#then bruce taking in dick - a boy so much like him who suffered the same tragedy - is also just as necessary

[navree]

"but why should you want battinson to have a robin won't it have some issues translating with the tone-" listen to me. listen to me so closely. one of the defining moments of matt reeves's bruce wayne as portrayed by robert pattinson is when he says, out loud, of his own volition, that the one fear he has never conquered and will never be able to conquer, is the fear of losing someone he loves. it is used to explain why he acts like an ass to alfred, because he does love alfred as a father and is thus terrified of losing him and he never wants to feel the way he felt the last time he loved someone, when he lost them in front of his eyes in an act of horrific violence, and he knows it's not a fear he can ever make himself get over.

and now remember that one of the most famous, most consequential, most enduringly popular, most "dc keeps on trying to recapture the magic of it" batman stories of all time is when that exact thing happens to bruce wayne. he does lose someone he loves to an act of horrific violence that he cannot stop or prevent and it does affect him just as badly (even worse, honestly) than the death of his parents. and it happens to robin. jason todd was robin when he died and he was robin when bruce found him in the rubble and realized that there is something worse than watching his parents die because there's a word for a child who loses their parents but there are no words for a parent who loses their child. the thing batman as portrayed by robert pattinson fears the most happened to robin and it hits so much harder than he could have dreaded because robin is also his child. like, the story and the emotional journey that has been set up by reeves for his batman, as portrayed by robert pattinson, is almost explicit in the way it needs the robin storylines, begs for the robin storylines even. give us all the robins, all five of them, give us bette kane too i don't care.

girl hurry UP at this point dick grayson is already eighteen

[pluckyredhead]

What the heck is going on in Batman/Gotham War?

I know a lot of people in fandom are confused and/or upset about what's been going on in Gotham War - why is Bruce acting like this, what is Selina doing, why are the Batkids taking sides. So I figured I would fill you all in on what's been happening in Batman and Catwoman since Chip Zdarsky took over with Batman #125, because it has been BONKERS and I have been enjoying the hell out of it.

Below, the quickest summary I can manage while still being comprehensive:

[Content warning: mental illness, abuse, suicide (...ish), LOTS of violence.]

The first arc, "Failsafe," starts with Batman and Robin (Tim, in this case) in pursuit of the Penguin, who is on a killing spree. In the very first issue, Tim gets shot in the neck. Bruce has to take him to the hospital, but first he has to strip him out of his costume and put him in civilian clothes to preserve their secret identities, triggering memories of when he had to do the same to Jason's dead body. There is LITERALLY NO PURPOSE TO ANY OF THIS EXCEPT WHUMP (Tim is back in action with a fucking BAND-AID on his neck very quickly), which is how I knew this was going to be good. Beat Tim up! Make Bruce cry about Jason! I want these men to suffer! (There is also SO much to be said about Tim's own Poor Mental Health Decisions throughout the entirety of Zdarsky's run so far, but that's for a separate meta post.)

Anyway. Bruce leaves Tim in the hospital and goes to confront Penguin, who turns out to be dying of mercury poisoning. He kills himself and makes it look like Batman did it, forcing Bruce to flee. (Penguin actually faked his death and is alive elsewhere under an alias, but that's not important right now.)

In the Batcave, a massive robot called Failsafe emerges. Failsafe attacks Bruce, who usually eats killer robots for breakfast, but he can't seem to get the upper hand on this one. Duke, Cass, Steph, and Dick show up to help, but Failsafe beats them all too, while Tim gets an injured Bruce away and to the Batcave.

In the Batcave, Bruce puts on a weird purple and red Batman costume and a new personality takes over: the Batman of Zur-En-Arrh. Now, Zur has a very complicated history going back to 1958, but for the purposes of this story, all you need to know is that when he was younger, Bruce decided it would be good to hang out in a sensory deprivation chamber until his mind created a secondary personality, Zur, who is essentially Batman without Bruce. Zur is pure efficiency who does not care about anything but the mission. He created Failsafe, for one purpose: to kill Bruce if Bruce ever crossed the line and killed someone. And right now, Failsafe believes that Bruce killed Penguin.

Failsafe nearly kills Tim, which Zur is okay with writing off as an expendable soldier's death, but this causes Bruce to take control of the body back because "Tim isn't my soldier...HE'S MY SON!" (Tim Nation, why are you not ALL OVER this story? It's catnip.)

Babs calls in the JLA (SuperBat fans, you will also want to read Bruce's adoring description of Clark when he shows up), but of course Failsafe has kryptonite, which it stabs Clark with. The League dumps Clark and Bruce into the JLA jet and distracts Failsafe while Tim flies Clark and Bruce to the Fortress of Solitude. Bruce tells Tim he's a good boy and jumps out of the jet and into the ocean so that Tim and Clark will be safe from Failsafe. He's rescued by Arthur, who takes him to Atlantis to heal. THIS HAS ALL ONLY BEEN FOUR ISSUES SO FAR.

Two weeks later, Bruce wakes up to discover that Failsafe has taken over Gotham. He teleports up to the JLA Watchtower on the moon to lure Failsafe there, then blows the Watchtower up, hoping to catch a ride on one of the Javelins. But Failsafe has already destroyed them, so Bruce RIDES A BOOSTER ROCKET BACK TO EARTH, OXYGEN MASK CLAPPED OVER HIS FACE. The whole thing has some powerful Scooty-Puff Jr energy.

The only tricky part is reentry, when Bruce starts to burn up - his costume is fireproof, of course, but his chin is exposed. SO HE TAKES OFF HIS LITTLE BAT-PANTIES AND PUTS THEM OVER HIS HEAD. I swear to god this happened in a real comic book and the entire "Bruce falls off the moon and survives" sequence is utterly delectable goofy nonsense and I truly cannot recall a time I've had more fun reading a comic book.

