#kori doesn’t know what a grandpa is

[smilesrobotlover]

It’s not healthy for me to keep all this stuff bottled up inside. I gotta get it out somehow 😩

[suzukiblu]

Ko-fi thank-you sentences for J behind the cut; Jason gets knocked up and accidentally goes home about it. Full disclosure, I took a lot longer than I should've finishing these 'cuz I was trying to use them to stitch together previous scenes and finish the whole fic. I did NOT manage that, but I did realize I'd written a lot more than I'd intended to, so I decided "fuck it" and just wrote another chunk of sentences to actually give J what I owed them, hah. ( chrono || non-chrono )

Then Alpha steps into view too, Alpha’s mate right behind him, and Jason forgets everything else and purrs. 

Alpha’s home. Alpha came this time. 

Alpha came for him this time. 

That’s all he ever wanted him to do. 

Alpha stares. He looks around the room just briefly, because it’s Alpha so of course he does–but then he stares. 

“Jason?” he says, and Jason purrs louder. 

Alpha came. 

“He’s, you know–definitely feral-brained right now, obviously,” Little Brother says, gesturing sheepishly. Jason wonders who he’s talking about, idly, but isn’t really worried about it. “Kinda just showed up and let himself in, and then, uh . . . well, he’s, uh, presented to Alfred and Dick so far and been teaching Damian how to nest, so . . .” 

“He did?” Alpha’s voice sounds a little–choked, maybe. Jason wonders why. 

He’s still over in the doorway, for some reason. Jason wonders why that’s a thing too. 

Alpha should know he’s allowed in the room, after all. 

“Alpha,” he hums, loosening his grip on Pup Brother just enough to half-reach for Alpha. What’s taking him so long over there, anyway?

It’s dumb. 

“Jaylad,” Alpha says tightly, half-taking a step forward and then–stopping, for some reason, just outside the doorway. Gripping one side of it, but not coming through it. 

Dumb, Jason thinks, and furrows his brow impatiently. 

“Alpha,” he insists, smacking the side of the nest once. 

Really, really dumb. 

“He accepted clothes with your scent, so . . .” Big Brother trails off. 

“And a blanket with it, as well,” Grandpa puts in. “One he used on a foundational layer of the nest.” 

“Ah,” Alpha says roughly, tightening his grip on the doorframe. 

“Don’t hover, Father, Todd clearly expects your presence,” Pup Brother says in exasperation, which is much more useful. Jason purrs appreciatively and nuzzles him, and Pup Brother sighs in aggravation, but doesn’t try to squirm away or anything. 

Good, Jason thinks, and nuzzles him harder. 

Pup Brother rolls his eyes and sighs. 

Alpha finally steps into the room, which is a start. Jason reaches towards him again with another, deeper purr. 

Alpha . . . swallows, visibly, and then comes over to the nest; kneels down outside it beside Big Brother. 

Close enough, Jason figures lazily, and catches Alpha’s wrist to drag his hand to his own stomach. He’s not wearing body armor, but it’s fine. It’s Alpha. 

It’s . . . 

“Present, Dad,” he hums, letting his eyes close. 

Alpha makes a very tight noise, and his hand presses in very, very gently against Jason’s stomach. And the pup, obviously. 

“Jaylad,” Alpha says, cracked and hoarse. Jason hums back contentedly, squeezing Alpha’s wrist once. 

Good. That’s everybody, then. 

Good, yeah. 

“Who’s the sire?” Alpha’s mate asks curiously from the doorway, leaning against the frame. She hasn’t come in yet. Jason should probably tell her it’s fine, but he’s a little . . . distracted, maybe. Distracted. Yeah. 

Mmm. 

“He says either Kori or Roy, so we’re not technically sure, but the suspect list is pretty short,” Big Brother says, and Alpha’s mate laughs. 

“Could be both,” she points out teasingly. “Up for double grandkittens, Bruce?” 

“More concerned about the risk of having Oliver Queen for an in-law, thanks,” Alpha says dryly, letting out a rough little noise that isn’t quite a laugh and curling his fingers gently against Jason’s stomach. 

“Jason might’ve mentioned they offered to mate him, so yeah, that’s a concern,” Big Brother confirms with a laugh of his own. “But Kori and Roy definitely don’t know about the pup yet. Even if he managed to slip ‘em, there’s no way I wouldn’t have heard from either of them if they were trying to find him while they knew he was bred.” 

Jason huffs, because what does Big Brother mean “managed” to slip them? He could absolutely lose them whenever and wherever he felt like it. And anyway, he texted them earlier. So it’s not like they don’t know where he is. 

. . . or have extrapolated where he is, anyway. But whatever, same difference. 

“Ah,” Alpha says again, and swallows again too. Jason rolls his head back enough to peer up at him a little closer, not really sure what’s going on with him. Hm. 

Well. He’s here. That’s all that really matters, really. 

Except . . . 

“Alpha?” he says again, not sure if . . . Alpha hasn’t taken his hand off his stomach, but he doesn’t seem–happy, really. Or pleased. Or . . . anything like that. 

Jason’s not . . . sure, exactly. 

Alpha’s hand presses in a little firmer against Jason’s stomach. Not too firm–not too much. But like . . . comfortably firm. If that makes sense, or whatever. 

It feels nice, and Jason relaxes a little. Okay. That’s–better, he thinks. Right? 

Alpha’s here, so . . . it’s better, yeah. 

And it means he’s doing alright. He’s being a good omega. He brought home a good pup to present to the pack–good pups, maybe, if he’s lucky. Alpha will like that, right? If it’s more than one pup? 

Any pup would be good, he thinks. Kori and Roy are both good sires. Lian’s great, for one. And Roy and Kori are great too. Just–definitely, yes. They’re gonna be such a good pup. 

Even with–him in them, they’ll be a good pup. 

He thinks so, anyway. They’ll have . . . better things than he did. They’ll be safer. 

Won’t ever end up alone in an alley without a pack or alone on a warehouse floor with no backup coming. 

Won’t ever doubt who actually loves them. 

Alpha makes a strange, choked noise. Jason doesn’t know why, really. Someone’s purring really loud, but he doesn’t know who it is. Not Pup Brother, and there aren’t any other omegas in the pack, so . . . 

Hm. Weird, yeah. 

Well, everyone’s here, so he’s not worried about it anyway. 

He’s being a good omega, and he brought his pup home to present. Grandpa and Big Brother were happy about it, and everybody else is here and settled in and safe. That’s all that matters, really. 

As long as Alpha’s happy about the pup too, anyway. And Alpha’s hand is still on his stomach, and Alpha’s still next to the nest, so . . . yeah. That means he is, right? 

So it’s good. Yeah. 

The purring gets louder. Jason nuzzles Pup Brother’s hair and melts under Alpha’s hand and in Quiet Sister’s arms. 

It’s definitely good. 

Nice. 

“Jason,” Alpha says tightly, and Jason cracks an eye open to look at him again. He doesn’t really remember when he closed them, but it’s not really important or anything.

Alpha has a hand half-over his face, and his head’s ducked down. Jason blinks sleepily, tilting his head to peer up at him again, but he can’t see his expression, really. He squeezes the hand he has around Alpha’s wrist; a little bit absent, a little bit like a reflex. 

He missed Alpha so much. 

The purring’s gotten really loud.

[cjsmalley]

Supervised Visitation:

The farm was unnaturally quiet, still as the vampire stepped foot on it; the animals, perhaps, sensing the predator and doing what came instinctually.

As soon as Angel stepped onto the farm he was surrounded by Supers, each ready to dust him with heat-vision.

He had been warned about them; about how he would be watched closely during his visits and about how one wrong more would get him dusted.

Angel didn’t care; after seven long years he was finally allowed to see his son again. His Connor.

Floodlights came on, focused on his position as he sat at a plastic picnic table and waited.

He heard Superman—Superman—use some sort of communication device to contact someone.

There was a small tornado, appearing from the still air, before it dissolved into a redheaded man in a scarlet costume. The man was holding a boy.

Was holding Connor.

“Angel?” the man called, cradling Connor to himself protectively.

The vampire found his voice, staring at his son, “Yes, I’m Angel…you’re Wally? My son’s adoptive father?”

Wally grinned and took his mask down, “Yeah. One of them, at least. Dick and Kori stayed home with the other kids,” Wally became serious, “I’m a speedster, Angel; if you make one wrong move towards Connor, I’ll have him out of here in a literal nanosecond.”

“Understood.”

Wally nodded again, got a nod from the circling Supers each, then set Connor down, leading the boy closer.

If Angel had had to breathe, his breath would have caught; he couldn’t speak to his own features in the boy, having not seen his own face in a mirror in two centuries, but he could see Darla.

“Hi, Mister Angel,” Connor said almost shyly, holding out a hand, a tiny hand compared to his, for a handshake.

Angel cleared his throat, taking that small hand in his own and being very careful not to use any vampiric strength, “Hello, Connor. I am so happy to see you again.”

“Uncle Wesley stole me to save me,” Connor nodded wisely, hopping onto the bench, “he did a very bad thing for good reasons and he’s very sorry.”

“Yes, well,” how it galled to have that traitor be called ‘uncle’, but Angel smiled warmly, anxiously, “are you happy, Connor? I know you’re safe, but are you happy?”

“Yes, even when Grandpa Alfie makes me eat vegetables,” Connor screwed up his face cutely and Angel chuckled.

They talked for hours, until the sun started to lighten the sky at the horizon and Connor started yawning.

“He…burns easily,” Wally explained, scooping up his son, “nothing lethal. But he needs magical sunblock. A friend of ours makes it by the cauldron full. We think it’s because both his biological parents are vampires.”

It pained Angel that his son may have had the less desirable aspects of his own condition.

“My fangs are also bigger!” Connor chirped, showing that his incisors were indeed larger than a normal human’s.

“Likes his meat a little bloody but doesn’t drink blood,” Wally assured as everyone prepared to leave, “some above average strength and speed. Nothing truly vampiric, Angel. Just a little different. We’re calling him a metahuman.”

“Okay,” Angel nodded before smiling at Connor, “love you, Connor. Can’t wait to meet you again.”

“Bye, Mister Angel!”

Angel stepped into the portal just as dawn truly broke.

Wished Away 8:

“Mom, Dad, help,” Dean said, holding a baby out.

A whirlwind of activity followed.

“He is Nephilim,” Castiel declared, having inspected the boy, “though I cannot tell his true parentage. It is being…hidden from me.”

The pediatricians took over as soon as the angel stepped back.

“Nephilim,” Danny said slowly, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, “isn’t that half-angel or something?”

“Precisely,” Castiel said just as slowly, measuring his words like they were his last rations, “They are…it is Forbidden for angels to lay with mortals. The creation of Nephilim is even more taboo as the first, the original, were monsters more often than not. It is an intentional act, to create Nephilim; the angelic parent must give a portion of their own Grace to the child during conception.”

“So they purposely knocked someone up then ding-dong ditched the kid,” Dean growled.

“Perhaps they heard that we are romantically involved, Dean,” Castiel offered, “and hoped we would take in the child as our own.”

“Well, of course we are,” Dean huffed, rolling his eyes at his angel who shook his head fondly, “I’ve already picked out a name too. A good human name.”

“Oh?”

“Jack, after Grandpa Jack. Unless, you have a name?”

“Perhaps…James, after James Novak?”

“Hmm…Jack James…James Jack…JJ…no, definitely Jack James. I like it, Cas.”

“Well, little Jack is healthy as far as we can tell,” Doctor Peterson joined the little huddle, “every scan we can perform came up normal, perfectly within range for his age group.”

Both Dean and Castiel visibly relaxed.

“We’ll get you set up,” Sam promised her son and might-as-well-be son-in-law.

A servant brought David’s old wrap and Sam showed Dean and Castiel how to wind it around their bodies to carry little Jack close to their hearts.

“Does the heart even beat?” Danny asked Castiel with interest, referring to his Vessel.

“Yes, I have kept all systems functioning as intended,” Castiel confirmed.

“Good. Because babies this young are used to heartbeats,” Danny explained as Sam worked with Dean, “they just spent nine months with their mom’s in their ears.”

“I see,” Castiel nodded, “well, Dean has assured me that I have a perfectly human sounding heartbeat.”

“What’s the likelihood that his mom was the human?” Danny asked next.

“Oh, quite likely…angels with female vessels most often shutdown the reproductive system. It would also be quite hard to hide the evidence of the gestating Nephilim. His mother likely died in childbirth; her body finally unable to handle his Angelic self.”

Danny winced; that would be a horrid way to die and he fried like a French fry.

Within hours, little Jack was all ready to go home.

Over the next few days, a room in the Bunker became a nursery and supplies loaded in.

[sea-owl]

So lowkey I want a fic where Mari and Jake just appear in Wayne manor because Kori sent them there for protection reasons and none of the Batfam knows of their existence and it takes like two days for Bruce to notice the two new additions. 

It’s not like they’re hiding at all either they sit with Bruce during meals, Alfred is calling them by name and has rooms all set up for them. The rest of the family is busy with cases so they’re not around to point out the obvious and Alfred has to get his shows from somewhere. Mari does make Bruce pause for like two seconds before he’s back to working on his case. 

What finally grabs his attention is that the kids call him, “Grandpa Bruce!” 

None of his brats use any paternal titles with the exception of Damian and even then he sometimes switches to Bruce’s name to get a faster reaction. 

Bruce finally looks at them and who the hell are these children and why are they in his house? And why are they calling him grandpa?!

“Alfred!” 

Alfred magically appears with the DNA paperwork. “Ah Master Bruce, I see you finally met your grandchildren. Meet Master Jake and Ms. Mari.” 

Bruce scrambled for the paperwork and in big red letters it says that Dick is the father. 

Jake and Mari are questioning if those stories of their father’s family being full of detectives is true. Because right now from Bruce to the reports they read over Bruce’s shoulder they’re pretty sure all of their father’s side share two braincells, and Alfred confiscated one for personal use. It really doesn’t help when their dad confuses them for new siblings. 

[gotham-mockingbird]

Day Off

So this is my first fic on here idk what I’m doing please enjoy

Summary: Basically Jason and Roy leave Lian in the hands of Grandpa Bruce while they fuck shit up and they have a nice day together

________________________________________________________________

*Bruce POV*

I type out the last bit of the report I’m working on as Jason’s motorcycle, followed by Roy's, comes to a stop three levels above me. I sigh, knowing both of them being here is either going to be a complete disaster, or give me amazing memories to look back on in the future.

I turn as they approach and immediately gauge it will be both, because Lian, in all her six year old glory, is running full speed at me, “GRANDPAAAAAAAAAA!”

I smile and scoop her up as she hugs me tightly before turning to the boys, “Let me guess, Kory is out of town and Biz can’t be left alone with a child? Dick is on a date night and there’s no way you’re letting anyone else watch her?”

Jason shrugs, “Plus it’s been a while since you’ve watched her, and she’s obviously missed you.”

Lian pulls back from her hug, “I have, guess what? I have a loose tooth. Daddy says when it comes out the tooth fairy will give me money for it if I put it under my pillow. How cool is that?!”

I chuckle lightly, “That’s so cool, which one is it?”

She opens her mouth really wide and points to her front right tooth and without closing her mouth asks, “Wanna see it wiggle?”

She doesn’t wait for a response and wiggles it anyways, making me smile, “So cool.”

She removes her hand from her mouth and giggles as I turn back to Jason and Roy.

They both sigh before Jason comes over to us and taps Lian’s nose, “Be good for Grandpa ok? We’ll be back tomorrow, we love you.”

She giggles before calling out her I love you as well and we watch as they drive off on their motorcycles. 

I smile to her when they’re gone and the roar of their engines have faded, “Do you want to get cookies from Alfred and watch Encanto?”

Her eyes lit up as she squealed, “YES!”

I chuckle and set her down in the chair in front of the computer before turning on Cocomelon, “Stay right here and don’t touch anything, I’ll be right back, ok?”

She nods enthusiastically before getting drawn to the screen. I go to the lockers and change as quickly as I can, removing as much of my black eyeshadow as I can while also trying to get ready as fast as possible. 

I walk out of the lockers and Lian is right where I left her, so I go and pick her up once more, making her squeal in surprise, and turn off Cocomelon. We make it upstairs where Alfred has already made two mugs of hot cocoa, one in a pink princess mug and significantly colder, and one in an oversized superman mug that was normal hot cocoa temperature. 

She gasped and smiled widely before wiggling out of my arms to hug Alfred, “Grandpa Alfie!” 

He smiled and bent down to hug her, “Ah, Mistress Lian, it’s such a joy to see you. I heard you and Master Bruce were going to be spending the evening in tonight so I’ve made some hot cocoa and there are cookies in the oven.” 

She pulled away giggling, “This is gonna be so much fun, come on Grandpa let’s gooo.”

I chuckled once more before grabbing our mugs and following her skipping form down the hallway, “Thank you Alfred.”

He just smiled as we disappeared into the living room. I set the mugs on the table and turned around to see Lian climbing on the couch before she gasped, looking over at me wide eyed.

She smiled, and shook with excitement, “Can we build a blanket fort?”

I smiled, knowing it’s been a while since this living room has seen a blanket fort, “Let’s do it. Go ask Alfie for some blankets and I’ll rearrange the living room for it.”

