#roy still makes oliver laugh

[itachi86]

awww the roliver scene back at the bunker

[thebisexualdogdad]

Smutober day 6: Oliver Queen x Male!reader - Paradise

It wasn't easy to convince Oliver to go on a vacation but Roy ensured him that star city was safe in his hands and that the two of you deserved to go away for a few days.

You land in the Bahamas and check into your hotel, the concierge showing you to your suite with an incredible view of the ocean.

“Welcome to paradise Mr. Queen and Mr. Y/L/N,” he says, “and if you need anything at all you can always reach us at the front desk.”

Your husband thanks him and when he leaves Oliver throws his bag on the chair, “maybe we shouldn't unpack very much, you know if Roy calls and we need to get back home quickly.”

You set your own bag down and throw your arms around his neck, “Ollie, this is our first vacation since our honeymoon three years ago, you need to relax.”

“I know I'm sorry, I haven't relaxed in so long I think I forgot how,” he chuckles.

“Let's go get dinner and take a walk on the beach that'll surely help,” you suggest.

“There's also something else that I think will help me relax,” he teases.

“Oh we will definitely get to that later but I'm starving after traveling all day so that has to wait,” you laugh, kissing him sweetly.

You and Oliver grab a nice dinner at a nearby restaurant before taking a stroll on the beach.

The sun is setting and there's plenty of other couples taking in the romantic scenery as well.

The waves are crashing against the shore and Oliver stops walking, putting his arms around your waist and easily picking you up to spin you around.

“Ollie,” you laugh, kissing him while he holds you in his arms.

“This place really is paradise isn't it,” he smiles into the kiss.

“I love you Oliver Queen,” you tell him.

“I love you too Y/N now are you ready to go back to the room and really get this vacation started?” He asks.

“Absolutely.”

Back in the room Oliver throws you onto the bed, taking his shirt off while you do the same.

He climbs on top of you, kissing you while your hands roam his body, tracing all his scars and with a few minutes of making out later you're both completely naked.

“Do you want to top or do you want me to top?” He questions.

“Please fuck me,” you sigh, rocking your hips up into his to rub your cocks together.

You and Oliver still had a very active sex life but due to your very active civilian lives and very active secret superhero lives you didn't often have the energy for nights of pure passion like this.

He smiles and sticks one of his fingers in his mouth, coating it in saliva before lubing your hole with it.

You groan when he slips his finger inside, stretching you out.

“Oliver,” you moan as he pumps it slowly, “I need more.”

“Are you ready for me my love?” He grins and you eagerly nod.

He removes his finger and raises your hips in the air, lining up his cock and gently pushing the tip inside.

“Oh yes,” you moan as he slides in a couple more inches giving you a moment to adjust to him.

Your cock twitches when he starts rolling his hips, Oliver enjoying the way your breathing becomes labored.

Eventually he finds a steady rhythm that makes you grasp at the pillows beneath you, your eyes instinctively shutting but then he tells you, “look at me Y/N, I want you to watch me fuck you.”

God he was so hot.

You open your eyes again, staring into his as he skillfully thrusts into you.

Oliver is smirking proudly, your stomach clenching as you get closer to your release.

“Ollie I'm gonna cum,” you tell him and he picks up the pace, fully shaking the bed now from how fast he is moving.

You reach down and begin to stroke yourself and about a minute later you are cumming all over your stomach.

When you finish Oliver pulls out of you and lays your lower half back on the bed and begins to jerk himself off.

“Oh fuck,” he groans when cum starts shooting out of his cock and mixes with yours on your stomach.

He leans down and licks your stomach clean, some of the cum getting in his beard but he doesn't care.

He gives you a moment to recover before getting out of bed and heading to the bathroom where you can hear him turn on the shower.

“You think you could stand long enough for a quick shower?” He chuckles.

“You may have to hold me,” you tease, sitting up in the bed.

“I would hold you and never let go if I could,” he smiles, leaning in to kiss you.

The next three days you and Oliver barely leave your hotel room not only was it the first time in a long time the two of you could catch up on sleep but it was the first time in a long time you were able to have hours upon hours of uninterrupted sex.

When you make it back to Star city Roy asks how the vacation was and all Oliver could respond with was, “it was paradise.”

[gothamite-rambler]

Oliver Queen when he found out his son had remained friends with Jason Todd

Oliver Queen stood by his window, drawing back his bowstring, a steely focus in his eyes.

Oliver (whispering): All right, stand still.

As he prepared to take his shot, Roy was chatting with Jason when he caught sight of his father on the balcony, bowstring drawn and arrow ready. Acting on instinct, Roy tackled Jason to the ground just as Oliver released the arrow, which narrowly missed them both.

Roy (breathing heavily): Could you not try to kill him?!

Oliver (shouting angrily): I was aiming for his leg!

Jason, unfazed, lay on the ground, smirking.

Jason (mockingly): Destroy my leg, but spare my life… I respect that.

Roy rolled his eyes as he stood up.

Roy (grinning): He says he respects that it wasn't a kill shot!

Oliver (frustrated): I don’t care about his opinion! But thanks nonetheless!

Jason picked himself up, brushing off the dirt and ready to stir the pot.

Jason (tauntingly): Are you still butt hurt that I made you cry like a baby when I called you out?

Oliver’s face flushed with anger.

Oliver (defensive): That was allergies, you idiot! Just stay away from my son—you’re a bad influence!

Jason laughed, crossing his arms.

Jason (smirking): Hey, it’s not my fault I took care of your son better than you did!

Oliver’s expression hardened as he considered nocking another arrow.

Oliver (shouting): You son of a bitch! I did take care of him!

Jason stepped closer, challenging Oliver.

Jason: You kicked him out of the house and stripped him of his hero status when you found out he was on drugs!

Oliver (poorly defending himself): He’s alive right now, so it worked out! I am a good father!

Jason laughed, shaking his head.

Roy: Jason, let’s just leave.

Jason: No, no, I love this I'm not leaving until he cries!

Jason stepped forward, raising his voice.

Jason: Good fathers don’t disown their kids and refuse to help them! You make my father look like a saint; at least he tried! He was a hypocrite for most of it, but you kicked your son out instead of helping him! Just because he's turned out fine doesn’t fix anything!

Oliver shook with rage, angrily preparing another arrow, but Dinah suddenly walked outside and snatched it away.

Dinah: Act like an adult, or I’m calling off date night!

Roy put his phone away, having texted Black Canary about the argument upstairs.

Roy: Thanks, Dinah.

Dinah: You’re welcome! Good to see you again, Roy and Jason. I don’t like you that much Jason, but Oliver is overreacting.

She smacked Oliver lightly on the back of the head before going back inside with the arrows. Oliver groaned, resting his forehead on the railing of the balcony.

Jason: Want to cry again? I can slash the tires on your new car if you need some extra motivation.

Roy chuckled and shook his head, but Oliver, visibly irritated and embarrassed, pulled out his phone.

Oliver (firmly): You know what? I don’t care if you two are adults. I’m calling Bruce and telling on you!

Jason's eyes widened, panic flashing across his face as Oliver retreated to his bedroom.

Jason (threateningly): Old man, I will throw a rock through every single window of your house if you dial his number!

With a defiant smirk, Jason bolted toward the mansion, with Roy hot on his heels, secretly enjoying the chaos.

How it started

[thevoidstaredback]

Week two started off with the RSVPs coming in like a flood. Every single One Percenter that had been invited had accepted the invitation, stating that they'd be there. The heroes that had been invited had yet to respond, though they won't be marked as 'not coming' until the weeks end.

Week Two

Diana had been staring at the invitation for quite some time. She'd apparently been invited to a private Wayne Gala, a charity to raise funds to donate to the Justice League. It was an amusing premis, seeing as Batman somehow funded most of what they did when the U.S. Government fell short, but then she wondered if this was how he did it.

It made sense. He's one man, so he shouldn't have the money to fund the heroes of the world out of pocket. Then again, she didn't know anything about him. The tour of the Bat Cave - a hilarious name, by the way - only proved that point further.

The charity gala is a private event, tighter security than normal, invitations sent out only four weeks in advance, invitation check at the door, no press. But, why was she invited? By random, apparently.

She doubted the odds. 'Random' isn't a thing in Gotham.

Batman probably had something to do with this.

***

Clark was having a hard time believing what he was seeing. He and Lois, as well as Kon and Jon, had been invited to a Wayne Gala? Not even as press. They were going to be actual guests? It was so weird.

When he showed Lois, she'd spent a solid thirty minutes scrutinizing the thing, looking for any sign it was a fake. When she saw the seal, she'd laughed so hard that she fell over, then declared that it was real and that they were going.

He didn't get the joke. She didn't explain.

***

Getting invitations to galas wasn't a new thing for Oliver. He went to at least one in every major city every year. But, getting an invitation to a Wayne Gala that he'd never heard about before? That was a whole new surprise.

Dinah was also surprised by the invitation, but happy to attend. The information on the back said it was a semi-formal dress, and that the theme was Hero.

Ironic.

A charity gala for the Justice League hosted by Gotham's White Prince. Did Batman know anything about this? Probably. He seems to know everything. Honestly, Oliver wouldn't be surprised if the man knew who Green Arrow was behind the mask.

Actually, is Batman even human? He claims he is, and so does Nightwing and Robin, but then they turn around and do things that are decidedly not human-like.

But, who is he to judge?

Dinah was already picking out their outfits. She was going to theme herself after Green Arrow, so Oliver thought it fair to theme his own outfit after Black Canary.

Roy would be laughing his ass off at them. Maybe they could convince him to come with them? The invitation said to invite family... He should have him bring Lian, too. Brucie won't mind. He's a family man, after all.

Actually, that's probably exactly why the invite addresses the Queen Family, instead of just Oliver Queen and his plus one.

Also, why does Bruce want him to give a speech? Yeah, he'll do it, and yeah, he's a better public speaker than Bruce, but why? Was it a spur of the moment thing? Probably.

***

Hal stared at the paper suspiciously. Not once had he been to a fancy gala like a Wayne Gala. In fact, the fanciest party he'd been to were the parties thrown for the military vets.

Okay, so, bad example. Those parties are actually pretty fancy and fairly private, but still! A One Percent Party? Why would Hal get invited to one of those? He's perfectly middle-class, thank you very much.

He toyed with the thought of not going, the idea of Batman catching him in Gotham making him even more reluctant to go, but his curiosity was getting the better of him.

What was it like at one of these things? Would Batman really bust in and ruin the thing if he caught wind of Hal being there? What was Gotham's One Percent like? What was the Wayne Family like?

All very good questions that he wanted answers to.

He filled out the RSVP. He doesn't have anyone to bring with him, but maybe he could ask another hero? Maybe the other Green Lanterns will wanna be there. He's sure the Waynes won't mind. What'll they do, throw him out?

Well....they might, but they probably won't. That'll look bad.

He's got some calls to make before sending this back.

***

Wally had been the one to find the invitation. He'd been over to visit and stopped to bring the mail in for Iris. He knew that crest like the back of his hand because Dick's the one who introduced it to him.

That's right, he knows who Nightwing is. And he is very upset that he was left out of what's obviously a prank on the Justice League! He was gonna have to give his bestie a call. Tsk.

"We're going to this!" he declared loudly the second the door closed behind him.

"What is it?" Bart asked, meeting him in the entryway.

Wally was quick to hide the seal in his pocket. A room full of geniuses would figure it out in a second and he wanted to see this through completely. "Wayne charity gala in Gotham."

"Oh?" Iris asked from her place on the couch, putting her book down. Wally handed her the mail. "You just want to see Nightwing."

His grin was goofy. "Yeah, but don't go telling people that."

Barry plucked the invitation from his hands. "'Charity for Justice'," he read, "'for Justice League and associates'." He flipped it over. "It's addressed to the whole family, though we'll need to RSVP."

Bart set off in a fast repeat of "Please, please, please!" on 3x speed while Barry and Iris shared a silent conversation. Wally's grin grew. He knew they'd say yes.

***

Arthur didn't know how to react. Well, he did, but it was weird. He's a lighthouse keeper. Why's he getting invitations to some fancy party? He'd understand if he got the invite as Aquaman, but as Arthur? It's so weird.

He was going to accept. Mera was gonna make him accept. Probably on the grounds of 'just because'. But she's scary, so he's not gonna say no. At least they can bring Andy? Probably a bad decision. Like, a really bad decision.

