#the way I didn't put in any of my YJ fic recs except Fixations asdfghjkl

[fantastic-nonsense]

Do you have any DC fic recs that are in-character and not too fluffy?

*nudges you gently in the direction of my DC fic recs list and my Young Justice fic recs list*

Picking out a couple that fit your criteria a little more specifically:

3:16, by partingxshot: The knife pushes thin along Dick’s carotid artery, cupping the indent between neck and jawline—forcing him to angle his chin. The metal is warm, pulled with execution speed from under Damian’s pillow. “Okay,” Dick says quietly, tracking the intricacies of his own heartbeat—counting the space between breaths. “Guess I did need a shave.”

(With faltering steps, Dick and Damian become Batman and Robin.)

bad signal, by prismatical: The rescue mission went well. Nightwing is safe. Everything should be alright. Right?

(Note: explaining what this fic is actually about would lowkey ruin the excellent suspense and tension that the author builds up, but it can basically be summed up as "the Dick Grayson the Batfam rescues is not, in fact, alright, and that becomes A Problem for everyone else.")

Bird Watchers, by Miss_Choco_chips: It was something like an open secret in Gotham, that even though all its heroes were open to help no matter the situation, each one of them had a special affinity to certain matters. For example, children from all districts knew to yell for Nightwing if they found themselves lost and scared. Small business owners often painted little Oracle symbols on their doorsteps, to warn away possible thieves with the knowledge that Gotham’s cryptic hacker had their eye on them. Working girls would send a quick prayer to the Red Hood before seeing their seediest clients. And as such, knew who to call for if things took a turn for the worst. And Red Robin… well. His was a very specific bunch.

Deluge in the Wasteland, by Silver Spider: Maybe she'd been wrong. Maybe she was hiding from the wrong person. It couldn't hurt just to see him one more time before... Bruce/Talia. Post-'Son of the Demon' AU. (Note: ridiculously great Talia-centric fic, co-starring Jason)

do I dare disturb the universe?, by Hinn_Raven: Cassandra Cain was falling, and there were stars. When she landed, she found herself stranded in a universe where there never was a Batman. Good thing that she’s a detective.

Fussing Over Scars, by maychorian: Never again, Bruce told himself. He was broken, just like he'd always believed. It hurt too much. He couldn't bear it. All he was meant for was the fight. He was a dark knight, not a light one. He was not a father, and he would never try to fool himself again. (A post-Death in the Family Platonic Soulmate AU, focusing on Bruce-Tim & Dick-Tim)

if you just call me, by BeatriceEagle: "Dick.” She squeezed his shoulder. “Dick, look at me.” Slowly, as if he were pushing against a terrible force, he lifted his head. “I have known you since I was thirteen years old, and I have known you in a dozen other lifetimes, so I need you to believe me when I say that there is nothing you could do that would make me stop loving you.” Dick held her gaze. He looked like he was searching for something in her eyes, so Donna held still and hoped he found it. “Did you really know me in other lives?” he asked. Dick and Donna, after the action, through the years.

Into the Brighter Night, by shoalsea: When an unknown enemy threatens Robin, Gotham's vigilantes come together to keep him safe. Unfortunately, they're protecting the wrong Robin. Or: Tim Drake plans his own rescue. Things get complicated.

(Note: The emotional resolution I desperately wanted after the Batfamily's forward progress was halted in its tracks because of the reboot. All of the characters are wonderfully in character and no one is bashed on unncessarily. Also, bonus Young Justice feelings.)

Keep Your Head, Your Backbone, and Your Heart, by MrMich: The last thing that Duke expected on what was supposed to be just a regular patrol was being suddenly thrown five years into the past, coming face to face with a darker, more violent Batman than the one he knew, a broken family, and a Tim who was a foot shorter than Duke, and not even Robin yet. [Time Travel, Duke-centric, with fun Duke-Bruce and Duke-Tim interactions]

The Macushla duology, by Hinn_Raven:

Macushla: Stephanie Brown is nine years old when her world falls to pieces. Whisked away from everything she's ever known, she finds herself in the court of Talia al Ghul, training to be an assassin. And when she ends up as Damian al Ghul's bodyguard, well her life just gets stranger from there.

Misericordia: An assassin seeks revenge on Stephanie Brown. Tim Drake seeks answers about Bruce's disappearance. Damian wants to find his place. Dick wants to actually find time to have a social life. Carrie Kelley wants to know why people are so interested in her...

(Note: one of my favorite Stephanie Brown-centric fics of all time. It's really incredible. Tim/Steph)

The Return, by silverwhittlingknife: “Tim? Can you open your eyes for me?"

It takes a bit, but Tim must be at least sort of coherent, because he blinks obediently. Dark, dark eyes, dilated. Concussion, almost for sure. Both pupils are equally large, so they’ve avoided a worse injury. But his eyes aren’t tracking or focusing, lost in space.

“Tim, do you know where you are?"

Tim’s forehead is all tense, like he’s thinking hard. “I,” he hazards after a long moment, “I fell?”

Tim falls. Dick catches him. It is a near, near thing. Red Robin 11 and 12, from Dick’s POV.

the space between, by emavee: What kind of parent forgets their own kid? Or: Ric, Damian, and some old forgotten adoption paperwork.

(Note: In which The Devil (DC) works hard, but the fans work harder to make the devil's work bearable)

Bonus fic recs:

Resurrection, by JCBeckett: One hundred years, she thinks. One hundred years of trying to remember the color of his eyes, the angle of his jaw, the feel of him beneath her hands. And now here he is. Or, the one where Steve Trevor crashes back into Diana’s life thanks to her new super friends. [DCEU-verse]

down where the sea and city meet, by zipadeea: "Dad, why’d you go so fast? That was dangerous!” Jon yelped. Dad looked down at him in confusion, before zeroing in on Jon’s left hand, still gripped tightly on the ladder’s edge. “Did you stay to hold the ladder for me?” Dad asked. Jon could feel himself blush as he looked down at his toes. “I didn’t want you to fall." They all thought Morgan Edge would go after Jordan. They were wrong. [Superman & Lois]

Sons of Wisdom, by Darkmagyk: 'Bruce has always known he’s meant for war. As a son of Athena, the gods probably think he’s meant for their war. They are wrong.' Bruce Wayne is a demigod. It changes absolutely everything. It changes almost nothing. [Comics canon/Percy Jackson]

Fixations, by MathIsMagic: The Flash is rescued from the Legion of Doom by the turncoat villain Tigress. Things go downhill from there as she brings in other members of Wally's old 'Team' to combat a mysterious force that is eliminating the Wally Wests of every universe. Spitfire. Team and Original 7 centric. Spoilers for Endgame. [DCAU!Justice League/YJ] (Note: this fic is honestly remarkable in its scope and execution. Not only is it one of the best comic crossover fics I've ever read it's one of the best comic-based fics I've ever read period. 10/10, would recommend)