She giggled, “Sir yes sir,” and ran out of the room.

I smiled brightly before rearranging the couches, chairs, and table out of the middle of the room. I faced them so the backs were facing the middle, making it easier to build the fort. She came back in with a bunch of blankets stacked up in her arms and I snorted a bit before taking them from her.

“Thank you.”

She giggled some more and ran around the living room a bit, “Alfie says he’ll be here with cookies and more supplies in a few minutes.”

She grabbed her hot cocoa and sat on the table before taking small sips of it. It wasn’t long until Alfred came, dropping off cookies as well as supplies to make the best blanket fort Wayne Manor has ever seen. He also left with a small warning to not make too big of a mess and that I will be cleaning it up when I’m done.

Lian giggled some more as she helped me set everything up, making sure to put the darker blankets on bottom and the more colorful ones on top, so anyone walking by will see that it’s a princess castle. We agreed on making the door be her small sleeping beauty blanket that’s one of the pinkest blankets in the manor before filling it with stuffed animals and blankets.

I also hauled the T.V. in there so we didn’t have to crane our necks to watch it. Lastly, I grabbed the cookies and our refilled mugs of hot cocoa, and we settled in to watch Encanto. I wrapped a fluffy pink blanket around myself (Lian insisted on colorful blankets being in the fort as well as on the outside layers) and Lian curled into my side, her Wonder Woman blanket around her shoulders.

We watched the movie, Lian commenting every once in a while and singing along to all the songs. After the movie ended, she got her energy back and sprung forward, excitedly talking about the movie.

I chuckled, “What next?”

She giggled, “Can I paint your nails?”

I sighed, “Sure, Stephanie’s probably upstairs with Cass still, maybe she has pink?”

Lian gasped, her eyes widening in excitement, “I’ll be back,” before rushing out of the fort to ask Steph for nail polish. I chuckled before cleaning up a bit, taking our empty mugs and the empty plate to the kitchen where Alfred was washing the dishes. He grabbed them from me before I could offer helping, and directed me right back to the living room, telling me to enjoy my time with my granddaughter and get some rest.

On my way back to the living room I saw Lian maniacally laughing and running down the stairs with a bottle of pink nail polish and a bottle of purple nail polish. I smiled and shook my head at her antics before climbing back into the fort and waiting for her.

She crawled in not even a minute after me, panting and grinning, “I found the most coolest awesomest name for this place. I wanna call it Sparkle Palace, and I am the Princess and you are my royal subject.”

I smile at her declaration and bow my head a bit, “Well Princess Lian of Sparkle Palace, what will you have me do first?”

She giggled, “Hold out your hand for me so I can paint your nails. The Princess needs practice.”

I chuckle and give her my hand, “Anything for you, M’lady.”

She giggled before opening the pink nail polish, “We also need a password, so no one can get in but us.”

I thought for a second, “How about rainbow unicorns?”

Her eyes lit up, “Perfect. Let’s put on Trolls while I paint your nails.”

I chuckle and put on Trolls before she starts to paint all but one of my nails on the right hand, and one finger on the left hand hot pink. She sang along to the second Trolls song as she filled in all the other nails left with purple nail polish.

When she was almost done I got a text from Jason in a group chat with Roy, ‘How’s Lian?’ 

I smile at his protectiveness before sending him a video of Lian singing to Trolls and painting my nails. Both him and Roy respond at the same time with different renditions of this situation being adorable. I just smile and close my phone as she finishes her work.

She dramatically pulls away from my hand, “DONE!”

I smile and look at her work, “Very well done, Princess. I’d have no one else paint my nails but you.”

She beamed at me, “Make sure you let those dry so you don’t mess them up.”

She seemed to get another idea as she gasped again, looking back to my face with pleading eyes, “Can I do your makeup? You can do mine too! I think the kit I have here has rhinestone stickers too. Please please please please please?”

I chuckle, “You’re the Princess of Sparkle Palace, do you know where the kit is?”

She nods enthusiastically, “I’ll be back, stay here.”

I chuckle as she rushes off once more. I heard Alfred walk in and leaned out of the fort, careful of the wet polish on my nails. He was smiling down at me with two new cups of cocoa and a plate of cookies. I smiled and thanked him, taking the tray carefully.

“You know, I’d have to ask the princess of this fine Sparkle Palace, but I’m sure you’re allowed the password. It’s quite an exclusive place.”

Alfred smiled and laughed softly, “I bet it is. You two seem to be having fun.”

I nod, “She’s getting the makeup, and probably the hair ties and clips.”

He smiled, “I am well aware of Princess Lian’s plans. She ran past me giggling maniacally.”

My smile widens, “Look at my new nails. Jason seems to think it’s adorable I let her paint them pink. Steph probably convinced her to do purple as well.”

Alfred smiled softly, watching me beam up at him and ramble about my granddaughter painting my nails with the guidance of my not-daughter. He just shook his head and told me he would be in the kitchen if we needed him and walked out. 

I smiled to myself as I set the hot cocoa and cookies aside, noticing this time both the mugs were pink and purple. I shook my head knowing Alfred did that because he was listening in on the initial ‘Princess Castle’ conversation.Lian came in a minute later, a sizable makeup kit in her hands with Steph following, and equally as sizable makeup kit in her hands.

She set in down just inside the fort before smiling, “Have fun you too,” she bowed to Lian, “Princess,” and looked over to me, glee in her eyes, “Peasant.”

She ducked out of the fort laughing, and I turned to Lian who was getting out different types of makeup from each kit. I watched her get everything set out before she turned to me, unfiltered happiness radiating from her in waves, making me smile even wider.

She started getting to work, using pinks, purples, and glitters before trying her best at eyeliner and finishing off with red lipstick. She then decided that to finish the look she would put my bangs into a small pony tail sticking straight up with a small pink bow clipped at the base. She gave me the mirror and I looked her work over.

I smiled and set the mirror down, “You did a really good job, I love it.”

She had messed up on the eyeliner big time, I had pink eyeshadow covering the bags under my eyes and all the way up to my eyebrows, the blush was way too pink for my pale skin, and the lipstick was a bit wonky, but Lian had done it, and that was good enough for me.

She giggled before pushing everything closer to me, “My turn my turn my turn.”

I chuckled and pulled her closer, “Alrighty then. What colors do you want?”

Her eyes sparkled, “I wanna match!”

I nodded, “Pink and purple it is.”

I grabbed the eyeshadow and told her to close her eyes before gently applying it. After both her eyes had pink I switched to the purple and put that on as well before adding the sparkles and liner. She giggled as I added the blush to her cheeks and then finally the lipstick. I told her to turn around and I put her hair into a french braid, followed by a matching purple bow.

She took the mirror and stared in awe for a little before giggling and throwing herself at me in a hug, “I love it, thank you.”

I chuckled and hugged her back, “You’re welcome, now, how about we find those rhinestones and I do your nails while we put on Frozen?”

Her eyes lit up again, “Ooh yes, rhinestones!”

She ruffled through the pink makeup case before pulling out a couple sheets of rhinestone face stickers. She giggled as she took the rainbow unicorn sticker and stuck it to my right cheek. She then took the crown sticker and stuck it to her right cheek. Before grabbing the nail polish and handing it to me stating she wanted to match.

I smiled as I put on Frozen and started doing her nails exactly how she did mine, all while she was enraptured by the movie. It didn’t take too long to do her nails so I grabbed her hot cocoa and helped her drink it so her nail polish didn’t come off as we watched the movie. By the time the movie ended, her nail polish was dry and it was probably close to ten at night. Lian yawned a bit, but I knew better than to ask if she was tired. It was then when I heard two sets of footsteps approach before stopping at the doorway into the living room.

Dicks voice called out, “Bruce, Lian?”

Lian giggled and whispered in my ear to ask them for the password. I smiled and stuck my head out of the fort to see Dick and Wally. I smile at them and they smile back, highly amused at the fact that I have awful makeup and a funky hairstyle.

“Welcome to Sparkle Palace, Princess Lian has asked me to ask you for the password. Only people who have the password can enter.”

Dick laughed while Wally smiled brightly at me, “How do we get the password?”

I held up my finger as I felt Lian tu on my sleeve and ducked back in so she could whisper in my ear. I nodded along before sticking my head back out.

“You get the password by speaking with the Princess, but I regret to inform you that the Princess isn’t taking any meetings until tomorrow morning.”

Dick pouted a bit, “Awe come on, not even for her Uncle Dick and Uncle Wally?”

I tilted my head for her to whisper in my ear again and chuckled at her words before turning back to them, “The Princess says, especially peasants such as you.”

Wally laughed while Dick gasped in mock offense, “Excuse me? Peasant? Let me have a talk with this Princess of yours.”

I hummed, “Again, she isn’t taking meetings until the morning. Come back then.”

I retreated back to the fort to see Lian holding back her giggles and smile at her, noticing Wally and Dick’s footsteps retreating. She yawns again so I grab a napkin that Alfred brought with the cookies and wipe the red lipstick from her face, not wanting it to get everywhere, before wiping mine off, as well as some of the heavier parts of the makeup she put on, making sure not to wipe it all off.

We turned some of the lights off in the room before turning on Moana, one of her favorites and snuggling up under the blankets, lying back on a bunch of pillows. It wasn’t long before Lian was asleep, laying right on top of me, her pink fluffy blanket wrapped tightly around us both. I pulled the hair tie and bow from my hair and watched the movie for a small moment until I eventually fell asleep as well.

*3rd POV*

Jason and Roy showed up to the Manor pretty early in the morning, getting done doing their deviant activities earlier than they thought. They put on sweatpants and sweatshirts over their suits and shed their weapons before heading up to the Manor to find Alfred, Bruce, and/or Lian.

They immediately found Alfred in the kitchen, smiling and drinking some tea before seeing them and smiling even wider. He stood without a word, setting his tea on the counter and beckoning them to follow, so they did.

Alfred led them to the living room where they saw a massive blanket fort, made up of mostly pink blankets with a piece of paper taped to the outside reading ‘Sparkle Palace. Current Princess: Princess Lian. Also Grandpa is here too’ written in glitter pink pen in Lian’s messy six year old handwriting. The boys smiled before Jason pulled the Sleeping Beauty blanket to the side to see Bruce asleep with Lian on his chest, using him as a bed, makeup and rhinestone stickers still on both their faces. 

Jason smiled even wider and took a couple pictures to send to his siblings. He knew just how bad Lian was at makeup, being six years old, so he knew what Bruce was currently sporting was a very toned down version of her work, but he also noticed how well Lian’s makeup looked, as well as the braid. He smiled even wider, deducing that Bruce knew more than he let on. 

He chuckled and let the blanket fall before dragging an equally as amused Roy Harper out of the living room, “We can stay here tonight, I’m sure my room is still the same way I left it a couple months ago.”

Alfred hums, “Indeed it is, I even put your favorite blanket on the bed when I noticed Princess Lian was going to be staying the night.”

Jason smiled at the old man he considered a Grandfather, “Thanks Alf. Get some rest, will you? I’m sure everyone else is fine. Considering the stunt we just pulled, the others should be having a quiet night.”

Alfred hummed, “I shall do my best, now get to bed, both of you, and don’t fall asleep in your suits again or I shall wake you with a soe to the face in the morning.”

He boys both let out a chorus of ‘Yes Alfred’ before going to Jason’s room and changing into pajamas before flopping into bed and snuggling up to one another to fall asleep. Before they did, though, Jason sent out the picture of Bruce and Lian asleep to the entirety of the family - Justice league, young justice league, and rogues who know his identity included.

That morning was interesting, Bruce walking into the dining room with pink and glitter makeup smeared across his face and a sleepy Lian on his hip. Lian with the same makeup smeared across her face, her braid messy and both of them with their rhinestone stickers and matching nails. The family that stayed at the manor all awed at them and Bruce immediately noticed the weird air.

He turned to Jason and Roy, “What did you two do?”

Roy smiled into his orange juice as Jason showed him the picture. Bruce stared at it for a second before smiling softly and asking Jason to send it to him. Jason tried to hide his smile in his glass of milk, but failed as he sent the picture. 

The rest of the day was spent with many people commenting on the picture and Bruce ignoring them in favor of figuring out just what the fuck his son and son-in-law got themselves into while he was babysitting, but finding he didn’t really care since no one died and he got to spend time with his only grandkid (for now). Although all the explosions are a bit of a concern, they were handled pretty well, so he overlooked it.

What can he say? It was a fun day with his granddaughter.

[tweepunkgrl]

staying quiet as often as possible

even though the title is from “conversations with friends” by sally rooney, i was mostly reading “sweetbitter” by stephanie danier and was kind of reminded of the type of stories i like reading/writing.

Posting this before my bday! this is a prequel to “come and get me” 

recommend listening to “moonover” by kississipi

For much of the pain that it can cause, a crush can be harmless. It’s fun to have a reason to be giddy, to feel silly and girly. There’s always that rush of excitement when the eyes catch a small glimpse of their person. It doesn’t need to mean anything, just as long as a person doesn’t act on it.

I never act on my crushes. I usually bury it deep inside me, never to come up to the surface. I try to wait until it subsides, and I find someone new to be fascinated with. It’s worked so far.

But miserable is the only word I can think of as I glance to his end of the booth in the dim bar. I’m on one side with my right leg stretched out to hold my weight against everyone pushing against me each time they so much as breathed. He’s on the other side, opposite of me, next to the window with a perfect view of Gotham’s vibrant nightlife. He’s not engaged with the conversation, and neither am I. He’s stuffing fires into his mouth, having already eaten his burger. His hand is languid as he brings a fry to his mouth, and he chews on it lazily.

Jason Todd’s mind is clearly on something else while mine is solely on him.

For about three shameful years, I’ve been fascinated with Jason. No one knows about it, so there’s nothing to be embarrassed about. But I know about it, and each day it slowly chips away a piece of my pride. Especially since he’s dating Rose Wilson. Just made it official two months ago.

Crushes are more painful with proximity, and Jason is skin deep.

“We should ask for the check,” Wally says. He searches for the waitress and makes a small motion with his index finger once he makes eye contact.

I always hated that little tick men do; the little head nods, the look in their eyes where they expect you to do something for them and they don’t need to ask. The amount of space that they need to take up, and the space you give up to accommodate them. The moment someone is required to step out of their way when walking in opposite directions. It’s little signs of entitlement that are only inherent to men. I don’t know, I think I’m someone who gets easily irritated.

The waitress drags her feet to our table, and I understand the lifeless gaze she has as she plops the check on the table. I’d rather be somewhere else too.

She gathers what she cans and gives a curt nod before turning on her heels and walking away. Dick takes the check and slides his credit card into the pocket of the black bill folder.

Jason turns in his seat, placing one hand on the table while the other rests on the headrest. “I’m going out for a smoke.”

Beside me, Kory lifts a single eyebrow. I am impressed. I can’t do that. “Rose told me you quit.”

Jason shrugs nonchalantly and pushes Wally, Dick, and Garfield with his hip, urging them out of the booth so he could get out. “I don’t remember making that decision.”

“I could use a smoke too,” the words are out of my mouth before I could even stop myself. But I do. I really do.

Jason’s green eyes settle on me and my heart is already beating so hard it could burst out of my chest and fall right on the table in front of everyone.

A thing I hate about crushes is interacting with a crush. I become too aware of myself, of all the little movements. I overthink the words I say and the way I say them. I will agonize for days about how my voice sounded when I say hi. Diction becomes increasingly important outside a high school English class. Overanalyzing everything when it probably means nothing.

“I got Camels.”

“Not the menthols, right?”

A corner of his lip tugs upwards and I instantly melt. “No. Turkish Royals.”

“Nice, those are the best ones.”

Kory turns to me with confused neon green eyes. “You smoke?”

Just like Jason, I shrug. “Occasionally.”

I try not to notice the smirk that appears in his face, as though just that one word revealed how charming of a person I could be. I somehow pulled myself out of the booth with grace, despite the nerves that wracked from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. I run my hands down the skirt of my blue plaid dress and take a quick glance at my favorite pair of Jadon boots.

I look up to find his gaze settled on me. Jason’s green eyes roamed over my face, taking it all in before he turned and walked over to the door. I trail awkwardly behind him with my hands clasped together in front of me.

It’s chilly outside, and I quickly take the cigarette Jason offers, already lit and ready. I rest my back against the brick wall, its edges creating indents on my skin. He’s doing the same, but he looks cooler doing it. Dangerous and mysterious.

“Smoking is nicer with company,” he says after a minute passes. He keeps his face tilted upwards, eyes gazing at the lights of the city.

“It’s a very social activity,” I say.

There is something meditative and melancholy about standing and smoking with Jason outside the bar. It could be a result of the empty night sky above us, with the single lamppost illuminating us. There’s something in the way his shoulders seemed tended for most of the time they ate inside, and how distant his eyes seemed. There’s an invisible force field keeping him away from everyone, one that wasn’t there before. I sadly spend too much of my time watching him, and it’s not hard to notice it.

“You don’t come out often.”

“Yes I do,” I say as I take a drag. I feel like a character right out of a Wong Kar-wai movie as I do so. “You don’t.”

Jason exhales and smoke flows out from between his lips. It curls in the air. “Yeah, that’s true.”

It’s silent between us for a moment. And then he says, “I’ve been spending all my time with Rose.”