Who'd watch over Atlantis while they were gone, though? Someone's gonna have to stay behind!

Mera won't stand for that.

Kaldur'ahm. They'll bring Kaldur with them. He'll be responsible enough to keep Andy in check when she inevitably slips away.

This is a bad idea.

He's going to regret this.

He sends off the RSVP anyway.

Part 11 Part 13

[suzukiblu]

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

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

Alpha’s home. Alpha came this time. 

Alpha came for him this time. 

That’s all he ever wanted him to do. 

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

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

Alpha came. 

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

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

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

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

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

It’s dumb. 

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

Dumb, Jason thinks, and furrows his brow impatiently. 

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

Really, really dumb. 

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

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

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

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

Good, Jason thinks, and nuzzles him harder. 

Pup Brother rolls his eyes and sighs. 

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

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

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

It’s . . . 

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

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

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

Good. That’s everybody, then. 

Good, yeah. 

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

Mmm. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Except . . . 

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

Jason’s not . . . sure, exactly. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Won’t ever doubt who actually loves them. 

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

Hm. Weird, yeah. 

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

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

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

So it’s good. Yeah. 

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

It’s definitely good. 

Nice. 

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

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

He missed Alpha so much. 

The purring’s gotten really loud.

[samgirl98]

Mending a Family 10/?

Prev | Next

Jason finds out shocking news about his family, and Bruce is an idiot who can't admit he just misses his son.

Jason smiled as he pushed Danny on the swing. Lian was laughing beside them. Jason turned toward Roy and grinned at the man as both children’s peals of laughter echoed around them. (Jason had built a swing set, so Danny had something to play with. Next would be a slide.) Raven was talking to Jazz and rocking Ellie. Raven had seemed to become attached to the kids quickly. It helped that they weren’t fully human like her.

Plus, it must be nice for Jazz to have another girl to speak to.

Jason was so glad that Raven had suggested she cloak Jason and his small family so that she and Roy could come to visit. The Bats were still looking for Jason. According to Roy, Batman and Nightwing were going crazy trying to find leads on Jason.

He didn’t know how to feel about that.

A part of Jason hoped that his old family missed him, but a bigger part of him knew that they were only looking for Jason to keep an eye on him in case Jason went insane again. Jason knew their worries were justified.

It wouldn’t happen, though, not with the family that Jason had built. He couldn’t risk losing Danny and, to the same extent, Jazz and Ellie. He had already gotten attached to the sweet baby girl, and Jazz was nice to talk to.

She almost reminded him of Barbara. Barbara, the only person from his past who talked to him occasionally, was the only one who checked on him and ensured he was fine. She sometimes talked to him during patrols, making those nights less lonely.

Jason was brought back to the present at Danny’s and Lian’s giggling.

“Uncle Jay, Uncle Jay, tell Danny I’m your favorite niece.”

“Nuh-uh, Ellie is his favorite niece.”

“Guys, guys, no fighting. Besides, I love my two nieces equally.”

Roy started fidgeting beside him while Lian looked at him, confused. Raven had a strange look on her face. Before he could ask what happened for them to start acting weird, Lian said, “What about Mar’i? Don’t you love her, too?”

Jason looked at Raven and then Roy.

“Who the hell is Mar’i?”

“Jay,” Roy asked cautiously, “Didn’t you know?”

“Know what?”

Roy sucked in his breath, “Mar’i is Kory’s and Dick’s daughter.”

____

Bruce couldn’t believe what Alfred was saying.

“So, you find out my son is alive, have proof, it takes you a few days to tell me, and then you say I shouldn’t look for him?”

“That’s exactly what I did and am saying, Master Bruce. The boy wants to be left alone; I think we should give him his space and let him come back to us when he feels like it.”

“What if the Pits take over, and he goes on a killing spree? What if he gets in trouble? Injured or, God forbid, what if he gets killed?” Again.

“What if—what if he never comes home?”

“Master Jason has suffered enough. If he felt the need to leave home, we should honor that. Besides, he came home once. He’ll do it again. We have to give him his space, Bruce.”

Bruce stared out the window from his office. A part of him wishes he could’ve reconnected with Jason sooner.

Would he have left if Bruce had extended an olive branch?

No, it was too late to think about ‘what ifs’ now. He had to find his son and bring him home. It’s the only way he can keep the world and Jason safe. Bruce had a better handle in Gotham than anywhere else in the world. He would bring Jason back and ensure his boy was again protected by his cape.

He had to. There was no other choice.

Special thanks to rpglady76 for suggesting that Raven cloak Jason and his family. I was wracking my brain trying to figure out how Roy and Raven would be able to visit Jason and had completely forgotten Raven knows magic. I also want to thank Breesperez139 for suggesting I put in Mar'i so I can have even more angst.

@idontgetpaidenoughforthisshit @skulld3mort-1fan @theauthorandtheartist @emergentpanda-blog @jaggedheart11 @fisticuffsatapplebees @booberrylizard @fantasticbluebirdfan @thegatorsgooseoose @cyrwrites @kjoboo91 @crystallicedart @amaramizuki666 @spekulatiusmuffin @meira-3919 @kilasmess @bubblemixer @lexdamo @wonderland-daisy @mj-arts-n-stuff @amyheart19 @dolfay @the-church-grimm @undead-essence @aph-mable @lizisipancardo @purrloin77 @writer-extraodinaire @charlietheepic7 @sinfulloccultist @nootherusernameworked @coruscateselene @chaoticchange @itsberrydreemurstuff @gmkelz11 @feral-bunny31 @paroovian @thatonegaybitch68 @d4ydr34min9 @overtherose @fandomwandererer @vipower001 @thordottir45 @blackrabbitt3t @rosecinnamonbun @bianca-hooks123 @epilepticnerd @dat1angel @consouling @flamingenchiladadragon

[remosdeerica]

Summary: Jade has brought Lian to the only person she could think of to protect her now that Roy is dead: Damian al Ghul.

[Context: this is set in my AU where Damian has adopted a bunch of Villain's kids. The 11yr old mentioned is Zoe Lawton.

TW: there are allegations to postpartum depression and abortion but nothing explicit.]

"You can't be serious. Nguyen, this is insane."

"There is no one else. She is not safe with me."

Damian took a sharp breath through his nose in frustration as he stared Cheshire down. She looked ragged. Tired in a way he had never seen her before, though unless you had known her for as long as he had you would never be able to tell.

In her arms was a bundle. Small, wrapped in a pink fuzzy blanket. Damian knew what that bundle was, and as he had just stated, it was asinine for her to have brought it to him of all people.

"What about, Queen? If the child is truly Harper's like you claim her to be, would it not make more sense for her to be with her adopted Grandfather?" Damian tried to reason.

Jade gave him a hard look. "Do you truly wish me to entrust the safety of my only child to Oliver Queen?

Okay, Damian could at least concede that Queen being given access to an infant was a horrible idea. Especially so fresh after he and Canary have split for what he assumed was the umpteenth time.

"I just don't understand why you would bring her to me. I can not be your first choice."

"Of course not," Jade snapped. "My first choice is dead."

Damian could admit he felt a modicum of guilt at invoking the thought of Roy Harper's demise. Especially as he was seemingly to be given the privilege of being the first to meet his daughter, when by all rights it should have been him.

"You aren't even my second choice," she continued.

"Who was?"

"Jason."

"Todd?" Damian asked.

It would make sense, he supposed. From what he understood he, Harper and Jade had all had some form of… arrangement. Harper being the focal point. Damian had only witnessed Jason and Harper together once, but they had looked so disgustingly in love that he made sure to never have to be in the same room with them again, if he could help it.

Grimly, he thought that would no longer be a problem.

But the problem with Jason being her second choice is that shortly before Harper's death, he and Father had some falling out in regards to the Penguin and he went off grid. Damian wasn't even sure if he knew his lover was no longer living.

"Yes, Jason." She said, "but though hard as I try I can not find him."

Damian sighed. "I'm not surprised. When Todd wants to disappear he makes sure that even Father can't find him. But I still don't understand the logic of me being your third choice."

Jade laughed bitterly. "Do you not understand, Little Prince?"

Damian winced. She had not called him that since they had been in the League.

"You are not my third choice. You are my only choice. There is no one else. I have no one else to trust."

The pair shared a long look amidst the silence of the cold night air.

"The Justice League would help you, Jade." He said, softly. It was not often he showed others this kindness. But he knew deep in his bones the hysterical and bitter feeling of having no one to trust. No one to rely on. It was part of the reason he had gone about collecting his little band of misfits. So at least he could be someone to trust, even partly.

Jade scoffed as she tightened her arms around her daughter.

"Please," she spat. "Like they protected Roy? Or Jason? Or you?

Damian had to look away from her glare.

"The Justice League can not even protect their own children! I can not- will not- entrust them to protect mine."

"But why me?" He shouted, demanding to know what the woman was thinking. "I'm seventeen. I live with a handful of other teenagers and an eleven year old. We don't even stay in one place for more than a few weeks. Not to mention that said eleven year old is also being hunted because of her connection to her father. Your child will not be any safer from your enemies with me, Jade."

"Perhaps not. But she will be safe from me."

Damian felt a growing sense of unease as he saw a deep hollowness take over Jade's eyes. He didn't have to wait long for her to elevorate.

"Sometimes she just… cries. And cries and cries and one night I- I almost- I could have-" she took a shuddering breath. Damian had never seen her this shaken. " I thought I could do this. I thought I could love her enough to be what she needed. But I'm not… I'm not built for this. For the… softness that she needs. It's just not in me."

Damian felt his heart twinge as he watched a single tear trickle from her eye.

"I tried. We're she anyone's but his… I would have terminated. But I… I couldn't bear to bring myself to kill the last part of him that remained in this world. I tried for her, for Roy, but… I'm just not built to take care of anyone but myself."

Damian opened his mouth to say something. What, he didn't know. But he felt she deserves to hear something.

She, however, interrupted him.

"But you are," she said, her voice nearly more than a whisper. Then stronger, " I have known you since you were a boy. I have witnessed you in many parts of your life. And what you have always demonstrated, without ever giving it conscious thought, is your ability to care for those you consider under your protection. Those you consider your own."

"My brother's would very much disagree with you."

Her lips twitched upwards. "You are a good man, Damain al Ghul. You always have been. Even all those years ago. I know that you will guard my child with your life. And that you will take the life of others in her defense, should you find it necessary."

Damian felt his shoulders sag in defeat.

"I still don't think this is a good idea. What exactly is your plan?"

Knowing she had won, Jade drew her shoulders back.

"Find Jason," she said, authoritatively. "He is who she has left now."

"And if he won't take her? Or if… he can't?"

"Do whatever you have to do to keep her safe."

Damian sighed for what seemed to be the hundredth time that night. "I supposed that's all I really can do."

He lifted his arms towards her to take the child.

[tbcanary]

arrowfam week day six: dream & comfortable!

(loosely set sometime around ga vol 7 #2)

—

Lian wakes with a start as a hand grasps her by the elbow. In the lingering fog of sleep, her brain supplies the familiar: chilly Gotham air, threats around every corner, the knowledge that she needs to run if she doesn’t want to end up dosed with Joker gas or dead on the docks.

Instinctively, she kicks a leg out in the direction of whoever is grabbing her. They grunt, and she uses the surprise to wriggle free just a little, vision still hazy and mind unclear.

And then the hand is back, joined by another, both holding her down by the shoulders.

“No!” Lian insists. “No, no, let me go!”

“Lian.”

She knows that voice, she thinks, but she won’t risk it. She’d picked a bad place to spend the night, too far from the streetlights, why can’t she see—

“Lian, dammit, it was just a dream! Stop kicking at me, kid!”

The voice slots into place and the fight rushes out of Lian all at once. She stills, blinking up at the dark shadow leaning over her.

“Uncle Ollie?” she asks, voice small.

He nods. “It’s just me. Promise.”

It comes back to her like smoke from a candle, wispy and uncertain. They’d been in the treehouse. There had been vegetarian chili, and they’d fought a woman who looked like a cat. She isn’t home, but she isn’t in danger, either. Probably.

She swallows past the terror gripping her throat. “What happened? Why’s it so dark?”

