#the only bad thing about this game is Robins costumes

[weewoow-20706030]

Gotham knights is a genuinely good game, people are just too quick to compare it to the Arkham series that they completely disregard the effort put into it. Although it may not be as extravagant and fancy as some other games it more than makes up for it with its engaging story, all the side missions and quests and the huge map to explore any time. In this essay I will-

[resident-gay-bitch]

🐈‍⬛ Trick or Treat 🐈‍⬛

Little Steddie + Stobin meet cute; Eddie and Robin decide they must take Steve trick-or-treating, and they absolutely must make him their friend (a really special friend in Eddie's case) - fluffy! (5.5 k words)

This was all inspired by this tweet. It was so heartbreaking and upsetting I just had to fix it :)

🎃👻🎃👻🎃👻🎃👻🎃👻🎃👻🎃👻🎃👻🎃

Steve hasn’t celebrated Halloween since he was five. Not properly, anyway. Hasn't dressed up, or gone trick or treating even once since then. And he’s ten now, almost eleven. 

He doesn’t want to admit it, but he misses going trick or treating. His mummy used to take him, until she stopped being home as much, and his babysitters could never be bothered. 

He used to love dressing up, it was his favorite part. Liked to talk to the other kids in the street and play spooky games. But he’ll probably never do that again. 

It’s probably stupid anyway. Steve’s double digits now, and his dad says that makes him a man, and men aren’t supposed to get sad about stupid things like Halloween. 

Besides, his mum says candy’s bad for him. It will make his teeth fall out and his tummy fat, and his mum really hates that stuff. 

Steve’s grown up knowing to always believe her, but he sees kids at school eating candy all the time, and they still have all their teeth and aren’t fat. Even his teacher eats candy, and offers a bowl of it around every holiday. 

But Steve never eats it. His mom will be upset with him if she finds out. 

But Steve’s a big boy, he can handle himself now. He’s got a bowl of sweets sitting by the door, eyeing him off and he’s trying his best not to eat one, because it’s for the trick or treaters. 

The little kids, the ones his age, the older ones, and even some parents. 

Steve pretends he’s not disappointed when they show off their awesome costumes that their moms made for them. He pretends he’s fine, he’s becoming a man, he shouldn’t care about kid things like Halloween. 

He gets up when there’s another knock on the door, what feels like the millionth one of the night, and finds three people waiting there all dressed in cool costumes. 

There’s a girl with freckles, short brown hair, and she’s done it all messy, dressed up like a scarecrow with a glowing lightbulb on the top of her head. She looks awesome, even has makeup on her face and real pieces of straw sticking out in random places. 

There’s a boy beside her, with big brown eyes sweet like the chocolate Steve’s giving out, with long hair like a mane with golden shimmers of tinsel through it. He’s dressed like a lion, a showy badge on his chest, and he roared when Steve opened the door. 

Behind them is an adult, probably their dad or something, dressed in grey with silver all over him, a funnel wrapped in foil on his head, a big red heart stitched into his shirt, and he’s holding a lead that’s got a little black cat on the end of it, with bows around its collar. 

They’re dressed as The Wizard Of Oz, Steve thinks, and they look awesome. Steve wishes he had friends or family to go trick or treating with. All he’s got is Mrs. Delores, from across the street to look after him tonight, and she’s been asleep on the couch since five o’clock. She’d never take him anyway, says Halloween is for the energised, whatever that means. 

“Cool costumes!” Steve says, puts on the brightest smile he can muster, just like his mom taught him. He grabs the candy bowl and holds it out for them to stuff their pillow cases with, “I love Wizard Of Oz— isn’t Toto a dog though?” 

“Yeah, but Eddie only has a cat.” The girl answers as the boy digs through the bowl, clearly looking for something specific, “I think she’s crazy enough to be a dog though! Makes the funniest noises ever.”

“Yeah, she’s the funniest.” The lion boy giggles, waggles the Milky Way he found in the air, “She’s crazy too, I found her by the quarry one day, and Wayne said I can keep her.”

Steve thinks the tin man is Wayne, gives the man a smile and offers the candy bowl to him, which he politely declines. 

“That’s cool, I’m not allowed pets. Especially strays, mom says they’re filthy.” 

“Cthulhu is filthy, but she doesn’t stink more than Eddie!” The girl teases, already eating a caramel treat, chocolate all over her mouth. 

Eddie punches her in the arm hard, “I don’t stink! Cthulhu is the best kitty in the world.” He bends down, picking the cat up under the arms and snuggling her, and she hisses and squeaks at him, “Aren’t you Cthulhu? You’re the best kitty cat in the world.” 

Cthulhu meows and puts her paw on Eddie’s face, and Steve laughs. He’s always wanted a pet, loves them so much. He Loves all animals. 

“Can I pet her?”

Eddie looks up at him from his snuggle with Cthulhu and arches his eyebrow, “Perhaps.” 

“Oh, lord.” The man mutters to himself behind them, and it seems like maybe Steve shouldn’t have asked. 

“Eddie’s very protective of Cthulhu because she’s a scared cat. She was really sick when we found her! So small you could see her ribs, it was so sad!” The girl informs him, very eager to teach, “She’s just a poor little kitty, and only loves me and Eddie and Wayne and no one else.” 

“It’s true, she bites people you know? If they get too close.” Eddie says ominously, holding onto Cthulhu like she’s a precious treasure that Steve is trying to steal, “One time Nash from across the trailer park tried to feed her tuna and she bit a chunk out of his hand! It was so funny, there was blood everywhere. He screamed so loud, the stupid fuck-“

“Language.” The man said, glaring at Eddie. 

“Uh, I mean, the stupid wimp.” 

“It’s true, did you know?” The girl nodded as she spoke, nodded so much Steve thought her head would fall off, “We hate Nash, he’s so mean.” 

“I would maybe let you pet her, if she likes you, which she probably won’t because she doesn’t like anyone except for us.” Eddie said, scratching Cthulhu behind the ear to make her purr, giving her little kisses to make her smile, “But, you must also pass the test.”

“What test?” Steve asked, curious now. He’d really like to pet Cthulhu, if she’d let him. 

“First, you have to swear to never, ever be mean to an animal ever.” The girl said. 

Then dramatically, Eddie added in, “Second, you have to swear allegiance to Robin and I forever and ever, which also means you swear allegiance to all underdogs by proxy-“

“I don’t know what any of that means.” Steve mutters, ashamed of himself. He’s been doing really bad at school lately, he knows he’s dumb, his dad tells him all the time. 

“Ed, remember not everyone reads Tolkien by the time they’re eight.” 

“Right.” Eddie nods, smiles up at Steve, “Uh, it means you have to swear to at least be nice to us always, like, friendly! No bullying us or being rude or anything. And also the same goes for every nerd or weird kid.” 

“Yeah, you can’t be mean to weird kids ever.” 

“Are you weird kids?” Steve asked, looking them over. He doesn’t think they’re weird, he thinks they’re cool, they have the coolest costumes he’s seen all night, they put a lot of effort into them. 

“The weirdest ever, actually.” Eddie states, nodding like he’s proud of it. 

Robin, the girl, nods in agreement. 

“Okay.” Steve shrugs, “I don’t care if people are weird, you have cool costumes.” 

“That’s really nice, thanks!” Robin says, but Eddie gives him a funny look. 

“Where’s your costume? And why aren’t you trick or treating? Are you sick or something?”

“Uhm, I just don’t want to.” Steve lies, he feels stupid because he wants to cry. 

“Oh, okay, weird.” Eddie says and stands again, keeps Cthulhu in his arms and Robin leans over to pet her too, “The third rule is that you have to give us an extra candy bar-“

“That’s not one of the rules?” Robin intervenes, clearly confused by this, which Steve finds funny. 

“Shh!” Eddie hisses, “Come on, it’s Halloween, it’s a special extra holiday rule.” 

“I don’t think that’s fair.”

“It’s just one extra candy bar. Besides, would you prefer stupid Jason come by and steal an extra one like he did at the last house?” 

“No.” Robin admits and turns to Steve, “Okay, yeah, an extra candy bar.” 

“And also, the last rule is-“

“You have to stand on one foot and hop on the spot and sing Soft Kitty!” 

“Hey, I wanted to say that part.” Eddie groans at her. 

“You always say that part.” Robin bickers back, and Eddie starts to sulk. 

Steve wishes he had friends like that. 

“Do you agree with the rules?” Robin asks, and Steve nods. 

“Sure.” He says. 

“Okay, fine.” Eddie said, snapping out of his hunch to grin at Steve again, “But don’t be offended if she doesn’t like you. She hates everyone. She was even scared of us for the first few days!” 

“Yeah, it’s true.” Robin agrees, watching Eddie set Cthulhu down, taking the leash from the older man, “She’s such a poor little kitty. Eddie, show him the scars you have! I can’t or it will stuff up my costume.” 

“Oh, yeah!” Eddie grins, shoving the sleeves up his arms to reveal an array of tiny bites and scratches, “Gnarly, huh?”

“I thought he had rabies! I was so scared, but it’s okay, we all got a rabies shot.” 

“Yeah, I almost passed out, I hate needles.” 

“It was really funny, the nurses had to give him three lollipops to stop him crying-“

“Hey! Don’t tell him that, he won’t think I’m cool.” Eddie punches her again. Robin punches him back. 

“He probably already thinks you’re not cool, Eddie. Everyone thinks you’re not cool, and he’s rich.” 

“Oh, yeah.” Eddie mutters, shrugs like he no longer cares, loosens Cthulhu’s lead a little, “Anyway, just don’t take it personally if she tries to kill you or anything, she especially doesn’t like mean people or rich people. She only likes freaks and weirdos I think, ‘cause we’re like her, you know? She’s a good cat like that. So yeah, just don’t like, get upset if she hates—“

They all stop and stare when Cthulhu wanders over the threshold to Steve’s house, looking up at him with her tail in the air as she goes. She walks right up to Steve, rubs her face against his shin and weaves between his legs, stretching out and laying on his fluffy slipperd feet. 

Behind them, the older man snickers, and Eddie glares back at him. 

He takes a few steps away to catch his breath as he laughs, muttering as he goes, “Spoke too soon, boy, what’d I tell ya?” 

Eddie growls and looks back at Cthulhu like she’s betrayed him. Robin is just smiling, which is nice, she has a very happy smile. 

“I think she likes him, Eddie.” Robin says, and Eddie growls again. 

“So, can I pet her?” Steve asks.

“You have to do the ritual.” Eddie says with sass, like it’s a challenge, like Steve won’t do it, “Swear kindness to all animals.” 

“Obviously, I love animals.” Steve said with a frown. 

“That one’s easy, you’d be a total psycho if you didn’t!” 

“Okay, swear you’ll never be mean to an outcast or a weirdo.” Robin said. 

“Okay— but what about if a weirdo is mean to me first? Can I be mean back?” He asked, because the rules seemed a little biassed. 

“Eh, makes sense.” Robin nodded, “What do you think, Eddie?” 

“I agree. Not like a weirdo would ever be mean to a rich kid.” He said, shrugging. 

Steve arched his eyebrow at the boy, put his hands on his hips unimpressed, “I swear it, idiot.” 

“Hey, you can’t—“

“You said I can, if you’re mean first.” 

“I’m not— Wayne! Stop laughing at me!” Eddie huffed back at the man, facing Steve again, he said, “I’m not mean to you.” 

“You are. You said Cthulhu would probably hate me cause I’m rich. I’m not even rich, I just live here.” 

Beside him, Robin nodded, “You are kinda mean sometimes, Eddie.” 

Eddie looked like a fish out of water. The old man was still laughing, hunched over from it now. 

“We can call it even, if you’re nice to me from now on.” Steve states, holding out his hand in an offer. 

Eddie looks at his hand and considers it, looks back at Steve and sighs, “I’m sorry, okay, you're right. We can call it even.” 

Steve smiles and solidifies the shake, wondering why his stomach goes all fluttery. 

“Three!” Robin interrupts, literally leaning over to get between them, “Extra candy bar.” 

Steve smiles and lets them both have at it again, holding it steady as they aggressively rifle through the bowl in hunt of their desired treasure. Robin eats half of hers again when she gets it, drops the other half in her pillow case. 

“And the dance!” Eddie chimes in, carefully placing his sweet in the sack, “For a whole minute.” 

“How am I supposed to hop on one foot when Cthulhu is laying on my slippers?” 

“Uh, that’s a good point, Eddie. You know Cthulhu hates being disturbed.” Robin whispers, like she’s scared she’ll suddenly wake the sleeping kitty. 