I nod my head, trying to sound nonchalant. “Makes sense. She’s your girlfriend.”

He has a girlfriend and that means nothing to me. It doesn’t impact me whatsoever.

“That she is,” is his reply.

Our group of friends makes their way to us, laughter and joy strongly resonating from them. It overwhelms whatever atmosphere there was around Jason and me. It’s jarring to be thrown out of a quiet moment and into a loud one.

Dick looks at his wristwatch. “It’s getting late.”

“Ok, grandpa,” Vic laughs. “It’s only 11 pm.”

“Yeah, we usually turn in at 2 am,” Karen says.

“Three am if we’re feeling particularly reckless,” Garfield says.

I step in. “I have work early tomorrow. I should probably start heading home.”

“Aww, Raven, nooo.” Garfield pouts his lips to me.

I snub my cigarette out with the bottom of my boot, and as I walk toward the nearest trash can, I hear Jason's voice. “You live on the east side of town, right?”

It’s startling to see that he seems to know this. But it makes sense since we run in the same circle of friends. “Ummm, yeah.”

“So does Rose. I’ll walk with you.”

“Excellent idea!” Kory says with optimism oozing out of her. “It’s dangerous to walk alone at night.”

Dick seems to like that idea. He looks at me and says, “Send a text when you get home.”

Jason rolls her eyes. “She’ll be fine. I can make sure she gets home fine.”

We’re silent as we part ways from the group. It’s not until we’re a block away that I feel the pressure of his hand on my back. It’s hot, and it burns my cold skin. It’s nice, and I just want to engulf myself in it.

“I have tequila up in my apartment,” I say. “You wanna come up for a nightcap?”

He bites the side of his cheek and says, “Sure.”

[anjuschiffer]

Breaking the Silence

My first Dickinette! Originally this was going to be for Maribat March, but ended up getting too invested on it... welp! Hope you enjoy this!

------

Tag: @theatreandcomicfreak @damianette-is-life @toodaloo-kangaroo

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AO3

------

The door opened with a slam and closed with a click, Dick peeking over the doorway, his face lightening up upon seeing his children enter the home. However, a frown replaced his smile when he saw Thomas throw his bag to the side, Marie watching her twin brother with a pursed lip and worried eyes.

“-maybe he can help.” Marie whispered, trying to grab Thomas’ hand only to get it slapped away.

“Dad?” Thomas scoffed, dragging his hand down his face before flinging his hand in the direction of the kitchen. “That happy-go-lucky guy? Bet he’s never had to deal with this shit before.”

“It doesn’t hurt to try.” Marie urged, holding Thomas’ hand into her own. “Maybe he can-”

“He won’t and will not. And you better not tell him about any of this.” Thomas gritted, jerking his hand away from Marie, his eyes landing on his father who was now standing at the foyer of the house, a smile plastered on his face.

How long was he there for? How much did he know?

“So, how was school?” Richard asked, leaning on the wall, watching as Marie fidgeted under his watch while Thomas muttered something, averting his attention.

“It was alright.” Thomas started, picking up his school bag and threw it over his shoulder. “Aced my midterms if that helps.” Richard’s smile grew, Thomas wanting to roll his eyes as his father walked over to him and hugged him, ending the interaction by ruffling his midnight hair. 

“Definitely wonderful news! Worth celebrating over! Might have to call your mo-”

“He got in a fight.” Marie blurted out, her gaze on the floor, her fists trembling at her side, her name hissed out of her brother. 

“A fight?” Richard asked, Thomas rolling his eyes, feeling a bit ashamed when his father’s eyes narrowed. “With who-”

“It’s nothing you should be concerned about,” Thomas said, walking up the stairs to slowly retreat to his room. “No-thing,” Thomas enunciated each syllable.

“Stop lying Thomas,” Marie said, her voice wavering. She looked at her father with bluebell eyes, round and filled to brim with unshed tears. Richard’s heart ached. They looked just like hers. “He got in a fight with-”

“Marie.” Thomas sternly growled, watching his sister tense up. “Not. Now.”

“Thomas, let her-”

“Are you happy that you got Dad’s attention, Marie?” Thomas asked, Richard wondering what exactly was his son feeling. Anger? Annoyance? Jealousy?

“What are you-”

“Aren’t you happy Mar? Happy that Dad loves you sooo much, simply because you’re the better one out of the two of us? The one that never gets in trouble? The goody-two-shoes, just like him? Like her? Like them?”

“What? No!” Marie squeaked, her eyes darting from their father and Thomas. “No, I-”

“Oh stop lying to yourself, Mar.” Thomas walked back down the stairs, his bag abandoned at the top. “You just love the fact that Dad always prefers you over me. After all,” he looked past his father, watching as Marie cowered behind him, “-you look just like her.”

“Thomas.” Richard said sternly, standing in front of Marie, tears falling silently down her face. “That’s enough.”

“What’s enough?” Thomas asked with a dry laugh. “The fact that Marie looks just like Mom? The fact that Marie looks identical to Mom? The fact that you have an identical replica of Mom living with us despite me also being a part of her?” Thomas let out a shuddering sigh. “I bet you’d choose Mom over me if you had the chance, wouldn’t you?”

“Thomas. Take. That. Back.” Richard gritted.

“Why should I when we both know it’s the truth?”

“You’re jumping to conclusions young man.”

“Oh? Am I?” Thomas walked up to his father, the height difference not scaring him one bit. “Then explain why I’m always the outcast.” At that, Richard took a step back, wondering how to answer at the accusation. “Why was I always the one you avoided looking at? Why was I always the one sent to Grandpa Bruce’s manor while Marie got to stay with Grandpere Tom and Grandmere Sabine? Why was I the one who had to suffer through all the gossip behind my back? Why was I-”

“Because you resemble her the most.” Richard softly said, Thomas looking up to his father, wondering when he had curled into himself, why his vision was so blurry. When did he start crying? When did his father start crying? Why was he crying? “Because some days you sounded exactly like her.” Richard brought his son into an embrace, Thomas feeling his father tremble. “Even though you have my shade of blue eyes, you have her midnight hair.”

Thomas felt his chest both tighten up and feel lighter.

“You have her laugh and her voice, her button nose and scrunched up face whenever she ate something sour.” Thomas’ vision blurred again, a lump forming in his throat.

“Your freckles look identical to her’s, you have her smile when you eat your favorite ice cream combo: vanilla and chocolate mint.” Richard let out a wobbly laugh. “Did you know that was her favorite combination to eat?”

Richard separated himself from Thomas, watching Thomas hang his head in shame while also wiping his tears away.

“And despite never meeting her, you have the same habits she had.” Marie walked up to her father and silently cried into his side. He patted her head, pulling Thomas into a hug again, hearing muffled cries. “It’s not that I was avoiding you Thomas, I was just not prepared to face you… to face the reality that your mother will never be able to see how much her children have grown up without her seeing a single bit of it with her own eyes.”

Thomas’ wails broke the silence, Marie shortly joining in, her own sobs syncing with her brother’s, something Richard had yet to completely understand.

Even when they were infants -in the rare times they would cry- whenever one of them would cry, the other would join, their screams syncing into a single wail, sometimes scaring Richard.

It would still be something to get used to. 

Richard let his kids cry, knowing it was heavily needed. Talking to Thomas about the fight can wait for another time, his current emotions were more important than some fight from earlier that day.

He knew about Thomas’ constant fights, the academy always calling Richard to try to meet in person to speak about the situation, Richard always turning the appointments down. He already knew about them, he had for a while. He just knew it wasn’t the right time to approach Thomas about the issue.

He wanted to give Thomas the option to approach him, to confide in his father for advice.

Richard knew better than to pry information from people, if living with his adopted siblings taught him anything, it was to never pry. When he had applied pressure, or at least the majority of the time, it’d lead to an unwanted situation.

Their crying carried for minutes, almost an hour until they came to a soft hiccup, Thomas being the one to end the symphony of tears. Making sure that his kids calmed down completely and didn’t have anymore pent up emotions, Richard coaxed them to take a nap as Thomas and Marie ended up exhausting themselves, now drowsy from all the crying.

With great hesitance, the twins finally agreed to take a short nap, Thomas complaining how it would ruin his sleep schedule while Marie was starting to crave cake. Richard told Marie he would make sure a cake was made and finished before dinner while laughing at Thomas’ complaints. 

It reminded him of a certain someone.

Tucking Marie into bed and giving her a kiss on her forehead, Richard slipped out of Marie’s room and went to the kitchen to start working on the cake he had promised Mari. 

Setting up his work space, he got to baking, placing his glass bowl over a pan of hot water, cracking the eggs over it and placing the sugar and vanilla extract in as well. He began to mix the ingredients, feeling something was off.

“Oh! Don’t forget the honey! You always forget the honey!”

“Right! The honey!”

“And don’t forget to remove it-”

“Remove it when it gets to 40 celcius. And we have to do the same for the butter and milk.”

“Yup! Honestly, why do you keep asking me about the step if you got the majority of it down?

“Just making sure.”

“Once you mix the first bowl you gotta add the cocoa powder.”

“Right, the butter and milk come after that.”

“Yup! So let’s get back to baking!” 

“Hope I don’t forget a step along the way.” Richard said to himself, failing to notice the figure that peered from the kitchen doorway, watching Richard talk to himself as he made the batter, placed it in the oven and started to prep for the next step.

“Do you see that Mari? He’s doing just fine. He may still be healing, but he’s okay.”

——

“What’s the cake for? Is it the twin’s birthday already?” A voice asked, making Dick jump, almost misplacing the last strawberry on the cake. 

“Kor’i!” He exclaimed with a smile, placing the strawberry down and going up to kiss his wife, having to tip-toe a bit to kiss her cheek. “When did you get back home?”

“When you started baking.” Kor’i giggled upon seeing the blush on Richard’s face. “I didn’t want to bother you so-”

“You could’ve still said hi.”

“You were talking with M.” Kor’i said softly, watching as it dawned on Richard as to what she had meant.

“Oh,” was all he could say, rubbing the back of his neck. “Was I?” Kor’i nodded, noticing the mess on the counter.

“Why don’t I help you clean up? That way you can take a short break before dinner.” Kor’i suggested, Dick nodding, the two cleaning up the mess in sweet silence.

------

The mess was cleaned, dinner ready to be heated and the cake to be eaten, but there was an hour to spare before Kor’i and Dick had to wake up the children, so they settled with sitting on the sectional sofa, Dick being Kori’s pillow as the two watched some drama Kor’i had been watching recently.

While Kor’i was highly immersed into the show, Dick was content in just being there, running his hand through her hair that seemed to flow for miles. Her sunset hair shimmered, before Dick realized it had turned midnight and short.

------

“-hope that- Dick?” Kor’i asked, quickly turning when he had stopped moving. One minute he was stroking her hair, the next he had stopped. 

Quickly, Kor’i kneeled beside Dick. “Dick? Dick? Dick, are you alright?”

“Mari. Is Mari okay?” He asked, staring at his hands, Kor’i noticing that tears ran down his face, his eyes had turned glossy.

“Dick... Dick.” Kor’i repeated, placing her hands on his shoulders. “Dick, please, say something.”

“It was all my fault.” Dick whispered, still looking into the distance, watching as Mari’s casket was lowered into the ground. “It was all my fault.”

------

Dick stormed out of the manor, slamming the door behind him, ignoring Alfred’s calls.

This is exactly why he hated Bruce. Why he hated Batman. Why he hated being Robin.

This is why this was going to be his last mission. His last mission... As a vigilante…

He had enough of all of this...he just wanted to have a life next to her.

As he made his way to his girlfriend’s home, ambulances rushed past him, firefighters and police cars following suit… all of them heading for-

“Mari.” With the worst case scenario in his head, Dick broke into a sprint, praying that it was all wrong. That what his gut was telling him was wrong. That Mari was fine. That she is alright.

Please, let her be okay.

------

He couldn’t bear to see her nor to touch her. 

“I’m fine Dick.” Marinette softly said, placing her hand over his, drawing circles. “I’m going to be fine.”

“Why?”

“Hmm?”

“Why are you so calm?” Dick grasped the mint green blanket into his hand. “Why aren’t you-”

“Because I was also at fault.”

“He was drunk.”

“But I also was crossing the street when the light was still green.”

“He was going over the speed limit, Marinette.” Dick gritted, getting up quickly, the hair falling down. “Don’t you understand how serious this is?”

“I made it out with a simple scratch.”

“Mari, that’s not a scratch. You could’ve ended up blind and possibly dead if it weren’t for your quick thinking and your phone.”

Marinette pursed her lips at that, balling the blanket under her grip.

She knew Dick was right, but she was grateful for her luck, only having the side of her face swollen and having a cut near her eye. 

True, she could’ve died if her phone didn’t take the hit for her leg… but Marinette was just happy to be alive…

Dick watched her avoid him as he took a breath, turning away from her as he collected himself. 

Do it for her. 

Bruce’s words rang in his head as he prepared himself for the biggest mistake of his life. Hell, the biggest regret of his life.

“I’ve had enough of this.” He said out of nowhere, Marinette wondering where this was coming from.

“Enough of what?”

“Of this!” Dick yelled, motioning at the hospital. “Every single time I come to visit you, I always end up here. Here!”

“Richard, I-”

“The first time I met you, it was my fault you were here. I wasn’t watching where I was driving, but since then?” Dick let out a dry laugh. “You manage to make it about yourself.”

“Richard, I had to-” 

“You should’ve let the ball roll off the first time, should’ve let the phone fall into the river the second, should’ve let the letter fly off into the air, let the dog runaway, let that girl-”

“How can you say that I was doing it for attention?” Marinette scowled. “I was helping someone, saving them on that last one.”

“Help to the extent of getting injured? Of dying?” Dick laughed before it came to a halt. “I can’t keep going like this. I rather not be involved with this.”

Marinette’s eyes shrunk, feeling her view become smaller. She could feel her chest tighten, a lump forming in her throat.

Please don’t… don’t say-

���I think it’s better if we go our own ways.”

He did...

Marinette didn’t know when he left, nor did she know when the other doctors came into her room. She only acknowledged them when one of them sat on her bed and held her hand, giving it a squeeze.

It was only then that she noticed that the other two doctors that were in the room avoided looking at her, their mouths in thin lines.

“I’m...I’m pretty sure you didn’t hear us when we came in...we noticed you were dazed off, recovering from today’s accident.” The doctor at her side said, letting out a huff. “We’re here to tell you about your friend, Alya.” Marinette perked at that. “We came to the decision to tell you about your friend now rather than later or through someone else.”

No. 

Please… don’t…

She can’t right now… She can’t lose another person… She won’t be able to handle that...

“Wh-What, where is Alya?”

She needed Alya right now...

“I’m sorry, but Mme.Ceshaire… she didn’t make it through the surgery.”

One minute Marinette saw the three doctors in her room… the next, her world had become dark.

------

“She’s awake! Someone! Get the doctor!”

Marinette’s eyes flickered, flinching when her eyes adjusted to the lights.

“I see that you’re doing better, Mme.Dupain-Cheng. And we need you to be doing better, to get better. After all, you have to live on for two now.”

“I, um, I beg your pardon?” Marinette asked, adjusting herself to sit up a bit, watching as the doctor looked at her in astonishment and then gracefully gave her a smile.

“I’m guessing you didn’t know, but that’s quite understandable, seeing as you are only two weeks in.”

“I’m sorry, but I’m still not-”

“You are pregnant Mme.Dupain-Cheng.” Marinette’s heart fell. “Congratulations.” 

———

It was finally done. 

Fuck Bruce. 

He was never going back. 

Dick felt like a weight in his shoulders were slightly lifted. 

There was no turning back. 

As Dick headed for the bakery where he knew Marinette still resided in, his heart came to a halt as his eyes laid on the girl he had left behind. 

She had changed. She was a bit more plump, glowing as she sat on the chair outside the bakery. Next to her, a man who he’d only see a few times. Luka, if he remembered correctly. 

But that wasn’t what had caused his heart to stop beating. It was her figure that had him to stop breathing. She was pregnant. But now the question that rose: whose was it? Who was the father of the child she was to bare?

It didn’t take long to figure it out because as soon as Dick locked eyes with Luka, he saw red in the other man’s eyes. One minute Dick was looking at an enraged Luka and the next he saw a fist, toppling backwards where his head met the floor.

“How dare you show your face around here after what you’ve done to Marinette!”

“What-” a grunt. “Are you-” a gag as he tasted blood. “Talking about?” But Dick got no response. Luka just keeps punching him, Dick letting him despite his brain telling him to defend himself. But his heart said otherwise. Something told him he deserved it.

“Luka! Stop it! Please!” Marinette’s voice cracked as she pleaded, Luka almost stopping instantly when he heard it. 

Dick swore that his heart stopped at how broken it sounded, how tired it had become. 

Was it all because of him?

“Mari, I-“

“Come inside.” Marinette said with a weak voice. “I don’t want anyone eavesdropping on our conversation. 

-

After getting fixed up, Marinette treating his last bruise, Dick finished what he came to tell her. 

The reason he broke up with her and didn’t contact her for months? One word: Kitten. 

She had decided to waltz back into his life, but this time being the new Killer Moth, something Bruce and Dick did not expect to hear after hearing of Drury’s death. 

While Bruce quickly adjusted to the new villain, Dick couldn’t. Because he knew what this meant.