“I put out the campfire a little bit ago. Didn’t want anyone seeing us,” Oliver mutters. “Sorry. I didn’t realize you were afraid of the dark. Figured Gotham would have driven that out of you.”

Despite herself, Lian’s face burns hot with shame. “I’m not scared. I just… was surprised. That’s all.”

Slowly, Ollie releases her shoulders. He sits back with both his hands held up, an open and honest gesture. When she sits up and shakes the last of the sleep from her eyes, he sits a little more comfortably. Relaxed, somehow.

“I’d bet the nightmares didn’t help,” he offers. “They can be real disorienting.”

“I…” I wasn’t having a nightmare, is what she means to say. Instead, she finds her tongue betraying her: “I dreamt about dying, I think.”

Ollie nods. Wordlessly, he picks up a canteen and offers it to her. The water is warm and stale; she drinks until her stomach hurts.

“I hate those, myself. You’d think your mind would have had enough, after the real thing, but no,” he sighs. “You gotta keep watching the damn highlight reel.”

Lian plays with the cap of the canteen, avoiding Oliver’s eyes. Even if she can’t see them properly, she can feel them; they’re picking her apart, right down to the bone. She’s never known anyone with eyes like Ollie, not even Uncle Connor. He looks at her like he understands her, despite all the time apart.

“Did it… hurt.”

Ollie starts. His face is clearer now that her eyes have adjusted, but the features are still mostly shadow. She can’t tell if he’s surprised or hurt or horrified, or whatever else he might be.

“In the nightmares, I feel like it did,” he responds, slow and somewhat contemplative. “At the time… Well, I hate to say it, but I don’t really know. Sorry, sport.”

Lian nods. Swallows. “I think that’s how it is for me, too. I just… I don’t know what it was like. And I think part of me wishes it did. So… I dream about it. A lot.”

“You sure you’re Roy’s kid?”

The question startles a laugh out of her. “What?”

“Well, it just seems to me you spend a lot more time pondering and considering than he ever has,” Ollie says. “Not to say he isn’t smart. Of course he is. Just in a different way, I think.”

Lian rolls her eyes. “He hasn’t seen me since I was a toddler. I figured out a lot on my own.”

“That you did,” Ollie concedes. “That… you did.”

Again, he’s watching her. She can just barely see the stars reflected in the void of his pupils, and it makes him look almost spooky. Or maybe just powerful, like all the other superheroes his age. They have a knack for that kind of thing.

“What?” Lian demands.

Ollie shrugs and leans back against the tree he’s set up in front of. When Lian doesn’t budge, when she keeps staring, he caves.

“It’s just that it’s late,” Ollie explains. “And it’s pretty chilly up here. And I know you’re all grown up, and all, but I could use a hug and some company from a brave grown-up like yourself if I’m going to get comfortable.”

“…You aren’t a very good liar, Uncle Ollie.”

“So they tell me.”

But it is kind of cold in their treehouse hideout, and Lian’s hands are still shaking slightly where they hold the canteen. She rolls her eyes and shifts over, moving to curl into Ollie’s side.

He lets out a long, contented sigh and drapes an arm over her shoulder. For once, as she settles into sleep, she feels comfortable. Warm.

[dragon-fly34]

I want to post more things in my Mario AU so I can start with the relationship between Bowser and the Koopalings

The day Oliver Koopa (father of the koopalings) died, he asked the nurse to call Bowser to talk to him.

Bowser went to the castle's infirmary to see his friend, since Roy came out of his egg, he has had an illness and it's only getting worse. He entered the room where Oliver was, King Koopa wasn't wearing a suit or his crown, he was wearing a black t-shirt and green pants and black sneakers.

"From the looks of it, you're not well" Bowser said and Oviler then smiled and said "And you're still my friend, but I want a favor from you" he adjusted himself on the bed "Bowser we both know that soon I won't be here anymore, so I want to ask you something", the king soon argued "You won't die! I will do everything to make you better", the dog koopa blue and black laughed and said "you don't want to hear me?". Bowser moved closer to Oliver to hear better "Bowser, can you take care of my children, for me?", the king replied "I don't want you to die, but your children will be well raised by me and Clawdia", the king Koopa soon hugged his friend, he whispered "Bye brother...", at that time the black koopa became weak and slept in the king's arms, Bowser shook him, but he didn't wake up and soon he became desperate and cried out crying "CALL THE NURSE ! HE FAINED!"

But little did he know that his friend had... died.

--------

Wow, I really liked this little comic, I want to do more of these and headcanons about my Mario AU

[iguana-eyanna]

From The Bird's Eye View Chapter 3

Pairing: Bruce Wayne x Reader

Summary: Although you achieved your dream of being a designer, you never considered meeting a man who's also a father.

Tim (13): First Meeting

“Do you mind if we record this session?”

“No.”

“Alright. Start me off on how your week started.” 

There was a pause and a deep breath was drawn by you.

“It was Sunday, I woke up alone… again. I made breakfast with Alfred. We made this French recipe that he’s been dying to make. It was really good. I made a few business calls in the afternoon. I still haven’t stepped in at work.” You said, fiddling with a loose strand on your sweater.

“How long have you not been at work?” 

“Two months and four days. I um, I think I want to go back. I think it will help me to just get out of the house.”

“That’s good. Has Bruce been at work?”

You pause again.

“Bruce went to work three days after the funeral.”

Dinah doesn’t reply yet. Although she was the Justice League’s grief counselor, she was your friend first. 

“Want to stop the session?”

You could only nod, already beginning to cry. 

Dinah stopped the recording and got out of her seat to sit next to you where you already broke down. 

It’s almost been three months since Jason died. You remembered the call you got when Bruce and Jason traveled out of state to find his birth mother. 

Bruce couldn’t even finish his sentence. 

“I left to give them a moment. I didn’t realize it was a trap. I didn’t make it in time and Jason… he’s- he’s…” You dropped the phone on the ground, collapsing as your sight began to blur. You released a blood-curdling scream when Alfred came in, not knowing the news that would destroy him too. 

The funeral was a closed casket. The only person that saw Jason was Bruce, and he hasn’t shared anything about that day. The ceremony was small, as it was just you, Bruce, Alfred, and Dick. You extended the invitation to Jason’s best friend Roy, but he couldn’t come. He was taking his death hard and had to take a break from being Oliver’s partner during patrols.

Since then, you and Bruce haven’t shared a word with each other. It felt like you were just two strangers living under the same roof. The manor felt bigger than usual, especially after Dick had to leave for San Francisco. Being at home realized how much time he didn’t spend with his brother. 

You wished you had the privilege to just leave this house because it hasn’t felt like a home in a while. 

Now, you’ve been trying to just move on from this grief. But nothing would have replaced this gaping hole in your heart. 

“Any word on Roy?” You ask, looking at Dinah. 

She shook her head. 

“Oliver and Roy were fighting when he caught him using again. We’ve been trying to find him but he doesn’t want to be found.”

You remember when you met Roy for the first time. 

Oliver ran into him in the Glades and saw the mischievous kid needed some guidance. On the days you visited the kids in San Francisco, Roy was one of the first kids that opened up to you. Your past was similar to Roy’s where one parent left and the other was an addict. Dinah and Oliver have been tirelessly searching for Roy for weeks now, and you were hoping that they’d find him soon.

You didn’t want them to face the same fate you did.

You made your way back home, pulling in the garage. You went upstairs to the living room, taking a deep breath as you sat on the couch.

“How was the session?” A voice said out loud.

You turned around and saw Alfred.

“It was the usual. Talked at least five minutes before sobbing.” 

Alfred chuckles.

“I’ve been scrubbing this house from ceiling to basement, twice.”

You laugh as Alfred joined you on the couch. You two really relied on each other these past few days. The only person that was hard to reach out was Bruce. 

Alfred has been going downstairs at the cave a lot, trying to bandage the many cuts and bruises Bruce received on patrols. Alfred was concerned, Bruce was never harmed this badly. It was almost like he wanted to get hurt. On the rare occasions you see Bruce, he looks more tired and pale. You try to go up to him, but couldn’t muster a single word.

You weren’t ready as much as he was.

“Say, why don’t we head out for an early dinner? I read in an article of a new club, heard the appetizers are to die for.”

You chuckled at the idea. 

“I’d love to.” 

Alfred grabbed your hand and you two headed out for dinner.

Once you got there, you and Alfred were laughing while you were lightly drinking. 

“Did you know I used to own a club?” Alfred asks, eating one of the side dishes.

“No! Since when?” You ask, drinking your martini.

“After I fought in the war, I tried to become a body guard. Lucky enough, I met Thomas Wayne when he was visiting England. Oh, the trouble we used to get into! Later on the road, I lost my way. Lost good people… lost myself. Thought opening my own establishment and throwing myself in money and women would do the trick. But it just made me feel lonely.”

You stopped drinking as you look at Alfred. 

You always saw him as this cheery man who helped the Wayne men to become good people. But now, you saw a man who couldn’t afford to lose another person.

“H-How did you stop feeling like that?” You asked. 

He gives you a sad smile.

“I never stopped.”

Afterwards, Alfred drove you two back home. You slightly tripped over yourself as you made your way inside the manor. He was making you water in the kitchen until he got a notification on his phone

Something happened down in the cave.

“Oh dear.” He whispers to himself.

“Alfred?” You slightly slurred as you look up to him by the kitchen aisle.

“Master Bruce needs my attention on something. I will be back shortly.” He said before heading to the secret passage.

You sat there for a bit, drinking your water sparingly. After a few minutes, you decided to head down to check how Alfred was. Bruce would always pick on Alfred’s brain when a case was bothering him so you didn’t think something major would happen.

But life likes to prove you wrong. 

“Is everything alright?” You ask as your voice carried to the last of the steps.

You looked up and see you caught Alfred and Bruce (unmasked) in shock as they saw you. 

But that didn’t match your reaction when another person was there in between them.

You blink continuously, as your eyes thought it was Jason. But your senses returned as the boy turned around and saw you with wide eyes.

It wasn’t your son.

“Who is this?” You ask, stepping carefully to all of them. 

The young preteen goes up to you, eager and slightly chipper.

“Hi, I’m Tim Drake. It’s nice to meet you.” He said, offering his hand.

You slowly take his hand and shake it, still not knowing what’s going on. 

Bruce makes your way to you, telling the boy to stay with Alfred.

“You shouldn’t be down here.” Bruce said as you were finally alone.

“I was looking Alfred, I didn’t realize there’d be a kid! Who is that, Bruce?” You ask, your voice raised.

“Apparently, he’s a fan of Batman. He followed me down the cave when I wasn’t aware, said he needed my help searching for his dad.”

“How did he even find you undetected?” You ask, not believing this.

“Again, a fan of my work. Said he’s been studying my patterns and that it was easy to follow me back to my base, especially since I’ve gotten sloppy in the past few weeks.” 

You pause for a moment, minimizing your anger towards Bruce.

“Why is he going to you and not the police?”

“The police has been tracking down his dad, but only to turn him in. Apparently his father was reported to answer for a high ranking criminal. With my help, Tim wants to clear his father’s name.”

You look over to the boy asking a million questions to Alfred as he tried to answer the boy’s curiosity. 

“Does he have a place to stay?” You ask, crossing your arms.

“His mom passed away about a year ago and his dad is his only living relative.” 

You think momentarily and look back at Bruce.

“Let him stay till you find his dad.”

Bruce nods as he makes his way to Tim and discuss what’s going to happen. 

Alfred brought the young boy upstairs while you stayed down as Bruce began to begin a new case.

“You didn’t come to the session.” You simply said, as you stare at the back of his head as he was staring at the monitor. 

“I couldn’t make it, I was making sure that the Wayne internship program was going to run.” He said in his usual monotone voice. 

“I called them. Luscious Fox answered saying they haven��t seen you the past several days. Hell Bruce, I haven’t seen you in weeks! What is it going to take for you to talk to me?” You yelled, your voice echoing on the walls. 

Bruce passed at what he was doing and turned to you with those eyes that were filled with love. Now, it looked like they were full of pain and regrets.

“I need to help him find his dad. After this is done, we can talk.” 

Your eyes brimmed with tears. Bruce loved to hit the pause button when things need to be addressed. 

“Fine, but don’t expect to find me in your bed.” You whispered before you went upstairs. 

Bruce rubbed his stubbled jaw and closed his eyes momentarily, trying to find the peace he has been robbed of for some time.

