#jason todd-centric

[yukiwhitetm]

5 Bat Family Must Reads: Former Robins And Their Kids +1 Undercover Dick Grayson

Find all my Batman – All Media Types fic recs here.

Find post 5 Tim Drake-centric Must Reads here.

Find post 5 Tim Drake-centric Must Reads: Animals/Non-humans here.

I know! A fic rec post from me that’s not fully Tim Drake-centric, who’da thunk it? Well, here it is in all its varied glory! Some of these are still Tim Drake-centric or have him as a main character, of course, but not all. Recs 2 and 4 focus on Jason and Lian (Roy’s daughter)! And the +1 story is all about our favourite Golden Boy Dick Grayson (with no child to be seen outside of cases). More than half of these are crossovers with TV series White Collar or Criminal Minds but I have never watched any of these so you don’t need to have to follow these stories either. But make sure to log in to read recs 4 and 5 because they are locked to Ao3 members only. Enjoy!

1.

Under A Parent's Wing by IzzyMRDB

Fandoms: Batman - All Media Types, Batman (Comics), Nightwing (Comics)  

Teen And Up Audiences, Choose Not To Use Archive Warnings, Gen, Complete Work

31 Aug 2022

Tags:

Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Tim Drake & Dick Grayson, Dick Grayson & Teen Titans

Tim Drake, Dick Grayson, Original Female Character(s), Teen Titans (DCU), Bruce Wayne

Dick Grayson is Tim Drake's Parent, Tim Drake Needs a Hug, Tim Drake-centric, Tim Drake Gets a Hug, Autistic Tim Drake, Protective Dick Grayson, Romani Dick Grayson, Child Abuse, Child Neglect, Adoption, Child Protective Services, Family Fluff, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Dick Grayson-centric, This is a slight vent fic because im a mandated reporter and childcare worker, and i want to show you that you can trust us, however i am still acab, Implied/Referenced Rape/Non-con, Implied/Referenced Alcohol Abuse/Alcoholism, Adoptive Parent Dick Grayson, Bruce Wayne Tries to Be a Good Parent, GNC Tim Drake, Therapy, Unreliable Narrator, Somersaults as a metaphor for love, Also me putting my psych major to good use, Dick Grayson may appear happy always but he has anger issues, Kid Tim Drake

Summary:

When Tim found out that Dick Grayson was a gymnastics instructor in Bludhaven, he quickly signed up. After all, learning gymnastics from The Nightwing himself is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Dick Grayson is more concerned at the obvious signs of child abuse he sees in one of his students.

AKA

Dick Grayson, as a childcare worker, is a mandated reporter who knows how to recognize child abuse in his students. Tim Drake, after a lifetime of fear and confusion, learns to trust adults.

Series

Part 1 of Wings are for Flying

Language: English Words: 39,209 Chapters: 22/22

Yuki Note:

(Edit: In the original version of this post, I accidentally put "The Power of Family and This Stalker I Found" as rec 1 believing it to be "Under a Parent's Wing". "Under a Parent's Wing" is the story I was talking about and recommended so highly in this Yuki Note! "The Power of Family and This Stalker I Found" has been edited to be an Honourable Mention since I'm sure some of you have read it now! Sorry about the confusion.)

I adore this story so much! I have often thought Dick would’ve been a better parent to Tim than (canon) Bruce so I love seeing that play out this fic (and in rec 3 too). And Dick working a job that fills him with so much joy as a gymnastics instructor is just mwah! This fic is set a little more in the real world than some others because it’s about Tim joining Dick’s gymnastics class and so Dick slowly noticing everything off about Tim whilst emotionally adopting him. Does that emotional adoption become real adoption by the end? Well, you’ll have to read it and see! I cannot recommend this one highly enough.

Honourable Mention.

The Power of Family and This Stalker I Found by JackHawksmoor

Fandoms: Batman - All Media Types, DCU (Comics), DCU  

Teen And Up Audiences, No Archive Warnings Apply, Gen, Work in Progress

18 May 2023

Tags:

No Archive Warnings Apply

Tim Drake & Bruce Wayne, Tim Drake & Jason Todd, Tim Drake & Dick Grayson, Dick Grayson & Bruce Wayne, Jason Todd & Bruce Wayne

Tim Drake, Jason Todd, Dick Grayson, Bruce Wayne, Alfred Pennyworth, Stephanie Brown

Tim Drake joins the batfamily, Bruce Wayne Tries to Be a Good Parent, Bruce Wayne Mostly Succeeds, Janet and Jack Drake do not try to be good parents, They also mostly succeed, Angst and Humor, Fluff and Humor, Batfam Big Bang, Batfamily (DCU), Jewish Bruce Wayne, mentions of drug use by a side character

Summary:

'If Bruce had found Jason immediately after he was resurrected, how would Tim Drake have joined the batfamily?' AU. This involves Jason being a little more observant while running around rooftops, Tim unable to resist getting gymnastics training from the original Robin, macaroons, a minor kidnapping, and some light attempted murder.

Yuki Note:

I honestly don’t remember what this one is about. I accidentally included this in this list in the original post because I mistook it for the story I intended for rec 1 (now edited in!), as I didn’t realise I hadn’t bookmarked "Under a Parent’s Wing" and this was the story that came up when I searched my Recommended Bookmarks for the word ‘gym’. Whilst I can’t recall this story, it is still one of my Recommended Bookmarks so I’m sure it’s still a good one! I hope that any of you who read this before I edited this post to be correct enjoyed it and that any of you who read it now enjoy it too.

2.

While You Were Missing by caffeinatedbasil

Fandoms: Batman - All Media Types, White Collar (TV 2009)  

Teen And Up Audiences, No Archive Warnings Apply, M/M, Complete Work

03 Aug 2024

Tags:

No Archive Warnings Apply

Roy Harper/Jason Todd, Neal Caffrey/Roy Harper, Past Roy Harper/Jade Nguyen – Relationship, Lian Harper & Jason Todd

Jason Todd, Lian Harper, Peter Burke, Diana Berrigan, Clinton Jones, Elizabeth Burke (White Collar), June Ellington, Batfamily Members, Neal Caffrey, Jade Nguyen, Roy Harper, Mozzie (White Collar)

Neal Caffrey and Jason Todd are the Same Person, Accidental Baby Acquisition

but she's not actually a baby she's like nine, Protective Batfamily (DCU), Domestic Batfamily (DCU), Caring Batfamily (DCU), Neal Caffrey is a Batfamily Member, Jason Todd is Red Hood, Roy Harper is Red Arrow, Protective Jason Todd, Aftermath of Human Trafficking, Canon-Typical Violence, the reality of being a child of superheroes/villains, Not Actually Unrequited Love, Hurt/Comfort, Angst with a Happy Ending, Presumed Dead, fellas is it gay to fall in love with your best friend while he's missing in action, and you're raising his kid for him, that you may or may not have stolen

Summary:

A familiar redheaded child darts across the bullpen with a shout of “PAPA!” and barrels into Jason’s arms.

“Lian–” He breathes.

Jason's undercover work as Neal Caffrey is difficult for several reasons. He didn't anticipate that single parenting would be one of them, though.

Series

Part 1 of Triple Red

Language: English Words: 85,629 Chapters: 12/12

Yuki Note:

Oh My Gosh! Oh My Gosh! Oh My Gosh! This is such an amazing story! I love it so much! Please, give this read. Unless you dislike Roy/Jason, you are going to love this fic! I promise, it doesn’t matter if you haven’t watched White Collar, you really don’t have to have watched it. as I haven’t either. This story just tells itself. I love Jason and Lian’s daddy-daughter relationship, I love how the White Stuff team and the Batfam pull together to support Jason looking after his new daughter, I love Jason pining after Roy (they’re not together in the beginning) and his and Lian’s quiet grief about Roy’s possible death. Just, this story is so perfect. Highly recommend!

