#secret bonds

[relcollins]

"The Night of the Declaration" - part 5

(5) Artie nearly dropped the cake plate he was holding, Jim’s face betrayed his surprise, and their host looked apologetic for causing such drama.

“Are you, er…have you, no…er…what makes you think that?” Artie finally managed, having rescued the cake plate and removed it safely to the side table. “That’s no trifling matter!”

“No,” Weston agreed, “it isn’t. But I had given the matter a lot of thought before I wrote to the President, and I have given it more thought since. I am not a fanciful man, Mr Gordon, but sometimes things add up to only one conclusion, and that conclusion is that Mr Jeremiah Jasper would like to see me dead.”

“Excuse me, Mr Weston,” Jim interjected. “I don’t doubt your sincerity, nor your conviction, but why would this Jasper character want to kill you? Can you take us through your reasoning to arrive at that decision?”

“Of course, Mr West, and I want you to believe that I am not one to be easily frightened, nor a pushover who jumps at shadows, yet this is the only logical inference one can make.”

Artie leaned forward, his face a picture of concern and understanding. “Mr Weston,” he began, but Weston waved a hand to halt his speech.

“Mr Gordon, after such an announcement, and the likelihood that you will endeavour to shed some light on this matter, helping me in this most trying time even if it results in me being shown up as that silly fool I dread to be, please call me Fortescue.” Artie did not regard Mr Weston as a fool, whatever the older man may have feared.

“Then you must call me Artemus - Artie, and my partner James…er…Jim. It’s only fair. And now, we are all ears. Do please proceed.” Artie and Jim settled back, their neutral expressions belying their alertness and concentration on what their host was about to reveal.

“Jeremiah Jasper is a man of great wealth and presence, gentlemen, and is used to getting his way. I don’t believe his fortune was acquired by, er, fair business practices, however, as his manner is quite belligerent. It’s this manner which has created all the, as you say, disquiet around here.  

“The township here has many industries going for it, and up until recently it has seemed enough, however this Jasper fellow has struck a gold seam several miles out of town, and has been mining it industriously for the past year or thereabouts. Here’s where it gets problematic. He claims that the seams lead right beneath the town and he wants to mine underneath all the built-up areas. Perhaps it’s selfish of me, but I have denied him a permit to get any closer than half a mile from the town boundary on that side, and he did not take the news well. Since then, our peaceful town has experienced some, shall we say, disturbing, incidents.”

“Incidents?” Jim enquired. “Such as…?”

“Well, initially, a few months ago, the residents out that side of town had their wells mysteriously damaged or filled in, and livestock has, not coincidentally I’m sure, disappeared or been found shot dead. Most upsetting for the owners, I can tell you.” Fortescue looked grim. “And then there are the strange lights and noises in the hills round about, which the neighbours describe as frightening. I’m quite sure this Jasper is responsible for what I feel is a campaign of intimidation. Oh, and two farmhouses were set alight. Thankfully no-one has been killed yet, but I fear that state won’t last.”

Artie leaned forward.

“You have a police force here, don’t you? What have they discovered? They have investigated, surely?”

“Of course”, Fortescue replied. “They are quite a crack team, and wasted no time speaking to the people affected, and also to Mr Jasper, but as yet they’ve got no evidence to tie anything to him, and he has a solid alibi, vouched for by his family. I don’t believe a word of it, but what can we do?”

“You said earlier you think he’s trying to kill you,” Jim began. “what does he gain from that?”

Fortescue turned to face Jim. “If the seam under Westonia is as rich as Jasper claims, I understand why he wants to mine it, however the town council, of which I am the head, agree that heavy mining underneath all this built up land will severely compromise the integrity of it, and we therefore denied the submission. The amenity of the townsfolk here matters more to me, and us, than him adding to his obscene wealth at the expense of ordinary people, gentlemen, and this refusal has got him all worked up. I conjecture that he hasn’t met much opposition in his life, and this one has riled him mightily.”

“Other things have happened, too, in what I believe is an escalation of his desire to have his way. He’s made offers to buy out folk over that side of town, he’s tried to get himself elected to the council, he has offered good wages to anyone who will work for him to mine the gold, but he has completely misread the spirit of Westonia, and people here want to continue living as they have, working for themselves in a community that supports good will and self-sufficiency, with no-one feeling intimidated by another. I believe he means to have his way, one way or another, and if he can’t buy people, he’ll drive them out. He doesn’t need the town to run his goldmine, although it certainly makes life easier for him and his employees and family. With his wealth he moves in the highest society we have here, and styles himself a big man. He doesn’t have the graces of one, though.”

“And the bit about him trying to kill you…? Jim prompted.