He went back to his computer, typing in Tim’s father’s name in police records and tapped in bank account numbers under his name. With just a few downloads, Bruce accessed who has been transferring money. There was a transfer made not only a week ago. Bruce moved his tracer to click the route number it was made from. He stopped what he was doing as he recognized the number. He opened up a new window to access the files he found a few years ago and saw that the route number was the same. 

The route number belonged to Harvey Dent, and Tim’s father was working for him.

It’s been a week since Tim has stayed in the manor. Mostly, he’s been by Bruce’s side, giving him any type of information on his dad. Bruce can tell he’s a bright kid and even offered him an internship at work. He was thrilled by the offer and was happy he got to work along side Bruce.

Alfred was starting to feel like his usual self again. He even started to lecture Tim about drinking water after he learned how to use the espresso machine.

The only person that Tim hasn’t talked to was you.

Tim knew he entered your life at a time of mourning, so he wanted to be respectful of your space. 

One day, he was walking around the manor to discover what rooms had in store. He came across a locked room that hasn’t been used. Eager to know what’s inside, he used a few paper clips he found and started picking on the lock.

“Yes!” He said to himself as he heard the door unlock. He turned the knob and stepped inside. Once he turned on the light switch, his attitude changed.

“Oh no.”

He realized he was in Jason’s room.

Tim saw the discarded comics on the foot of the bed, stacking up to a feet tall. There were posters of bands he never heard that covered every inch of the walls. A basket of clothes were piled near the closed closet, never to be worn again.

Tim wanted to leave, but a glint of light annoyed his sight. He walked closer and saw a picture frame that has a picture of Bruce, you, Dick, Alfred, and Jason. It was a family portrait, looking as if it was taken 2 years ago. You all looked so young, so happy, so-

“What are you doing in here?”

Tim was so scared that he jolted his head to the direction of your voice and accidentally dropped the picture, shattering the glass.

There you stood, shellshocked.

“I am so sorry - I didn’t meant to do that! I-I just wanted to see the rooms and I didn’t…”

Tim stuttered, feeling his anxiety building.

You saw the signs and went up to him.

“Tim, honey, I need you to breathe, alright? Follow my lead.” 

You coached him to follow you breathe and copied every move. Once he calmed down, you both took a final deep breath.

“Okay, why don’t we fix this mess and talk elsewhere, okay?”

Tim could only nod as you both knelt down to pickup the broken glass. Once done, you took one final glance at the room and the picture that stood at its original spot on the desk. You close that door a final time, but feeling a strange sense of acceptance,

You turn to face Tim who looked ashamed for what he did. You went to him, giving a warm smile.

“C’mon, Alfred made cookies.”

Soon, you and Tim were watching your favorite film, The Legend of Zorro. Tim was amused by the fighting choreography as well as the writing.

“Wow! I can’t believe I’m just seeing this now!” Tim said, munching on Alfred’s infamous toffee chocolate chip cookies.

“It’s one of my favorite films. We would watch it all the time after the boys would come back from a patrol. Bruce doesn’t like to watch it as it brought some bad memories, but Jason pleaded for him to join movie night. Bruce sat through the whole thing, just to see me and Jason happy.”

Your gaze became distant, envisioning that simple night where you took thees moments for granted. 

“How - how was Jason like?” Tim asks.

You took a deep breath and looked over at him.

“He was a good kid. Naughty, but still a good kid. He was eager to bake with Alfred, just so he could lick off the spoon when they were done. Jason loved to make people laugh. But as he got older, he started build his anger. He got mad at Bruce a lot, said he was still being treated like a child. Then I started to lecture him. The moment he changed his attitude was when he realized his birth mother was still alive. I never seen him so driven, so eager. And when he left to find her-”

You took a pause.

Tim saw your state and decided to console you.

“It would have been nice… meeting him.” Tim thought out loud.

You nod in agreement, smiling.

“He would have liked you, I bet you two would have fought over his comics or mangas.”

“I saw! I never passed that issue he had!” Tim said excitingly.

“If you like, you can have a look at what books are in the room.”

“Really?” He asks unsure.

“Absolutely. Now, let’s take a look at what other movies we can watch. There’s Willow, The Princess Bride-”

“What’s that?” Tim asks.

You look at him with disbelief as you shook your head.

“Oh, we are watching that.”

Later on, Bruce came to the manor. He realized that it was too quiet so he wandered around and found the movie room where it was filled with laughter. He moved the curtain of the entrance and saw you and Tim copying the fight choreography of The Princess Bride.

“My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father, prepare to die.” You quoted, using a broom as a sword.

Tim tried striking you with a curtain pole (where he got it? Bruce doesn’t even want to know) and switched roles.

“No! My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father, prepare to die!”

Bruce began to smile as he heard your laughter. He hasn’t seen you this happy for a long time.

“They’ve been there all evening. You should join them.”

Bruce turns to see Alfred who also missed your youthful spirit. 

“Let them have all the fun.” Bruce simply said as walked to the kitchen to pour himself a glass of whiskey.

“How has your investigation been for the young boy’s father?”

“He’s been hard to find, but I was able to interrogate on of Two Face’s henchman and they admitted they’re planning to pick up a shipment of firearms in 2 weeks. Most likely he will be there.”

Alfred nodded as he was cleaning the counter. But, thought came over his head, making him stop what he was doing.

“Sir, there’s something that has been bothering me for awhile now.”

Bruce looks up from his drink, concerned.

“When you accessed records for Harvey Dent, I saw that they were saved after his accident. I remembered because you took it to heart that day when you weren’t able to protect him. And not even a week later, you asked me to reserve a fitting for Master Grayson for his suit.”

“Alfred…”

“Is Harvey Dent her father?” Alfred asks with his voice demanding a straight answer.

There was a pause as Bruce looked down.

“Yes, he’s her biological father.”

Alfred takes off his glasses in disbelief.

“You’ve been investigating her this entire time?” Alfred asks with disbelief.

Bruce felt uncomfortable of the confrontation, ashamed.

“At the first time, yes. I thought she would have an idea of where Dent disappeared after the accident. But she could never talk about or anything about how she grew up. I assumed she just never met him and I stopped the case there.”

Alfred felt his blood boil.

“But you lied to her, Master Bruce. She brought up not only one, but two of your sons! She doesn’t question your decisions for the city or for this family because se trusts you. And now she deeply cares for that boy in the other room that you have brought into this house! You have not carried your responsibilities as a CEO, a caretaker, you haven’t even proposed to her after all of these years and she’s still here, patiently waiting. She loves you, Bruce. Do you love her?”

There was a pause that filled in the air. Bruce was going to respond until you came in with an empty plate.

You looked at the men in the kitchen, unaware of the conflict that arose.

“Sorry, didn’t meant to interrupt. The movie ended and I was going to clean up.”

“I’ll take care of it, you all should head up for the night.” Alfred said as he carefully grabbed the plate for him to wash.

“Night Alfred, thanks for everything.” You said, hugging him quickly before you headed out.

Bruce looks back to Alfred who hasn’t made eye contact with him. Bruce decided to leave too.

You two walked up the staircase in silence. You look at Bruce who appeared deep in thought.

“How was work?” You asked.

“It was eventful. We’re thinking of branching out in Japan, but it’s going to take a few years to plan out the logistics.” 

“Ah, nice! I never been to Japan.” You replied.

When you reached the tip of the stairs, Bruce stopped.

“I um, heard your back at work too.” He said.

“Yeah. I was, uh, talking with Dinah about it during our sessions. Thought it was time.”

Bruce nods. “That’s great. I’m happy for you.”

“Thanks. I gotta get to bed, there’s a meeting early in the morning.” You said, about to leave.

“Wait.” Bruce caught up with you and was looking at you softly.

He pauses at that moment. Here you both stood, uninterrupted.

He could tell you the truth about your father.

He could tell you that he's been hurting as much as you.

But all he could see was you looking at him with a love like gaze.

“I know I haven’t been around lately, especially for you. I want to make this right, so I was wondering if I could join the next session with you.”

You look at Bruce. You know deep in your heart that he’s trying and looking within his eyes, he meant every word he said.

“It’s going to be 2 weeks from now during the day. I don’t know if you’re going to make-”

“Nothing is going to stop me from being there.” He promised.

“Okay, I’ll let Dinah know you’re coming. Good night, Bruce.” You said, kissing his cheek as you walked away from him.

He stood there as you walked into the guest room, but you leave the guest door open. 

Bruce slowly follows you in the dimmed room, closing the door and locked it. 

+

After that night, you and Bruce were living in this bubble. It was like you two haven’t been fighting or avoiding each other these past weeks. Maybe you’re afraid that everything would go into disarray if someone could pop this short-term happiness.

But for now, you stayed in ignorant bliss.

Tim came down to the bat cave with Bruce to lightly spar, as Bruce viewed it’ll be a good skill to learn. The Wayne man started to form some pride, seeing how Tim significantly impacted him. 

Suddenly, they both heard a ping come from the monitor. 

“What’s going on?” Tim asked as Bruce rushed over.

“I made a motion sensor at the location where Two-Face will be making the deal. Seems that there’s a lot of commotion there.” Bruce said, looking at the heat sensor. 

“My dad could be there?” Tim asks, running towards the screen. 

“Possibly, I need to leave now before this deal is made.” Bruce said, already heading to wear his gear.

“Wait! Let me join you.” Tim said. 

Bruce pauses before looking back at Tim.

“You’re safe here.” Bruce said, spreading suiting up.

“I know how to defend myself, and you need someone to watch your six. And besides, how is my dad supposed to surrender if I’m not there? Please, Bruce, I have to do this. He’s the only family I have.”

Bruce remembers the similar words spoken to him when Jason was trying to find his mom.

“I gotta find her, Bruce. If I don’t, I’d never forgive myself…”

Bruce takes a deep breath and goes up to Tim.

“I think there’s a suit in your size, you can look in the back.” 

Tim smiled brightly and hurried back to find what he was looking for.

Bruce was about to mask until he heard you and Alfred heading down to the cave. 

“Master Bruce, we’re ready for dinner for you and-”

Alfred stops mid-sentence as you both see Tim dressed in a Robin suit.

Jason’s Robin suit.

“Why is he wearing that?” You said, walking towards Bruce.

“There’s an alert at the place of the deal. I need Tim there-”

“No. You don’t.” You gritted, feeling your skin burn.

Tim stood there, feeling uncomfortable as you and Bruce were fighting about where he would join Bruce or stay. But time was not at his side. He had to save his dad, if not him... who else?

Tim made his decision, grabbing the keys to Dick’s old motorcycle and programming it to take him to the destination.

“Master Drake!” Alfred said as he saw Tim riding away.

“Tim! TIM!” You screamed, trying to run after him but it was no use. He left outside of the bat cave and you accidentally fell down. Alfred goes up to you, consoling you as you broke down in a sob.

You made eye contact with Bruce as if he tore your heart out of your chest.

“Bring him - back.” You choked out in between your sobs.

Bruce brought you up to your feet and gave you a final look before running towards his car to drive after Tim. 

He races for Tim, hoping he isn’t too late.

He can’t be.

[justrandomfanfictionskh]

Mary Todd pt 3

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Marinette knew she looked beautiful, and not just because her friends, family, and the kwami's had told her so repeatedly. She had made her dress specifically for this night taking into account everything from her body shape to her skin tone. This was her night, celebrating her victory. So, she was going to look her absolute best, by pouring every ounce of her skill and artistic powers into the perfect dress. When Roy had turned to look at her, she had seen in his expression that her efforts had not been wasted. However, this Jason was starting to make her doubt, because he was staring at her with nothing short of pale faced terror. His body was tensed like a rubber band about to snap. His jaw was clinched so tight, it might have been glued shut. And those strange green, blue eyes were filled with such open shock and fear, that she had to stop and make sure she wasn't turning into an akuma. It was more than a little unnerving.

Roy seemed to think so as well, since (after seeing his friend's posture) he tensed and began looking between him and her with a mix of confusion and uncertainty. After an awkward moment Marinette decided that she would have to break the tension and thus offered up a gentle smile saying, "It's nice to meet you M. Todd, I hope you are enjoying your stay in Paris."