3.

how to feed your local demon by InkpotSprite

Fandoms: Batman - All Media Types, Nightwing (Comics)  

Teen And Up Audiences, No Archive Warnings Apply, Gen, Complete Work

02 Jan 2024

Tags:

No Archive Warnings Apply

Tim Drake & Dick Grayson, Dick Grayson & Bruce Wayne, Tim Drake & Bruce Wayne

Tim Drake, Dick Grayson, Bruce Wayne, Alfred Pennyworth, Sebastian Ives, Bernard Dowd, Darla Aquista

Fluff, Angst, Family Feels, Brotherly Bonding, Brotherly Love, Good Sibling Tim Drake, Tim Drake is a Menace, Dick Grayson is a Gift, Dick Grayson Needs a Hug, Protective Tim Drake, Tim Drake Needs a Hug, Protective Dick Grayson, Alternate Universe - Succubi & Incubi, Incubus Dick Grayson, Supportive Tim Drake, Brotherly Affection, Sweet Tim Drake, Soft Dick Grayson, Bruce Wayne is Bad at Feelings, Dick Grayson Loves Tim Drake, Tim Drake & Dick Grayson Bonding, Tim Drake Loves Dick Grayson, Feral Tim Drake, Bruce Wayne Has Issues, Family Bonding

Summary:

“Oh, don’t forget your–” A few papers fell out as Dick lifted it up, revealing pictures of Nightwing, Robin and Batman in the middle of a fight with Poison Ivy. “Files.”

“Ah. Those.” Tim laughed nervously, the sharp, citrus-like taste filling the air.

-

Dick is an incubus, starved for affection after the loss of Jason.

Tim isn't affectionate by nature but wants to help anyway.

Series

Part 1 of Batfamily Feels

Language: English Words: 14,572 Chapters: 2/2

Yuki Note:

Super cute! Fluffy! Family feels! A touch of fantasy with (non-sexual) incubus Dick! What more could you ask for in a relaxing two-shot read?

4.

Lian and the Amazing Guard Dog: A Story of Magic and Mayhem by Honyasbookshelf

Fandoms: White Collar (TV 2009), Batman - All Media Types  

Teen And Up Audiences, No Archive Warnings Apply, Gen, M/M, Complete Work

30 Aug 2024

Tags:

No Archive Warnings Apply

Roy Harper/Jason Todd, Lian Harper & Roy Harper & Jason Todd, Lian Harper & Everyone. Diana Berrigan & Clinton Jones, Damian Wayne & Everyone

Diana Berrigan, Clinton Jones, Lian Harper, Jason Todd, Roy Harper, Peter Burke, Neal Caffrey, Reese Hughes, Damian Wayne

Neal Caffrey and Roy Harper Are the Same Person, Cute Lian Harper, Jason Todd is Lian Harper's Parent, Animal Transformation, Fluff and Humor, The Harpers: Baffling FBI Agents for Two Generations, Protective Jason Todd, POV Multiple, Jason Todd Being a Little Shit, Identity Reveal, POV Outsider, I didn't set out to write a comedy but here we are, Comedy, SO MUCH FLUFF, Jason Todd is Red Hood, Roy Harper is Red Arrow, Clinton Jones is so done, Tsundere Damian Wayne, Damian Wayne is Robin, Damian Wayne is Bad at Feelings, But also, Secretly Soft Damian Wayne

Summary:

"'Don't you 'hey' me,' Diana hissed, hand on her hip and eyes darting from Jones to the little girl on his hip to the fierce-looking German Shepherd standing at his side. 'What the h—eck is going on? I thought you went out for a smoke.'

'I did!' Jones said defensively. 'I was standing in the designated smoking area, minding my own business, when this kid and her demon dog pop up out of nowhere. Thought the dog was gonna take my head off.'

The girl giggled, the first noise Diana had heard her make, and the dog woofed once, almost sounding as though it were laughing itself."

The White Collar office is thrown into turmoil when a little girl shows up, guard dog at her side, demanding to see Neal Caffrey.

Language: English Words: 10,133 Chapters: 13/13

Yuki Note:

This time it’s Roy undercover as Neal from White Collar (also don’t have to have watched it to follow the story) and Jason being unable to care for their daughter Lian... because he’s been magicked into a dog! Jason and Roy are in an already established relationship (I think they are married!). This one is more of a bit of a fun, rather than rec 2’s more serious take. So, if you want a comforting read, then this is for you. Recommend!

5.

got my band and a light that won't go out by destiny919

Fandoms: Batman - All Media Types, Batman (Comics)  

Teen And Up Audiences, No Archive Warnings Apply, Gen, Complete Work

19 Dec 2021

Tags:

No Archive Warnings Apply

Tim Drake & Jason Todd, Dick Grayson & Jason Todd

Jason Todd, Tim Drake, Dick Grayson, Barbara Gordon

Canon-Typical Violence, Gunshot Wounds, Blood and Injury, Alternate Universe - Age Changes, Kid Tim Drake, Tim Drake is Red Robin, Yes you read that right, Jason Todd is Red Hood, Protective Jason Todd, Jason Todd is Tim Drake's Parent, unofficially, Bruce Wayne is a Bad Parent, BETCHA DIDN'T SEE THAT ONE COMING FROM ME, I contain multitudes, Slice of Life, but like. in a bat way., yes beta we are resurrected like jason

Summary:

"Nightwing has been shot."

Tim's eyes go wide and he stares at Jason, who's frozen in place. "And why would I care about that?" Jason says finally.

---

Dick finally meets Jason's Robin.

Series

Part 1 of Little Red

Language: English Words: 2,666 Chapters: 1/1

Yuki Note:

I actually want to recommend the entire Little Red series (but the series has so many tags on it that the first fic was easier to include in this post). It’s so good! It’s written non-chronologically but it’s good. The series is about Jason Todd as Red Hood adopting little kid Tim Drake as his kid. To clarify, Tim is a lot younger than in canon in this fic and he’s never been Robin but instead he had been following Batman around with a med kit to fix as much as his little hands can. This is such a sweet, fluffy with just a touch of angst read. The series is 18 fics long but, Goodness, is it worth a read! Recommended!

+1.

Dick Grayson: A Case Study by writersagainstwritersblock

Fandoms: Criminal Minds (US TV), Batman - All Media Types, Nightwing (Comics)  

Teen And Up Audiences, Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Gen, M/M, Complete Work

25 Oct 2024

Tags:

Graphic Depictions Of Violence

The BAU Team (Criminal Minds) & Dick Grayson, Dick Grayson & Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson & Damian Wayne, Stephanie Brown & Cassandra Cain & Tim Drake & Dick Grayson & Jason Todd & Damian Wayne, Dick Grayson & Wally West, Batfamily Members & Dick Grayson, Dick Grayson & Clark Kent

Dick Grayson, Derek Morgan (Criminal Minds), Spencer Reid, Aaron Hotchner, Jennifer "JJ" Jareau, Emily Prentiss, David Rossi, Penelope Garcia, Bruce Wayne, Damian Wayne, Jason Todd, Tim Drake (DCU), Batfamily Members (DCU), Wally West, Clark Kent

Dick Grayson-centric, Dick Grayson is Nightwing, Romani Dick Grayson, Good Sibling Dick Grayson, Dick Grayson Has Issues, Dick Grayson Needs a Hug, Dick Grayson Has PTSD, Dick Grayson Has Eldest Daughter Syndrome, Dick Grayson Has ADHD, Dick Grayson Has Self-Esteem Issues, Dick Grayson Has Daddy Issues, Bruce Wayne Tries to Be a Good Parent, Batfamily (DCU), POV Outsider, Behavioral Analysis Unit (Criminal Minds), The BAU Team as Family (Criminal Minds), Derek Morgan & Spencer Reid Friendship, Good Friend Derek Morgan (Criminal Minds), Autistic Spencer Reid, Good Friend Penelope Garcia, Good Friend Spencer Reid, Aaron Hotchner is the BAU Team's Parent, BAMF Dick Grayson, Short Dick Grayson, Dick Grayson Has Secrets, Case Fic, Minor Dick Grayson/Wally West, Dick Grayson & Wally West Friendship, Nightwing Volume 2 Issue 093, Implied/Referenced Sexual Assault, Implied Childhood Sexual Abuse, Slade Wilson Being an Asshole, Creepy Slade Wilson, Non-Consensual Drug Use

Summary:

Dick rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. “I’m mostly used to sparring with my little brothers, it’s kind of just habit, and I was having fun. I didn’t want the match to be over too quick.”

