady softly said, frowning. “She only loved him the way she was meant to love him. And they took her away from him.”

“They got separated?” Bruce tried to understand what the owner was trying to say.

“That I would not know. Shortly after finishing the piece, Marie suddenly got a heart attack and was rushed to the hospital.”

“The hospital?” Damian asked, his voice warbling. “Is she okay? Where can I find-“

“You seem to be familiar with Marie, young one.” The lady looked at Damian and then at Bruce. “Do the two of you know-”

“He has been searching for other family members ever since he recovered some of his memories from his childhood.” Bruce provided. “He used to live with his mother as an infant but then lived with his grandfather when his mother couldn’t provide for him anymore.” 

“Oh dear.”

“He was brought to me by social services once he passed away as I’m a family friend and someone his grandfather trusted” Bruce struggled to say as he half-lied to the owner. “Since then, Damian has been searching for his only other living relative.

Somehow, this painting of Marie’s seems to be a clue to finding his mother.”

“I see.” The old lady softly said, patting Damian’s head. “You must’ve really loved your mother, didn’t you, little one?”

“I had a whale like that as a kid.” Damian spoke to divert himself from the commentary of being seen as a child. “I want to ask Marie some questions regarding it…if she can.”

The old lady hummed  

“Marie did tell me only a few people would be able to tell that the whale would attract some attention.”

“A few?”

“She told me to be wary of those who ask about her upon seeing that painting. But, she did tell me to do one thing if a young boy were to ever ask about her location.” 

The lady took an envelope out of her pocket and handed it over to Damian, an oddly designed wax stamp sealed on it. “Do you recognize this?”

“It is a Guardian's Emblem.” Damian answered in a whisper. “It looks just like the one on-“ he looked up to tell the old lady it looked like the one on the whale only to find her gone. 

“Where did she go?” Bruce asked, wondering what the hell happened. 

Weren’t they just in front of a gallery? 

How did they manage to be standing outside the store with bags of art supplies in hand?

Bruce turned to Damian who still held the envelope in his hands. 

Damian ran his finger over the wax stamp before deciding to open it, finding a photo of the same exact painting that was inside the store. Only, this time, he was also in the photo. 

Or rather, his baby self was in the photo. 

He looked so small. So fat. 

He turned it over, feeling a weight lift off his shoulder. 

You’ll find her at Gotham General Hospital. Best of luck, Damian. 

-Tikki

NEXT

[redbirdandbluebird23]

Concept: Established relationship jaydick faking a "fake relationship" because they are not yet ready to disclose their real relationship to the rest of the batfam. So when Tim, Damain, Bruce, Steph, Cass,Duke, catch them out on a date, playing tonsil hockey on the rooftop, grinding on each other at the club, etc, they're all "obviously, we're only doing this for the mission, dummy. He's so not my type." And the other batfam members being various degrees of convinced about the "fakeness."

Honestly, I think it would be a hell of a lot funnier if they were caught in a compromising position by Bruce, who being the emotionally dense human being he is, just goes, huh, they must be working an undercover case.

Jason and Dick, being the gremlins they are, just decide to run with it and see how long they can fuck with Bruce before he has to admit its not for a case.

Cass and Alfred obviously already know about their relationship, but they're also down for messing with Bruce whenever the opportunity arises. But the rest of the family are completely oblivious. So, the announcement that Dick and Jason are fake dating for a case meets mixed reactions.

Babs and Steph are definitely suspicious, they can both see the little things Dick and Jason do for each other that are just a little too real to just be them faking. Eventually they can't take it anymore, and one, or both, of them outright ask if they're really faking. Jason would be shy admitting it, but Dick would be all beaming smiles and showing Jason off, but they were never planning to hide it indefinitely, so they have no issues coming clean when asked.

Tim and Damian are a bit like Bruce in the way that they don't even want to consider the alternative. But eventually Tim, much like Babs and Steph, sees something he can't ignore. It's probably not explicit either, just Dick and Jason trying to have a movie night in one of their apartments, wrapped up in each other on the sofa. They look so soft and domestic that a switch flips in Tim's brain and he's like, oh shit, this is serious. He definitely doesn't leave them to it though, he essentially crashes through the window and starts up a whole interrogation while Dick tries to stop Jason from just picking him up and throwing him back out of the window.

Damian though, Damian will willingly ignore all the signs that are right in front of him, just like his father, because it just doesn't compute in either of their brains that Dick and Jason could be together like that.

But then something drastic happens, maybe Jason gets badly injured on patrol and Dick comes into the cave begging and screaming because he can't lose him.

He ends up standing vigil at Jason's bedside, whispering into Jason's hair about how much he loves him, and please wake up, little wing.

Bruce is watching, because of course he won't leave the medbay, not when it's Jason injured, and he's suddenly forced to accept that it was never fake, that this is real and it terrifies him. Because if they lose Jason again, he knows Dick won't come back from it if he's emotionally involved, and if something happens to Dick, they'll lose Jason for good because Dick is the main thread keeping Jason in the family.

Bruce obviously doesn't say any of this, he just gives his support in the most monotone voice once Jason wakes up, and then goes to update his contingency files because he knows has a whole other angle to consider.

(Damian, however, initially can't decide which one of them he wants to stab because they both played a hand in raising him and he doesn't trust either of them with each other. It takes lots of bribes of homemade food and antique weapons to win him over onto their side)

[jasontoddenthusiastt]

BFTC isn’t really a case of terrible characterization for Jason so much as it was a terrible case of victim blaming. Like yeah, some of the things Jason did were a bit extreme compared to his “better” appearances, but that’s nothing new and pretty much true of many stories that aren’t utrh or lost days. The bad parts are are also definitely exaggerated by fans.

The story isn’t centered on Jason. Of course every other character’s description of Jason would be knee-jerk dismissive and misunderstanding, since (again) the intention was to make Jason out to be the cartoony bad guy villain. But if you look past the layers of grime they added, the bare bones of his characterization are not entirely incorrect. It’s a biased story in which their intended criticisms of Jason’s morals often fell short, so to compensate they deliberately cranked up his motivations to be more extreme and unrealistic (but one which, nonetheless got Jason’s overall thoughts and goals relatively consistent with stories that portrayed him accurately).

Yes, him shooting Damian was out of character, but granted we’re all in agreement that it was a true case of “bad writing decision”, I don’t think it’s hard to look past. The only other bit people probably complain about (which felt iffy at worst) was him being “a bit enthusiastic” at times in trying to convince Dick to become another lethal Batman (you can just as easily say Jason wouldn’t have been personally invested enough to have acted in the way he did). I don’t care though because he was probably doing it for shits and giggles, and it was funny watching him push their buttons on his spare time while being excellent at his job. Same old ‘none of them deny that he’s effective, they just can’t get behind the killing’ conflict.

Looking past the fact that Jason still had a valid point, the “he’s the bad guy” plot falls apart for other obvious reasons, which happen in the 3rd issue. It’s kind of hard to focus on how much of a bitch Jason’s being when the other characters are written in an infinitely more problematic way (which ends up happening in most “hate Jason” stories). Not only did they heavily imply Jason is a victim of SA, but the way Dick/the batfamily treats Jason about this is … horrible. Arguing that this was a case of character assassination for Bruce and Dick would be more realistic than using this story to claim Jason is a Bad Person™.

Even though Bruce does have a bad track record with his perspective on victims of SA.

Hey. Maybe listen to the living person begging you to turn it off.

Geez. I wonder why he never felt safe enough to confide in Bruce or any of the rest of them. Implying that enduring what he did made him “broken beyond repair”, that he needs to be “fixed”, and saying verbatim, “you are my greatest failure”, not “I failed you greatly”. Then deciding on behalf of Jason that a bunch of people who weren’t involved in what happened to him should all know about this so they can decide what should be done. And everyone agrees with this garbage. Unbelievable.

Aka, any sort of healing he may have tried to accomplish was ruined by you lot. When exactly am I supposed to see that Jason was evil all along.

The story collapses in on itself in the third issue because where Dick is supposed to be at his prime within the arc, he just sort of rambles about how Jason was a shitty victim and then awkwardly shifts to talking about personal growth and coming to accept his own heroic destiny.

