#one of the bats say something off handed and kinda mean? jason is biting his lip and tearing up

[mikakuna]

i feel like jason constantly wearing a helmet has ruined his ability to control his facial expressions since he makes whatever faces he wants while in costume. but when he's out of it?

bruce says something audacious and jason will make the hardest stink face ever. tim tries to get smart with him? he's pulling a top-notch incredulous expression. someone creepy flirts with him and jason is immediately making the nastiest look of disgust that instantly makes everyone who was about to lay a move on him back up ten feet.

or sometimes it'll be harmless! batman tells red hood he did a good job after patrol and suddenly jason is looking up at him with sparkling wide eyes, lips parted, and the slightest tilt in his head like he can't believe his kinda-not-anymore dad just praised him. it's an adorable and, frankly, heartbreaking expression that makes bruce mentally clutch his chest.

[themaribatpit]

Hanging by a Thread: Chapter 3

Rated M: DC canon-typical violence, suggestive threats

Author’s Note: Neither of us are actually American, and DC Fanboy has some gripes with certain American habits.  Please feel free to tell us how uncultured we are in the comments, and try and explain yourselves to non-Americans.

Ships: Jason Todd/Marinette Dupain-Cheng, Dick Grayson/Barbara Gordon (side ship).

Taglist:

@aespades​, @neakco, @ladybug-182, @seraphichana, @zalladane, @luminous-carrot, @jayjayspixiepop, @cap-noodles, @livelifeauthorstyle, @thepaceperson, @moongoddesskiana, @vroomtaka, @laurcad123,  @prettylittlebutterflie

Chapter 2 - Chapter 4​

Chapter 3

Dick slumped down on a chair when they returned to the Belfry.  He ripped off his domino mask and let out a sigh. “Damn he’s good, then again he was taught by the best.” 

“Dick!” Barbara gave him a dirty look. They both looked towards their French guest to see her still lost in thought. 

Ladybug transformed back to Marinette, and then slowly walked over to get herself another cup of hot chocolate to cheer herself up. As she operated the multi hot drinks machine in the Belfry, she thought about how incredibly convenient the device was. Barbara and Dick mentioned that unless it was winter, no one else used it for hot chocolate. 

Hot chocolate dispensed from the machine, and as she picked up the paper cup, a shadow loomed over her. She was able to make out the silhouette of an imposing figure with demonic pointed ears. She squealed in shock, spilling her hot chocolate on the figure. 

Dick rolled off the chair laughing, “Oh, better fly away home Ladybug.” “How long have you been waiting to use that joke?” Barbara said without looking away from the screen.

“Since the moment I met her, Babs,” Dick retorted.

After the initial shock, Marinette was able to see the figure clearly and realised she just spilled hot chocolate on Batman. The Batman. Marinette paled at what she had done, she fumbled around looking for tissues. All the while apologising profusely as she tried to find anything to wipe the Caped Crusader clean from this chocolatey mess. Her mind ran at a mile a minute, thinking of what Batman would do to her for spilling hot chocolate on him. She thought of how Batman would squish her like a bug, or perhaps he would break all of her limbs, and send her on the first flight back to Paris while tied to the cargo hold. Her mind was catastrophizing and going into a full panic as she stumbled around the kitchenette. 

Marinette found a damp cloth and began wiping Batman vigorously from head to toe and hoping it would somehow lessen her punishment. She looked up to see that Batman continued to stare at her with his infamous glare. Seeing that her attempts to clean up her mess had no effect, she ran back towards the main room and grabbed Dick, holding him in front of her as a shield. 

Batman slowly followed, without saying a word he stomped into the main room and came to a halt right in front of Dick. “Uh, hi.” Dick awkwardly greeted Batman. Marinette shakingly peeked her head out from behind. 

“Marinette Dupain-Cheng, also known as Ladybug.” Batman’s low voice boomed with authority. “What are you doing here in Gotham?” 

Marinette yelped and went back to hiding behind Dick. Barbara interjected, “She’s here to investigate a recent use of the Lazarus Pit, mainly the Red Hood. From what we gather the creatures that give her power were also the ones who created the pits.” She explained on Marinette’s behalf. 

An uncomfortable silence hung in the room as Batman contemplated her answer. “Fine,” he relented. He turned and walked away. 

Marinette released a sigh of relief as she saw Batman leave. Dick took out his phone and began tapping on it, he just had to notify the rest of the Bat Family of what had just transpired. After a few moments he put his phone back in his pocket and walked away, “I’ll get a mop” he yelled back at Marinette and Barbara. 

Marinette then slumped on the dining table, hands in her head. Completely embarrassed at how she made a fool of herself in front of one of the world’s greatest heroes. Barbara calmly patted her back in consolation. After she calmed down and got herself another cup of hot chocolate, Marinette decided to head home.

On the way back to the apartment she shared with Zoe, she checked the messages that Zoe sent her during the past couple of days.  “Hey, are you okay?” The first one read.  “I haven’t seen you in the apartment for a while now,” she said, followed by a message that said “Please don’t be dead, I can’t afford rent by myself.” Marinette sent a quick reply saying, “I’m okay, I’ve just been busy taking care of some things.  See you tonight.” she said. When Marinette got home, she logged onto her computer to see a few messages from Alya, asking her of how she found Gotham City. Expressing worry for her friend, especially with the notoriety of Gotham's crime rate.

Marinette typed up "Hi Alya! Gotham is all right, I can take care of myself, you know that."

Alya decided to video call Marinette and her face appeared on screen. "Hey!" Alya waved her hand to her friend.

"Hi" Marinette gave a tired wave back.

"Everything okay?" Asked Alya.

"Fine, just tired from moving into the new place." She explained.

"By the way, could you open up a portal with Kaalki to my room?" asked Alya.

Marinette complied with her friend, as she put on the horse Miraculous and opened a portal. Soon a paper bag dropped from the ceiling and landed on the floor. "I had a feeling you might want something to cheer you up, I went to your parents' patisserie earlier."

Marinette opened up the bag to see several treats from the bakery.  She thanked her best friend profusely, and began eating them “How are things back in Paris?” Marinette asked, taking a macaron out of one of the boxes, she smiled as she took a bite out of it.  It was almost like she was 13 again, and her dad had given her a box of macarons for the first day of school.  

“Nothing we can’t handle,” Alya said, winking at her. “So, have you met any of Gotham’s vigilantes yet?” Marinette rubbed the back of her neck.  “Well, yeah,” she might as well tell her some of the things that happened.  “I accidentally spilled hot chocolate on Batman’s cape,” she confessed. “And you’re still alive?” Alya’s mouth hung open in shock. “Well, he does have a pretty strict ‘no killing’ policy,” Marinette told her. “Okay fair enough, how are you still in one piece?” Alya asked, still somewhat shocked.

“He just kinda glared at me, and I hid behind one of his sidekicks.” Marinette told her, “So, that’s how.” “Ah so you’ve met the sidekicks then,”  Alya gave her another knowing smile. “Some of them, Nightwing being one of them.” Marinette told her. “Did you get a good look at his assets?”  Alya gave her a wink, and Marinette rolled her eyes. “I’m pretty sure his assets were spoken for,” Marinette said, and before Alya could say anything more she quickly added “and no, I am not telling you who the lucky person is.” “You’re no fun.” Alya pouted mockingly, but she couldn’t stay angry at her friend.  Alya noticed the faraway look in Marinette’s eyes at that moment, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Marinette wondered how best to phrase it, “do you know anything about the Red Hood?” she asked.

Alya’s eyes widened in shock, “You’ve met him? Are you and Zoe living in his territory?”

“No, at least not that I know of, I just…” Marinette assured her, “Do you know anything about him?” “Give me a moment,” Alya said, quickly turning away to search for something on her laptop screen, “must have heard something about the guy…” she muttered.  Marinette never really told Alya about her soulmate bond, and she wasn’t about to start now.  “Says here he’s a crime lord that operates in Gotham City, that he took over Black Mask’s crime syndicate not too long ago…” Alya told her, “Pretty brutal to those who cross him, by the sound of things.” “Good to know,” Marinette muttered. “Marinette, are you sure you and Zoe are okay?” Alya asked. “We’re fine, just that Ladybug ran into him while working with Batman’s sidekicks.” Marinette told her. “I should have been there, it would have been a fun interview for Ladyblog.” Alya chuckled, and Marinette raised an eyebrow.  “I mean, after the fight of course, or maybe I should just stop talking.” “Try pitching the idea to Vicki Vale or Lois Lane, I’m sure they would jump at the chance.” Marinette joked.

"Just you wait until I get my Journalism degree, I'll bother you everyday for a scoop." Alya retorted. The two of them continued to laugh and joke with one another before Marinette went to bed.

The next morning, Marinette was woken by someone gently nudging her awake.  “Get dressed dummy, we’re going out.” she heard a voice say. Marinette looked up and blinked a few times before Zoe’s face came into view.  “What time is it?” Marinette groaned. “9am,” Zoe told her, “we are going to go out and get some breakfast together.” Marinette groaned in response, but slowly got out of bed.  Zoe leaned against the doorway, crossing her arms and smiling.  She chuckled slightly at the sight of Marinette’s tousled hair, Marinette smiled slightly in response.  “All right, all right, give me some time to get dressed.” she said and Zoe left, closing the door behind her. 

The two friends sat down to eat breakfast at a nearby diner, and Zoe began telling Marinette all the ways in which America was very different from France.  “First of all, they call the 24 hour clock ‘military time’, I never understood that.” she explained before taking a bite of her pancakes.  Americans made pancakes a lot thicker and fluffier compared to crepes, was another thing Marinette noticed.  “Oh, no more 2 hour lunch breaks, and as a French person, you will get made fun of for having more time off work than the Americans.” she said.  

As the two finished breakfast, Zoe paid the bill and left a tip. Marinette raised an eyebrow at Zoe for paying what was higher than the bill. “Marinette, remember, always tip whenever you go eat at a restaurant or a diner.” She explained. 

“Why? Isn’t there a service charge added? Don’t the servers get paid?” Marinette asked.

“Not at all.” Zoe deadpanned. 

“What?” Marinette exclaimed in shock, she quickly covered her mouth as eyes turned to face her for her outburst. 

 Zoe beckoned Marinette to follow her, “Come on, I’ll show you all the hotspots in Gotham City.”

 The two walked out onto the street and across several blocks.  Zoe stopped as the two reached their destination. She then pointed to an old gothic tower, “That there is the old Wayne Tower, creepy isn’t it? Built in 1888 by Cyrus Pinkey for the Waynes right at the heart of Gotham City. It’s been closed for a few years now, since Wayne Enterprise moved to the New Wayne Tower in the financial district.”

 Marinette’s eyes widened in recognition, it was where the Belfry was located. She remembered the gothic tower, but she had no idea it was the old Wayne Tower. She decided it would be best to keep quiet about this revelation. 

 The two continued sightseeing as they ventured into Robinson Park. “This park is amazing, the biggest park in the heart of Gotham. Also it's very close to Gotham U, I’d love to come here everyday after class to unwind.” Zoe explained. The two calmly walked across the park, enjoying the scenery and stopping by to feed some ducks.

 “Anyway I need to get some things on the way back,” the two then walked to a nearby grocery store and bought groceries. Being on a budget, Marinette eyed the price tags frugally, calculating how much it would cost her. Zoe smirked at Marinette, knowing what would come next when the two went to the cash register. Marinette was thrown into a loop as the total amount did not match the price tags. Marinette tried to ask for an explanation from the cashier, but they were not helpful. The cashier only said that it was tax, “Why isn’t tax included in the price tags?” she pleaded to the cashier.

The cashier gave Marinette a light shrug. “That's just the way things are.” 

Marinette pulled her pigtails in frustration as to why the final price doesn’t match the price tag. “Ok fine, what's the tax in America?”

Zoe took the chance to intervene and explain it to her friend. “It depends, it varies between states, counties and even cities.” 

Marinette banged her head against the counter in frustration. “Why? Why is it so crazy here?” 

Zoe and the cashier laughed at Marinette's antics. The cashier asked “You new here?” 

Marinette did not lift her head up, “How could you tell?” 

The two made their purchase and walked home, Marinette had to do a double take on the loaf of bread she bought. She stopped Zoem and said that they needed to go back to the grocery store for another loaf of bread, because this one had expired. Zoe snatched the loaf from Marinette’s hands and took another look. “Nope it's fine, remember America uses Month/Day/Year here.” Zoe explained. Marinette’s eye twitched as the two walked back to their apartment. 

The semester began the following Monday at Gotham University. As a Fashion & Design student, Marinette had long studio classes which usually kept her busy during the day.  She would have to spend even longer hours in the studio if she had a project due.  When Zoe wasn’t attending lectures, she had a part-time job that kept her busy as well.  So Marinette didn’t see much of her by the time she managed to return to their apartment.

Over the course of the next few days, she would go to her classes by day and go out every night to search for her soulmate. However, the Red Hood had proved to be elusive, always alert to the movement of the red thread that tied them together.  Marinette found that the thread changed wildly.  Some nights she stopped by the Belfry, exhausted and dejected. Barbara had noticed this and decided that she had to know about Jason, it might change her mind or it might not. She deserved to know if she was going to go looking for him every night.

One night when she entered the Belfry, Barbara gestured to Marinette, “Come over and pull up a chair.” Marinette followed and brought a chair to the computer. The two sat side by side, “Mari, you deserve to know more about Jason...the Red Hood.”

Marinette’s eyes widened at the mention of her soulmate, “Please tell me more about him.” she begged.

“Marinette, I’m sorry, we knew more about him but we didn’t tell you.” Barbara apologised.

Marinette was hurt at how they were withholding information about her soulmate from her. “Why?” was all that she was able to say.

Barbara took a deep breath, “Because Jason was the second Robin.” 

Marinette’s jaw dropped at this bombshell, her soulmate used to be Robin. It would explain the skills he displayed out in their last encounter. Marinette wondered how tough his life was, how he suffered at the hands of the criminals of Gotham at such a young age. Some of the things he said back at the dockyards were now sounding like they came from experience.  “What was he like?” she asked, wanting to know what her soulmate was like before his death. 

“Angry, rebellious, Jason always felt like it was him against the world. He was caught trying to steal the wheels off the Batmobile, that's how Batman found him and brought him in.” Barbara explained. 

“How did he die?” Marinette asked.

Barbara grew silent at the mention of Jason’s death. “He tried to pursue the Joker, but it was a trap. The Joker caught him, tortured him for god knows how long. I saw his bruises, it-it was as if he was beaten over and over again with a crowbar.” Marinette covered her mouth and her eyes welled with tears as she heard the gruesome details of her soulmate's unfortunate end. 

“To make matters worse, he locked Jason in the room with a bomb.” “What about the Red Hood?” she asked. “We...we buried a mannequin in a wig,” Barbara explained, “the real body was taken by the League of Assassins, trying to make up for what happened.”

Marinette stood up and rushed to the guest room, she had heard enough.  She could not imagine the pain and suffering her soulmate had been through his entire life.

Jason had been constantly on the move, knowing that his soulmate was out looking for him.  He tried to shut off the part of him that wanted to get close.  He was honestly surprised the Bat clan hadn't told her every horrific story they had about him.  Either they didn't know they were soulmates or she was knowingly walking head first into the lion's mouth.  If she didn't find him, then she might stumble upon a group of his men at work, and they might be a lot less forgiving.   If he was constantly checking over his shoulder, making sure the girl wasn't close by, things were bound to start slipping through the cracks.  

He himself had various safehouses scattered around the city, but he couldn't keep running forever.   It was getting ridiculous, he had faced crime lords, assassins and even gone toe-to-toe with Batman multiple times.  Yet here he was, running and hiding from a girl who was about a foot shorter than he was.  He knew why, of course, he wasn't afraid of her but she should be very afraid of him.  He had hoped that she would give up the search, as she drew closer and closer to finding out the truth about what happened to him.  But life had never been that easy for Jason, and sooner or later she was going to get too close to the untamed monster beneath.  If she got hurt because of him, he wouldn't be able to forgive himself.  Not even his old self could forgive that.  He would have no trouble protecting her from other criminals, not that she really needed it.  However, whatever came crawling out of the pits was something else.

After putting a swift end to some people who were causing trouble in his territory,  his mind wandered back to Ladybug.  Specifically, the sad look in her eyes when he explained how brutal and unforgiving Gotham could be.  He tried not to think about it, because that look made him want to hold her close, and reassure her that everything would be okay.  Thoughts of how the idea of her gave him hope all those years ago would come bubbling to the surface.  It made him want to protect her, to ensure that this world wouldn’t hurt her the way it hurt him.  When she looked at him with those eyes, it made him want to believe that she trusted him to do just that.  He shook his head, and told himself that what he was also the very thing she needed protecting from.  

Most nights Jason had nightmares about failing to save her.  There were even nightmares where she died by his hands.  Her blue eyes would become lifeless and vacant, her skin would feel ice cold, and he would end up cradling her limp form in his arms.  Batman would just love it if those nightmares came true.  It would only prove to him that Jason was nothing more than an unhinged monster he couldn’t cage.  It wasn’t as though the Bat had much luck caging the real monsters in Gotham anyhow.  Most days, Jason’s skin crawled as he remembered the feeling of the Lazarus pit’s waters.  The creatures she was palling around with were the ones who made it. They probably didn’t give a damn about the evil they had inflicted on the world because of it.   For all he knew, being around her little fairy friends would make the effects much worse.  Still, when he snapped back to reality, he would see the string glowing red, just as it had always done.  Occasionally moving and twitching as his soulmate searched high and low for him. Maybe the time had come to have a little talk, soulmate to soulmate...

[mxtantrights]

past lives | 3

a/n: Ok this is like the pre-climax? is that a thing? no well I'm gonna make it a thing right now! time to meet more of the family!!  enjoyyy <3

Fallon nudged your shoulder to get your attention. Previously your focus was on the champagne flute, and before that the odd waiter who served it to you with an old scar straight through his mouth.

“I brought you here to snatch and grab stuff, where’s the team spirit?” they ask.

You make a face, “You brought me here because you didn't wanna go alone. And I can’t blame you if I had to come here alone I would-”

“Definitely throw myself off the balcony. Running start.” a voice adds.

It was neither yours or Fallons. So the two of you turn around and find the culprit. And just like destiny or fate or something, you see the guy you handed off a letter from your dead parent a few days prior.

“I mean isn’t it kind of your party?” you ask.

Tim shrugs a bit and sips the drink in his hand. It’s a non verbal answer that gives something away. Maybe it’s in the 

“If you think that, then think about me. I’m the plus one.” you say.

He chuckles, “It’s nice to see you again.”

“Same”

“Again?” Fallon asks.

You nod your head, “I had to drop something off at the Wayne building not too long ago. To Mr.Drake actually.”

“Oh it’s just Tim.” he says and holds out his hand.

You quickly take it and shake as instructed. Then Fallon follows the action, along with an introduction. Tim smiles and it looks like a genuine one.

“Well when I said we were gonna smooze I didn’t know you pre-planned.” they say.

You nudge them as they snicker. 

“I’d probably be the wrong Wayne to smooze. My hectic schedule allows for no free time.” he answers.

Fallon laughs at this. “Oh, well you’re kinda on the younger side too.”

You can see Tim’s check taint red. His eyes dart away from the both of you. You still couldn’t believe that a young man like him was in charge of Wayne enterprises- or enterprise, however that worked out. 

It probably felt like the world was on his shoulders.

The phone in your cocktail bag buzzed. Even though you didn’t know who it was, you had a very high suspicion that it was the league. What they wanted you to do at tonight’s event was still under wraps. But you knew that whatever task it was, wasn’t going to lead to a happy ending. 

It never does.

You open your bag and take out your phone, “I’ve gotta handle this. My Aunt.”

Both Fallon and Tim nod as you walk away from your table and out into the balcony. It was a bit chippy outside so it wasn’t really of use to anyone. The rich don’t like the cold you guessed. Makes sense, heated floors and sidewalks. 

The cold air reaches your skin. You don’t shiver. Growing up in Gotham until you were eighteen you hadn't gotten used to it. It was no Antartica but then again that Icicle man did like to rein terror sometimes. It was like practice.

You open the text and sure enough,

tonight you act as transport. 

when you get handed a package deliver it here: 

45 Gotham Harbor 

Great. You were acting as a convoy tonight. It shouldn’t bother you that much, but it does. If whatever they were planning was something real and dangerous and they were keeping you low on the food chain, that mean you were expendable to them.

It hurt. 

It wasn’t like you ran away from them. They gave you an opportunity to leave after a couple of years being one of their fastest rising recruits.. At first it felt like a sick test. Like one final trust fall before they could actually believe your unwavering loyalty. 

You sat with the decision for days. It was a whole week before you decided to get out of the league. You thought that as soon as you stepped food out of the place they would kill you. But you walked out the front door and kept walking.

Oddly enough they had even given you a ride to Gotham. 

But you being a convoy tonight? This felt like a test. One you needed to pass. If not for your life, then to find out what they were really planning. The league never takes care of things so out in the open like this. 

“Did you just get dumped or something?” another random voice.

You turn off your phone and turn your head to the left. In the dark corner of the balcony is a guy. You can only make him out because of his lit cigarette. If it weren’t for that, you probably wouldn’t have made him. 

Have your senses and training begun to fade? Ra’s is probably somewhere vibrating off the walls.

Sure enough he comes out of the dark and you can see him fully. He’s not in the night standard uniform. Instead he's in a dress shirt underneath a brown jacket. He did try with the black slacks you see. 

Was he security? No he looked a bit familiar. 