“Too quick?” Derek asked, eyebrows raised. “I’m twice your size, kid.”

Dick shrugged. “So’s Bruce and we’re pretty much tied at this point, or at least according to the score board the kids started to keep for Saturday spars.”

“Saturday spars?” Derek repeated, following him towards the locker room.

Dick flashed him a smile. “What? Don’t have any weird family traditions?”

“Not ones that include hitting each other,” Derek said

OR The BAU gets a probationary profiler who is a little more than he appears at first glance. Or second. Or third. Just how many secrets can Dick Grayson be hiding from a team full of profilers?

Language: English Words: 64,098 Chapters: 8/8

Yuki Note:

A riveting story of mystery and intrigue, as both the characters and us readers try to find the truth beneath in this fic. Whilst this isn’t a parental former Robin fic like the other recs on this list, it is a crossover like recs 2 and 4 so it felt like a good time to include it in a rec list. Although, the crossover is with Criminal Minds – a series I also have not watched so you don’t need to have either! Honestly, I don’t want to say too much in case I spoil this thriller of a fic. Dick Grayson: A Case Study will keep you on the edge of your seat to the very end. It is really worth a read. If you are considering it, then go for it! Highly recommend!

Enjoy! And feel free to explore my full AO3 rec list here.

[bluejaysandblackbats]

Catch and Release

Fandom: DC Comics, Batfam

Summary: AU where Jason doesn’t die in the explosion and he and Tim end up attending the same high school months later.

Chapters: 19/?

Characters: Jason Todd, Bruce Wayne, Alfred Pennyworth, Tim Drake, Dick Grayson, Barbara Gordon, Sebastian Ives, Jack Drake, Janet Drake, Donna Troy

Relationships: TBA

Additional Tag: Jason Todd Lives, Jason Todd-centric, POV Jason Todd, POV First Person, Tim Drake Has Issues, Tim Drake Has Issues, Tim Drake is Not Robin, Jason Todd is Not Robin (Anymore), Bruce Wayne Needs a Hug, Alfred Pennyworth is the Best, Alfred Pennyworth Knows, Stalker Tim Drake, Jason Todd Has Chronic Pain, Jason Todd Has PTSD, Angst with a Happy Ending, Unlikely Friends, Injury Recovery, Emotional Baggage, Rage, Bruce Wayne is Bad at Communicating

Chapter Nineteen: Fourth

For the next two months, Tim woke me up in the early parts of the morning to train. Bruce assumed that Tim took my physical therapy super seriously, so I let him believe that. I got out of bed every morning to run on the treadmill while Tim ran the drills that I gave him. Barbara stressed that I wouldn’t be as fast or as strong as I used to be, but I didn’t need to be. I just needed to be smarter than Bruce. 

Tim on the other hand learned fast, and he taught me a few things about myself. Sparring with him made me better. And it made Barbara suspicious. 

“How many months do we have left?” Tim asked. 

“October, Tim. And I think I’m gonna be late coming home from Barbara’s tonight,” I replied, “What are you gonna do while I’m gone? Go to Ives’ place?” 

“Um… No, I’m gonna go to the hospital and see Dad—.” 

I grabbed his arm. “Can you give him that box upstairs in my room? It’s from both of us,” I requested. 

“You want me to lie?” Tim asked. 

“Nope. I took ten dollars from your wallet for express shipping,” I half-joked. Tim playfully punched my shoulder. “I’ll buy lunch next week.” 

Tim stood in the gym with me, shifting his weight from left to right. “Did you need the money—?” Tim hugged me. It almost knocked me off balance, but I held firm. I figured he thought about his mom and needed something to hold onto for comfort. He didn’t talk about her, but I could tell it still hurt. I think that part of me was shut off. I didn’t grieve when I should’ve and now that part of my heart is missing. I keep trying to fill it with Tim’s grief but nothing can take up that space. I would’ve given anything to be able to cry for my moms or my dad. I could only cry for Tim, but it didn’t fix anything inside of me. I squeezed him tight, and he let go. 

“I might spend the night at the hospital,” Tim whispered. 

“Okay… If you don’t see me tonight, I’ll send you a text,” I replied. We didn’t have to talk about it. Besides, I had to shift my focus to a vigilante tagger foiling Cluemaster’s most recent heists… And I had a pretty good idea of where to find the culprit. I had to do it alone to prove to myself I could still do this. It had nothing to do with my plans. I just needed this as a confidence boost. 

**

After training with Barbara, I took a shower and headed straight for a suburban neighborhood in Gotham. I watched the house for almost an hour before watching a girl speed off on a motorbike. I couldn’t keep up with her on foot, but Tim had this crazy idea about me skating to compensate for my speed deficit. 

I thought it was stupid when he suggested it, but it was a huge improvement. I was right behind her until we got to a cluster of buildings. I watched her enter a building, and I took the old way up. I almost forgot how cold it was scaling buildings. The air whipped past, hurting my exposed wrists, but I kept at it. By the time I got up there, she was there with a brick. And the thing is, no matter how much the incident slowed me down, my hands were as fast as ever. I caught her wrist and squeezed until she dropped it. “I’m not here to fight. I think we’re a lot alike, Stephanie,” I stated. She moved in for a headbutt, but I was a little too tall for her, so it didn’t land quite right and she hit my chin. 

“Ouch! Jesus!” Stephanie winced as she clutched her forehead. She stumbled and landed on her butt, which gave me time to level with her. My chin hurt, but she didn’t have a lot of leverage on that headbutt. She really hurt herself more than she hurt me. 

I crouched in front of her. “Can I talk now?” I asked. 

“What do you want?” Stephanie questioned. 

“I wanna help you put your dad in jail… If that’s what you want. I just—. I need someone like you. Someone they’d underestimate, someone tough—. Can you take the mask off? I wanna make sure you’re not hurt too bad,” I requested. She sighed and took the mask off, and I checked her for signs of a concussion. 

Stephanie reached for my mask, and I flinched before letting her take it off. She took a good look at my face, and I got a good look at hers. “What do you need me for?” Stephanie asked. Her voice was serious as she watched my eyes. 

“I want to show my dad that I’m not broken… And you want to show your dad that you’re not like him. You’re the kind of person I’d trust with my life… But it’s not me that I want you to look after,” I whispered. Stephanie was the perfect person to look after Tim. I stared at the red mark my chin left on her forehead and frowned as I took an ice pack out of my belt. “Here.”

“Thanks… What are you asking me?” Stephanie replied. 

“Um… I want you to follow my brother on Halloween. I want you to make sure nobody hurts him. That’s all I’m asking… And I’ll do everything in my power to get your father put away,” I promised. 

She held eye contact with me the entire time. “What’s so special about me?” Stephanie asked. 

“What isn’t special about you?” I asked in reply. All I saw when I looked in her eyes was Catherine. I could see hurt, but I also saw hope. I couldn’t tell her that, though. I had to tell her something else. Something true but not as personal. “I know you’re a good person. That’s why I have to tell you my name. I’m Jason, and I know how it feels to be betrayed. Say you’ll let me help you.” 

“My dad might get out after he gets caught—.”