I do resent this, but not because “Jason sucks here”. Jason’s “bad portrayal” pales in comparison to the problematic mindsets given to the other characters (namely Dick) which were framed as good-natured intentions and “tough love”. As for people who describe this as “vilifying Jason to prop up Dick” … I don’t really know what to make of that.

[owlwithanapple]

Bird & Fox

Chapter 11

Y/N meet Batfam!🎆

Jason POV

"She sleeps upstairs?" I pointed upstairs and looked at Bruce. Is she having a relationship with Bruce? Impossible, there is a big age difference. She just came to Gotham City recently , it is impossible for her to hook up with Bruce so quickly, unless Y/N is very active. I never heard she say dating with who or any friends here.

Wait... Why is it impossible? I don't know much about Y/N, but there are indeed many suspicious about her. She came to Gotham City alone, lived in a good place, no job but rich, a beautiful face, a good and slim figure, and a likable personality.

Could it be what I thought? Y/N and Kirin in the manor, Bruce said she was sleeping in the room. Y/N was here before I came back, could it be what I thought? Damn, what am I thinking about, if she and Bruce in relationship then only can be like that, if not what I thought, then what?

I swallowed the saliva in my mouth, first regained my sanity thought calmly, I wouldn't get a conclusion just by thinking about it, what can I do now is sort out my thoughts and ask Bruce what's going on, it's possible Y/N knew Bruce before coming to Gotham City, why the hell she have to involve Bruce?

"Jason?" Bruce's hand reached out to touch me. My mind went blank and reluctance surged in my heart. I shook his hand away. When I woke up, found that Bruce's expression was worried and confused. I shook my head blinked a few times to wake myself up. My palms were covered with sweat. What on earth was I afraid of?

I brewed what to say, adjusted my mentality and calmed down, then pointed at his face. Frankly speaking, Bruce and I still have a rough period has not been completely resolved. Now it's involved in Y/N's matter. I can't stand this kind of blow, and I don't know how to face the future life. "Bruce, who is she?"

I asked cautiously. The answer to this question would determine what kind of relationship Y/N and I would have in the future. If she was Bruce's partner, it would take me some time to accept it. But if they were in a physical and financial relationship, I really wanted them to stop.

"Jason? Are you okay? You're sweating." Bruce held my shoulders.

"Answer the fucking question! Bruce!" I roared, shocking everyone.

"Babybird..." Dickhead was about to step forward to stop me.

I inadvertently said what I didn't want to say the most. "Please, Bruce….Answer me." I begged Bruce humbly to give me the answer. I knew I was coward , but I finally saw my redemption. I didn't want her to involve my family because there were too many grudges to count.

"Why this annoying guy so nervous all of a sudden?" Demon brat said with a dog-eye look down on people. I really want to beat him up, but I can't do it. I can't calm down yet. If I wake her up impulsively and let her see my unbearable side, how can I save myself?

Bruce saw that something was wrong, he opened his mouth and said, "I met her at the pet clinic, and she helps me take care of Titus."

"Are you not kidding me?" I confirmed it again.

He nodded, his expression didn't seem to be lying, "Believe me, Jason. Really."

"Isn't it your mistress outside?" I don't know why I want to confirm it again to prove there is nothing wrong with my ears.

He was troubled by my question, with a puzzled and wry smile on his face. He showed his embarrassed side. His hands gently held my shoulders. The wry smile on his face made me feel uncomfortable, but he still answered my question calmly, "Absolutely not. Please. Believe me, Jason."

I heard his answer for sure. I put my hands down stared at his eyes. I didn't know what expression I was looking at Bruce with. I only knew his answer was circulating in my mind. With such a simple and clear answer, I breathed a sigh of relief and the fatigue in my body disappeared.

I was stiff and weak. The melancholy in my heart had disappeared. Coming back from business trip was already fucking tiring enough, and there were things related to Y/N. Many contradictions came to my mind. I couldn't breathe. I really wanted to cry. Fortunately, Bruce's answer didn't give me a fatal blow.

"Woof!" Kirin suddenly barked to wake me up. Bruce's hands still on my shoulders. He gently pressed me to tell me that I was okay. Everyone looked at me with concern, except for demon brat's dead eyes. I sat on the sofa with my hands covering my forehead. I couldn't help laughing out loud because of the suppressed emotions.

Demon brat pointed at me with disdain, "This annoying guy's disease recurring?"

I put my hands on my knees looked at him, "You'd better shut your fucking mouth. No one will think you're dumb if you don't speak."

Demon brat approached me with great displeasure, standing in front of me arrogantly, with a look of contempt for me printed on his disgusting face. I hated his arrogant character, just like a devil. I stood up looked down at him, a brat , it was not his turn to point fingers at me.

We stared at each other like enemies, my fists were so hot because I clenched them tightly, ready to punch him in the face at any time, Dickhead inserted between us, he pulled my collar pushed me to the sofa, and Demon brat was pushed aside by him, he said in a heavy tone, "That’s enough."

I sat upright and looked around with a dissatisfied expression. Demon brat finally learned his lesson and stood aside silently. Our momentary impulse caused the house to fall into silence. After Dickhead spoke in a heavy tone, no one dared to speak. They just kept silent.

In the silent house, there was a sound of someone coming home. It was Timbers who came back. He stepped into the living room looked at everyone with a confused face. Usually the house was noisy, but now it was quiet and uncomfortable. "I'm back... What are you guys doing?"

Dickhead took a breath and smiled again, turned to Timbers and pulled him aside. He told him the whole story of what had just happened. Timbers nodded slightly to show that he understood. He scratched his head and thought about how to ease the atmosphere. After all, even Bruce was silent.

Dickhead was usually silly, but as the eldest son, he had fulfilled his responsibility to take care of his younger brothers. When the brothers quarreled, he would try to reconcile, but rarely was his tone as harsh as it was now.

Timbers hesitated but still sat next to me, put his hands on his knees, rubbed his palms together, and mumbled as he was about to speak. The current situation was very embarrassing.

Timbers coughed twice then said, "Hey, why don't you go upstairs and see her first?" I relief and left living room to go upstairs. I walked up a flight of stairs, I was thinking whether it was really her. Because unbelievable, I knocked on the door of the room twice, but no one opened the door for me. I turned the doorknob pushed it inwards, stepping into the dim and quiet room. I approached the bed and saw a girl. It was Y/N.

Her long brown hair was scattered on the bed, her long eyelashes trembled slightly, making her look uneasy. Under her tall but small nose was a cute little mouth with a faint pink color, and her moist lilac tongue licked her plump and sexy lips. Her snow-white collar was half open, revealing her white shoulders and a pair of cute and beautiful feet, which was infinitely tempting.

I slapped my cheeks hard. The sound made me more awake. What the hell am I doing? An exciting picture suddenly appeared in my mind. Seeing a familiar face sleeping comfortably in front of me, how could I have such a dirty thought? I squinted my eyes to make the picture in my mind disappear, but I couldn't help sneak a peek at the lovable Y/N.

She felt different when she quiet, like a kitten curled up in bed. I reached out touch her cheek felt a warm breath. Her body rise and fall of her breathing. This was the second time I could see her face up close. The first time was as Red Hood. She was so tempting. I couldn't help but kissed her through the helmet. Later, she scolded me. Damn, how bold I was to do such a thing at that time.

Y/N POV

"Piak!" A sound made you shudder, and you woke up from sleepiness. You didn't open your eyes at first, but squinted saw it was Jason next to the bed. You remembered he was away on a business trip hadn't come back yet. How come he was next to you and mumbling something, but you couldn't hear it clearly.

Dreams are illusions. You are still in the dream haven't woken up yet. You want to confirm whether it is really Jason, so you put your hand on his face. He looked at you in surprise. You can feel the temperature of his face. The dream so realistic, and you can feel the temperature. This face is so close.

You said in a daze, "You look like Jason..."

He held your hand on his face, and he smiled beautifully, "Hahaha, I'm Jason. Princess, I'm back."