You think you should probably say something before he thinks rudely of you. 

“No, just an interesting text.”

He hums some sort of sound. And then he walks a bit closer. You notice its not close enough to reach out and touch him. He’s really careful. He must be some type of security.

“You were talking to Tim, you one of those Gala Groupies?” he asks.

The shock that falls upon your face can't be helped. It instantly turns into sourness at the implication that you were a groupie. First off, Galas are boring. Second you’d more likely be a groupie for a rockstar than a rich old man- let alone a younger guy like Tim.

You hiss and cross your arms against your chest, “That was bit presumptive wasn’t it?”

“I didn’t mean it as an insult. Presumptive to think that I did.” he bites back.

You nod you head along with a grin. 

“Didn’t know the security detail came with snobbery. How do I know you’re not a groupie for Tim?” you ask.

He looks like he wants to hurl. Then he beings to laugh. His laughter fills the balcony a bit and you just watch in interest. He calms himself and then places his hand over the railing to rest.

“I would not, it’d be weird.”

“Not your type?” 

“My brother will never be my type.” 

Ah.

You look at him for a second more and then it clicks. This was Jason Todd, the black sheep of the Wayne family, you are talking to. You thought he looked familiar you just couldn’t place him earlier. Even though the white streak through his hair should’ve gave it away. 

“My apologies.” you say.

He fakes wiping a tear from his eye. “no worries, you gave me a laugh tonight. I should be thanking you.”

“I am not gonna be your groupie either.” 

“Presumptive, but okay.” 

“Have a good night.”

-

Bruce finds Tim in-between mingling and cuts in. 

“Oh thank God, I thought for another second my head would burst.” Tim says.

Bruce smiles, “Saved you then.” 

“Have you seen Dick anywhere? I wanted to get his eyes on a case of mine.”

“No night work at the Gala. Take a break.” 

Bruce begins to look for Dick within the crowd of people. His eye bounce from person to person. Effectively he’s glanced over you without a second thought. Or so he thinks.

When he does finally find Dick, he calls for him. This makes his son stop in his tracks. He comes to a stop and you were right behind him as he did. You aren’t quick enough to stop yourself and so you go colliding into his back.

-

“So sorry about that.” he says.

You shake your head, “It’s fine. No drinks spilled or whatever they say.” 

He throws out a laugh so easily. You smile quickly and make a B-line for Fallon. As you make your way to where they have taken new residence, you see their face change. More specifically their eyebrows go up in the way that says ‘oh?’

“Cut it out, he bumped into me.” 

“Maybe you guys can do some more bumping. Later on, if you-”

“I know exactly what you mean and I’m not entertaining you.”

-

Dick makes it over to his father and his brother. When he does Tim claps his back with his hand. It makes Dick wonder where the time went. 

“Nice to see you brother.” Tim says.

“You too. Bruce.”

Bruce just nods. A man of not many words for those closest to him. He sure did know how to entertain guests though. It was all a mask anyways. If anything he was doing them a service not using it with them.

“I almost ran into someone. Thankfully there was no drinks involved, I would’ve ruined a whole outfit.” Dick says, pointing back to you.

Tim follows his finger over to where you and Fallon are standing. 

“Oh, that’s who delivered me that letter the other day. Speaking of which, there was another one addressed to you Bruce.” he says.

Bruce nods his head once, “I know I saw it the other night when you passed out on your desk. At some point we’re gonna have a conversation about your sleeping habits.”

Jason walks up to the three men. 

“You’ll never correct it. He’s more of a bat than you.” he says.

Bruce is doing double the work. He’s listening to the conversation happening in front of him about Tim’s horrible sleeping schedule or lack thereof. While he looks over at you. The person Tim said delivered the letter.

His child.

[olivia-anderson-fanfic]

Satisfied, Part 52

First

Previous

Next

~~~

Damian had set Riddler down in the pile, and now every single one of the bats was pacing anxiously.

Except for Jason, who was pointing his guns at the Rogues at random and interrogating them.

“Where was Joker? Has anyone seen Joker? Why isn’t he around? What is he planning? How had he avoided all of us --?”

“Red Hood,” said Cass, eventually, resting a hand on his arm. “They don’t know anything.”

“They’re his teammates! They’re supposed to tell each other their plans!”

Marinette tried not to wince, shoving her hands in the pockets of her leather jacket.

“Right…” She said slowly. “Right, so, we need to split up and find him.”

“He could be anywhere by now!”

Tim shook his head, looking up from his phone. “His name hasn’t been mentioned on Twitter outside of everything at the Gala. And there’s no pictures of him from the Gala. It’s like he wasn’t even here.”

The bats exchanged wary looks. Ah, that’s kinda bad. Joker stood out in a crowd, so the only way he could get away without people even talking about him was if he was killing them. Or, somehow, he’d found a way to hide out. Both ideas were pretty terrifying.

“We should split into tiny groups, partners or whatever, and look.”

Jason was at her side in an instant, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “I call Ladybug!”

She rolled her eyes with a slight grin playing at her lips. “Sure, I’ll take Red Hood.”

Damian, however, seemed less amused as he walked over and tugged on Marinette’s arm in an attempt to pull her away from Jason. “Dad, I’m her partner!” He complained.

“And I’m her mentor,” was his retort.

Bruce rolled his eyes. “Kids, we don’t have time--.” He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “How about this: Damian, you go with them and make sure they don’t kill anyone.”

Jason and Marinette cursed.

Dick picked up his phone and took a picture of Bruce, then grinned and sent out a tweet. “There. Hopefully Gotham will pick up the hashtag and we can get Joker coming in this direction.”

“Does he have a Twitter?”

“He’d be insane not to,” said Dick with a shrug. Everyone looked at him for a few seconds and his face flushed as realization dawned on him. “I… listen…”

Marinette saved him from the imminent embarrassment: “Right, we’re going off in that --” she jerked her head to the right “-- direction.”

Some people yelled ‘good luck’ and others variations of ‘please don’t kill anyone’ as they hopped the wall.

Marinette shook her head slightly as they started off in that direction. “I can’t believe we were out for three hours.”

“Who knows what he’s done by now.”

Damian clicked his tongue. “Are we sure this is the right direction?”

“Well, unless you were somehow wrong about my location when I was completely still for over an hour, I’d say yes,” she chirped.

“And we’re assuming that he made a beeline for the Gala,” added Jason, though he didn’t seem happy about it.

“He did,” said Marinette. She had to at least pretend like she was confident, because Damian was looking anxious and she wanted to at least try and help him.

They hopped up onto the roof of the nearest building and split off to try and get a better look at everything.

She saw something out of the corner of her eyes and frowned suspiciously, pausing in her run and turning to look at it. It was late, Gotham was always well asleep by midnight outside of criminal activity. It was nearing 3 in the morning, no one should be out.

Her eyes detected another movement and she scowled, whipping her head around to look at it.

Cass and Duke materialized out of the shadows and she breathed a sigh of relief… then tensed up. She bit the inside of her cheek.

She briefly considered throwing down a smoke bomb but, hey, they probably knew where she was going anyways. It would only work for so long. Great. Time to talk it out.

“Heeeeeey...” She murmured awkwardly. She waved for them to follow and they all picked up the pace as they ran along the rooftops. “So… it’s not what it looks like?”

Cass raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”

“Because it looks like you knew exactly what direction Joker would be in,” said Duke, sending her a tiny glare.

“Yeah, it’s not that,” she muttered.

Duke gave a slight laugh. “Alright, I’ll bite: what is it?”

“Chaaaance?” She earned two skeptical looks and she sighed. “Fine. I closed the portal before Joker could step through so Jason, Damian, and I could loop back around towards the warehouse after the Gala stuff and kill him.”

Cass nodded slightly. “And we can’t talk you out of it.”

It was more of a statement than a question, most things Cass said were, but she still answered: “Nope.”

The two sighed.

Marinette waited for the lecture, but it never came. Instead, the two broke off from her and helped look around for Joker.

She glanced to the side and saw that Jason and Damian were also talking to someone. Great, so it seemed that all the bat kids were there. She’d have to hope that her group could find Joker first, because she didn’t know how they were going to kill Joker if he had four people protecting him while he was also (probably) trying to kill them.

She slipped her fingers into her utility belt and she ran her thumb over the fox miraculous. She didn’t like the idea of using it along with the ladybug one, not so soon after what she’d nearly done to Penguin, but…

She heard someone touch ground beside her and turned her head slightly to see Tim, her hand sliding out of her belt.

He gave her a tiny smile. “Hey.”

She sighed. “Let me guess, Cass tipped you off?”

“Of course.”

“Does Bruce know?”

He shook his head slightly. “Nope, he’s still waiting for Joker at the Gala.”

She nodded. Good…

“Are you here to convince me not to kill him?”

He gave a shrug. “I probably couldn’t, to be honest.”

She nodded. That was true. Even if he gave an ultimatum, dating him or killing Joker, she would choose killing Joker. Even if she lov -- really liked him, the wellbeing of the city would always come first.

He sighed. “Right. I want us to work, so…” He tried to catch her eyes but she kept her gaze on the ground, glad to have the excuse of looking for Joker. “Could you promise me this is the last one? The last murder you intend on committing, I mean.”

She considered this for a bit.

“Because I really don’t want to have to Catwoman and Batman this relationship,” he added, his tone only half-joking.

“I don’t want to kill anyone at all, but this is really the only solution I could find. And...” She trailed off, her eyes narrowing in on the warehouse. She glanced around and saw that everyone was slowing to a stop. No one had seen Joker, then. The warehouse was their last hope.

Tim and Marinette skidded to a stop.

She looked at the sky and continued: “And… I don’t want you guys feeling guilty about the whole situation. So… go. Get Cass, Duke, and Dick and go. We can handle him.”

A hand slipped into hers and she smiled faintly.

“Hey, we’re all a family, right? You can’t do dumb stuff without us,” he said.

She finally looked over at him. “I mean…” Her eyes caught sight of movement over his shoulder and she sighed. “Okay, fine, you’ve forced my hand,” she said. She smiled faintly, gripping his hand tighter as he leaned down to kiss her.

And then she flipped him over her shoulder.

She heard two gasps as he slammed into someone, and they skid across the rooftop.

She whipped around and cursed the moment her eyes landed on Duke. Great, exactly the person she didn’t want to fight. She couldn’t beat him, she had found that out the hard way during sparring. He had this weird way of predicting her moves.

So she’d have to play dirty.

She grabbed a smoke bomb from her belt and threw it down. Smoke enveloped them and she ducked away to stop herself from coughing and giving away her location.

“Lucky charm,” she mouthed and barely avoided the giant cage falling from the sky. She glanced at the smoke cloud, and listened in for Tim and Duke. They were close together. Good. She channeled some of her strength as Ladybug and tossed it on top of them.

The smoke cleared slowly and they seemed to realize what had happened, running to the bars of the cage and struggling against them.

She ignored their curses. She had bigger problems.

She looked around.

Cass and Damian were fighting, which meant Dick and Jason were the other matchup.

She bit the inside of her cheek. Cass and Damian were pretty evenly matched, but Dick and Jason…

She sighed and listened in for any sounds…

There. The alley right next to the warehouse.

She jumped down and carefully, silently, poked her head around to see.

Dick was winning, and bad. He had years of experience on Jason, and it definitely showed. She hesitated. She didn’t know if they could beat him even if they combined their forces, but she decided that it was better to face him now than face him with Joker later.

Marinette ran into the alley and jumped on Dick’s back, wrapping her arms around his neck. He cursed and stumbled back, tugging at her grip. He dropped onto the ground, driving his elbow into her stomach. The air was sapped from her lungs and she instantly let go to cradle her stomach.

Dick scrambled off of her, only to get nailed in the head by a kick from Jason. He gave a groan and stumbled back, then shook his head as if to clear it. He rolled to his feet.

He looked between his two siblings for a moment, wiping some blood from his brow.

She launched herself at him, her hand coming up for a punch, only for him to flip out of the way. His foot came up mid-flip and slammed into her chin, sending her back a few steps. Her brain rattled around in her head as she stumbled into Jason.

The man cursed and took both of their weights. After making sure she wasn’t about to fall, he ran at Dick. The man met him head-on, grinning as he blocked his hit and slammed his foot into Jason’s side. There was a clattering sound and they both went to the ground.

Marinette managed to blink the spots out of her eyes and jumped at them, adding to the flurry of limbs. They all beat against each other (Marinette and Jason definitely hit each other a few times in the confusion) until eventually Dick managed to extract himself.

The three got to their feet and stared each other down. They were panting, bruised and bloody, and she was pretty sure they all had concussions. They didn’t even want to fight each other, not really...

But this wasn’t a subject any of them were willing to let go.

Jason suddenly rushed forward, slamming into Dick. They crashed through a window and, after a moment’s thought, she clambered inside the warehouse as well.

The two were rolling around, the glass-covered floors scratching their skin and suits, wrestling for the upper hand.

She looked around and grabbed the nearest item -- a board off of a window. She hit Dick in the side as hard as she could and he went careening into a wall. He slid to the ground slowly and didn’t move.

Marinette dropped the board and checked Jason over. It wasn’t good, but he was conscious and moving. She helped him to his feet and he gave a weak grin.

Only to hear laughter.

They looked around.

And saw Joker...

Who was holding a hand to Damian’s throat.

~~~

The fight scenes I write are progressively getting more and more technical. Don’t really know if this makes them more boring or more interesting but heyyyyy I have fun writing it soooo

~

Taglist

@comet-kun @thatonecroc @trippingovermyfeet @swiftie-miraculer13 @nickristus-dreamer @moongoddesskiana @i-am-ironic @indecisive-mess-named-me @thebooki3h @insane-fangirl-of-everything @deepestobservationwombat @theymakeupfairies @fatimaabbasrizvi @clumsy-owl-4178 @fanofalittletoomuch @iamablinkmarvelarmy @nathleigh @lilkymilky @silvergold-swirl @dino-lovingreen-angel @thestressmademedoit @kissa-chan @ladybug-182 @alysrose-starchild @t1dwarrior-of-earth @spyofthenightcourt @rowanrouge @nik-nak-3 @momothefemur @aestheticnpoetic @labschaos @our-preciousss @mochinek0 @eliza-bich @mythogaychic @severelyenchantedwonderland @sashakoi @smolplantmum @bluesimani @tropestropestropes @kitsunebell @keepingupwiththemalfoys @sassakitty @2confused-2doanything @too0bsessedformyowngood @all-mights-asscheeks @demonicbusiness @meg-an-ace @fantasiame @qualitypeacepainter @multplelifes @kokotaru @spicybelladonna @ultimatetornshipper @cute-angi

<3

[toosicktoocare]

prompt:  Oh my gosh i am so so so so happy that youre finally writing for the Batfam!!!! Ive been following you for awhile now and I'm glad that youve fell into the rabbit hole that is thos crazy family😂 For a prompt, how about Jason and Dick taking care of each other at home when theyre both in varying degrees of sick? Your last fic was amazing and I love your group writing. Have a great day

I’m glad you like my group writing because I STRUGGLE to write more than one person honestly, lol

Jason’s dragging his feet around the small convenience store, too tired to move, his muscles melting to hot, thick goo. He’s been fighting a cold for the better half of two days now, having picked one up from a sick kid taking residence in one of his shelters, and normally, he’d isolate himself in one of his safe houses for a few days to sleep off the cold, but with his shelters expanding outside of Gotham to Bludhaven, he’s too busy interviewing for team leaders and security to temporarily remove himself from the world.

Instead, he’s reduced to a sniffling, shivery mess of a man who’s wandering a convenience store in Bludhaven at 1 AM. His head is hot and feeling like it’s stuffed to the brim with cotton. His concentration is waning under the thick, pounding pressure in his head, slowing his thoughts down to basic, one-word sentences as he scans the shelf for medicine, hoping for a concoction that will kick this cold square in the ass.

“Jason?”

Jason was willingly taking his time, prolonging the inevitable bike ride back to Gotham; however, the sudden, incredibly unwanted, presence of one pesky bird tightens his muscles and clears his head enough to move faster.

“Dick,” Jason says, keeping his eyes glued to the shelf. “What a pleasant surprise,” he adds flatly, groaning when he spots Dick, with his badge on full display, walking toward him through his peripherals.

“What are you doing in Bludhaven?”

Jason sighs deep in his throat, the breathing coming off as a muted growl. He grabs a bottle of fever reducers and snags a few other bottles of varying medicines before he turns toward Dick. “Business.”

Dick cocks his head to the side, a small frown playing at his lips. “What business?”

“I’m sorry,” Jason bites out, “is this an interrogation, Officer Grayson?” His eyes find Dick’s badge, sharp, narrow, and incredibly annoyed.

Dick deflates before him, pocketing his badge with a few coughs. “No, sorry. Habit. Will you be here long?”

“I was just leaving,” Jason grumbles, though the second he turns on his heel, his body decides to remind him of the fucking fever he’s been running, and he stumbles, vision tunneling for a breath of a moment but just enough to have Dick wrapping quick hands around his arms to steady him.

“Woah, Jay, you okay?” Dick’s pulling Jason back to him, guiding him around until they are facing, and Jason can’t fight off the annoyingly strong grip, his body too weak under the weight of this persistent cold.

“Peachy,” he gripes out, jaw clenched tightly, and he holds Dick’s narrow, worried gaze with his own tight one, only moving to slap Dick’s hand away before Dick can press a palm to his forehead.

“Jason.”

“Dick Brain,” Jason sighs, shoulders slumping. “You can save the puppy dog look for one of the other bats. I’m fine.”

“You’re sick,” Dick presses, following Jason to the cash register.

“Yep,” Jason mutters, dropping the medicine bottles onto the counter. “It happens.” Dick muffles a few coughs behind him, and he peers over his shoulder, arching one brow.

“Bug going around the office,” Dick explains, clearing his throat. “Are you driving back to Gotham?” He follows Jason out of the store, and Jason sighs long and loud, free hand dropping to his bike seat.

“That’s the plan.”

“Why don’t you come back to mine? Just for the night. You look terrible.” Dick means every word, the instinctive pull of older brother is bleeding into his voice. Jason’s pale before him, but even with the dull, flickering street light serving as the only source of light before them, he can still see two splashes or unnatural red coloring Jason’s cheeks.

“And watch you stumble around trying to play nursemaid? Not exactly on my list of things to do.” Jason thumbs at his bike helmet, wishing he could will this conversation to end faster.

“Jay, I don’t think riding back to Gotham in your condition is a good idea.”

Rolling his eyes, Jason slips his helmet over his head and swings his leg over his bike, tucking the pill bottles into his jacket pockets. “Good thing bad ideas are kinda my forte.” He twists his key into the ignition, revving his bike loudly. “Later Golden Boy. Go get some rest. The sickly pale look doesn’t suit you.” He shoots forward, probably a little too fast, but the quicker he can forget about this small encounter, the better.

***

Jason makes it ten minutes outside of Bludhaven before he turns around, underestimating the ill affects his fever has on his vision. After almost flipping into a ditch three separate times when his vision frayed gray, he slows his bike into a U-Turn and starts toward the damn address etched in his brain, something he’s tried to forget but actively cannot.

It takes another fifteen minutes until he’s pulling up to Dick’s apartment and another ten to climb on jello legs up the two flights of stairs to Dick’s door. Forgetting it’s nearing 2 AM, he curls his hand into a fist and bangs against the door.

He hears coughing on the other end, growing louder, and then the door’s pulled open, and a gun’s pointed at his face.

Dick blinks slowly, eyes still riddled with sleep but hand frighteningly steady around the gun.

“Jason?”

“How come when I even look at a gun, I get lectured, but you have a guest stare down a barrel?”

Dick’s hand falls, clicking the safety of the gun on its way down. “Shit, sorry.” Frowning, he drags his gaze across Jason’s face. “You must really feel like crap if you’re actually taking my offer.”

Jason groans and shoves past Dick, legs wobbly but determined to get to the couch before he crumbles to the floor. “I figured your couch would be just a little better than a fucking ditch.” He sags against the couch, head rolling back and eyes fluttering closed, only opening when a palm brushes across his forehead.

“Shit, Jay, you’re really burning up.”

Jason feels the couch dip beside him, and he groans low in his throat, coughing weakly. “Just a cold.”

“You really believe that?” Dick sighs, nudging Jason with his elbow until Jason’s curling onto his side, fully reclined on the couch. He reaches for a blanket draped across the back of the couch and tucks it around Jason, worry spiking when Jason doesn’t try and stop him.

“No,” Jason says flatly, “but I do believe that you should shut the fuck up.”

“Well you’re still an ass, so I guess that means you aren’t dying.”

“Again,” Jason grumbles, succumbing, already, to the thick layer of fatigue coating him.

Wincing, Dick slips to his feet, arms wrapping around himself. “Sorry, I...”

“‘S fine,” Jason slurs, one eye slitting open. “Go sleep or some shit. You look like hell.” He nods off, face relaxing, and Dick lingers for a long minute, just watching, an older brother thing, he guesses. 

He only breaks his gaze when a dull cramp twists in his stomach, and he shuffles to his room, closing his door and flopping onto his bed.

***

Jason’s dreams are fitful, filled with hot, suffocating memories of the Joker, the Lazarus Pit, green hair turning toward green sparks of rage that dwell within him. He’s not sure what wakes him, but he’s thankful for it, his heart rapid fire in his chest, his clothes sticky and damp with sweat. He finds a now warm cloth on his forehead, and he pulls it off, frowning, mind thick and hazy.