Eddie pouts, looking down at the animal to come up with an answer. It takes him a while. Steve comes up with one first. 

He grabs the bowl of sweets again and dumps half in Robin's sack, and the other half in Eddie’s. A trade, extra candy so he doesn’t have to do the dance. 

“Awesome!” Robin grins, beaming down at her loot. 

“What about your leftovers?” Eddie asks, looking sadly at the big empty bowl, “You won’t have any leftovers! And you’re not trick or treating, so how would you get chocolate?” 

“It’s okay, mom doesn’t really like when I eat chocolate. Says it will make my teeth fall out—“

“Ah! Is that true?” Robin asks, her mouth full of melted chocolate again. She looks back at the man in fear, “Wayne! Are my teeth gonna fall out?”

“No.” He says, stern and sharp, “My mama used to tell me the same thing. You’re supposed to have treats, you’re a kid.” 

Oh, Steve thinks to himself, he’s a kid. 

“Oh, thank goodness.” Robin huffs and keeps munching away. 

“Here.” Eddie smiles, and he’s got a handful of candy bars taken from his pillow case, holding them out to Steve, “You deserve some chocolate too!” 

Steve blushes and takes the sweets, can’t find the Strength to protest when he really, really wants it. He stashes them in his pockets and tells himself not to forget about them. 

“Do you want some more?” Eddie asks, “I know how it feels to have no candy on Halloween, it sucks. I never got to trick-or-treat when I was little, my dad couldn’t be bothered and my mama was always sick.”

Steve frowns, looks at the boy and doesn’t even get another word in before Eddie’s reaching over and stuffing another handful of chocolate into Steve’s other pocket. He gives it a firm pat, stands up straight again, and smiles. 

Steve doesn’t know what to do. 

He thinks he’d like to be friends with these kids. 

“Can I pet your cat now?” He asks, too scared to say anything else. His dad says he’s too much of a wimp these days, and needs to man up. 

“Of course.” Eddie smiles, nods his head. 

Steve crouches down, careful not to move his feet and disturb the kitty, and he strokes from her head down her back until she purrs. She purrs so much her whole body starts to vibrate, it makes the three of them laugh. 

“She’s so cute, huh?” Robin asks, crouched down too to watch. 

“She’s the best kitty cat ever.” Eddie agrees, reaching to scratch under her chin with a finger, and Cthulhu smiles and tries to bite his finger, “No silly! I’m not a Halloween candy.” 

“She’s so soft.” Steve muses, can’t stop petting her, “She’s so cute.” 

“Super cute.” 

“The cutest!” Robin shouts, slaps a hand over her mouth when she realises how loud she was. 

“I wish I had a cat.” Steve sighs. 

“You can visit her sometimes, if you like?” Eddie asks, his cheeks all red for some reason, “Wayne doesn’t mind if I have friends at the trailer, and it would be mean to keep Cthulhu from her new best friend.” 

“You mean it?” Steve asks, feels himself smiling so wide his cheeks get warm, “For real?” 

“Yeah.” Eddie nods, gets very nervous when he says, “And… and maybe we could play, or something?” 

Steve nods his head, he hasn’t had a friend to play with since Tommy decided they were too cool for make believe, “Yes please.”

“You probably won’t want to if you’re cool and not a weirdo.” Robin says, doesn’t even look up as she speaks, too busy petting Cthulhu, “Eddie likes weird games, he always makes me be the dragon he has to fight and slay.” 

“I thought you liked being the dragon? You make such good dragon noises.” 

“Of course I do.” Robin huffs, looking over at him, “But he might not like being a dragon.” 

“Well he wouldn’t be the dragon, ‘cause you’re always the dragon.”

“We’ll, maybe he won’t want to be the knight either!” 

“I’m always the knight.” Eddie huffed and turned to Steve, wearing a very determined glare, “What do you want to be when we play fantasy? You could be the horse, but that’s probably boring. Or I suppose you could be the princess I rescue, because Cthulhu is always the princess. You can’t be the evil troll because Wayne’s really good at being grumpy. Or you can be something new if you like?” 

“I can be anything.” Steve shrugged, “I’ve never played fantasy before. It sounds fun.” 

“It’s so fun!” Robin grinned, “Maybe you could be the prince and Eddie can rescue you too!” 

“I’m really good at rescuing.” Eddie stated. 

“Okay.” Steve smiled, “Whatever you guys want.” He says, because he’s excited enough they want him there at all, he would play the tree if they wanted. 

“Cool.” Eddie grinned, totally delighted by this. 

“Thanks for letting me pet your cat.” Steve said, knowing he shouldn’t keep them any longer. They have more trick-or-treating to get too, and the man taking them is probably bored. “I think your costumes are really cool and creative.” 

“Thanks, we made them ourselves, Eddie’s really good at sewing and painting!” Robin grinned. 

“Well, Wayne had to help with the sewing machine. And Robin did all the decorations.” 

“That’s so cool.” Steve grinned, the words toppling out of his mouth before he could stop himself, “I wish I knew how to make costumes, my mom never makes me costumes, I miss trick-or-treating.” 

“I thought you said you didn’t feel like it?” Robin asked, and Steve stared at her, caught red. 

“Why doesn’t your mom make your costumes?” Eddie asked, looking so terribly sad about it, “Why don’t you go trick-or-treating? Is your mummy sick too?” 

Embarrassed, Steve shook his head, eyes averted to the ground as he shamefully admitted, “My parents don’t really care about this stuff, they say it’s for kids, and it’s silly. They’re never home anyway.” 

“But you are a kid.” Robin says, confused. 

Steve feels that harshly for the second time tonight. 

“I think your parents are stupid.” Eddie says flatly, and Steve thinks he’s awesome. 

“Eddie!” The older man snaps from behind, “That’s not very nice now, come on.” 

“But it’s true.” Eddie huffs, “Your parents sound like they suck. My dad sucked too. He’s in prison, you know, cause he sucks.” 

“Eddie really doesn’t like his dad.” Robin said, still crouched down to pet Cthulhu, not looking up at them as she spoke. 

Quietly, for the first time ever, Steve admitted something back, “I don’t like my dad either.” 

Eddie smiled at him, held up his hand in this strange symbol, his pinky and pointer finger extended whilst the others were folded. 

“What’s that?” 

“Metal.” Eddie said, a cool smile as he nodded. And Steve had no idea what metal means, but he makes the symbol back and smiles, because Eddie seems to think it’s cool, so it must be. 

“Cool.” 

“Do you want to come trick or treating with us?” He asks, and Steve thinks yes, but holds himself back. 

“Oh, yeah, please come!” Robin grins, up and jumping on the spot now. 

“We don’t even have a Dorothy.” Eddie says, “We don’t even have the main character!” 

“I told you to be Dorothy.” Robin tells him, “You have the perfect hair for it.” 

“Yeah, but I wanted to wear my lion costume again. It saved more time! We had to spend all our time making your costume!” 

Robin shrugged and looked back at Steve, “Do you wanna be Dorothy?” 

“Isn’t she a girl?” 

“So.” Eddie shrugged, “I think Toto’s a boy, and Cthulhu is pretending to be him— and Robins being a boy scarecrow. It’s just a costume.” 

“But she wears a dress. I don’t have a dress.” 

“You can be a boy Dorothy if you like?” Robin answers. 

“Or, you can be a girl Dorothy in pants.” Eddie adds on, “And I’m really good at making costumes, I bet I can help you come up with something cool. And then you can walk Cthulhu all night if you like, ‘cause Toto is Dorothy’s pet!” 

Steve does like the sound of going trick-or-treating with these guys. And he really likes the sound of hanging out with Cthulhu all night, she’s such a cute kitty, still sleeping on his slippers. 

Steve worries his lip and looks at the old man past them, wondering if he’ll tell Steve to stay home for wanting to dress up like a girl. 

“You’re welcome to join if you want, kid, I’ll just need to talk to whoever’s lookin’ after ya.” 

Steve is sort of scared to wake Mrs. Deloris, she’s a real hag when she’s grumpy. 

But, he’d like to go trick-or-treating even more. And this might be his only ever chance. 

”I’d really like to.” Steve says, and the three of them seem happy with his answer. 

Eddie dives down and grabs Cthulhu so Steve can move, which is a big mistake because she starts hissing and trying to scratch Eddie’s face, and he screams, the old man and Robin have to intervene. 

Steve rushes over to Mrs. Delores to wake her with a fright, and he tells her his plans, doesn’t ask, and she gets up in a grump to go talk to the man at the door. 

When Steve makes it back to them, Eddie’s got a bloody scratch on his cheek, but he doesn’t seem to mind it, he’s still holding Cthulhu as she naps in his arms, and he kisses her between the ears adoringly. 

“I wouldn’t know how to make a Dorothy costume.” Steve says, and this seems to excite Eddie and Robin. 

“Can we come in? We’ll help!” Eddie asks. 

“And your house is so big.” Robin wonders, leaning forward to inspect the inside, “I’ve never been in a house this big before.” 

“Me either.” Eddie muses, “Do you have a hot tub?”

Steve leads them inside, and up the stairs, “No, but I have a pool.” 

“Cool!” Eddie grins. 

“Do you have a cinema?” 

“No.” Steve giggles, “Of course not.” 

“Do you have two bathrooms?” Eddie asks.

Steve furrows his brow at the weird question, “Uh, yeah— or three if you count the extra toilet.”

“Woah!” The two say in unison, their eyes wandering around Steve’s house as they walk. 

“That’s so cool.” Eddie says.

“I’ve always wanted two bathrooms. My dad gets pee all over the toilet seat, and me and mom hate it.” Robin adds, and Steve decides to laugh, because Eddie is. 

He thought everyone had two bathrooms. He’s never shared one with his parents. That seems so strange. He’s not even allowed in his parents bathroom, they get so mad at him if he goes in there. 

He leads the pair into his bedroom and they go right for his wardrobe, diving right in without asking. Not that Steve cares, he thinks they’re so nice, and he’s excited to have more friends. 

They’re talking amongst themselves, chattering and chattering, agreeing and disagreeing. 

“Would you wear a skirt?” Eddie turns around to ask. 

“I don’t have a skirt.” Steve says back. 

“That’s not what I asked.” 

“I guess.” Steve shrugged, “But it’s too cold for a skirt! It’s windy outside.” 

“He’s got a point.” Robin says, and Eddie nods. 

“Will your dad be mad if we cut up one of his shirts?” 

Steve’s eyes widened, he think his dad would definitely mind. But, he’s not home, won’t be for another week at least. Besides, he might not even notice, if Steve hides the evidence.  

He shakes his head no. 

“Does he have a blue button up?” 

Steve nods, knows he does. He has like, a billion of them. 

He races to go get one, finding one that’s got little blue and white checkers all over it, thinking it would be perfect for Dorothy. When he shows it to Eddie, he’s excited, says it’s perfect. 

Robin hands Steve a white t-shirt and a pair of blue jeans and tells him to change into them whilst they work on the dress. Steve rushes to change in the bathroom, can’t wait, he’s so excited. 

By the time he comes back out, the sleeves of his dads shirt have been cut off, and the collar removed to make straps instead, and Eddie’s making Steve put it on, and it’s long, like a dress. He’s cut one of the sleeves to make a belt, ties it around Steve’s waist with a bow, and Robin ties the other on his head. 

He’s still got his slippers on, which they decide are perfect, because they’re fuzzy red Elmo slippers, just like Dorothy’s shoes. Steve hasn’t felt this cool in a long time, he likes how creative Eddie and Robin are. 

He half expects to be told off when they get back down, yapping away to Cthulhu about the next houses they’re gonna hit, but the old man doesn’t mind that Steve’s in a dress. 

In fact, he compliments him, “Cool costume, looks just like the movie, kid.” He says, waves them all out the door, “Come on, it’s getting late and I have to have you home by ten.” 

“Quick!” Eddie says, putting Cthulhu down and letting Steve take her lead, “We’ve got so many more houses to get to.” 

“Wait! Dorothy doesn’t- wait, what’s your name?” Robin asks, and Steve feels silly for not having introduced himself. 

“Oh, it’s Steve.” He says, walking down the steps, Cthulhu right beside him. 

“That’s cool, I’m Robin, and he’s Eddie.” Robin said, “We’re best friends, we take art class together.” 

“Wow, you do art?” Steve asks, “I like colouring.” 

“Colouring is cool.” Eddie smiled, five steps ahead of everyone else, “I like drawing best. I draw monsters mostly.” 

“They’re so creepy.” Robin giggles, “It’s for his nerd game he likes. Watch out, he’ll probably make you try and play it. It’s so confusing.” 