Anyway, Bruce lands directly outside of the Fortress, BECAUSE OF COURSE HE DOES, and runs inside to find Clark and Tim. While Clark keeps Failsafe distracted, Bruce and Tim program nanobots to inject compassion into Failsafe. I SWEAR TO GOD. They zap him with the nanobots, but Failsafe pulls a high tech space gun out of the Fortress and shoots Bruce with it anyway, apparently disintegrating him. Tim falls to his knees in the snow, weeping. TIM NATION, WAKE UP, THIS RUN IS CANDY FOR YOU.

But of course Bruce isn't dead! That wasn't a killing gun, it was a "zap you into another dimension" gun!!! THAT was the compassion!

So Bruce finds himself in a dystopian alternate Gotham, and I'll be honest, I didn't love this arc ("The Bat-Man of Gotham") as much as I loved "Failsafe," but it has its moments. In this Gotham, Bruce Wayne is dead, so Regular Bruce is like "Oh boy, time to Batman this place up." Also he's plagued by hallucinations of a skeleton version of Jim Gordon who is still wearing a trench coat AND A MUSTACHE. Like I said, it has its moments.

This Gotham is controlled by Arkham, and anyone who is diagnosed as "crazy" is locked up. A new villain, Red Mask, is in charge, and Selina and a Venomed-up Harvey Dent work for him. Bruce teams up with an orphan kid (of course) named Jewel and goes after Red Mask, who turns out to be some guy named Darwin Halliday and ALSO...the Joker. Well, he's the Joker who hasn't been Jokerized yet. But one time he breathed in some chemicals that let him see into the main reality of the DCU (???) and glimpsed Regular Joker and now he wants to build an interdimensional machine to mentally connect with Regular Joker across universes which he assumes will make him insane, NATURALLY.

Bruce attacks Red Mask, who sics a Venomed-up Ghost Maker on him. Ghost Maker cuts off Bruce's right hand. Bruce cauterizes it with an electroshock machine and ties some spikes on it (SERIOUSLY) and goes after Red Mask again. Meanwhile Red Mask mentally connects with an alternate dimensional Joker...but instead of it driving Red Mask insane, he's what drives the Joker insane. Desperate to become the Joker somehow, anyhow, he jumps into the interdimensional portal, and Morally Dubious Alternate Universe Selina kicks Bruce in after him.

Meanwhile, Tim is in full "I KNOW I SAW HIM DIE BUT HE'S NOT DEAD" mode, which: bless. So he teams up with Jon Kent, which...gosh, what an astonishingly boring duo. I love Jon, I love Tim, they're perfectly nice and normal around each other, I'm falling asleep. Anyway Tim fights Toyman for a while and then makes a VERY stupid costume where the entire torso is a giant light-up R, because "I want him to see that Robin is coming to save him." GET A THERAPY, TIM.

Bruce finds himself first in the Michael Keaton Batman universe, then the Red Rain universe, BTAS, Batman Beyond (yes I know they're the same universe but I guess he goes there twice), Silver Age, Kingdom Come, Gotham by Gaslight, and more. Adam West gives him a utility belt. The Dark Knight Returns Bruce builds him a robot hand.

Finally Bruce and Red Mask reach the end of the multiverse, which is a Gotham asteroid floating in space, surrounded by giant Jokerized sharks. LUCKILY BRUCE HAS BAT-SHARK REPELLANT IN HIS ADAM WEST UTILITY BELT!!! Honestly this whole arc was worth it for that moment.

Bruce knocks Red Mask out, but now he's stuck. He has a device from Batman Beyond Bruce to get home, but it's only good for one person, and he can't leave Red Mask there to die. Of course, that's when Tim shows up in his stupid giant glowing R costume and they hug it out, thereby fulfilling but also compounding all of Tim's issues since 1989.

Anyway things are fine now, right? Sure, Bruce is hallucinating that his family is on fire, and the Zur personality is not going neatly back into the box where it's been all these years, and he still has a robot hand (Damian, hilariously, immediately announces that he wants one too), but he's FINE. He is a little bit mad at Selina, because she broke out of jail (she was in jail because she killed her fuckbuddy because he was trying to kill Bruce), and also because she didn't tell him Penguin was alive and that would have stopped Failsafe, and also because Other Selina kicked into another universe. Selina, very fairly, is like "Well I'm not responsible for Other Selinas and also maybe don't build robots to kill yourself with and not tell anyone about them???"

THEN we got Knight Terrors, the summer event in which a villain called Nightmare caused everyone to fall asleep and, uh, have nightmares. Bruce, specifically, had a nightmare that he met an eight-year-old version of himself that vomited up a man-sized bat with a gun for a head. I laughed SO HARD. Bruce also had his body borrowed by Deadman for the duration of the event, so while he endured the psychological toll of nightmares like everyone else, he also endured the physical toll of everything Deadman was doing PLUS the mental toll of being aware of what was happening in the waking world even though he couldn't control his body. As soon as the event was over, he lapsed into a coma so that his body could get some damn rest.

Okay. Now we're up to Gotham War.

(I know, I know. But for all of you who are like "How could Bruce do this???" about Gotham War...*points up* THAT'S HOW. HE IS NOT WELL.)

Bruce awakens from his coma and IMMEDIATELY decides to Fight A Crime even though Babs is like "Maybe don't?" But he can't find any crime, which is...weird. His kids confirm that Gotham's been super quiet since he's been out.

Selina hears that Bruce is awake and is like okay, time to pay the piper. She calls all of the Bats to a meeting and explains that she's the reason crime has been down. See, villains like Joker and Two-Face always have goons, right? But what if the goon supply dried up because the goons have better jobs? So Selina has trained All The Goons In Gotham to be...cat burglars. No violence, no stealing from anyone who can't afford it. More importantly, no helping Scarecrow or whoever commit mass murder.