You blinked and got up from the bed to look closer. He didn't step back but closed the distance between you. The distance you two getting closer and closer, as if you were attracted by something. You shook your head tried to wake yourself up quickly. Jason's hand placed on your cheek instead. He looked at you lovingly with a smile and gently stroked your cheek.

"Hey, princess, wake up~" He shook you gently.

You opened your eyes wide woke up immediately "Jason! It's really you!"

He let go of you sat on the bed "It's really me, haven't seen you for few days."

You nodded excitedly, then looked around found yourself in a strange room "Eh? Where is this?"

"This is one of the rooms in the manor."

You blinked because it felt unreal, "Manor... Wait... Jason, why are you here?"

He pointed to the ground "This is my dad's house."

"Your dad? Who?"

He smiled and nodded, "Bruce Wayne. Are you taking care of Titus for my dad?"

"I am indeed helping Mr Wayne take care of Titus... Wait... Who are you? What is your relationship with Mr Wayne?" You were so excited kept talking.

He was embarrassed but soon regained his composure. He crossed his legs and said, "Ermm... Let me introduce myself to you briefly. The Mr Wayne you are helping is my dad Bruce Wayne, and Titus is my brother's dog, and this is where I used to live."

You shouted, "Are you Bruce Wayne's son?!"

He bit his lip, then released it "Yes, that's right."

You pressed his forehead, "Are you sure you're not breaking into someone's house?"

He shook your hand and pointed at the clothes he was wearing, "Have you ever seen someone broke into house look so handsome and wear a suit?"

You shook your head, "No, I only saw a conceited handsome guy."

He snapped fingers, "That's right."

You noticed his collar was a little messy, you moved forward help him straighten it. Something incredible happened again. Since the day you two met, neither of you mentioned each other's families. You had a vague feeling that Jason was conservative and cautious about his own affairs, so you didn't ask too much.

"Sorry, I didn't make it clear at the beginning." He seemed very remorseful and uneasy.

You held his hand tightly. "You are not wrong, no need to apologize. I came here by accident and met Mr. Wayne, that's all."

He asked you cautiously, "Don't you know I am Bruce Wayne's son?"

You shook head, "I really don't know."

"You didn't lie to me?"

You were annoyed and punched him in the stomach. "I will not choose to make friends just because of whose son you are! Do you understand, Jason Todd! Baka Jason Todd!"

He covered his stomach pretended in pain and laughed out loud. "Hey! Did you mean to scold me by the word Baka at the end!"

You made a face stuck out your tongue, "Sou desu!"

(That's right!)

"Hahahaha! Damn! What a bullshit! And what kind of face you do!" He was amused by your face and couldn't stop laughing.

The two of you laughed for a long time. Although hadn't seen each other for a few days, you two laughed happily as soon as met. It seemed you two had been playing for a long time even though only known each other for a short time. You two threw all troubles into the sea and enjoyed happy time together. It was so comfortable to get along with Jason. You were not bound by anything. He would make you happy until you forgot about own things.

You fell on the bed looking at the ceiling. He lay beside you. The smile on his face made him very charming and dazzling. You found Jason always taken care of your emotions. With him by your side, everything seemed easy. You lay on your side beside him and smiled in response. The expression on his face showed that he more relaxed.

He sat up with his back to you, "I'm never tired being with you."

You lay down with your hands on the back of head, "Me too."

He whispered, "It would have been nice if I had met you earlier."

You stood up, "Erm? What did you just say?"

He looked back at you, "I said you were an idiot."

You kicked him off the bed, he dodged your kick with agility, standing by the bed laughing at you proudly, "Hahaha! You're ten years too early to attack me!"

"I'm going to break off our friendship!" You threw a tantrum like a child.

After he laughed enough, he knelt on one knee front of you and held your hands, "Okay, okay, I know I was wrong, don't be angry, okay?" He winked at you after he finished speaking.

"I'll forgive you if you take me for ice cream." You stated the conditions for reconciliation with him.

He held out his pinky finger, "I'll definitely take you, promise."

You hooked his pinky finger, "It's settled."

"Actually, there's something I want to discuss with you, I wonder if you would mind." He suddenly asked you with a hesitant expression.

"Tell me about it."

He scratched the back of his neck. "I haven't formally introduced you to my family yet. Since you are here, would you like to say hello to my family?"

You clenched your fists eyes lit up. "Of course! I'd love to!"

He breathed a sigh of relief. "Get yourself ready first. I'll go downstairs tell them and pick you up."

Jason POV

I left the room leaned against the door. I was feeling complicated but happy. It was my ideal life to laugh so happily with her. I could spend my life in a comfortable environment without complicated emotions. I gradually got used the feeling of laughing because of her. Every move she made, made my heart melt and couldn't hold back my smile.

Actually, I felt uneasy when I first met her. I wondered if I could make friends with her because she knew I was Bruce Wayne's son, or because she was the daughter of some family and needed Bruce Wayne's support. Many suffocating and unhappy scenes appeared in my mind. After getting to know her, I found she was not as superficial as I imagined.

After I calmed down, I walked downstairs slowly. Everyone saw me coming downstairs and stood up from the sofa. I saw Bruce looked very worried, Dickhead regained his sunny smile, Timbers threw his laptop aside, Demon brat was still the same as usual but holding Kirin in his arms, and Alfred stood beside Bruce and looked at me.

I looked at them calmly, with my hands in my pockets, not letting them see my nervous and shaking hands, thinking about what I should say, and after being prepared, I decided to introduce her to everyone, "Erm..., the girl upstairs is my new friend. She's the one you guys always wanted to meet."

Dickhead rushed over and put his hand on my shoulder, "Finally!"

Bruce was surprised but smiled again looked at me, "It's really her!"

Alfred smiled silently, "This is what is called fate."

Demon brat said with disdain, "I really want to see that girl's face, she make friends with a jerk like you."

Timbers leaned next to me excitedly, "She is really destined to be with our family!"

Dickhead snapped his fingers nodded to indicate Timbers was right, then pointed at me and Bruce, "First was Babybird's friend, then a guest who helped Bruce! This coincidence is really amazing!"

Bruce stepped forward to stop Dickhead and Timbers who were sandwiched between me. After they separated, Bruce politely asked me, "Do you think it's the right time to introduce her to us now?"

"I just asked her, and she said yes." I told him calmly.

Bruce stroked my hair, "Then can I meet your friend?"

I was relieved to hear Bruce's words. The tension and the heavy burden on my shoulders was gone. This meant it was a good thing. I turned around ran to the room. I knocked on the door, she opened it from inside. Her face was full of sunshine and smiles. I don't know why I felt more confident with her around.

"Have you been waiting long time?" I stood outside the door with anticipation.

She recovered from surprise, "Not yet! I'm still a little nervous... Can you help me check my clothes are neat? Is my hair messy? Is there anything dirty on my face?" She kept making sure that there was nothing wrong with her.

This was the second time I saw her nervous, but in my eyes she was the best girl who was impeccable. I held her shoulders tried to calm her down. After fixing her hair, I said, "You are always beautiful and charming. I can guarantee that. You can go to meet my family without worry. I can help you with anything."

My words made her regain confidence. "Yes! Thank you, Jason!"

I stepped aside to let her step out the room. I walked in front and led her downstairs. I could hear her pace slowing down with each step. I turned around held her hand remind that I was still here for her. She held my hand tightly relieve her stress because I knew she worry about herself.

After arriving in the living room, I asked her to stand behind me and not show her face for the time being. I didn't tell her how many people in my family. I was worried she would lose confidence because of the large number of people. I saw everyone was standing, their faces were obviously looking forward to her arrival. She pulled my clothes, and I took a deep breath and stood aside. "Everyone, this is my friend, Y/N. Y/N, this is my family."

She looked at everyone and bowed to show her politeness. "Hello, I'm Y/N , Jason's friend."

Bruce was the first to step forward l smile at her and hold out his hand to her. "It's a small world, Y/N. Let me introduce myself again. I'm Bruce Wayne, his father. Thank you for being friends with my son."

She raised her hands and shook them in panic. "What a small world, Mr. Wayne. I didn't expect you are his father. I should thank Jason for being friends with me. I've always caused him trouble."