She wanted him -hence her return- and this time, she came prepared.

She had more things to hold hostage against Dick - Gotham, Batman, Robin...and Marinette.

He needed to act quick, hasty decisions that led to successfully taking Kitten down. 

However, they also led to regrets.

He watched as Marinette dropped the bag of frozen peas, her eyes filling up with tears. 

“All of that, for a mission?”

“I know. It was stupid-“

“Stupid barely just scratches the surface.” She started, letting out a dry laugh. “It was downright idiotic!” Holding her hand to her head, she walked in a complete circle before facing him again.  “Why didn’t you just tell me? Why? Didn’t you trust me?”

“I do! I still do.”

“Sure didn’t seem like it.” Marinette scoffed. “Because if you did, you would’ve told me.”

“I could’ve never returned to you had the mission gone wrong.” Dick defended, attempting to reach out to her, only for Mari to catch his hand and shake her head. 

“I would’ve understood. I know the sacrifices a person must make to keep their loved ones protected.” She reminded him, Dick fully knowing she was referring to her days of being Ladybug.

“Kitten-” Dick started, only to get cut off. 

“Kitten would’ve faced my wrath if you didn’t come back to me.” Marinette said, then remembering about that clingy girl he once spoke of. “I would’ve done something to bring you back home.”

“I know. And that’s what I also feared.”

“Hmm?”

“I feared that if it did go wrong and you had to do something to get me back, and something happened to you as well...what does that say about me? Am I too weak to protect you? That I’m still not ready to have my own life and protect it?”

“What’s wrong in relying on others?”

“It often means bringing in more people for others to hold hostage.”

“Is that what your father taught you?” Marinette asked coldly, glaring at the bruise on Dick’s face. “Is that what you learned from fighting alongside Batman? Red Robin? Robin? Because if anything, they prove otherwise.”

“I just don’t-”

“Sometimes, you have to rely on others, lean on their shoulders.” Marinette reminded, cupping Richard’s face, gently pressing her forehead against his. “Just hide away your fears and ask for help. Talk to someone, just like you are with me.”

Dick didn’t know when he had placed his hands over hers nor when he got up to embrace her. He just knew that whatever stood between them no longer stood there. 

That she somehow washed away his fears.

“Thank you, Mari.”

“That doesn’t mean I’ve forgiven you for doing that stunt on me.” Marinette said against his ear, a chill running down his spine.

“R-right.” 

------

The next months were spent with Dick picking up the responsibility he had never picked up.

He helped Marinette with her modeling, helped her deal with her clients, always at her beck and call each day.

He did the cleaning, the laundry and the cooking, not once letting Marinette lift a finger. 

Despite each day spent like an errand boy, Dick cherished each moment. 

Their morning greetings (which was a boop on the nose), their lunch dates, Dick watching Marinette hum and caress her stomach whenever she took a break, being by Mari’s side whenever she felt irritated, and the list went on. 

Those days became weeks, which in turn, became months. 

He didn’t remember when he had the guts to ask her to marry him, crying when she said yes.

The two moved into their own apartment - big enough for them and their bundle of joy. 

———

With each passing day, he longed for the moment he’d be able to meet their child, Dick often being the one to bring out lists of names to choose from. 

They’d talk about the nursery as they watched the city lights beam across their ceiling at night. 

They’d talk about the cribs and the onesies they have to buy. Which brand to choose and the stuffed animals to buy. 

As he’d run his hand through her midnight locks, they would speak of what family activities to do. 

Introduce them to Disney, take them to the beach, the amusement park. To Paris!

They’d let their fantasies run wild, fully knowing that money was the least of their problem. 

They just wanted the best for their child. 

Their future. 

———

And in the blink of an eye, they were there. 

———

“He’s so tiny.” Richard cooed, cradling his son in his arms, watching the tiny infant squirm in his blanket. He had a tuft of navy hair, a few strands seeping from his tiny hat.

It was still pretty early in the morning, the delivery being five in the morning and yet Richard still had energy to spare. Or maybe he knew it wasn’t fair to his wife who worked so hard to bring their bundle of joy to their lives.

“He is, meaning that there’s still space to carry another one.” Marinette hummed, Richard tilting his head.

“Another...one?” Marinette giggled as she watched the nurse roll in another makeshift crib into the room, watching as tears rolled down Richard’s face. “Mari… why didn’t you-”

“I made sure to keep it a secret.” Marinette watched as the nurse helped Richard balance the two children into his arms, ingraining the memory. “Only my parents knew about them. Oh! And Alfred too!” 

“She’s adorable,” was all Richard could whisper out as he looked at their children in his arms. 

“Thomas. Marie.” Marinette said, reaching out for her children, the nurse quickly going to Richard to get Thomas and then Marie. Richard wanted to pout upon having his children taken from him but he didn’t care. 

His heart melted as he watched the two infants snuggle closer to their mother, tiny smiles on their wrinkly faces. 

“I’ll always be watching over you. Always.” Marinette softly spoke, her smile getting bigger before it quivered. “I’m sorry.” 

What was she talking about? Sorry? About what?

“Richard.” Marinette spoke, even quieter this time, Dick noticing that her hold on the children was loosening, probably because she was tired. Without another word, he scooped the children into his arm, watching Marinette look at him with soft eyes. “Come closer.”

He did.

He watched as Marinette slowly lifted her hand to his cheek, caressing it as she smiled, unshed tears pooling in her eyes. 

“You know I’ve always loved you and I always will.”

“You tell me everyday my love.” Dick assured, leaning into her cold touch. “I love you too.”

“Please.” Marinette pleaded, a tear sliding down her pale face, her lips giving him a frail smile. “Promise me that you’ll take care of them.”

“Of course I will.” RIchard smiled, wanting to caress her cheek as well, instead, he settled for a forehead press. She was kinda cold. “I’ll take care of them alongside you.” Marinette shook her head.

“Only you will be able to take care of... them.” Marinette said, her voice cracking towards the end. “I’m sorry.” She whispered out, Richard finally piecing together her words.

“Mari. Mari, no. You...you can’t.” Richard set the children down into their respective cribs, hearing her monitor start to beep in alarm. “Mari, Mari! Mari please! Someone!”

He started to shout outside the door, shouting for someone to come and help him.

He shouted desperately, watching as no one came, the crying of his two children being his only solace. 

She died with a smile on her face. 

———

“It was all my fault! I should’ve never left her alone! I should've told her about the mission instead of leaving her out of the loop! If I had simply-“

“Dick, you didn’t know.” Kor’i softly said, never noticing when the twins had gotten to the living room, watching as their father broke down. “None of us knew, but her.”

“Mari, is Mari okay? Tell me Kor’i! Is Marinette going to be alright?” Dick asked, clinging onto Kor’i. 

This...this was the first time the twins had ever heard their mother’s name out of their father’s mouth. It was always ‘Mom,’ ‘Mother,’ Nettie’. It was never Marinette. 

“Richard. She’s alright.” Kor’i hushed, watching as Dick let out shuddering breaths. “The children are okay as well.” 

Thomas and Marie watched as their father visibly calmed down, watching Kor’i give him a soft smile. 

“So she’s okay? She’s not…” he trailed off, looking at Kor’i with glossy eyes. When he saw Kor’i nod, let out a sigh before he collapsed to his side, the cushions allowing him to drift off to sleep. 

Thomas and Marie attempted to go over to their father, but didn’t when Kor’i prevented them from getting any closer. 

“Does...does- is this new?” Marie asked, watching her father in deep sleep, tears staining the pillow underneath him. “Was this-“

“He doesn’t have them that often anymore, they used to be much worse. And as much as I want to say no, I can’t do that. So yes, perhaps the sudden situation that caused him to confess his feelings may have triggered this one.” Kor’i responded despite not wanting to confirm Marie’s suspicions. 

“Will he be alright?” Thomas then asked, holding onto Marie’s hand that trembled in guilt. 

“He’s going to be alright. I assure you that much.” Thomas and Marie watched as Kor’i draped a blanket over him, wondering what awaited them.

The two walked out the living room, walking into the kitchen, a sob escaping Marie. 

“Come on Marie. You can’t just-“

“What if it’s our fault Mom isn’t here?” Marie cut her brother off. “What if we’re the reason-“ She flinched when Thomas slammed his hands on the kitchen counter. 

“Don’t you dare say that!” Thomas grabs her by the shoulders, shaking her a bit. “Don’t you dare mock Mom’s feelings like that! If we’re here while she isn’t, then she wanted us to live! And because we’re living, we can’t just just take her decision for granted!” 

“I know, but-“ Marie bit her lip. “How did we just believe Dad wasn’t still suffering from her death? Why didn’t we notice it? Why didn’t he say anything? We’re his children. He should’ve said something. We could’ve helped.”

Thomas frowned, watching as his sister silently cried. 

He hated to say this, but she was right. 

He could’ve told them what he was going through. He could’ve leaned on them… then again, who was he to judge him for that?

He never spoke of his fights with his father, so what right did he have for demanding him to tell them about his problems?

Now that he thought about, why did he never speak of the fights? 

Was it his shame? His guilt? 

No. 

Thomas knew why he never spoke of the fights. 

It was his pride. 

They called him motherless, a bastard when they saw him argue with his father once and when they learned that Kor’i was his father’s ‘current’ wife was someone from Tamaran, they called him a Torq. 

Torq. 

Insignificant. A nobody. That nothing good would ever come from a motherless rebel like him. 

Thomas hit the side of his fist against the wall, a book hitting his head and falling to the floor. 

Why did he choose the side of the kitchen where all the cookbooks were at?

Rubbing his aching bruise, Thomas went to pick it up, eyes widening when he saw the name on the opened front page. 

“Marinette Dupain-Cheng.”

Marie rushes over the moment she hears the name, slightly pushing her brother to get a better view of the book. 

They flipped the page, confused to see writing on it. 

“They’re recipes.” Marie pointed out, looking at the fruit tart recipe on the page they were currently looking at. 

“Mom wrote all of these.” Thomas stated the obvious, running his hand across the neatly written instructions. The regular instructions were in black, side notes and suggestions in red and pink respectively. 

He also couldn’t help but notice a ladybug theme on the book. 

Did she like ladybugs?

“In case Dick has another nightmare or breakdown.” Marie read out loud, Thomas looking to where he was reading.

“An herbal tea?”

“Do you think...it will work?”

“We can give it a try.”

“Let’s do it then!” Marie said with a smile. “Let’s make Dad feel better!”

I know you two can do it! Good luck!

———

“It happened again, didn’t it?” Dick asked, looking down at his trembling hands. 

It wasn’t even a complete ten minutes before he woke up. His body was sore and his throat parched. Another one, huh? “And I’m front of-“

“They were going to find out eventually.” Kor’i said softly, amazed that it took 16 whole years for them to find out. While babies didn’t fully understand breakdowns, they can absolutely feel them. “And what better time than now.”

“But they shouldn’t have to deal with-“

“They are not dealing with anything. Instead, they are learning more about you. Getting to finally know about their father.”

“Their pathetic poor-excuse-of-a-father.” Dick huffed, placing his head into his hands. “Can’t even get over-“

“Don’t. Don’t you dare finish that sentence.” Kor’i gritted, cupping Dick’s face to make him look at her. “Don’t you dare say that death should be easy to get over. Because it’s not. And never will. Only time can heal it. And we both know that.”

“All too well.” Dick added, placing his head on her shoulder. “Sorry for saying that.”

“It’s alright.” 

“Dad.” “Dad.” They heard their kids say simultaneously, noticing that Thomas had a tray in his hand. 

“What’s that you got there?” Dick attempted to say with a chirp, causing everyone to resist showing a frown. 

“It’s a tea recipe we found.” Thomas started. 

“We decided to make it after finding it in Mom’s recipe book.”

They watched as their father’s eyes grew large. 

“Mari’s...cookbook. It thought it was lost in the move from long ago.” Dick whispered as he took the cup of tea, the aroma of ginger and cinnamon bringing back old memories. “It smells just like the tea she used to make.”

Marie and Thomas watched as their father took a sip from it, wondering if it tastes the same as Mom’s. 

“Does...does it taste...good?” Marie asked after a long moment of awkward silence. 

“It almost tastes exactly like hers. Of course, there’s still something missing-“ Marie’s hiccups, Dick quickly getting up to console her, setting down his cup. “Mari, the tea-“

“I’m glad you liked it. I thought you wouldn’t.” Marie sobbed, wiping away her tears. “We tried to figure out what the last ingredient was but after testing out different things, nothing seemed to be it.” 

“Whatever Mom meant by ‘tears of true love,’ we weren’t able to crack it.” Thomas clarifies, placing the empty tray onto the coffee table. “But I guess it was still a success if you said it tastes similar to Mom’s.”

Dick smiled, pulling Thomas close to him. 

“Seems like the two of you have your mother’s gift of creation.” Dick felt Kor’i join in on the hug. “She’d be really proud of the two of you. Without a doubt.” 

He wiped away a tear that dared to slip, flicking it away. 

He never realized the soft pink glow that emitted from the tea when the tear flew into it. 

The tear of true love...in the shape of a healing family. 

[natsukitakama]

Headcanon : Dick Grayson being a dad

Author note : I can’t explain why but I am sucker for Domestic Headcanon, hope you will enjoy it. Like my other headcanon is based on the event of Titans show and could be considered as a sequel to this headcanon. 

Warning : slight spoiler / nothing but fluff I am sucker for domestic headcanon LMAO. 

I do not the gif credit(s) to the owner 

First of all : Dick Grayson never saw himself as a dad 

Sure he has a thing for child in distress and he already prove how good he was with children 

Plus we know thanks to Rachel’s dad : He used to dream about having a family 

But with everything happen : Deathstroke, Donna, Jerrircho… He started to questionnate his personality and ability as human being. Basically he started to be afraid he won’t be a good leader, a good father, a good partner. 

He felt self-concisous about himself : he nearly lose Jerricho and Garp they were under his responsibility and yet he failed 

Or he was about to 

Fortunately he got his shit together 

So your relationship didn’t get hurt as much as it could : Dick tried to push you away from him but you know better, it was just his way to protect you from him and everything. 

So after a huge fight between you two : He finally confessed about how much you mean to him and ho much he cared for you, you did the same you told him you loved him and there is no one you would share your life but him

After this you became closer to each other 

And what should happen, happened : you get married to the only man you wanted to share your life. 

Everyone was so excited and happy : it was like your wedding help everyone to forget their issues 

5 months after your wedding you got pregnant 

9 months after you gave birth to a gorgeous daughter 

Dick named her after his mum’s names 

You two decided Kory will do an awesome godmother (She will) 

During the whole pregnancy, Dick felt different stages : First he was S U P E R afraid I mean we’re talking about a baby HIS baby, his very first baby. Yeah, he was good with children but he never experienced baby : how’s that work anyway ? Could he manage it ? Was he going to lose you ? Could Alfred help him with that ? Then after a long conversation with him a got super confident, I mean he is around children all the time you were there, Kory was there everyone were there with him there no way he’ll fail as a parent right ? Those two stages switch like week by week. It was getting difficult for you : not because of the pregnancy but because you had to deal with an overwhelming husband. But he got fine eventually. 

What I am going to say is obvious but I had to say this : Dick is an overprotective daddy 

Especially because he got an adorable little princess : HIS little princess

She got him around a finger : there literally nothing he won’t do for her

You teased him so much about « Annw look at this who‘s got wrap around her little finger ? » 

He is overprotective dad but not too much I mean : He’ll learn her to deal with pain, like not crying when she fell on the floor not because it’s being weak but because it’s alright there nothing to be afraid of. He’ll teach her to be obedient but don’t be afraid to ask when something doesn’t feel right to her. She’ll be fair with people and basically a very open-minded girl. He did everything on his power so his daughter will become an awesome adult. 

That didn’t mean he won’t kiss ass if someone dare to put a finger on his daughter : she is his treasure no one could touch her 

At first he was a bit awkward when it came to play with her : especially when she was a little girl, she used to ask him have tea with him. It wasn’t like he didn’t want to play with her but he could be socially awkward, nonetheless he did his best to be the best dad of the world. 

You on the other hand felt so lucky to have such an amazing husband : He is the one who dealt with midnight baby’s bottle, singing lullaby when she had a nightmare or checked if a monster was under her bed. He is a truly helpful husband

Got skill at changing baby’s nappies too 

The first time he went to a park with his daughter : he got surround by single mums I mean the man is really handsome but picture him with a 1 yo little girl around his arm ? See it’s absolutely lovely. 

Oh man he felt so awkward like « yeah s’cuse me I am here for my daughter … »

Sitting, he couldn’t stop watching the whole park just to be sure his daughter was 100% Safe : People called him « ParkPD »

He did the same while shopping : he never left the shop without buying something for his daughter

She might be spoiled but she isn’t materialist

Always bought some cute pajamas like teddy pajamas

He is sucker for baby’s laugh : it became his favorite sound

Seriously he can do anything to her giggle

The first time he had to let her go to school : broke him. He was getting used to have her all around and now she will be far from him for a days.

Basically he did anything to deplay her first day at school.