He hears a loud gag and winces, pulling a slow gaze to the hallway and spotting the bathroom door closed. He’s even slower to his feet, his head feeling simultaneously too heavy and too light as he stumbles across the room and to the hall, stopping at the bathroom door. It’s gone quiet on the other side, too quiet. He knocks, swallowing back a spike of tension.

“Yo, Golden Boy. You still alive?”

He can hear ragged breathing, but then he hears a thump, and his heart threatens to climb up his throat. “Dick?” he tries, knocking again. Every inch of him feels wrong when he still doesn’t get an answer, and he takes a few steps back and slams his foot high into the door, wood cracking under the force as the door flies open.

Dick’s pulling himself up to his feet, bracing himself against the edge of the sink. He pulls a too pale face over his shoulder, frowning. “The door was unlocked.”

“You didn’t answer,” Jason growls, stepping into the room, grimacing at the toilet.

“Do you normally not try doorknobs first?”

“What kind of a brother would I be if I didn’t dramatically bust in to save you?”

Dick’s face falls to pure, vulnerable surprise, and Jason groans, rubbing at his temples as he shoves Dick to the edge of the tub to fill a glass of water for him.

“Fuck, I said the sacred word, and now you’re short circuiting.” His tone is flat as he offers the glass of water to Dick, who absently takes it, still slack jaw and wide eyed.

“You never say brother.”

“Easy slip up. Just means I’ve been hanging around you too long already.” He kicks Dick’s foot lightly. “Drink.”

Dick sips the water, the adrenaline subsiding until he’s only shivering slightly.

“Have you been throwing up? Before this?”

Dick shakes his head. “New development.” He eyes Jason’s damp face, cheeks still too red for his liking. “How’s the fever? I thought I was going to have to drag you to the hospital a couple of hours ago.”

Jason can still feel heat under his finger tips. He’s still exhausted, but his mind is a fraction clearer, so he takes that as a good sign he’s on the mend, if only slightly. “Still pretty high, but it’s going down.” 

“Good,” Dick breathes, relief smoothing across his worn features. “I was worried.”

“Ugh, stop before I throw up next.” Jason drags out each word, hunching over to smooth a palm across Dick’s forehead, finding it warm to the touch but not alarmingly so. “Finish the water then go back to bed.” He turns to leave, wincing at the damaged door.

“I’ll fix this,” he mutters, and Dick laughs lightly, falling into a few coughs.

“I’ll hold you to that.”

[thepartyresponsible]

welcome to the all fluff, all the time network. i said here that i was taking prompts, but i neglected to mention that i’m writing all of them as fluff. or as close to fluff as i can manage, anyway.

this one’s for the anon who asked for jason with anyone with the prompt “please don’t do this.”

it’s a standalone piece of a much longer hockey au. endgame is jason, bucky, and frank.

                                                          ---

“Please don’t do this.”

“Oh,” Jason says, “I’m gonna do it.”

“Jason,” Bucky says. He leans over, as close as he can get. He’s pale, a little wide-eyed, bottom lip red from his attempts to bite back the pain. “Come on.”

The trainer doesn’t look up from carefully rotating Bucky’s arm, checking the range of motion, but Jason knows damn well that the little frown on his face is not good news.

They were on Injured Reserve together, him and Bucky. Back when Jason first got traded, when he showed up with – no shit – hundreds of stitches in his throat and exactly zero endearing personality traits. Barnes had been quiet, distracted, kinda lost in his head, but he’d always been so Goddamn nice. From day one, when Jason showed up exactly like some prissy, sullen bastard who’d never been traded, never expected to be traded, never wanted to suit up in anything other than Bats’ black and gold, Barnes had treated him like he was something worth keeping around.

And here they are, five games into Barnes’ big comeback, and Brock fucking Rumlow just took a swipe at Bucky’s freshly-healed arm.

Castle’s out sick, or this would be his responsibility. Hell, if Castle were playing tonight, Rumlow probably would’ve kept his fucking hands to himself.

The Avengers don’t need an enforcer. That’s not Jason’s job. But Jason considers himself a well-rounded player. He can fill in where he’s needed.

“I’m gonna fucking do it, Buck,” Jason says, eyeing his route, sighting his target. “I’m definitely gonna do it.”

“Todd,” Coulson says, tone kinda sharp but not angry like he means it, “we don’t need any theatrics right now.”

“Philly,” Jason says, “Philadelphia. Cream Cheese. All I’ve got is theatrics.”

Coulson sighs and turns his eyes skyward. He keeps Jason on the bench until the Avengers score on the power play, and then he sets him loose. As far as Jason’s concerned, that’s practically a benediction.

Thor heads in for a change, worried eyes pinned on Bucky, and Jason’s over the boards and racing up the ice a full two seconds too early, like too many men is a summation of his recent dating history and not a perfectly fucking legitimate penalty.

Not that his behavior would indicate he gives a good Goddamn about taking penalties right now.

He does – and he hopes Bruce notices this when he watches the tape later, hopes Alfred appreciates the depth of his personal growth – wait to drop his gloves until after Rumlow calls him a pretty boy and a bitch and a coward who lost his balls. He waits, like a professional, until Rumlow’s own gloves hit the ice before he throws a mean, messy uppercut directly to his throat.

Rumlow’s a good fighter. It’s why his fans love him. He floods his Instagram every summer with pictures of himself shirtless and sweating in a boxing ring. Jason shouldn’t know that, probably, but it’s not like he’s ever had a problem compartmentalizing I wanna fuck you and I wanna fuck you up when he needs to.

Rumlow fights like someone who knows how, who learned in a ring with his knuckles taped or behind a school with someone to hold the other kid’s arms back. He knows to go for weak points, mainly. It’s served him well so far.

Jason hasn’t been in a fight since the one that damn near killed him. And he never had any formal boxing lessons, but he grew up doing his best not to get stabbed to death in Gotham’s back alleys, and the result of that practical training is a fighting style Roy Harper once fondly described as honey badger on a life-altering hit of PCP.

Jason’s swallowing blood when it’s over. His knuckles are fucked, and there’s an unfriendly tingling in his gumline that suggests his emergency dentist might be about to earn herself another tropical vacation, but Rumlow’s flat out on the ice, and he’s bloodier than Jason, and that’s all that matters.

Jason goes, easy and compliant, when the linesman pulls him away. Wide-eyed and innocent, who, me? all the way to the bench because maybe it’ll make the officials more lenient. It must work well enough, because they both take five minute majors, but Jason dodges the instigator penalty, saved by Rumlow’s notorious willingness to fight anyone smaller than himself or maybe by the mercy of officials who just watched him slam his stick against Bucky’s arm like he was trying to split firewood.

A five minute major with 4:38 left in the third period. So that’s the end of Jason’s game, then. Worth it.

Bucky isn’t on the bench when Jason gets skates up, but Wilson gives him an approving clap on the shoulder as Jason shuffles toward the tunnel, and it settles Jason enough that he gets all the way through the trainer’s pestering, weathers them checking his teeth and patching his knuckles, and then walks himself to the locker room before his lungs forget how to process oxygen.

“I asked you not to,” Bucky says, long-suffering but still so fucking nice. He wraps his good hand around Jason’s neck and tips him forward. “Breathe.”

“Fucking,” Jason says, as he tries to focus on a sane breathing pattern. “Fuck you, Buck. I wasn’t gonna—we just got you back.”

He feels like his throat is closing up.

It’s the blood in his mouth, he thinks. And the blood he saw on the ice. The crowd, roaring like that. Bloodthirsty.

They’d been thirsty like that in Gotham when he squared off against Bane. Biggest fucking guy in the league, and there was Jason, scrappy and pissed off, fighting Bane because Bruce wouldn’t.

He’d known he was gonna get hurt. He’d been ready for that.

It was an accident, what happened. Bruce didn’t mean it, and Jason’s heard, if you watch the footage, you can see Bane trying to stop it, his giant hands grabbing for Jason as he falls.

Jason’s never watched it. He doesn’t need to see himself catch Bruce’s skate blade with his throat. He lived through it. That was enough.

“I had to, Buck,” Jason says. He’s got his head propped against Bucky’s shoulder, and Bucky, because he’s a nice guy, because he’s a good teammate, is running his hand through Jason’s incredibly disgusting, sweat-soaked hair. “He hit you, and Frank’s not here, and Rogers can’t leave the crease, so--”

“You’re sweet,” Bucky says, which is something no one has ever said to Jason.

“Had to,” Jason repeats. Because it’s not about being sweet. It’s about making sure everyone knows what’ll happen if they hurt his people.

“My arm’s gonna be fine,” Bucky says. “They took some x-rays, just to check. But it’s gonna be fine.”

Jason breathes out, and his lungs remember their function, and he can breathe again. “Good,” he says. He scrubs at his face. His hands barely come away bloody at all.

“Shit,” Bucky says, with a heavy sigh. He takes his hand out of Jason’s hand, slides his fingers carefully along his cheek to his jaw, and then he lifts Jason’s face toward the light. He frowns at the split lip, the forming bruise. “Frank’s gonna kill me.”

“What?” Jason says. He runs his tongue over his lip, and Bucky’s eyes track the movement. There’s a weird, wrung-out feeling twisting in the pit of Jason’s stomach. “I’m the one who didn’t— he just whacked the shit out of your arm, Buck. Right in front of me.”

Bucky smiles at him, crooked and a little rueful. He stares at him for a second longer, and then he pulls back. There is, faint but still audible, the roar of a hometown crowd getting a victory.

Well, they were up 4-1 when Jason went after Rumlow. Whatever Bruce, and Tim, and all of Gotham’s management think, Jason isn’t incapable of growth. He’s getting better. He is learning, finally, to pick his battles.

Maybe all he needed was to get the fuck out of Gotham. And someday he’ll probably even feel alright about being wrenched out of his hometown and discarded like trash down a storm drain.

“You should take a shower,” Bucky tells him. “Put some ice on those hands. The guys’ll wanna buy you drinks.”

After Jason’s second-to-last fight in Gotham, he watched from the penalty box while the other team scored the goal that won them the game. Bruce was so mad that nobody in the locker room spoke a word afterwards. Nobody talked to Jason at all.

After his last fight in Gotham, the Bats traded him while he was still in the hospital.

It’s been a long damn time since anyone bought him drinks after he fought for his team. Since back before Roy was traded. Since way back in the early days, when he was a rising star instead of a letdown and a liability.

“You think so?” Jason says, biting back a smile. “No shit?”

Bucky rolls his eyes. He’s smiling when he does it, so there’s no sting to it at all. “Go get cleaned up,” he says. “No one’s gonna let you in a bar with blood on your face.”

There are bars in Gotham that wouldn’t recognize him any other way. But Jason’s starting to think – with a stupid, flickering hope he’d left for dead years ago – that maybe things will be different now.

[zombiesbecrazy]

How about a JaySteph hug to hide in?

(I added a & between the Jay and the Steph, I hope thats OK)

If anyone spotted them, they would think that Red Hood and Spoiler were involved in a secret tryst, with they had their arms wrapped around each other in a small, dark nook.

Anyone who spotted them who wasn’t currently trying to kill them that was, and right now those numbers were few and far between. They hadn’t even been working the same case, but they intersected accidentally and maybe, kinda, sorta, instigated a gang war, which from Stephanie’s experience was bad in the worst way.

It had turned even further south when the gangs decided to momentarily put aside their differences and claims over territory and unite against the common enemy.

It would be sweet to see people coming together like that. It was less so when the bullets were flying and they were running for their lives

Now they were out of options, out of ammo, and were pressed together hiding in a space that was far too small, Jason’s arms around her being the only reason that Steph wasn’t falling out of the secret spot that they had somehow managed to evade the gangs. They weren’t nearby, but they weren’t exactly far either. With any luck, they wouldn’t be found, but who knew based on how the rest of this crappy night was going.

“You’re crushing me.”

“Stop wiggling. You’re fine.” If anything, Red Hood shifted with his words, somehow taking more of her space. Her arms were trapped behind him, both of them wrapped up together to make themselves fit, so her options were limited for retaliation. It’s not like shoving a tank back would do anything.

“I’m going to bite you if you don’t back up.” She couldn’t do much, but if needed that spot between his jacket and his helmet was wide open. She’d have to some how lower her mask, but she she could figure it out.

“Do that and throw you right in their path. Give myself more time to escape before heading to the cave and sadly telling B about your heroic death in the field. You sacrificed yourself for me. It was touching.” He leaned in even closer, like he was taunting her to take her up on her threat. “I may even shed a tear.”

He was just so aggravatingly annoying.

“Why are you like this?” She whined at him. She wasn’t normally a whiner but this night was shit and she just wanted to go home and take a shower and it didn’t look like that was going to happen any time soon and he wasn’t helping. “Yeah, you died, but that doesn’t mean you have to be an ass because of it. We’ve all died, Hood. I died and I’m fantastic.”

Jason shrugged. “Maybe I was always an ass.”

“You weren’t.”

There was a pause and Steph wondered what his face was doing under the helmet. He was so hard to gauge when he was suited up, but when the helmet was off his face was an open book. “You don’t know that and you can’t rely on Bruce or Alfred’s rose coloured nostalgia glasses opinions and don’t even get me started on Dick because he barely knew me.”

Irritation. The special kind that he had purely for when people tried to bring up how he used to be compared to how he was now. It was like when you saw a great aunt who still treated you like you were five, only dialled up to eleven or twelve.

“But I knew Robin.” Stephanie stared at the brick behind Jason’s shoulder, trying to avoid the awkward eye to helmet contact. “You saved me once when I was a kid. Nothing big or flashy. I was out at night by myself when I probably shouldn’t have been and I almost got hit by a car. You appeared from out of nowhere pulled me back.” She remembered going to school the next day and telling everyone the she had seen him. “It was small and simple and not fighting the forces of evil. Just a nice kid doing a good thing.” Now she did look at him, seeing the tilt to his head. “And before you say anything, yes, I’m sure it was you and not Dick or Tim. It was Gotham Robin.”

Jason stared at her, or at least she thought he did but through the helmet it was hard to tell. “Gotham Robin?”

“That’s what we called you. You were our Robin. All of us kids from the wrong side of the tracks, we didn’t know who you were, but we did know that you were one of us with your east end slang, sounding like you were straight out of the PS 24 playground.”

The sound was distorted, but it was definitely a snort. “32. When I went to school as a kid I was at PS 32. Everyone at 24 was a dingus.”

“They were, weren’t they?” she chuckled. “Anyway, that’s how I know you weren’t always an ass. An ass would have let me become a pancake. Wouldn’t have even noticed that I was in trouble.”

A minute passed in silence before Jason coughed. “Anyway, it doesn’t really matter because I’m an ass now regardless and you just have to deal with it. I saved you from the Vipers. You should be thanking me.”

“Excuse you. I saved you from the Black Street North crew.”

“Please. No one needs saving from BSN. Those guys are small fish.”

Stephanie was going to argue back, that her case was just as important as his case and her gang was equally as dangerous when the gunfire started up again at the far end of the alley. “I guess it didn’t work out between them.”

“I really thought those crazy kids were going to make it work. They had such a solid foundation of trust.” Jason edged out of the crevice, blocking Steph from any potential stragglers still hunting for them, before he pulled her back onto the street with him. They were safe, but they still had to do something about the fight before it got even farther out of hand. She was about to ask what their next move should be when Jason interrupted. “Let’s hit the roof and call in for some reinforcements. Red Robin and Black Bat will be upset if we don’t ask them to join our party.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Stephanie winked at him before firing her grapple at into the sky. “Gotham Robin.”

[setsailslash]

i just read your villian jason pile and it was absolutely godtier. can i request jason bringing slade and roman as his dates to one of the waynes charity galas and the rest of the family just proceeds to lose their minds? (expect for cass of course nothing can shake my bby girl) especially with slade and roman being on this side on inappropriate?

another prompt......not filled 😂 the prelude got really long and then i kinda ran out of steam 😭

but i sincerely hope the lingerie kink made up for it? (btw if i had to choose a lingerie brand for Jason, it’s Bordelle all the way, can and will have jason in any of them, especially the art deco ouvert body in black)

Jason is still lying sprawled over Roman’s lap when Slade comes back into the room, ass up in the air and bright red, marked in the shape of their hands and the leather paddle embroidered with Roman’s initials like all of his personal toys tend to be.

The two of them are sniping back and forth at each other over something stupid. And it isn’t the first time Slade wishes he didn’t have his enhanced senses to pick up every last word of their arguments even if he was in the next room from them.

Jason only gets cut off when Roman cracks a hand down over Jason’s ass: A sharp loud cry of indignation, not that there’s much dignity to begin with when it comes down to a relationship between a ex-Bat, a psychopath, and a mercenary. Not that any one of them calls it that.

“Oh, poor baby.” Roman bites out as he dumps Jason on to the floor to stand up.

“Oh fuck you, Roman.” Jason calls to the man as he crosses the room to his walk in closet, “You just don’t like what I’m sayin’ ‘cause y’know I’m right.”

His wrists are still bound together with ropes, bruised and chaffed raw with the way he kept struggling against them as he complained again and again about how neither one of them know how to tie it right. Slade just chuckles as he picks the kid up by the elbow and gets him standing straight for the first time all day.

“God, kid.” An easy flick of a switch blade and the length of rope comes undone. Jason stays still long enough for Slade to really survey the damage. “Your masochistic streak never fails to amaze me.”

They’ll probably have to put some kind of salve on the skin or find something like bandages to keep the worst of it from getting even worse when Jason puts on his suit with the cuff links.

“I’m not masochistic.” Jason says to him with something a lot like a pout, unsteady on his feet while there’s the steady drip of their combined semen down the inside of his thighs to the carpet beneath him.

Slade is decidedly the nice one here when he doesn’t bark out a sharp laugh in the face of Jason’s petulant protest. This is neither the first nor the second or even the third or fourth or fifth time they have all gone off the deep end in this little game of theirs where there’s a fuck ton of sex.

It’s probably irresponsible and reckless and stupid distributed equally over all three of them but that seems to be exactly how they operate.

There are no heart-to-heart, and Slade’s pretty sure the sound of blood rushing through Roman’s veins doesn’t actually mean anything besides the fact that he needs food once in a while. And this comes as close to aftercare as Jason allows it when Slade looks him up and down, cataloguing any other minor bites and bruises that need to be taken care of before they have to go.

The thin lace of Jason’s underwear is still skewed, cutting underneath his balls when they yanked it off to one side so they can bend him over the back of the sofa and fuck him in his matching set of corset and panties.

“And I’m not Deathstroke the Terminator.” Slade says with an amused tilt to his mouth, taking a deliberate moment that they don’t really have to drag the pad of a thumb over the swollen peak of Jason’s nipple. It gets him to hitch his breath, physically lean into the touch with a barely concealed whimper, especially when Slade gently traces a fingertip around the bite mark he himself left around the perky nub that is getting hard for him again.

“You’re not.” Jason tells him, and there is a breathless quality to his voice, made worse as Slade reaches around to fix his underwear, pulling it back in place so it grazes right over his hole. “Not tonight.”

Jason is clenching down on empty when he’s had them taking turns with him enough times to know the exact size and shape of them inside of him even as they fuck into him together, and the sensation alone makes him a little bit desperate when they aren’t even going to give him a plug or a dildo to squeeze down on for the night.

“I know the drill, kid.” Slade says, grabbing the wet towel he left the room for to clean the mess of cum drying over the back of Jason’s thighs, easy on the developing bruises of Roman’s fingertips and the little indents his toys leave lingering all across Jason’s tender skin. “You wanna keep this on?”

Slade taps at Jason where the corset cinches his waist to the narrowest it will get. The boning of the corset only slightly visible through the matching lace fabric of his panties.

“Yeah, the suit Roman got me was made with my measurements in this.”

The corset is curved following the line below the pectorals so Jason’s chest is made to sit like a woman’s breasts over the upper edge. The ribbon laces down from mid-back to just above the swell of his ass where it is knotted into a bow.

It’s the perfect presentation really. A little dainty for Slade’s usual taste but surprisingly durable when the ribbon hasn’t once snapped even in Slade’s hands. Guess Janus Industries getting into the lingerie business wasn’t as much of a bust as everyone else thought it would be.

When Roman comes back into the room in his own three-piece suit, flawless and white sans mask, he tosses two garment bags on to the bed where the sheets are still kicked back and half the pillows are on the ground.

“You’re going to want this too.” Roman drops a ring in Slade’s outstretched palm as he comes back around, takes the dirty towel from Slade and promptly drops it on to the ground for the cleaners that is due to show up when they finally leave.

“How romantic.” Jason rolls his eyes as Slade slips it on for him, securing the cockring at the base and adjusting the lace of his underwear so it sits hiding most of him. It brings a pink to his cheeks in a way that’s probably a bit fucked up if truth be told when he voluntarily gets into bed with a mercenary and a psychopath to boot.

Roman’s hand in those familiar leather gloves run through his hair, and the tiny little pull at the roots is almost gentle for the man. Slade finishes with the bandages around his wrists and gives him a watch large enough to distract from the medical gauze. And Jason stays still as Roman dabs just a bit of Slade’s cologne below his ear.

When he finally gets into the suit Roman had made just for him, Jason almost looks presentable again. Maybe not to them, not in this many articles of clothing at least, but it’ll do for Wayne Gala.

[itzagothamcitysiren]

Welcome to the Family

and here’s part two! I also kinda was wanting to start possibly taking requests for these fics? I’m not sure if this is something people are interested in? or how to go about it? let me know what you guys think! 

PART ONE

I’m Just a Shot Away From You pt.2

           “Are you sure we’re clear?”