"Hahaha, I believe Jason is willing take on the trouble you caused." Suddenly Bruce said something inexplicable.

"Hey Bruce! I heard you!" I interrupted awkwardly.

Seeing the three people standing behind Bruce, Dickhead pointed at himself excitedly couldn't wait to talk, Timbers joined in the fun with a look of relief and excitement, Demon brat pretended to be indifferent but I saw him stealing glances at Y/N, Bruce stood aside waited for me to introduce the other people.

Before introducing the three people, I introduced Alfred to her first. Because he is one who takes care the family the most. "Y/N, this is Alfred, the housekeeper of this family."

Alfred humbly extended his hand "It's a pleasure to meet such an excellent and beautiful girl like you. Master Todd is really a lucky man."

She laughed "You are flattering."

Alfred shook his head "I am not exaggerating, Miss Y/N. Our family is honored that Master Todd has such an excellent girlfriend."

I heard the word girlfriend immediately interrupted them "Alfred, just a friend! Not a girlfriend!"

Alfred nodded "Oh, I misunderstood, it's a female friend."

I breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Y/N. She stared at me and said "What?"

Fortunately, she a natural naive person. I awkwardly changed the topic, "I'll introduce you to the others."

I took her to the three people. To be honest, it was bit difficult introduce these three people who had no blood relationship with me. After all, our family names were different. We became a family with Bruce because we became Robin. I didn't know how to explain it to her when she asked.

Dickhead the first come forward, so I started with him. "Y/N, this is my brother, Dick Grayson, the eldest son of the family."

Dickhead took the initiative to shake her hand as enthusiastically as usual. "It's nice to meet you, Y/N! I learned about you from Babybird, and today I can finally see your beautiful face in person."

She tilted her head and looked at me. "I'm happy too, Mr. Grayson. But, Babybird?"

"Just call me Dick. Babybird is the nickname I gave Jason." It was a bit awkward.

She laughed softly, her cheeks flushed. "What a cute nickname! Why didn't you tell me your nickname!"

Dickhead pushed me away, pulled Y/N to a place and whispered, "Y/N, although our Babybird looks very manly, he also has a cute side, especially when it comes to you, he is particularly shy."

I saw Y/N holding her chin with her hand "Unbelievable."

Y/N POV

Although Jason couldn't hear the content of your conversation, he had a bad feeling. He rushed over and dragged Dick away. You could hear Jason angrily yelling in Dick's ear, "What the hell did you say to her!"

"Secret!" Dick yelled, and you saw them arguing from the side. Jason kicked him a few times, and Dick dodged smoothly. They didn't really fight, it seemed like they were just playing around. You covered your mouth laughed quietly at the way they got along. You envied having such a lively family.

When you are watching the fun, someone approaches and pokes your shoulder gently with his finger. You look back see him extending his hand to you, "Hello, I'm Tim Drake, just call me Tim, our ages are not much different."

You shake his hand "Nice to meet you, Tim. Are you Jason's?"

"I'm his younger brother." He said politely.

You are surprised for a second, everyone's temperament really different "Wow. If I hadn't seen you all today, I really didn't know Jason had brother."

Tim smiled calmly "Jason doesn't talk about his family all the time."

You nodded to show you understood what he meant. Jason actually similar to you. You didn't talk about your family all the time. You almost forgot about them. Then you saw a little boy holding Kirin on the sofa. You had noticed him for a long time because you could feel his eyes on you.

You said "Kirin! Kocchi yo!"

(Kirin! Here!)

Kirin pricked up his ears looked in your direction. He broke free from the little boy's hand, then ran straight to you excitedly, barked a few times and circled around your feet. The boy expression was a little lost. The son who took care of the dog mentioned by Mr. Wayne should be referring to him.

You held Kirin sat next to him. You blocked Kirin in front of you. "Hello, my name is Y/N. What's your name?" After saying that, you tilted your head to let him see your face. He was a little surprised but didn't show it exaggeratedly.

He retracted his expression and said coldly, "Damian Wayne..."

You handed Kirin to him, "Did you have fun with Kirin?"

"Not bad." He took it and hugged it. He seemed to be a very silent person.

Jason came over and sat next to me. Damian glared at him like an enemy. You were sandwiched between two of them. The atmosphere seemed particularly tense. Is their relationship very bad? Even Jason didn't introduce Damian like he introduced Dick just now.

"Hey, say hello." You heard Jason speak in a serious tone.

Damian looked at you two with disdain. "Say hello then? Say I'm your little brother? Say we're a family? We're not related by blood, don't act so close. It's disgusting."

"Huh?" You were shocked by his words. You clearly heard Damian say they were not related by blood. Then you remembered that their last names were all weird, all different. Dick Grayson, Jason Todd and Tim Drake. Only Damian is Damian Wayne. How come they're a family?

"Damian!" Mr Wayne called him.

He returned Kirin to you and stood up. "Father, am I wrong? Why should I admit they are my brothers? Is it necessary to insist on maintaining a good family? We are not related by blood, except you and me."

"Damian, stop it. This is not the thing to be brought up now." Dick interrupted.

"You know I am right. This annoying guy is dead. Why should I admit he is my brother when he comes back?" Damian said.

"Enough, don't say these in front of Y/N." Tim told him calmly.

Damian expressed dissatisfaction. "Why not? Since she wants to be friends with him, she will know sooner or later. Why avoid? I am telling the truth. If Y/N doesn't like it, she can leave our house at any time."

At this moment, you suddenly felt a chill, and a strong fierce breath rushed towards you. You turned and it was coming from Jason. He staring at Damian like a ferocious beast. It was the first time you saw Jason's expression so ferocious and scary, not as gentle as before. Obviously, Damian had touched Jason's pain.

"Y/N, second room upstairs is my room, you should avoid first." Jason pulled your arm.

Damian mocked, "Why? Is it necessary to avoid it? Isn't it better to tell her everything? Or are you very concerned about your past and afraid Y/N will ignore you forever?"

"Past..." You muttered to yourself.

Jason's hand was clenched more tightly than before. He had his back to you but could feel his anger surged. "Y/N, listen to me and go back to the room first."

"Jason..." You worriedly shook his hand that was holding yours.

"I beg you..." His voice sounded very humble.

To be honest, you never mind anything about anyone. For example, no matter how crazy Harley is, you are not afraid to chat and be friends with her. You know very well everyone has their own difficulties and unbearable past, but the past is the past, and it is no longer the present. Even is the fact, it is terrible that Damian would open people's wounds without any hesitation.

You can't hold back your anger, you let go of Jason's hand and walk to Damian. "Your name is Damian Wayne, right?"

He was confused. "What? Want to speak for that annoying guy?"

"Do you hate me?" You blurted out.

He shook his head. "I don't know you, and I have no reason to hate you."

You don't know what Jason has experienced, you can't stand in his position and speak for him. You shook your head with a smile. "Then let me ask you, have you ever been involved in Jason's past?"

When he heard what you said, his expression changed. "It's none of my business..."

"Are you happy to expose someone's wounds?"

He looked aside with an arrogant attitude. "If you want to teach me a lesson, I advise you not to do it."

"Let me make it clear that I'm not as kind as you think. I won't speak for Jason because I haven't experienced what happened to him, and I'm not qualified to speak for him. But at least I won't trample on other people's scars, including yours. It doesn't matter if you want to listen what I say or not. Even if related by blood, but there are more suitable to be family."

Your words shocked everyone, including the fierce Jason who became much gentler after hearing your words. You can no longer feel the fierce aura on him, at least you don't have to worry Jason fighting with Damian.

To be honest, you envy them for being a family. You have always been alone and you can't imagine that there will be someone by your side when you are sad. No matter how hurt you are, you return to home, an empty life, a life without anyone to accompany you. Only a corgi dog Kirin accompanies you.

You looked at Mr Wayne bowed to him politely. "I want to apologize for interfering in your family affairs without permission."

He hurried forward to let you look up. "I am the one who wants to apologize. I didn't expect to make you so uncomfortable and embarrassed."

You shook your head with a smile. "I really don't mind, so don't apologize."