All of the Batkids are like "Hmm...I feel uncertain about this, but it's working...I don't know what to think..." except for Jason, who thinks it's hilarious and is instantly Team Selina, and Damian, who is staunchly Team Bruce. Bruce, meanwhile, is like "No! NO! THIS IS CRIMES, AND CRIMES IS BAD!" and Selina's like "I mean, robbing from the rich is basically a victimless crime" and Bruce screams, I swear to god, "MY PARENTS WERE 'RICH'!" Inexplicable scare quotes and all. I laughed so hard.

Anyway this is the basis for Gotham War and it is endlessly hilarious to me because everyone in the Batfamily is supposed to be a genius and yet not one single character has pointed out that:

There are jobs the goons could be doing that AREN'T illegal. It's not just violent crime vs. nonviolent crime. There are in fact many other jobs! I am POSITIVE Gotham needs construction workers and hospital orderlies. (Yes, I know it's hard for people with records to get jobs. That isn't addressed.)

Being Batman is SUPER ILLEGAL.

They are all so stupid.

Selina's plan doesn't even work, because one of her thieves gets killed by a rich person defending their home, and Bruce is like "See? This is why crime is bad!" and like...pretty much snaps. He's particularly fixated on Jason, even (rhetorically) threatening to kill him, which is when the other kids jump into the fray on Jason's side, all except for Damian, who like I said is firmly Team Bruce. (This makes complete sense to me, Damian has been dealing with severe trauma and isolation pretty much nonstop since 2018 and he and Bruce have finally made a tenuous peace, so I can understand why he wouldn't want to lose that.)

Also, Vandal Savage buys Wayne Manor. It's so random and SO funny.

OKAY BATMAN #138. Bruce has kidnapped Jason and injected him with a variation on fear toxin which will be triggered whenever Jason's adrenaline spikes, the idea being that Jason is no longer capable of killing - but in practice, Jason is no longer capable of even getting up off the floor, he's so terrified. I want to be really, really clear here: Bruce is like 90% Zur here, and the only reason he goes this route and doesn't kill Jason is because the remaining 10% that's still Bruce loves Jason and is trying to help him. He's just incapable of good or humane help because Zur literally can't do feelings.

Dick knows something is up and is sneaking around Bruce's Secret Other House We've Never Heard Of to figure out what it is. Damian attacks him to protect Bruce. Tim attacks Damian so that Dick can do what he needs to do, and handcuffs Damian to a parking meter:

THERE IS SO MUCH TO UNPACK HERE!!! TIM GO TO THERAPY! DAMIAN GO TO THERAPY! EVERYONE GO TO THERAPY!!!!!

Dick figures out what Bruce did to Jason (it's on the computer, for...some reason?) and absolutely loses his shit on Bruce, beating the crap out of him, which tbh is the only thing that felt off to me in this run because frankly I don't think Dick likes Jason that much. BUT WHATEVER.

Tim pulls Dick off of Bruce. Bruce leaves them both tangled in a net and flees as the cops approach. Zur's like "Good, fuck 'em" in Bruce's head, because the cops will expose Dick, Tim, and Damian's secret identities and Bruce will be free of the dead weight of a family, but the little bit of Bruce still in there throws Dick a batarang so he can free them all in time.

Then Bruce leaves. Damian is devastated.

I WILL NEVER RECOVER FROM THIS PAGE. Damian really thought he could have Bruce's love and loyalty if he turned on everyone else! Tim is going to be a therapy dog to a Wayne even if he has to settle for the one he doesn't like! That unresisting, blank hug made me SCREAM when I turned the page. Incredible. (Also the art fucking S L A P S, god bless you Jorge Jimenez.)

ALSO it turns out that Selina's second in command has been Vandal Savage's daughter Scandal Savage the whole time and they are turning Selina's cat burglar army into their own personal army WHOOPS. (This also feels very OOC for Scandal but at this point I trust Zdarsky with my life so let's see where things go.)

SO THAT'S WHAT'S GOING ON IN GOTHAM WAR. TL;DR:

Bruce is unhinged because he nearly died like 19 times in a week and it unlocked the smaller, meaner purple Batman that lives inside him.

Selina is unaware that you can get money legally.

Tim is going to have a nervous breakdown if he can't fix someone, ANYONE.

Damian needs a hug but ideally from someone he actually likes this time.

Jason is so scared.

THE END.

[jaysgirlx]

Airport Au!Jason gets coffee spilled on him right before he boards his flight back to Gotham and of course, he's the victim of hot coffee spilling all over his crotch. The good news is, Jason didn't suffer any burns and you were quite apologetic to him, nevertheless, he was still pissed at you and those clumsy hands of yours. To make matters worse, the two of you are seated next to each other on a 15-hour flight.

Airport Au!Jason lets you have the inside seat even though you ruined his favorite Wonder Woman t-shirt and kinda fucked up his black jeans. He even puts your suitcase away for you and he has no fucking clue why. Jason knew he didn't help strangers like this, not just be nice and flirty to girls like Dick did. But didn't do things like this for no reason especially not for pretty girls who- wait did he just call you pretty? Oh, he was so fucked.

Airport Au!Jason can't tell if he's mad at you or if he wants you. To him those feelings could be the same, he has no problem with wanting to make out with the girl who spilled coffee on his shirt. He didn't see a problem with wanting to make you his, it was an accident and you apologized a million times so maybe he should just forgive you, especially since you actually tried to clean his crotch. His self-control stopped him from letting you, but now he wishes he had let you.