           Jason couldn’t stop the loud grunt exhaled from his lips as Halley asked him the same question for what felt like the tenth time since they left the manor. They had just arrived at the parking lot of Amusement Mile, Jason parking the motorcycle he took from Bruce’s garage and grabbing Halley’s hand before leading them towards the entrance. He had made sure the cost was clear, waiting until he knew Bruce and Dick would be far off into the city, starting their nightly patrol with Alfred locked away in the Batcave on monitor duty.

           “Will you relax?” He said, slightly laughing at her flustered appearance. She’d been really stressing about sneaking out as soon as they started getting ready. Jason knew they’d get in trouble if they got caught, but he shrugged; if they got caught then they got caught. “You’re not going to have a good time if you keep being more paranoid than Batman.”

           “Ugh, fine, you’re right, you’re right.”  Halley repeated, sounding more firm the second time she said the phrase. As they walked up to the ticket booth, Jason quickly paying and grabbing their wristbands to enter the park, she shook off her nerves. The smell of fried dough and other carnival foods hitting her nostrils, causing her to hum. Looking up at Jason she smiled, feeling a lot more relaxed than she did seconds ago, “So where to first?”

           Jason looked around and through the mob of people. They could go off and play some games, seeing a few not that crowded. Or they could also hit the rides first before the lines got too long. Or even grab some food, the smell that caught Halley’s attention know catching his. He tugged her off to the side towards the food venders, deciding that that sounded the best right now.

           Between the pair of them they got two pieces of fried dough, Halley finishing hers quickly and attempting to steal bites from Jason’s while he wasn’t looking. They also grabbed some cotton candy and a bag of popcorn, knowing that they went overboard slightly right off the bat but didn’t care. It wasn’t everyday they could get away with eating like this and they let their eyes do the thinking over their heads.

           As they munched on their snacks they walked through the park, once their stash starting to deplenish deciding to stop and play some games. Halley nearly choked on the popcorn she was eating, falling into a fit of laughs as Jason failed at the strongman game, the puck only getting barley half way up the track. He felt a dig at his pride, handing the man running the game another five dollars to get three more chances. The second time he got a little over the halfway mark, but that had been the furthest he got. Before he could waste any more money on the game, Halley walked forward, leaning up and placing a kiss on his cheek and dragging him off.

           After a few easier games, Jason stopped them in front of a shooting game. He’d always loved the game and was excited when they finally found it. He paid the man, grabbing the fake haunting rifle from the counter, lifting it up and taking aim. He took his first shot as the worker hit the button, making the duck’s on the wall in front of them start to move. It had looked easy enough, but when the ducks started moving faster he found his eyes darting to find a good target. He fired when he thought he had a shot.

           “Tck,” Halley made a clicking sound with her tongue when he missed.

           Jason side glanced her, noting how she looked like she wanted to say something but was biting her lip. He shrugged it off, taking aim again, still having two more turns. He quickly wiggled his shoulders, raising the rifle up again to aim. For a fake gun, it had a decent recoil he wasn’t ready for. Closing one eye to get a better look he pointing the gun slightly downwards he put his finger on the trigger, ready to pull back when Halley made that sound again.  

           “Yes?” Jason looked at her, not annoyed but with slumped shoulders.

           “You hold it down like that and the butt of the gun is gonna come back up and smack against your chin.” Halley said seriously, throwing Jason off. Her eyebrows furrowed together and her posture somewhat mimicked Bruce when he was watching Jason do something wrong in training.

           She quickly realized this and softened her stance. She let her hands slip into her sweatshirt pockets, somewhat stuttering as she corrected herself, “I mean, it won’t hurt. It’s not a real gun but- uh, er, never mind. Forget I said anything, take your shot.” She back tracked, waving her hand in front of her face, motioning him to continue.

           Jason quirked his head sideways at her, amused and totally forgetting that she was the master’s marksman out of the pair of them. Going back to take his shot, he took the same position he did before only to falter as he heard Halley’s feet shift on the pavement. Side glancing her again, he saw her biting her lip even harder. This time he just chuckled, lowering the rifle and ignoring the clearly impatient worker.

           “What am I doing wrong now?” He asked, not offended but amused.

           “Nothing-, its fine.” She shook her head, not wanting to draw any more attention to herself as the worker stared at the two teens, not understanding why she was acting the way she was. It was just a game after all, it was meant to be fun; it didn’t need to be perfect.

           She grunted when she saw Jason give her the look telling her he wasn’t buying it. Huffing, she placed the left over popcorn bag on the counter, moving to stand besides Jason. She raised his arms, moving the butt of the gun to rest properly against his shoulder. Her eyes trailed from where his path of sight was to the moving ducks, adjusting the barrel so he had a clear shot; only if he wasn’t so eager and impatience and trigger happy, he might actually hit one this time, she thought.

           Once she was pleased she stepped away, blushing. “Sorry, I have- uh, a thing against bad posture. Dad drilled it-,” She paused, realizing that she was oversharing, not only to Jason but to the random stranger watching them. “Continue.” She nearly squeaked out.

           Jason frowned, grasping now why she had been fussing. He didn’t even think about her past when he walked over to the game. He often forgot about it to be honest. She never really talked about Slade or her past anymore. She’d turned somewhat normal you could say and Jason now felt bad about making her bring it up. He decided to finish his turn quickly, doing better than last time, managing to hit one of the ducks down.

           He placed the gun on the counter when he was finished sheepishly. He looked up at Halley intending on asking her if she wanted to head to another booth but saw her eying the gun. At first he got nervous, unable to read her expression as she stared down at it. He instantly thought that maybe he triggered some sort of PTSD episode and felt himself panicking. But he quickly calmed himself, noting how she didn’t look to be in distress. She looked at the rifle longingly, as if she wanted to try.

           “You wanna turn?” He offered lamely, unsure if that was really what she wanted.

           “No, no it’s okay.” She clearly lied, waving him off again.

           He rolled his eyes at her, uncertain as to why she was being so hesitant. She was completely fine with telling him she wanted to try every other game so he had no idea why she was being like this now.  Pulling out the right amount of bills he paid the worker for another turn, handing off the rifle to her without a word. Stepping back, he gave her space to take her turn.

           She was hesitant at first, not sure that she was comfortable holding the weapon again. The last time she held a gun she was on the edge and willing to kill her father. She swore to herself secretly she’d never use a gun again or in fact never kill again. She was still haunted by her past even though she was in fact doing a lot better than she had been. The nightmares hadn’t come in a while and she hadn’t felt like she was walking on eggshells when it came to feeling guilty about her previous life.

           But this wasn’t a real gun, it was a toy, and she could feel the shiny plastic instead of cold metal as she felt herself robotically raise the rifle up. She took a deep breath, closing one eye and aiming as the rig moved back to life. Exhaling, she pulled the trigger.

           “Holy shit,” Jason gapped along with the worker as she fired all three shots one after the other, as rapidly as the toy allowed, hitting the harder to get targets.

           She let the gun lower, smiling. Even though it was just cheap plastic balls shooting out, she couldn’t help but feel the rush she used to love when firing an actual gun. She laughed out, reaching into her own pocket and pulling out more money. She slammed it on the counter, making the awestruck boy behind it scampering to grab it and restart the machine.

           Within the next couple of hours the pair had their hands full of prices after hitting stall after stall that involved any type of shooting game. Once Jason realized how satisfied she look after nailing each target, game after game, both laughing hysterically as the carnival workers grew more and more frustrated with each price they snagged,  he pressed them further into the park. Time flew by, Halley now juggling a giant teddy bear plushy she won herself at the throwing darts game and the smaller plush that Jason wished she hadn’t picked out when he won in ring toss. It had been a cutesy looking version of him as Robin and his cheeks were so red when she exclaimed how adorable it was and that he had to win it for her, or else, she had said.

           Once their hands were full enough with treats and prices, Jason led her over to the Ferris wheel, claiming his feet hurt from walking. It wasn’t a complete lie, he’d also just wanted to spend a couple of moments alone with her away from the clutter of people littering the park. Jason wouldn’t consider himself a romantic, but he was constantly finding himself wanting to do things he normally wouldn’t do for anyone else for Halley.

           He felt himself smirk when they waited in line, Halley noticing a little blonde girl staring up at the teddy bear she held in her arms. Halley gave the little girl a smile before leaning down and handing it off to the girl, giving up the plush. The mother thanked Halley, insisting that she hadn’t had to do that but Halley insisted that it was fine, smiling back at the little girl who hugged the bear tightly.     When they were next, Halley waved goodbye to the little girl who had started babbling to them while they waited in line.

           Jason hadn’t said anything about the little exchange, but felt himself smiling at the girl now sitting next to him. She leaned back into the seat, looking out into the city’s skyline, taking in how peaceful it looked from where they were. Jason followed her gaze, he too loving how their city looked from this view. He scooched closer to her, ignoring how rickety the passenger car was when he moved. Placing his arm around her shoulders, he let out a sigh when she pushed herself into his side, leaning her head onto his shoulder.

           “This is nice,” she said softly as he started playing with a loose strand of her hair. She hugged her little Robin plush to her chest, afraid she’d drop it otherwise. “Thanks for making me come out, Jay.”

           “Jay?” his eyebrows raised at her, having never heard her call him that before.

           “Sorry, it just came out, I-,”

           “Its fine,” he laughed, pulling her in tighter. “I like it.” He smiled down at her, giving her a soft kiss on the top of her head.

           Part of him wanted to smack himself for being so soft but the other part of him was stronger and he found himself growing to not care about being ‘soft’. He was thanking himself as well for making her come out, haven’t felt this carefree and relaxed in while. There was no stressing over being caught, no stressing over school and no stressing over protecting the city. It was just them and he wished he could freeze this moment for as long as he could. Just for tonight he didn’t mind not playing the hero and for once just being a kid.

[thebluenebula]

Honestly thought I would kinda burn out on this idea after Day 2 but I have a million idea bouncing Round in my head, so expect more.

Masterlist

Day 1

Day 2

A New Bat: Day 3

I woke up early and glanced at my phone, 04:59. Another nightmare. I'd started to get used to them. That's a bad thing, right? I snuck through the hall to the bathroom. It didn't appear that anyone else was awake, and whoever was on patrol shouldn't be home for another hour. I brushed my teeth, washed my face, then returned to my room.

At about seven, my door slowly creaked open and Bruce's head popped in. "Sorry, I didn't know if you'd be awake yet."

I placed my phone on the bed beside me. "Yeah. I'm awake."

He opened the door completely. "Mind if I come in?"

"No."

Bruce came in and stood by the bed. "So you alright?"

I smiled meakly at him. "Yeah, I'm fine."

"I've gotta go to work in a bit. Just thought I'd check in on you before hand."

"I'm fine. Thanks."

Bruce placed his hand in my shoulder. "Are you sure? If you want I can stay home today?"

"No." I quickly replied. "I'm fine, I swear."

Bruce stood silently for a moment. "Okay, Dick will be around if you need him." I nodded, then he walked to the door. "Just head down to the kitchen soon and Alfred will make you breakfast."

I nooded then Bruce left and I was alone again. I spent hours scrolling through my phone and listening to music. I didn't go down for breakfast. I didn't feel like it.

Eventually there was a knock a my door. "It's Dick, can I come in?"

I sat up. "Sure."

The door opened and Dick walked in. "Hey."

"Hi."

"How's it going?"

"Good."

"You never came down for breakfast?" Dick sat down beside me.

"Yep." A moment of silence followed. I guess Dick expected me to expand on my answer but I didn't know what else to say.

"Why?"

"Wasn't hungry."

Dick nodded. "Okay. All of us are going out to play some soccer in the yard. You wanna join us?"

"No thank you. Maybe another time."

He stood up. "That's fine." He walked to the door. "Alfred will be putting on dinner soon. You what me to bring it up to you?"

I nodded. "If that's okay."

"Of course." Dick went to shut the door. "You sure you're okay?"

I nodded again. "I'm sure."

"Alright. I'll talk to you in awhile. Okay?"

"Yeah. See yah."

Dick shut the door, and for the third time today, I was alone.

As I sat in my room listening to music I could hear the occasional cheer from outside. Eventually my curiosity got the better of me and I peeked out the window.

I could see a large group playing soccer on an open space in the garden. I recognised a couple of the people playing, Steph, Damien, Jason, and Tim, plus five others I didn't know. Dick and Babs were chatting on the sideline with another girl.

As far as I could tell the teams were Jason, Damien, the younger looking guy, and the short black haired girl, versus Tim, Steph, the blue haired girl, a ginger girl, and another guy. Jason's team seemed to be winning.

Dick and Babs seemed engrossed in the conversation with the other red haired girl. She seemed older, about Bruce's age.

I looked back to the makeshift football field. Tim's team had scored and were cheering and jumping about.

As the teams were about to go back to playing, Alfred walked onto the pitch. He spoke and then everyone began following him back inside. I guessed that dinner must be ready.

I looked at my phone, 4.59. I sat back onto my bed then a couple minutes later I heard a knock at my door. "Hey Ashleigh, it's Dick." I heard from the other side of the door.

I stood up and opened the door. Dick was standing there holding a plate of spuds. "Hi."

He handed me the plate. "Can I come in for a minute?"

I nodded and went and sat down on the bed.

Dick closed the door behind him and sat down beside me. "So what's wrong?"

I swallowed the lump of mashed potatoes. "Nothing."

Dick nudged me slightly. "I know somethings wrong. The whole hiding away in your room all day thing kinda gives it away."

I stuffed another spoonful of potatoes into my mouth to avoid the question. Quietly hoping Dick would drop the subject and leave.

"If it's about yesterday, we've all had moments that we just couldn't handle our... surroundings."

I gulped the third large spoonful of spuds, hoping to choke on them. No luck though, Alfred had mashed them perfectly, not a single lump. I sighed. "I know. I just... didn't feel like I.. I just wanted to be alone today."

Dick looked at my curiously. "Yeah. Look I don't mind if you spend a week cooped up in here, I just need to know you're going to be okay."

I nodded as I took another spoonful off my plate.

Dick smiled and gestured at the half empty plate. "Must be nice."

"Mmmh." I nodded.

Dick stood up. "I'll tell Alfred you liked the meal." He opened the door. "No one will judge you because of yesterday. Please remember that."

I nodded and he shut the door.

Alone again, I finished my potatoes and left the plate on top of the nearby box. Then I just lay there, thinking. My life has changed more in the last six months then it ever had before. For the most part those changes were good. This new life would certainly take some getting used to but I think I'll like it.

I must have fell asleep because when opened my eyes. It was pitch black out side. I checked my phone. 12:43. My throat felt dry, I need some water. I grabbed my plate and headed down to the kitchen. I figure it's unlikely for anyone to be in the kitchen at this time.

I opened the kitchen door slowly. The lights were off. Assuming no one was inside, I stepped in.

"Ahh!" Someone yelled from directly beside me.

I dropped the plate and, without thinking, swung my fist in the direction of the shout. It connected with someone as the plate hit the ground and shattered. I reached behind me and felt around for the light switch. I found it.

The light flicked on and I saw a girl on the ground clutching her jaw. I recognised her from the dinner yesterday and football game.

"Oh my god!" I crouched down beside her. "I'm so sorry."

The girl groaned and looked up to me. "Ow."

"What happened?" A masculine voice questioned from behind me.

I turned and there was a boy and girl standing behind me. I recognised them both from the dinner and game as well.

"I didn't mean to-" I quickly began.

"It was my fault." The girl on the ground cut in. She clambered to her feet. "I thought it was one of you two. I was going to scare you."

I stood up beside her. "I'm so sorry." I repeated again.

"No need, my fault." The girl placed her hand on my shoulder. "You must be Ashleigh. I'm Harper."

"And I'm Carrie." The other girl chimed in.

"Duke Thomas. Nice to meet you." The boy said as he shook my hand.

Harper groaned. "I'm going to go get an ice pack." She wondered off across the kitchen.

I looked down at the broken plate. "Umm.. do you know where I can get a broom?"

"I got it don't worry." Duke said. He walked over to a closet.

"How's your hand?" Carrie asked.

I looked at it. I assumed it would bruise but I didn't feel broken. "It's fine."

"Harper!" Carrie shouted. "Grab a pack for Ashleigh as well."

"Gotcha." Harper, who was now rummaging in a freezer, shouted back.

A moment later Harper came back with two ice packs, and Duke with a broom and dustpan.

"Here." Harper handed me an ice pack. "Put it on your hand."

"Thank you, and sorry about the whole..." I gestured to her face. "Punch thing."

"No biggie. You've got a hell of a swing, by the way."

I smiled awkwardly at her. "Thanks."

"Don't feel bad, Ashleigh." Duke said as he dumped the broken plate into the bin. "I probably would have hit her as well."

Carrie cracked her knuckles. "I would have hit her twice as hard."

Harper took the ice pack from her face. "Are you still mad at me over Carrie Jr?"

"Yes I'm still mad. You killed my dog, for fuck sake." The two began bickering.

I turned nervously to Duke. "She killed her dog?" I asked concerned.

"In a game." Duke assured me.

"Ohh," I continued quickly. "They did not make that clear."

"No they did not." Duke agreed.

We watched them bicker over the game for a minute, something about diamonds and TNT, before Duke had had enough. "Quit it you two." He loudly interjected.

The two girls turned to him. "Jeez." They both said in unison.

"Rude." Harper said.

"No need to raise your voice, Duke." Carrie complained.

Duke just stared at them in disbelief.

"Anyway," Harper said breaking silence that followed. "Are we going to get back to are game?"

"Yeah. Let's go." Carrie said excitedly.

"You want to come?" Duke asked me.

"I'd love to but-"

Harper grabbed my arm and gently pulled me. "Come on. It'll be fun."

A smile crossed my face. "Okay, sure."

Harper let go of my arm and and we all headed across the hall to one of the smaller living rooms.

Harper ran ahead and jumped onto the armchair. "Dibs."

"Dammit Harper, I was sitting there." Duke moaned.

"Too slow, Duke." Harper mocked.

Duke rolled his eyes and slumped down on the couch. Carrie sat down in the middle of the couch beside Duke and patted the free seat. "Sit. I won't bite."

I sat down beside her.

"So what now?" Duke asked.

"We continue playing." Carrie said.

"I am way too tired to keep playing." Harper replied.

"What about a movie?" Duke suggested.

Harper had adjusted herself so she was lying across the armchair. "I'm down. How about something scary?" She said in a spooky voice.

"Let's see what we got." Carrie leaned forward and grabbed the remote off the rails and began flicking through different movies.

"Oh how about the that one?" Harper said excitedly pointing at the screen.

"Haunted dolls usually make for good horror movies." Duke commented. The three nodded in agreement. Duke leaned forward and looked at me. "You okay with this?"

I nodded. "Yeah. Absolutely."

"Don't be alarmed if Carrie clings onto you at some point." Harper remarked. "She gets easily scared."

"Oh shut up, Harper." Carrie grabbed a nearby cushion at Harper, which she made no attempt to dodge. Then Carrie turned to me. "Ignore her."

"How about we start the movie before you two murder one another?" Duke suggested.

The two girls looked to each other, then nodded on agreement. I'm not a huge horror movie fan, but this one was pretty good so far. It was scary, as expected, but also had a better plot than I expected. Whenever a jumpscare happened we all jumped a little, occasional Duke, or Carrie would scream, much to Harper's delight.

We watched intently as the main cahracter trudged down a dark hallway the music began to became more tense. As the music tensed so did we, preparing ourselves for the coming jumpscare. Just as the monster jumped out from the darkness, we heard a voice behind us. "Hey guys."

We all screamed and jumped up from our seats. None of us had expected a voice behind us. We looked to the source of the voice and saw Dick standing in the door.

"Dick, you bastard." Harper shouted at him and threw a cushion, the one Carrie had previously thrown at her, at Dick

Dick took a step back as the cushion hit him. "What did I do?"

"You scared the shit out of us." Duke said.

"Are you trying to give us a heart attack?" Carrie shouted.

"What's with all the shouting?" A another voice said from behind Dick. We turned to see Bruce standing there. His hair was wet. He must just be getting in.

"Dick scared the shit out of us." Carrie said.

"It was an accident." He retaliated.

"It WaS aN aCiDeNt." Harper mocked him.

Dick looked at her, mildly offended. Bruce sighed. "Should I ask about the ice packs?" He pointed to the packs we had left sitting on the coffee table.

"Well you see-" Harper began.

Bruce gestured for her to stop. "Who's hurt?"

"Me." Harper replied.

"Anything serious?"

"Nope."

"You sure?" Bruce asked, scepticism in his voice. Harper nodded.

"Okay, so who's the other pack for?" Dick asked, looking to Carrie and Duke.

I raised my hand slightly. "Me." I said quietly.

Bruce looked slightly more concerned. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"Are you certain?"

"Yup."

"What exactly happened?" Dick asked, clearly befuddled.

Harper was just about to start speaking when Bruce cut in. "Short version Harper."

She sighed. "Ashleigh hit me." Harper flashed me a cheeky smile and a look that said to play along, before going deadpan again and turning back to Bruce and Dick. "She's got it in for me Bruce." She exclaimed dramatically. "She hates me."

"She hasn't been here long enough to hate you yet." Carrie remarked from beside me.

"Shut it." Harper said to her and turned backed to the boys. "She tried to kill me."

Everyone in the room had a slight grin on there face, even Bruce, despite his best efforts to hide. "Harper. The real story."

"Fiiine. I scared her, and she hit me."

"Why would you scare her to begin with?" Bruce asked quizzingly.

"She thought it was one of us." Duke explained, pointing to Carrie.

Bruce shook his head. "Harper."

"It was dark." Harper exclaimed.

"Ashleigh." Dick said quietly beside me, as the others continued their discussion. "Come here."