“Stephanie, I know how the justice system works in Gotham. I’m telling you right now, I’m not going anywhere. If you tell me now you want me to help, I’ll help as long as I’m able,” I interrupted. 

“Call me Steph… And give me five seconds. We’ll go and get something to eat… Talk details,” Steph smiled as she pinched my cheek. 

“My treat,” I replied. 

Steph pulled her mask back on and clicked her tongue as she pointed finger guns at me. “Wait. You said you’d help me? Who are you?” Steph asked. 

“I used to be somebody,” I replied without thinking. It almost upset me to hear the words come out of my mouth. 

 “You’re still somebody… But that doesn’t answer my question. Who are you? And why do you think you can help me?” Steph asked. She smiled a half-smile as she returned my ice pack. 

“I don’t really know who I am… But I—. I know I can help you if you let me. How about we grab something to eat while you tell me about your dad’s plans?” I asked. 

“Sure,” Steph whispered as I pulled my mask back on.

[somefanficrecomendations]

Hi sorry to bother but do you know any fics where the batfam finds out that Jason is alive bc red hood makes some throwaway comment about him, misunderstandings happen and now they think Jason is friends with/dating red hood? Tysm

Hey Anon!

You're no bother I love answering asks! I think you're describing this fic:  dead ringer by punkrockhades which has exactly what you want! You might have read this fic already so here’s some similar stuff! Unfortunately there’s no set tag for this trope :((( So most of the stuff I was able to dig up had either some sort of ID reveal to the Batfam or had the “Jason is alive!!!” reveal. Similar in vibe if not plot.

prodigal by punkrockhades (Teen, 11k)

a robin (by any other name) by destiny919 (Teen, 3k)

My Secret Murderous Brother by timbitsandpieces (Teen, 5k)

dark sarcasm in the classroom by punkrockhades (Teen, 3k)

Jason Todd: Regular College Student by AddictedApple (Teen, 51k)

Grave Pretender by Ghxst_Bird (Teen, 4k)

Here are some fics that look like something you’ll enjoy, but I haven't had time to read them so I can’t offer any sort of guarantee in terms of quality/plot.

Homeward Bound by SpaceWall (Teen, 12k)

savior(s) of the broken by Aelig (Teen, 13k)

Finally, if you're looking for some filtered searches to browse here’s some suggestions!

Jason + ID Reveal

Jason + Identity Porn

Jason + Secret ID

[phantomchick]

Summary: “The Red Hood has been good for Gotham,” Robin continued. “Crime in Park Row decreased by sixty one percent almost as soon as you showed up, and that’s even taking into account all the crime you commit. Drug overdoses have decreased by twenty two percent in adults and seventy nine percent in minors. Homeless minors are ninety two percent less likely to—” “Kid,” Jason interrupted. “Enough statistics. What the hell is this about?” Robin slowly lowered the tablet with his powerpoint presentation and looked up at Red Hood. “You care about Gotham,” Robin summarised. “Gotham needs Batman. Batman is missing and so is Nightwing. We need you to fill in for Batman.” “You want me to cover Batman’s patrols?” Jason clarified. “No,” Robin said. “I want you to be Batman.” Jason bluescreened. (Or: Batman and Nightwing mysteriously disappear before Red Hood has even started antagonising them, Robin is desperate, Gotham needs Batman, and Red Hood is Batman-Shaped.)

[onnahu]

So, a quick fic rec:

Unraveling by audreycritter

It's Jason Todd-centric and visits the most imporant scenes from his life. It's really unnerving, but it's got a happy ending, and we're here for it. I've read it a few times and I like it more and more.

It also got a podfic by frecklebomb, so check it out too, they really made it perfect, with mood and all.

[psychologeek]

so, I try the angstpril 2023 [Jason writes during his world muordertour.]

I'm not sure why I am doing it. But it's night (well, morning) and those memories lay heavy on my shoulders.

I think I had a blog before, I think (some things I still can't remember) There's a good feeling when I think of that.

These thoughts, My mind keeps running. I'm a volcano about to explode I'm a train wreck, driving endlessly off rails.

for the full:

[plz help me think of some replies\rb?]

[timmydraker]

Tim begins to distance himself from his family after Damian becomes Robin.

It was obvious in the way he ran off to rescue Bruce, but that was more of a physical thing at the end of the day. He was desperate and had lost any kind of safety net and support he had after Dick threatened Arkham and how badly he hurt Alfred with his instance that Bruce was alive.

Either way he was going to get Bruce back, if not because he felt like he was an aimless, nothing human being without Batman then there was that he wanted to be believed.

Then Dick handed over Robin to Damian who at that point genuinely despised Tim, though there was also a level of jealously in the young Wayne’s mind at the intelligence and analytical Tim.

It was then that Tim decided he would bring Bruce back and then do his own thing, outside of Robin and outside of Batman.

He clearly had done his job hadn’t he? Sure Bruce was dead, but Dick was acting as Batman and that Batman had a Robin, so his reasoning for being Robin was extinguished.

Tim brings Bruce back and the older man praises and thanks him for several days and then, like everything else, the attention moves away. It goes to him connecting with Damian on a vigilante level and catching up on the last several months of him being ‘dead’. It goes to Jason who, now that he’s lost his foster father has decided that maybe he could try a little harder after all.

It goes to everyone and anyone other than Tim and this time? That’s actually the plan.

Tim isn’t as good of a hacker as Barbara, but she’s basically a god at it so compared to others he might as well be master level, just not against her. This he uses to shift around peoples schedules so Alfred has no choice but to let him go to school on his own (Tim may have also invented an early morning ‘club’ that was totally legit and not at all a fabrication). He makes it so when Dick is over or Jason takes the rare opportunity to visit he had to work at WE or DI, something important he can’t neglect.

He never has to walk Ace or Titus because he’s busy with his team mates.

Team mates who think he’s busy helping out Batman.

Tim still does work as a hero, but it’s entirely through his businesses after a while. A few times he has no choice but to go out in a boring black suit with a full face mask and hoodie. It’s got nothing on it, no symbols or gadgets. Nothing to connect him to anyone.

He starts with the homeless, dishing out vaccines like candy without even doing a campaign to showcase it.

Then he changes Bruce’s rather naive approach to orphanages and makes it so every single child who is put through is given a small amount of funding. He makes it so kids have more chance to stay with siblings, makes sure everyone who even so much as enters the ground of a orphanage have a real background check and sure the adoption rate drops, but so does the missing kids and DV cases.

Tim steals over fifty million from people like Luther and Penguin and all kinds of corrupt rich assholes for the majority of the funding and not even a cent of it is traced back to Wayne or Drake businesses. Whiles he’s digging into Lex be manages to get enough evidence to put a sizeable dent in his reputation, even if Lex manages to smooch a fair bit of it back.

He’s manages to take out a large sized trafficking ring and helps get the victims into a real recovery home that he hand picks out security for.

Later, as in a few days afterward, he discovers a dog meat farm and everyone medical veterinary student suddenly finds themself free of student loans and debt and with multiple work opportunities available and volunteer work being down right pleased for.

Tim knows he’s being noticed but given that he basically lives in his office in the heart of the city, he isn’t there to hear his old teammates and ‘family’ talk about the mysterious Dread.

Dread who was named that after a report came out about a theory of an unknown hacker or ‘cyber vigilante’ who was stealing money and information from rich folk and giving it to the poor, giving all of the 1% dread that he would hit them next.

The exact quote was ‘Those with money deeper than their pockets dread the hackers next moves. And they should feel that dread as a warning for this Robin Hood like legend seems to be getting braver.’

Dick was sure the hacker would have been called Robin if he hadn’t chosen that name already, to which Barbara responded with grumbles and growl because she couldn’t find anything other than holes and traps left by the hacker. It was like they knew her every move before she even made it!