“It’s not confusing. It’s just roleplay! It’s called Dungeons and Dragons, and it’s the coolest game in the world.” 

“Sounds fun.” Steve says, even though the dungeon part worries him. 

“What were you gonna say before, Robin?” Eddie asked, “You seemed so worried.” 

“Oh, uhm, I can’t- Steve doesn’t have a pillowcase!” She gasped, turning to Steve. 

“Oh no.” He said, looking back at his house, already a block away now. 

“It’s okay!” Eddie said, running back to them, “Steve can share mine, we’ll split all my candy down the middle since you missed so much. Come on, that house always has the best stuff.” He says, grabbing Steve by the wrist and pulling him along to run. 

Steve lets him, giggling as the three of them run through the street up to the house. His skin tingles where Eddie holds it, which is strange, but he doesn’t mind. It’s sort of nice. Eddie is really nice. 

“Come on.” He says, shoving Steve to the grand front door of the house they’re at, “You should do the honours, Steve, since you haven’t in ages! Come on, come on!” 

Nervously, Steve lifts his hand and rings the doorbell. And when the woman answers the door, he grins, and shouts, “Trick-or-treat!” Louder than he should have. 

The three get their fill of candy and head away to the next house, playing with Cthulhu as they go, comparing which chocolates are their favourites. 

Eddie says his favourites are milky ways, Steve says they’re his favourites too, and Eddie’s cheeks go red again at the fact. 

They manage to hit fifteen more houses before Steve has to go home, and Eddie’s pillow case is so full they decide to carry it together, so it’s not too heavy. 

They sit on the floor by the open door to divvy it out, Robin sits beside them eating more of her candy. Mrs. Delores comes out to flirt with Wayne, who Steve learned is Eddie’s uncle that he lives with, and apparently a lot of old ladies flirt with him. 

They split the chocolates clean down the middle, having an even amount in the bag. And Steve’s excited, because he’s got five milky ways, can’t wait to eat them. Eddie’s got six, at Steve’s insistence as payment for making his costume. 

At the last minute, when they’re scooping their treats back into Eddie’s pillow case and the candy bowl by Steve’s door, he remembers the pocketed treats from before, and races away to get them. He quickly divvys them between him and Eddie, gives the extra one to Wayne as a thank you, and says goodbye to his new friends. Especially Cthulhu. 

“Remember you have to come visit.” Eddie says sternly, watching Steve snuggle the cat, “Cthulhu will get depressed without you.” 

“Promise.” Steve nods. 

“Maybe you can come on Saturday! And maybe Tuesdays after five o'clock! And also Wednesdays after school, and Fridays too—“

“That’s when Robin comes over to my house. We hang out a lot.” 

“We’re best friends.” Robin nods. 

“That sounds like a good idea. Maybe I can come after school on Wednesday.” 

“Okay!” They both shout in unison. 

“Bye, Steve!” Robin shouts, beginning to hop down the steps, “See you around.” 

“Come here, kitty kitty.” Eddie says, tries to grab Cthulhu but she doesn’t let him. Hisses at Eddie and snuggles against Steve. Eddie looks very betrayed again, “Cthulhu! I said come here.” 

She just meowed. 

Steve laughed, handed her back over to Eddie with a little fight and apologised, “Sorry, Cthulhu. We’ll have to cuddle another time.” 

“She really loves group cuddles, you know.” Eddie blurts out, looks embarrassed again, “Just so you know.” 

Steve smiles, thinking he might like a group cuddle with them some time, “Okay.” He’s got butterflies again. 

“Okay.” 

Eddie’s so nice. 

“I’m gonna go now.” He mutters, “But you can come play whenever— not just when Robin’s there, okay?” 

“Okay.” Steve smiled again. It’s all he can do, really. 

“Nice to meet you, Steve.” 

“Nice to meet you too, Eddie.” 

Eddie blushes and ducks his head, waving as he turns away, “I think you look nice, by the way, in your costume. Blue looks really nice on you.” 

Steve blushes too, “Thanks, Eddie.” 

He doesn’t say anything else, just bounces away, catching up to his uncle who’s holding Robin's hand as they walk. Steve watches them walk away, stands silently at the door with a fuzzy feeling in his stomach. 

Wayne scruffs Eddie’s head as they walk away, “Steve seems nice.” He says, sounds like he’s teasing. 

Eddie hunches his shoulders up, glances back at Steve and looks away again immediately, grits out, “Shut up.” 

“What’s going on?” Robin asks, leaning into Eddie’s space. 

“Nothing!—“

“Eddie thinks Steve’s nice.” 

Eddie groans, and Steve doesn’t understand why that’s such a big deal. Steve is nice, isn’t he? 

Isn’t he? 

“Ohh!” Robin muses, skips a few steps ahead and starts singing as the reach the street, “Eddie and Steve, sitting in the tree—“

“Shhh! He’s gonna hear you.” 

“K. I. S. S. I. N. G—“

“I’m gonna kill you!” Eddie groaned, running straight for her. 

Robin erupted in giggles, running away down the street, into the night.  

Steve closes the door and looks down at his bowl of candy, can’t help himself, just wants one before bed. He goes to grab a Milky Way, and something catches his attention. 

He’s supposed to have five. But there are— one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven in the bowl. 

Eddie snuck Steve all of his, even though they’re his favourites. 

Steve can’t wait to hang out with his new friends Robin and Eddie. 

Especially Eddie. 

Steve doesn’t think he’s gonna have a lonely Halloween ever again. 

[ladykailitha]

The Harrington Pattern Part 2

A longer chapter today because it didn't want to end. It's Steve finishing all the costumes.

@mira-jadeamethyst @rozzieroos @itsall-taken @redfreckledwolf @emly03

Part 1

****

Steve worked on Max’s costume first. Like Robin’s Max was going to be a pirate. He had the names of a couple of lady pirates in his back pocket for them to pull out if they ran across assholes at the Fair.

Because Max was underaged he set out to find a less form fitting costume then Robin’s.

He found a large men’s black shirt and pants and tailored the waist to fit Max’s slender form. Paired with the boots and the hippie vest he dyed red, she looked bitchin’.

Then he focused on Lucas’s costume in secret. Every time someone came by, Steve would hide it out of sight. He didn’t want anyone to see it before it done.

Whenever anyone would ask about it he would pull out the tunic that he had been working on for his costume.

It was blue and white in a checkerboard pattern. Blue on the right of the top portion and then on the left on the bottom portion.

The pants that he was using for Lucas’s costume were similar to Steve’s for his.

Not loose like Max’s, but not tight like Robin’s. He knows it’s technically inaccurate, but he wants to be comfortable and he’s not about to make a poor little sophomore to-be uncomfortable either.

He finishes it with a week to spare and then picks up the other outfits from the moms.

He throws a party and has them all make their own weapons for their costumes.

Lucas is the only one that didn’t join in.

Steve put his arm around Lucas. “So why aren’t you in there making something, too?”

Dustin is making a spear, Max is making a cutlass, and even El is making healing potions with water and food coloring.

“I don’t know what to make,” Lucas admitted shyly.

“What does your ranger use?”

“A bow,” Lucas said. “But I wouldn’t know even where to start with that.”

Steve smiled. “A bow’s easy. Come on, I’ll show you.”

He helped Lucas build up a stick with toilet paper and aluminum foil.

“Shouldn’t it be curved?” Lucas asked as Steve was putting on the handle.

“Nope!” Steve said cheerfully. “It curves when the bow is strung.” He added the long string and the bow bent. “See?”

“Oh!”

Lucas pulled back on the string and the bow bent further.

“It’s more for looks,” Steve said with a wince when the bow remained bent. He straightened it out. “But let’s make you a quiver. No arrows though, your mom would kill me.”

Lucas laughed.

“It’s so cool you know all this stuff, Steve,” Will said. “Why don’t you ever want to join us for D&D? I think you’d be really good at it.”

Steve flushed. “Too much math and I’m not very good at the role-playing part.”

“What would you do if you could play any character?” Eddie asked. “It doesn’t have to be any of the classes or races.”

Steve licked his lips. “You won’t make fun of me for it?”

Everyone looked down at their feet. They were swiftly learning that teasing Steve was one thing, but that they tended to take it too far.

“Go on,” Eddie urged. “If anyone makes fun of you for it, I’ll nuke their character to hell.” He grinned at all the kids.

“That has no effect on me,” Max said, tossing her hair back. “I’m not in your nerd game.”

“Whatever you say, zoomer,” Eddie said with a wink.

She gasped. “Who told?!”

El tilted her head to the side. “Why? Is a zoomer a bad thing?”

Max deflated. “No.”

Eddie winked at El and the girl blushed.

“So Stevie, what would you like to be?”

“The merchant.”

“But that’s–” Mike stopped when he saw Eddie’s glare. He licked his lips. “Wouldn’t it be more fun to be the hero?”

Steve tilted his head to the side and then scratched his cheek. “Um...I’m not trying to brag here. But I’ve been the hero in real life. It’s not fun. It’s terrifying. But being able to armor and arm the heroes? Make sure they have everything they need to succeed? Now there’s the dream.”

Eddie rubbed his bottom lip thoughtfully.

“That’s his DM thinking face,” Dustin said.

“Is that a bad thing?” El asked.

Lucas shrugged. “Sometimes. It can end in us fighting the worst Big Bad ever. But it can just make things more interesting. Like a tidbit of backstory for one of the NPCs.”

“So a former hero who has retired and settled down with the love of their life to sell the fruits of their travels...” Eddie spoke out loud more to himself than to everyone else. “Magic items, healing potions, weapons and armor the shopkeeper is willing to part with now that they’ve settled down.” He looked up at Steve with a grin. “I like it.”

Steve blushed hard.

Will lit up. “Does that mean the next merchant we meet is going to be Steve?”

Eddie’s grin got bigger. “Anybody have a problem with that?”

Everyone turned to look at Mike. “Hey, I don’t care what your NPCs do, man. As long as the story’s good.”

Steve’s blush spread from his cheeks to the tips of his ears and down the column of his neck.

He cleared his throat. “Everyone done with their weapons? Because I think we should do a final fitting so we can make sure nothing needs to be adjusted.”

“Why?” Will asked. “Don’t you think our mom’s did a good enough job?”

Dustin crossed his arms. “Yeah. I thought you trusted our moms.”

Steve sighed. “It’s because you’re adolescences. Your bodies are always constantly changing. Lose weight, grow two inches, fill out in weird areas. I just want to make sure everyone is going to have a good time next week, okay?”

Will and Dustin looked at each other and then nodded.

“Yeah, okay,” Dustin conceded.

“There are three bathroom and four bedrooms,” Steve announced. “So there should be rooms for everyone to change into their costumes.”

They all grabbed their costumes and then dashed for their favorite rooms to try and get there first. Max beat Dustin to the upstairs bathroom, sticking her tongue out at him before slamming the door. So Dustin got Steve’s bedroom.

All the other kids went scrambling for the other bathrooms and bedrooms while Lucas was left standing in the middle of front room, looking down at his sneakers.

“Did you want to try yours on right now?” Steve asked, leaning down to try and look Lucas in the eye.

“I don’t know if I want to be an elf anymore,” he muttered darkly.

Eddie and Steve shared a concerned glance.

“Did someone say something?” Eddie asked. “You were really happy about it when you were making the bow with Steve.”

“Not really,” Lucas said with a shrug. “I just kept thinking about the ears. I know I can have Will draw some really good ones, and he wouldn’t give me shit about it, but...”

Steve sighed. “But you know that Mike would. Fuck, I’m going to kill that kid.”

Lucas waved his hands. “No, no. It’s fine. I’ve got an old pirate costume from a school play I did. I’ll just join Queen Max’s crew.”

Eddie licked his lips. He didn’t have them yet. Jeff was still making them. He shared another glance with Steve.

Steve nodded.

Eddie turned back to Lucas. “It’s up to you, man. But Stevie and I have something in the works regarding the ear situation.”

Lucas glanced between Eddie and Steve but couldn’t find any indication that they were mocking him.

“This isn’t a prank to make me look stupid, is it?” he asked, just to be sure.

“Scout’s honor,” Steve said holding up the correct salute.

Eddie snorted. “Of course you were a boy scout. Could you be any more perfect?”

Steve blushed and ducked his head bashfully. “I’m really not.”

“Anyway,” Eddie huffed, shoving his hands in his back pockets. “Try on the outfit at least. Because you don’t have to be an elf with the costume Stevie made for you. But at least see it before you dismiss the idea completely out of hand.”