« If you don’t feel ready (your daughter ’s name) just let me know » « Dick seriously she is 3 years old she is ready ! » « we can’t be 100% sure I-I won’t be there to check... »

Liar. Since her first day at school he always took time to check on her during her playtime. And if couldn’t be here because he is busy doing his Titans thing or police work, someone will definetly check on her probably Kory or Rachel / Gar’

Sometimes you got jealous about how close he is with his daughter : they got a lot of moments together

Of course you were close to her too

He took him time but he decided to introduce his daughter to Bruce : he wasn’t sure if Batman should be a part of his life of your life. But then you remember him about everything Bruce did for him and how well his relationship was with him now, dick didn’t want to lose that.

Both of you were surprised to see Bruce with a baby, turns out he was good with them almost like a grandpa.

Bruce got her some t-shirt with his logo on it, he thought it was a great gift

Your daughter got a tiny bat as a teddy it became her favorite

Because of his past, he is always afraid he might lose his daughter so time to time when he felt down : you were here by his side telling him to relax and enjoy the present she’ll grown up super fast and become a women eventually.

He did as you told : he couldn’t be more thankful. He was married to you, he felt so lucky to have you with him. You got him a beautiful daughter such an awesome princess. He couldn’t be more happy.

[paladin-of-nerd-fandom65]

Post Mission Exhaustion and Teddy Bears

Happy Father’s Day 2020 Everyone. Even though we all in one way or another struggle with the world around us via one crisis or another, we must always find the time to appreciate one of the few people in our lives that made us who we are as people, our fathers. Whether they be birth, foster, adopted, figurative or step dads, if they helped you grow with as much love and care as a good father should, one can find the time to acknowledge that, especially on this day. This fic is dedicated to those good dads everywhere. If you may, please reply or reblog this for any to any constructive criticisms, I’d appreciate it. 

 The slowing hums of the motorcycle echoed across the cave, about one or two bats hanging from the cave walls taking flight as a result due to an unintended spook. Finally,the motorcycle comes to a stop, its two passengers getting off. Rather actually, its driver, decked in prominently black body suit with blue stripes on his arms capping off with fingerstripes, strips at the calf parts of his boots and a light blue domino mask getting off after flipping the motorcycle's engine switch off. Upon standing though, he remembers the other passenger, a 9 year old little fella dressed in a red vest, black gloves and pants and green steel toed pixie boots, his son currently snoring peacefully while his arms hold on very tightly to the driver, his Dad, all throughout the ride.  

  Still snoring and at ease, Robin was carefully lifted off his seat by his father and said father began his short trek from the motorcycle in this deep, dark yet somehow comforting lair filled to the brim with many trophies from a mechanical Tyrannosaurus, a giant Penny, a scaled up Joker card and other tokens of the owner’s previous adventures, all the other the inviting bedroom a few stories above their current spot. All throughout this trek, the Bludhaven based crime fighter known as Nightwing, found each and every step of trek to the Batcave elevator and eventually his old bedroom getting slightly heavier. Clearly, tonight’s patrol drains both father and son. A note he keeps in mind; always make sure if you take on Penguin, make sure you have enough Shark Repellent Bat Spray in your utility belts, those sharks can take quite a bit. But while Richard Grayson-Wayne can keep that self advice tip in mind, that right does not grab his attention nearly as much as the sight of his son Jake sleeping peacefully as the two Graysons make their way to their comforting destination. 

   As of the day, it will now be until two days left before Ricahrd’s beloved wife Kori, the veteran known by many as Starfire, and his ‘Starshine’ Mar’i both return from their week long vacation to the latter’s home planet of Tamaran. It was basic Royalty business as fitting the daughter of a monarch his wife was but at least it was a golden chance for his little girl to connect with her roots. Jake opted to stay behind alongside his dad, stating that while Starfire and Nightstar would be away, Nightwing and Robin can fill the role for protecting both Bludhaven, current home of the legendary Titans, and even the sister city of Gotham, filling in for parts of the city not even the Batman can look out during his own patrols. Speaking of whom, both Bruce and Tim should be coming in from their patrols within the next hour; Richard reluctantly had to accept Bruce’s order to take the tired and exhausted Jake and himself back to Manor and call it a night early in spite of the young Robin wanting to continue alongside his Grandpa and Uncle Tim. However Richard much shared his son’s enthusiasm for continuing after their battle with the Penguin, the first Boy Wonder understood that both his son and him needed their rest, The Bat stating that he and whoever he has alongside him tonight can handle it from there; his first son had his own to tend to. 

   Finally, Richard, with his son held firmly in his arms and his head peacefully resting his shoulders, finally made it to that old bedroom he called his own during the later half of his childhood; based on not just the old ‘D.G’ sign still hanging on his door, but upon opening said door, almost every facet, from the telescope to the left of his King size bed pointing out to the window, blue and red velvet carpet on the floor, the photo of a younger self alongside his parents Mary and his first father John on the nightstand and of course the Flying Graysons poster hanging on his wall right behind the pillows of his old yet sturdy bed. 

   Carefully laying Jake down on the bed, Richard then quietly shook his son on his shoulders until finally the young Robin’s eyes on his mask began slightly opening.

“....uh, Dad?” 

Richard peeled the mask of his face while gently stroking Jake’s hair comfortingly, “Hey, buddy. You did great out there.”

“Are we back at the Manor?” Jake asks while very lightly giggling.

“Yeah,  we’re back” Richard says with a light and tired yet all too proud smile. 

“Standing back up, Richard then walks to his old dresser, taking out of pajamas, really t shirts and sweatpants, for both himself and son while the latter lifted himself up on his bed taking off his own mask and the boots off his tired feet.  He then gently tosses the shirt and pants meant for Jake. 

 “Alright, Jake, there should be a bathroom right across from this room. You can change and brush your teeth in there, okay?” Richard informs his son with a smile on his face. 

 With a quick “Yes sir’ salute, Robin rushes to that bathroom and almost as quickly came back out as simply Jake Grayson, ready for bed. 

  Within a quick few minutes, Nightwing takes his turn of changing and brushing his teeth, emerging as Richard Grayson shortly afterwards, coming into his room finding his son already laying on the bed, head on those ever soft pillows, his feet bare and showing out of the blanket he’s wrapped in, for intents and purposes, Jake was practically out cold. Richard was ready to follow suit with he notices a quick something glistening in his eye courtesy of the moonlight shining through his window. 

 That glistening was emitting from an old chest right at the foot of the bed, mostly likely where his collectibles from both the Circus and Bruce’s gifts to him were stored in. Gently opening it, Richard found what was that moonlight shining off from; a yellow cape, worn around a teddy bear, said teddy with an ‘R’ stitched on the right side of torso and a domino mask. He quickly pieces it together; good old Robin Bear, when there was BatBear for him in protecting against the nightmares, Robin Bear did the same for Bruce himself. Now granted, there’s little chance in hell Bruce would have this little guy on his bed again after Richard left. Maybe someone else can take it if Bruce doesn’t want it.....

  Ricahrd quickly puts the thought aside as upon sighting his sleeping son, he catches on to one thing Jake’s missing on him. With Robin Bear in his hands, Richard goes through their travel bags to find the one thing Jake likes on him at this moment: decked in a black cape, a Bat logo stitched on its torso and wearing that familiar cowl, the nightmare to nightmares, the Dark Knight of dreams, BatBear. 

  With both bears in tow, Richard finally climbs onto the bed , his son Jake positioned in a way in which the latter was in his dad’s arms and can be held close. As sleepiness starts methodically kicking in, Richard hands BatBear into his son’s arms, Jake opening his eyes to realize what was he carrying before letting out a content hum and shutting his green eyes again. 

“You like BatBear huh?” Richard asks Jake tiredly. 

“Yep”, came the sleepy reply 

As Richard’s own blue eyes began slowly drifting shut, he says “you know, we have a Robin Bear here...maybe you can have it too and...”

“Nah” , says Jake as sleep finally starts kicking in fully, “Robin..Bear...for you....Love you, Tati”. With that bit of Romani, Jake’s light snores finally came back 

 Feeling his heart swelling at the same time his mind begins switching to nap mode, Richard drowsily and his eyes closed takes Robin Bear in his arms and pressing a soft kiss on his son’s temple, “Love you too, Stardust” 

The next morning as Alfred Pennyworth tends to his morning routine, he notices upon inspecting Master Richard’s room said master in deep, restful sleep, snoring at a reasonable noise level, his arms wrapped around Master Jacob whom has his head on his father's chest, equally snoring peacefully. To their sides, BatBear and Robin Bear side by side to their respective owners. With soft smile, Alfred closes the door shut, he’ll tend to them when they decide on waking up later. 

  In the meantime, those Nightmare stopping duo were saving their dreams yet again 

Dedicated to   @mothnem​ @lightdusk96 @wisegirlandseaweedbrainforever @tarisilmarwen @secondgenerationnerd @nightglider124 @fireflyxrebel-writes @xaphrin @bluerene @shishidoryofan @loubuggins @dar-draws @kryallaorchid @blueraspberrymilkshake and many others

[bigskydreaming]

I saw you're old post on JayKyle and like I had a quick question: Ignoring that Jason's love life is embarrassingly bad, do you ever think that he'd might swallow his pride and go to Dick for advice? Because Jason focused on revenge for so long, his social skills (especially when romance is involved) are a little rusty when he's trying to be honest, and he would remember Dick being in a relationship before he died and stuff (also what advice do you think Dick would give to him?)

Absolutely.

See, this is one of those things where I think its key to remember that these characters - no matter how well established or fleshed out they might be - are ultimately still just fictional characters. The choices they make will never be anything other than the choices they’re assigned to make by the writer.

Which means that ultimately, execution always matters more in individual character choices than premise.

Because people are complicated, and good characters are too. People do contradictory things, they do inexplicable things, there’s very rarely anything where there’s just NO situation that could result in characters doing a certain thing. And so yeah, in premise, as I’ve talked about “oh Dick goes around killing people without a care in the world”.....not really plausible. Doesn’t really fit his character. But in execution, “the murderer of Dick’s brother taunts him with his brother’s death and Dick kills him”....not only plausible, it happened and was completely in character.

There’s very very little that can’t be done with just about any character....but you gotta do the math. Put the work in to explain WHY its not out of character, what about THIS specific scenario and execution of character choices and actions adds up to something that’s believable....even if nine out of ten times, it wouldn’t be, just on the surface. 

To bring all this back to your question....I think its not really an issue of WOULD Jason ever go to Dick for romantic advice, but rather....could a case be made for Jason plausibly ever going to Dick for romantic advice.

And before getting into that, I wanna raise a question of my own:

If not Dick....who WOULD Jason ever go to for romantic advice? Bruce? Not likely, just as like, even if they are on good terms at the time, how often do people usually go to their parents for romantic advice as their first choice...especially if that parent doesn’t exactly have much in the way of longterm relationships themselves? Alfred? Ditto - Alfred’s like Jason’s grandfather, and do you usually think “oh, I’ll go ask Grandpa” when thinking hey who is the best person to ask for dating advice? Especially when you’ve never seen them in a relationship either? 

Or how about Tim.....is it really at all MORE likely for someone like Jason to go to a YOUNGER sibling for romantic advice than an older one, even IF we were to ignore (as fandom usually does) that its actually Tim that Jason’s canon issues most commonly crop up with, rather than Dick the way fanon likes to invert that just to enable The Jason and Tim Show? (Sorry, letting my bitterness leak in there, lol, I’m just never not gonna be annoyed that so many fics handwave away the literal bad blood between Jason and Tim - which hey, everyone’s more than welcome to do, especially in the name of family unity - but WHILE at the exact same time inventing bad blood between Dick and Jason where it literally didn’t exist, just to have DISHARMONY in the family, but that’s specifically the fault of one person and one person only, that Dick. But where was I...)

I mean, that basically leaves Babs, which again, you certainly can go with, but the reality is they were never all that close in canon, and if Dick and Jason didn’t have a ton of in-canon bonding moments, he and Babs had even less, so again....

The question is: Given that Jason is mostly associated with just the Batfam, particularly pre-Reboot (and with his Reboot associations usually as often BEING his romantic counterparts as being someone he might feasibly go to for advice with romantic counterparts)....

Who else, other than Dick, really even EXISTS as a MORE plausible option for Jason to go to for dating tips?

(With again, the reality being that just as you can make a case for Dick being someone Jason goes to, you CAN make a case for him going to others.....with the point here being just that there’s really no one else out there that’s somehow MORE plausible for him to turn to here, and thus no reason Dick should be seen as a particularly IMplausible option here).

Whereas, if you strip away the fanon interference between Dick and Jason having any kind of decent sibling relationship, certain actual canon truths start to become more evident....

Like the fact that Jason was excited, in canon, to be Robin SPECIFICALLY. Not Robin as in Batman’s partner, but Robin as in ROBIN. Jason, contrary to popular opinion, looked up to Dick. He respected the older man. He was HONORED to walk in his shoes. Its why despite the machismo he’s usually written with, he never once in canon (okay at least pre-Reboot) talked shit about the Robin costume or wanted to change it. Its why in all of his ACTUAL canon interactions with Dick, he clearly wanted to impress him. He valued Dick’s opinion and insights. He always has.

Or the fact that compared to the relative lack of longterm relationships among the other significant figures in Jason’s life, pre his death, Dick was in a happy, committed relationship with Kory for the literal entire time Jason was Robin and knew him. Like, despite the fanon that Dick is a disaster in relationships, or that he’s had a billion of them, or that they always end because he doesn’t know how to actually be in one....none of this could be further from the truth, all his relationships end as much due to external plot wtf-ery as having ANYTHING to do with his inability to handle intimacy or romantic entanglements, and he’s literally the one and only major figure in Jason’s life that Jason can look at and cite memories of seeing him actually SUCCESSFULLY in a happy romantic relationship....which is again, something you tend to look for in a person you ask for romantic advice.

And so on along similar lines, with the point being....this, like so much else to do with Dick and Jason’s dynamic and even just Jason’s character individually.....is actually FAR more plausible than kneejerk fanon or fanfic impressions I think would make it out to be....and in fact, this is a far more plausible dynamic to exist between Jason and Dick in specific, than Jason and anyone else. Like, I really don’t know who else you would have him turn to for this specific issue, without having to invent the reasoning for that wholesale, having to put even MORE work into making credible than just building upon the idea that Jason goes to his older brother for advice in this department (even if he only does so with a lot of reluctance and awkwardness and “you better not laugh about this” threats, like......again, its all about the execution, and I’m not saying Jason would be GRACEFUL about going to Dick for help here, just that there’s waaaaaaaaaay more groundwork to build off of here than there is anywhere else).

And in conclusion, this also brings me back to my popular refrain of how - due to the fact that Dick is linked and pivotal to SO much of the Batfam’s interpersonal history and dynamics - the more you reduce even just him to one note, the more you constrain his dynamics with his family members to being just one thing and one thing only, and so often that one thing being a negative - the more you actually hurt and limit all the characters around him too, inadvertently. 

Such as Jason. Who innately becomes limited in how well and how believably he can engage in romantic storylines in general, due to not just to his own relative lack of history and experience there....but because the ONE character who is actually MOST ideally situated to be the best person for Jason to turn to for help there, for advice, to fill in the gaps where his lack of history and experience makes him reticent to even TRY dating.....that one person is automatically discounted as not a possibility simply because so many people don’t WANT him to be a possibility. Because they’d rather Dick be the villain of Jason’s stories than an actual positive, supportive older brother helping him to have nice things.

But when you take away those kneejerk assumptions as to why Jason would NEVER go to Dick for help here, with almost all of them stemming from fanon assumptions that Jason neither respects Dick or trusts or values his opinion, nor is he willing to allow himself to ever be vulnerable around Dick......or else stemming from fanon assumptions that Dick doesn’t like, trust or value Jason enough to be helpful or encouraging, or to not take advantage of his vulnerability or fail to respect the effort being vulnerable asks of Jason......

Suddenly, without those largely fan-formed obstacles in the way.....there’s little to no ACTUAL reasons why Jason wouldn’t or couldn’t ever go to Dick for help or advice with dating or romantic relationships.

[smilesrobotlover]

Koris siblings are so cute I love their designs!!! what are their names and personalities like?

Thank you!!!! The little girl is Nisha and she’s not Link’s biological daughter. She’s the heir Midna was pressured to have. I don’t know what her personality is yet. Perhaps she’s a little mischievous, something she no doubt picked up from her mother, but is a sweetheart regardless. She’s a lot more proper and a bit wiser due to being raised to be a princess, and so her rough and tough little brother annoys her a LOT. But she adores Kori, and the whole family. She knows she’s adopted by Link, but she sees him as her real father.

Elk is the youngest and he is a lot different from his older siblings. He’s a very grumpy and quiet child. He’s not touchy feely so Link had to very quickly tone down his hugs so he wouldn’t annoy him. He loooooves Uli so so much but he doesn’t seem to like Rusl due to grandpa hugs. Rusl also needs to learn to tone down his hugs alas 😔 but he’s still a beloved, he’s just far more introverted and things. He tends to be more shy around Midna but he’s fond of her. He mostly spends time with his papa since that’s who he knows more

[cass-y0inks]

“First Man”

Ok before we start this little fic was inspired by the song, “First Man” by Camila Cabello. It reminds me of the time on relationship that Dick would have with Marinette growing up. You can choose who she ends up with I probably won’t focus on that you may leave it in the comments, your choice (Y/C)Also I decided that I’m going to make Kori Marinette’s mother figure. Btw I’m sorry that the other part is taking very long but I will try to finish it and post it sometime this week, hopefully. Anyway Enjoy! (Warning long post)

Yes I’m gonna stay with him tonight, I’ll see you in the morning, no of course, he won’t drink and drive. Can you say bye to mom for me?