Tim, obvious to his growing reputation until it fully took off, hadn’t even considered that his actions would be framed a threat by Batman. He would say it was because he didn’t think Bruce would ever really target him like that, but in actuality it’s because he knew Bruce was one of the few good rich folk. Surely he would be on the side of a secret vigilante hacker trying to use horrible people to do good? He embraced Dread quickly and was happy he make the rich squirm and brought a sense of hope to people, it was just like Robin but instead of them being safe and given light they were given a peace of mind in a mix of revenge and justice.

What Tim doesn’t know is that Bruce is still too far into his whole image of black and white, good and evil, that he tends to forget there’s grey areas.

At least Jason is on the side of Dread, even if he still thinks the myth of a story is just that, a myth.

It’s when Tim blows up a bank when everyone has gone home for the night just so people will find the underground money ring that and he visits the manner to get a few things that he hears them talking about it.

By that point it’s been around two years since he dropped Robin and as usual Dick always greets him with a look of a desperate puppy, “Tim! Hi, you’re here. I haven’t seen you in months, how have you been?”

Tim smiles at Dick even if he hasn’t gotten over his anger at his oldest brother and moves to sit at the breakfast table with everyone (Alfred, Bruce, Jason and Damian).

“Good. Busy, we’ve had a lot of donations lately.”

Jason snorts, “No shit. Isn’t Wayne Enterprise one of the few ones not hit by Dread?”

Bruce grumbles and shakes his head, “I wouldn’t say that. They’ve managed to get into our system and completely changed the Jason Project.”

Jason grins and laughs happily, “you mean improved! Crime Ally is doing great now. Not the best, but still a fuck of a lot better.”

Smiling at the man who once beat him to an inch of his life, Tim takes a sip of his tea and casually says, “You’re welcome.”

The whole table goes quiet as Tim continues to casually sip his tea.

The silence carries for a total minute before Bruce puts down his cup and leans forward with a slight growl in his voice, “Explain.”

“Explain what?”

Bruce stands over his son even from halfway down the table and very obviously tries to calm himself with a deep breath, “What do you mean ‘you’re welcome’?”

Tim makes an ‘oh’ expression before cocking his head to the side in confusion, “I was the one who fixed the Jason Project? Wait, did you guys not realise I’m Dread?”

Damian shouts out a ‘what?!’ That makes Titus jump and Tim laughs under his breath, “What did you think I was doing?”

“Running the business! Not stealing from people and black mailing politicians!”

It’s Tim’s turn to growl now and he stands up himself with a glare at Bruce that is as close as any of them have gotten to the famed Bat-Glare, “Are you fucking kidding me? Like are you a Tully kidding me with that horse shit?”

Bruce looks stunned and Alfred doesn’t even tell him not to swear.

Tim slams his chair into the table.

“What the fuck else would I be doing, Bruce? I’m not Robin, that was taken from me, so what else was I gonna do? I finished my job, not only keeping you from killing anyone but bringing you back, so I had do pick something else. I’m not stealing from the rich, I’m stealing from selfish cunts who ruin peoples lives for no reason and giving it to people like Jason. So, don’t you fucking yell at me and don’t try to make me feel bad for this, not when I’ve done more in two years than you ever have and- don’t you fucking speak Dick, not when you were the one who took my place here away from me! Now, I have a trafficking ring I need to expose so good. Fucking. Day.”

Jason is the only one who follows him.

[timdrakewhump]

Something something.. batfam not recognising the food scarcity mindset in Tim because he came from a rich family.. Tim hoarding food and only eating a little at a time.. Tim refusing to let anyone throw away food.. eating things he hates/is allergic too.. something something.. Tim’s parents not being home long enough to go food shopping for the house.. and now Tim knows how to make basic non perishables last months.. Tim who didn’t want to annoy his parents by asking for food/using their card to order it.. or his nannys or housekeeper by asking them to shop.. Jason is the only one who notices because he did (and sometimes still does) have similar habits.. anyways.

[fanaticalthings]

"He didn't describe you as a failure, though. He said the failure was his. For not knowing how to make it better."

Finally, a DC writer who acknowledges that Jason's title as "Batman's Greatest Failure" is in relation to how Bruce felt he failed Jason, not the other way around :')

The Boy Wonder #2 By Juni Ba

[pannotian]

Comic artist should spend more time analysing what a character would wear im so serious I hate these ugly h&m fits. What happened to charas having unique styles and outfits.

[orchidsarchives]

Jason “teach me your language. i may not be native to your homeland, but let me belong; let me be native to you,” Todd

[bluejaysandblackbats]

Eyes and Ears

Fandom: DC Comics, Batfam

Summary: An AU where Barbara finds Jason instead of Bruce.

Chapters: 1/?

Characters: Jason Todd, Barbara Gordon, Jim Gordon, Dick Grayson, Bruce Wayne, Sheila Haywood, Original Character(s)

Relationship(s): Jason Todd/Original Character(s), Past Barbara Gordon/Dick Grayson

Additional Tags: Canon Divergent AU, Older SIbling Barbara Gordon, Jason Todd-centric, Barbara Gordon is Oracle, Jason Todd is NOT Robin, Jason Todd Has Issues, Jason Todd Has a Crush, Adopted Siblings

Chapter One: Arrested

They locked eyes as Barbara rose from her perch, and in the dim alley lighting, Jason cursed under his breath and said, "Man am I in trouble..." He sank down to the ground and covered his face.

Barbara sighed and came down to meet him, and she sat down by his side. "You're gonna turn me in, huh?" he asked, still hiding his face.

She didn't say anything at first. "Where are your parents? Maybe I can just take you home after you return the tires you took," she offered. Jason didn't answer her. "Or I could just turn you in."

"My parents are dead," Jason mumbled, "Do you sit and talk to every crook you meet or am I just special?"

"Now, if I tell you you're special, it's gonna make me seem like a jerk," Barbara joked, "But if you don't have any parents to go home to... I kind of have to take you in."

"Can't you just save me the trouble of running away from a foster home and let me off with a warning?" Jason asked. Barbara sucked her teeth and knocked the back of her head against the Batmobile as she tried to think of something to do. "What part of Gotham are you from?"

"Why?" she asked.

"You don't sound like you're from here," Jason whispered, "Are you gonna turn me in?" She shrugged. "You are gonna tell your dad, though?"

"My dad?" Barbara asked. "Oh! He's not my—."

"Is he your boyfriend then?" Jason asked. Barbara screwed her face up and shook her head.

"Please stop talking and let me think for a second... Also, no, he isn't my boyfriend. Let's go get that tire back, and then I'll make my decision. Okay?" Barbara suggested, and she helped him up.

Jason led her back to his apartment, where he kept the tire. They both climbed up the fire escape, and Barbara took a look around at the rundown apartment. Jason's mattress sat in the corner of the living room by the door. He rolled the tire back towards the fire escape window, only stopping when Barbara let out a sigh. "What? I'm gonna put it back the same way I left it, I swear," Jason reassured her.

"No, it's not that... Do you wanna get something to eat after this?" Barbara asked. Jason turned and cocked his head at her. "What?"

"You don't have any Batgirl stuff to do? You and Batman don't go out to dinner—?"

"Again, we're not dating... Also, no. I'm on my own time. If it's too embarrassing to eat dinner with me as Batgirl, I could hang back, and we could eat on one—."

"No, I'm just saying that if I was you, I would do anything to not have dinner with me," Jason interrupted. Barbara chewed her bottom lip.

"Come on, kid. Let's go put the tire back and get something to eat before all the good food places close up for the night," she nudged him before making her way out the window and helping him get the tire out onto the fire escape. They went back to the batmobile, and Jason put the tire back. "Good, now we can—."

"I gotta tighten this one before we go. I loosened the nuts on this one," Jason interrupted as he crouched down with the tire iron and tightened it back up. "Now, I'm done." Barbara smiled at him, and she led him back to where her bike was. "So, if Batman isn't your dad... Does your dad know you ride motorcycles in a bat costume all night?" She messed up his hair.