Lucas took a deep breath. “Yeah. You’re right. I’m being stupid. I shouldn’t care what they think anyway. Just as long as I’m having fun.”

“That’s the spirit!” Eddie said clapping him on the shoulder. “So where is this masterpiece, my liege?”

Steve walked up to the sofa and pulled out a plastic bag. He thrust it at Lucas’s chest.

Lucas looked down at the bag a moment before taking it from him. He pulled out the warm grey breeches first. They weren’t the broad kind that Steve had made for Max, but they were loose enough that they would hang a little over the top of the boots.

“They’re so soft...” he whispered.

“They’re made out of light weight material to keep you cool,” Steve explained. “There will be absolutely no heat stroke or heat exhaustion on my watch.”

Lucas let out a small huff of laughter and he took that as one for the win column.

He then pulled out the pale blue gambeson, it was trimmed in antique silver ribbon.

“It’s not strictly historically accurate,” Steve said with a shrug. “But I figured I could take liberties considering it was supposed to be fantasy based.”

“Steve...” Lucas said, voice rough from emotion. “It’s perfect.”

He threw his arms around Steve and hugged him tightly and Steve hugged him back twice as fierce.

“Let’s put these away for now,” Eddie said gently tugging them from Lucas’s grasp. “You try them on after everyone leaves.”

Lucas nodded and let Eddie pull them away, but he kept hugging Steve.

Suddenly there was a burst of activity as the other kids came back. Robin, too.

Steve let go of Lucas to take a look at his ragtag crew of misfits. Robin and Max’s costumes he knew would fit to perfection. His exacting standards would bow to nothing less.

The costumes that Joyce and Claudia made were good too. He let out a little breath through his nose.

“Looking great, guys!” he told them. He tugged Will’s tunic a bit. “You grew some, there.”

Will looked down and blushed. “I didn’t even realize.”

“That’s because you’ve been wearing shorts,” Steve explained, “so you just didn’t notice.”

“You were right to make sure the costumes still fit,” he murmured, trying to pull the tunic down to the right length.

Steve’s shoulders sagged. “You were just trying to defend your mom, dude. It’s fine.”

Will and Dustin still shared a look of chagrin anyway.

“I can add a couple of inches to the hem,” Steve continued. “I have some ribbon that will hide the extra material.”

Will nodded.

Steve moved on to Dustin and tugged on the side of his shirt under the vest and then tugged on the waistband too. “Don’t tell your mom this, but you’ve lost weight. She’ll freak out and try to feed you the entirety of your cupboard.”

Dustin blushed. Claudia Henderson was notorious for constantly feeding anyone who came through her door.

“But I’ll just pin it in case your weight fluctuates again,” Steve said. “The hazard of being teenagers unfortunately.”

Dustin nodded with a sigh of relief.

Max’s was perfect, as was El’s beautiful red dress.

But she was looking at the ground twisting her hands together.

“What’s up, Supergirl?” Eddie asked.

She looked over at Will and then down at her feet again. “I don’t want to be ungrateful. Joyce did an amazing job.”

Steve tilted his head. “But?”

She sighed. “But I was wanting a gold trim, but Joyce didn’t have any and I didn’t want to make her buy some...”

Steve held up a finger and then dashed off.

But he was back before they even had time to wonder where he had gone. In his hand was a cloth bag that he handed over to her. “Pick your ribbon. It’ll take me a day to add it to the dress, no problem.”

El looked down at the bag in shame. “Steve...”

He clicked his tongue. “I don’t want to hear it. I have to extend Will’s tunic anyway, adding ribbon to yours would be cinch in comparison. In fact, why don’t you both pick a matching ribbon to be twins.”

Will and El perked right up and the two of them wandered over to the sofa and began sorting through what Steve had.

That left Mike. Steve walked around the outfit. It had a white, billowy top with broad black pants and red tunic to watch El’s dress.

“Looks good, Mike,” he said. “Is there anything you’d want a little different? I don’t mind adding to your costume, too.”

Mike chewed his bottom lip. “There is the one thing. I asked Claudia about but she said she wouldn’t have the time...” He looked over at Dustin and blushed.

“What’s that?” Steve asked.

“Little...” Mike grunted. “I don’t know what they’re called. They aren’t strings or tassels, but kinda a cross between the two to kinda hang down off shoulder of the tunic...”

Steve pulled out his drawing pad and doodled something out really quick. Mike peered over his shoulder.

“A little more spaced,” Mike muttered.

Steve erased and doodled some more.

“Yeah, like that.”

Steve nodded. “I can do it, but you want to see something cool?”

Miked nodded back and Steve left the room again. He came back with a weird little device.

“This is what I use to make tassels,” he explained. “I’m betting Claudia doesn’t have one.”

Everyone looked at Dustin.

“I’ve certainly never seen one if she has,” he replied.

Steve nodded again. “That’s what I thought.” He showed them how to make tassels and Mike’s face lit up.

“This so cool, Steve,” he whispered.

“Do you want to make your own tassels?” Steve asked, gleeful at finally finding a common ground with the prickly teen.

“Can I?”

Steve shrugged. “I don’t see why not. You’ll just have to do it here. I’ll get the leather scraps from the tanners on Saturday and you can come over on Sunday to do it, okay?”

Mike nodded. “Thanks, man.”

El and Will picked out a nice braided gold ribbon and he set it aside, making a note to grab another spool to be on the safe side.

Soon it was time for everyone to leave.

Eddie took home Mike, El, and Will. Leaving Steve to take home Max, Lucas, and Robin.

Steve turned to Lucas. “You okay with these two seeing your costume?”

He figured Max was fine, but Robin might be a no go.

Lucas looked at her thoughtfully.

“I can go make us all lunch if you don’t want me to see it yet?” Robin suggested.

Max hopped up. “I can help. I want to be surprised next week.”

Lucas let out a sigh. “Thanks, ladies.”

Max rolled her eyes and Robin snorted as they wandered toward the kitchen.

Steve tossed Lucas the bag and immediately he began to strip. He put on the costume and ran his fingers over the material.

“Steve you really out did yourself.”

Steve grinned. “Bend, twist. Make sure you can move in it. I don’t want you popping a seam.”

Lucas did as he was told and Steve circled around him.

“Looks good,” he said. “Now go take a look in the mirror. Then tell me what you think.”

Lucas nodded.

Five minutes later Lucas came out with tears streaming down his face.

“Oh no!” Steve cried. “It’s that bad?”

Lucas shook his head and then launched himself into Steve’s arms. “It’s perfect, Steve. Thank you.”

Steve blushed. “You’re welcome.”

****

Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13

@spectrum-spectre @estrellami-1 @zerokrox-blog @gregre369 ​@a-little-unsteddie @chaosgremlinmunson @messrs-weasley @chaoticlovingdreamer @maya-custodios-dionach @danili666 @goodolefashionedloverboi @val-from-lawrence @i-must-potato @carlyv @wonderland-girl143-blog @justforthedead89 @vecnuthy @irregular-child @bookbinderbitch @bookworm0690 @anne-bennett-cosplayer @yikes-a-bee @awkwardgravity1 @littlewildflowerkitten @genderless-spoon @cinnamon-mushroomabomination @dragonmama76 @scheodingers-muppet @ellietheasexylibrarian @thedragonsaunt @useless-nb-bisexual @thespaceantwhowrites @paintgonewrong @mogami13 @beelze-the-bubkiss

[puppetmaster13u]

For any of your cryptid batfam AUs. We know Batman thinks criminals are superstitious and cowardly. So how superstitious should most Gothamites be? What are some of the superstitions and things they do because of that? And what random BS do the Bat kids do to actively encourage the superstitions because they think it’s funny?

Vibrates in headcanons.

Okay, so, this is less just the criminals of Gotham- a lot of goons are just trying to put food on the table after all- and more of, Gothamites in general. Like they have good reason to be superstitious.

Like everyone already knows about the Court of Owls, if nothing else then from the Rhyme they use to get children to behave. But Gotham? Is Weird with a capital W even in canon. There are literal streets that disappear and only reappear on certain days, areas where on specific days gravity just doesn't work right, several portals to hell have been opened just in Arkham alone, and there's enough curses and cults to smother any other place.

Funnily enough I am actually currently working on a story that focuses a bit more on the superstitions of Gotham lol. Like a lot of this stuff? Not shit you're going to see in the more tourist-esque spots, but those are death traps already.

Now a lot of the habits and myths of Gotham start out as a thing about Survival. It started less with things about the Bats and more about the Rogues and how to survive.

Tiny plant boxes meticulously cared for, after one noticed how plants react when Ivy is around. They line the windows of almost every home despite the smog, and some even pray through them for their Mother to not attack today.

Small scarecrow dolls, made of grass balls and cloth hang from overhangs on roofs with rope like a hangman, a charm in hopes that the one walking the streets will leave them alone. It ends with some claiming that if you rip the head from the body of cloth, the Scarecrow will come for you.

Small candles and lanterns begin to appear on the windowsills of children, their own homemade batsignals. Some say if you're very good, gifts will appear beside it, while others claim that if you're very bad, the Signal will appear and take you away.

Tiny shrines appear on rooftops over the years, meticulously carved statuettes within. It started with one for the Second Robin, and some whisper about how the Red Hood emerged from it, was reborn through their prayers and gifts. Now there are more, offerings ranging from snacks to child's drawings to figures of clay. No one dares take things from it, the last time someone tried... well, let's just say it didn't end well.

The thing is? The Bats don't even have to do much to encourage this, and don't usually even do it on purpose.

Everyone knows what happened to the ones who tried to be a vigilante. They know of the first Batgirl, humanity slowly dripped away the longer she huddled in the Bat's shadow until she was twisting around just like it. Any child who had been making their own costumes, their parents burned it that night, terrified that the Bat would take their children to be its own next. The small child, everyone knew about him, a wee little thing with a camera clutched against his chest. They all saw him run after the Bats despite the protests, saw him run towards the Bat as bodies crumbled before it. They saw him grab its arm with such tiny hands, and the Bat, grieving, stopped. They all saw the Bat whisk him away, and once more whispered to their children to never follow the Bats into the shadows. They know of the girl cloaked in amethyst cloth, who chased after them despite the warnings and pleadings of others. She disappeared, and the faceless thing of chittering laughs that raced the Robin that appeared in her stead... Everyone knows what happens to those who offer themselves to the Bats, knowingly or not.

Robin can mimic voices, their own childish giggles and clicks echoing across the stone slipping into another's words. What is merely a game to them is horrific for anyone wandering the streets in the dark of the night. Some say that it can steal your voice permanently if it so wished.

Everyone in Gotham knows that the Bats aren't human. Oh they might mimic and pretend to be as such, or even had been at some point, but they're confident they aren't. Even if they put on an act outside of Gotham, corpse-like skin gaining hints of color like blood is actually rushing through veins, everyone knows that's what it is. An act.

The Bats themselves? Well, it keeps their civilian identity safe- and the shrines have helped them get children out of bad home lives and to safety, so they're not going to just... not encourage it.

[hurtghul]

THE BIRD AND THE CAT !!

──── Damian Wayne x Thief!Reader. 934 words. Part one here.

He had let you go. You escaped thanks to him, he didn't use violence, he didn't chase you, he didn't send you to the police. He let you go, he easily let you go with all those bills of your goal. Why? Why did you have to steal his heart?

He can't think about that, not when it's about you. You are a criminal, he should put you behind bars. But he knows he can't, and you know it too.

“You haven't been stealing in a while, fleabag.” Damian spoke coldly as he watched you approach a window that you silently opened of the jewelry store, preventing you from even entering.

His eyes look at you penetratingly, analyzing your every move. Is it attraction you feel? He can't feel that, not with a thief like you. He is Robin, he is a hero, not a hypocrite like Batman.

You turn around, seeing the young man in the Robin costume behind you. You sigh with disapproval and descend from the window that you failed to interrupt, landing on the ground.

“Oh, my bad.” You say, with a hint of sarcasm, as you leans towards the boy, attentively. “I returned to action because I knew you would come, little bird.”

His eyes watched you and studied you for a few moments, his gaze was curious, but he continued to hide it. “Were you waiting for me?” Damian asked calmly, the smile on his face becoming more subtle but more threatening, he didn’t trust someone like you.

“Yes, I was waiting for you.” You said as you walked until you were in front of him, as if you were challenging him to a duel, as if you weren't afraid of him. Because you know that, despite his attempts to catch you, he will never dare let you go to the police. This is a game that will only continue if he lets you get away with the robbery with dirty hands.

“You know, you really should leave the stealing for people.” Damian said with a confident tone. But his curiosity was winning over him.