Airport Au!Jason gets immediately bored after the plane takes off, he hadn't pack much because he likes to travel light. When his gaze falls in your direction, he notices that you are reading and annotating one of his favorite Sylvia Plath books and quickly starts to chat you up. You immediately light up when you find out he loves reading, especially classics and poetry. The two of you quickly got acquainted and introduced yourselves which was quickly followed by an apology. You didn't think boys who were smart and hot truly existed, you thought those were myths but Jason Todd was indeed very real.

Airport Au!Jason lets you nap on his shoulder and even orders your lunch for you so that you'd at least get some food when you woke up. You wake up to the boy thumbing through your annotations. You point out your favorite scenes and quotes and go into detail about what you thought their meanings were, well at least to you. You rambled for what might've been a good hour and fuck, Jason knew just by hearing you talk like this, he wanted to put his lips on yours so bad. Maybe shut you up for a second, not because you rambled but because your lips looked so delicious like he could devour them if he wanted. Maybe it could last more than a second, but that depended on what you'd let him do to you.

Airport Au!Jason can't help but want your attention sooo bad. He's chatting you up, making you laugh and for fucks sake why was your laugh so cute?? Why were so pretty to him? Why did you make him question every part of his being? It was like you were this missing piece he had finally found and he needed that piece. He needed you.

Airport Au!Jason jokingly warns you he's not good for you but that only makes you tilt your head with a big grin. You told him that you didn't want a "good" guy. You wanted someone morally grey, someone who understands that just because you've done bad things doesn't mean you're a bad person. You of course cleared up that you didn't support racists, homophobes, and such but you weren't past dating a criminal or even a vigilante if they matched your vibe. For a moment, Jason felt like you already accepted who he was, that you would still want to know him as the Red Hood. He hoped that maybe that was the truth.

Airport Au!Jason sneaks you into first class, pulling the "Bruce Wayne is my dad" card with the flight attendants, who swoon when Jason brings out the stolen Amex card. He'd give it back to Bruce another day or maybe just sneak it back into his wallet. The reason he gets you in so you can sleep comfortably because he knew there would be free seats (he's done this a bit too many times). You told him you didn't need to, that you liked napping on his shoulder, that he was enough but he said you deserved the luxury treat, not crappy shoulder. And it made you laugh because it was so cheesy, and Jason wished then and there, that he could hear you laugh like that for the rest of his life. Now, did he hate having to pull the "Bruce Wayne" card? Yes. Did he regret it? Hell no. Would he do it again? Yes…

Airport Au!Jason lets you play with his hair and even touch his neck scar while you lay in first class. You graze your finger across it and you feel him tense until he relaxes when your fingers lace with his. He lets you believe the white parts are dyed and tells you the scar was from a kidnapping incident that happened in his teens. You don't question him on it but instead, ask him if he still wants to know once the two of you land in Gotham. He looks at you with a cheesy grin. He says he doesn't have his phone on him but you could write your number on his arm. You knew he was joking but he was just so attractive. He enjoys the feeling of one of your hands combing his locks and the other intertwined with his.

Airport Au!Jason falls asleep with you in first class and when you two finally wake up, you decide to check how much time is left on the flight: 2 hours. A soft whine left your lips, from the thought of having to wait a a little longer to be able to kiss him. You could just tell Jason wasn't a fan of pda and if you did kiss him you'd definitely want it to be private. You told yourself to be patient and you knew you could be just a little longer, just for him. Jason on the other hand was an impatient asshole who ached for you, especially after hearing that goddamn whine. Were you trying to tease him? Because if you were it was definitely working. Jason couldn't wait 2 hours.

Airport Au!Jason brings you into the first bathroom and locks it behind him, even after receiving about of weird looks. He kisses you in with your legs almost instantly hooked around his waist and his arms holding you up against the wall. Your arms are wrapped around his neck bringing him as close as possible, while you clawed at his clothes. You weren't exactly sure where this was going but you wanted that coffee-stained shirt off him. You hooked your fingers on the ends of his shirt whining desperately to feel him. Maybe those clumsy hands of yours were good at something. And when he finally breaks the kiss, he only mutters out these words just for you, "Wanna help me get out the shirt you ruined, sweetheart?"

[lotus-slumbers]

Yandere batfamily x addict reader?

Would they exploit and manipulate the reader, making em solely dependent on the family for their fix — either to originally trap them at the manor or continuing to supply em forever, because it makes the reader dependant on them, acting all cuddly and desperate. or would they reform and sober up the reader? Have em go through a whole rehabilitation process style.

Gotham’s not safe for the poor reader, imagine all the villains who’d kill em for the drugs they’re so dependent on? But it’s okay! Because the Wayne’s will protect em. Whether the reader wants them to or not isn’t up for debate.

If you’re uncomfortable with this topic I totally understand. Just send me a message to say pls??

Yandere! Batfam x Addict! Reader Headcannons

Tw: addiction, substance abuse, etc.

— If there was anything that could accelerate the Batfam abducting adopting their darling sooner, this would be it.

— In their eyes, this is a type of abuse. Abuse from all of those around you and nobody is safe from the pointing of their accusatory finger. Not even those people who truly are innocent and have tried to help.

— You may notice people around you drawing away, avoiding you. Maybe some friends who you used to talk with who shared the same addiction, others a dealer who supplied you.

— Though, you may not notice this at all because they'll work quick.

— The term "self-harm" is thrown around once while discussing your habitual substance abuse and that's it. That's all it takes to make them snap and agree unanimously that, yes, this is for the best. Today is the day, if they have everything completely set up for you or not.

— Within twenty-four hours, you'll be in the manor with your family. Right where you belong.

— Rich people get same-day delivery!! Woohoo!! 🙌 🚚

— Of course, that isn't the only motivator for the Wayne's to take you. As much as it pains them to see you suffering at your own hands, they understand just how well the scum of Gotham can and will hurt you.