"No, and you won't tell him," she laughed as she passed him a helmet. Barbara climbed on her bike, and Jason put on the helmet she gave him and climbed on after her. She put her helmet on and turned to him. Jason looked around for something to hold onto, and she chuckled and shook her head. "You're gonna have to hold onto me." Jason nodded and wrapped his arms around her waist. She started her bike up and drove off.

Jason tightened his grip and held on that way until they stopped at a food truck. Barbara told him to order anything he wanted once they got off. Jason took his helmet off to reveal a complete look of bewilderment, and Barbara chuckled. "You'll get used to it," Barbara reassured him.

"You say that like you're gonna be picking me up again after tonight," Jason chuckled uncomfortably. They ordered their food and took a number. "So, are you gonna turn me in?" Barbara nodded.

"Yeah, I decided. You're a hardened criminal... No, I'm not gonna turn you in. I'm gonna take you somewhere, though, because you can't go back there. What's your name, by the way, I forgot to ask?" Barbara whispered as she leaned against the wall. Jason stood next to her.

"My name's Jason," he introduced himself to her, "And I'm kind of glad I didn't go with my first plan of action..."

"What was that?" she asked.

"Hitting you with a tire iron and calling you Carrot Top," Jason raised his shoulders out of embarrassment, and he was a little startled when she laughed at him.

"Carrot Top? Oh yeah, that was a horrible plan. I would've been pissed," she chuckled, "So glad you didn't do that... Also, it's nice to meet you, Jason."

They got their food and ate on the curb together. "Where are you gonna take me?" Jason asked.

Jason spilled a little barbecue sauce on his hoodie. Barbara nudged him. "Want a bite?" Jason asked.

"N—. Why not?" Barbara took a bite of his burger and nodded. "Mm, I was gonna tell you you've got a little something on your jacket."

Jason shrugged and went back to eating. "No big deal... But you never answered my question."

"I know, but I just think it'll be easier to show you than it would be to tell you," Barbara explained, "You trust me?"

Jason looked up at her and nodded. "Yeah," Jason smiled a little half-smile, "Sure." After they finished eating, Barbara took a napkin and wiped her hands, and gave Jason one.

"Wanna ride around for a little bit? Or are you tired?" Barbara asked.

"I'm never tired," Jason replied as he put the helmet back on, and Barbara climbed on her bike. He held on tight while they rode around in circles for a few hours, and she decided it was time to take him back. She parked in an alley and climbed up the fire escape.

"Wait out here, just one second, okay?" she whispered and motioned for him to stay quiet. Jason nodded and stood against the wall as he watched her close the curtains. Barbara came down a few minutes later in civvies and took his hand. "Now, you're not gonna tell my dad anything. If he asks, I met you at my job at the library. Okay?" Barbara asked.

Jason nodded wordlessly, and she moved to lead him into her building, but he didn't move. "What's wrong?" Barbara asked, turning to look at him.

"You look like my mom," Jason mumbled. He swallowed hard, and he wouldn't make any further eye contact with her. The look of her freckles and the softness in her eyes made his chest hurt. Barbara didn't notice. She just wanted to get him inside before she lost the courage to speak with her dad.

"Shush, okay. Now come on," Barbara whispered as she moved again, and he didn't budge. Barbara looked back at him, and she softened up. Tears streamed down Jason's face, and he turned his head away from her. "Come here." Her voice was soft and sincere.

Jason embraced her, and for the first time since his mother died, he wept. Barbara was taken aback by the sudden shift in his emotions, but she hugged him back. "Wanna talk about it?" she asked.

Jason shook his head. Barbara nodded and held onto him until he stopped crying, and he let her take him into her apartment building. They went up the elevator, and as soon as Barbara got the door unlocked, she called for Commissioner Gordon. "Hey, Dad? I brought a friend with me, hope you don't mind. We already ate," Barbara explained, and Commissioner Gordon came out of the kitchen with a bowl of macaroni and cheese.

"Your friend doesn't look old enough to be out this late... Where's his—?" Barbara shook her head. "Oh. Sure you're not still hungry, err... Um..."

"Jason, I met him at the library. I was kind of wondering if maybe he could crash here for a while," Barbara suggested, "Like a long while?"

"Help yourself to whatever's in the kitchen, son... Babs, can I talk to you in private?" Jim asked. She nodded and followed him to his room.

Jason looked around at their family pictures and their furniture. He sniffed and kicked off his shoes and set them aside before going into the kitchen and washing his hands. Jason could hear them arguing, but it didn't sound bad, so Jason made himself a plate of food and sat on the floor at their coffee table. He was about to get up and make himself another helping when Jim and Barbara came back out. "Jason, how old are you?" Jim asked.

"Almost thirteen," Jason answered.

"Why do you look familiar?" Jim asked.

"You might've taken my dad in back when he was around... She didn't tell me you—." Barbara shot him a look. "Were such a good cook..."

"Thanks, and you can stay here. We'll figure things out as we go along, I guess. Also, you can finish eating... I'm gonna go see if I could find something for you to wear," Jim replied. Jason nodded and went back to the kitchen, and Barbara followed him.

As soon as Jim was out of earshot, Jason shot her a look. "Your dad is a cop. The commissioner at that. That's like the king of cops. Are you crazy?" Jason whispered.

"Well—."

"Jesus Christ," Jason turned away to make his plate, "You don't think you could've warned me a little?"

"I knew you wouldn't have gone for it. Besides, it's either this or foster care, kid. I don't know what else to tell you. This way, I can keep an eye on you," Barbara whispered.

Jason knocked her as he passed and sat down on the floor at the coffee table. "Jason—."

"I'm only gonna stay because I have a feeling you're not gonna get off my back... But I want you to know I'm pissed," Jason muttered as he ate. Barbara sat next to him and turned the tv on.

"My dad's fine, trust me... And you'll like it here. We'll fix up your room and—."

"You want me to stay here. How come?" Jason asked. "And you don't have to sell me on staying here. Dinner already did." Barbara smiled and embraced him. Jason went red in the face and stumbled over his words. "Well... Gosh, I guess that answers my question." Jason went back to eating, and Jim came out of his room.

"I'll be right back. I'm going to the store," Jim announced, "Don't let her give you a hard time, Jason."

After Jim left, Jason looked at her. "What?" Barbara asked.

"Your dad's a cop. Why didn't you just become a cop?" Jason asked. Barbara sighed.

"Not for lack of trying, kid. He would rather die than see me put myself in harm's way," Barbara whispered, "Which is why you can't tell him anything about what I do."

[oocdc-tweets]

Jason’s Favorite

Masterpost

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[grimdarling69]

Another de aged Dan and Ellie story or otherwise known as Crack

Pt 1 Pt2

If only Clark hadn't been busy tracking Luthor, he would have been able to save his nephew, his sons best friend.

Once again, Lex Luthor has sabotaged him. He didn't even need kryptonite to do it this time. After Lexs mental breakdown, he had apparently gone off the grid, and unsurprisingly, he wasn't able to hear anything from him. According to the snippets from Lexs staff he had apparently refused to answer to his name, started to hate it, and called his board a " bunch of idiotic bimbos who only appear to work so they could buy expensive cars and whores".

It's definitely a mental breakdown or a possession. Lex doing something to damage his image? Unheard of. Possession didn't seem likely. What kind of person posseses a ceo just to insult his board and completely change their personality? They'd be immediately noticed.

He had been investigating Lex's disappearance for the past month and a half and had only succeeded in not being around to stop his nephew from committing suicide.

Bruce had called out for him, but being halfway across the world he couldn't make it in time, and consequently Damian made it over the bridge and he had been searching for his body for the past 3 hours and he still couldn't find him.

He had never seen Dick so shaken before. Jason had barely been able to stop him from following his brother over the bridge. After he arrived on the scene, Jason started to take his brother home.