The young hero enjoyed the fact that, despite his best efforts, the thief could escape his watchful gaze, and that the more he thought about you, the less sense it made. You seemed like the type of character he would despise the most, yet something drew him towards you, sending shivers down his spine.

“Nah, It's obvious you adore me, admit it.” You smirked at him. “You can't get bored of me.”

“You’re wrong, cat.” Damian said, looking at you intently, his words sounded cold and harsh. Damian’s voice had completely changed when he addressed you directly. He seemed unapproachable and intimidating, yet something else lurked beneath his gaze. Perhaps the little thief wasn’t as bad as he thought.

As if he couldn't do anything else but look into your eyes, he was hypnotized by their color beauty. He wanted to look away, but something about them was calling his name. He was confused, but he liked it.

“Ah, is that so?” You smile as he took a step closer to Damian, who remained still in his same spot, not moving. Damian stares at you. He watches your movements, and it seems to him that you are doing it on purpose to make him feel jealous, to make him lose your concentration. He's not sure, but the little smile on your face is adorable. “Your mouth says one thing, but your mind says another.”

He tried to hide his attraction, and failed miserably. His heart was racing as he got closer to you, his movements becoming slower. For a moment, he wondered what it would be like to kiss you, to hold you in his arms. The idea was so appealing, so strange…

“Don't think you can trick me, cat,” Damian said, calmly, barely moving a muscle. There was nothing he wanted more than to kiss you, he couldn't deny that his heart was beating at a furious pace. He wanted to do something more than just kiss you and let you go.

“How does this game end? Does the thief finally get captured and sent to the police, or does the criminal escape with the hero's heart?”

“Why don’t we find out?” You leaned closer, your breaths touching the other's face with an intoxicating softness. Damian's mind was bursting with questions, were you doing that to distract him? Or was this a real scene, beneath the veil of crime alley?

His body trembled, and he felt his heart beating wildly. You were beautiful as you leaned forward, closer to him. The heat of your breath was something else, that was it, he couldn't resist you anymore.

Damian’s heart raced, he closed his eyes and captured your lips with his own. He moved his hands to your hair and let himself go, kissing you passionately, he could no longer hold back, and that scared him. His feelings for you were real, and they weren't supposed to be.

You had captured him without even realizing it, you had conquered his heart. He knew this was wrong, so wrong, but it felt so damn right. The feeling was new to him, he never felt this way for anyone. Was there something more? Was it possible that he really liked you?

Damian opened his eyes slightly, looking at you, damn. He was doing what he swore he would never do. He was letting the thief steal his heart.

“You know what they say, little birds like you aren't too hard to catch.”

“Just shut up, fleabag.”

[your-local-simp-writers]

Masks and Revelations

Word Count: 801

Warnings: None

Terry Mcginnis x Fem!Reader ︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶

The crisp October air was filled with the scent of fallen leaves and the distant laughter of children planning their trick-or-treat routes. You had always loved Halloween, the one time of year when everyone could be someone else, if only for a night. This year, you had a special surprise for your significant other, Terry McGinnis.

You slipped into your Batgirl costume, the fabric hugging your form like a second skin. The cowl was the final piece, and as you looked at yourself in the mirror, a thrill ran through you. Terry, with his love for all things Batman, would never see it coming.

Meanwhile, Terry was in his room, struggling with a decision. Halloween was complicated for him, given his nightly escapades as Batman. He chuckled at the irony of it all—here he was, trying to choose a costume when he already had the most authentic one at home.

A knock on the door pulled him from his thoughts. “Terry, are you ready yet?” his brother’s voice called out, muffled by the wood between them.

“Just a minute, Matt!” Terry replied, finally settling on a simple Robin costume. It wasn’t the real deal, but it was close enough.

When you arrived at Terry’s doorstep, Matt greeted you first, his eyes wide with excitement. “Wow, you look just like Batgirl, Y/N!” he exclaimed, twirling in his mini Batman costume.  Matt, the mini Batman of the house, was running around, his cape fluttering behind him as he practiced his best superhero poses. 

You laughed, ruffling his hair. “And you make a perfect Batman, Matt. Is your brother ready?”

Matt nodded eagerly, and as Terry stepped out, you couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of him in the Robin costume. “I thought I’d keep it in the family,” he said with a grin, taking in your Batgirl outfit.

You teased Terry about his choice of costume. “I never took you for a sidekick,” you said, a playful glint in your eye.

Terry just smiled, a secret dancing behind his eyes. “You’d be surprised,” he murmured, his voice barely audible over the sound of child laughter. Terry’s arm slipping around your waist.

“Happy Halloween, Y/N,” he whispered, and you leaned into him, feeling the contours of his costume against your own.

“Happy Halloween, Terry,” you replied, unaware of the true depth behind his mask, the real hero that stood beside you.

“Alright, team,” you announced, “let’s get these pumpkins carved. Batgirl and her sidekicks can’t have a dull doorstep on Halloween!”

Matt was the first to dive into the task, his small hands scooping out pumpkin guts with a look of fierce concentration. “I’m gonna make the scariest face ever!” he declared, his eyes alight with the excitement that only a child on Halloween could possess.

Terry leaned over to whisper in your ear, “I bet he’s going to give us a run for our money.”

You smiled, taking up your own carving tools. “We’ll just have to step up our game then, won’t we?”

As the three of you worked on your pumpkins, the front porch became a canvas of creativity and laughter. Terry was meticulous in his carving, creating a bat symbol that looked almost professional. You went for a more traditional approach, crafting a grinning jack-o’-lantern that seemed to reflect the joy of the evening.

Matt looked between the two of you, his eyes wide. “You guys are so good at this!” he exclaimed, his own pumpkin taking shape under his determined hands.

“You’re not so bad yourself, little man,” Terry said, ruffling his brother’s hair. “That’s going to be one spooky pumpkin.”

Once the carving was done, you all stepped back to admire your handiwork. The pumpkins were lined up on the steps, their candles casting a warm glow against the darkening sky.

Terry wrapped an arm around your shoulders, pulling you close. “Not bad for a night’s work,” he said, pride evident in his voice.

Matt bounced on the balls of his feet, eager to show off your creations to the neighborhood. “Can we go trick-or-treating now?” he asked, his voice tinged with impatience.

You laughed, nodding. “Yes, we can go now. But first, let’s get a picture of the Bat-family with their pumpkins.”

The three of you huddled together, the camera capturing the moment perfectly—a snapshot of Halloween happiness.

As the night progressed, you, Terry, and Matt wandered the neighborhood, collecting candy and compliments on your costumes. The air was filled with the sounds of Halloween—shrieks, laughter, and the rustling of leaves.

It was a night of masks and merriment, of heroes in costume and the simple joy of being together. And though you didn’t know Terry’s secret—that he was the real Batman—it didn’t matter. Because tonight, he was just Terry, your Robin, and that was more than enough.

[fastestmanalive333]

The Time Stream. Warning: Fragile

By fastestmanalive333

Bart was shock; he couldn't believe his eyes. It never occur to him the consequences of his time travel would be this bad. But he had been wrong. Very wrong.

It had all began a few hours ago in Bart's history class. They had been studying the prehistoric eras, and had to do a project on these times. Not a problem, unless you were Bart, whom's attention span lasted for about thirty seconds before something else came into his head.

The day ended. Back home, he quickly changed into his Impulse costume and zoomed out. But a millisecond before he reached the door, Max stopped him. "Where do you think you're going Bart?" he asked in a serious tone.

"Uh, out to save the world?" Bart tried to get away from Max, but his grip was too strong.

"Yeah, right. I saw your homework on the table, and I want you to start it right away."

"Fine, O.K, I'll start it right away,"

Max let go of Bart, and he started to climb the stairs, but then vibrated through a nearby wall and got outside. "Bart, come back here right now," Max shouted, but Bart was travelling at top speed. Max realized he had no idea of where he was going, so gave up trying to get him back.

Bart didn't know where he was going either, so he just ran around Manchester looking to see if anything was happening. Nothing was, so he ran to the Young Justice cave instead. Hardly anyone was there except for Red Tornado and Robin.

"Rob! Red! Hey!" he shouted to them.

"Hello Impulse," said Red Tornado.

"Hey Bart. What's up?" Robin asked him.

"Nothing much. Anything wrong in the world?"

"Well, nothing much for us. The Justice League's on something big, and..."

Robin was interrupted by snoring. "Bart, wake up!" he shouted next to Bart's ear.

"WHOA! Sorry man, but that was sort of boring."

"I only said 12 words!"

"Exactly." Robin sighed, and went over to the cave entrance. "Hey Robin, I gotta ask ya something!" Bart shouted to him.

"What?" Robin called back.

"Will you help me with my homework?" Bart said hopefully.

"Do your own homework," came the response.

Bart sighed. He had to find a way to do his project on time. If only he had been listening or...hey, was that a mushroom growing by the computer?

Bart snapped out of it. He had to concentrate. Think, Bart, think. He got it. All he had to do was go through time back to prehistory, write some things down, and he would get a good grade for sure. It was a great idea. He'd done it before, he knew what to do.

Bart began to run. He started off at a normal speed for him, then faster, then faster, then faster and faster and faster andfasterandfasterandfasterandfasterandfasterandfasterandfasterandslowerandslower andslowerandslower and slower and slower and slower and slower until...Bam!

Bart landed in a pile of dirt on the ground. He brushed it off his costume and looked around. He could hardly see anything that interested him. If this was prehistory, where were the dinosaurs? He pulled out a piece of paper and a pen that he'd got to write down the stuff Robin might have told him if had bothered to help. He scribbled down 'Nothing of interest happened during this time'.

He put the paper away and was a bout to go back to the future (Yes, I know it's bad but give me a break!) when he tripped over a quite large reptile on the floor. "Stupid lizard," he muttered, and kicked it. It landed in a hole full of funny-looking liquid. Bart couldn't be bothered to think about what he'd just done, and speed off back to the present day for us.

Which brings us back to the beginning. Bart had got back and saw an amazing sight. All of the people had been turned into half-human half-reptile mutant thingies. He screamed, but regretted it. All of the mutants heard him, and went after him. Luckily though, it was just like the video game 'Lizards from the Planet Reptilion' (What a corny title), a game he had got the highest score on. He dodged the lizards, and decided to go back in time and stop himself from kicking the lizard (Now it's getting a bit complicated.)

He sped up again and ran back to the past (I'll skip the whole 'fasterandfaster' thing 'cos I can't be bothered to do it again) and was back in the past. He looked around and saw himself. He looked really handsome, he thought. But he then saw the lizard and got back to the matter at hand. He zoomed over and picked up the lizard before it got in his way.

He had done it. He had saved the world from himself. Bart had stopped Bart. Wait. Did this mean he was a hero or a villain? He didn't think about it and ran home. He would have to use a...shudder...book to do his project. Oh well. The End. Thank you for reading.

[internetgiraffekid1673]

Whattup people who read my Batman posts! Brainrot's still rotting, I just had junk to do, so I didn't draw for a while! Anyhoodle, time for another character, Duke Thomas, a.k.a The Signal (and also Robin depending on how you're counting it!)

You know the drill by now, initial trace with my lazy backdrop! I liked drawing Duke, but BOY HOWDY HEY, he was hard. Like, I'm just gonna come out and say it, I am BAD at drawing armor and buildings and machines and anything non-organic. Which means Signal is probably one of the hardest costumes to get right. This was just the trace, so it wasn't too bad, but trying to understand how his costume worked was quite the game for this whole process. I will say, he's got one of my favorite color schemes out of any of the Batfamily. The light dark contrast works really well in a way that is only seen elsewhere on the Robin cape, and the fact that this is actually the Signal's whole costume makes it feel more cohesive and effective than that. And, you know, it's also really cool thematically, considering light is kinda Duke's whole thing.

Freehanded drawing with referenced trace! This was a ROUGH time. I had to redraw Duke three separate times before I got a result I was satisfied with.

So, remember how I said that I struggled to understand how his costume actually works? Yeah, that's because I have a decent grasp how armor is actually supposed to work, and this ain't it fellas. Like, not knocking the design, it looks cool and is certainly easier to draw once you get the hang of it, but it makes less intuitive sense to me. What is happening on his neck? Is that like pure metal molded to his skin or something? That's not how physics work. Why are his pauldrons not actually covering his shoulders, and also where and how exactly are the attached to anything? It was confusing, but definitely a good exercise for me.