— They'll take care of the vermin that supplied and enabled you all the same. They have a duty to Gotham, it was going to happen eventually, just now there might be a little bit more passion to it... They won't tell you about it, though.

— The Batfam would most definitely attempt to nip the problem in the bud, forcing you to go cold turkey immediately.

— Bruce will have everything thought out. He's spent countless hours since learning about your issues researching in depth everything he could possibly need to know.

— They have patches at the ready for you when you start to feel the effects of withdrawal. They have stress balls and plenty of activities to try and keep your mind elsewhere and on other things.

— And eyes on you, always.

— And a bracelet, pressed snuggly against your skin and seemingly impossible to get off, to monitor your health. Reports directly at their fingertips, whenever they want it.

— They want you in the best condition they can have you. Not just physically, but mentally too. Bruce would most likely like to have one-on-one conversations with you, about life before, your transitioning here, and, of course, how you are doing with withdrawal.

— If he thinks you're not doing a good enough job with him, he can always pay for the best help available. With his amount of money, nobody has to know either... So don't think of asking them to help you. You won't be believed or they simply won't do it.

— Bruce, Dick, and Jason would probably be the worse about lecturing you on it. Mention withdrawal to them or any desire to return to what you once had... Oh boy, good luck.

— Bruce would go on and on about your health. How he loves you. Wants what is best for you, even if you cannot see it. A deep look of disappointment and concern behind his eyes. He won't school it, he wants to to see it. Feel it and stop. Grow into the person he knows you can be, with their help. Let him protect you.

— Dick is fairly similar to Bruce in this regard, although he is a little more relaxed, trying to be on your level while also acting as your "older brother," something he takes much pride in. He'll probably baby you more than the others, offering to help find alternatives and promise rewards for your efforts (not that you have much of a choice in the matter).

— Jason, though? Jason Todd, the little boy who grew up on the streets? Watch the lives of those he loved so much be ruined and so cruelly snatched away by these exact things? No way. It hits way too close to home, especially since it's you.

— He's understanding towards you so long as you don't push too far. One mention of wanting it and he's on your ass, telling you off about it. He'll help with withdrawal. He'll help you get over it, be a shoulder to lean on and a friend to laugh with, but, God, don't you dare threaten him like that ever again.

— Tim helps with Bruce and his plans most of all, going through all the little details to help plan out the smoothest way to go about this.

— Damian is pissed that you would even ever do any of this in the first place, berating you in his weakest, more frustrated moments but this reaffirms to him that you need him.

— Really, this reaffirms all of them that, despite any guilt, they may feel for the "crimes" they committed for you, it was the right choice. That their darling needed them, desperately.

— They'll never give up on you, not in your darkest moments or theirs. They love you, through and through, and would give the world to you if only you asked.

— But they'd never, ever let you do that to yourself. Your last high was the last time you would ever, ever be.

— They know they could supply you, that it could be an easy way to control you and gain your love. Love that they are so desperately longing for, wanting to be returned, but they won't do it. They can't do that. Not to you of all people.

— It goes against their very nature, as it would harm you.

— You'll learn to love them eventually. It isn't like there is a real rush. You're not going anywhere at all. They'll take the long, high road.

— Batfam will protect you to their last breath and love you through and through. You don't need to do a thing.

— The only reason they would ever supply you is if they truly had no other options. If you were super-powered in a way they could not find a way to contain or around people they couldn't take you away from. Which is a highly unlikely possibility.

💜 A/n: Sorry that this took me so long to get to. Hopefully, it's not too typo-ridden and you enjoy it!

This is not meant to glorify any type of substance abuse or any type of addiction. This was my first time writing for such so please, if I made a mistake in my handling of the subject, reach out and let me know!

For substance abuse treatment and mental health referrals, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

You are loved beyond measure.

[necrotic-nephilim]

jealousy really is the driving force of DamiTim as a ship. love that for them. love how Tim has the Robin mantle ripped away from him and he has to suffer the jealousy of watching Dick and Damian bond. how possessive over Dick Tim can be, to have him stolen by Dick.

even more so though, is the jealousy from Damian. how on earth do you cope when you finally get to be Robin, a role you've convinced is your birthright, and no one really likes you? every prefers the Robin who came before you? Dick regularly reminds you that he can always go and call Tim back when you act out? like the complex Damian has over Tim is unreal. Tim, who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and had everything handed to him his whole life. he never had to struggle or fight for his place like Damian did. Damian has spent his whole life fighting and proving himself, and yet he can't ever seem to truly claw the mantle of Robin away from Tim. even when Tim lets it go, becomes Red Robin, they seem to share it. Tim can slip back into the role of Robin whenever someone like Dick or Bruce need him to, because *he's* the Robin who they need. he's the Robin who was able to find Bruce. he's the Robin that Ra's wants an heir out of. he's the Robin who even Jason respects. in Damian's eyes, everything Damian has fought tooth and nail for, was handed to Tim.

so of course he's going to react to Tim with violence and aggression, especially after finding out Tim has contingency plans for him. no matter how much Damian proves himself, he's never going to be enough, especially not to Tim. and so his deep refusal to see Tim as family, to acknowledge Tim's legacy is all driven by such an angry jealousy. Tim understands aspects of Bruce's legacy that Damian doesn't, like the need to sweet talk and play nice with the elites of Gotham, even if they're corrupt. they exemplify different aspects of Robin, and the aspects that Tim exemplifies are the aspects that Damian knows he'll never fully understand and therefore holds such a deep contempt for. he wants to fight criminals, not play nice with politicians. Tim understands the side of Gotham that's utterly foreign to Damian. if anything, he represents that side of Gotham, to Damian. a pretty little rich boy who's nothing but a know-it-all and not a real son of Bruce. he can't be a Wayne. he can't be Damian's family.