“Yes, quite.” Fortescue looked back at Jim determinedly. “In recent months I have narrowly escaped a carriage crash, which cost me two favourite carriage horses, then there was a serious bout of food poisoning at the council chambers which made all of us very ill. Oh, and the exploding parcel in the mail, which only by good chance I wasn’t holding, so you see I do have grounds for suspecting Jasper is behind these attempts to remove me, and thereby remove what he sees as his main obstacle to getting mining approval.”

“Yes, Fortescue, I do see” Jim nodded. “Well, that certainly paints a grim picture for us, but of course we will do our best to get to the bottom of it.”

“If nothing else,” Artie added, “sending explosive devices through the mail service is a federal crime, so that justifies us being here all by itself.” He looked at Mr Weston and then at Jim, who nodded in agreement.

“If you have no objection, we can get started right away.” Artie stood up, and so did Jim. Their host arose from his chair also, and indicated the door. “Of course, I know your time is valuable, and I am most grateful to have you here. You have carte blanche to speak with all the staff in the house and all the employees in Kensington Manor, and I will draw up a letter of introduction for you to use in the town should you need it.” He led the way out into the hall, where they encountered Leroy Wyatt approaching, hat in hand.

“Mr West, Mr Gordon, your horses have been made comfortable in the big stable, and your bags have been taken upstairs for you.”  Leroy placed his hat back on his head, smiled at Artie and Jim, and upon getting an acknowledgement from Mr Weston, he shook hands with the two agents then turned and made his way out.

Jim and Artie looked at Mr Weston appreciatively. “You have a lovely home here, Fortescue,” Artie offered, his eyes again looking about him admiringly.

“Thank you, Artemus, you are most kind. I have arranged for your stay in the west wing, which is where your things are, and where I am sure you’ll be most comfortable. If there’s anything you need, please don’t hesitate to find me, or you can ask one of the staff to bring you to me.” Jim allowed a wry smile to linger on his face.

“Do you perhaps have a Gordon wing too?” Artie enquired sweetly.

“I’m afraid not, Artemus, although perhaps we should name the suite I’ve assigned you the Gordon Suite, since it’s the largest and most comfortable one in that guest wing, in honour of your visit.” Mr Weston managed to deliver his reply with a straight face, but neither agent missed the twinkle in his eye. “Please feel free to visit the kitchen if you need anything to sustain you while you’re here.” Upon this pronouncement Artie’s face lit up. He beamed at Mr Weston. “Does this mean more cake and brownies…?” he asked hopefully. “Of course, Artemus. You have to keep your strength up for your endeavours.”

Artie smiled his thanks, and as Mr Weston turned away, Artie could not help casting a sidelong glance at Jim, one that was full of meaning, and which was reciprocated with a look of devilish enthusiasm.

[psychokatrixxxy]

Love when the Justice League thinks Batman is a cryptid. This believe is only further enhanced by the face his sidekick, Robin, is clearly a shapeshifter, what with changing their height, hair style, skin tone, and even gender.

Batman clearly thinks that by having Robin look different every couple of years, it will show that they aren't cryptids like it would if Robin didn't age.

But the Justice League is too smart for that. They figured it out! But they are good friends (colleagues) and won't spill Batman's secret, but they will drop hints to him that they know, to show that they are smarter than he gives them credit for (they aren't.)

-

When the batkids learn that the league thinks this, they start periodically going to the Watchtower with Bruce, taking turns dressed up as Robin.

The League is surprised as Robin seems to prefer taking the form of a child, perhaps to have villains underestimate them? But they just assume Robin is trying out something new.

The batkids definitely tell eachother about what was said/happened as to further sell the act of Robin being a shapeshifter, because clearly it has to be the same person, Robin knows what happened, so it couldn't of been someone else dressed as Robin.

[iamlostandinneedofcoffee]

I like to imagine that every once in a while Red Hood just goes off comms for long stretches of time and comes back bruised as shit and exhausted before logging off for the night and the rest of bat brigade is trying to figure out which villain of the week keeps jumping him.

Eventually they, cause communication is a skill no one learned, just start harassing hood’s men to find out whose turf they are invading only to find out they thought the bats were beefing with Red again cause he keeps mumbling about brats.

Now they are trying to find out which one of them is lying about fucking with Jason and no one is owning up, the trackers they keep putting on him are fizzling out, no one as any idea and Jason ain’t saying shit. But like he’s never properly irritated about it or asks for help nor can they find anything out so they let it go for now (read keep trying to track him to no avail).

And then one night Red Robin comes across Red getting chased and then fighting off a feral looking teenager on the roofs of Crime Alley and just when he looks like he is getting the upper hand another drops down from above (how the fuck the nearest taller building is not anywhere near close enough to dive into the fight from what the fuck?!?) and joins the brawl.