Again, the stuff they did was actually pretty smart, since it's comic books and they don't have to move realistically, and this makes it easier to pose his head, chest, and shoulders. It was just difficult for me to wrap my head around. Ignoring all the physics defying stuff,

Signal probably has one of the smartest/most practical costumes of the Batfam too. For one, he actually has a helmet and protects his head. Two, he has armored all of his vital organs like his lungs and heart and stuff. Three, he doesn't have a cape, which means he can't be grabbed or snagged as easily, and doesn't have to fight working around that. This is sad for me though, because I love drawing capes : (

Pose for characterization. I'mma be straight with ya'll, I don't know much about Duke. Like, I've read all of the We Are Robin/Robin Wars comics, but that doesn't actually give me much of a handle on Duke as a person, or how he behaves because it has to split the focus between so many protagonists, and also because there's a bunch of other stuff happening, so Duke doesn't get as much focus as you'd suspect. I haven't read anything else where he appears (except for Wayne Family Adventures, but I don't think that counts).

The general vibe I got from We Are Robin and from other comic readers is that Duke is probably the most approachable member of the Batfamily. He wasn't raised as an assassin from birth, he hasn't been Robin since he was like 9, he didn't die and come back to life---his life experience, while far from normal, is still much closer to the average human being, so he can relate and react better. (The only other member who really gets close is Steph, but she's been around longer and has had time to get into more whacky life or death scenarios, so she's a bit nuttier. Duke'll get there in time, I'm sure).

I tried to convey this approachability by giving him an open expression and more relaxed body language, even though he is a pretty mistrusting and high strung person. Comes with the territory of being a vigilante I guess.

As always, the text for his hero name is traced off a comics cover. To indicate the duality of Duke being both a pretty chill kid and also absolutely insane, I felt the need to put his civilian name in two fonts. I also tried to make his civvies call back to his We Are Robin uniform without being an exact one to one. I'm positive that Duke'll take any excuse to wear Robin colors, even after the ban was lifted, just because it pisses off the cops.

Can you guys guess who comes next based off the order so far? (You won't, it only makes sense to me).

Other Batfamily Members:

Nightwing Edition

Red Hood Edition

Robin (Carrie Kelley) Edition

Red Robin Edition

Spoiler Edition

Robin (Damian Wayne) Edition

[bluegalaxygirl]

Halloween party (Zosan X reader)

headcannon: what a Halloween party is like with the straw hat crew.

Sanji X Zoro X reader, Poly relationship, established relationship, reader is GN

Warning: spooky stuff, drinking, Drinking games, bad language, making out

It was your captains idea to throw a Halloween party on the sunny and most of the crew were happy to join in. Chopper, Luffy, Brook and Nami were the most excited about it and made sure they added their own traditions into the party.

Decorations:

^ Everyone agreed on a pumpkin and bat theme so most of the decorations were jack o lanterns, paper bats, black and orange ribbons and candle lights. Franky, you and Robin help set up the decorations and lights leaving the others to do other things.

^ Luffy made sure everyone did at least one pumpkin, Luffy did a simple scary face and even though he tried to make it neat it didn't turn out that way but the jagged lines made it look much scarier, Nami joined him doing a skull, it was very neat, and yet she wasn't too happy with it so Sanji lent a hand showing her how to peal the outer later off pumpkin off leaving a thin sheet behind. She got the hang of it and ended up with a day of the dead skull.

^ Chopper and Robin worked on one together since neither of them had done this before, it was a happy pumpkin face with perfect round eyes and a big smile. they were so happy with it they decided to pick the two smallest pumpkins and do the same with those two. Chopper commented that it looks like a cute mum pumpkin with her two kids.

^ Franky and Usopp went over the top with theirs trying to do Frankenstein's monster face with actual nuts and bolts in the head, but they ended up braking their pumpkins. The weight of the nuts and bolts they put on caused the top of the pumpkin it to sink down but thanks to you and Sanji's help you managed to use small polls to hold them up. It's a little squished but still looks good and Luffy's exited face was all it took for Usopp and Franky to love their creations.

^ Of course Zoro and Sanji had to make a competition out of this, and they wanted you as the judge. You couldn't help but agree watching the two work back-to-back carving away. Kanji carved a beautiful woman's face using the technique he taught Nami to peel the outer lay off in come areas giving her perfect features, her hair was curly and had a witches hat on top. Zoro carved out a mini pumpkin in the middle being impaled by three swords on top. It was surprisingly good, you new he was good with knives and swords but had no idea he could any kind of art. You ended up saying they were both winners, they didn't like that but when you explained how you couldn't decide and complimented everything about their pumpkins they gave in.

^ Brook and you decided to do scenery ones for a change. Everyone else had created some kind of monster or face so it was only natural that you two deiced to do something different. Brook cut a tree into his pumpkin with bats flying around and a tomb stone with R.I.P on the bottom. While you decided to do an old house, it was uneven and curved over slightly but that just added to the effect.

Costumes:

^ Nami and Robin got dressed together helping each get ready. Nami put on a short orange dress with black lines going down it and a heart shaped neckline with no straps. Small pumpkin faces on the hem of the dress and green and white stripped stockings that went up to her thighs. She didn't do much make up wise but did put on a black witch hat and black high heal shoes. Robin went for more of a cute demon look, a short red turtleneck dress with long sleeves and black lace stockings going up to meet the hem of her dress and Bright red high heal shoes. Red horns on her head and black eyeliner with red lips.

^ Luffy, Chopper and Brook decide to match going with the pumpkin theme and adding skeleton with it since brook is a skeleton. All three wearing big puffy pumpkin hats and orange shorts/pants along with black and white stripped tops. Luffy got Brook to help with face paint, adding a few skull details to luffy, mainly on the nose and eyes almost like he was wearing a mask.

^ Usopp and Franky kept with Frankenstein theme, Usopp was the doctor wearing a white with grey stained lab coat, a crazy gray wig and brown pants. His socks and shoes were orange and black stripes along with his shirt. Usopp put black under his eyes and a fake scar on his cheek to make him look extra crazy. Franky painted himself blue and added scars to his face and chest and with the help of Usopp added bolts to his temples.

^ Sanji was excited to do couple consumes and picked everything out for the three of you, you and Zoro had no idea what you were gonna wear until the night of the party, you were shocked to find Sanji bringing out three Egyptian outfits giving you guys one each and helping you get changed. Your outfit was the pharaoh, a bandaged off-white top with long selves, a few bandages dangling off it, a black and gold belt attached to a long almost see threw skirt with black shorts under neath. Gold sandal with gold straps lacing up to your leg. Sanji helped put a beautiful gold necklace around your neck with a jeweled cross "You look perfect my love" he whispers into your ear before going to get himself ready.

^ You had to help Zoro out with his outfit a little. He was dressed as Anubis a black skirt going down to his knees with shorts underneath and a gold belt with a dangling fabric cross on his hip. he had no top on just a gold and black striped corset that you had to help tie, you were surprised when Zoro kept saying it was to lose, you didn't want to suffocate him, but he assured you he could take it making you blush bright red. He had the same sandals on as you and black jackal ears on his head.

^ When sanji was done he was in a Egyptian guards outfit bandages wrapped around his chest leaving his shoulder and arms exposed a black skirt going past his knees and black shorts underneath. he had gold head-wear and the same sandals as you and Zoro but with metal cuffs on his ankles and wrists. "I didn't think this threw" were the first words out of his mouth looking down at the skirt he was wearing "What? i think this is awesome. Look at us. were like royalty" you speak snapping the cook out of his depressed state "I have to say... i dont hate it" Zoro pipes in not really liking how much he likes wearing this outfit.

^ With the three of you happy with your chose's you and Sanji finish off with a bit of black eyeliner jumping on Zoro to do the same to him. he wasn't happy with you two but with both your complements and flirty looks he couldn't help but finally agree to letting you two put eyeliner on him.

Food and Drinks:

^ Sanji hates wasting food so before everyone carved their pumpkins he scooped out as much as he could use the insides and some of the skin to make different foods. The first was Pumpkin soup with cream, he didn't add too much into it but there was enough to fill a massive pot.

^ Sanji with the help of Robin made Pumpkin pie, Robin's made pie before so was happy to help when she heard thats what the cook was doing. While sanji got the pumpkin filling ready Robin made the pastry. they made three medium-sized pies topped with whipped cream and cooked pumpkin seeds.

^ You shared an old family recipe with Sanji called Pumpkin sandwich bread and helped him make it managing to use up the last of the pumpkin seeds and pumpkin guts.

^ The rest of the foods were quite simple, sugar cookies, cupcakes, meatballs, chicken legs, burgers and a vegetable platter. As for drinks Nami deiced she wanted to make the punch with help from chopper, Halloween Sangria she called it, Wine with orange juice, blood orange slices, pomegranate juice and seeds and blackberries all in a large glass bowl.

^ Sanji put out simple apple cider and lemonade. With the large table set on the grassy deck of the and with food and drink galore the party started.

Music and Dancing:

^ The radio snail was on playing all kinds of Halloween and Club music most of everyone dancing and singing along. The only people who didn't at the time were Luffy, Franky and Zoro who were either eating or drinking.

^ You and Kanji danced to the music knowing most of the moves to your favorite Halloween songs like thriller, monster mash and spooky scary skeleton.

^ Chopper is amazed by the two of you asking to teach him and it isn't long until he joins you two of you learning quickly. Robin dances with Brook doing some kind of deadly tango while Usopp and Nami dance with no care in the world.

^ Franky and Luffy join in after eating, Franky taking over from Brook wanting to dance with Robin, while Luffy swings Nami around earning a telling off from the woman.

^ With only Zoro left not dancing you try and beacon him over for him to shake his head. Sanji ends up walking over to the swords man and dragging him to the dance floor. Zoro wasn't too happy but gave in since Sanji's grip was too tight to pull off. Slowly but surly Zoro started to relax dancing with you and Sanji as the night went on.

^ An hour or so later Brook would start playing music on Luffy's request creating sort of calm moment which prompted Zoro to take you and Sanji away form the dancing. He sat with you two watching the others, food and Drinks in your hands. Zoro of course being in the middle of you two keeping you both close to him.

^ "You know i'm starting to like this outfit more and more" Sanji states leaning closer to zoro and placing a hand on Zoro's thats currently placed just under the cooks skirt, Zoro blushes not realizing thats where his hand was "I-I" The swords man tries to pull his hand away only for Sanji to pull it back down "It's ok. i like it" the cook smiles kissing zoro's cheek "Arrrr, Sanji, you made him blush how cute" you tease Zoro turning to you his cheeks redder than before "What?" his reaction made you laugh and place a hand on his exposed chest "It's ok... you don't have to be shy" you whisper loving the way Zoro's looking at you. Sanji reaches a hand up and pulls Zoro to look at him before kissing his lips, the swords man immediately leaning into the kiss and squeezing Sanji's thigh a little while you run your finger over his peck feeling his skin shiver under your touch. "Stop teasing me you two" Zoro pulls away his other hand going to the back of your neck and pulling you in to kiss him.

Games:

^ Bobbing for apples was number one on Luffy's list grabbing a large barrel and filling it with tap water before adding apples. Chopper and Nami deiced not to join in but the rest of you had a go and everyone managed to get an apple. You and Usopp had trouble but managed to get one after a while. Luffy, Brook and Zoro managed to get one on the first try zoro walking over to Sanji a look of pride on his face. Sanji took the opportunity to bite into the apple still in Zoro's mouth and thank him making the swords man blush for the second time that night.

^ Dancing competition, as much as you and Sanji wanted to join you both new it would be unfair to the others since you know a lot about dancing so instead you both judged the competition. Two people went to head after learning the dance moves to a song until there was only one winner, it surprised you and Sanji how much Chopper had learned from you two, and he ended up being the winner running into both your arms as thank you. The only person who didn't join in was Zoro refusing out right to dance unless it was with you two.

^ Beer pong, it was Nami's idea, you work in teams of two each team takes turn throwing a ball into the other team's cups. When a ball lands in a cup the opponent then drinks the contents of the cup. It keeps going until one team has no more cups left. The teams are Usopp and Nami, you and Robin, Zoro and Franky and Sanji and Brook. Luffy and Chopper sat and watched eating while the teams went head to head.

^ First up was Sanji and Brook VS Usopp and Nami. Nami cheated a little using her looks to distract the boys but you and Zoro didn't mind too much too focused on planning how you were gonna win against each other. Usopp never missed and ended up helping Nami a few times when she had to throw. Kanji was good at the game only for Nami's distraction to work and make him miss most of the time, Brook was bad at the game form the start but tried his best managing to get one ball in only for Nami to start distracting him after that. Of course Usopp and Nami won.