I followed Dick to the corner of the room, away from the rest. "Yeah?"

"Have you been talking to Kate?" He said in a hushed tone.

"No. I don't think so." I tjought for a moment. "Who's Kate?"

"About Bruce's age. Dyed red hair."

That must be the girl that Babs and him were talking to outside. "No. Why?"

"Oh." He seemed surprised. "Just a heads up then, she'll probably come looking for you tommorow."

"Why?" I asked slightly concerned.

"Your not in trouble or anything. Sje just eantdd to talk to you about something. Just forget about it till tomorrow." He put a hand on my shoulder and we walked back to the group.

I decide to take Dicks advice and just not worry about it till tomorrow. I was already worrying enough about everything else. As we rejoined the group they still seem to be on the same topic.

"So," Carrie interrupted in an attempt to change the topic. "Why are you in so late? I thought you weren't going in patrol this week."

"I wasn't." Bruce stated. "Business meeting ran late."

"You two want to join us?" Duke suggested.

"Oh yeah." Dick hopped across the back of the couch and landed where Duke had been sitting. "Watcha watching?"

"Some horror movie." Carrie taking a seat beside Dick.

"It's not even scary." Harper complained.

"Really?" Dick smirked at her. "Cause you all jumped when I came in."

Harper stuck her tongue out at him then turned to sit back down on the chair, only to find Duke sitting there. "You-"

"Too slow, Harper." Duke cut in.

I took my seat back on the couch as Harper huffed away from Duke and over to me. "Mind if I sit here?" She asked, pointing to the side of the couch.

"No. Not at all."

She sat down on the side of the couch beside me and glared at Duke. Bruce sighed and sat on the arm of Duke's chair. "So what's happening anyway?" He pointed to the TV screen.

Carrie explained roughly what had happened in the first half of the movie before we unpaused it. The rest of the movie was downhill and predictable compared to the first half.

"Oh come on! I could have told you how that ended an hour ago." Harper complained as the credits rolled.

"It was predictable." Bruce commented.

Duke pointed to the couch where Dick and Carrie were sound asleep snuggled together. "It bored those two to sleep."

"Speaking of sleep." Bruce stood up. "It's probably best I get some. I got to go work early again tomorrow."

"Oh. Why?" Duke asked.

"Some trouble involving LexCorp."

Harper scoffed. "Typical."

Bruce smirked. "I should be home early tommorow though. Hopefully."

"Cool." Harper yawned. "What time is it anyway?"

Duke looked at his phone. "Twenty to four."

"Shit." Harper exclaimed as she yawned again. "I'm going to go grab a drink before bed."

Bruce nodded and walked out followed closely by Duke. "Night." Both said in unison.

I watched as Bruce threw a blanket over Dick and Carrie as he left. They looked so at peace in each other's arms. Carrie was snuggled deep into Dicks chest. His arms held her there tightly.

"Ashleigh?" Harper said.

Her voice startled me back to reality. "Huh?"

"You going to bed?"

"Oh. Oh yeah." I stood up.

"Want a drink before hand?"

"Yeah sure." I followed Harper out of the living room, taking one last glance at Dick and Carrie, and into the kitchen.

"Will you grab some glasses?" Harper asked. She pointed up to a cupboard.

I nodded, grabbed a pair of glasses from the cupboard and set them down on the counter. Harper took a bottle of cola out of the fridge and filled the two glasses.

"Cola? Before bed?" I questioned her decision.

"You can have water if you want." She filled her glass.

"No, this is fine." I said as she filled my glass.

"So, how's the hand?"

"A little sore, and your jaw?"

"I've taken harder punches."

"I guess it's apart of your job."

She snickered. "Yeah, so when will you be joining us?"

"Joining you?"

"Yeah, like becoming a vigilante."

I choked slightly on my drink. "Oh no, I'm not becoming a vigilante."

"Really." She looked genuinely baffled. "Sorry, I'm just... I figured- You know, every other kid Bruce took in is."

"Yeah, I see the pattern, but I made it clear to Bruce, I'm not vigilante material."

Harper put her glass in the sink. "None of us were, not when we first came here. Bruce showed-"

"No!" I snapped loudly at her.

Harper seemed shocked.

"I'm so sorry." I gasped. "I didn't mean-"

Harper gestured for me to stop. "My bad, I pushed. I'm sorry."

"I shouldn't have shouted."

Harper put her arm around my shoulder. "Let's just forget about it. You seem pretty awesome."

I smiled at her. "Thanks."

"We should head to bed."

I nodded. "Yeah."

We finished our cola then headed upstairs and stopped outside a door, just down the hall from mine. "I'll see you in the morning, Ashleigh."

"Harper." I said quickly, just before she shut her door.

"Yes?"

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight." I heard as she shut the door.

I headed down to my room. I didn't even get changed, I just flopped on to my bed. As I drifted off to sleep I thought over the last three days. Things felt like they had gotten off to a bad start but as Bruce said, no seemed to acknowledge it. Thank God. I wonder what'll happen tommorow.

[trulycertain]

Unpopular opinion: god, Batman v Superman had some really good ideas that it chucked down the U-bend, and there are parts of it I really enjoyed. I don’t regret seeing it (and yes, I watched the Extended Cut. All three hours). I was just discussing this with @masutrout​, and here’s a slightly abridged version of my thoughts.

Look, I know no-one sets out to make a bad film, and with so many moving parts, a film getting released at all is a miracle. I know it’s not down to one person and (I’m quite glad) it’s not up to me, because I have no idea how to make films. But if I had, say, a magic lamp and a wish for an ideal BvS and DCEU in general... Here’s what I liked; here’s what I’d magically tweak in a parallel universe; here’s a rant. A 2.2k rant. An Extended Cut rant.

I know it's all desaturated and so on, but I genuinely really love Snyder's style. Dude can set up a shot, and he knows how to use chiaroscuro. In theory, I totally get why they'd look at him and go, "his shit is like comics brought to life, pick him." I wish he'd just... allow a bit more colour into it and let people colour grade properly, because the Metropolis/Gotham Clark/Bruce contrast could've been played up beautifully with visual language and colour too. I mean, I know he can do overwrought iconography and imagery, look at how they went to the trouble of CGI'ing Clark's cape in every scene because it was such a banner, and the pop of red. 

I'll admit, I wasn't always all-in on Affleck's performance, though it was one of his best in his back catalogue (I am one of the few people I know who has zero problems with him as an actor and tends to find it more the material, but I grew up on Kevin Smith films and his shtick works for me, even if he has a manner. I'm not too discerning). But. A Bruce who's tired and broken-down and greying and has lost even more, and still in the aftermath of that, tries to find hope and "I can't let this happen to anyone else" again, in the wake of one more death? God yes give it to me. A Bruce who's taller than Clark and just plain tall in general, because maybe Kryptonian ideals are different and because it'd give Bruce one more thing to desperately play down? God yes. Just... in general, middle-aged Bruce but without a lot of the Batfam stuff (which I like, I have a love for several of the Bats, but my favourite stories are always solo) with a regimen of painkillers and who's turned Wayne from an "I'll just jump into the water feature" jackass to a schmoozer and flirt and maybe a drunk. Take out the branding. I wanted Bruce as a broken idealist, not a fascist. It's actually way more fascistic than the original Dark Knight Returns, even. But goodness, the whole idea of an established, tired Batman is good. There’s a reason the comics and animations keep coming back to it.

"Superman was just a story. Superman was just the dream of some farmer from Kansas." I forget the exact phrasing, but everything about that idea, and this idea that Superman is as much an ideal for Clark to live up to as everyone else, and he’s daunted by it? Yeah. There’s something in there.

I loved everything about Jeremy Irons' Alfred. Seriously, everything. Tech guru, little less RP, little rougher around the edges, clearly has some scars of his own. Absolutely biting, even more than most incarnations, and gets all the best lines. Yes, keep that, it'll do.

I liked the voice changer... halfway. To me it makes way more sense than putting on a voice, which is a bit daft and way more variable. I just wouldn't have gone that heavy on the processing, so that Bruce sounded less like a hacker from 1999. I also thought it was a good way of representing how Bruce desperately tries to emotionally distance himself when he’s the Bat, and how his anger has made him colder.

Batman as just a rumour or an urban legend is great, and a wonderful contrast to Superman, who’s this bright, transparent... common god. Bruce never did it for credit, he did it to get it done. It’s stretching the bounds of credulity, sure, but in this strange, semi-operatic storytelling with heavy myth feel, it makes a bunch of sense thematically.

Bruce meeting Martha Kent, and their first meeting being him saving her life. Even this broken-down Batman who thinks he’s a mess. Actually, just more Martha in the DCEU in general.  I mean, I get why they didn't lean into it so much because they maybe wanted Bruce and Clark to feel more like equal peers, rather than Bruce being too dadly, but... god, again, more Martha. In JL, in something, if nothing else. Martha who's lost a son (Jason); Martha who later has a son in another city trying to do good and is worried as hell about them (Dick's canonically in Bludhaven PD at this point); Martha who is one of about five people in the world who knows who Batman is and hasn't spilt that information; Martha who saw Bruce at the cemetery and might have some really interesting things to say to him, angry or forgiving; Martha who is one of the few people who's seen the good in the Bat (when Bruce himself couldn't)... Man, I was so, so glad that fic leaned into that. I would read a regular comic book of just Martha and Bruce Being Reluctant Friends and Worrying A Little About Their Kids, But Maybe In An Enemies-To-Friends Way Because Holy Shit You Had A Fucking Spear What the Fuck.

No, really, wait, I’m going to go on about Martha again.  The scenes in BvS where she was basically saying, "God, don't kill yourself for them, come home, if they're gonna hate you they don't deserve you..." On the one hand she could've been a contrasting voice to Jon, but this way also makes sense. "I know you want to help but please don't kill yourself..." It was always both parents in the comics who affected him equally, even if the Donner films had his father's death, iirc. It was Martha who pushed to keep him, Jon who taught him not to break people and show off, Martha who taught him how to cook and be gentle with things and in Superman: Birthright, which MoS is heavily, badly based upon (I love that miniseries, time to read it again) she researches alien sightings in the hope he won't be alone. I get why they went for a more "grounded" Kryptonian uniform thing, but Martha made his costume, in the original canon. In all canons, she was a huge help in creating the "Clark Kent" persona (yeah, sure, maybe a woman would have something to say about making yourself quiet and shrinking in a room and having to look helpful and nonthreatening all the time, but Snyder and Goyer were never gonna be the kind of people to explore that and even Waid, whom I love, barely touches on it). Every other film or comic book is crap, dead, or crap and dead dads. Clark's relationship with his mother and father is hugely important.

Getting to see Bruce doing the society beat, and just a little more philanthropy would've been great. You don't have time to build that character? Sure, OK. Take out the Flash dream sequence and the sleeping-with-random-women, maybe don't have a totally unnecessary but kinda hilarious shower scene, and replace it with some identity weirdness where Bruce and Clark are stuck interacting as civilians a little more. Or something about what the hell happened with Jason and the manor, though I don't mind most of it being unexplained. There, still building character, still serving a purpose, you can fit a brief scene into your three hour movie. Civil War had a ton of "Steve Rogers and Tony Stark brood or sit in rooms talking to each other."

If they were going to throw away all the secret-identity potential, they could at least have done it interestingly. That scene at the gala made it clear how hard they both had to act, and Jesus, the idea of Clark eventually, finally finding someone else who has to lie and cut off what they can do, who has to bumble almost the way he does... That could've been interesting and also maybe worried the shit out of him. Or made him want to talk to this crazy billionaire who goes round combat-booting people in the face and try and get what his deal was, which could've led to more interesting misunderstandings. 

And then there's Diana, who's not a bumbler but a "nothing to see here, rich eccentric" type too (no wonder she and Bruce had weird insane chemistry in that "sizing each other up/I know exactly what you are" way), and why the hell does Clark basically never see her? I actually don't mind the whole "she's only here for her photo and never meant to get involved, so she's only needing to chase Bruce," that makes sense, but after Doomsday?! In Justice League?! She understands what it is for the world to be frightened of you, resistant to you, the urge to go and hide where it's safe with your family, the loneliness. I mean, just imagine MoS!Clark meeting her and the goddamn relief of it. And the way it could've played off the whole Jonathan Kent is a creepy "kill em all" weirdo now thing, if they insisted on keeping it.

Similarly, please god please show Clark being a journalist more. Perry chewing him out more. A mild hint of office politics. That's the perfect place to leaven a rough film with a dose of humour. People wouldn't have been so bothered by "Is she with you?", which is actually not that terrible a line next to some Marvel "zingers", except for it being so tonally inconsistent. A gentle thread, a few moments of it. Maybe have Clark save someone and have to scrabble to keep his identity a secret, like in MoS - maybe a minute, you could go for some physical humour or a mild sight gag. Obviously, this'd be pre-bombing the courthouse. Relatedly... 

Take out Nairomi and the branding. They serve very little purpose, story-wise, basically never come back into the plot, and only serve to make Clark and Bruce look like dicks unnecessarily when if you want to inject flaws, you have a ton of opportunities to do it with how they deal with people and their loved ones, how they deal with perps, and their brooding moments. 

Seriously, Bruce kicking the shit out of people and investigating shipments from the Black Zero and World Engine crashes would be enough to worry and piss off Clark, as would the whole "I am the night"/lack of transparency shtick. I mean, for a start, John Byrne retconned their first meeting that way in the 80s and that issue is actually great (Clark is trying to arrest Bruce when they meet, because he's young and idealistic and maybe a little up himself and he's been Supes for about five and a half minutes). Look: Clark is being revered and hates it. He blames himself for Black Zero, at least a little. He has excellent reason to be desperately projecting brightly-coloured not-a-threat and also hate that someone else is terrorising a city and violence is being revered, especially when Metropolis and Gotham are still so raw. I mean... Snyder and Goyer did the fucking stupid offensive 9/11 comparisons. Look at how that affected people and still does to this day; emotions run bloody high, and the entire point of Clark is that he's still human and terrified and guilty. And with Wallace O’Keefe and all the threatening notes... look, there's already a good plot in there! 

Meanwhile, Luthor clearly knows Bruce has been sniffing around the K shipments and could've just tipped off Clark about that as well, saying, "He clearly is gonna use it for his own power, and with how sinister and opaque and violent he's already been, he's gonna hurt people." Having his heritage used against people is one of Clark's worst nightmares, it was implied pretty clearly in MoS, and you'd still have the righteous anger. No branding needed. Kryptonian artefacts and the entire masked violent vigilantism are already enough "this is someone who thinks he's above people and can decide their lives" to piss Clark off. He could even investigate that as himself rather than Supes. You need it to be an unanon tip-off and Keefe wouldn't have access to that information? Sure, OK, just filter it through Mercy Graves and make her a "worried confidential source." I mean, she's in the movie and completely wasted. Why not actually, you know, do something with her? Clark wants to believe the best in people, and he might dislike Luthor personally, but he doesn't know Luthor's out to get him yet - or wouldn't, if the writing was better. Again, Birthright, the text Goyer repeatedly ripped from, did this brilliantly. The brand... it's overkill. Grimdark overkill.

I actually... look, I had a really fun, if baffled, time with this movie, but goodness I’d like to see what it could’ve been. And now all the film sites are waving goodbye to Batfleck again while running DC retrospectives due to Birds of Prey, and Cavill’s blue tights are in doubt, it seemed like as good a time as any.

[scandalsavagefanfic]

Hello. For your 500 followers Prompt-A-Thon request, how about Death/Jason. Honestly, I'm just wondering what the batfam's reaction would be to finding out Jason is dating death. Like their reaction whenever there's a near death experience and Jason is talking to thin air (because only he can see him/her). Then one day Jason is the one having a near death experience and Death comes physically to talk to him. Congratulations, BTW!!

Ok. So. Once I got going, this turned out a little differently than I expected. I hope you still like it. And thank you for the congratulations!

Matter of Life and Death - Read on Ao3!

Rating: Mature (a teeny bit of mostly glossed over smut)Warnings: Lots of talk about death. Kinda sorta suicide discussion...Words: 3161 

Pairing is Jason Todd/ Death of the Endless, btw 

(And while I did read some stuff, I’m not super familiar with the Sandman universe so if anyone out there thinks I wrote Death wrong you’re probably right so no need to bite my head off ;) )

___________________________________________

He’s not supposed to be there. So she says as much.

“Look lady, I… I don’t even know where here is. So… uh…” theboy trails off.

She can’t blame him. If she doesn’t know what’s happening,she can’t expect the maybe-sorta-dead human youth to know.

He’s dressed absurdly in what would be green texturedshorts, a red tunic, and a yellow cape, complete horrendous green pixie boots,if it weren’t for the way color was leeched from all things in this place. Ithelps fill in some of the gaps. But certainly not all of them.

“Why don’t you tell me what happened,” She asks, taking asmall step toward him. He’s obviously frightened and even though he’ll neveroutrun her, she doesn’t want to chase him down. “Then we can figure out—”

“No offense,” he interrupts, crossing his arms over hischest, “but I don’t know you and the last thing I remember was getting beatento gory mess, blown up, and gasping for air in a grimy warehouse. Now,suddenly, I’m—” he looks around at the black void and shivers, “—here, with akinda-hot-kinda-creepy lady who is… unnaturally white. So why don’t westart with who you are, and then go from there.”

She just gazes at him for a moment. The situation isunprecedented and for once in her extremely long life she is genuinely… surprised.Not just because he’s there. Even if that is the primary concern. Humans, orrather their souls, aren’t meant to see this place. It’s just… connectivetissue—a pass through. No one has ever just… stopped. But it’s clear he alsodoesn’t recognize her.

Stretching her memory back to the beginning, she can’trecall a single soul, separated from its physical shell, not recognizing her onsight. As such, she is certainly used to a much more… respectful tone.

It’s both insulting and refreshing.

“Am I… am I… dead?” The oddly dressed boy asks softly.There’s a tremble in his voice and he’s gripping the hem of the cape tightly.

If he was dead, he wouldn’t be here. If he was dead, hewould know her. But if he was alive, he wouldn’t be here, and he wouldn’t seeher at all. It feels extremely disconcerting to be unable to answer.

And yet, a part of her is thrilled. She doesn’t think she’sever just… not known something before.

“I can’t be dead,” the boy mutters, more to himself than toher, as he drops to sit on the inky void that surrounds them. “He needs me. Ijust… I made a mistake. I need him to know… to know that it wasn’t him. Notreally. I wasn’t trying to… to replace him. I just needed to know.”

She watches his shoulders shake when he drops his forehead tohis knees, unsure how to respond.

Finally, she sits at his side.

“You are… you seem to be caught in limbo,” she answersfinally, gently as she is able. “You are not alive, but your soul has… taken anuncommon detour and you have not actually died. If you had, you would know me.”

There is no recognition in his eyes when they rise to meethers. But the blue of his irises somehow manages to burn through the void. Theonly color that exist in this place.

“I am Death,” she continues, surprised and intrigued whenthe only reaction the revelation receives is slight widening of his eyes. Whichshe can’t stop looking at. She can perceive the colors things were supposed tobe in this realm but there shouldn’t be any actual pigment here. “You are…something entirely unique.”

He tears his gaze away from hers and actual color, a softrosy pink, rises in his cheeks.

His name is Jason. The young protégé of one of the manysuperheroes on one of the many worlds in one or the many universes.

She spends a great deal of time with him over the nextmonths or years, time means very little to her. It does, however, still mean agreat deal to Jason. She can move between the realms, but he is stuck in thevoid. She was away for a week the first and only time she left him and returnedto find him distraught and inconsolable after being alone in the still, silent,nothing.

The best she can guess, after discussing the mystery with aless than helpful Destiny, is that he isn’t meant to die permanently. He can’tmove on because he’s destined to return to his flesh.

It is, in her opinion, a particularly grisly thought. Butone that proves accurate when he is suddenly ripped from her side in the middleof a conversation and when she checks on him, finds him desperately strugglingto escape his airless coffin buried deep under the earth.

She shouldn’t interfere but she can’t help it. It’s a simplethink to crack the wood, to move the dirt more than he should be able to.

He’s not himself when he emerges, face wet with tears andgasping for air. She can tell. The young man she spent so much time getting toknow needs healing she can’t offer.

But she resolves to keep an eye on him.

_______________________________________________

The next time they meet would feel like a coincidence ifDeath didn’t know better than to believe is such a thing.

She doesn’t know why she still bothers to come for the Demonwhen he’s on her doorstep, when so often he laughs and runs away. Perhaps it’scuriosity. Will this be the time he can’t quite manage to evade her?

It’s a different kind of void this time. Acid green andviolent, burning, agony. Death is not meant to be circumvented, she thinks, itis not natural to outlive ones’ welcome.

But then she sees Jason in the thick color and allows thatit is not her will the universe follows. That she is a just another mechanic,keeping everything in working order. That perhaps there is a future purpose forthose who are fated to evade Death.

Except that Jason is different, she thinks, watching hisface twist in pain as he’s stitched back together.

The Demon has been on her list for centuries, rising to thetop, just to drop back down again.

Jason was never fated to die.

She reaches out and touches his face. When his eyes open, heknows her. He knows her even though he’s never known true death.

His pinched, agonized expression smooths out at her touch.His eyes soften when they find hers.

She is unused to the reaction. Most people feel fear orsadness or anger when they see her and know.

But Jason finds comfort in the presence of Death.

_____________________________________________________

“You’re asking if I can bring someone back from the dead?”

He's not entirely wrong but even she doesn't know the rulesthat allow her to do it and when. So she doesn’t know what makes him think thatshe can.