Tim is about to rush in to help Jason before the two teens’ heads turn in unison to him with Lazarus green eyes and look like cats when they see a red dot. Jason panics and before he can grab them, they leap and now Tim is in a cartoon brawl dust cloud and all and Jason has joined in and is calling them all brats and how his gunna whop their ass- and there is a foot in his mouth.

And yet through it all Tim never feels afraid. In fact, as he fights he realises they are keeping up and beating him all whilst smiling and punning(?!? They must never meet dick SHIT DUCK) and that won’t fucking do, so he brings out all his tools and tricks and is getting matching by two raccoon twins. 20 minutes later they are all grinning bloody smiles and just as he is about to slam his bo staff up into into the female looking twin, a whistle is blown.

They all freeze and look over in unison as if they all became shining quadruplets at a giant shit house built fucking man. And like Tim has seen big men. Bane is a big mother fucker. Superman is a big mother fucker, and is also shaped like one. Bats is big but this guy even though his is maybe not as large he feels infinitely more terrifying and that’s before you get to the flaming(fucking literally, how does that even work or stay in the pony tail) white hair.

“Alright enough for tonight or foods gunna go cold. Inside.” A voice bellows across the roof before the man disappears??!? At the mention of food the one top of Tim almost starts drooling, gets up and starts dragging Tim’s still prone body across the roof and off of it OH FUCK AND INTO A WALL WHA and they went through it… well

A couple second later Jason and the other dude stumble in. Jason picks Tim up as he is coming down from that mini adrenaline rush at and puts a arm around Tim, half hug half chokehold, saying “say nothing and you get to join once a week. Say shit and you’re haunted.” And walks off to the kitchen and starts bringing out food.

… safe to say the rest of the bats are now confused why Tim of all people is now turning up bruised as well with Jason, cause if it was him to start why has he started loosing all of a sudden??? And he says fuck all but his weapons and fighting style has got more chaotic and terrifying.

Oh and he seems to be eating… well you win some and lose some

[fellthemarvelous]

My favorite things that Obi-Wan and Ezra have in common:

Hondo's "best friend"

Maul's obsession

Unique bond with animals

Fond of a Mandalorian named Sa_ine.

Spending ten years in exile before someone comes for them.

Fondness for Ahsoka Tano and Captain Rex

[rystiel]

canon fic writer and creative mind stanley pines would do numbers on ao3 i think

[sualne]

catching up

[poorly-drawn-mdzs]

Tis but a flesh wound!

[First] Prev <–-> Next

[starry-bi-sky]

“Your brother is adorable.” The cashier cooed at Danny, peering over the counter with a smile. “What’s his name?”

Danny looked down to the surly, scowling little de-aged Batman currently holding onto his hand, glaring up at the cashier with bright blue eyes.

Things had already been bad enough when he’d gotten caught in a fight in Gotham, but things went from bad to worse when a magician had hit Batman with a de-aging spell and then shoved them through a portal.

Into a different fucking dimension.

Because of course neither of their lives could be easy. And now the two of them were stuck in Iowa in the middle of nowhere, at a truck stop gas station, trying to go on a cross-country roadtrip to reach the nearest hero city and get home.

He looked up and smiled awkwardly, trying to come up with a name off the top of his head — one of the heroes called Batman ‘B’ when he got hit right? B for Batman, right. B… B… Bee… Bees.

“Buzz.” He said, and tried not to grimace as the cashier’s face warped with surprise. “Like the astronaut.”

This was gonna be a long trip.

[benoits-neckerchieves]

Question-asker at Queer (2024) press conference: “Do you think there could be a gay James Bond?”

Luca Guadagnino: “Nobody would ever know James Bond’s desires. Period.”

Daniel Craig: 👏👏👏👏👏👏

Video of press conference

[hijinxinprogress]

YJ playing never have I ever 

Cissie goes never have I ever been experimented on by the government so Greta, Kon, and Bart put a finger down “Bart?? Hello??” “The futures fucked” “Called it” “Are you good?” “I mean I like pizza and not being stuck in a simulation sooo” “the future doesn’t have pizza??” “I know! Not having pizza is the absolute worst” 

Kon goes never have I ever had a mentor disregard my safety and everyone except Anita, Cassie, and Greta put a finger down “The joys of not having a mentor” “Hal lost it when he found out about last christmas” “Every time Diana realizes we’ve gone off planet she goes nuclear” “middle child, no one’s looking for me in the first place”

Cassie says never have I ever been betrayed by family members (biological or otherwise) so there’s a small argument over whether or not you should have to put a finger down for each betrayal “I’m just saying there’s a lot of speedsters” “I have like nine siblings on a technicality” “Do alternate versions of alleged biological relations count??” “🤓👆🏾AlLeGEd BiOlOgicAl ReLaTIoNs ” “stfu” “Can I add someone else’s alt to my list if they killed me?? Wait, Thad tried to kill me again last week” “Are we counting each person or each betrayal??” “I don’t have enough fingers for that” “fuck, me either” “I don’t have enough fingers for each person much less each time I was betrayed” 