“Papa I’ll be fine, it’s just for one night. You know I won’t be able to make it in time, there’s to much traffic.” Marinette really loved her papa, she really did but sometimes he would let his anxiety get to him.

“I know my little Angel, just please be very careful. Oh and Y/C, bring her back in the morning unharmed. Capiche?” Her papa really did love his nicknames for everyone, especially her’s. She was his little angel no matter what, even if he did steal the name from her uncle Damian.

Y/C looked over to her phone and gave him a small smile, “Yes sir, understood. We’ll see you in the morning”

“Keep your eyes on the road Prince Charming. Good night Sunshine, sleep well” her papa sended her a small kiss after he said that.

“Good night papa, sleep well to. And tell mama good night for me too. Love you” she hung up after she returned his small kiss.

Oh, you’ll like him, he’s really kind and funny like you sometimes. And I found someone I really like, maybe for the first time.

Marinette was fixing her papa’s tie for the third time it just never stayed put. She was beyond nervous, her whole family was meeting him today, her mama, her great grandpa, her grandpa, and all her uncles and aunties! It’s not that they embarrassed her, it’s just that she really likes Y/C and her family could get a little... out of hand.

Dick noticed the doubt in her eyes when he looked away from the mirror to look at her. He sighed, he knew what that felt like of course. He gently pulled her into a hug and thought of a way to distract her. “Hey.... wh-why don’t you tell me more about him”

He saw how her eyes lit up almost instantly, “Papa you’ll like him, he’s confident, kind, and funny” she looked down at her feet remembering all the jokes he would make when they would hang out. “Almost as funny as you, who knows? Maybe even funnier papa.”

“Excuse me? Funnier that me! No no no, impossible” that he would never allow.

“Fine not as funny or funnier than you” she sighed out. “Thank you sunshine” he said back with his arms crossed on his chest.

“Just way more stylish.” With that she left him with his mouth wide open.

That nigh went great, he wasn’t intimidated at all by her family, and it didn’t change anything.

No, I don’t need a jacket, it’s not that cold outside. And you worry, I get it but he’s waiting outside

“Mari come on, I don’t want you catching a cold!” Dick was trying to get her in a fuzzy-warm light toned jacket before her movie date with Y/C.

“Papa it’s the middle of July, I won’t need I jacket” sometimes her papa would try different ways to stall her even for just a couple of seconds. “Papa I know you worry but he’s been out there for almost 3 minutes. Look if anything happens I’ll call you, ok? Tell mama I love her to, goodbye.”

Giving her one last hug he said, “goodbye, I love ya to sunlight”

I swear on my heart that he’s a good man. I know you’ll stay up late just waiting for me, you held me so tight now someone else can. But you were the first man that really loved me.

“Papa I promise he’s the sweetest guy I have ever met. He cares, loves and protects me. Like you.” Marinette finally had some free time with her parents. Her mama, papa, and herself were at a a restaurant having a peaceful dinner. The restaurant were she and Y/C had there first date, that brought back memories.

Her mama, Kori, was the one to talk sense into him. “Dick you knew that she would eventually grow up and find someone she liked, just like you and me.” Kori saw how he still had a small pout on his lips looking down at his food.” She smiled. “Remember when you first asked me out on a date. We held hands, laughed together, took pictures. Remember what we felt. We felt special and loved, that’s how they feel. Loved.”

Kori saw how he didn’t really move much, she looked over to her daughter and gave her a small smile and nodded her head pointing at Dick. She got the message and took her papa’s and mama’s hands and held them together. She took a few moments to form her words. “Papa, you’ know how you would hold me and mama on our worst days. How it felt like home, like safety... that’s what I feel with him. You worry about me when I’m with him and sometimes loose sleep but I swear that he means well.” Her papa finally looked up at her with teary eyes.

She stood up from he seat and hugged him. “Papa no matter how much I’m with him or he says he loves me please remember, You were the first man that really loved me.”

Now you’re driving to the airport, not just me you pick up anymore. I’ve got eight days off coming up, and I can only come home for four.

“Papa! Over here!” Marinette rushed over to him, following closely behind was Y/C smiling at him. Dick opened his arms and almost fell back when Mari crashed into him. How ge missed hugging her, memorizes coming back. This wasn’t the first time he picked her up from the airport but, it was the first time she came back with someone else.

“It’s good to see you again sir.” Y/C slowly stood out his hand in front of him. Dick eyed him before carefully taking his hand into his and lightly shaking it.

“You to son.” Marinette stared at her papa in shock, ‘son?’ That was in improvement. Last time she checked he was still skeptical about him. Maybe Alfred or mama finally knocked some sense into him.

Yeah I just met his family. They’re just like you and mom. He makes me really happy, I think he might be the one.

To say the least Marinette was, anxious? She really couldn’t explain what she felt. Today she was finally going to meet his parents. Her long time boyfriend’s parents. She could only remember one time she was this nervous. It was when he was going to met her family.

Different scenarios ran through her head, a variety of ‘what if’s’. It felt like the world was spinning in circles. A familiar ring caught off her thoughts, her phone. She took out her phone from her pocket and read the name on the screen. ‘Papa’. Before answering she took a few deep breath’s trying to calm herself down.

“H-hi pa-papa. H-ho-w ar-are y-you.” Damit. Her papa on the other side of the line clearly noticed the stutter in her voice.

“Mari what happened? Are you ok? Do you need help?” She noticed panic in his tone.

This time she took multiple slow breaths and told him what was bothering her. After what seemed like an hour, she calmed down. Venting always helped her out. She was still nervous but she had at least calmed down a bit. She looked down at her phone to check the time. ‘4:52’ he’d be here any minute. “Papa I have to go, but thank you for calling me. I really needed to talk”

“Anytime sunshine. I love you” he sent her a kiss through the other line.

“Love you to dad”

The dinner night with his parents when great. She had a lot of fun throughout the night. His parents almost reminded her of her parents. They were fun, energetic and loving. She had to thank her papa Ofer helping her calm down.

Now you’re on the driveway faking a smile. You wish you could tell him he doesn’t deserve me. So I had to stop the car and turn around to tell you, you were the first man that really loved me.

She was going back to Paris after a few week’s back In Gotham. Audrey Bourgeois wouldn’t be waiting for her all day. She and Y/C had previously convinced her to let her stay a few more day in Gotham, Audrey’s patience was already running out. Everything was in the car by now, all they had to do was say goodbye.

One by one she said good bye to her family all that was left was her papa. Step by step she made her way up to him until she was right in front of him, he wasted no time in pulling her into a tight hug. Once they broke apart she heard a sniff, her papa was crying. And so was she.

“I love you papa/Marinette” they told each other at the same time. Giving him a sad smile she made her away to the car where Y/C was waiting for her in the passenger seat. Buckling up she started the car and drove away. After a couple of feet she looked at the rear view mirror and saw her papa shedding multiple tears from his eyes waving goodbye at her. Before she could process what she was doing she pulled over and got off the car.

Her papa saw her running towards him, and he planned to meet her at the middle. Once she was close enough she jumped into his arms. He caught her and spinned her around. He carefully put her down after a while but didn’t let her go. She felt a few tears running down her face. She got closer to his ear and quietly whispered, “You were the first man that really loved me” she took a short pause before continuing. “I love you papa, thank you”

And before they open up the door,I say I’ve never seen you cry before. You say “you’ve never looked so beautiful before. You know you’ll always be my little girl.”

Today was the day, she was getting married. She would have never imagined every little detail like this, it was a dream come true for her. She had designed her own dress. It was long with loose sleeves and instead of traditional white it was a very pale pink and a floral like pattern. He papa was in a black suit and a tie that matched her dress. She was nervous of course but having her papa next to her helped her a lot. It was a few more minutes before her uncle’s opened up the doors.

She felt a tear landing on her hand. She looked up and saw her papa wiping his eyes. A smile making its way across her face. She raised her hand and placed it on his cheek. Her papa let out a teary laugh. “Papa I’ve never seen you cry so much before.” It was true. He wouldn’t really cry so much, but this was like it almost looked like a small waterfall leaving his eyes.

He let out another quiet laugh, “It feels like just yesterday you were learning you first steps. Now your walking down the aisle, you look gorgeous Mari.” Wiping away his tears he told her, “ You know you’ll always be my little girl.” Seconds before the doors opens he placed a light feathered kiss on her forehead. Time to go.

You’re looking at me, while walking down the aisle with tears in your eyes. Maybe he deserved me, you don’t even know how much it means to me now

This was it, just a few more steps and she’d be at the altar. Y/C was looking straight at her with the biggest smile he ever had. Her papa still had tears in his eyes, as did the rest of her family. Even the baby of the family had to grow up eventually.

Dick didn’t think this day would come, he imagined it yes but for it to actually be here was unreal. He couldn’t control his tears from flowing down his eyes. They wouldn’t be stoping anytime soon. Maybe he did deserve his daughter. Maybe this was a good day. Looking back down at her he saw she was looking at the altar, specially at Y/C. This day was big for her, he knew that. This was her day. Of this was special for her, it was special for him.

They finally reached the altar.

You were the first man that really loved me, that really loved me.

It was the end of the night, everything went perfect. If she had to be honest, she was tired. Yet that didn’t stop her from going out to the balcony where her papa was. She quietly leaned against the railing like he was. They stood in silence for a moment. Her papa broke the silence first.

“Well you did it, you grew up. When will you stop?” He turned to her and let out a chuckle. She giggled a bit and gave him a light hug.

She pulled away shortly, “Papa even if I still grow, I will always be there with you. You are the reason why I’m who I am, why I’m here today and always.” She stoped and looked down for a second then quickly looked back up at him. “You are the first man that loved me.”

Kori stepped onto the with hot chocolate. “Would you like some Mar-” The sight in front of her caught her off. Dick and her daughter were sleeping on a chaise. Her head tucked under his head.

You really loved me

That’s the end. Sorry if I missed someone in the tag list. I hope you all liked it. Goodbye.

Tag list (closed):@virgil-is-a-cutie @caffeinetheory @theatreandcomicfreak @thepeacetea @abrx2002 @fertileleaf @tog84 @kawaiigiantjudgefish @captainartsypants @witchsblackfox @myazel @echpr @drarryismylife101 @dorkus-minimus @dast218 @tired-butterfly @jeminiikrystal @iglowinggemma28 @lilyellowink @throneoffirebreathingbitchqueen @aestheticandpoetic @daminett4life @weird-pale-blonde-person @tbehartoo @onelargemcbitch @kanamexzeroyaoifangirl @crytallized @queen-of-the-trash-planet-tm @princess-of-fangirls @winter-gardenflower @jardimazul @littleredrobinhoodlum @oodle-n @isabellemasen @luleck @akalovelymaybe @hauntedfreakdeputyhero @finallyaniguana @smolplantmum @if-you-give-a-chat-a-cookie @mystery-5-5 @thesunanditsangel @vixen-uchiha @minightrose @melicmusicmagic @crazylittlemunchkin @queenmj10 @my-name-is-michell @draco-kasai @blackrosee3 @elmokingkong @sassydepression @dragonflyswing @bigpicklebananatree @thetinymoonflower

[former-shootingstvr]

cont. from here + @nighttknight​

“I… Uhh…” is his intelligent reply, as he’s genuinely caught off guard by her question. Before he can’t attempt to say anything actually comprehensible, she guides his hand over so it rest atop her stomach. It’s a rather odd connection, his scarred, calloused hand resting, feather light, right over where the baby is. Now is one of the few moments that he is and has been observed to be speechless. There’s a lapse of silence as he lets his hand linger and as his brain struggles to catch up with what he’s feeling, both literally and emotionally. “She’s gonna be a feisty one, isn’t she?” he laughs, flashing her a genuine smile. “I supposed it’s to be expected. An acrobat father and a princess for a mother… She’s going to be feisty and fly, isn’t she?” Lighthearted comments made, he makes one last comment - his mandatory moment of seriousness. “How did the last doctor’s appointment go? Are you both healthy?”

she’s going to save this moment on her memory ‘til the end of times. speechless bruce wayne??  an achievement. but she’s not gonna say anything about it, not a single word to not make him feel uncomfortable, also the good thing is that richard is out with his brothers, it’s only bruce and her. and alfred who should be looking at the scene from the distance. she can feel the baby’s kicks on her stomach, as her parents this baby is gonna love bruce too, as he’s gonna love their baby, she doesn’t doubt that at all. the bright smile on her face turns bigger at his words, remembering the titan’s words when they knew about the baby, “god helps us with this baby!! “ ▬ yeah, being feisty and fly runs on her blood. and i am pretty sure she’s gonna learn a lot from her uncles and grandpa. - this is the first time the princess uses that word to talk about bruce. she has being able to see first hand how their relationship (bruce & dick’s) has gone better. and she’s happy for both. then kori takes a deep breath, of course bruce was going to ask for their health, which is so sweet. ▬ well, actually raven is who’s helping us with this. she can feel the baby pretty well. she was the first to know i was pregnant, even before me. - she laughs, ashamed. ▬ and also she told us is gonna be a girl !!  but . .  still we are scared for the birth. 

[bluboothalassophile]

Getting to Know More

Fun facts about Terry McGinnis:

He was a notorious middle child in a HUGE family: Dick, Jason, Athanasia, Cassandra, Tim, Duke, Damian, Alina, himself, Helena, Thomas, Bruce Jr., and Matt. His extended family included Dick’s wife, and Dick’s kids, Thomas, Mar’i, and Jake; Jason’s adopted daughter Lian Harper; Tim’s wife, Stephanie; and Duke’s wife; Claire Clover. His extended, extended family also had Uncle Luke’s and Aunt Babs’ kids; Carrie and Nell, Bette Kane, Grampa Lucius, and, well, at this point one got the picture; huge ass colony of Bats living in Gotham here.

He shredded it where skateboard, hockey, motocross were concerned, but he had the coordination of a spaz for baseball and surfing.

His mom was awesome on epic proportions. Seriously, he didn’t know how she did it but she redefined super mom.

Another thing to know, he totally did not have a crush on the Princess of Atlantis, he was only going with her to this movie because he happened to like it, and because Mareena was the only chick he knew who didn’t like chick flicks (Mar’i, Helena, Lian, and Max could all go Suck It! He was going to see a damn action flick if it fucking killed him this year!) Mareena just also happened to like action flicks, which was why she was here with him.

Standing there in the theatre line he tried not to stare at Mareena who was hiding her identity under a hoodie she had stolen from his room when she had walk up to the Manor with a movie for them to see. Mareena did not have friends in Atlantis who appreciated the arts of action flicks. Terry didn’t care though, he was no longer being that weirdo who was going to a theatre alone. Also, she was a chick Dana could not get jealous over and drive him insane. He would think college meant that the drama would die off with the age grow up, but apparently not. And he was not getting blue balls because Dana was having imaginary jealous fits over imaginary slights.

“Why can the line not move faster,” Mareena huffed.

“Because the line is moving this pace because people are slow. Besides, we’re ahead of the line for the premiere line,” he jabbed his thumb over his shoulder to show her. Mareena frowned.

“You people are annoying,” Mareena said icily.

“How are we annoying, you wanted to go to this movie, so I’m going with you to see this movie,” he said.

“I would’ve asked someone else, but,” she started.

“There’s no one but Don and Dawn, and we both know there’s no way in hell that Barry and Iris would let them come.”

“I could’ve gone to New Krypton,” Mareena argued.

“Oh yes, because watching their movies is so entertaining,” Terry rolled his eyes.

“You land dwellers have no appreciation for the fine arts of moving with a flow,” Mareena argued.

“Pipe down, and don’t draw attention of the paparazzi,” he snapped when her hood started falling off of her head, which had him pulling it more firmly over the green hair of hers. Only disadvantage of going to the movies with Mareena was the fact her hair glowed in the dark. But other than that, trade offs, made it worth it!

“You do realize they’d be more inclined to notice you and not me, right?”

“I’m wearing a Gotham Knights cap, and I am not royalty, I’m just one of a hundred Wayne kids,” Terry point out.

“I thought you were a Prince,” Mareena said.

“No, I’m a Wayne,” he said. “Not royalty.”

“You are also…” she held up her index fingers by her head and smiled a bit.

“Yeah, but that doesn’t count,” he shrugged. Dick had been Batman, Jason had briefly been to save Dick’s wedding, Cass currently was, Damian was next. It wasn’t anything special anymore, it wasn’t special in the family he belonged in. Though B was still the control freak behind the scenes for them so technically B was still the Bat.

“Why not?”

“Cause B’s the big man in charge.”

“Your dad is in a wheelchair,” Mareena pointed out.

“Partial paralyses is not a disability, it just means his legs have to take a break sometimes and Mom has to push him around, it’s not abnormal to what normally happens with him,” he shrugged.

“You guys have issues,” Mareena stated.

Terry merely shrugged. “Dad’s fine, we’re fine, it’s all fine!” he snorted.

“Last time you said that everything was on fire,” Mareena stated.