“I know you can.” Jason’s voice cracks on the words. “Ididn’t tell him because I didn’t know how to find you again. Then it just cameto me and I… I had to try…”

He’s shaking like a leaf behind the steering-wheel of anautomobile that isn’t his and doesn’t suit him. All black and mean looking withtoo many lights on the dash and too many buttons. The front is smashed andsmoking and there’s a cut on Jason’s forehead from where he smacked into thewheel in front of him. The broken, bloodied skin of his knuckles aren’t fromthe “accident” though and she suspects his tears have more to do with theprevious fight than any physical pain from the wreck.

“You did it for me,” he sobs, choking on the lump in histhroat, “you can do it for my little brother.”

Ah. She supposes that from his perspective, that is the onlything that makes any kind of sense.

She rests her hand on his shoulder and wonders if he canfeel it when he doesn’t react.

“I can’t raise the dead, Jason," she explains, even ifit's not entirely true. She doesn't want to get his hopes up. "As much asI wish I was responsible for your second life, I’m not. And I can’t bring backyour brother.”

He is an al Ghul though, she thinks to herself, and one ofJason’s beloved Bats. His name was on her list. But she wouldn’t be surprisedto find it there yet again.

He cries quietly in the seat next to her for a long minute.She doesn’t like to see him in pain. It… it stirs something in her that shedoesn’t recognize. The fact that she hasn’t seen Jason free from his tormentsince he was pulled from her side only makes that thing inside her more…passionate.

“I can’t stay long,” she finally says into the near silence,“A sudden, near death experience may bring me to your side. But it can’t keepme here for more than a couple minutes.”

Jason swallows loudly and finally turns to look at her. TheDemon’s green has tainted his eyes, but she sees the fiery blue much moreclearly. Even despite the redness and swelling. She hasn’t missed the how muchtaller and bigger he is now. How handsome he’s grown.

“I miss you,” he all but whispers. “Sometimes I wish I’dnever come back. Being in the empty void with you was better than being alone inan ocean of people.”

If she had a heart, she’s sure it would break.

She takes his face in her hands and the surprise in his eyestells her that yes, he can feel it. Then she leans in and brushes her lipsagainst his.

There’s a spark of warmth on her mouth and it tingles as ittravels all the way down her spine to settle somewhere in her belly.

She knows her own eyes are as black and empty as the void;most souls won’t meet them.

But he does. And it’s not fear or sadness or anger in hisgaze.

It’s longing.

_______________________________________________________

The nature of his life means she sees him often.

Or… ‘often’ relative to how ‘often’ she sees other humans.Which is not. Ever. Not like this.

A death in his vicinity will allow her to see him for a fewminutes. One of his own near-death experiences tugs at her and she spares aminute to make sure he’s alright. But otherwise, she has too much work to do.

“You should be more careful,” she scolds him on oneoccasion. One when he actually ‘died’ again for a minute. He wasn’t one of herappointments then either. But that’s not unusual. Momentary heart failuresaren’t enough to bring her around. Unless it’s him. “One of these days, you’llforce me to escort you over.”

“Please,” he laughs, even though he’s clearly still a littleshaken from the demon possession. “You’re my get-out-Death free card.”

She smiles at him because he knows that it doesn’t work likethat. But he doesn’t know that he’s not listed. Ever. She needled Destiny intolooking him up in the Book of Souls.

Jason Todd. Born. Meets Batman.

Then nothing. Just swirls of ink that won’t settle.

She doesn’t know how to tell. Doesn’t really know what totell him, even if she knew how. It’s a strange feeling, not knowing.

“How much longer can you stay?” he asks, sounding hopefulbut resigned.

“I don’t have any souls who need me here,” she answers,reaching up to tame a wild strand of hair. “I am needed elsewhere.”

“I just wish you could stay once in a while, you know? Thisis… this is ha—”

“Jason?”

They both turn to look at Batman. Death smirks when Jasonflushes pink at the look of wary confusion on his mentor’s face.

“Kinda in the middle of something, B,” Jason barks, tryingfor and failing to find his usual façade of bravado.

“He can’t see me,” she reminds him.

“He could if you’d let him.”

“Where’s the fun in that?”

“Jason? You’re acting strange after being possessed bydemons,” the Bat tries again, “I’m going to need you to say something to me orI’m calling Constantine back.”

“Just what I need,” Jason groans.

“John’s not so bad,” Death responds with a smile.

Jason makes a face at her and she kisses his lips just towatch him turn a darker shade of red.

“What the hell is going on, Jason?” Bruce snaps.

“Have fun explaining that,” she says as she pats Jason’scheek, just to the right of his scowl, and disappears.

________________________________________________

This is her chance.

She has all day and she knows exactly how to spend it.

She puts herself in his path. It’s a test and it isn’treally fair because he doesn’t know anything about it. Her siblings say she’slost it and about time. It’s her turn, they said, and falling for a weirdmortal ranks.

He brushes past her in the aisle. Offers a distracted butpolite ‘excuse me’. Then steps away.

But before she has time to be disappointed he turns back toher, taps her shoulder.

“I’m so sorry, I swear this isn’t a line but… do I know you?I mean, do we know each other?”

She smiles sweetly. “I don’t think so.”

It isn’t enough. He needs to say it. He needs to knowher.

“Oh.” He sounds disappointed. His expression falls a little.“Sorry. You’re just very familiar… to…”

He’s searching her face and she searches his. When theireyes meet—his supernatural teal, her very human hazel—his brows go fromfurrowed to wide in recognition.

“Death?”

Stepping back in surprise he looks her up and down. Her skinis much darker than it usually is, her hair a soft brown and curly.

There’s no reason he should recognize her. There’s no explanation.

Other than: Jason Todd knows Death.

They spend the whole day together.

Jason promptly discards his plans, puts what he had in hiscart back, and starts gathering a whole different list of ingredients.

Then they return to his apartment, a small but comfortable placekept immaculate and tidy.

They make idle chit-chat while he cooks for her. Somethingcomplicated that she’s never had before because she never wanted to waste heone day a century in a restaurant. But time spent with Jason is easy andpleasant.

They eat. Beef Wellington, his grandfather’s recipeapparently. Pistachio soufflés for desert.

He wants to watch Casablanca, she wants to watch MaryPoppins. So they meet in the middle and pretend to watch High Societywhile they finish off the second bottle of excellent wine and make out.

It was a quiet, beautiful day.

And it’s a soft, lovely night.

Despite his brash, sarcastic exterior, Jason is kind and givingand… eager to please.

She spends an hour with his head buried between her legs andcomes twice. Then he lifts her off the sofa, her legs wrapped around his waist,and she kisses him as he carries her to his bed.

They fall into it together. She threads her fingers throughhis hair as he kisses his way down her neck, between her breasts, across herbelly. He pauses on his way back up to suck gently at her nipples, scraping histeeth over them lightly before moving back to her lips.

“May I?” he asks as he rolls his hips gracefully againsther.

She chuckles. “You better or next century we won’t get outof bed at all.”

He’s frowning when he looks up at her. “Next century?”

“I only do this once every hundred years. And it only lastfor a day.”

His face falls even further. “I… I don’t think I’ll bearound next century.” He tries for a smile but it’s weak. “Not all of us areimmortal personifications of cosmic forces.”

“Hmmm, we’ll see,” she hums. Then she pulls him into a kissbefore he can ask for clarification she doesn’t have, and flips them.

He’s breathless and flushed beneath her and she thinks that’sonly fair considering he had her the same way.

Closing the space between them, she takes his lips again andsinks down onto him. They both sigh happily at the same moment.

It might be the best day she’s ever spent as a mortal.

_____________________________________________

Jason Todd is still around the next century.

And the one after that.

And the next.

The first one wasn’t so bad.

But the ones beyond…

It’s after his great-grand nieces and nephews have gone,when that link to family, to the past, becomes so tenuous it just dissolves.

It’s when his strongest link to existence is an immortalpersonification of a cosmic force who he can only really be with once every 36,500days.

It’s when he stands alone, in a sea of people, tired, beatendown, ready to go and move on but unable.

“Why?” he asks, not for the first time.

“I don’t know,” she answers again and she knows it won’t bethe last time she has to say it. “I wish I did.”

He can’t meet her eyes. He hasn’t looked at her in decades.She knows he doesn’t blame her. But she also knows sometimes he has to remindhimself that it’s not her fault.

She’s not sure if that’s true. And she hates not knowing.

“I don’t know how much longer I can stand this,” he says,tears dripping down his cheeks because even if he can’t there’s nothing he cando about it. “It feels like that time you left and I was alone in the emptinessonly this time it won’t end. I can’t leave and… and no one is coming back.”

“You still have me,” she offers, nudging him with hershoulder.

It’s not enough and she knows it. Especially since…

“No I don’t,” he mutters even as he leans into her all tooinfrequent touch. “I never really had you. Not anymore than you ever really hadme.”

Death sits with him as long as she can. Which is justanother couple minutes.

“It’s only a few more years before my day.”

“Twenty-seven. Twenty-seven years, four months, seventeendays, and three hours, before your next mortal day.”

“What? No minutes? Seconds?”

He does her the kindness of forcing a smile before nudgingher back and saying, “You have to go.”

“I can stay a little longer.”

He sighs, a shaky, broken thing. “No you can’t.”

She leans over and presses a reassuring kiss to his cheek.Knowing it won’t work. Wishing she could do more.

“I’m sorry,” she says.

“I know.”

Because he does. He knows her.

And she knows him.

The curse of life is knowing that there is peace only indeath.

[redhoodieone]

Don’t Tell Me Part 4

A/N: And I’m back! I’m totally on board with completing this story now since I have an idea of how to end it. And I know Van Halen is old (trust me…I just know), but “Dance the Night Away” is so good, it’s on my playlist, and yes, I listened to it while writing the smut so it’s now Jason’s song hahaha! Well, enjoy part 4, and let me know what you think about it! Questions, comments, and just emojis are always welcomed!

 Plot: Okay, so here is part 4, which takes you back to a memory where Jason and Y/N have sex (don’t worry, the smut is good, and it helps with the plot…I hope!) and realize how much they really mean to each other, but Y/N wakes up to a real life horrific and evil nightmare with Tim, who is determined to punish and eventually kill Y/N for cheating on him, and for being pregnant with Jason’s child.

But who is exactly helping Tim with his evil, deadly plans? Here’s a clue: it’s not just the Joker.

 Warnings: Smut, language, violence, and torture.

  Don’t Tell Me Part 4

 Y/N’s Point of view

Four months ago Van Halen, “Dance the Night Away,” is one of Jason’s favorite songs, since it was playing very loudly from someone’s apartment, as he and I were making out on a rooftop; against a boarded up door that allows access to the roof. He’s in his Red Hood gear, minus the helmet on his bike nearby. He had managed to sneak away for a while, and he texted me claiming he needed me. Luckily for me, Tim was out on patrol with Bruce and Damian, and it gave me a chance to sneak away from work at Bat Burger without having Tim check up on me at night. If Tim had called or texted me on my break, he would have dropped by to see me because he worries so much about me being out late. But tonight wasn’t the case. I haven’t heard from Tim since the evening, but it’s around eleven at night, and I have my back pressed against the locked door, with Jason kissing me roughly. Jason slips his tongue into my mouth again and again, drawing out moans from my red and lightly chapped lips. He’s being more aggressive tonight, and the way he has me pinned against the door shows tonight isn’t going to just be about me. Tonight’s definitely going to be about him. The taste of whiskey and just his natural but yummy flavor of him has me shaking in between his rock hard body and the door. I can feel my panties staining, and I wonder if he can smell how horny I am for him. His hands lift me up a bit so I can wrap my legs around his waist. While one hand holds us steady against the door, the other unzips my pants and sneaks into my underwear. “Fuck...baby...” Jason groans, and pushes a finger inside me. He breathes deeply from his nose. “You’re so fucking wet for me. I can’t believe you’re this wet...because of me.” “Only for you,” I choke on my gasps. His lips find my neck, and he starts kissing all the way down my chest in my Catwoman work costume. Jason smirks. “Next time I should dress as the Bat, and you wear this sexy skintight costume while we fuck in the Batmobile. Oh fuck yeah, that would be so hot,” he says between kisses. “Please don’t mention your dad while we’re doing this,” I giggle. “Fuck Y/N...I love your laugh. I love everything about you,” Jason whispers, and adds another long finger into my pussy. While he finger fucks me to help me reach my orgasm, his thumb rubs fast and hard circles over my clit. “Well, except how my fingers can make you cum quicker than my cock. That kinda hurts my feelings, doll.” I moan louder to the music. “I-it’s not my fault your cock isn’t enough for me to get off, Jay! I-I need foreplay, and I didn’t think you had a problem with that,” I whine. “I don’t have a problem with that, baby. I love foreplay, and you know that. What I do have a problem with is how I wanna get you on your hands and knees tonight,” Jason says, before curling his fingers to that one spot that has me gasping and whimpering in his strong arms. “I...I want to try something different tonight.” My pussy gushes all over his fingers, and I forget to breathe. I tighten around his fingers and he kisses me to feel my orgasm taking over my body. When I finally come down from my high, Jason kisses my cheek, and settles me down carefully while he awaits my answer. “W-what?” I ask, forgetting what he just asked me. Jason licks his fingers and smile shyly at me. “I-I want you to get on your hands and knees,” he asks, almost nervous if he’s crossing the line. “Jason, I’m not exactly comfortable with anal,” I confess. “It’s not anal, trust me. I know you’re not comfortable with that, and truth be told, there’s something else I want to try that I...read up on.” “You read up on sex positions?” I ask curiously. Jason’s eyes look icy blue tonight, and I can tell he’s horny as me when he breathes heavily. “I-I want to make you feel good, just like I feel when I’m fucking you.” “I always feel good when we’re fucking,” I admit. “N-no I meant, I want you to orgasm with me so I Googled sex positions and I read doggy style can help, and plus I’m already hard just thinking about seeing your gorgeous ass in front of me. B-but I don’t want you to be uncomfortable, and if you’re not comfortable with it-“ “We can try it,” I interrupt up him with a kiss. “But I don’t have a lot of time left so we need to get down and do it already.” “Fuck Y/N, you sound so sexy when you order me around,” Jason moans, and guides us on the ground. Thank God the ground isn’t as dirty as it could be. I quickly get on my knees, and I pull down the zipper up front of my costume, and I climb out of it, wearing just my black bra and panties. The black cap I have to wear for the cat ears is thrown aside, as I take off the hair tie to loosen my long hair. I use the costume to kneel on to protect my hands and knees, and I turn around, and see Jason’s eyes locked on me, as he unzips and pulls down his boxers and pants, revealing his hard, thick, cock leaking with delicious pre-cum from the tip. I know we don’t have a lot of time, but I need Jason more than anything. He uses his pants to kneel on and ends up keeping his shirt and jacket on; I wonder if this is one of his secret fantasies and wants to keep his jacket on. Before I can remove my panties, Jason’s hand gently slaps my hands away. “Hold it baby girl, I want to take them off myself,” he whispers hastily. Jason softly pushes me to kneel on all fours, as he kisses the back of my neck, and starts kissing all the way down my spine. He then turns his head to kiss down my hips, where he used his teeth to rip apart the lacy panties. I gasp when his mouth leaves a love bite in on my hip. His rough hands spread apart my thighs, so he settles in between. I can feel his hand holding his cock as he rubs the head against my wet pussy to lubricate himself. With one hand holding my waist, his other runs more of my juices on his dick. Then Jason guides his cock to my pussy, and pushes himself in; stretching me wonderfully to the point I can’t help the loud moan from escaping my mouth. “Fuck Y/N...you’re so wet and tight. Only I can do this to you, right?” Jason says, before he groans and pulls out only to push himself back into me; earning moans and deep breaths from me. “Right?!” “Yes Jay! Only you do this to me!” I cry out. I want to lean forward and lie there while Jason fucks me, but he won’t have it. One hand holds me up by my waist, and the other squeezes my tits that are still confined in my bra. Jason’s thrusts are hard, fast, and deep. Every time he thrusts into me, his lower body slams against my ass, where his balls hit my pussy every time. I can feel his cock rubbing against that spot only he’s able to find and push me on the edge of my orgasm. “R-right there! Keep hitting it Jason!” I choke out. Jason was right, this position allows his cock to hit that amazing spot and allows him to fuck me as hard and fast as he wants. “Yeah! See? I-I told you!” Jason shouts between thrusts. He pulls my hips back to meet his thrusts each time. His uses one hand to reach down to my pussy and rubs my clit in time with his thrusts. I bite my bottom lip, and whine because I don’t know how much more I can take. Jason lifts his head and bites my shoulder. He rests his face beside my ear, and his breathing is hard and he’s panting a lot. “Tell me Tim wouldn’t do this for you. Tell me I’m the only one who can make you feel this way, Y/N,” Jason whispers. His thrusts are wild, and I can tell he’s trying to hold his orgasm back. “Tell me you’re mine and I’m the one only one you’ll ever need.” “Y-you’re the only one who can make feel this way, Jay! You’re the only one I’ll ever need, and oh-fuck! I’m yours! I-I’m all yours!” I scream. “Then tell me Tim doesn’t matter to you! T-tell me you love me and it’s always going to be me!” he demands. “Tim doesn’t and will never matter to me!” I sob. The tears in my eyes fall because my pussy is sensitive from my previous orgasm, and this orgasm is taking over my mind and body like a storm. I can’t hold on anymore. “I-I love you Jason! I’m always gonna love you and it’s always gonna be you!” I come undone in seconds. My pussy clenches and unclenches around his dick tightly; making him groan to the point where I know he’ll cum in a few seconds. I cum all over his cock, and I fall lazily to my stomach while Jason continues thrusting hard, squeezing my hips, and rams himself farther and faster in until his orgasm takes over. “And I love you, Y/N...so-so fucking much!” Jason groans, and spurts, spurts and spurts his cum in my pussy, and I milk him for everything he’s worth. I release the breath I’ve been holding in for a while. Jason regains the control to breath, and he finally pulls out of me. We both sit down on our clothes, until we can manage to get up and dressed. “Oh fuck, Y/N. That was...” Jason breathes deeply. “Amazing?” I finish for him. “Yeah, I think it was,” he agrees, and grins at me but frowns when I don’t smile back. “What’s wrong? Did-did I do something wrong?” I can either tell him the truth or just lie. But even if I chose either option, the consequences would just suck either way. I can either lose Jason or Tim; and at this point, I’d lose no matter what. “I-I can’t keep doing this to Tim,” I whisper, hoping he didn’t hear me. But Jason heard me. “Because you still love him?” “I...I love him, but I’m not...in love with him. It doesn’t make any sense. The love I feel for Tim is the love I feel for Bruce, Alfred, Dick, and even Damian. But even if I don’t love him, I can’t just keep doing this to him because it’s so fucking wrong,” I begin to cry. Whether it’s guilt finally eating me alive or if it’s cause maybe I do care about him, the tears are just coming down and down my cheeks. “I know I fucked up big time. I know my apologies won’t mean shit, but I care enough about him to try to do this the right way by being honest. I-I hope he can forgive me one day...one day when the pain and betrayal just won’t hurt that much anymore.” Jason’s eyes look into mine, and I know he feels the same way, except a look of confusion forms on his face. “You-you really aren’t in love with him?” he asks, quietly. “No,” I confess. The truth is coming out easily than before. “I’m not in love with him. I...I’m in love with someone else.” I stand and get dressed back into my work costume. Zipping up the long zipper up front, I end up holding onto the ears cap while Jason puts on his boxers and pants as well. I decide tonight is over and turn to the fire escape to go back to work, but Jason sighs and stops me by holding my wrist. “Wait.” “You don’t need to say anything else! You already know I have feelings for you, and it’s clear you don’t even feel the same way about me! You must think I’m a slut now! Who the fuck just fucks her boyfriend’s brother and expects his brother to want me the way I want him!” I yell, and I attempt to push him away, but he doesn’t budge. “I’m a bed person! I’m such a bad person that I’m going to go to hell for what I’ve done! This has to be the evilest thing I could do to someone like Tim! I’m as bad as his other ex-girlfriends!” “Y/N-” “You know, maybe I should just jump off this fucking rooftop! At least I would deserve a death like that! Or better yet, go find Joker’s hideout and ask him to beat me with a crowbar!” I snap. “Y/N...stop,” Jason warns with slight irritation. Just mentioning I want to die at the hands of the Joker with the same fate Jason had doesn’t sit well with him at all. “You don’t understand, Jason! I’m so fucked up! I don’t know how I can live with myself knowing I hurt Tim. He-he has always had problems with being compared to his brothers, especially you! And now here I am screwing around with someone who is better than him! Someone who I can’t help but be in love with because they see me as a WOMAN who deserves to be loved and be touched the way they should be touched! I-” Jason cuts me off by kissing me. The kiss is hard. The kiss is filled with the natural burning passion between us, and it shows just how much we need each other and how much we are meant for each other. But the doubts start clouding in on me. What if Jason isn’t in love with me the way I’m in love with him? “Stop thinking so much,” Jason whispers, and makes me look up at him. “I didn’t know you could be so oblivious at times, doll. But in case you didn’t know by now...I fucking love you so much Y/N. I’ve been in love with you since the day you told me I mattered, the day I needed reassurance because no one knows how much I still feel alone at times, the day we kissed and you didn’t pull away because I’m one psychotic asshole and you can see past everything I’ve done back then and focus on the good I’m doing now. The-the way you let me hold you, the way you let me love you is more than what I deserve. But doll, you’re not going to hell. If by chance we do go to hell, at least we’ll go together because there’s no way I’m ever letting you go. Never.” Jason kisses me, and the two of us hold each other and give into what feels so right and perfect. “I’m in love with you, Y/N. I love you so much doll,” Jason whispers against my lips. “I’m in love with you too, Jason. I love you more than you’ll ever know,” I whisper back, as Jason holds me closer to his body, and the two of us surrender to the love we’ve been dying for so long. Present Day Jason has always said Van Halen became his favorite band after that night. The memory makes my chest hurt, either because it’s a sensitive subject or if it’s because my hands are tied behind me, and I’m bound to a chair in a barely lit room. Screens light up the walls, and I realize I’m being filmed and my face is on every screen; beaten, gagged, and weak. I don’t remember exactly what happened.