"Miss Y/N..." Alfred said in a low voice.

You hugged Kirin in your arms, "Well... I am really happy to meet Jason's family. Then I go back first, don't see me off." You left a few words and bowed again to express your gratitude before leaving the living room and walking towards the door.

Jason POV

When I was lost, I just wanted Damian to shut up. He and I were the most difficult to get along with. I was really afraid Y/N would never see me again because of my past. At that time, I really wanted to pull her away and let her leave. I didn't want her to see my most miserable side.

However, what she did always exceeded my imagination. Not only she not run away directly, she also confronted Demon brat. She communicated with Demon brat calmly. Every word she said was so sincere that Demon brat was completely speechless and stood there motionless.

"Please wait a moment, I'll take you home, Miss Y/N." Alfred wanted to follow.

I heard Demon brat muttering "TT, a good girl, I feel sorry for her to be friends with a nasty guy."

"Damian! Stop talking!" Tim tried to shut up Demon brat.

I turned to them, and for some reason, I kept smiling on my face. Maybe her words touched me, maybe I was waiting for what she said, she made me less afraid of losing her "Let him say it, Timbers."

"Hey! Babybird! Catch!" Dickhead threw the key.

I caught it with one hand, I understood what he meant and ran away "Thanks, Dickhead!"

Seeing my figure going away, Demon brat blurted out "Why would a good girl like to be friends with a complicated person like him..."

"Personality. They are attracted to each other." Tim said.

Y/N POV

You walked for a long time still haven't reached the gate of the manor. How can a rich man's house be so big? It feels like the end is getting farther and farther away. If known would be like this, you shouldn't have tried to be act cool just now. You would have just let Alfred take you. It's even more tiring to hold fat Kirin in your arms.

Suddenly, the road was illuminated. You stopped and looked behind you. A cool car was moving towards and then stopped behind you. You wondered if you were blocking the car's way, so you stood aside. The car door opened and the person who got out was Jason. You looked at him awkwardly, "Why are you here?"

He took Kirin from you and put him in car, then stood in front of you with his hands in pockets. "I'll take you home."

You felt ashamed for what you just said. "Really, it's not necessary." You left this sentence and walked away.

He grabbed your hand and hugged you without saying a word. Although there was a layer of shirt between, you were so close to him that could faintly hear his heartbeat and feel the fluctuations of his breathing. When you looked up to see his face, he held your head in his hands and let you lean on. You didn't even have the chance to see his face, but you really liked his hug, it was so warm and soothing.

"Sorry, stay for a while, I'll take you back later."

You closed your eyes responded him with a hug "Alright..."

"Thanks for what you did for me."

"I didn't do anything."

"Haha..Fuck..Idiot, you did."

"You're the idiot..."

"Y/N..."

"What?"

"I'm sorry for letting you hear something unhappy."

You pushed him away and held his face with both hands "I'll say it again, listen carefully, I don't mind at all. I just care about you being happy."

He leaned his forehead against yours "I'm almost dead happy to hear you say that."

"Hehe, of course. Oh, by the way, you still owe me ice cream."

"Fuck...I will definitely do what I promised you."

You stepped back "When day you feel ready, are you willing to tell me about your story?"

He was a little surprised but still smiled "Yeah, I promise."

You took his hand "Let's go! Kirin is clamoring to go home!"

"Okay, okay, I'll do whatever you say."

Chapter 11 End.

If you have any ideas, don’t be shy. Just leave a comment below. Your opinions would be valuable and will be added in story. ♥️💙

AO3 Chapter 11 🆕

AO3 Bird & Fox by owlwithanapple

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[rezonan]

Why do people use OOC/Irrelevant stories to justify their hatred for characters?

I'll admit I got this question from reddit but seeing as you are a big fan of Iron Man and certain characters afflicted by this issue I thought I would ask

Comic book characters and the consistency of favored portrayals

Why do people do the exact opposite to justify how cool they think a character is?

Look this is probably the worst kind of question to ask me, back when I was in high school my classmates hated me cause when it came to arguments I would always 'Stand on the fence' or 'Never pick a side' and I agree, even when I disagree or agree I can't help but see the other side of things with some questions.

I think one of the biggest things comic fans need to accept with our medium is that, the only real continuity that exists is the one we try and brute force and make in our heads, some writers themselves don't really care, Geoff Jones ignored Batman previously basically begging for Hal Jordan to come back to life when he was The Spectre to writing Batman basically complaining that Hal was back because to him that is what he thinks Batman should act like with Hal, and considering he probably grew up with a comic like Dark Knight Returns the asshole authoritarian was probably was he knew of the character, who knows I don't know his personal life.

I think we can all say that you have fallen in love with a character based of Non Canon stories, Hell my favorite comic for Superman and the one that got me into liking the character was All-Star Superman. The exact opposite of that like what you asked tho, Hating a character because a story depicted them poorly whether it's canon or not is valid as well, I mean it's pretty damn short-sighted if they have been exposed to better represented sides of those characters, but it doesn’t change the impact they initially felt, wether they can get past that is on the person. Like for example, I fucking hated Superman growing up cause the first movies I remember seeing him in was the freaking Dark Knight Returns duology and certain parts of Young Justice Season 1 but overtime seeing better versions and representations of the characters and also hearing put fans on what he represents has pushed him up to my 5th favorite hero, I do understand not everyone can do this. People just want to support their view of the character.

I also do think people who hate certain characters do reach a lot of the time, sharing panels of stories older than their parents sometimes probably not even knowing what comic it even came from, just happy they have this image of the character they don't like being abusive or something. It's even worse then the he outright go out of their way to find these panels or stories to use for hate on purpose even after knowing it's generally agreed upon it's a shitty representation of the character. Seriously nobody should bring up All Star Batman and Robin as some 'Got Ya!' moment in an argument, just no. Sometimes some people have just predetermined in their mind they want to hate a character and will go out of their way to farm for anything that can paint them in the worst light possible.

With Iron Man it's people bringing up Civil War again and again and again continuously like the 40 years of stories before that don't show why Tony would never do any of that in his right mind. With Superman it's people bringing up injustice in literally any relation to him or people bringing up a scene of Jason Todd blaming Bruce for his death as evidence of how whiny he is even when one of the highlight lines of his first appearance as Red Hood is 'Bruce I forgive you for not saving me but-'

With characters like say, Hal Jordan, Magneto or Venom and meny more, it gets more interesting here. Here what the characters did that was bad IS/WAS(considering reboots in Hal's case) in continuity but a version of the characters that were received much more popularly then makes fans disregard these past appearances as wrong, say they have had this entirely new portrayal longer than they had that one or writers themselves will retcon them away by making them, in the case of former villians now refromed, seem less evil than they were. No no those people Magneto killed weren't innocent humans in the silver age, they were actually anti-mutant bigots that killed a little girl for being a mutant. One of my favorite examples of this is Hulk. Yes Hulk the rampaging monster from movies to series to comics, in comics in I think 2008 was retconned to have never and I mean never killed a single person in all his rampages In the in-universe 12 years at that point, not even indirectly because Bruce Banner was subconsciously calculating all the angles of where he would throw or smash stuff apprently. All those crumbled buildings, nope, nothing.

And you know what? I can agree with some of that (that Hulk retcon is still dumb) because let me tell you the real truth to all this.

Consistency

People love consistency, They don't care about Magneto killing innocents in the 60s or Venom eating people in the 90s, they care about the take that has been supported consistently in their view for longer or just showed more consistently in what they have seen. Even for the haters it's the same, if for example my only experience with Batman was All Star and Certain Post New 52 issues, I would be happy knowing I hate this borderline sociopathic dude that's what I know Batman as.

You see it even with the movies, When The Amazing Spider-Man came out you had people saying it was an inaccurate take or not liking the changes even though it was actually more comic accurate that what came before but fans of the Raimi movies have consistently seen Peter as a meek and nice kid before being Spider-Man not an asshole, they have consistently seen him with organic webbing not with web shooters. Anything that breaks the portrayal they have known the most if gonna make them react either well or badly. People who only knew Tony Stark from Civil War probably reacted well to his MCU version seeing as he broke the consistent borderline villian they knew him from the comics.