“Let me restate we’re fine. But mostly keep your hair away so I don’t have to explain to Dana why the hell I’m seen with another woman.” Terry stated.

“Ah, the nefarious Dana, why are you still dating that woman?” Mareena asked. “She was bratty when you were a teen, she’s worse now.”

“Not all of us get fairy tale romances,” Terry shrugged. “Besides, I like sex, sex is a great relief to the stress of everything.”

“You sound like a cad.”

“You should hear my sisters talk,” he shrugged. Mar’i, Helena, Max, and Lian were way worse than him about the sex talks, girls were all about feelings, and emotions and connections, it was annoying, and they always talked about it and guys! Terry probably knew more about women than the average guy and it was a disturbing amount information his sisters had given him. And just to clarify, he thought of Mar’i, Lian and Max as his sisters because he had known them since he was in diapers! It was hard to think of them as anything remotely close to something other than sisters.

“And you shouldn’t knock down romance,” Mareena stated. “Your family has the most epic love stories according to my father. Other than maybe Diana and Steve’s.”

“You’re nuts!” he sputtered.

“Am not, the story of B and Selina, Dick and Kori, Jason and Raven, Tim and Stephanie, B and Talia,” she stated. “Epic romances.”

“That’s just gross, and disturbing to think about my family’s love lives,” he grimaced.

“You guys are secret sweethearts I bet,” Mareena decided with a cheeky smile.

“We are the Knight! We are the Terror of Nightmares! We are NOT Sweethearts! Even Alina is even an epic of epic badasses,” he argued. His phone buzzed and he pulled it out to see the text was from his mom.

“What’s up?”

“After the movie we need to go get Matt, Carrie, Tommy and Nell from school. Babs and Luke had to go to Africa,” he said.

“Oh.”

“So we’ll get them, get a slice, and then I’ll drop you off, or are you tubing?” he asked.

“Why would I be tubing?”

“Cause it’s up or down with you,” he retorted.

“Can I stay? I haven’t hung around the surface too much, and I do not want to go to the Tower,” she said.

“Yeah. Julia will help us set up a room for you,” Terry said. Julia had come to Gotham recently because Alfred was sick.

“Who is Julia?” Mareena asked.

“Julia is Alfred’s daughter,” he answered.

“Alfred is not B’s father?” she said in bizarre wonderment.

“Uh… yeah, not a secret,” he pointed out. “Alfred is awesome, and he’s totally grandpa, but he’s not blood.” Terry shrugged.

“WHAT!?” Mareena sputtered. Terry jumped a bit as he stared at her bewildered expressioned.

“What!?”

“He’s not blood!?”

“No, I mean, like ninety percent of my family isn’t blood.”

“Really?”

“Yeah,” he shrugged. “It’s not news.”

“I…” she started. “I always thought you were related,” he said.

“Really?”

“Black hair, blue eyes, ungodly pale.”

“What about Duke or Damian!?” he sputtered.

“Okay, so you don’t all look alike,” she rolled her eyes.

“Exactly, and we are all pretty much adopted. Only Athanasia, Damian, Alina, Helena, Tommy, Junior, Matt and I are actually B’s blood kids.”

“I thought you were just… you know, cause you’re a huge family and dad says B started young, really young, so I just assumed,” she shrugged.

“It’s all public record,” he shrugged. “B hasn’t been shy about it. Dick, Babs, Jason, Cass, Tim, Duke, Steph, technically and kind of, Harper, Cullen, Bette, and Renee.”

“I just thought you were related, and I thought you were also, you know,” she shrugged innocently.

“What else did you think we were!?” He sputtered.

“Vampires,” she said innocently.

“I hate dad for starting that rumor,” Terry muttered sourly.

“That one is funny though!” She persisted. “Hal told me, before I met you guys, that you were all demons.”

“Well, Rae is,” he shrugged.

“I thought your dad was big anti- anything that isn’t human marrying into my family,” Mareena said.

“Luci made valid points which had B accepting the fact marrying into a family as divine and powerful as Rae’s is a… you know, it’s kind of a divine honor,” Terry shrugged. “Besides, I didn’t know they weren’t married until they were officially married.”

“You didn’t know they weren’t married?” Mareena asked.

“They’ve been together since I was in diapers,” Terry shrugged.

“Really?”

“Yes really. I’m pretty sure they were the ones who found me,” Terry said.

“I’m learning more about you than I ever thought possible.”

“All of this is actually public record.”

“Really?” she asked skeptically.

“My biological mother was Mary McGinnis, she was married to Warren McGinnis, they died in a car crash when I was three days old and they were driving home from the hospital. I’m technically property of A.R.G.U.S. so Waller took me in, Jason found me about a year later,” Terry explained.

“That’s weird,” she decided.

“No, what’s weirder is the fact that Matt is my full brother,” Terry stated. “Mary and Warren were dead five years before Matt was even conceived, and he’s my full brother.”

“What?”

“Yeah.”

“I thought you were B’s blood son,” Mareena said carefully.

“I am. Waller injected a serum into Warren McGinnis’ DNA to scramble his own DNA to match with Bruce’s. Warren was a chimera essentially thanks to Waller’s tinkering,” Terry said. “I’m a ‘clone’ of Bruce’s in a way or I was supposed to be with what Waller set up, and I’m his son, but NO, he did not get involved in the conception of me or my blood brother Matt. He’s the genetic material for us. He’s still Dad though since he’s well, Dad,” Terry shrugged.

“That’s complicated.”

“That’s my family. Also, completely public record,” he shrugged.

“You’re not normal,” she said icily.

“What!? I’m completely normal! I’m going to a movie, and with you no less, in broad daylight, and I’m not turning to ash because of the sun either!” he smiled.

“You’re sounding like a assbutt,” she muttered.

“Asshole,” he corrected. “And you started it.”

“What did you expect from my family?” she asked.

“Lots of energy,” he answered honestly. “Dad always said that you guys were energetic like no tomorrow and wild, also unpredictable, dangerous, and loud, very loud.”

“You expected that!?” she sputtered.

“Did you think I was expecting a mermaid from Little Mermaid, fishtail and all?” he asked her.

“Yes!”

“Nah,” he shrugged.

“You’re an ass,” she informed him.

“I’m aware.”

“Good.”

“Besides, I’m a you know,” he shrugged. “Being unpleasant and assholes in general are required.”

“Oh! The ticket booth! And next time we are dropping your family name to get into the movie.”

“You wanted to be a normal American teen this time instead of being a Princess of you know,” he said.

“I did not want that. You wanted that. Freaking love of invisibility. I swear if you were metas you’d all be like that.”

“Rae cast an invisibility spell once, that was awesome, terrifying and cool.”

“Why!?”

“Oh, the demons were hunting her, I was like seven, and it was a giant hide and seek game,” Terry said.

“That’s not normal.”

“You grew up under the sea,” he pointed out.

“You grew up in Gotham.”

“I don’t like you right now,” she decided.

“You adore me, I’m paying for the movie,” he pointed out.

“True,” she decided.

“Awe, you two are an adorable couple!” the ticket attendant said when they stepped up to buy the tickets for S.O.S. “First date?”

“We’re not a couple,” Terry stated as he paid for the tickets.

“But we are friends!” Mareena declared slinging her arm around his shoulders.

“Barely.”

“You adore me!” she declared.

Terry rolled his eyes as the ticket clerk chuckled but gave them their tickets. “I’ll spring for the snacks, you get the good seats,” he ordered as they had their ticket punched and walked into the crowd.

[meduseld]

I Crave, I Love, (I've Waited Long Enough)

Just because they’re soulmates doesn’t mean it’s easy.

(For the @dcbingo​ prompt “Soulmate AU”. Also on AO3)

Jason breaks in through the back window, because he doesn’t want to go anywhere else and he’s not completely sure Roy would let him in through the front door, anyway.

It’s disturbingly easy, even for him, and he has half a mind to point it out but there’s no way to do that without sounding psychotic.

Not that he cares, usually. But it’s Roy.

That’s the heart of it.

Before Jason can decide whether to go find him or just pass out in his bed, Roy turns the corner, coffee mug in hand.

It’s not steaming.

He doesn’t drop it when he sees Jason, or do anything beyond nod calmly, like Jason called ahead or something. “You want a towel?” he says, after Jason just stands there.

In his defense, Roy’s ratty robe, the one that makes it look like he’s cosplaying The Dude, has these huge baggy sleeves and he can just see the tip of the soulmark on the inside of his elbow.

Jason’s soulmark, if you feel like getting technical. He usually doesn’t.

“You saying I need a shower? Because if we’re being catty, you need better fucking security. My grandpa could have busted in with his eyes closed” Jason says before he can think about it.

He means it in the general sense, because the closest thing he has to a grandfather is Alfred Pennyworth, who could probably break into the Tower of London without a sweat on an off day.

Roy doesn’t take the bait, still looking at Jason like he’s a wayward cat that keeps going missing before showing up pregnant. Again.

It a disturbingly accurate summary of their relationship, if not for the fact that between them it’s Roy who has the rugrat.

If he were a better man, he might wonder where she is.

“That’s on purpose, man. I got nothing worth stealing and all you fuckers use the window instead of the door like normal people. Wally, Dick, Kory. Hal when he’s planetside. Even your dad once” Roy says like he’s had this conversation before.

“Bruce isn’t my dad” Jason says, so wound up already that he’s easy to agitate.

Not that Roy ever had any trouble getting to Jason’s soft underbelly, which stills exists despite all his efforts.

“Sure –Roy says with an eye roll– just like Ollie’s not mine. Now get in the goddamn shower. I’ll bring you a towel” and Jason honestly has nothing to say to that.

And since he’s not going to sulk about it because he’s a grown up, thank you very much, what he does is leave a trail of dirty, gunpowder smelling, bloody clothes on his way to the flimsy plywood door.

The blood isn’t his at least, which he knows is the thing Roy would get stuck on. He used to, anyway.

Jason leans against the cool door while the water warms up, yawning. It’s possible that he hasn't been sleeping much lately. Or at all.

It's been a problem for as long as he can remember, even something of an asset when he was on the street, so it's not something he can blame on the Pit.

Even if it didn't fucking help any.

Roy is his usual remedy, at least for a while. For as long as he can stand to be around people.

It's a little funny; when they were younger, Roy didn't count as people. Probably Jason is the one that doesn't, now.

It's a recurrent thought, easy to push away when he steps into the spray.

The shower is probably the nicest thing about this place, a nondescript box in a nondescript neighborhood, surrounded by nondescript people who probably get real excited about tax law.

Compared to how they grew up, both on the surface and underneath, it's almost unspeakably exotic. He wonders if Roy takes the commuter train now.

It's nice though, being in Roy's shower, surrounded by Roy smells, reminded just how deep Roy is in his blood.

At least part of it is psychosomatic, he knows, but the presence of a soulmate has been known to help heal wounds and slow bleeding and all sorts of hospital type things that Jason's usually in need of.

It usually gets him half hard, too, the pressure of the water beating down on his bruises and the knowledge that Roy must jerk off in here. Sometimes he must think of Jason too.

The door opens just as he's finishing, the unholy combination of being raised without an abundance of running water and by Pennyworth-Wayne discipline making it impossible for him to ever shower longer than five minutes.

Roy knows that, of course.

They’ve shared more than one place over the years, even if most of those were for a day or two in buildings that were very literally falling apart.

He pauses for a moment before pulling open the curtain with a flourish. It’s covered in cute woodland animals and it seems newish so it was probably a gift from Wally. Maybe M’gann.

He doesn't want to think about what happened to the old one, how they knew it was moldy and ugly and in need of a replacement.

Jason was kind of fond of it, which isn't surprising. He liked what it said about Roy.

Jason's dramatic naked reveal doesn't have quite the effect he's expecting.

He isn't, in fact, instantly jumped by a slab of redheaded muscle.

Maybe he's losing his touch.

On the other hand, he doesn't get an arrow to the gut, either.

Roy stays where he's sitting on the bathroom counter, heels idly drumming against the cabinet doors, thighs incredibly distracting in his old boxers.

It’s a pair Jason’s pulled off of him before, he’s reasonably sure. Roy gets attached to things.

The only real change is in his eyes, gone flat and hungry, behind the light haze of cigarette smoke.

It’s eye catching enough that it takes a minute to register that he’s lost the robe.

He thought Roy had quit for good this time, which is what he almost says when Roy leans over and taps his ashes into the sink, which, gross.

He knows that's hypocritical, hardly cares.

But it's Roy's house and Jason doesn't live here. And as appealing as a fight would be, the idea of Roy slamming his body right into the wall and pressing in, bringing him to heel, Jason's not really into cigarette burns, accidental or not.

Roy knows that, as well as he knows the little cluster of ancient and round burn scars around the slope of his neck and shoulder. He doesn't have to say it.

“Your clothes are in the wash. The ones I could salvage, anyway” Roy mumbles around the end of the cig.

While Jason takes him time toweling himself down, wondering if it looks sexy or just awkward because it’s a fine, fine line, Roy takes an extra deep drag, stubs it out against the metal drain and dumps it in the tiny peach colored plastic garbage can by the toilet.

That, he knows for a fact, was a pointed gift from Dick.

The butt lands, he notes absently, on the more-holes-than-fabric socks Jason had been wearing. Now that he thinks of it, they might have been Roy’s once upon a time.

He’s not really sorry. People should have learned by now. They shouldn't give Jason anything they want back.

He fixes the towel around his waist as Roy leans back against the glass, stretching the overtaxed fabric of his ancient t-shirt, washed so many times it’s gone that indeterminate color between dirty white, grey and green.

It gets him moving, keeps his eyes from Roy’s relaxed arms.

There’s no mistaking a soulmark for tattoo ink, no matter how much he might want to. And there’s no mistaking the way the permanent maelstrom in his chest is soothed, just a little, from Roy being there, weighing him down with those heavy lidded eyes.

He doesn't ache, now. He never does under that gaze.

It makes it easy to put a slink in his step, to amble over to him in a way that would make Selina proud, towel calculatedly draped over his hips to tempt far more than skin ever could.

Another one of life’s little jokes. Like the black arrow, fletching fanning over his hip, that follows along his pelvis to point directly at his crotch.

Roy’s arrow, which is a comfort.

He knows it’s mostly bullshit, the idea that the placement of your soulmark is some deep Rorschach test of your true self, up there with astrology and tea leaf reading and phrenology. It’s only the shape, on the person you match, that really matters.

But that's hard to remember sometimes, after years of innuendo and running from the sort of men who wanted to see it up close and raised eyebrows from the sort of people who luncheon.

Even Bruce had frowned at it, when Jason was new if not shiny, the first time he saw it.

Though now that he’s older, he wonders if Bruce worried that it might mean Oliver, instead. The suggestive placement wouldn’t have helped any, might have even made it seem more likely that Jason would be bound to a lecherous creep.

There’s still some truth to it, after all, that the place your soulmark picks means something. It’s not for no reason that there’s a generation of reality stars and Youtubers and quote-unquote influencers with their marks on their faces.

The hilarious thing is, that for all the sex Jason has had, sweaty and inventive and probably excessive, the only person he's ever had it with is Roy.

There's no one else that knows that. Probably. There’s Bruce, even if he doesn’t want to admit it, even without considering that Jason knows a lot of telepaths.

And he yelled, nights, in Nanda Parbat. He got used to waking up hoarse.

Fuck knows what he said. Maybe it was just Bruce’s name on a loop, his not-so-last words. He doesn’t think so, though.

Ra’s would have used that. He used everything else.

Jason looks up suddenly, escaping memories that feel like sandpaper in his gut, realizing he’s probably just been standing there with resting murderface, eyes locked on that marked strip of skin on his soulmate’s arm.

Roy doesn’t looked freaked out about it. Or pitying.

He could probably deal far more easily with the first. He’s more used to it.

From this angle, trying to curse God and Ra’s and Bruce and the Joker in the same breath, all while pulling himself together, he can see the shadowed hollow beneath Roy’s jaw.

There was a time that there was always some sort of mark there, from Jason’s lips, his teeth, thumbs, tongue or bruising kisses.

It’s been a while. A long while.

The first time he’d seen Roy again, after the Joker and the Pit and all the madness that came with it, they hadn’t kissed.

He remembers the way Roy’s eyes had gone watery and his mouth dropped open, Jason’s heart stinging in his chest. He hadn’t called ahead of course.

He wouldn’t have even if he had known what to say.

There had been no sound, not until Roy’s hands had come up, to grab his shoulders or move in his hair or to just touch him and make sure he was real, not a shadow or a dream, and Jason had jumped back like a startled cat.

They hadn’t talked about it. Not then. Still haven’t.

He knows what they must think, Roy and his handful friends and his always expanding family, about what must have happened to Jason there, in the far stone reaches of the League’s castle, cold winds howling in the dark night, a living dead boy surrounded by soulless killers.

Like that didn’t describe life at the Manor.

But the truth is, no one ever touched him there. Ever. Unless you counted all the times they set to sparring and drawing blood.

But never anytime else. If he wasn’t violently sick or convulsive, like those first weeks, because coming back from death is never easy no matter what the Al Ghuls might tell you, he was nervy and impulsive, like a rabid terrier. Or a feral cat. Stephen King, now that was your man for the realities of resurrection.

Roy hadn’t asked him, then or ever, what it had been like. Jason hadn’t wanted him to.