I don’t remember how I got here.

I don’t remember how long I’ve even been here. “You weren’t aware that I was there that night, huh Y/N?” Tim’s voice breaks through my thoughts. He approaches me slowly; his Robin costume is stained with purple paint. His hair is green and messy, and his red lipstick mouth is twisted upwards with a sinister smile. “You must get off on the idea of me, your pathetic, little boyfriend, watching you get fucked by the magnificent, bad boy Jason Todd. But tell me, what turns you on the most: Jason fucking you senselessly, or me watching you with my small, broken heart?”

“T-Tim…” my voice cracks. It’s as if I was choked before all of this; I can’t even breathe properly.

“Yes, it’s me, Y/N. I’m sorry you must be disappointed in seeing me since after all…I’m not Jason Todd,” Tim says viciously. He kneels in front of me and places a gun underneath my jaw. I shudder from the contact. “Wow…is this…the first time I’ve ever made you tremble? How funny is this? And to think it would only take a gun to make you shiver from little, old, Timmy.”

“Tim…” I gasp out.

“What? Oh…don’t tell me you don’t like my new look. Did you honestly think I would be wearing tan khakis, long sleeve shirts, and sweater vests for the rest of my life? Well, you’re not entirely wrong. I was deemed a nerd, geek, loner, and reject for most of my life. But…I guess in a way, maybe that’s how most will still see me,” Tim expresses faintly. His blue eyes are dull and meaningless. It’s as if Tim gave up his character and morals, just to justify his pain and loneliness. “But honestly Y/N, did you ever love me, or was I just there to fill the empty spot until Jason came around?”

“I-I really did love you, Tim. It’s just…” I confess. I can’t stop shaking because I fear he’ll pull the trigger and kill me right here and now.

“But what? I’m not tall enough? I’m not strong enough? I’m not attractive enough? Or better yet, was I just not bad enough?” Tim snaps, and grabs my face with a gloved hand while the other continues to hold the gun underneath my jaw. “But guess what, sweetheart? I’m bad enough now! Wanna see?”

“Please stop Tim,” I plead through teary eyes. Just seeing Tim Drake as this is more heartbreaking than I thought my confession would be. I fucked up big time, and right now, I’ll be paying the price. I deserve it.

“Just because you’re going to die with that bastard child in you, I suppose I could give you one last kiss,” Tim says, and slams his rough lips against mine. It hurts to the point where I know my bottom lip has cracked and is bleeding. He pulls away and huffs out in annoyance. “Damn…that wasn’t good enough either, huh sweetheart? Oh well, I tried and failed as usual. I’m used to disappointing people.”

“You don’t have to do this,” I whisper. I look into his eyes, with every intention on breaking through to him. “You don’t need to do this. We can leave right now. We-we can go home, and we can talk about this, Tim. You know it’s the right thing to do.”

Tim turns his face to me. There’s nothing on his face except for revenge. “I’m tired of doing the right thing. For once in my fucking life, I want to do what’s fair! I deserve things, too! I’m sick of being denied happiness because I just happen to not be good enough!” Tim yells, and runs to a table against the wall. He holds up a small, curved branding iron. He rushes back to me and kneels in between my legs. Tim smiles, and moves the branding iron up to my face. It’s a letter “J”. Tim laughs, a very chilling laugh that is very much like the Joker’s. “P-please don’t do this to me,” I cry harder. The blood in my mouth mixes with my tears, and I struggle to move back into the chair to get away from the smoking hot branding iron. “I’m so sorry for hurting you! I’m sorry for everything, and I know I-I can’t make it all better by apologizing, but I really mean it, Tim. I really am sorry, and I know it’s going to take time to make it up to you, but I’m not going to give up on you.”

Tim stares into my eyes. Everything that he has once felt for me, vanished. All the feelings, the love, and the friendship is gone.

“Well…I gave up on you, Y/N. I gave up on you when I saw you lying there underneath Jason, getting fucked ruthlessly like the slut you really are. And guess what? If you so badly wanted to be a slut, all you had to do was come to me, and…” Tim says softly, and pushes the scorching hot branding iron underneath my right ear on the sensitive patch of skin. I scream, and cry harder as Tim just grins proudly at his work. “I would brand you a slut forever.”

I scream and cry to the point where I feel like I’ll pass out. The second Tim pulls the tool away, he tosses it aside and lifts my face up to look at him.

“There…” Tim whispers, and strokes my cheek softly. “That wasn’t so bad either, sweetheart. But my fun with you isn’t over yet. You see, Y/N. My new friends just kidnapped Martian Manhunter, and he was able to confirm my worst fears. You’re indeed pregnant with my brother’s child, and he was able to detect it a boy. But that’s not the horrible part of the news, though.”

When I don’t answer, Tim exhales and chuckles at me.

“Since Jason was revived from the Lazarus Pit, this…child will be anything but just an average human being. So…instead of just having the Joker eat this little fetus right now, I’m thinking I’ll allow you to carry on with the nine month pregnancy, and once you pop the child out, I’ll just kill it when it breathes it’s first breath of fresh air. It’s an improved plan, right?” Tim asks me seriously.

I slowly tilt my head back and I fall asleep. I can still hear Tim’s voice around me. I can hear how Tim is frustrated how I fell asleep.

“Just think about this Robin #3, when she wakes up, she’s going to wish she was dead already!” Joker says, and laughs along with Tim.

But another voice is what I really listen to.

“Don’t worry about a thing, Robin. When they find out where she is, they’ll come, and when they come, they’ll be waking up in their worst nightmares starting with the child. The child’s death will either awaken Jason Todd’s previous evil side or destroy him to the pieces he’s tried so hard to fix. Either way, we win, and they’ll lose. They have nothing to fear but the fear they hold inside themselves.”

Scarecrow.

[hunnywrites]

We Fell In Love In October: Part One

Summary: Billy and Teddi celebrate Halloween in 1986.

A/N: This is probably just going to be one or two chapters. I was inspired by this gif set to write it honestly. There’s technically a spoiler for the end of Arcade Dreams in this series, but unless you really, really look for it you won’t get spoiled. Also, if you’re wondering about Tina’s Halloween party, I wrote about it in the Chasing Yesterday series. Enjoy!

“Listen, kid, it’s not my problem that you came in two days before Halloween looking for Friday the 13th. We don’t have it. I don’t care if you’re being Jason for Halloween.” Steve Harrington was leaning across the counter of Hawkins Family Video, glaring down at a ten year old that had come in demanding the first three Friday the 13th movies. 

Teddi was hovering awkwardly by the register. Technically her shift had ended three minutes ago. She was waiting for Billy to come pick her up. But it was a little hard to watch Steve go toe to toe with the kid. “Uh, Steve? You need some help?” she asked carefully.

Steve held his hand up. “No, Teddi. I got this. Look kid, either you pick something else out, or you can go home and watch Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin with your mom. I don’t really care! Now. Would you like to see our selection of horror movies?” he asked, looking down at the boy with an expectant look. Teddi tried her best not to laugh as the kid followed Steve to the back of the store, glowering up at the back of his head. Having Steve and Robin working with her at the video store and the arcade had definitely made things more entertaining. 

The familiar rumble of the Camaro’s engine filled the parking lot outside. Teddi turned to the door, watching Billy saunter across the lot and inside. His usual, casual smirk appeared on his lips when he spotted Teddi. He leaned in to kiss her, running his fingers through her hair and pulling out a piece of cobweb. He looked at it with a raised eyebrow. “Been grave robbing, Weird Girl?” he asked.

Teddi smiled sheepishly. “Nothing that glamourous,” she joked. “I was decorating the store and over at the arcade.” she pointed at the front windows. Teddi had strung up spiderwebs, paper mache ghosts and some purple blinking lights in the video store’s windows. There were little light up pumpkins scattered throughout the store, and little shiny, plastic bats hanging from the ceiling tiles. Next to the register there was a giant cauldron filled with candy. “Can you believe I get paid to do this stuff?” 

“Not at all,” he teased. “You ready to get out of here?” 

“And start the Halloween festivities?” Teddi asked, bouncing on the balls of her feet and grinning widely. She had the next two days off, and she had made Billy promise that they would try and fit in as much Hallloween fun as possible. It had been surprisingly easy to get him to agree, but then Halloween had always been their favorite holiday. 

“Yeah, yeah. Halloween festivities. Are you sure you’re set on everything?” he asked, wincing a little. Teddi only looked at him. “...That’s what I figured,” he sighed. “So what’s first then?” 

Teddi thought for a moment, quickly running through the list of things she wanted to accomplish. “Apple cider,” she finally decided. “Come on,” she squeaked, taking Billy by the hand. “Bye, Steve!” she called over her shoulder.

“Later, Harrington!” Billy threw up his hand in a short wave. Steve was still in the horror movie section with the angry ten year old. He gave them both a sarcastic smile, flipping them off as they hurried out of the video store. Teddi hurried past the Camaro and down the sidewalk. “Hey, wait my car-” Billy complained.

“It’s right there, Billy. You can walk.” Teddi argued, nearly dragging him across the street and to the small coffee shop that was on Hawkins’ main street. Hawkins was decorated for Halloween as well. There was a scarecrow sitting in the large lawn that sat in front of Town Hall. He was surrounded by bales of hay and uncarved pumpkins. The lamp posts had bright orange flags hanging off of them with a happy jack-o-lantern telling the people of Hawkins to come to the big Halloween bash in two days. The store fronts were decorated much like Teddi had decorated the video store and arcade. Paper ghosts, pumpkins, bats and Frankensteins greeted customers that walked past. There was a cold bite to the air, but just enough that Teddi could stand. The orange and red leaves crunched under her boots with each step. She loved the fall. 

Teddi’s fingers linked with Billy’s as they headed inside the coffee shop and ordered them each a hot apple cider. “Jesus, I haven’t had this stuff since I was a kid.” he mumbled after taking a slow sip. 

Teddi blew on her own to help cool it off and pulled a face. “How is that even possible?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. My mom used to take me to these farmer’s markets when I was a kid. Can you really picture Neil going to get apple cider and picking out pumpkins?” he let out a chuckle at the idea. Teddi definitely couldn’t imagine anything like that. Teddi couldn’t imagine Neil doing anything fun. 

Billy had started to speak about his mom more and more ever since the incident at the Starcourt mall over a year ago. Teddi appreciated him being open, but she knew it was hard for him. “...Are you gonna be okay with all this? We can always just go home and watch some scary movies.” she said carefully. 

They made it back to the Camaro, and the pair slipped inside. “I’m fine...just no corn mazes. I draw the line at corn mazes.” he leaned across Teddi and popped the glove compartment open. He grabbed a small, metal flask and poured some of the contents into his apple cider.

“...Are you spiking your apple cider? Right in front of me?” Teddi asked with raised eyebrows.

Billy paused for a moment, looking at her unsurely before slowly handing his flask over. Teddi poured some of the whiskey into her own cup with a pleased look. “So what’s on the agenda now?” he asked.

“We’re gonna go pick out some pumpkins, pick up a pizza and have a movie marathon.” she grinned. “I’ve carefully curated a stack of movies back at home.” 

“You ever think of just going with the flow?” Billy asked with a teasing grin.

“Excuse me,” Teddi scoffed. “I go with the flow all the time. We are going to casually watch the stack of movies I’ve picked out and casually carve pumpkins and we’re casually gonna have loads of fun.”

Billy only laughed and shook his head. “Whatever you say, Weird Girl,”

There was a pumpkin patch just on the edge of town. On the drive over Teddi traded her Family Video shirt for a fuzzy, light blue sweater. She shot Billy a stern look every time she caught him looking at her and not the road while she changed. Once they made it to the pumpkin patch, Billy groaned when he saw the amount of people milling around looking for their pumpkins to carve. Teddi of course didn’t seem to mind. Billy followed along behind her, lighting a cigarette before shoving his hands into the pockets of his jean jacket. “...What exactly is it we’re looking for?” he asked carefully. Teddi bent over at nearly every pumpkin, giving them a small knock on the side before turning it to see the whole pumpkin.

“We need big ones. And they have to be thick. Otherwise it can break easily when you’re carving.” she explained as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. 

“And when did you become such a pumpkin carving expert?”

She paused a little, like she was deciding if she wanted to give an honest answer. “...Back in New York, my friends and I would carve pumpkins and then go smash them on people’s porches.” she mumbled. Just when he thought Teddi couldn’t surprise him again, she’d pull out a story like that.

“Jesus, Larsson. You were a delinquent.” he laughed.

Teddi stuck her tongue out at him and picked up a pumpkin. “At least I never set a cat corpse on fire.” she said cooly, knocking on the pumpkin. 

Billy scoffed, the toe of his boot kicking at the grass. He blew out a puff of smoke in her direction. “That was one time. And I’m gonna kill Max for telling you that story. How come we didn’t bring her along for this anyways? Don’t kids like this kinda stuff?” 

Teddi set her pumpkin down and shrugged. “I asked. She said carving pumpkins isn’t cool apparently. And I think she’d rather spend time with Lucas,” she said with a small laugh. 

Billy groaned. Teddi had helped hide Max and Lucas’ relationship from him for nearly a year. Billy had walked in on the two of them kissing and he’d nearly had an aneurysm. Lucas hadn’t been allowed over for about two weeks after until Teddi talked Billy out of it. 

“This one!” she exclaimed, holding up a large, round pumpkin. “I’m picking this one. Now we have to find one for you. See any you like?”

Billy blew out an irritated puff of smoke and surveyed the pumpkins around him. He jabbed his finger at freakishly large, lumpy pumkin. “How ‘bout that one?” Teddi only blinked at him. Billy let out a sigh, clamping his cigarette between his lips and picking the pumpkin up. He knocked on it three times. “How’s that sound?” he asked with an expectant look.

Teddi surveyed the pumpkin. “...I know you’re just doing this so we can get out of here, but that’s like a perfect pumpkin. I mean, it’s way too heavy to throw onto someone’s porch, but perfect for carving.” 

While Teddi paid for their pumpkins, Billy dutifully carried them back to the car and set them in the back seat. While this definitely wasn’t how he would spend their two days off, Billy supposed he was willing to put up with it all once he saw how happy it made Teddi. He even agreed to get pineapple on half of their pizza like she liked. Now they were home. Teddi had run out to their shed and grabbed some tools to carve the pumpkins while Billy laid out some old newspapers on the livingroom floor. 

Teddi walked back in, tossing a pack of thumb tacks and two pencils onto the newspapers along with the other tools. Billy raised his eyebrows. “The hell’s this for?” he asked.

She shot him a look as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “The pencils are so we can draw out our design first. And then you use the thumb tack to poke these little holes along the outline so it’s easier to carve.” she explained.

Billy watched her as she crawled over to their tv, picking up a copy of Halloween and sticking the tape into the vcr player. “...Where did you learn all of this?” he asked. Teddi turned to him with a frown. “I mean, smashing them on people’s porches, yeah. But where did you learn all of this?” he asked, motioning to all of her pumpkin carving supplies.

Teddi had an almost guilty look as she began drawing a face on her pumpkin. “...My dad,” she finally confessed. Billy didn’t say anything. He was a little too surprised to think of how to respond. “It was after he got his new fancy job, back in New York. Things were bad before, but when he got his promotion he was...nice. I mean, for him. For awhile. They never wanted to take me trick or treating or anything like that, but he taught me how to carve pumpkins when I was little...I don’t know,” she shrugged. “It’s like...the one happy memory I have of him I guess.”

Billy realized how utterly depressing it was that they both loved Halloween so much. It had just been a way for them to cling to the few happy memories from their childhoods. And it was obvious that she felt guilty for having any happy memories with her complete asshole of a father. Now he felt like a dick for not being more enthusiastic about the whole thing. Billy didn’t say anything. He just picked up his pencil and started to draw what he thought looked like a scary face. “...You want me to take you trick or treating?” he asked.

Teddi cracked a smile. “Thanks, but I think I’m a little too old now.” she joked. They fell into a comfortable silence while they scooped the insides of their pumpkins out and emptied them out into a bowl. Billy took his eyes momentarily off of the movie and looked over to Teddi. She was off in her own world, absently playing with the pumpkin guts.

Billy stopped carving his pumpkin and looked at her with a raised eyebrow. “...You okay there, Ted?”

“Hmm? Oh, yeah....I was just thinking of the life of a pumpkin. Grow up in the sun, happily entwined with others...and then someone comes along, cuts you open, and rips your guts out.” she sighed. 

Billy only blinked at her. Great. Now Teddi was depressed. “You uh...you’re kinda bumming me out here, Weird Girl.” he said carefully. 

As if he had said some magic words to snap her out of her stupor, Teddi shook her head wildly. “Whoa. Sorry.” she let out an embarrassed laugh. 

“I thought the whole point of all this was to have fun?” Billy said, carving one of the eyes out of his pumpkin and discarding it in the bowl. “Y’know, think of all the fun stuff about Halloween? Remember when we got wasted at Tina’s Halloween party a few years back? You thought my name was Bobby?” he grinned over at Teddi, who’s cheeks had turned a lovely shade of pink at the memory. “You still have that Alice costume?”

Teddi flicked a pumpkin seed at him. “Ass.” she scrunched up her nose, unable to hide her smile as Billy let out a laugh. He was right. All of this was so that they could make new, happy memories together. Not sit around and mope over pumpkins. 

Billy surveyed his jack-o-lantern, turning it towards Teddi with a proud look. “What do ya think? Scary enough for trick or treaters?” he asked. His jack-o-lantern had big, angry slanted eyes and a row of countless pointed, fang like teeth. Somehow it was exactly what Teddi had expected from him. 

“Very scary,” she agreed with a nod. Hers was a bit more of the traditional jack-o-lantern. With its happy, triangle shaped eyes, matching triangle nose and crooked, square teeth. She sat hers next to Billy’s and let out a small laugh. “They make quite the pair, huh?”

Teddi hopped up to her feet and disappeared into the kitchen before shortly returning with two tea light candles and a lighter. “Come on, come on. Let’s take them to the porch.” she scooped up her pumpkin and hurried out into the brisk fall night. Billy and Teddi sat their pumpkins side by side, Teddi dropping a candle down into each of them and lighting them. Teddi took Billy’s hand in hers, walking down a little ways down their driveway before stopping.

“What do you think?” she asked quietly. Like if she spoke too loudly it might ruin the moment. 

“...Spooky.” Billy said with a teasing grin. Teddi let out a soft snort and rested her head on his shoulder. They stood there in a comfortable silence, looking up at the porch of their little house, lit up with an eerie, orange glow from their jack-o-lanterns. Two years ago Billy hadn’t even known who Teddi was (unless you count the incident at Tina’s Halloween party). Then a year later they had purchased their first home after learning about the horrors of the Upside Down and defeating the Mind Flayer. Billy had always loved Halloween because of the horror movies, scaring trick or treaters and seeing girls in their tiny little costumes. Now he realized he loved it for different reasons. 

Billy placed a small kiss on the top of Teddi’s head. “What’s next on the carefully curated playlist, Larsson?” 

“Evil Dead,” she replied simply. “I was thinking we could go see Sorority House Massacre tomorrow.”

Billy smirked. “Sorority?” he asked. “Count me in.”

Teddi shoved him playfully. “Just get back in the house, perv,” she let out a loud squeal when Billy picked her up and threw her over his shoulder. She couldn’t hold in her laughter as she tried to squirm out of his grip. “Put me down you asshole.” she laughed. 

“Not until you stop calling me names.” he playfully scolded. 

“I don’t know if that’s possi- ow!” she fell into a fit of giggles after Billy reached up and smacked her firmly on the ass. “Okay, okay! I’ll be nice,” she surrendered. Billy set her down once they made it back to the porch and she gave him another playful shove. “How about you go put the next movie in and I’ll make us some spiked hot chocolate?” she wriggled her eyebrows. 

“Are you trying to get me drunk, Larsson?”

“Maybe. Maybe I can go put on that alice costume and we can have a replay of Tina’s party?” she leaned in the doorway, smirking up at Billy. 

Billy let out a groan and followed her inside. “I gotta agree with pumpkin carving more often.”

[chromium7sky]

Damirae week day 2: fake relationship | I'm a sucker (for you)

"You suck, like seriously. "

Jason told Damian as soon as Damian explain the situation that become tangible. Oh how he did wish to turn back time and said NO but... This time,  he said yes. Especially to a girl who seems to come out of nowhere.

But seriously,  he involved in deep shit and know it seems all the media and reporter are trying to smell some scandal from the Wayne Family, especially from him,  the blood son of Bruce Wayne.

"That all you have to say? " Damian raised his brow.

"Well, there's much more of that, Dimwit but I was wondering. Why her?  Just because she has an animal and to specific,  a bird name, you fall head over heels for her? " Jason smirked as he teased the young heir while smoking at the open window.

Damian,  annoyed as always, took the cigarette from Jason's hand and put out it by pressing the lit against the window panel. "Where did you get that stupendous theory?" he sneered at the white streak lad.