Her words seemed to shake the man a little, as he cleared his throat, loosened his shoulders, and said, "Yes. Very much. Thank you," before immediately turning to his drink. He then proceeded to ignore her completely, which Marinette found to be more than a little insulting. After all, what could she have possibly done to this man, this stranger, to deserve such a reaction. 

"Any way," Roy said turning his back on Jason, "Are you enjoying the party?"

Marinette smiled as she glanced at the Eiffel Tower, still a brilliant red. "I am, and you?"

"Well, I wasn't until about a minute ago," Roy said his flirtatious smile returning in full force. 

"Let me guess," Marinette said allowing some slyness into her voice, "Is that when you saw me?"

"Would it be too cringy if I said yes?"

"Yes, but not the bad kind."

"I didn't know there was a good kind of cringe?"

"Of course, there is!" Marinette exclaimed, "Like dad jokes or bad movies. In flirting, bad cringe is when the cheesy pick-up line is unwanted. Good cringe means that it is wanted."

Roy beamed at the implication, "Good to know." Marinette returned the smile, but it dropped to concern when something deep and ferocious growled. Roy turned, and Marinette saw Jason scowling into his glass of whiskey. "You’re sure you're alright, Jay?" Roy said now more annoyed than concerned.

Jason drained his glass in one shot before growling, "I'm fine." As he signaled for another.

Roy was now watching his friend with such a strange mix of complete concern and gentle annoyance, that it contorted his face in a wat that made Marinette suppress a giggle. It was just too cute, and she decided that despite this Jason's rudeness, she wanted to continue their conversation. "So," she said casually, "If you don't like these kinds of parties then why come?" 

Roy sighed as he sipped his drink and then nodded into the crowd, "Our adoptive fathers. They love these things. They like to compete to see who can throw the most money around. Mainly to charities and the like, but still, it gets old real fast."

Marinette raised an eyebrow but followed his gaze to a group beneath an ice sculpture of King Monkey. There were two men in the center of a group of socialites, both smiling and laughing and making fools of themselves. Marinette gave them the benefit of the doubt, and assumed that they were a little drunk. Meanwhile, their dates stood off to the side consoling each other as they watched with poorly concealed amusement. "Your adoptive fathers are Bruce Wayne and Oliver Queen?"

"Yep," Roy said with some level of exasperation, and Jason drained his glass again. 

Marinette thought about everything she had heard of the two gentlemen. They were both on her waiting list. So, she had researched them, and found that either the tabloids had it out for the richest men in America, or they were exactly the type of client that she did not want to work with. "That would get old," she said at last and then slapped her hand over her mouth. She had not meant to say that out loud. 

However, Roy laughed, and Jason might have cracked a smile as he sipped his drink. "I am so glad you agree," Roy said. 

Marinette laughed nervously desperately trying not to stutter. She had worked hard to overcome her nervous tick, and she would not start again now. So she took a deep breath, and focused on each word that came out of her mouth as she said, "What I meant was, that...I don't think they'll have a lot to compete for here, since Ladybug fixed all of the property damage from each attack." 

"Yeah," Roy said, "You're lucky your hero has such an amazing power. Back in Star City, our guy is only just useful enough to stop the occasional mob boss. And if you ask me the only reason, he's half as successful as he is, is because of Black Canary. She's the real power behind our heroes."

Marinette laughed and was about to playfully argue with him, when Jason said in a low, unsteady voice, "Was it hard? The akumas, I mean. Were...did they...did they ever hurt you?"

Marinette sighed and downed a large portion of her glass before setting it down. The bartender wordlessly refilled it and met her eyes. She and him shared the same haunted look of pain and sympathy, before she turned back to her companions and said with a deep breath, "Yes, it was hard. Not many outside of Paris truly understand what we went through. And even if they know the facts, it’s hard to explain how it changed us. I don't think there is one single Parisian who hasn't been akumatized, brain washed, maimed, or killed over the last five years. Many have experienced all four and more than once. And on top of it all, you could barely process any of the events you were going through because then you risk becoming part of the problem. You became a slave, doomed to hurt everyone and everything around you until you've been freed, or served your purpose."

"But we always had Ladybug," the bartender said confidently. "She never failed us, fixed our buildings, healed our wounds, raised our dead. She saved us almost every single day, and in the end, she freed us. We will never not owe her everything. We will always be eternally grateful to her."

Marinette smiled softly as she let the stranger's words wash over her. Letting her eyes drift towards the Eifel Tower with tears and gratitude, she remembered the distant words of a half-forgotten story and said, barely above a whisper, "She cast her magic spell, and made everything better."

A sharp intake of breath drew her attention, and she turned to see Roy staring at her with eyes full of pity and understanding, and Jason pale and shaking staring into his glass. "Did you..." Jason began in a choked voice, "Did you...die?"

Marinette sighed and nodded, "A few times. But I'd rather not talk about it if it's alright with you. We're supposed to be celebrating after all."

"Of course," Roy said smiling. And it was a much better smile than his flirtatious one, full of understanding and maybe even a little adoration. "So, tell me, what brings you here, other than celebrating the greatest heroes in the world."

Marinette felt herself blush at the compliment, as unintentional as it was, and said, "Oh well, I am a designer. I was commissioned by Style Queen to design some outfits for some of the VIPs here tonight. I gave her the designs and her team made sure they were done in time. And thank kwami for that, otherwise I would have never finished."

"Really," Roy said in wonder. "Show me! Which ones?" 

Marinette giggled and began pointing out her friends. They had all wanted outfits reminiscent of the heroes of Paris knowing full well that this might be their last chance to go all out in their personas without raising suspicion of their identities. So, Marinette had gone all out. She pointed to Zoe and Cloe, who were matching in their elegant Queen Bee and Vesperia dresses. With Queen Bee being yellow with black accents and Vesperia being black with yellow accents. Mayor Bourgeois was standing near them with his wife, and they were honoring both of the heroes, with equal parts black and yellow. They didn't know that Zoe was Vesperia, but everyone knew Chloe was Queen Bee, and she had insisted that they honor the new Bee Hero along with the old. Kagami was holding Zoe's hand wearing a red Ryuko dress that was styled after a traditional Japanese kimono and embroidered with a black and gold eastern dragon. She then pointed out Alya (her mom was catering the event), who was wearing a burnt orange Rena Rouge dress with white accents, dancing with Nino, whose dark green jacket was stitched to give the illusion of a Carapace shell on his back.

Pointing to Luka in his dark blue suit Viperion suit, Marinette stressed how important it was that the embroidered snakes had to be silhouetted and not full color. She then saw Juleka in her Purple Tigress dress, and she complained about how long it took her design team to get just the right shade of purple in the painted stripes that framed the bodice and bled into the skirt. However, it was nowhere near as difficult as Jagged's suit because he had decided that he had to support both of his children's favorite heroes, while maintaining his own style. However, the most touching request had been Clara Nightingale's because she had wanted to honor all of the Miraculous. So, Marinette had taken extra care in designing the white dress embroidered with every single Miraculous animal dancing around her skirt and bodice. However, Marinette's favorite was Adrien's Chat Noir suit. It was the simplest, but it was the only one she had made without Audrey's team, and she had spent hours embroidering hidden black cats in the black fabric, and a golden bell on the tie. However, she did have to spend three hours convincing him not to wear cat ears.

When she was done point out all of her friends, a few others, Roy was staring wide eyed and amazed, at all of her hard work. He shook his head in wonder and said, "Wow, just...wow...you are amazing. Those are incredible. And I assume you designed your own dress as well."

"Yes," Marinette said stepping back to display the flowing red gown with black accents. Her hair was pinned up to into a bun with red crystals, and her accessories were encrusted with black jewels that twinkled in the party lights. "I actually made this one myself, although Mme. Audrey provided the jewelry." 

"Incredible," Roy breathed. "You are so talented. But wait...I thought Jagged Stone only wore suits designed by MDC. You're not..."

Marinette blushed and adverted her eyes. But when she did, she caught a glimpse of something on the Tower that she didn't notice before. She squinted at it, and then gasped when she noticed what it was. She laughed her clearest and most heartfelt yet, causing the two men to look at her in confusion. But before they could ask what had caught her attention, Luka and Adrien pushed through the crowd. 

"Mari!" Adrien called, "There you are! Come on we have too---"

"Adrien!" Marinette squealed, "Look! Look! I didn't notice it before, because of the gaps in the metal. But look! The spots on the Tower. They’re not spots! They’re cat paws! Adrien! They're projecting cat paws on the Eiffel Tower!" 

Adrien blinked and stared in awe. "Huh," he said, "Well how about that?" Marinette beamed as his eyes began to water, and Luka hugged him from behind. They all stood in quiet gratitude to the city that they had fought for for so long. They had never taken up their mantels for praise or validation. But to be given that praise and validation after so many years of suffering and sacrifice, was a boon that they could never appreciate enough. They didn't need it. They didn't ask for it. They would have done it all over again without it. But still it was given, and the two heroes felt the love of the entire city surround them in that moment. And despite all of the scares from the past five years, in that moment they were fulfilled with the gratitude of their city. 

Their reverie was broken when Roy cleared his throat and said, "So, you all are big Chat Noir fans huh." 

Adrien blushed, but Marinette said confidently, "Ladybug would never have succeeded without Chat Noir. She could not have asked for a better partner, and he does not get nearly enough love and appreciation as he deserves."

Adrien hid his deepening blush in his boyfriend’s arm and said, "Well, we'd love to stay and chat, but our friends are looking for us."

"Oh right," Marinette said upon recognizing their code phrase. She finished her wine and turned to face her drinking companions. "It was very nice to meet you, Roy. You too, Jason. I think."

Roy chuckled and said, "It was very nice to meet you too, Marinette. And don't worry about the ass, he's never nice to meet. Do you mind if I find you later?"

Marinette paused, eying him. Roy was a stranger, but it was hard not to like him when he seemed so sincere and kind. His friend was strange and rude, somehow familiar, but Roy seemed sweet. Besides, he was cute. So she smiled slyly and said, "You're assuming that you can find me."

"Do you doubt my abilities?" Roy said.

"I do not know your abilities."

"Then I will have to find you, and show you about how amazing all of my abilities are."

"We will see," Marinette mused. And as Jason's growl turned Roy's attention way, she pulled her friends back into the crowd. As they moved to the spot where they could transform, Adrien laughed at her saying,

"Why did you never flirt like that with me?"

"Or me?" Luka grinned.

Marinette rolled her eyes and said, "Because you're dorks. And I was a dork. And dorks don't know how to flirt." 

"You knew how to flirt with him!" Adrien exclaimed. 

"Because I'm no longer a dork. I am a successful business woman, and world renowned designer. But you...you will never change. You will forever be the King of the dorks. Long may you reign."

"Ouch." Adrien mock protested.

But Luka said, "Good I like dorks."

Marinette rolled her eyes, and she pulled Adrien away from the party. Hiding behind the vendor trucks, Adrien and Marinette let Tikki and Plagg out into the night air. The two kwami immediately began bickering. But Marinette and Adrien only turned to face each other with gentle smiles and shinning eyes. "Ready for our final bow, Chaton?" Marinette asked softly. 

"My final bow, milady," Adrien corrected. "You're show is only just getting started. And I am so excited for where it's going. Just remember, if it ever gets to be too much, all you have to do is ask. And your entire team will come running. We are all here for you, miraculous or not. We are family, and we love you."

Blinking back tears, Marinette hugged her partner, as the music quieted and the Mayor of Paris introduced the President of France to the waiting audience. She held him long and tight because, this was it. It was over. Their war was done. They had won. And now they had to move forward, to whatever the hell came next. 

next

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[freedvmrouge]

MAGNIFICENT.

fandom: dc comics.

character(s): bruce wayne, jason todd, roy harper.

word count: 658.

tags & warnings: pov bruce wayne, parent bruce wayne, roy harper/jason todd, youtuber au, father-son relationship.

summary: bruce has empty nest syndrome and longingly watches jason and roy's new youtube video.

masterlist.

Bruce gets the notification just as he leaves for a lunch meeting. He's not exactly foaming at the mouth over the meeting, so he doesn't mind the quick detour. There's an empty conference room just two steps away. No one's going to be questioning Brucie Wayne for being a little late after all.

As he unlocks his phone, he expects a text from Selina or Alfred. There's likely some appointment or date he's missing, he supposes. But to his great pleasure, he finds a notification for a new YouTube video.