^ It was now you and Robin VS Zoro and Franky. Robin found it quite funny how you were so determined to beat the two boys and promised she would do what she could to help as long as it wasn't cheating. You wanted to win fare and square, it started off being a constant tie. your team would get a ball in, and then they would get the next one. Until the final three cups. Feeling a little tipsy you forced yourself to focuses, It was Franky's turn and as if the universe had answered your prayers he missed, you and Robin let out a cheer as the two boys looked at the ball in disbelief but the game still went on until you and Robin won. Zoro couldn't believe he'd lost but Sanji was super happy running over to you and lifting you into his arms "YAY Y/N ROBIN" he yelled out. You knew he would do the same if Zoro won but it was nice to have him cheer for you.

^ As the last game was getting set up Zoro walks over to you and pulls you in for a hug "You won on a fluke" he states trying to hide his prideful smile. he may have lost but you were a worthy opponent, and he loves how you can hold your own against him. You laugh in his chest wrapping your arms around him "Your only saying that because you lost" you lean up placing a kiss on his lips Zoro leaning into it and letting out an annoyed groan. "Hay love birds, are we gonna do this or not?" Nami yells out looking ready to kick your butt. You pull away and look at Sanji who's smiling down at you "I'll avenge you" the cooks smile grow at your words and leans down to kiss you "Thank you my love. My pride is safe in your hands" Sanji bows slightly taking your hand in his.

^ You and Robin battle against Nami and Usopp, the first round was a tie, neither one of you missing a cup so you had to set up another again, all four of you were very tipsy at this point being a bit more sloppy with your throws. You and Robin were starting to lose, even though usopp was clearly drunk now he still never missed. After a few more shots you and Robin were down to two more cups while Nami and Usopp were down to five. The sniper went to throw only to miss, he cheered though thinking he got it in only for Nami to freak out. "Usopp what the hell?" she yelled out grabbing the man by his shirt. She tested his eyesight finding that he was seeing double now. You and Robin had a chance to win, time and time again Usopp missed, Nami managed to get one of your cups but miss your last one.

^ You were the last to throw the ball managing to get it in the last cup with Robin holding your shoulders to stop you from swaying. With you and Robin the winners Sanji ran to you and hugged you and Robin thanking you two for avenging his pride. The others joined in while Nami yelled at Usopp who was now on the floor feeling dizzy from all the drinking.

^ After the games were done Zoro carried you in his arms to sit down, you were drunk down, your cheeks red and feeling tired. Sanji and Zoro sat with you, your cook making sure you drank water, a few minutes later you fell asleep on the sword mans lap while the two laughed and joking threw the rest of the night, taking you to bed well after 2 in the morning.

[madamtrashbat]

I have been tagged by @callmearcturus in a "gifs for your 10 favorite movies" post game. And because I am like Tamatoa and will any excuse to talk about myself and the things I like, you all get to be subjected to some gifs of movies I love.

1. Ever After - I got shown this movie after it came out on video when I was a kid and I've been obsessed with it ever since.

2. Crimson Peak - I left the movie theater after watching this knowing I had been fundamentally changed.

3. Atlantis: The Lost Empire - Another movie where I left the movie theater fundamentally changed. I wanted to be Kida so badly.

4. Tristan and Isolde - When James Franco couldn't be bothered to try and do an English accent. This movie is such a heartbreaking comfort film.

5. The Grand Budapest Hotel - Not all Wes Anderson movies are winners but this one is top-tier. Everyone is giving 110% to great effect.

6. The Birdcage - Robin Williams and Nathan Lane play a middle-aged gay couple dealing with their son getting married. What else needs said.

7. Rocky Horror Picture Show - I was thirteen when my mom said "come in here, you should see this movie." It was playing on Logo. She was correct to know I'd love it.

8. 10 Things I Hate About You - There is not a single moment of this movie that's bad. They don't make teen movies like this anymore.

9. Memoirs of a Geisha - The movie falls apart a little after Hatsumomo leaves but it's a visual feast and Colleen Atwood turned out the costumes.

10. Mad Max: Fury Road - This is, to date, the only movie I've gone to see in theaters more than once. It's immaculate.

Tell me your 10 fav movies and show me a gif from it!

@mearchuimhne @my-chemical-mermaid @rainbowcolored7 @aces-to-apples @linolinadoon @lozey @demonicdelicacy

[adashoflavendermelancholy]

Cat and Mouse

They were jus tin their room. Franky flipped through the latest shipwright magazine. With all the latest and greatest designs. As, a ship wright you had to keep on top of all the regulations and updates to the job. Being a pirate didn’t really stop that idea that was beaten into him by Tom. It was the only thing he was fickle about. Not wanting his or other ship’s falling behind stranded. ‘It gives a bad president to all ship wrights if they don’t follow this.’ Tom would say. Franky got it. It kept people safe. It also showed how far they had come in the years. Robin was reading something just as scientific.

“How would you like it if I dressed up as a cat for Halloween?” Robin asked, not looking up from her book. Franky looked other and thought about it. It was honestly a very hot idea. Then again, he was mostly just enjoying the idea of Robin.

Smiling and posing, he yelled, “You’d be SMOKEN!” It made her smile a bit. “Then again, you’re SMOKEN no matter what, babe!”

Robin laughed a bit. Before smiling at him and moving on to a new topic. It wasn’t that big of a change to their normal day to day. To the point that Franky didn’t even notice. He did now.

At, the Halloween party their crew was throwing. Franky noticed Robin wasn’t a cat at all. Rather, she was dressed up as a 70s hippy. It was still hot because it was Robin. Letting it go, thinking she had just chosen a new costume she liked more. Until she slinked up to him, “Hey.” She said, sliding her hand into his. Something in her hand. She winked at him and walked away.

Franky looked at the item she left. Finding it not to be a hot note. Or a note to tell him about an uninvited guest. It was a picture. Gasping at the picture before he hid it. It was Robin in a cat costume. If you could call ears, a tail, and black lace lingerie a costume.

Franky tried finding Robin after that. But she was playing with him now. He would catch a glimpse of her, only for her to weave through the crowd. Somewhere else, he would hear her voice.

Nami called out to him, because his behavior was so strange. “Franky, what’s going on?” Her nurse’s uniform is also very good. But not the one that he wanted to see.

“Ah, I’m looking for Robin.” Franky said. Nami smiled, something a little wicked.

“Is that right? Well, I guess if I got those pictures I would want to find my girlfriend too.”

Franky’s brain barely kept up. “You saw?” A green ugly feeling crawling to life in his stomach. It wasn’t like Nami was a bad person. Franky trusted Robin to never cheat on him. So this feeling had no reason to be there. Yet, it was still there.

Nami laughed. “I took the pictures!” Franky felt a little better about that, but was still jealous about it. Nami laughed and let him go after that. Telling him to have a good night.

When he did get a chance to be near Robin again, she was smirking. Sliding up close, her hand wrapping around his arm. Making eye contact the whole time as she slid another photo into his hands. Kissing his cheek before running off again, with a soft laugh following her.

Another photo of Robin in the cat costume, but in a new position. It was all fun and games, but he really wanted to see where this was going to go. But, just like before, Robin was gone. Lost in the crowd.

“This is gonna be a long night,” Franky said with a smile. What was better than a little warm up?

This time, he had a new plan. He wouldn’t run around the party. There were just too many people, and too many rooms. Instead, he deiced he would have fun and find Robin organically. It was better than running after a phantom of her. Then he could catch her again.

To his surprise, his plan kinda worked. Robin joined him while he was dancing. Though it was just to tease him again. Putting some of her beads on him before slipping away from him. He was a little sad he didn’t get another picture of her very sexy costume. Until he found a new one in his pocket. She placed it in just a way he would notice how it was new.

“Franky! where’s Robin?” Luffy asked, running up to him. Franky smiled at their captain, the only one he didn’t really want to tell what was going to be . Luffy was kinda dense to these kinds of games, not seeing the fun of it all.

Franky settled on telling a half truth. “Around. We’re playing cat-and-mouse right now.”

Luffy tilted his head, “Cat and mouse? Can I play?”

“Sorry Luffy, it’s two players.” Franky said. Trying not to feel a little bad about the disappointed look on Luffys face. It helped to remember the photos Robin left him. There was no way he wanted the others to see them. Especially not Luffy or Sanji. One because he’s too innocent and the other because, well, it’s Sanji.

This was their game of cat and mouse. With Franky wandering around tracking Robin. Talking to a few of their friends. Then Robin showing up and giving him another photo. Towards the end of his rope, when he was just about to pick her up and leave, she leaned in. Whispering into his ear, “Later, for our own party.” Kissing his neck and running off like before. It was maddening.

Still, their game went on. Franky now taking his time to walk around the party. Keeping an eye out for people. He even got to see some of his best friends, but not the person he wanted to see. That was fine, though. He was getting closer. He knew it. It was just a matter of time before he caught that little cat.

[scaryscarecrows]

Why do you (Scary) think that Batman didn’t find Jason? Neither the game nor the comics give a satisfying answer imo, which has always made me think some part of Bruce secretly wanted to get rid of Jay 😞

The generous part of me wants to point out that Bruce is only human and will fuck up from time to time. I mean. That was definitely a pretty big boo-boo, but okay.

The part of me that spent three games finding Riddler's goddamn trophies, on the other hand, wants to point out that that was a whole-ass child that you misplaced and how do you even screw up that bad, good God, sir. The less anybody thinks about the Timeline of Tim (the Timline?), the better.

(Anybody ready with a 'Tim made Bruce make him Robin', put your hand down and zip it.)

So. Here are some things:

-Bruce starts to refer to Tim as Jason and is mentioned to have done that before. He's not a man of habit as a rule, which makes this lapse stick out.

-VR includes the option to watch The Tape again (Alfred's dialogue implies this is a regular occurrence). You can also find a photograph of Bruce and Jason out of costume. (There's a music box presumably belonging to Martha Wayne near the fireplace: the picture is under it.)

-That last boss fight will not let you lay a finger on Jason. Not even the disruptor. And that's contending with MCD to boot.

End result: probably he just fucked up royally. Jason, however, may see that differently.

[theoceantot]

Chapter 6

(This is leading up to the game Arkham City)

*Perse began to train with Batman with not only her powers but hand to hand combat

*She struggled a lot at first but eventually got the hang of it. Perse didn't really have to use hand to hand combat too much since she had powers but it was just in case she couldn't use them

*Perse is only allowed to do patrol with Batman doing simple things. Absolutely nothing dangerous.

*Sharks. she loves sharks. her favorite is a bull shark

*Don't even get her started on sailor moon. Perse watched all of it in 3 days. Her favorite is Sailor Saturn since she can relate to what shes went through.

*Music she really enjoys is goth and metal. Becoming a pastel goth girl.

*Skateboarding becomes a daily activity for her. Perses board is pink with black bats on it while the bottom has sailor moon stickers

*Cheese is her pet possum. It hates everyone except her

*The first fight Perse was in they were talking bad about Batman and her.

Perse and Batman were on the roof stalking some wanted thugs that were having an interesting conversation

Thug 1- "Have you seen that kid thats been with batman?"

Thug 2- "Not yet. Is she hot?"

Perse cringed at this while Batman was ready to pound them in the ground.

Thug 3- "I heard she was that Persephone girl? The one that killed some of our crew. Nobody is positive though.

Persephone..

she despised that name.

Perse jumped down and faced them all. A mask from the purge covering her face. She hasn't decided on a costume yet so she winged it.

Thug 2- "Hahahaaha whose kid is this"

Perse didn't respond and sent water strikes at them knocking them down. She walked over to the one thug that wasn't knocked out and stood over him.

Thug 3- "W-who are you"

"Kore"

Perse enveloped water around her fist and punched him knocking the bastard out.

Over time she did start to talk more to everyone but mostly just to be a smartass

Robin- "Perse! Do you have my grapple?"

Perse- "Of course I do! Since I use it all the time when you aren't around"

Robin-.......

Perse- :)

Barb will never forget the time she was showing Perse all the main villians when she pulled up Penguin and she started laughing out loud clutching her stomach. This was shocking to her because she hardly ever smiles.

"Why is he so short and fat? You could use him as a bowling pin"

Barb couldn't hold back her laugh which caused the attention of Dick and Tim.

Barb made you repeat the joke to them in between laughs.

The rest of the villians seemed boring to Perse but one stuck out

Harley Quinn

Perse was mesmerized by how stunning she looked.

"You good?" Dick asked and waved a hand in front of her face.

Geesh, had she really been staring that long.

Perse blushed and started hitting Dick.

"SHUT UP!"