Anita goes never have I ever had a family member attempt or succeed in killing me and everyone puts a finger down “so fuck me ig” “does prime count for us??” “yeah?? we’re family, stupid” “I feel targeted” “me too” “what if it was an accident??” “It still counts”

Tim goes never have I ever had to screw with time to meet family member(s) so Anita and Bart put down a finger “technically I didn’t-“ “you’re a speedster put your mf finger down” “fair” “they were babies, I didn’t meet shit” “they were your parents put your fucking-”

Greta goes never have I ever befriended people that tried to kill me multiple times and Tim and Bart put down a finger “it’s how we bond! This is slander” “Bart we’ve been to like six other timelines and dimensions where Thad kills you” “wait you said friend do I-“ “Pru” “listen that’s different” “Anarky??” “Klarion” “Azrael” “Lynx” “I also tried to kill you” “My fucking finger is down are you happy?” 

Bart goes never have I ever had a family that doesn’t want me around and everyone puts a finger down “look at us! Bonding” “I don’t think I was invited to thanksgiving last year” “ngl they have no idea how old I am” “I was accidentally added to the family group chat” “dude they added you??” 

Tim goes never have I ever had mommy issues resulting in everyone putting a finger down “??” “You do know you’re targeting yourself right??” “Bart put your finger down” “wtf why my mom loves me” “Emotional turmoil bc you can never see her again ergo mommy issues” “eRgO” “stfu” “Kon?? You don’t have a mom??” “My choices are Superman or Lex” “Yikes…” “Put another finger down”

[No one wins especially not the jl that walked in halfway through the game bc yj was having game night in a briefing room and gave absolutely zero notice]

[randomsprinkles]

You tell yourself that Loid

[iffondrels-library]

LU Eating Stuff They Shouldn't: Part 3

Part 1, Part 2

Well. It escalated again. I can't stop the Links from doing these things. They're not going to learn. Wild is at his limit and has so much to think about now. Anyway.

Next->

Bonus:

Don't worry, they got it back.

[dungeonrabbits]

chilaios family includes: (unofficial) daughter izutsumi

[ghoulchurch]

ive already posted this gif but i really need to point out electra stopping to watch cb to mimic his dance moves. like wow this freight train i just met is gleefully violent and has no morals i HAVE to groove with him

[snakeredbirdbatkatana]

There's something about Tim that has always slightly unnerved Bruce.

That's not to say he doesn't truly love him, the little Robin who dragged him kicking and screaming from the edge, who reminds him everyday he has to be better.

Yet something in his eyes always makes him hesitate.

Watching him solve cases connect dots that even Bruce at his most able couldn't hope to understand.

Watching him fight it's calculated every move planned but executed with a grace that would make ballerinas jealous.

He couldn't identify it the greatest detective stumped by his own son until one day when he walked down to the cave.

His eldest sparing with Tim it was beautiful moves that he could never replicate they worked as if they were one. Escrima quickly blocked by a bow staff, every single move perfectly executed.

It felt like for once he could see clearly the thing that had made him so uncomfortable brought forth a fear that was so instinctual.

It was Dick.

The same moves, the quiet grace the deadly motions, even the anger.

A perfect copy a clone couldn't even hope to achieve.

He stays so still almost frozen afraid to catch the predators attention.

As Tim ends it heading to the showers his eyes drift meeting Dick's.

A smile that before he would call kind he can't help but see almost a sadistic undertone like a animal playing with it's food.

He breaks first, hair standing on end as he heads back up into the manor.

He should do something, but he can't whatever monsters that are his sons he decides to turn a blind eye.

To let the tigers play he knows he is beaten that if he were to try anything his blood would stain his eldest's chin.

But a darker deeper part of Bruce recognizes the same look he ignores in the mirror.

The look that both Jason and Damian try so hard to replicate.

He has never consciously favored his children but as he erases contingencies and allows full access to a network he had never shared with anyone before he can't help but feel a tide changing.

Sitting the next morning at the table secrets smiles shared between him and his sons. Jealously crossing theirs brothers eyes he wants to cackle, scream but it's time he returns the loyalty that they have bled.

After all what's some secrets between Kings and crowned princes.

[chaoswarfare]

dp x dc prompt #51

when damian was sent to investigate a‘brainwashing summer camp’ he was not pleased. The kid who shared his cabin room might make it more bearable though. Danny seems to hate this place just as much as he does.

Two days later after both of them are tied up in the store room for spying, maybe he should have come in with a better plan.

summer camp dead serious thing that nobody but my brain asked for.