He rushes to click on it, barely even reading the title that teeters off from how long it is.

The first thing that loads is a scream that follows a close-up of Jason's face. The next moment, the shot is entirely submerged in water. Jason swims to the surface, hair wet but sporting an ear-to-ear grin.

Bruce feels himself smiling just the same.

"Get in here, Roy! Don't back out now!"

"I'm the cameraman!" Roy shouts from the top of the cliff Jason just jumped off of.

"I'm getting Roy to join me this weekend. Mark my words," Jason says conspiratorially to the camera.

The video jump cuts to Jason and Roy in their hotel room. Bruce immediately recognizes the view. He and Damian video-called while Jason was staying in this very room. This must be from three weeks ago. Jason was entirely mum about what he was doing in Croatia, however. "You'll have to watch our video," he teased.

Bruce can't say he's entirely happy about seeing his son do extreme sports. Much less that he's filming it all for content online. But he will admit that he's grateful that he gets to see Jason so carefree and enjoying his life to the fullest.

Maybe he'll even make a trip out to visit the boys' next destination. He'll say that it's completely by coincidence, of course. He's got a multitude of excuses to choose from. Bruce just... he just misses his son, and Jason and Roy aren't scheduled back in Gotham for another few months.

He and Oliver were more than happy to let the boys mess around the world and travel, expanding their horizons. Somehow, recording these videos for their families to watch ended up becoming a pretty popular YouTube thing for them. Roy's a magnificent filmmaker and Jason's got next to no fear with every new adventure they try.

Bruce sighs. He'd still like to see his son more often. Selina calls it 'empty nest syndrome', but he staunchly denies it. He'd just like to have a full house again rather than just a few kids coming in and out of the manor.

"I'll do that thing you like if you jump with me," Jason says with half-lidded eyes.

Roy laughs and pushes Jason's face away from him.

"Come on, babe. Our families watch these videos!"

"Hey," Jason shrugs. "You're the one editing these bad boys."

Jason sneaks in a quick peck before making his move. He wraps his arms around Roy from behind and pushes them both over the cliff. Bruce figures that Roy's screams alone would've caused a tsunami.

"The equipment!"

"They're waterproof!"

Bruce chuckles as he continues watching. He remains in awe over the drone shots over the ocean and beach. They play alongside Jason's clear narration over the b-rolls. It gives the video an almost professional television quality to it. Bruce might recommend some voice-acting work for Jason when he returns. He has some talent for it.

"Mr. Wayne," he pauses the video as his head snaps to the door opening. "You have a lunch meeting with Mr. Kord."

"Of course, I'll be a minute. Thank you."

Checking the video's runtime, he decides that he can watch the rest of it on the way home. In the meantime, he sends Jason a message asking him where he'll be next week. Maybe he'll even take one of the other kids with him.

[yorkshire-rockchick]

Loved your new fic so much! Personally think new members absolutely need a list of all the team's stuffed animals. I feel like some like the likes of Reynolds, Colin and Sam had ones they had from childhood whereas the likes of Isaac, Jamie and Jan were talked into buying or were gifted ones. They probably have rules about not having the same species of animal toys as well because they're all insane...Richard's and Jan argue that their toys are actually a mountain goat and a domesticated goat despite that literally still being the same species and them literally having the same toy. I have so many thoughts on this would love to hear yours

So I've thought about it and this is what I have:

Tom O’Brien - A sheep, because his granddad was a sheep farmer.

Arlo Dixon - A cuddly corgi, which his now ex-wife maintains he loves more than her.

Tommy Winchester - A bear knitted by his nan. It is lopsided and only vaguely resembles a bear but he loves it.

Isaac McAdoo - A Build-A-Bear given to him by Colin as a joke. Neither of them can remember the joke but Isaac loves the bear as much as he loves Colin. He asked his mum to make the bear a little captain's armband after he became captain.

Sasha Kukoč - A frog, because he likes Kermit the frog.

Richard Montlaur - A mountain goat given to him by his nephew before he left for England. He actually hates goats but he loves his nephew so the goat stays.

Jamie Tartt - A shark, given to him by the team after the Dubai Air protest. He will never admit it but the shark means a lot to him. When he was at Richmond the first time he didn’t have anything and laughed at the immaturity of the rest of the team.

Colin Hughes - A dragon. After he comes out the team buys him a rainbow dragon and he takes both of them to games.

Jan Maas - An Octopus. Jan was going to be a marine biologist if he wasn’t a footballer. When he first joins Richmond he maintains he does not have a cuddly toy so Colin and Jeff steal the octopus, Jan didn’t speak to them for a month despite no harm being done.

Dani Rojas - When he first moves to England, nothing, because he didn’t want to lose an old friend on the journey over, until the comment about being a raven haired golden retriever results in Isaac getting him a golden retriever.

Robbie Roberts - A cat, because he is allergic to cats and his sister thought it was funny when they were kids.

Jeff Goodman - A highland cow, because they are both ginger. He has to keep reminding people he is from Yorkshire, not Scotland.

Babatunde - A raccoon, because he thinks they are cute and fun to watch

Declan Cockburn - A cuddly plant because he can not keep plants alive to save his life.

Paul Reynolds - Originally a Leprechaun he bought over from Ireland with him, however he ends up with a cuddly olive given to him by O’Brien after his daughter, Olivia, is born.

Moe Bumbercatch - A one eyed sloth he won on a claw machine when he was a teenager

Martin De Maat - Misunderstood and actually has a cushion with a picture of a donkey on it.

Sam Obisanya - A dog he has had since he was a baby. When he was with Rebecca the poor thing got hidden in the wardrobe but now it is back on his bed.

Kyle McCraken - A squid, which in part led to being called Squid Game. He is still upset that you can’t get a cuddly kraken.

Bhargava - A peacock, he shrugs when asked questions about it.

Anders Rosenfeldt - A rag doll because his girlfriend got it for him when he said he needed a cuddly friend for away games.

Thierry Zoreaux - A moose holding the canadian flag. If Paul and Colin can have something from their home countries, so can he.

Will Kitman - A very tired looking elephant that he has had since he was a baby. If it can survive university it can survive a football team.

Bonus:

Roy - A very grumpy unicorn given to him by Phoebe for his first ever Uncle's day. No one had ever seen it until they were in the championship and they played away at Rotherham when the fire alarm in the hotel went off, Roy grabbed the unicorn and took it with him outside. Jamie and Colin laughed, resulting in them having to run laps once they were back in Richmond and they both had to apologise to the unicorn in front of the whole team.

Beard - A hedgehog. No one knows why and he refuses to answer questions.

[gothamite-rambler]

Slade Wilson, negotiating with Oliver Queen

Slade's on the phone with Oliver Queen, while Roy, dressed in his Arsenal suit, is tied up in the background.

Roy: Has he hung up yet?

Slade: Not yet.

Roy (disgruntled): Oh... He usually drops the call when I say I need him for something, but yeah sure listen to the insane murderer... that stings a bit.

Meanwhile, Oliver, holding his phone, sighed and rubbed his temples as Slade laughed at Roy's comment.

Slade (on the phone): I have Roy Harper. If you want him back unharmed, I’ll need ten thousand dollars.

Roy (indignant): Whoa, whoa, hold up! You think I’m only worth ten grand? Do you even know who my father is?

Slade (to Roy): You think they’d pay more for me?

Roy: Damn right!

Oliver shook his head, eyes closed in frustration. Sitting beside him, Bruce Wayne clenched his jaw, his irritation growing, and shot Oliver a withering look that clearly conveyed his disbelief at Oliver's current antics.

Roy: MAKE IT ONE MILLION—

Oliver (shouting): ROY, STOP! I’m not about to see my net worth tank just to save you!

Bruce (appalled): What is wrong with you?

Slade (amused): I mean, if you want to up the ante—

Oliver (furious): I will end this call if you even think about—

Bruce snatched the phone away, then smacked Oliver on the back of the head ashamed of the man sitting next to him.

Bruce: Is ten thousand still available if I can get it sent in the next hour?

Roy (excited in the background): Is that Bruce? Bruce, send them one million dollars!

Bruce: What have you done to this kid?

Oliver (raising a hand, avoiding Bruce's gaze): Don’t judge me. He got that from your adopted seed.

Bruce: Either I send this money or your send this money and if I send this money I'm beating your ass for being an awful father currently.

Oliver: I’m not sending one million dollars!

Bruce (frustrated): Your net worth is three times that, you jackass!

Oliver: Yeah, well, my son hasn’t died once, Invader Zim!

Bruce: For god’s sake, you kicked him out when he was addicted to heroin!

Slade: I'd have done the same. Druggies are unreliable. I made my daughter cut her eye out to prove her loyalty, so I get where you’re coming from, Ollie North.

Roy could be heard laughing in the background. Bruce covered his face, shaking his head, while Oliver’s cheeks flushed red as he grappled with the implication that Slade agreed with him.

Oliver: I can’t believe I’m about to concede to a convicted hebephile. Damn it, I’ll send one million.

Slade: Yes!

Bruce was already texting Jason Slade’s coordinates and informing him that Roy had been kidnapped.

Bruce: Well, at least a predator didn’t side with me.

Oliver: Oh, shut up! Like you haven’t agreed with him. Mr. “I won’t kill my son’s murderer!”

Bruce: I wasn’t the one who kicked their son out of the house, ignored them for three years, and hung up when they confronted a child abuser!

Oliver: Oh yeah well... you're youngest son is weird!

Bruce: Calling you a weird, old man is not being weird! He's observant and honest!

Slade chuckled, amused as he listened to their bickering, fully aware of his own failures as a father and reveling in the chaos it created.

[chloe-spade]

Throned Love Chapter 2: Be our guest

🥀

Vil had a dream that night, a dream of a simpler time, when we just as young and pure like the world wanted. He was walking around town, with his father, watching people talk and chatter, something he never minded before, but he knew why now he's older.

Vil was left alone by the fountain as his father went over to the bookstore to give him a new book. He saw a few boys running over to him, laughing and giggling.

"Hello," Vil greeted, "Do you need something?"

One boy nodded, his hat bouncing a little, Vil remembered it being to big for the boy's head.

"Bonjour!" The boy grinned, "I'm Rook, and this is my friends, Cater and Jack."

The two behind him waves at Vil, introducing themselves to himself, Vil awkwardly waving back.

A mouse squeaked in Cater's pocket and a mouse glares at Rook, upset that it was ignored.

"Don't forget Ace!" Cater giggles, holding the mouse, "He's also a friend. And don't worry, he won't make a mess."

The mouse, Ace, squeaked happily, and rests in Cater's pocket once again.

"I'm Vil," Vil introduces himself, "I live with my father and mother. My father is in that bookstore at the moment."

"So does that mean you're busy?" Jack asked, "We shouldn't bother you if you are?"

Vil shook his head and walks over to him.

"What are you playing?" He asked, getting the other kids excited.

"We are playing tag," Jack answered, "Do you wanna join us?"

Vil nods and follows the kids to a nearby area, and they started to play tag with one another. Everyone was laughing, having fun, and they didn't care about the dirt that marked their clothing.

Oliver laughed when he was saw Vil, covered in mud, with other children, giggling as well.

"Well, look at you!" He laughs, going over to Vil, "So this is where you've been when I was in that bookstore?"

"We have fun!" Rook cheered.

"I can see that!"

Vil was embarrassed, but he got over it as his father allowed him to play with his new friends more and more, when the sun begins to set and everyone had to go home.

He wondered about Cater and Rook often, both suddenly disappearing when he was 14, Jack being the only remaining friend he had since that day.

He misses that simple time, being a kid and playing with friends until you drop, having way too much fun with others.

He truly missed it.

🥀

Vil woke by the fireplace, an awful reminder of where he was, in a home that didn't feel like home. He glanced the window to see that it was still nighttime.

He heard someone humming, located in the bedroom.

Vil gets up, and saw a man, cleaning up the bed, trying to fix the bedroom Vil was resides in.

The man looked and grinned, a familiar grin that Vil recognized but everything was still those fresh in his mind to care.

"Who are you?" Vil spoke, trying to be courageous despite the fear.

"Oh, don't worry, Roi du Poison," the man spoke happily, "I don't intend to harm you, not now and not ever!"

Vil flinched at the nickname, eyes just staring deep at the man in front of him, before he stammered, "..Rook?"