Tim walked over to Barb while they were play fighting

"You think shes ya knowww"

"For sure"

Alright enough about Big Perse lets talk about little Perse

*She carries around the cape EVERYWHERE!

*Favorite person is Bruce ofc and loves everyone else equally

*Loves cuddling with everyone and eating goldfish

*Wears diapers sometimes but only when shes feeling very little

*Only lets Bruce and Barb change her

*Is very sweet most the time but will have tantrums sometimes

*HATES loud noises

*Doors slamming is a huge trigger and will make her slip very small

*Loves to pretend being a shark in the pool

"Bubba looks" Perse held up a hug shark stuffed animal Bruce just got custom made for her. It was dark pink and had her name stitched on the side.

Dick smiled and acted very suprised

"Wow! Is that your new shark?"

Perse nodded her head and smiled.

"Its very cute just like you princess"

*Favorite things to wear are pajamas especially her shark onsie

*Robin loves carrying her on his back while you shoot water at Dick. He lets you splash him in the end because he loves seeing you happy

*When it comes to Bruce you feel the most safe when hes Batman since thats when he saved you.

*Perse loves when he just holds her in the rocking chair and rubs her back. Its calming and helps her sleep.

*Just imagine Batman sitting on a cough with a little one bottle feeding them.

*When the rest of the fam saw it they almost screamed

*They were just too cute

Now that we got that out the way time for Perse in Arkham City!

[zeawesomebirdie]

for the fic ask game :D 🙌 🥘 🦗

[for this ask game here]

Thanks for the ask J!!

🙌What's a line or paragraph of yours that you're proud of? I'm giving you two paragraphs, one from a posted fic and one from a wip >:)

From Distractions, Distractions [brudick, rated E, underage]

Bruce Wayne was not the kind of man who hid from others, particularly not when he had something he needed to discuss with them, regardless of what Alfred might say to the contrary. Yet he had spent the majority of his day in the Manor rather than in the Cave, even though Dick had the day off from school and had announced at breakfast that Bruce was welcome to come down with him. No, he was not the kind of man who hid, but at the same time, he was also not the kind of man who could picture himself walking down to where his partner was likely turning cartwheels, nor could he see himself telling Dick just why his costume needed changing.

(yes that is the very first paragraph shhhh I've never been more proud of an opening before 😌)

And from a brudick wip I'm writing for @ful-crum in which Dick and Bruce fuck in the Cave and Dick mistakenly believes that they'll be able to be together now, only for Bruce to ghost him for two months straight

That was the crux of it, in the end, the grit of sand that irritated his heart into submission: that night of The Incident had been a one-off, and it was obvious that Bruce had meant nothing by it, no matter what Dick thought would come of it. And that was fine, or it would have to be; after all, Dick had had a few one night stands before, and while it wasn’t his preference, he could understand the appeal of such things to people like Bruce. Dick was just going to have to take the L, then, because otherwise he was going to mope his sorry ass into nothingness, and then what would become of him? It would have to be fine, there was no other choice, even if he was going to remember that night forever as one of the rare moments he and Bruce were truly a team again.

🥘What wip are you most excited about? Um, well, does all of them count?? Because I really don't think I could choose just one to be most excited about, honestly. The closest to actually being finished is another little insomniac!coldflash one shot for Stories I Tell Myself When I Can't Sleep, after that, the aforementioned brudick fic for @ful-crum is the most complete, and I've got half of a 5+1 Dick fucks Bruce to distract himself from his emotions written, and for the brubarry Old West!AU I've got all of Bruce's arc plotted and half of Barry's arc at least planned. And then beyond that, there's a dickjay gameboy fic and a 5+1 times Riddler saves Robin!Dick in the works, both of which I'm also excited for (and don't even get me started on the three wips I have for Bad Things Happen Bingo, one of which is for MASH, one for Star Wars: Legends, and one for Gunsmoke). Which one I'm most excited about depends on my mood and my energy, I suppose (yeah that's a non-answer, sorry!)

🦗Do you write in sequence or jump around? Mostly in sequence, but I keep a notes doc for every longfic so that I can jot down scene ideas whenever they occur to me!! Though with the insomniac!coldflash one shots, those I'm writing out of order bc they really weren't meant to be more than a one-off thing, and I'm still plotting the whole longfic that'll eventually give context to the one shots; that's just not normally how I do things, normally I write pretty sequentially ^.^

[batfan-01]

Robin of Crime Alley AU headcanons pt.2 (sorta)

My original idea for The Robin of Crime Alley was actually a Titans AU. I don't like what they did to my boy Jason, I couldn't even finish season 3 I hated it so bad. But there was some things they did that had potential so here is some headcanons on a rewrite for Jason's origin in Titans, they are based around my The Robin of Crime Alley AU with a few new changes:

(In the last post Jason wasn't allowed to patrol on school nights in my Titans AU Jason is allowed to patrol on school nights and on his own)

Before Jason meets Dick, he's been with Bruce for a year, the reason Bruce sends Jason to Join the Titans (after Dick and Jay have already met) is because Jason and Bruce are having problems (even before Jason met Dick)

They're arguing a lot and while Bruce has a strict moral code Jason has more moral ambiguity

Jason focuses more on the victims and getting justice for them even if it's outside the law. He gets this from his time on the streets where he often saw authority (cops) abusing their power, taking bribes, arresting people who are innocent, and ignoring people who truly need help. He believes he most operate in gray areas in order to protect everyone

He has also seen how the system doesn't care about the poor, the criminals, the street kids, or any one who has no say or power. This causes him to start to patrol around crime alley and be the hero that he never thought would exist

He wanted to show the gothamites like him that heroes help everyone not just the rich

He grows quite the attachment to crime alley (the place he grew up) and doesn't just protect the people there he grows relationships with them as well

He plays basketball (and other games that are special to park row that he knows from when he lived there) with the street kids, makes small talk with the sex workers (who all think he is a sweet kid), and hangs out in the bodegas

Soon everyone that hangs around, lives, or works in park row (crime alley) know and trust Robin.

So he earns the nickname Robin of Crime Alley

He turns crime alley into a safe haven for street kids and sex workers. While it's still a crime infested area, street kids know they won't be trafficked or arrested in crime alley and sex workers know that when trouble comes the police will ignore most of what they have to say because they consider them to be "untrustworthy low-lifes" but Robin will always listen and protect them

The only people who are not safe there are cops, specifically corrupt ones (which Gotham has a lot of) after enough beatings from Robin, Robin starts to gain a bad reputation around the GCPD mostly from rumors spread by the for-mentioned corrupt cops

While patrolling one night, Robin comes across someone he knew from his past. Molly Jensen a fellow street kid he knew before he became Robin, who is now a college student volunteering at a shelter in park row. She doesn't recognize him (because he's in his Robin costume and only briefly saw him) but the brief interaction pushes Jason to reunite with Molly and get Bruce to donate to the shelter she volunteers at

As Robin, Jason slowing starts to form a partnership with Molly by bringing her street kids to house at the shelter. She's skeptical at first and doesn't know if she should trust him. She's hear a lot of stories from the people at the shelter that makes him seem trustworthy, but she isn't sure about trusting someone who wears a mask. Historically, masked vigilantes have never been friends to the poorer people and "only protect the rich" (her words) but after Jason reveals his identity to her, Molly begins to trust him.

One night, a photographer wanting to take photos depicting poverty in Gotham heads to crime alley to snap some photos but while there he sees Robin, not wanting to lose his golden opportunity, he snaps some candid photos of him

Later, he titles his photo collection "Robin in Crime Alley" it depicts photos of Robin playing basketball with street kids, talking and laughing with them, and even of Robin casually leaning on a counter while making small talk with a cashier at a bodega

He sells his pictures to a newspaper and the pictures appear in the front page of a small and not very well known newspaper

(The article and it's contents are mostly forgotten, until years after Jason's death, when the article resurfaces on social media in a Batfamily subreddit devoted to solve the mystery of how many robins actually are there?!)

But tension between Bruce and Jason come to a head when Bruce catches Jason on a balcony while a man falls to his death, that man being a diplomat's son that got away with r*pe and his victim committed s*icide after she finds out he was let off (read Batman #424 for more context) Jason claims he accidently spooked the guy causing him to fall, but Bruce doesn't believe him. They get into a huge fight and Bruce decides to give him a ultimatum.

Around this time, Dick is forming a new Titans. He only met Jason once (Alfred gives hawk and dove Dick's location in this AU instead of Jason) Jason was very excited to meet him (but thanks to other events in Dick's life and him finding out Bruce got a new Robin) him and Dick didn't hit it off

So when Bruce gives Jason an ultimatum: either Bruce benches him or he joins the new Titans. Jason reluctantly agrees to join the new Titans. He thinks hey maybe I can take this as a chance to make up for freaking out on him last time, but he still is worried about leaving Gotham and leaving crime alley unprotected

And that's all I got for now, think I should do a part three?

[soleminisanction]

Just saw an impossibly bad take, so to balance that out: in the past you mentioned a story where Tim comes out as a trans woman, what would that look like for you? Do you have any thoughts on making that into a fic?

I've had a lot of scattered thoughts about it but never been able to pin down any scenes concrete enough to turn them into an actual fic. But I love trans!Tim stories whether he's trans fem or trans masc so I've tossed the idea around here and there. Gonna be a little fluid with the pronouns here as Tim's thought process evolves but the basic idea here was:

The seed of the idea would get planted in Tim's mind just before War Games, specifically the one and only time he sees a picture of Steph as Robin. Along with the hurt and anger he expected, there's emotions he doesn't understand, a feeling of longing, jealousy, and desire; not for Steph herself, but for the way she looks in her new costume. For months he's been asking himself, "What do I want, for me?" and now the answer is staring him in the face: This.

But he keeps pushing it aside because there's always something "more important" going on. Worse, as things start to fall apart around him and he loses first Steph, then his dad, and then Kon, the musings about his gender keep getting mixed up in his feelings for other people, especially Kon.

Basically, take all the angst and pain of that era and make it even worse with disphoria and Tim being deep in both denial and the closet and feeling completely unable to open up to anyone about it because of how much it scares him to want something, something she feels like she can't have. Things like him not knowing if he's attracted to Cassie or if he wants to be Cassie, wishes his body looked and moved like that while still having so much strength and power. Fantasizing about how things might've been different between him and Kon, or him and Dick, or him and Damian, if only he'd been born a girl. Falling asleep in the cloning lab and having a nightmare about miscarrying Kon's child, then waking up to find the most recent clone has failed.

Through all that, the only person who has even a hint of what's going on is Cass. She reads it in Tim's body language while they're in Bludhaven together, but understands his fears and lets him keep his confidence. Even after things go to shit for her, she keeps that secret; even brainwashing couldn't get it out of her.

Then Final Crisis happens. Bruce "dies," Dick becomes Batman, Damian becomes Robin. Tim finds himself adrift, with nothing but this crazy-sounding notion of Bruce's survival to his name, and runs away from the Manor...

And this is part of where I stumble because I don't know if it'd be better for Tim to run into Cass at this point or for her to leave him her Batgirl costume and a letter. One way or another, Cass leaves Tim Batgirl, and that's the push she finally needs to crack her egg and start pursing a transition, socially and medically.

She avoids Babs for a few weeks out of shyness and embarrassment until Oracle manages to track this mysterious new Batgirl down, but once confronted she comes clean and Babs is instantly onboard to support her and also keep Dick and Damian out of the loop.

Dick thinks his little brother skipped town and is both confused and a little hurt that Babs won't trust him with the new Batgirl's identity. Damian takes it as a personal insult and starts going out of his way to find and harass said new Batgirl but then she kicks his ass and it turns out Damian shares Bruce's taste in women so now whoops he's got a puppy crush, which everyone who knows the truth about Tim finds hilarious.

Cass one way or another winds up being the one who goes on Brucequest instead of Tim and follows similar beats as Red Robin, minus Tam Fox or losing her spleen. Speaking of Tam, she has a much easier time finding Tim because while her dad does call her home from Russia to help with the investigation at least she doesn't have to globe-trot or get kidnapped by ninjas, she just has to hunt him down in Gotham, possibly while accidentally allied with Vicki Vale.

Tim enrolls in college under Caroline Hill's name and mostly attends to practice passing in public and live out some normal girl fantasies. Kon, Cassie, and Bart all learn what's up even though she's still taking a break from the Titans and of course they're on board and supportive.

And... yeah, that's pretty much the extent of my ideas so far. Broad scope but not a lot concrete to latch onto, which makes it difficult to convert into a fic, but I do love the concept.