"Find his body." He had told him before turning and wrangling Dick onto his own bike

"Stop, Jay. I have to find him. Please... Uncle Clark, please. You have to bring him home. I have to... " He could hear Dick plead with them the whole way back to the cave.

He could only bring their bikes home.

They had now all retired to the cave. He was ignoring Alfred calling Steph and Cass in the other room. Ignoring their desperate denials and begging to be told it was just a cruel prank. Ignoring Dick's full body sobs into Jason's arms, shaking them both. Ignoring Bruce's absent look and ignoring how similar Bruce and Jason's grief was.

Tim, luckily, hadn't broken his leg like what they originally had thought, only popped his knee out at such an angle it looked like it. Alfred had already reset it and listed his usual recovery despite Tim not even pretending to listen to it this time. Duke had already helped him upstairs, eyes red and swollen.

Finally the the tense silence came to an end.

"Did you find anything?" Bruce, one of his oldest and closest friends, asked, his voice calm and steady, his heart unwavering as ever but he knew better.

"I'm sorry."

"Search again."

Just as he was about to fly out again, the elevator opened.

"I found this in Damian's room." Tim hurriedly spoke he was already rushing past him on his crutches to the evidence processing, not even explaining what "this" even is.

"Tim. Explain." Bruce rushing and limped past him following quickly.

Like father, like son.

"What is it?" He turned to look at Dick, he had tear stains but his eyes were dryer his mouth was set in a firm line but he was leaning heavily on his younger brother.

"Tim found something." He responded quietly, and he continued on following his friend.

They sat silently together while Tim and Bruce worked together without speaking like a well-oiled machine firm in it's objective.

He'd say Jason was as still as a corpse with his eyes glazed over unseeing, but that observation was far from appropriate,considering everything.

99% Match found. Partial fingerprints detected unknown. The computer had finally accounted after 15 minutes of silence.

He and Jason waited for Bruce and Tim to tell them instead of jumping like Dick did to get the first look. He doubted Jason could get up, Jason was strong so strong, but he was still so young.

They all were.

Especially Damian, despite all his headstrong confidence and borderline arrogance, he will still only fourteen.

Only fourteen years old and dead by suicide.

He still needed to tell Jon he was buying time by the well-timed expedition of him and Kon already off planet and galaxy on whatever Kon called "brotherly bonding with a little bit of interplanetary fighting and toppling monarchies splashed in and maybe we'll catch a movie on the way home" they had joined some green lanterns to help rescue some new green lanterns who got in between a revolution on accident. He remembers researching for days before letting Jon go, but even just the name of the planet now escapes him.

It all seemed so trivial now.

He had seen what became of Dick and Bruce when Jason had died when Dick had been off-planet, and Bruce hadn't reached out to tell him. He just hoped Jon could forgive him.

"Clark. Where is Lex Luthor." Bruce demanded turning to finally look him in the eyes.

"I'm not sure. Lex went underground a month and half ago. Why? What does he have to do with this?" Clark asked carefully. He had to be careful not to set Bruce off.

" AND YOU DIDN'T EVEN BOTHER TELLING ME? Bruce's voice rose exponentially.

Too late, he couldn't help but think.

"His fingerprints are all over this goddamn envelope. Whatever was inside made Damian kill himself, and you're asking what does it matter!"

"How do we know?" Dick spoke softly, his eyes still glued to the results.

Everybody turned at the same time. Jason's head snapping so fast he winced.

"Know... Know what?" Tim asks him just as softly.

" How do we know Damian is.. is dead?" He spoke again, looking up to glance at them all.

" I know Damian. He's my.. my...He wouldn't just kill himself. He couldn't have. He showed no signs of ever even contemplating it. Not even... Damian would have told me.. Would have trusted me to help him. Lex must have taken him or.. or somehow lured him away." Dick spoke hurriedly or desperate but still completely convinced.

"Chum.."

"FUCK!" Jason exclaimed standing up and kicking his chair sending into the wall hard enough to crack the plastic. His hands shook like they were itching to wrap around someone's throat. They twitched and he ran his hands through his hair, his eyes were greener than ever and glowed so strong there seemed to be a small headlight in front of him almost.

"He could be out there being tortured or worse! And we are just sitting here twiddling our thumbs like FUCKING BABIES!" His voice grew louder and louder until he was screaming into their faces.

"Jaylad-" Bruce started just by hearing that name he knew whatever Bruce was going to say was going to be the complete wrong thing.

"We are going to find him. No matter what it takes. I never gave up on Bruce, and i can't give up in my baby brother either." Tim spoke up, his voice unwavering his heartbeat never stuttering, not even once.

He risked a glance at Bruce. His old friends face was softer, looking at his sons, but his frown was determined, and he tilted his head in the way he always did when he wasn't going to give up.

They were going to bring him home. They just had too.

---------

Crack

Boy, was Damian glad about this storm. He quickly realized that he couldn't use more than one of his powers at one time. He was able to make it to the coordinates of the apparent luxurious island Vlad was hiding out on.

He was expecting actual underground, not just some shell company bought island decked in lead and man-made waterfall galore.

He was absolutely soaking wet and shivering by the time he crashed onto the island. The storm just kept on thundering down on him, plastering his clothes and hair to his face in clumps. He better not get sick from this.

Cold fog escaped his throat, and he shivered even more.

"Daniel! Is that really you?" Lex fucking Luthor called out after he'd been laying exhausted and chilled to the bone in the grimy muddy sand for a few minutes.

"Hey, fruitloop." Was the first and last thing that he said before promptly passing out.

[saintvainglorious]

Fics I Enjoyed in December - DC Comics Fic Rec List

Fell headfirst back into DC Comics for the first time in years this month. Reread some old favorites and discovered some new gems!

My January DC Comics fic rec list is here!

Heart, Humble by Betty (Mature, 8k, 2005) Jack Drake deals with finding out that Tim is Robin (poorly, and then not so poorly). THEE canon-accurate Jack Drake-focused fic of all time, this is canon in my heart.

Back then, all the boys his age had hero-worshipped costumed vigilantes. Jack supposes they still do.

Exit Strategy by smilebackwards/@smilebackwards (Teen & Up, 13k, 2021) Tim plans to leave a family he thinks he was never really a part of and decides to train Damian on how to run Wayne Enterprises before he goes. Delicious angst, excellent character work, and fun Wayne Enterprises worldbuilding.

Batman needs a Robin and Batman has a Robin. Tim is just extraneous now, vestigial. He’s a bandage over a healed wound. He doesn’t know what he’s hanging on to. Or: Tim didn’t expect his exit strategy from the Batfamily to involve quite so much bonding time with Damian over Wayne Enterprises bureaucracy.

On the Downbeat by medusaceratops (Teen & Up, 2k, 2019) Bruce and Jason talk while waiting in line at a drive-thru (featuring Gotham-typical violence and husborth-typical gorgeous prose). I've always adored husborth's Star Wars fics and I'm so glad I dipped my toe into their DC works, no one's writing hits quite like husborth.

Jason has recovered his sanity, and Bruce and Jason have recovered their relationship; but there are some things that are hard to forget.

A Zoo for Canines by medusaceratops (Mature, 45k, 2019) Part 2 of Zoology; Dick and Jason try to help Bruce recover from addiction. If you're used to fanon Dick Grayson (cheery, friendly, forgiving) you will not find him here - his anger and pain is ugly, raw, and so fucking captivating.

Edit: This fic and the series has since been deleted off ao3, though Part 1 (An Aquarium of Nameless Things) is still up; DM me if you'd like to read it.

Dick, Bruce, and Jason head out to a cabin in the mountains, and they handle things about as well as they handle anything.

All the Roofs of Uncertainty by Kieron_ODuibhir/@kieron-oduibhir (General Audiences, 70k, 2015) Dick almost dies and makes Jason promise to take care of the family for him. A masterclass demonstration on how DC fic can square all the wildly divergent canon versions of Jason Todd into a single compelling character.