So the big issue is people trying to force their own consistent idea of a character on others when comics just aren't consistent, everyone like I said at the start has their own makeshift continuity in their head they made up with books they liked or think fit, the consistent portrayal they know about, so this is why you get people arguing about if Batman is the real identity or Bruce Wayne or if Clark Kent should wear trunks or not I could go on and on like if Wonder Woman should use a sword? Someone who is used to the New 52 version would say yes and someone used to the Post Crisis version would say no. Or maybe it's what love interest Spidey should end up with, people who say Gwen probably grew up with TASM and Spectacular Spider-Man. Better for people to just respectly discuss the takes of characters different people have instead of childishly pushing the version they have in their head as the correct version and putting down everyone else's pretty damn subjective takes. That's with superhero comics of course, the nature of what is canon and isn't and how fans of this stuff talk about it with different 'takes' is way more unique than talking about disliking MCU Spider-Man or talking about why you hate Sasuke or something.

I don't really have a good way to end all this cause that's just it, all about consistency if I didn't get that across the 10 times I used that word. As usual feel free to disagree with me and if possible tell me how and why.

[fantastic-nonsense]

I have talked about the Cass-Jason relationship before here and here, and I covered a lot of the issues discussed in this post (particularly how Cass "deeply believing people can change" is in part why she would not get along with Jason: because she KNOWS that and then looks at this man who steadfastly refuses to change despite the people who care about him begging him to).

One of the problems I often run into when talking about Cass and Jason's relationship is that people want to twist Cass, her morality, and her views on killing around in any way they can to justify not having to move Jason forward in his own character development at all.

This understandably makes a lot of Cass fans angry, because why should Cass have to change her views but Jason doesn't just because some people want everyone to get along? Why should Jason get to say "sometimes killing is good, actually, and I'm going to keep doing it" without creating inescapable friction with anyone else in the Batfamily...but Cass doesn't get to maintain her core ethos of "killing is bad no matter who it is or what they've done, and if you have not changed your views on killing you shouldn't be wearing the Bat symbol" without being vilified by Jason fans for not "being compassionate" and forgiving him for it?

This post has a lot of that mentality built into it, putting the onus on Cassandra to "understand, forgive, and forget" the actions of a character who for a long time was very comfortable justifying his mentality and behavior as "the correct way to deal with crime" and did not want to change.

What's missing is that why wouldn't Cass understand how Jason came to be the way he is? Someone who felt abandoned by their father's choice in allowing a murderer to run free—one who certainly isn't changing anytime soon. What's stopping Cass from knowing Jason's feelings in a way most other characters can't see because they haven't experienced it in a way that both Cass and Jason have?

Nothing. But what's stopping Jason from understanding that as long as he continues to kill and justify killing, there are members of the Batfamily who will never accept him and will try to stop him from doing so? What's stopping Jason from realizing that his method of dealing with criminals isn't actually stopping the cycle of crime or violence like he pretends it does? And what's stopping him from understanding Cass's perspective: that someone who deeply believes in a person's ability to change would obviously have problems with someone who, with full agency and acknowledgement of their actions, continues to kill with little to no intention of changing?

Cass gets along fine with Helena Bertinelli and Jean-Paul Valley, two characters who have killed before and have far more morally ambiguous outlooks on the ethics of killing. She clearly understands Damian's mentality and the horrors in Damian's past better than nearly anyone else in the Batfamily does, and it shows in how she interacts with him. If you want instances of Cass understanding and identifying with Batfamily members who have killed before, you have multiple options.

So why is Jason different? Because unlike Helena, Jean-Paul, and Damian...Jason refuses to acknowledge his past actions and mentality as wrong and instead continues to kill and justify killing people (at least, he did for a very long time). Because Jason and Cass's different perspectives on Bruce—both as a vigilante and as a father—would realistically cause inescapable tension between them. Because they are obvious character foils and also each others' walking nightmares and some people would rather smooth all that interesting messiness over to play "big happy family."

What you're seeing isn't people "boiling Cass down to her 'no one dies' mentality;" it's people acknowledging that Cass has opinions, morals, and ethical stances that explicitly guide her interactions with people and shape how she thinks of her duty as Batgirl. It's Cass fans being protective of a character that a lot of Jason fans are very happy to pretend doesn't have a personality, opinions on Bruce and the rest of the Batfam, and firm moral stances that have canonically brought her into conflict with other characters on multiple occasions.

Yes, characters are more complex than fandom likes to paint, but in this instance it is an example of fans trying to preserve that complexity in the face of other fans wanting to smooth it over for the sake of not wanting to deal with characters being mean to each other. And that's simply not of any interest to most Cass fans, who would rather acknowledge and work with the tension and messiness that would inevitably result from them interacting with each other instead of pretending that Cass would be perfectly fine and dandy with Jason as he has been portrayed since his resurrection.

Sometimes I feel frustrated seeing fans boil down Cassandra to JUST her "no one dies" mentality. Yes, Cass embodies it in a way that's even more obsessive than Bruce, but I feel like what most people leave out of posts (especially ones where they talk about how much she would hate Jason) is her compassion. Cass sees herself as every murderer she comes across. Almost her entire life, she spends trying to atone for one murder she committed as an 8 year old and to do that she stops murders from happening, but she also has a deep rooted belief that the people who commit these crimes are capable of changing who they are. Or, in the very least, understand why what they do/done is 'wrong'.

I read posts about how she would hate Jason and while I agree in some ways, I feel like there's something missing. What's missing is that why wouldn't Cass understand how Jason came to be the way he is? Someone who felt abandoned by their father's choice in allowing a murderer to run free—one who certainly isn't changing anytime soon. What's stopping Cass from knowing Jason's feelings in a way most other characters can't see because they haven't experienced it in a way that both Cass and Jason have?

Obviously this doesn't mean she is giving up on her moral code, I don't get why fandom thinks character foils can't interact together without losing some integral part of themself—the beauty of fiction is being able to create scenarios where that is possible. If you truly believe its impossible, I honestly think you might just have a really closed mindset or negate character growth as bad characterization.

Maybe its because no depiction of Cass is beaten by Batgirl 2000 and maybe because Jason's characterization is a spinning pendulum of nonsense half the time, but reducing either character to just their morality on killing alone is tasteless. People (and fictional characters by extension) are so much more complex than that.

[bruciemilf]

Do you have any head cannons about the batkids absolutely loving and adoring Batman/Bruce? I'm obsessed with the idea of them being like "I beg your pardon, but he is our Father™? Our provider? We require his attention and affection at all times pls do not distract him."

omg gonna take the chance to talk abt the batkids & their love languages bc <3333

Dick's is quality time; I can imagine him being downright territoial over his and Bruce's "watching bad Gray Ghost reboots just to laugh at Dad getting mad" time, because it's his absolute favourite.

He gets to lay his tired head on Bruce's lap and sigh pleasantly when his hair is groomed. If you make Bruce tea -- no you don't. That is illegal. Dick does.

And he's just enough of a bitch to be passive agressive about it because "It's our thing; Would you take the mic from Lady Gaga at a concert? No? Then outta my tea!"

Jason's is physical affection!!! And I say that with my whole chest!! This Frankenstein Baby is touch starved and requires all tactillness, always. It's a form of self-reassurance, AND an olive branch; It's his way of saying "I'll always want my father's love" and "You didn't come back wrong; You're not made to be handled roughly. I need to know you're here and alive and content"

and he might play tough guy, might sigh as if this is a favour, but everyone sees him melt. Bonus, the image of Jason's 6'5 ass clinging to Bruce while the poor guy tries making lunch because he CAN, ALFRED, is so cute. Jason for the son who has to lean down to get his hair ruffled like a german shephard.

Tim's is acts of service and gift giving; He's vigilant, observant, pays attention to Bruce with a hawk's eye. Especially those interests he has too little time for. Give me Tim who doesn't know a loving father but when he gets him, he's super attentive. Give me Tim who seeks Bruce's company on his own free will.