"Come on,  Damian. The Bat and co. knows it. Tim,  Barbara, Cass, not to mention Dick and Steph keep screaming when they see both of you together. " Jason shrugged idly with annoying face as he remember the noise Dick and Steph made during their 'Stake out' for the young man.

"It wasn't even a real date!" Damian exclaimed.

"Well by the look of your face at that time, you seems enjoy it. " the red hood huffed as he show the picture where taken.

"You... Dare! " Damian were about to snatched but with Jason quick reflexes he quickly store in his jacket inner pocket.

"So tell me, little D. What is it? "

"It has nothing to do with you. " Damian grumbled as he sending death glare to Jason which the older brother seems to immune with it.

"Yes it does because I would really like to meet a girl who could make a brat fall head over heels for her. " Jason smirked and what he's really impressed is this haughty assassin prince seems to act gentlemen towards her like it was almost natural.

"So,  care to talk? " Jason played the good cop.

Damian sneered at him and lost in the end. "Fine. We talk at the balcony." as he quickly paced towards the area followed by Jason Todd.

As Damian sit at the chair in the middle of the balcony, he put his hands together and close his eyes as he tried to retrieved some information store in big brain of his.

"It was about a criminal I was after, rather a peculiar one. His name is Eric Forrester. I've been trying to track him for months after serial incident happen at rural area nearby Jump city. " As Damian explained.

"And? " Jason with his armed crossed as he listen his story.

"I've found the exact same pattern case nearby. Until.. "

"Until you met Raven? "

Damian silence for a while as the flashback playing on his mind like it was happen yesterday.

####flash back####

"Help me! "

"What?! " Damian were kinda busy at time when a girl suddenly appear as he walked down the street with coffee and bagel on his hands.

"Something happening to my roommate. " The girl mumbled and shivers. She pull his arm and ran towards a flight of stairs and God knows, the girl is really terrified.

As soon as they reached her apartment,  the door were wide open. Damian pulled the girl's wrist behind him incase something bad happen. As they slowly pacing in, they saw the girl's roomates,  blonde with attractive build now facing down and with bluish color skin.

Both of them were horrid and Damian quickly call 911.

*********

"I'm sorry about your friend. " said Damian as he stood besides the girl who is now, hand shaking while holding a cup of tea and space out.

After the interrogation session it seems that the dead girl were died but unnaturally. There's no trauma or force that apply on the corpse.

"Caroline...she has a bright future.  But why... " she cried as she used her sleeves wiping her tears.

"What happen actually?" as the young man sip his coffee, to warm his body in this cold weather.

"I was just gone back from art exhibition party at my college and as soon as I reached my floor. The door were wide open!  I thought,  it was burglary!! But nothing was taken,  and I found my roommate lying on the living room." as the scene still freshly painted in her mind.

Damian sighed as he sip down the black coffee. Well,  he tried to bite down his curiousity,  questioning her alibi and finding evidence because this, this is exactly the same case happen at the Jump city where the woman found dead unexplained in their home.

"I was hoping if you know more about what happen, i mean,  is there anyone your roommate met recently like colleague,  friends?" Damian stared at the blue haired girl.

She took a couple of sip and as if something came up on her mind. "Well,  there is someone she's kinda close in her workplace. I think that was her boss. " the girl rubbing her chin as she refreshed her memories.

"I did  stumbled some flower gift outside of our apartment. " she paused. "and its say from a guy name Forrester. I bet that's his name. "

Damian jolted as soon as he heard the named quickly turn to her. "Forrester?"

"Yeah. Probably a well-known playboy somewhere. His name kind of familiar. " she mumbled.

Damian has found his lead for the case. Quickly he finished his coffee and throw the cup into the paper recycle bin.

"Well,  I hope after this you need to move away from the apartment. I think you might in danger. " Damian turn to her as he advice her.

"I can't. This is the only apartment i could afford. " she cluthes her cup.

"Still,  your life is on the line,  miss." as his stared at her.

"I know. I'll just becareful. " she sighed and throw her empty cup to the recycle bin. "Anyway,  thank you for helping me. " she give out her faint smile.

"By the way,  I'm sorry to be rude for not introducing myself. I'm Damian. " as he held out his hand towards her.

"Raven Roth.  But you can call me Rav-" as she grab his hand she jolted and so as Damian. It was like a surge flowing between them.

What he sees in his mind is something sinister,  a clue,  ANOTHER murder. Quickly he pull of the hands and both of them gasping for air.

"What the hell was THAT?! " he spit out. What he felt is new and mystical, also prophetic.

"You,  felt it too? " her indigo eyes went large as if it was new to her.

"What do you mean you felt it too? " As Damian furrowed his eyebrows wanting some explanation about what happen.

"I--"

"Who the hell are you? " Damian start to feel hostile. His suspicious grew towards this girl name Raven.

"Please do understand me. I didn't cause any harm to anyone." Raven kept her cool face as she held both of her hands as the sign to pacify the current situation.

"I've seen horrible image in mind. Are you -" before he finished his sentence Raven snapped out as she knew what he going to say.

"I'm not what you think it IS! "

Both of them took time to breath in and out calming down themselves.

"What? " Damian still puzzled.

"I had a forecast about what happen to Caroline and rush towards the apartment. " her shaky hands at her sides. "I fail to save her. " again her tears rolled down.

Damian sees her vulnerable and somehow it reminds of him when he tried to save the children from Dr. Pyg in his old case. It's frustrating and guilt.

"Why didn't you tell to the police about that? " he was curious with her ability, this forecast thing.

Raven scoffed as she heard that. "They probably put me in asylum,  Mr. Damian."

"Just call me Damian."

"Damian... " as she corrected her last sentence. "But you saw what I saw just now..." her lips formed a solemn smile. "Its more than enough to prove that I'm not crazy. "

Damian silence as he heard her.

###flash back ends###

"Wait,  wait!"

Damian sneered at Jason.

"I haven't finish yet,  Todd. " Damian grind his teeth in annoyance.

"So,  both of you had the Zap thing and you guys dating each other because of that?! " as Jason try to understand the chronological of the event.

" We are not even dating! Its just a cover!  For her!" Damian sighed as he ruffled his hair.

"You're saying she's not your type? "

"Bullshit!  It was for her safety.  There's a maniac keep harrasing her in the college!"

"So you do like her! "

Damian just can't get with Jason who always on his nerve.

"By the way,  how about the maniac that makes THIS happen? "

"Already take care of it. " Damian crossed his arm.

"You kill him? "

"No. "

"Send him to authority? "

"Worse. "

"A 20 years sentences? "

"I ensured it. "

Jason pursed his lip in approval and nod slightly as he heard it. Don't mess with little D's girl.

A standard ringtone  breaking the silent atmosphere and Damian quickly pull out his phone. He glanced at the scene and answer the phone.

" Any new Forecast?"

Oh, that question made Jason grew excited! Damian were talking to HER! Quickly on his impulse he grab the phone from his little brother.

Damian wanted to protest but Jason quickly put his hand on the angry boy's mouth as he speak to the mysterious girl on the phone.

"Hey,  Raven right? "

At first there's silence but then she saying yeah to confirm her identity.

"Well, this weekend Damian is kinda having dinner at his house, Don't you mind joining in? " Jason casually invited her through the phone. Damian's 'What? ' at the background can be heard the moment Jason said dinner at their house.

"Uh,  I don't know. Who am I speaking to?"

"His Father. " Jason lied. He could hear she gasp on the speaker.

"Sorry to disturb you discussion between you and your son,  Mr..."

"Mr.  Wayne. "

"Mr. Wayne?"

"Yes. " Jason heard the conversation been cut off in a sudden. Jason then seen the screen shows call ended. "She hang up?"

"What did you do?! " Damian quickly snatch his phone back and saw the screen. Then he set his infamous death glare at Todd. "You scared her!! "

Jason amused with his reaction, the spawn of satan really like this girl.

The phone ring again, quickly Damian answer it. "Look, I can explain." Todd quickly at the other side trying to eavesdrop on the conversation.

"Sorry to make you worry,  i was shocked that I dropped my phone. Did I annoyed your father for sudden hang up? " Raven's voice faintly heard.

"That fine.  He just need to go somewhere minding his own business. " Damian sneered at Jason then gesturing his hand to buzz off. "Anyway,  about the Forecast,  i got one about 1 hour earlier. And I could make out the name of the place,  Jackal's Sanctuary."

Damian pull out a pen and write on his palm Jackal's Sanctuary name. "Great. We'll met there within one hour. "

"On it! " Both Raven and Todd answer it. Damian then looked at Todd who has walked toward the door while holding the his phone. He sneered deducing that his brother is up to something.

"Damian,  is your father still there? "

"No...no. He went somewhere else. "  as Damian continue to glare at Jason who has gone inside.

Meanwhile,  Jason text on his phone about Damian meeting the girl at Jackal's Sanctuary on a group chat call The soaring Birds that has Dick, Babs, Steph, Cass, Timbo as active member. Duke tries to stay out of it but of course, Dick won't let any Bat and Co. left behind and sometimes Duke follow their investigation about the girl who Damian said having "fake relationship".

The picture of the group made Jason cringe sometimes. It was a picture of Damian and Raven capture from a far,  with motto written in cursive neon coloured "Make it come true."

[thepartyresponsible]

here’s a short, relatively fluffy fic about what happens when jason todd and clint barton, a pair of career criminals and expert thieves, steal the winter soldier.

and to the anon who asked for a fluffy fic featuring hot chocolate, blankets, and warm feels shared by clint, jason, and tony....um. i’m really sorry. i’ve had a lot of cold medication. my reading comprehension is compromised.

Popular opinion would no doubt suggest that stealing the Winter Soldier is the ballsiest heist Jason and Clint have ever pulled. Jason’s not sure he’d rank it that high. After all, their Batcave stunt was pretty egregiously ill-advised, and then there was the time they stole fifty grand worth of Kryptonite with the use of a clipboard and some fake EPA inspector badges they printed out at a public library.

But keeping the Winter Soldier. Yeah. Sure. That’s pretty ballsy.

No real other options, though. At least none that either of them could live with.

Jason knows they’re doomed the moment he hears the quiet horror in Clint’s voice, the way his words catch, just a little, when he says, “Um. Jay? I think it’s a person.”

Because stealing a serial killer robot from HYDRA and then handing it off to the League of Assassins for “decommissioning” is one thing, but turning over a living, breathing human being is another. He and Clint walk all kinds of fuzzy ethical lines. God knows even Selina gets shrill about their activities sometimes. But they don’t deal in people. Not ever.

“Okay,” Jason says, nudging Clint gently out of the way. “Go steal us something fast. I’ll handle this.”

Because, between the two of them, Clint’s got the softer heart. He doesn’t get fussy about what happens in an honest fight, but he can get downright melancholy about the necessities of after-battle cleanup, and Jason’s happy to spare him from it, when he can.  

So Clint goes to get them a car that’ll get them out of the country before Ra’s realizes he’s been screwed around, and Jason goes to hover over the Winter Soldier, freshly defrosted, still barely twitching his way back to consciousness.

And Jason’s not an asshole. Whatever this guy’s done, he hasn’t done it to Jason or anyone who belongs to him, so none of this is personal. It’s gonna be fast and easy, just a bullet between the eyebrows, but the Winter Soldier blinks his pretty eyes open, looks up the barrel of the gun, and stares right into Jason’s face.

“я готов отвечать,” he says.

Ready to comply, Jason thinks.

“Jesus fucking Christ,” Jason says.

And so, after that, Jason doesn’t have the heart to kill him, either.

  There’s a lot of yelling in the days that follow. From all conceivable sides. Ra’s al Ghul threatens every kind of unpleasant thing, and HYDRA hounds after them like they’re supposed to be scared of a group of megalomaniacal old cult assholes too creepy to get invited to the local Free Masons, and Selina calls Jason every day for a week to shriek at him about how she didn’t save him from the streets of Gotham so he could get murdered for stealing the world’s most brutal assassin.

“Selina, c’mon,” Jason says, muttering into the phone. Winter’s asleep in the backseat, shackled up like Houdini before a trick, and they’ve had a couple exciting moments, but he’s mostly just been quiet and kinda eerily empty-eyed. He keeps asking Jason about the mission. “He’s fine. I mean, he’s a little rough around the edges, sure. But I found Clint in a dumpster.”

“Hey,” Clint says, whisper-hissing at him from the passenger seat.

“And he looked great,” Jason tacks on quickly, with a wink he hopes will smooth things over. “Amazing. That dumpster didn’t know how lucky it had it.”

“You need to be careful,” Selina says. She put down two HYDRA goons this morning. They barged in on her in her pajamas, and she’s probably more pissed about getting caught with bed hair than having to dump two bodies before noon.

Although, she never was much of a morning person.

“We’re being careful,” Clint promises, leaning over to talk into the phone. “We couldn’t leave him, Selina. You didn’t see him. It was--- it was really bad.”

Selina’s quiet for a moment. “He’s an international criminal,” she says. And then, probably after she remembers that every single person in this conversation has their own personal INTERPOL file, she adds: “He’s an assassin.”

“I think he’s nice,” Clint says, stubborn and loyal. As always.

He only thinks that because Winter keeps trying to palm him extra food. Jason has to make a big show out of giving Clint food at the same time as he unlocks Winter for meals, or Winter will only eat half his food and then stash the rest so he can sneak it to Clint later.

Jason does not consider this behavior an endorsement of HYDRA’s caretaking expertise.

“He’d better be worth all the trouble,” Selina says. But she doesn’t mean it. Selina’s a thief and a liar and sometimes a killer, but she’s just like Clint, really. Softhearted for lost causes, both of them.

Jason can’t complain. It’s that shared weakness that brought both of them to him.

“Well,” Jason says, “if he’s not, we’ll just drop him with whatever country’s offering the biggest bounty.”

“That’s my boy,” Selina says. “But remember to start a bidding war first.”

  The thing about Winter is that he’s actually James Buchannan Barnes, Captain America’s best friend. He’s a Goddamn war hero, and HYDRA took him, tortured him, blended his brain, and made him kill people.

Jason grew up in Gotham, spent his formative years playing sidekick to Catwoman, so he’s seen some fucked-up situations. But it makes him sick, watching Winter work it out. Catching those sporadic flashes of Bucky Barnes, the miserable, devastated way he closes his eyes when the memories come, like it was better, somehow, when all he knew how to say was Yes, No, and Ready to comply.

And Clint was right. He is nice. He’s painfully sweet, really, in the way he frets over Clint until he figures out that Jason doesn’t actually run things, doesn’t own Clint, and sure as hell would never hurt him. And then he frets over both of them. Stoic and steely-eyed and stone-jawed, fretting like a Goddamn mother hen.

HYDRA wants him back, and Ra’s wants him dead, and Jason and Clint, as insistently and dramatically as they can, invite both of them to fuck right off.

They don’t really mean to keep him. Not forever. Just until people stop trying to murder him. Just until they can stash him in some nice town, where no one knows who he is, where he can go back to being Bucky Barnes full time and forget all about everything HYDRA made him into.

But people don’t stop. The whole world keeps coming after them. And Bucky, for his part, doesn’t want to leave them.

Six months in, Clint catches a bullet, and Bucky gets stolen, and Jason has to choose to leave Clint so he can go grab Bucky before they wipe him clean out of his own head. And Clint’s going to be fine, knows how to look after himself, didn’t get shot anywhere vital. But Jason crashes into that transport van with Clint’s blood on his hands, and it makes him crazy, a little. It makes him a nightmare.

So, afterwards, Selina brokers a meeting with Batman, and Jason goes, because Batman’s owed him a favor ever since that years-long game of tag he used to play with Nightwing resulted in him accidentally stumbling into a situation where he saved Nightwing’s life.

He doesn’t bring Clint, and he doesn’t bring Bucky, because he figures Batman’s not going to kill him, but he might throw him in prison. If he does, Selina will bust him out on principle, and she’d almost certainly do the same for Clint, but Bucky’s so new and so much trouble that she might just leave him where he’s less likely to get Jason killed.

“Look, Bats,” Jason says, when they’re finally standing uncomfortably on the same rooftop. “We don’t like each other. You’re the delusional iron fist of the bourgeoisie acting out your punishment kink on the unsuspecting poor, and I’m just a guy trying to make a living. But we gotta work together on this, okay? Or I’m gonna leak the porn I found on the Batcave computers.”

Batman takes a long breath in through his nose. He seems to visibly weigh out which issue to raise first. “You planted those files on the Batcave computers.”

And he hadn’t, actually. Clint did that. He’d spent the whole night before the job downloading Superman-themed porn, and he’d filled Jason’s laptop with so much malware that Jason eventually just burned the thing in a purifying pyre. But Jason had to admit that running those videos on every screen in the Batcave had resulted in a truly awe-inspiring, immersive experience.

“We were just trying to be supportive,” Jason says. “Anyway. Look. You owe me a favor.”

There’s a lot of back-and-forth after that, consisting mainly of Batman holding forth about how saving a life is its own reward and he doesn’t owe Jason a favor and Jason really needs to reconsider his life choices while he still has the opportunity to do so. But he seems to listen when Jason tells him what he knows about HYDRA, about how deep its infiltration of SHIELD and various world governments goes. He’s quiet when Jason talks about Bucky. And, when Jason hands over all their intel, he takes the flash drive readily enough.

“If this is more porn,” he says, holding up the flash drive, “I’m throwing all of you in Blackgate.”

“Jesus, Bats,” Jason says, not even trying to bite back a laugh. “If it had that much of an impact on you, you should do some solitary self-reflection about it. Maybe some of those documentaries we left for you could help.”

  Jason leaves Gotham and drives through the morning and afternoon and early evening, doubling and then tripling back on his route, making sure he’s not being followed. When he finally makes it to the safehouse, he’s shivery cold and dead tired. Bucky goes over his bike, checking for any trackers Jason might have missed, and Clint bullies him right into the shower.

Afterwards, Jason faceplants on the couch, and Clint hauls him up a few minutes later so he can press a mug of hot chocolate into his hands. “Drink this,” he says.

“Coffee,” Jason groans.

“No,” Clint says, as he settles next to him. “You’ve gotta sleep, you asshole. You’ve been up for three days straight.”

“Whiskey,” Jason tries, a little less plaintive and a little more mutinous.

Clint sighs. “I already put bourbon in there.”

Jason hums, appeased, and leans over to press a smacking kiss to Clint’s cheek. “You’re a fucking saint,” he says.

“Oh, a fucking saint,” Clint mutters, rolling his eyes. There’s a pleased blush settling along the lines of his cheekbones. “Didn’t know they made those.”

“The patron saint of fucking,” Jason declares, sipping at his hot chocolate. “Endowed with the power of---”

“This should be good,” Bucky mumbles, from across the room.

“Oh shit,” Jason says, and nearly sloshes the hot chocolate on himself. He tries not to talk about sex too much in front of Bucky. He tries not to think about sex too much in front of Bucky. He’s helplessly in love with Clint, and has been since he hauled him out of that dumpster in Gotham, but, as Winter fades and Bucky manifests more confidently in this new century, there’s been a growing tension between the three of them that Jason, frankly, has no idea what to do with.

“No, go on,” Bucky says, like this is the conversation he wants to have. Like he’s not the slightest bit curious about the mission Jason just ran, the one that’s supposed to clear his name, open a path that allows them to work with SHIELD to burn HYDRA to the ground. “He’s the patron saint of what, again?”

“Yeah,” Clint says, blinking at him with his innocent face in place. “What were you saying?”

Jason rolls his eyes and takes a pointed drink of his hot chocolate. It’s nice, he decides. That everyone’s comfortable enough to shit-talk him these days. Real refreshing. A Goddamn triumph of the resiliency of the human spirit.

“It went alright?” Bucky says, because he’s almost always the merciful one. Maybe he enjoys the novelty of it.

When he wanders over, he snags a blanket off the nearby chair, and he curls up on the end of the couch beside Clint, tossing the blanket over the three of them. He holds his hands out toward Jason, and Jason, without even thinking, passes his hot chocolate over. Bucky’s fingers brush Jason’s, and linger.

Jason isn’t making this shit up. He knows he isn’t.

First of all, he spends half his life watching people hit on Clint. He knows the signs.

Second of all, people get hot chocolate on their lips every day, but nobody licks it off like that unless they’re trying to plant ideas in people’s heads about what else those lips and tongue could do.

“Um,” Jason says, when he realizes they’re both staring at him. “Yeah. I mean. He didn’t throw me off a roof or put me in prison, so. I think he’s gonna help.”

Clint and Bucky exchange a look and then shrug. By their standards, that’s the start of a highly promising business relationship.

“Well,” Clint says, as he sprawls out, tucked in tight against Jason’s side, with a casual ankle hooked around one of Bucky’s. “You guys wanna watch Dog Cops?”

Jason figures, between the bourbon, and the blanket, and the warm weight of Clint’s body, he’s gonna be asleep in fifteen minutes. But he’d give Clint anything he asked for. “Sure,” he says, eyes already drifting closed. “Sounds great.”

  Two days later, they meet with a reserved, competent, endlessly unamused man named Phil Coulson. He doesn’t smile or laugh or seem to like them even a little bit. But he doesn’t try to kill them, either.

Four years later, they’re Strike Team Delta, and they’ve acquired Natasha Romanoff and a hell of a reputation. Coulson smiles more and yells more, and still hasn’t tried to kill them. Not once. Not even after Budapest.

HYDRA is ashes, and Bucky is theirs.

So what the hell. Maybe stealing the Winter Soldier wasn’t their ballsiest heist. But it was definitely their best.