and all of that angry jealousy leading to unhealthy obsession turned a weird, angry crush from Damian is just my bread and butter. that is how DamiTim should be. to me. Damian obsessed over hating Tim Drake so much he accidentally ends up sort of in love with him and that only makes Damian angrier. because he can't prove everyone right by *also* liking Tim. he can't let Ra's win like that, because frankly why wouldn't Ra's be delighted by Damian and Tim getting together. and it builds and builds with angry passive aggression towards Tim that culminates in angry hate-fucking-that's-not-just-driven-by-hate. love and hate are always viewed as opposites in shipping and i think they're the same intense passion just in different directions. and for the best ships, they're very intertwined. what is DamiTim is not the peak of that. "i put so much of myself into hating you i had no choice but to fall in love with you somewhere along the way" core. love that bleeds into hate and hate that bleeds into love. "you make me so angry i regularly passively try to kill you but not with any real effort because who would i obsess over if you were actually gone" core. murder attempts as a form of courting. contingency plans to take each other out as a love language. they're unwell.

[leafsheep]

When Dick first met Tim, he was a kid at his doorstep begging him to be Robin again, begging him to go back to Bruce so that Bruce could be okay again. He understood what Tim was saying then, and maybe he should’ve said okay- hell he wished he had some days, because now he looks at Timothy and just knows that he could’ve avoided so much suffering if Dick had just agreed.

But he had been fighting with Bruce, he wasn’t okay either. How was he supposed to be okay? How was he supposed to hold together Bruce when he was barely holding himself together? How was he supposed to go back to being Robin when Robin was dead?

Robin was dead. He was dead.

Dick didn’t know when Robin started dying to him. When he was kicked out of the manor, maybe? Or maybe it was when he saw Jason standing in his family colors. Either way Dick knew his mother’s Robin was dying around that time- and when Jason died, when he saw that goddamn shrine to his baby brother who he barely knew… when he realized his family colors, his name, his childhood, was soaked in blood. That’s when he knew Robin was dead.

But if Dick said he didn’t wish he had agreed to Tim’s request he’d be lying. Because seeing another Robin one who was Robin not for himself but for Bruce- for Batman. That put the nail in the casket. Watching Tim as Robin twisted Dick’s guts inside him, it mocked him and told him that Robin will never mean what it once did.

Stephanie’s stint with his name, he didn’t know much of, but his stomach dropped when he heard of what happened to her. He remembered the feeling of guilt and anger pooling inside him, a stinging string of memories and harsh words in his head to remind him of how he should’ve been there.

With Damian he felt bad to take the name from Tim, he felt queasy about letting anyone have the name at all in all honesty, but he was so like him. He looked at Damian and saw the young circus boy who was angry and impulsive and full of potential. He saw Robin.

Damian was brash and he didn’t respect Dick much at first, to him Robin was a connection to his Father who he had lost, Dick could work with that, sure Bruce wasn’t Dick’s Mother and Father, but the basic idea of Robin was the same to them back then.

It’s much later when Dick realizes that it wasn’t just Tim that was hurt by his decision to make Damian Robin. It wasn’t until he failed to save the boy from the clone of himself that he realized how horrible his decision was. Seeing the littlest Robin, blood seeping into his family colors once more, Dick Grayson realized he never should have turned down Tim all those years ago, if he hadn’t, this wouldn’t have happened. He realized he should never have left the manor in the first place, he should’ve kept going as Robin and never let Bruce give Jason the name in the first place— or he at least should’ve been able to pick up his damn phone all those years ago, maybe that would’ve changed things too.

Even with the resurrection of Damian, of Robin, Dick can’t see his colors the same.

His parents would never be proud of him if they saw what he let Robin become, a line of young kids all doomed by their name. By his name. He let his family name become a death sentence.

[interstellarspacecadett]

DIVORCING

WARNING!

Do not read if you're not 18+ years old.

Sex and strong language

Controlling male protagonist

English is not my first language. I'm so sorry if there are some grammar mistakes.

I finally did it, I filed for divorce. My husband, Bruce Wayne and I have been on different paths for quite a long time.

It wasn't an easy decision since we adopted Dick, Jason, Tim, and Damian. Our sons meant the world to us, or at least to me. He wasn't around the majority of the time, I took care of my sons, and he was nowhere to be found. Always so busy, always so distracted and thinking about something else. We lacked intimacy. When he was around, he was cold and full of rage. No one could talk to Bruce if Bruce himself didn't talk to that person first.

I had enough, I had to step out of our marriage, I wanted to start again, but not with Bruce. It was the right decision, I needed attention, I needed love, not someone who made me doubt myself, someone who was a ghost, someone who didn't care at all about anything. I used to spend a lot of time after our kids, and I stopped taking care of myself. It showed, I always had a tired face, lacked energy, and I was distracted worrying about my husband. I gave too much to someone who didn't deserve even half of it.

My new apartment was in uptown Gotham, and it was spacious with many modern features. I felt alone the majority of the time, but it had to be this way, I needed to be alone for some time.

After I filed for divorce, I didn't expect Bruce's reaction. He called me, it was the first time in moths that we had a good conversation.

"Honey, come back home" He said with a low tone of voice.

I started to cry, I started to tremble reviving my experience in that place I stopped calling home.

"You know what you put me though. You do. You stopped loving me, I was alone taking care of the kids. The only help I had was Alfred. You don't even know that I used to cry myself to sleep because of you. " Tears started to roll down my face. It was painful and atrocious suffering like that for someone with always an excuse.

"The kids miss you, Alfred and the dogs too. I miss you"

Same warm tone, sweet words to lure me back in that snare of marriage.

"Why weren't you there for me? All this time, I suffered. Bruce, I deserve to be happy. "

I couldn't stop my tears, I was crying so desperately.

"You do. With me, the kids and Alfred."

"Not with you. Not anymore."