Give me Tim who'll bring puzzles home and solve them with Bruce for hours, and who'll listen to mouthpiece after mouthpiece about mechanics and cars, who doesn't like getting dirty but will stay with bruce in his workshop just to watch him work. Give me Tim who gets Bruce gifts despite his dad giving him dissaproving looks. "You shouldn't waste money."

"You're not a waste."

Damian's is words of affirmation -- PLEASE. THIS BABY IS SO READY TO YELL "Batman is actually the best superhero, actually, here's a 30 slide PP presentation as to why. Number one- because I said so" it's very inetresting for Damian; Because if he got anything from Bruce, (Please, please, he begs no one in particular, let me have something from him) is a crushing amount of insecurity.

Bruce is just downright allergic to compliements; He spits them out like a rotten meal, in fact, as if his body just can't hold them down. Damian just. Won't stand for it. "Baba, you look very pretty today. "

"...Thank you, Damian. That's very kind of you to say."

"I recently learned you won't accept compliments to your character, so this will have to do. " Does he give up? Of course not. He's a Robin. They never learned what that is.

Cass, like Dick, loves to spend time with Bruce, -- but what's surprising to the Batdad? Cass is wraith made of warmth and softness. She's stealthy and moves smoothly like wind and punches like ten men. But her love is loud.

Bruce is her only father and she's not timid about saying it. Wordlessly, sure, but no less impactful, with no small amount of passion. Give me Cass who holds hands with Bruce while on the street, and shows him funny videos on her phone, and who texts with him regularly, and who has him as her wallpaper.

That is her father and she carries him lovingly.

[hailkingphantom]

Dp x Dc

Gifts

After been adopted for the batfamily Danny decide to give presents to each member.

He give Dick a trip around the section of circus type obessesion in the Ghost zone, Tim get tecnologies of diferents times and universes, Jason get differents gun and arns that only kill if the users wants to ( he was so excited by the possibility of shot someone without having to care if still alive), Duke get a travel around the ghost zone as treasure hunters, cass get the opprtunity to know some celebrated dancers and damian get a sword that can transform in a bracelet (The rest of the family member look worried by that, but Damian love it so he don't care)

Then, there was Bruce.

He think about it for hours and hours but he don't know what give him! It's driving him crazy!

Bruce says that is not important but he want to give him something special too!

Then he have an idea, he go to Clockwork tower

"Clockwork I know that you know what I want and that you never would give me something that could alterate the timeline but, Please!" He begged

Clockwork give him a look "mm.. normally I would said no, but the last weeks you've been helpfull so I'll make an exception"

"Really!?"

"Yes"

He thanked clockwork and fly direct to the mannor

_________________________________________________

Bruce never expect this.

He knows that his newest son has been trying to give him a present but he never thought that Danny would drag him to a strange tower.

"Come here B!" he heard his son yells

They were in a strange room, it was full of clocks and a huge orb was in the middle. Then a strange ghost(?) appear, he have a clock in his chest, blue skin, red eyes and a purple cloak.

"B, this is clockwork a friend of mine and the master of time, I ask him if he could help me with your gift and he accepts!" His son tell with a sunny smile and then grab an orb, this one was a lot smaller than which were in the room "This is a memory orb, they conserve memories. Clockwork use its to conserve momments of the history that are vital to the main timeline and other things"

Then give it to him "This one is yours"

He was going to thank him, when dannny grab his hand and drag him to the big orb

"Now choose one!" One what?

"One memory" 'clockwork' says "I use this orb as help to see the lifestream, personally, I reccomend you this one"

In the orb appear Thomas and Martha wayne with a young version of him, Alfred smile fondly at the happiness of the family, they were in the dinner room.

He could feel how tears begin to fall. His son look at him panicked " I didn't want to make you cry, I'm sorry,  so sorry, It was a stupid idea, insensible, I-

He grabed his son and hug him

"It's the best present I ever had"

[batfam-slash]

Not only does Jason tend to want things he can’t have, but the more he knows he can’t have something, the more he wants it.

Jason is 13 years old when he first meets Dick, and within about thirty minutes he’s crushing hard.

He knows that someone like Dick will never be interested in someone like Jason romantically. Dick is the most beautiful thing Jason has ever seen (and is so unbearably kind to Jason even though Jason has essentially replaced him), and could have his pick of anyone in the world.

Jason is just a skinny kid from a rough part of Gotham with nothing to offer someone like Dick.

But that doesn’t stop him from wanting Dick so badly that his chest burns with desire.

One afternoon Dick is using the gym in the manor at the same time as Jason is training, and Jason ends up making so many mistakes when sparring that he gets a scolding from Bruce.

“Eyes on me,” Bruce growls when he catches Jason’s gaze wandering over to where Dick is bent over stretching.

There’s another meaning behind that instruction, and it firmly cements Dick’s place in Jason’s heart and mind from then on.

*****

When Jason is back from the dead, Dick still seems as unattainable as ever.

Jason is older and stronger now - perhaps potentially attractive to someone like Dick - but he’s also an outcast.

Jason starts to think there may be some hope when he starts to work with the Bats again; he spends time with Dick and they seem to get on well, really well in fact, and he’s almost tempted to put himself out there and ask if Dick wants to grab some dinner sometime.

There’s just one big barrier, and it’s breathing down his neck constantly.

For all his emotional constipation, Bruce seems to be very good at picking up on certain emotional cues from others.

“If you’re going to be working with us again,” Bruce says to Jason when they get back to the cave after a group mission, “you need to follow my rules.”

“I am following your rules,” Jason snorts, his gaze focussed on Dick and Damian chatting over by the computer.

“Well there’s one I want to make very clear right now,” Bruce says quietly. He nods over in Dick’s direction. “Off limits.”

Jason rolls his eyes, and ogles Dick’s ass a little harder just to piss Bruce off. “I beg your fucking pardon?”

“He’s off limits,” Bruce repeats, his voice dangerously low. “I mean it, Jason. Dick has been through a lot, and he doesn’t need this.”

He doesn’t need you, is the unspoken phrase Jason hears.

Jason gives a cocky smile to hide the sting in his eyes. “Well damn, B. Now you’ve told me I can only look and not touch, I feel like there’s a bit of a challenge there.”

“Jason.”

“Yeah, maybe I’ll see how long it takes me to seduce your golden boy and fuck him right here under your roof.”

He figures that leaving Bruce in stunned silence is a good way to end things, so he heads towards his bike, but not before giving Dick a very friendly hug goodbye and a very flirtatious wink.

Because it serves Bruce right, and for once in his life Jason just wants to think of himself as worthy of the things he wants.

*****

It turns out Jason is worthy of Dick at least.

The next day he asks Dick to grab some dinner, and the invitation is swiftly and enthusiastically accepted.

They have an awesome time.

Dick is finally attainable.

And Jason ends up fucking Dick in one of his safe houses.

He doesn’t brag to Bruce because he’s a gentleman, but he knows Bruce will figure it out, and that’s equally delicious.

More importantly though is the way Dick’s eyes shine and his smile lights up when Jason kisses him.

And Jason knows the wait was very much worth it.

[lurkinglurkerwholurks]

Chapter Two

Immediately after chapter one, I had to try to slap this chapter into shape during my football. The sacrifices I make, honestly.

The hardest part was figuring out how to give an ending without making it the ending. I liked that both Jason's and Damian's POVs were open-ended and inconclusive. Even though some readers were begging for closure, I still wanted to leave the initial experience as-is for anyone who might not want an answer to "what happened next?" The combination of chapters and the opening note were the best arrangement I could come up with at the time.

In retrospect, the night could be defined by three calls. The first was Batman’s, made to Commissioner Gordon from the car as he raced to halt cataclysm. Bombs all over Gotham. Mobilize every force. Evacuate everyone immediately. The second was also Bruce’s and was less of a call than a status update. It was made to Oracle while in a tiny, disastrous studio apartment, surrounded by half-finished equipment and plans scrawled with mania enough to make a conspiracy theorist pale.

🎶 Hello logistics, my old foe 🎵

I did all that handwaving in Bang so I didn't have to figure out more details about the bombs and the bombmaker and then promptly landed myself here. The worst.