He had just watched with those eyes that said that in some twisted way, he already knew.

The way he was doing now.

Of course the way Jason’s hands kept rising like they were finally going to grab a handful of his thighs or loosen the knot on his towel and then dropping without doing any of that might have something to do with that.

It’s not all that often he’s spoiled for choice. Or this naked, in the not-so-fun way.

“Hey” Roy says, nice and low, “maybe you should be getting in bed”.

“Finally, you’re making some sense” Jason says with a smile he knows does it for Roy, the one that says he’s just this side of feral.

Or at least it used to say that. Jason’s not a huge mirror guy, these days.

“Yeah, c’mon” Roy says with a sigh, his knees pressing Jason back so he can slide off the cheap laminate of the countertop.

Just that touch of skin on skin sends a zing through Jason, the kind that rends his ventricles and makes his ankles crumble. There was no point in having anyone else, in Jason’s estimation, if they couldn’t make you feel like that.

Or the move in his veins the way Jason's blood runs hot and cold, following the graceful stretch of Roy's back and backside as they move down the narrow hall.

It was probably a tactical mistake, letting Roy go first instead of giving him a similarly breathtaking sight.

Better, probably, as Jason is still very nearly naked. And he knows he’s pretty.

For all the doubts he's had over the years, his body has never been one of them.

But he can't find it in him to be upset over it. There haven't been many opportunities to openly ogle Roy in recent years, not when he isn't somersaulting through the air above him, Roy's arms taught and deadly and perfect as they aim and shoot.

Jason likes to think he's not alone in missing it.

Still, as much as he's enjoying the view, he makes sure to beat Roy to the bedroom door, swinging inside in a sweet little move that both gives Roy a tantalizing brush of skin and gets rid of the towel.

Egyptian cotton it is not, and Bruce ruined Jason for Walmart brand things ages ago. For a lot of things, actually.

But he got things in that trade too, and lately that's been easier to live with.

Jason drops onto the bed, messy and unmade as ever, Roy prone to twitching or even running like a greyhound in his sleep.

He doesn't quite strike a pinup pose, but he comes close. It's hard to keep the smile, wide and wicked, on his face, though.

Because Roy doesn't look tempted. He's locked in place in the doorway instead, face clouded as he looks into the room like it isn't familiar.

Jason lounges back, eyes hooded, feeling more alive than he has in months.

Since the last time he saw Roy, sneaking into Oliver's in the middle of the night, making out like teenagers with clumsy hands in his kitchen.

The time before that he didn't even see Roy, just slept in his bed before leaving a note on his way out of the door.

It would be nice to go a little further tonight.

"You joining me any time this century?" Jason drawls, hoping it'll be the thing to break the last of Roy's reserve.

The answer he gets instead is "Go the fuck to sleep Jay, I'll be right back".

Roy says it soft, like maybe this is happening back in that warehouse in Bucharest, or maybe Budapest, the one where Jason refused to admit he had the flu. He can admit his barometer for happy memories is fucked, but Roy taking care of him really is a good one.

"Where the fuck are you going?" he says, stubborn in the blood.

"To turn off the lights and all that shit, man. I pay utilities" Roy says, his eyes adding and because I can’t be in the room with you.

Jason hates that he can still hear it, so close to him and feeling nowhere near him at all.

“What, we fuck with the lights off now? Will the homeowners' association come after you if we don’t ask Jesus for forgiveness after?” he adds, pulse thudding in his neck.

Roy can probably see it. Jason isn’t scared of a lot, and that was true even before his peek beyond the veil, but this makes his blood run cold. He can’t bring himself to even think the whole thought, everything that comes after Roy might not want him anymore.

His name had been the first thing he said, when he was finished clawing out of the Pit and dry heaving onto the ancient stone. He didn’t speak again for weeks.

Leaning against the doorframe, Roy looks as bad as he feels.

“Is that even what’s going to happen?” he says and Jason wants to call it a low blow but he can’t.

After all it's been actual years since they've done something you could consider sex, even if you're not playing by Clinton rules.

Last time, when Roy had slid a hand between his thighs, Jason had bolted. Right out the window, truth be told.

“It’s fine, Roy” he tries, his mouth and throat dry. “It can be for you, I can be good for you-”

Roy makes a sound like Jason’s gutting him. The fact that Jason can verify that from personal experience is more proof that he should be here, in this room or in this life.

He knew that. It still stings.

Roy’s shaking his head, looking pale. “Look. I just...It’s not easy, okay?” he says at last, and Jason knows that he should leave, that he knows the answer.

He still asks.

“What isn’t?” because he’s never been able to keep his fingers out of a wound.

“Being in love with you” Roy says because he’s never been one to pull a punch.

They don’t say it. They never do. Because that’s the crux of this, isn’t it.

Soulmates should be in love, or have love. That’s what touching souls is.

And they did, before. But Jason died.

He broke the fundamental promise lying under what they had.

No one’s supposed to lose their soulmate.

But it happens, a thousand telenovelas bear that out. And the world keeps spinning. It has to.

Roy had a life, had a daughter, and Jason rose up from the grave to take them.

He could square that with himself, he knows how selfish he can be.

Everyone thinks Bruce taught him that, because the man hoards his grief like gold, but Jason was born hungry and grasping. He’s always been willing to steal his seat at the table.

He didn’t have to, before, or after, he thought, because Roy just gave it to him, molded differently despite coming from the same sort of grime as Jason.

He used to joke that they were the Town Poor and the Country Poor. Roy used to laugh.

“I’m sorry” Roy says. “That was unfair” even though it’s not. “I just. I want you to be happy, Jay, I want you to be okay. Tell me what you want, tell me what I can do”.

It makes Jason want to scream. That’s not the problem, not the one that keeps Jason up at night, staring at the blue screen of a dead TV, or an empty street, or a circling fan.

It’s this.

He wishes he were someone better, someone good, someone that deserved him. Jason wants to say the same thing to him, to mean it, to make it happen.

But Jason didn’t come back right. He knows that, and he knows that everyone’s afraid of it.

They don’t know what fear really is. None of them have had the taste of the Pit in the back of their throats, mingling with formaldehyde and graveyard dirt.

He thought that was the last thing he had to fear, until right now. But in the end it’s the same terror.

Jason doesn’t know if he has a soul, anymore. And he can’t even begin to fathom just how fucked that is.

He can gauge just how unfair. That he has a soulmate and they’re both screwed because there’s no one else, not even each other anymore, their fundamental bond severed even when Jason’s standing right there.

He wants to go to his knees and beg for Roy’s forgiveness, for his understanding, for taking what he doesn’t deserve anymore.

Jason just wants to tell him the truth that haunts him: he never meant for any of this at all and he wants to take it back, the casket and the darkness and their kisses, not because he regrets it, not because he’s ashamed but because it all lead to this, his lover destroyed.

He wants to say he’s sorry, so fucking sorry. But that word was beaten out of him a long time ago.

There’s nothing but the silence and Roy’s breathing, carefully controlled like he’s lining up a shot. Maybe that’s what he should ask for.

But he can’t do that, not to Roy. And it’s not really what he wants.

He can only think of one thing, missing like a limb since he’s come back.

"Just, just...call me Jaybird?" he manages. “You used to”, he adds, his voice cracking under the weight of it.

Maybe it’s that what finally makes Roy move, wrap his arms around Jason, his embrace warm and tight and as demanding as he wants it to be, needs it to be, pulling him out of the past and into the here and now, the ratty sheets and the man he loves.

Jason sobs into his chest, feeling like rivers are pouring out of him, remembering the flood.

Roy never loosens his grip, never says anything but "Jaybird, baby, I'm here".

It doesn’t feel like weakness, not when Roy is wrapped around him, a shield between him and the world and the wolf at the door.

He must have known when he said it, he must remember that loving Jason means being prepared to bleed.

When it stops, he doesn't feel anything.

Not even clean, even after the shower, with his face all snotty. But he doubts anything in the bed set has been washed recently, and Roy's shirt passed beyond saving years ago.

It's still good enough to hold them, Roy's warm weight starting to lull him to sleep.

"Mhmmph" he says when he feels Roy start to stir.

"It’ll only take a minute" Roy says, running a strong hand along the back of Jason's head.

He hasn't stopped shooting, it seems, going by his calluses. It’s its own comfort.

"Fine, you fucking plebe" Jason says, not even close to sounding like he means it. Roy huffs, kisses his hair.

“One night won’t break me” he says, settling back around Jason and bracketing him with his thighs.

He could make a joke about that. He could make several. Some of them might even be funny.

What he says instead is, "You know I love you, too, right?” As much as he can.

Roy makes a sound, almost subsonic, caught between his lips and throat.

But Jason can't miss it, pressed this close. His arms snake around Jason, helplessly, his nose burying into Jason's hair.

The noise is more like a whine, now.

He swallows, muscles working and making Jason shiver.

"Yeah, Jaybird, I do" he manages at last, spoken into the soft skin at the base of his neck.

And there's not much more a kid like Jason could ever hope for. It's its own sort of miracle.

He reaches, brings up Roy's hands, kisses his rough fingertips, folds them over his heart and, lulled by Roy's breathing, finally goes the fuck to sleep.

___________________________________________________________

Notes: This fic’s title is a line from Kasey Chambers’ Not Pretty Enough, because it’s A) a *very* Jason song, and B) he was supposed to ask that (sarcastically, with an undertone of genuine worry) in the bedroom scene but it clearly didn’t work out that way. There’s also a few references to Joni Mitchell’s A Case Of You which is pretty much Roy’s side of the story. If you want to read this fic in a single (canon!) panel, just check out the first image here. And the others to see why I wanted to write this. And finally, if you want to know what Jason’s soulmark on Roy’s arm is, well...so would I.

[thefuriousstarlightstudent]

Prompt. One of the batfamilys kid/kids gets thrown into the past. Everyone is trying to get them home yet also wants to know more about the future from which they come from

Ooh, this has potential! Let’s see what I can come up with!

https://archiveofourown.org/works/17237258

Back to the Past - DreamersMyth27 - Multifandom [Archive of Our Own]

Bruce isn’t exactly a normal Gotham citizen. First off, his dad is Damian Wayne, one of the resident billionaires of Gotham. His mom is a half-alien, and also the daughter of one of his Uncle’s old girlfriends, his Grandma Kori. Add to that the fact that the family is collectively the Batfamily of Gotham and things get… weird.

Bruce is Robin, his dad isn’t Batman though, despite how similar the outfits are. Batman is retired, for good. His Grandpa Bruce and Grandma Selina insist that it’s for the best, but Bruce himself isn’t sure. Batman, from what he’s heard, was pretty kickass when he was still active.

Being Robin has its perks. He doesn’t really have a bedtime, gets to see his Uncle’s Tim, Jason, and Dick and Aunt’s Cass and Stephanie almost every night, plus he gets to kick butt. His mom joins them sometimes, but in general, she’s manning the comms with his Aunt Barbara. His Uncle Duke isn’t in Gotham as often anymore, but he still stops by for patrol once a week.

The point is, he’s Robin and he fights bad guys. This sometimes includes bad guys with access to dangerous tech. Or just annoying. Bruce is going to classify the beam he was just hit with as annoying, especially considering he’s in the same spot he was a moment ago except no one else with there with him.

“Oh crud,” he mutters. “Time travel. That’s wonderful.”

To make matters worse, a boy who looks suspiciously like a younger version of his dad from his Robin days leaps down in front of him, followed by who can only be Batman, Grandpa Bruce.

“Surrender,” his young dad commands imperiously. “Or don’t. Either way.”

“I’m sorry?” Bruce says, holding up his empty hands to say he means no harm. “This wasn’t supposed to happen.”

“Who are you and where did you come from?” Batman growls.

“The future,” Bruce says. “I’m Robin.” They stare at him blankly, or in his dad’s case, menacingly. “Seriously,” he adds.

“Proof?” Batman demands.

Bruce sighs deeply before peeling off his mask. “My name is Bruce Wayne. I’m thirteen years old, and Damian is my dad.”

His dad, in a rare moment where he loses his composure, gapes, jaw slack and back hunched. Batman for his part simply stiffens. Bruce can only guess that he’s scanning every feature, picking out familiar details.

“If it helps, the code phrase for this from this time is Joan of Ark’s burning?” Bruce offers, shrugging. They’ll still test his DNA, obviously, and put him in cuff plus a blindfold on the way to the Batcave and until he’s confirmed, but it’s the best he’s got.

And, just as he predicts, it happens. His dad, his kid dad - and how weird is that? - slaps cuffs around his wrists. They only wait a moment before the Batmobile appears. Bruce is shoved in the cramped back seat. His dad takes the front next to Batman.

The ride to the Batcave is quick, awkward, and boring. When they get there, Bruce is shoved in a cell in full view of them while they test his DNA. Bruce stays quiet the whole time; they’re ignoring him anyway. About an hour later, the Bat-computer dings, and from what Bruce can see from his cell, the results say he is Damian’s son.

They approach him a moment later, albeit grudgingly. Bruce can’t help but smile smugly.

“Damian, let him out,” Batman orders, pulling his cowl off.

“But father, this may be a trick!”

Bruce decides to make it easier for them and simply snaps the cuffs off his wrists and pulls the cell door open, definitely warping some metal in the process.

He smiles toothily at his father and grandfather, giving them a chance to see the slightly inhuman color of his eyes, how the whites have just a tint of green mixed in, hard to notice, but once you do it’s obvious that he isn’t fully human.

“So, any ideas on how to get me home? Or are we just going to wait for my dad to show up?”

His Grandpa Bruce is shaken out of his stupor at Bruce’s words.

“Damian, go show him upstairs and get some food. I’ll begin working and searching for someone or something that can help us.”

“But father-”

“Now. Damian.”

His dad scowls up at Grandpa Bruce but listens, stomping towards the stairs.

“I know where everything is,” Bruce tells him helpfully.

His dad just glares darkly at him.

“Should we drink hot cocoa?” Bruce asks.

“I don’t care what you drink,” his dad snaps.

“Geeze, rude much?” Bruce mutters. He likes his adult dad better. He’s heard stories, but he’s never realized how much of a brat his dad was as a kid.

They enter the kitchen, and Bruce quickly begins on hot cocoa. Despite himself, he makes a cup for his young dad, sliding it across the counter to him silently. They sip it calmly for a few moments.

“Why hot cocoa?” his dad asks curiously, though he still sounds slightly bitter.

“You always drink it with me after patrol. It’s something you did after patrol when you were Robin,” Bruce explains.

“I’ve never ad hot cocoa before,” he says, wrinkling his nose. “It’s disgustingly sweet.”

“Oh,” Bruce says. “Really?”

“Yes, really!” his dad snaps. “Why must you be so irritating? It’s like Grayson raised you. He didn’t, did he?”

“No. You and mom did. We see Uncle Dick a lot though.”

“You refer to him by that nickname too?”

“Yeah,” Bruce says slowly. “Of course; why wouldn’t I?”

“It’s foolish,” his dad says. “That’s reason enough.”

“Well you do it too,” Bruce snaps. “I’ve never heard you call him Grayson in my life!”

“O I’ve grown soft,” his dad scoffs. “Of course.”

Bruce tries to keep himself from growling and tackling his dad. He fails.

What follows is a brief, yet violent wrestling match. Bruce is a match for his father at this age, mainly because he’s much taller already; he’d never known his dad was such a midget as Robin.

The fight is ended when a sharp, British voice snaps: “Master Damian, stop it at once!”

His dad freezes, and so does Bruce. He’d recognize that voice anywhere. And be a fool to ignore it.

Both of them stand up quickly, trying to appear composed. It’s doesn’t quite work, what with his dad’s bleeding nose and Bruce’s split lip.

“Who is this?” Alfred asks.

“This is… my son,” his dad says sourly. “From the future.”

“Ah, well then, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Master…”

“Bruce,” Bruce supplies quickly. “Bruce Wayne.”

“Master Bruce,” Alfred says. “I must ask the two of you to refrain from fighting, on account of several things, the first being my sleep.”

“Sorry Pennyworth,” they chorus together. His dad glares at him briefly.

“Now go back downstairs,” Alfred commands.

They quickly follow the order, and Bruce is more than a little pleased to see his dad waiting there, along with his mom.

“Dad!” he shouts. “Mom!”

They both take one look and him and run towards him as well, hugging him tightly.

“Bruce,” his mom breaths. “We were so worried. That X’hal you’re alright.”

“Be more careful next time,” his dad scolds, sounding much too worried to actually mean anything.

“An alien?” Grandpa Bruce asks.

The young version of his dad wrinkles his nose at the words, looking at Bruce’s mom.

“An alien,” Bruce’s dad agrees. “Well, only half, technically speaking.”

“Can we leave?” Bruce asks, tugging on his dad’s cape. “I’m really sick of talking to young you.”

His young dad sticks out his tongue. Bruce does it back. His mom cuffs him on the back of the head hard enough that were he a normal human he would probably have a broken neck. As it is, it doesn’t hurt. Just annoys him.

“Yes, Bruce, we can go back. Thank you for keeping him mostly safe, father,” his dad says wryly, looking at Bruce’s split lip. “Oh, and Damian, drink hot cocoa more often, huh?”

With that, his dad hits a button on his suit and they disappear into a flash of light.