"Baby. We're not gonna have a divorce, think about Damian. Uh?. How is he gonna take it? Living in two different homes, his parents divorced... We can not make him go through all of this."

Same tone. Same warm voice. All calculated.

"He talks to me about you all the time. And he asks me when you're gonna come back to us. He calls his mommy at night. He looks out for you. He sleeps a lot in our bedroom, and he says it still has your scent. Think about Jason, you're the only woman he ever accepted in his life. He's angry now. He says it's time for us to get back together. Tim, he never comes out of his room, and when he does, it's because he hopes you're back. And how could we forget about Dick. He's devoured with anger towards me. Honey, you do understand that all I do is to protect you and the boys, to make you all be alright when one day I won't be here anymore? One day, I might not be back home. But I want you and the boys to never worry about anything. You're all I have and care about."

Bruce sounded so sincere, and it was the thing that made me melt. The kids. I missed them, I did more than anything.

But he would be back to his old ways, disappearing, not making love to me, not being there for the kids.

"Bruce, I gotta go, now."

"I'm gonna call you tomorrow at the same time." He sounded like he was ending a business meeting, I've heard that cold tone before.

"I don't know. I don't think it's a good idea." I said, looking out of the window, hoping to see him in his costume watching over me. He later confessed to me that he always watched me from the dark.

"I wasn't asking. Sleep tight, beautyful."

"Good night, Bruce."

He called me the following day at the same time.

We talked about the kids. He then planned to move out of the manor to a more tranquil place with the kids. I smiled for the first time in a while. He made me think it was still possible to be together again.

After our call, he wished me good night and promised to call the following day. My lawyer advised me to stop interacting with Bruce, to stop all the calling, and sweet nothings on the phone. All of that needed to stop before going to court.

He called me at the same time, but I never answered following my lawyer's advice. Other two months passed, and nothing had changed. I visited the kids when Bruce wasn't home. He was right they weren't happy about all the divorce thing, especially Damian, who I saw crying for the first time.

A week passed, and after talking to my lawyer, I headed back to my apartment. It was cold and lonely as always.

I had one voice message to listen to. Bruce never sent me one before. He preferred calling me and talking on the phone.

But, he surprised me.

"Honey, we should talk in person. We can find an arrangement, no lawyers, just you and me. Wayne Manor, Saturday, December the 21st, 8 o'clock. Goodnight, sweetheart. Looking forward to our meeting. "

The first thing I did was to call my lawyer and fix an appointment for the following morning so we could discuss the new matter.

"He sounds sincere." My lawyer said after I made him listen to the message Bruce sent me.

"He does. When he wants to." I remarked.

"You should go. If we proceed with this divorce, be ready for the media, your kids under more unwanted attention, and not to talk about the shitstorm. I'll give you the papers with the reasons why you filed for divorce and all the other stuff. "

At 5 o'clock that Saturday, I started to prepare myself, emotionally and physically. Bruce was unpredictable.

I dressed formal, white shirt, long black skirt and high heels. He sent me a driver, his old ways. The driver and I stayed in silence for all the time we took to get to Wayne Manor.

Before knocking at the immense door, I took a deep breath.

The doors opened just in time for me to see Bruce getting down the stairs.

He was so elegant, formal, and handsome he didn't look nothing like the last time we saw each other. He was taking care of himself. He seemed warm and not cold as an ice cube.

He greeted me with a warm hug without saying anything. There was nothing to say.

I was about to get used to that warm ambrace, but he pulled away and guided me to the conference room.

He pulled the seat for me, and he seated next to me at the table top.

"Come closer, honey. I gotta see these papers of yours."

He pulled my chair closer to him to the point where I could feel his warm breath on my cheek.

"You look so beautiful, baby, and you smell so good. You know this is my favourite perfume? So sweet." He smiled.

My heart started to beat faster, and all that praising made my legs crush one against the other unintentionally.

"You always have been the most beautiful woman in the room. The smartest. The funniest. The most breathtaking. " He kept praising me. He smiled mischievously, knowing what those compliments did to me.

Fuck, I wanted more.

It had been such a long time of abstinence that I was starving with kisses and sex.

He didn't touch me, yet, but he knew it was all it needed to break me.

"So pretty. This high bun siuts you perfectly. It lets glow the skin on your neck."

He finally did it. He touched me with his big, warm calloused hand. I bit my lower lip, trying to keep it all together. He massaged one of my shoulders and my neck admiring every expression of mine. I put my hand on his without even knowing, and I started to carress it.

"Bruce, please." I begged him to let go of me. To free me from his control, it was so sweet and painful at the same time. He placed one kiss on my hand and one on my neck. I was about to lose it.

"The papers." I remembered him, trying to free myself from his touch.

He stopped every movement, he composed himself, and asked me to read for him.

I came down from my high and started to read the summary.

"Getting to this point of my relationship with my husband, Bruce Wayne, was never my intention. [...]But it was forced to me since during these last months I have been neglected, starved with affection.[...] This behaviour doesn't apply only on me, but on my kids as well. [...]I can no longer live and be in a relationship that doesn't represent the words love, family, and unity for the previously mentioned reasons[...]"

As I was reading, he kept his eyes on me, and I swear I felt completely naked burning under his sight. He pressed a kiss on my cheek and formed a trail of soft kisses to the corner of my mouth.

He kissed my lips and stopped me before arriving to read to half of the second sheet. I waited for so long. His lips were soft and hungry for mine. We kissed slowly, taking our time, making out like two teenagers in love. He was so gentle embracing me like the most precious of jewels. A moan escaped my mouth, making him kiss me deeply and vulgarly. I loved every second of it. He had never tasted that sweet, so perfect. As we pulled away, he murmured to me:

"You know that we're not getting this divorce, right?" Just to then start kissing me again.