Rook grinned and holds his arms open.

"Come here, Roi du Poison, you are not alone as it may seem."

Vil, against his better judgement, walked over to Rook and hugs him, and begins to sob, and Rook was comforting him, letting Vil cry his eyes out.

"...what happened to you?" Vil asked.

"I wish I could've told you," Rook sighed, "My family was recruited by the royal family as royal hunters. I didn't tell you in time when we left and I'm truly sorry for that."

".. I'm just glad you're here right now. I needed someone to talk to."

"I understand, Vil," Rook whispered, "Just let it all out and we can figured it all out."

Vil continued to cry, before his eyes closed and fell asleep.

🥀

Vil woke up on his bed, and it was finally morning. He was still groggy from crying last night, so the only thing he did was staring up at the ceiling, looking at the interior design, quote pleasant for such a horrible, unpleasant place.

A knock took him out of his trance, and he didn't answer, not trusting who was behind it.

"Told you he wouldn't answer," groaned a voice behind the door, "why don't you phase through?"

"It's manners, Floyd," spoke another, "and besides, these plates are not like us, they'll break if we tried."

"Watch me," the other voice challenge and Vil's eyes get to witness a upper body phasing through the wall.

They met with their eyes.

The man chuckles and tried to get through but to no avail, the man was stuck in the wall.

"How in the," Vil gasped, walking over towards the new figure, who was now grumbling about getting stuck again.

"Are you stuck again?" Asked the other voice behind the door but Vil could tell that it was very ampathic about it.

"Oh ha ha!"

Vil could only watch some more but snapped out it.

"Maybe I'm able to help?" He offered, "At least try?"

"Thank you," said the voice, "I'll push and you'll pull?"

Vil nods and grabs the man's arms, ignoring the fact that he was physically touching a ghostly figure.

"Ready?"

"Yep!"

Vil begins to pull as the butler behind begins to push, until the stuck ghost was finally freed and he and Vil tumbled onto the floor.

"Thanks," the ghost laughed, "I'm Floyd, one of the resident workers."

Vil stayed silent, looking the other man, the realization of what just happened slowly starting to get to him.

"You...are a ghost," Vil finally spoke, "You're dead. Like a ghost."

"I mean, yeah," Floyd grinned and got up, "But I'm not..dead dead, just dead." He walked over and opens the door, letting his brother inside, holding a tray of food.

"Please don't take my brother's word to heart," he said, "I'm Jade, another resident of the castle."

Jade walks over and sets the tray down on a night stand by Vil's bed.

"But why are dead?" Vil repeated, "If you didn't die, then how are you phasing through walls like that?"

"Demanding.." Floyd muttered under his breath.

"That's easy to explain," Jade grinned, "A enchantress cursed our lovely kingdom for who knows how long now, it causes some physical changes to our bodies as the years gone by."

"Right, I heard about that, but people always called it a myth, no more than a folktale to scare children," Vil explained, looking at the two.

"Yeah, Seagull and Sea Turtle told us about your encounter with Sea Lion. No one has spoke back to him like that before, and I mean it."

"Indeed, no one has spoken up against Leona in years. Many normal would just stay away from him after what happened with the enchantress."

"And now I'm here," Vil spoke sadly, sitting on his bed, "a prisoner of an awful beast, in a place I should be calling home."

Jade and Floyd sits by Vil and pats his back, "Don't think like that."

🥀

I hope that we'll be friends

Though I don't know you well

If anyone can make

The most of living here

Then, Vil, it's you

And who knows?

You might find home here, too!

Vil, with a new sense of comfort, decided to take the day with a open mind and a open heart.

🥀

As the day goes on, night falls in the village below, a snow storm painting the streets.

The word of Vil's disappearance didn't sit well with Alderic, especially after getting punch by Vil the day he disappeared.

Everyone on the tavern noticed, Alderic moping in the front of a comfy fireplace, in a nice deluxe chair.

Even the attention and swooning of the triplets didn't help him.

"Who does he think she is?" Alderic hissed, "That boy has tangled with the wrong man!"

Cedric came by with two cups of beer, also annoyed that Vil rejected Alderic.

"Darn right!"

"No one says "no" to Alderic! Dismissed! Rejected! Publicly humiliated! Why, it's more than I can bear!" Alderic moped dramatically.

"More beer?" Cedric offered before beer was thrown at him by Alderic.

"What for? Nothing helps. I'm disgraced."

"Who, you?" Cedric awkwardly laughed, "Never! Alderic, you've got to pull yourself together."

Cedric sighed and looks at Alderic.

💪

Gosh, it disturbs me to see you, Alderic

Looking so down in the dumps

Ev'ry guy here'd love to be you, Alderic

Even when taking your lumps

There's no man in town as admired as you

You're ev'ryone's favorite guy

Ev'ryone's awed and inspired by you

And it's not very hard to see why...

💪

"And why?" Alderic mocked, still staring into the fire place.

"Well..."

💪

No one's slick as Alderic

No one's quick as Alderic

No one's neck's as incredibly thick as Alderic's

For there's no man in town half as manly

Perfect, a pure paragon!

You can ask any Tom, Dick or Stanley

And they'll tell you whose team they prefer to be on

No one's been like Alderic

A king pin like Alderic

No one's got a swell cleft in his chin like Alderic

💪

Alderic didn't want to admit but the song was giving him a massive ego boost, especially when it came to his appearance so for the audience, he begins to flex, hearing cheers from tavern guest and swoons from the triplets.

💪

As a specimen, yes, I'm intimidating

My what a guy, that Alderic!

Give five "hurrahs!"

Give twelve "hip-hips!"

💪

"I'm listening," Alderic spoke, a smirk forming onto his face, clearly fishing for more compliments.

💪

Alderic is the best

And the rest is all drips!

No one fights like Alderic!

Douses lights like Alderic!

In a wrestling match nobody bites like Alderic

For there's no one as burly and brawny

As you see, I've got biceps to spare!

💪

Alderic flexes again, showing off his biceps as he lifts up a chair with the triplets on them, hearing them squeal and swoon in delight.

💪

Not a bit of him's scraggly or scrawny

That's right!

And every last inch of me's covered with hair!

💪

He did have hair all over his body...I don't know why..? But he seems super proud of it, mainly because some guys looked with hate or insecurity.

💪

No one hits like Alderic

Matches wits like Alderic

In a spitting match, nobody spits like Alderic!

I'm especially good at expectorating

Ptooie!

Ten points for Gaston!

💪

Alderic walks over to the counter and demanded thousands of eggs. Once received, he begins to juggle them, wood and aahs from many around him.

💪

When I was a lad I ate four dozen eggs

Ev'ry morning to help me get large

And now that I'm grown I eat five dozen eggs

So I'm roughly the size of a barge!

💪

Many were amused by how he ate those eggs without any effort, gulping and happily grinning, his teeth shine.

💪

Oh, ahhh, wow!

My what a guy, that Alderic!

No one shoots like Alderic

Makes those beauts like Alderic

Then goes tromping around wearing boots like Alderic

I use antlers in all of my decorating

My what a guy

Alderic!

💪

The tavern closed and everyone leaving, Alderic and Cedric being the last ones to leave. But as they did, they noticed the old house at the end of the ride, Vil's cottage.

Two people were in front of it, Epel and his friend, Jack, talking about Oliver, as he was found yesterday night will a cold and he was now babbling nonsense in fear. One was about a ferocious beast who kidnapped Vil, and now he was deemed crazy, but Epel hoped he recovered.

"He's been talking about that beast for a while now," Alderic heard Epel explained, "I'm worried about him, he was never like this before."

"What if there was a beast?" Jack pondered.

"I wouldn't say it isn't a possibility, but it's so unlikely that abandoned castle has a beast within it."

Alderic stopped and his mind created a diabolical plan, one that ensure his ego.

💪

Crazy old Oliver, hmmm?

Crazy old Oliver...

💪

Alderic grabbed Cedric and pulled him away from the house and now they are on they're stroll home.

💪

Cedric, I'm afraid I've been thinking

A dangerous pastime

I know

But that wacky old coot is Vil's father

And his sanity's only "so-so"

Now the wheels in my head have been turning

Since I looked at that loony, old man

See, I've promised myself I'd be married to Vil..

And right now I'm evolving a plan!

💪

"Like what?" Cedric asked, looking at Alderic.

"If I...," Alderic looks around before whispering his plan to Cedric, but he continued, "Then we ..."

"No! Would he? I mean he isn't exactly Vil.." Cedric gasped, "In fact, I think he's out of your league."

"But the one thing they have in common is that they care about that crazy man. If push comes to shove, than I have to push hard," Alderic laughed, "That means I'll still get the wedding I want. And besides if Vil does come back, it'll be another trade."

Cedric was silent for a moment but he mustered a grin, "Let's do it!"

💪

Let's go! No one plots like Alderic

Takes cheap shots like Alderic

Plans to persecute harmless crackpots like Alderic

Yes, I'm endlessly, wildly resourceful

As down to the depths you descend!

I won't even be mildly remorseful

Just as long as I (you) get what I (you) want in the end!

Who has brains like Alderic?

Entertains like Alderoc

Who can make up these endless refrains like Alderic?

And his marriage we soon will be celebrating

My, what a guy

Alderic!

💪

🥀

Epel finally put his father to rest, after hearing his babblings for about an hour. He rest down on the porch, already in a bad state from yesterday.

Oliver explained everything, to his arrival to Vil trading places with him for his safety and how Vil will come back by the end of winter. But how can Epel wait that long?

"Epel?" Jack spoke, alerting Epel, "Sorry that I startled you," he sat down by Epel, "I came as soon as I could. It doesn't take long for me to come over but with this weather it's difficult."

Epel chuckled sadly, looking down.

"Now," Jack sat next to Epel, "How's your father?"

"He's been talking about that beast for a while now," Epel explained, "I'm worried about him, he was never like this before."

"What if there was a beast?" Jack pondered.

"I wouldn't say it isn't a possibility," Epel remarked, "but it's so unlikely that an abandoned castle has a beast within it."

"Same here," Jack agreed, "but I trust Vil with his decision. He seems brave enough to deal with a beast."

"Yeah, he dealt with Alderic, so, I'm sure he can handle a small..beast of sorts. I just," Epel sighs, "I just can't help but worry about him."

"It's understandable," Jack reassured, patting Epel's back, "I can stay as long as you want."

Epel smiles and goes close to Jack and rest his head on his chest, enjoying Jack's arms around him.

"Thank you, Jack."

🥀

Leona looked out the window as the night falls, another day, and it's just same old for him.

Being a beast gave him some time to think, mostly on the situation. Why was he being punished for being completely reasonable?

More importantly, was he destinted to be like this for all eternity?

🥀

How long must this go on?

This cruel trick of fate?

I simply made one careless wrong decision

And then that witch was gone

And left me in this state

🥀

Leona stared at the rose and snarled as a first petal begin to hang, threatening to fall down on to the stand.

🥀

An object of revulsion and derision

Hated

Is there no one?

Who can show me

How to win the world's forgiveness?

🥀

A knock on the door caught his attention and Trey spoke.

"Dinner's ready, your highness." Trey spoke earnestly, "do you want me to send it up for you?"

Leona thought for a moment before responding, "I would like to speak with our new guest first, if you don't mind."

Trey didn't get a chance to respond before Leona walked away and towards Vil's room, hesitation came over him but he knocks onto the door.

"Hello," he spoke, "I would like us to have dinner together. As a way for us to get to know each other."

It was silence.

"Perhaps you didn't hear me?"

"Oh, I heard you," Vil spoke beyond the door, "I just chose to ignore you. Simple as that."

"Well, I don't think it's nice to ignore your host," Leona hissed, "You should give out a simple answer, yes or no?"

"No."

"Great Stars, you are unbearable," Leona groaned, annoyed.

"Same towards you."

Leona didn't speak back, only walking away.

"And what did you think was going to happen?" Falena appeared, arms folded, "You forced him to live with on this place. I don't think he'll ever warm up to you."

"It was an attempt, Falena, but he has his own opinions and I have mine."

🥀

Vil sneaks from his room when he didn't hear anyone talking in front of door and he's been waiting for an hour at best.

Despite declining Leona's offer, Vil was getting hungry, more like starving. So he walked downstairs to the dining area.

It was nice, and big, enough to fit a whole family there, especially with a long table that stretched on.