That apartment was modeled on a specific place from a specific piece of media, because I can see it in my head, but I cannot for the life of me tell you what.

He had considered calling in Red Robin. The boy had a way with technology that Bruce envied, unfurling complicated layers of mechanics like flower petals at a touch. But the ten-minute countdown that had begun when Bruce triggered the wrong sequence wasn’t enough to recall Tim from his position in the business district.

Even here I'm still picking apart fanon and which characterizations I want to adopt for myself. At this point, I was still buying into the "tech wizard Tim" trope. I don't know how I feel about it now, though I do like the metaphor I used here. Also, again, quick logistical justification for why Bruce had to do this himself.

The third call had come directly into Bruce’s earpiece even as he accepted Black Bat’s help getting to his feet.

😇 Tickled at how deliberately subtle this in, framing the motion that indicates that the bomb was peaceably disarmed without actually saying so.

”He’s dead,” the voice had sobbed, nearly unintelligible in its hysteria. ”He’s dead he’s dead I killed him someone help!”

This poor, poor baby 😭 (I say like I didn't do this to him.) First, a HORRIFYING thing to hear from your own kid, but from Damian??? Of all kids?????

It never occurred to him to question. This was Damian, who had refused to so much as whimper through the worst pain, now sobbing like the child he was. This was Damian, who didn’t overreact to fear, who clung to rules like the very word of God, using civilian names over the comm. This was Jason, who had died before, who was reckless, who hadn’t spoken on the open line all night.

I WOVE THIS JUSTIFICATION TAPESTRY WITH MY OWN TWO HANDS

A bomb detonating out of sync.

This and the mention of shattered debris earlier are both about the same bomb. The first and only bomb to go off at the rec center, the one previously mentioned in Bang. ☺️ I just don't clarify and neither does Damian or Bruce.

O Absalom, my son, my son.

Sometimes I throw in things just for me and am shocked by readers' reactions. This little line, a Biblical quotation of David's grief over his dead son, popped into my head and just about made me cry in the middle of football. I put it in thinking it would hurt me and would probably get a nice angry text from Audrey and that was about it. I was so pleased and surprised when several other people started shrieking in my comments as well.

“Shock,” she pronounced.

No, love, that’s the wrong word. Bruce opened his eyes again to correct her, then froze as his gaze snagged on the symbol on Jason’s chest, blood-red and rising with breath.

I had to keep Cass with Bruce to make sure someone kept their head on straight around here. Also, reminder that in my writing, "sweetheart" comes from Thomas and Martha and "love" comes from Alfred.

“They’re alive,” he rasped into the comm, then disconnected himself from the network.

If I could edit this, I would put this line immediately after Bruce feels Jason's pulse for himself. He's too careful to do it in this order. But MAN OH MAN imagine the absolutely buckwild ride everyone else has been going through listening in.

He rubbed his thumb along the Jason’s brow, tracing the ridge of his eye socket, the bridge of his nose, the line of his cheekbone. 

My dad used to do this to us kids to help us sleep and it is my favorite, favorite, favorite thing. I am a fully grown adult and would still let him do this if he wanted to.

And then a reader went and wrote an alternate ending to my alternate ending! I love that the fic sparked their creativity like that.

I also remain pleased/baffled by how many people swear they actually, legitimately cried while reading this fic. I cried, but that doesn't necessarily translate.

With a Whimper

First posted: October 5, 2019

Focuses on: Jason Todd & Damian Wayne

Favorite bookmark: "Need to be emotionally stable to read"

Second favorite bookmark: “💣💣"

Tier: Middle of the pack

This is my “behind the scenes” series where I indulge myself horribly by annotating my fics. Link to the fic itself above. Thoughts below the cut.

Chapter One

I wrote and posted Bang in the middle of a football game. Which means I started getting pleading requests for closure during the same football game.

Thankfully, even though I really liked the open-ended nature of Bang, I did have a rough idea of how I could have my cake and eat it, too.

Also, the title was @audreycritter's idea! I was stuck on what in the world to call a sequel to Bang and she was quick with the suggestion.

He could see the display flashing on wrist, the live countdown timed to his demise. It was the only light in the supply closet and cast long, ominous shadows in the small space. It made the blood on his clothes and skin appear black. The part of Damian’s brain that was still functioning insisted that black blood would be better. He had seen the second Robin uniform, its tears painstakingly mended, the cloth not wholly scrubbed of unmistakable russet stains no matter how much household witchery Pennyworth used.

Wow I really have no memory of Damian's POV here 😂 What a nice little dagger this intro bit is, though. It's a good mix of practical logistics with the dark and the limits of visual input and what Damian would really be focused on. Go me.

Damian knew pain, was no stranger to it, but Todd said it would hurt, and the way he had said it… It was going to hurt. 

It was a choice to jump in mid-scene here, essentially. As much as I enjoy and have a history of revisiting fics from an alternate POV, it's such a struggle to make the alternate its own story and not just a plodding rehash. As much dialogue as I can skip, the better!

The first blast, the accidental one that had trapped him in the rec center basement, had collapsed shelving units on him like a landslide of metal and sporting equipment. 

I had to think real real hard about what it made sense to do to Damian. Like I had to figure out the broad strokes in Jason's POV, but there wasn't really time to get into the details, but the details are inherent to Damian's experience and therefore POV here. This involved a lot of me sitting on my bed and squinting furiously as I tried to picture a gymnasium storage area I knew really, really well to figure out what within it I could use.

How utterly sure he had been of his choices, even after finding the exit blocked by fallen debris, when he had lied to Batman about being outside. It was noble and eminently practical, he had thought, to let Batman focus on defusing the bombs in the rest of Gotham. He could hold for extraction until later, or perhaps even find a way out on his own in the interim.

Poor kid. He was being stupid but also very not being stupid. He had REASONS for lying, REASONS for the situation he landed in. It wasn't a whim or a lark! But he also couldn't have anticipated these consequences.

He couldn’t call Batman. He knew that as instinctively as he knew his own name. To call now would benefit no one, least of all him. Batman was already doing the one thing that might save him. Nor could he call Richard, who was uptown at one of the other targets, silently monitoring family chatter through his own earpiece while on duty as Officer Grayson.

Damian! Is not! A stupid! Kid! He makes his choices for a reason!!!!

Speaking things aloud made them real, like peeking under the bed for a monster. Far better to hide under the covers and not look.

He's just a baby!!!!!

He wished he’d never asked, because finally he was being treated like an adult and told the truth, and he wished Todd had lied instead.

Just a baby!!!!!!!!!!!

He could be the one to dig Damian out so Father wouldn’t have to.

It is just stunning how widespread the ripples of Jason's death really are. By the time Damian appears in Gotham, Jason has gone and returned. Tim and Dick know firsthand how bad it got in the interim, but Damian only has secondhand knowledge, and even he knows Bruce shouldn't be forced to dig out another son's corpse, though he still assumed his own loss will be inherently less painful.

He would not let Richard listen to him die. And he would not spend his final moments with Richard’s anger and heartbreak in his ears.

This is nuance that didn't make it into Jason's POV. Damian understands that making Dick listen to him die will do to Dick what Jason did to Bruce. And his flinching back from Dick's imagined anger isn't just a child's instinctive recoil. He doesn't want that to be the last thing he hears.

Oh Mother, I wish you had never sent me here.

This was where I started crying while writing because I could feel the way his voice would catch in my own throat.

I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry I was difficult. I’m sorry I didn’t know how to be a good son. I’m sorry I was such an awful brother. I’m sorry I made you so angry. Please don’t be sad for too long. Please don’t forget about me. I love you and I’m sorry I never said it, please don’t put me in a glass box, please don’t give me to Grandfather, please I don’t want to die, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, please—

I've leaned on this kind of panicked stream of consciousness in multiple fics and I will not apologize.

They had all suffered too much death, and he didn’t want to be a photo on the wall. He didn’t want to be the little dead boy that haunted Richard’s life.

I'm awfully fond of these two lines I don't remember writing.

And Jason’s arms were around him.

(Also noting that Jason is Todd through the whole fic until this final line.)