For all the blood on his hands, Red Hood was never just a villain. And Nightwing never gives up on family, not for good. (Or: The one where Dick bleeds a lot and Jason argues with everybody.)

The Till-Then From the Ever-Since by Kieron_ODuibhir/@kieron-oduibhir (General Audiences, 85k (WIP), 2020) Kid versions of the whole Batfamily mysteriously time travel to the future! I livetexted a friend the whole time I read this so I could yell about how amazing the character writing is; also I'm wildly impressed with how the author deftly handles tons of dialogue-heavy scenes with like 12+ guys in it without anyone going unmentioned.

It began, or seemed to begin, with Jason. Usually that would have meant something in the order of fire and explosion and probably at least one gunshot wound, but for once (as Tim said, sourly), it wasn't actually Jason's fault.

only you will have stars that can laugh by silverwhittlingknife/@silverwhittlingknife (Teen & Up, 9k, 2022) Dick finds out Tim is alone on Christmas and invites him to Babs' Christmas party. Discovered silverwhittlingknife through their galaxy brained Dick & Tim meta essays, stayed for every single line of Chapter 2 ripping out my heart and roasting it over an open flame.

You coming over is possibly the only thing that’s gonna stop me from wanting to punch your dad in the face, Dick doesn’t say. My current Christmas Day plans are 1) pace around at home, and 2) try not to obsess about what Bruce is up to, so trust me, you’ll be an improvement, Dick doesn’t say. Tim's alone on Christmas Eve. Dick finds out, and fixes it.

nerve endings by silverwhittlingknife/@silverwhittlingknife (Teen & Up, 5k (WIP), 2024) Post-Catalina Flores, Dick, Tim, and Bruce go on a (canon-accurate) cruise and dance around their open wounds. This is a glorious example of "he WOULD fucking say that", Dick's voice is so canon-accurate that the angst is even more painful i cri

It's all right, even, to have a foreign hand pressing against his skin, testing him, testing his reactions. He keeps his breathing controlled. Just Tim, damn you, it’s just Tim, don’t fuck it up. Dick's on a cruise with Bruce and Tim. And he's fine. Mostly.

Red Letter Day by silverwhittlingknife/@silverwhittlingknife (Teen & Up, 42k (WIP), 2022) Dick is sure the cryptic scribble in his agenda refers to something he's supposed to do for Damian, but he can't remember what. Mostly about Tim and Dick s l o w l y mending the post-Damian rupture in their relationship, but the whole family is here and Jason, especially, is fucking hilarious.

Dick Grayson, stressed pseudo-parent to a preteen assassin, tries to solve the case of Damian’s Mysterious Wednesday. He never expected it to help him fix his relationship with Tim, too. (… Though only after everything fell apart first.)

Gonna Be A Better One (A Thousand Miles To Your Door) by Traincat/@traincat (Teen & Up, 18k, 2011) Tim and Kon keep dating even after Jack forces Tim to retire as Robin. I reread this fic annually and every time am delighted to rediscover how funny and heartwarming and squee-inducingly kind it is, pure Timkon perfection.

In which Tim quits being Robin, Kon refuses to quit Tim and Ma Kent is full of relationship advice.

last light in a darkened room by bigdamnher0/@bigdvmnhero (Not Rated, 6k, 2024) Tim finds a distressing video of Robin!Dick and wishes that things were different. The whole fic, particularly Tim manifesting a happy ending in the bathroom, is a gorgeously crafted tragedy such that you're left kind of awed at how thoroughly massacred your heart and soul are post-read.

Tuesday morning: a video was uploaded to one of the deep web black markets. The footage, shot on those grainy vintage camcorders. But Tim knew that boy in the thumbnail; his eyes had memorized him, the heft and shape and dazzle of him, imprinting like an afterimage. Or: a brother is a witness; there's your tragedy.

buy back the secrets by sundiscus/@vinelark (Teen & Up, 91k (WIP), 2024) Superboy rescues civilian Tim Drake before learning that Tim is Robin and shenanigans ensue. I spent my whole holiday vacation intermittently screaming at this fic while my family members looked on with vague concern this fic is ADORABLE and AGONIZING and PERFECT please and THANK YOU.

He takes a long, slow breath. Ignores the glares from the other students. “Superboy,” he murmurs. “It’s me. If you’re listening, I could use some help.” Or: 5 times Superboy saves Tim Drake, and one time Tim Drake saves Superboy.

[tianshanb]

A head canon of mine that baby damian was ALLOWED to be a baby. Just with extra assassin trianing.

Like you know those parents that start their kids on sports, or languages, or instruments as babies etc. Talia just started him on assassin training early. But he's just a baby

Cue dmaian walking into training with a pacifier and clutching a blanket.

Just imagine damian with a tiny wooden sword copying the moves of his instructor. Once it's break time, he toddles to the other corner of the room where he plops down on a bunch of pillows and blankets waiting for him, and most importantly, his bottle. Training is tiring he needs a drink 😤

He may also take a nap mid lesson cz he's just a babyyyyy. He brings his favorite plushie to "watch him" when he train. Instead of playing house he plays secret assassin mission with the toys.

As he grows older. 4 to 6 years old. The pacifier is gone by then, and he no longer brings his toys. The new instructor seeing this mature soul in a child body confidently walking up to you with their nose turned up... the illusion is shattered when they open their mouth and half their teeth are missing. Then, mid trianing damian take a drink from their sippy cup thats batman themed (it was a gift from his mama from her latest mission).

Yep just a child.

7 years old is when his training gets super hard. That's the age where your viewed as starting to mature.

I imagine at this age where Ra's is like finally he's old enough to start his real trianing, and Talia is no longer the one responsible for him. This continues to increase in difficulty until he's 9. And shaped off to batfam.

But hoenstly:

Sword trianing?? Imagine this aggressive toddler swinging this sword around. A thing about babies is they LOVEEE swinging shit around, hitting things, throwing things. So training would BE fun.

Eventually he'd had to learn how to break his fall, how to get tackled, etc. Dmaian just sees it as a game and it makes him giggled. KIDS enjoy being tossed around. Like roughhousing is a thing for a reason, the same reason why people throw babies in the air when they play with them.

When he goes to the batfamily. He's just a random 9 year old. One thing about why I can never take the little guy seriously is no matter how intimidating and scary you wbat to seem... your voice will still be that of a child. Another hc is when he's angry he gets on his tippy toes cz he's soo tinyyy. I imagine an argument geting super heated and finally dmaian doing on his toes and suddenly whoever he's arguing with can't take his seriously cz he smol, like this big 👌, and missing some teeth. He has a bed time and can't watch horror movies, like seriously are u arguing with him?

Another thing is Talia had limited screen time and access to devices and technology. She also had parent control on every device. Bruce just does not have that. Dmaian is going to Bruce, and being excited, he's old enough to use a device without parental supervision, or the parent app is so excited that he's seen as a grown-up! (In reality, Bruce just firgot. He never had kids this young with smartphones existing). He's bragging to tim about it one day when bruce overheard, and he's like, hold up a minute.

Extra:

This idea came to me once my friend told me about a student she has. Me and her are tutors and she tutors math. At her centre, there is no specific grade, everyone just advances through the levels as long as they pass the previous level.

In her group, there is this 2 year old toddler who's parents put in tutoring since he was 18 months old. This baby is dropped of by his parents, walking in with a pacifier in his mouth with the clip on to shirt thing. Sometimes in his pj's and sometimes clutching his 'blankie'.

This little dude does advanced algebra. That's right HIGHCHOOL LEVEL ALGEBRA.

He's barely toilet trained 😭 and he asked for help to go to the bathroom, his grip on the pencil is shaky, he still baby talks... but I bet he's better than u at maths.