Rook was cleaning up as he noticed Vil and gave him a happy grin.

"Oh, Roi du Poison," Rook greeted, "What brings you here at this time?"

"For food, I'm afraid," Vil answered, "I didn't eat with that..fiend and I had gotten hungry after his invite. Maybe just a small dinner would be nice?"

"Oh, Vil! You are our guest, and we should treat you like that! Now, sit, sit!" Rook urges.

Vil nods and sits down by the table, "Oh, ok?"

Vil waited until the lights dimmed, only showing Rook on the table. Vil looks confused but let's Rook speak.

"Ma chere Mademoiselle, it is with deepest pride and greatest pleasure that we welcome you here tonight! And now we invite you to relax, let us pull up a chair as the dining room proudly presents,"

The maids and butlers appeared, trays in hands, ready to serve Vil numerous meals.

"Your dinner!"

🥀

Be our guest!

Be our guest!

Put our service to the test

Tie your napkin 'round your neck, amí

And we'll provide the rest

Soup du jour

Hot hors d'oeuvres

Why, we only live to serve

🥀

As he sang, many meals begins to be sat down on the table, moved around for Vil take taste tests, Vil enjoying the kindness of the others.

🥀

Try the grey stuff

It's delicious

🥀

Vil's eyebrow raise at the gray stuff, understandably skeptical but a bite of a cracker soothed his nerves.

🥀

Don't believe me? Ask the dishes

They can sing, they can dance

After all, Vil, this is France

And a dinner here is never second best

Go on, unfold your menu

Take a glance and then you'll

🥀

Vil was surprised as a menu appeared in front of him, showing everything that they could prepare, but a small chuckle was heard when looking at the desert section as a handwritten note from Floyd that Leona's favorite dessert was some delicious pie.

🥀

Be our guest

Oui, our guest

Be our guest!

🥀

"Surprise me," Vil challenge.

Rook grinned more as he allowed maids and butlers walking in, some pushing trays of food.

"Challenge accepted."

🥀

Beef ragout

Cheese souffle

Pie and pudding "en flambe"

We'll prepare and serve with flair

A culinary cabaret!

You're alone

And you're scared

But the banquet's all prepared

No one's gloomy or complaining

While the flatware's entertaining

We tell jokes! I do tricks

With my fellow candlesticks

And it's all in perfect taste

That you can bet

Come on and lift your glass

You've won your own free pass

To be out guest

If you're stressed

It's fine dining we suggest

Be our guest!

Be our guest!

Be our guest!

Get your worries off your chest

Let us say for your entree

We've an array; may we suggest:

Try the bread! Try the soup!

When the croutons loop de loop

It's a treat for any dinner

Don't belive me? Ask the china

Singing pork! Dancing veal!

What an entertaining meal!

How could anyone be gloomy and depressed?

We'll make you shout "encore!"

And send us out for more

So, be our guest!

Be our guest!

Be our guest!

🥀

Suddenly the lights have gone dim, the only light focused on Rook as he takes off his hat and holds it toward his chest.

🥀

Life is so unnerving

For a servant who's not serving

He's not whole without a soul to wait upon

Ah, those good old days when we were useful...

Suddenly those good old days are gone

Ten years we've been rusting

Needing so much more than dusting

Needing exercise, a chance to use our skills!

Most days we just lay around the castle

Flabby, fat and lazy

You walked in and oops-a-daisy!

🥀

"What a life," Vil muttered, his eyes looking over at the kitchen, hearing the pipes of whistles as steam flowed out of the room.

He saw Jade working on the tea.

🥀

It's a guest!

It's a guest!

Sakes alive, well I'll be blessed!

Wine's been poured and thank the Lord

I've had the napkins freshly pressed

With dessert, she'll want tea

And my dear that's fine with me

While the cups do their soft-shoein'

I'll be bubbling, I'll be brewing

It'll get warm, piping hot

Heaven's sakes! Is that a spot?

Clean it up! We want the company impressed

🥀

Trey walked out with tea hot and ready for Vil, offering it towards him.

🥀

We've got a lot to do!

Is it one lump or two?

For you, our guest!

He's our guest!

He's our guest!

Chorus:

He's our guest!

Be our guest!

Be our guest!

Be our guest!

Chorus:

Be our guest!

Be our guest!

Our command is your request

It's been years since we've had anybody here

And we're obsessed

With your meal, with your ease

Yes, indeed, we aim to please

While the candlelight's still glowing

Let us help you, We'll keep going

Course by course, one by one

🥀

A chandelier made from glasses of champagne was now lowered down, offering Vil a glass, through understanding his amusement at the beautiful thing in front of him, Rook on top of, like the star he is.

🥀

'Til you shout, "Enough! I'm done!"

Then we'll sing you off to sleep as you digest

Tonight you'll prop your feet up

But for now, let's eat up

Be our guest!

Be our guest!

Be our guest!

Please, be our guest!

🥀

Vil laughs and claps his hands as the performance finished, clearly delighted about the food.

"That was amazing," Vil applauded, "And the food, so delicious." He gets up and walks over to Rook."

"Glad you enjoyed, Roi Du Poison," Rook laughed, "Now, eat up and we'll handle everything."

Vil did so, eating as much as he could, in the night before he could go back to sleep.

After a small while, Vil walked up the stairs to walk back to his room before the breeze from the East Wing took his attention.

"Father was right about the breeze," Vil whispered, before walking over to the wing, ignoring the chills down his back.

Vil walked over to the halls, looking at the broken chandelier glass and torned up walls, hoping he didn't hurt his hands while searching.

The paintings looked torned and wrecked, he hated how the paintings glared down at him from beyond the grave.

Ignore the cobwebs as well.

As he walked deeper, a faint glow from a room caught his attention, and he looks into the room. Another chill down his back, the room looked like a hurricane flew in and tore it apart. As he walked inside, he saw broken equipment, from chairs to lanterns.

A torn portrait in the center caught his attention, and he walks over to see the full portrait, which caught Vil off guard as he started into the green eyes of the royal prince, expression stoic and lifeless.

Vil walked away to try to walk away but a res glow illuminated the room.

He turned over and what caught his eye was a beautiful rose within a glass stand, protected so that no would touch it.

Like he was hypnotized, Vil walked over to examine it, watching as the petals glowed as he gone closer.

Was it a sign?

Vil gulped to himself and decided to leave but his back was now against something, but he knew what it was. The broad chest of his kidnapper, the reason he was there.

"How come I am not surprised that you are exactly like your thief of a father?"

Vil didn't even talk back before he felt the grip onto his arms, like a way to stop him escaping. Vil struggled enough for him to grab a nearby book to hit the beast with before running away from the halls, his heart pounding.

Before he knew it, he was now outside the castle, riding on his horse, ignoring the snow around him. He shivered to himself as Appletart slowed down.

"Oh, I know," Vil shivered, "but I cannot stay with that beast for any longer."

Vil pets Appletart and guide her through the woods, carefully stepping through the snow.

A snarl echoed throughout the woods, but Vil ignored them, until he felt a scratch on his legs.

Vil gasped and looked around as the a group of wolves begin to around him and Appletart. To protect them, Vil grabbed a huge stick on the ground and begins to wack any hungry wolves threatening to attack them.

But the wolves were able to overpowered him, causing Vil to collapse onto the ground, starting to feel weak from the snow.

A roar was heard from the distance, as a huge shadow started to overpowered the wolves, but the wolves were relentless beginning to jump onto him, scratching and biting him.

But the others ran away, now leaving the group alone.

Vil looks over at the shadow, to find out with was the beast, Leona, who just protected him from the pack of wolves and was now unconscious.

With all his might, Vil helped Leona onto Appletart and with both of their strength, helped him inside the castle, safe from the harsh winters outside.

[rocket-69]

Ramshackle: 02 - Safe

Scribe Oliver stood uselessly by the shack in the dry early afternoon heat. The scavengers had shrugged off the insistence of vaccination- most of them just laughed. If someone got tetanus scavenging, they did their job so wrong they couldn’t not be some kind of dumbass. Some were smart enough to say they had it already, which he thoroughly doubted after the fourth one just gestured to the others. But he wasn’t going to tackle and tag them like wild animals. That was much more a thing the Followers would do. Try to tell The People that they had all the answers. The Brotherhood at least had a focus* and wasn’t tangling itself up in every direction.**

He put the syringe back into a sealed case and listened for the temperature seal click. It’s not like they would have been receptive to more protective gear either. Some of those men had long hair that was bound to get caught up in something. In the Brotherhood, anyone with hair that could get tied back had the sense to do so.

Paladin Roland ushered the scavengers into the mineshaft, and after the last one entered he followed. He took a look back and signed to Scribe Oliver.

“Watch my six, brother.”

Oliver rolled his eyes with a smirk, gesturing to his case and then his laser rifle.

“Need a shot?” he signed back.

Roland’s helmet didn’t betray any expression, but the headlamp flickered twice before he turned away and vanished into the darkness.

Benji’s glove hung from his mouth as he tied his hair back in the darkness, remembering the elastic bracelet Ada made him, one summer camp. Roy walked ahead of him, flicking on a headlamp himself. Benji pushed his head forward until his glove slapped against Roy’s back, and Roy in turn craned his head back to get Benji in the corner of his eye and mockingly scowled. He reached back toward Benji and pushed his helmet down over his eyes.

They laughed as the whole crew made it to the main chamber. The paladin in front of them turned in the wider entry shaft. He leaned on a metal barrel and turned to face them all.

“I’ll be here. Protocol is to always stay close where you can hear the fan whirring on this.” Paladin Furioso patted the chest piece of the power armor, which did roar. “As always, work in pairs. Don’t lose sight of your partners.”  He flipped a dial on his laser rifle; it sparked to life then made a high pitched whine. A plasma pistol hung on his hip, slightly luminescent. “You see anything, hear anything, run back here or yell. I’ll be on my way.”

The crew nodded along. This was really more for him than them, they felt. But hey, they didn’t mind the idea of siccing a paladin on a radscorpion or some giant geckos. Even coyotes were nasty, but that was a little harder to watch, especially when they yelped like dogs.

They dispersed. Roy and Benji went down their favored tunnel. After they dug through a moldy clothing pile, it broke into some small electronic appliances. The Brotherhood were always after those things, constantly needing wires and chips. The last thing they got a bonus for was a television.

They both stepped past the clothing pile, fully kitted in shining helmets, masks, gloves, and big heavy boots. Roy wore rusty red coveralls and Benji wore blue.

“You think the farmers will take those clothes to cover their soil?”

“If it don’t smother them in mold spores. Think prewar plastic was used in the clothes too. Polyester I think, my dad said.”

“Hm. We oughta send him a letter. Ada’s growin’ out her clothes. We’ve taken the hems down on all her shirts, they’re still a little short.”

“Worth thinking about.”

“Do you remember where we found that TV?”

Roy looked around the cavern.

“There’s a small opening down there.”

Benji’s headlamp light turned toward Roy’s, making double circles of light. In the center of it, an opening betrayed a lower segment of the cave system.

“Alright. Who went first, last?”

They fell into a loving bickering match, until finally Roy insisted on being the better man and climbing down, but of course this meant Benji would have to hold the rope. Benji gave a bitter retort, that Roy knew what he was doing and he wasn’t going to stand for it, Benji would use it as an excuse to replace his favorite gloves. The back and forth rekindled, and finally Roy decided to be the better man and let Benji climb up first into the tight, narrow tunnel.

Benji headbutted Roy’s helmet, but obliged. Roy slapped Benji’s back, then squeezed his shoulder.

“Love you, honey.” Roy hammered a piton into the cave wall.

“Uh huh.”

The crevice was narrow, but opened wide into a cavern. Roy slowly lowered Benji down, not able to watch him but listening for anything.

“Slow down! Spikes!”

Roy stopped, hastily securing the rope around a solid looking column of rock and checking down at Benji.

Benji was laughing at him.

“I’m going to drop you, let’s see how you like that!”

Benji pouted up to Roy. “You love me too much.”

“Try me.”

“You… You wouldn’t.”

Roy looked past him and squinted. “How much farther is that? Your voice is echoing.”

Benji looked around- a large cavern like a stone amphitheater. He braced for heights and looked down.

Water. Little waves lapped below him.

-----

*A laser focus, perhaps.

**Debatable.