We ended up standing up, kissing and hugging each other like nothing ever changed.

He then proceeded to kiss my neck, devouring it up. His hands trailed down to my ass, caressing it and squeezing it tight in his hands. I moaned, letting myself go to the pleasure.

"Bruce"

"Feels good, doesn't it, baby?" His voice echoed in my head. All I could think about was just him and the pleasure he was intoxicating me with.

"So good." I moaned.

I forgot about everything.

"That lawyer of yours, I don't like him. He looks at you like a beast in heat. "

He went behind my back, putting his clothed erection against my butt, to let me know what I did to him. He was so big, so hard, and so ready for me. I got wetter and hornier just at the thought of it.

He kept licking and biting my neck, letting me get higher and higher.

He unbuttoned my shirt, freeing my breast just to then undo my bra and let it fall to the ground on top of my shirt.

He pinched my nipples while thrusting his erection against my ass.

"You're my wife. My property, all mine. Mine and only mine." He kept going on teasing me, provoking me and making me melt under his touch.

"Yours." I was out of my mind. The power he had on me was getting stronger second by second, minute by minute.

"There is no divorcing. I don't wanna ear none of that. Did I make myself clear,baby?" I melted more.

"Yes. Oh, Bruce."

In one move, he freed me from my skirt, letting it fall down to the ground with the rest of my clothes.

He soon had one hand on my brest and one between my legs caressing my clit, making me feel good.

"This fucking cunt. So fucking wet for me, uh? Gonna make you feel so good, baby, so fucking good" With that promise, my hopes went high as my mind.

"Moan for me like that. Making my dick so fucking hard, uh?"

"I'm gonna fuck you really good. I'm gonna make you cum on this useless papers. So fucking mine." He continued teasing me.

He put one finger in me, and it was enough to make me moan louder and cum. I had no chance of winning against him.

He then made me sit on the big mahogany table. He spread my legs, exposing my wet, pulsing cunt. He took a good look at it, then at me. He buried his face between my legs, kissing, licking, and eating me out. I was lost in pleasure. Meanwhile, he unbuttoned his shirt, revealing his toned body.

He was like a god.

He started to play and enjoy himself by butting two fingers in me and licking my clit like a starved man.

"So good. Oh my god, just like that." I moaned, enjoying myself.

He moved his free hand to my breast, caressing one at the time, to later intertwine his hand with mine.

"My baby. Looking so good like this, legs wide open on my expensive table. Uh?" I came with those words, and as he predicted, I soaked all the papers.

I tried to catch my breath, but he didn't give me time. His mouth was already on mine.

We kissed again and again.

"I'm so in love with you." He said lowly on my ear.

I smiled. It all seemed like a dream, a happy one. A utopia.

"I mean it." He said, looking at me in the eyes.

It was true. All of it. Bruce never lied.

"Now I know." I said before kissing him.

"Now let's get to the real deal. I still haven't cum. And I know a good place where I can stick it in"

"I don't know where." I said provoking him while leaning back on the table. My back met the cold surface.

I lifted my legs to Bruce's torso.

He removed my heels, kissing my feet.

He was so dirty and perverted. And I loved it.

He was looking at me straight in the eyes. Those blue obs darkened as he submissed me even more.

"You taste so fucking sweet." He said, liking the base of one of my feet.

I got wetter, hornier, and hungrier for more. I needed more.

He slowly put his zip down, freeing his cock with his pants still on and buckled.

He pulled me closer to the edge of the table by my tights. Not long after, he was inside of me, slowly exploring me like it was the first time. I was so full of his flesh. It was so big and hard that I could feel every vein on his surface. He then opened my legs, getting closer to me, just to whisper to me the dirtiest words. I had goosebumps all over my body.

"Bruce, fuck me harder."

He did as I commanded without further discussion, he thruster deeper in me, touching all my weakest spots. He made me cum uncontrollably, fucking me to the gates of heaven.

"Like this? Uh?"

"Just like that." I moaned, hugging him harder.

"This cunt is so fucking good. So fucking tight. Gonna make me cum, baby."

He moaned against my skin.

"Fuuuck. Oh my love!" I was out of my mind, I had pleasure all in my veins, I couldn't control anymore what came out of my mouth.

"Yeah. Feels good uh?" He kissed me not waiting for an answer.

He went faster, harder on me, I couldn't get enough, I was on cloud nine. Bruce hugged me like our lives depended on that. I came on and on, and my body was exhausted. Bruce kept going on fucking me senseless, moaning, letting himself go. His body was warm against my skin, his touch so sweet .

"I love you, my beautiful wife. I love you so much." He looked at me straight to my face and smiled, finally a warm smile and not a calculated one.

"Y-you say that now that you're fucking m-me." I spit venom.

His movements started to get harder and more precise, trying to find my weakest spot.

"I. LOVE. YOU." He repeated harshly.

"Then fuck me like you mean it."

He smirked just to then increase his pace.

One hour later, we finally came to a stop. He rested his head between my brest. I had no energy, I was really exhausted so I closed my eyes and when I reopened them, it was already the next day.

Sun rays hit my face, I didn't want to wake up. The bad was so warm and soft. It wasn't the bed I got used to in my cold apartment. It was Wayne Manor's.

I lifted my hand trying to find Bruce, hoping that all the things we said the previous night would have become true, and finally, we could all get back to be a big family.

He wasn't there. My heart sinked. I pulled myself up, and I was completely naked. I headed to Bruce's walk-in closet, hoping to find something that could suit me, just to then leave. I found all my clothes in there, including the ones I wore the night before.

I dressed up, opting for a cream coloured sweatshirt, tight blue jeans, and a pair of white trainers.

I collected my phone and my bag and headed downstairs.

"Where are you going?" His voice echoed in my head, and his firm tone stopped my movements.

I turned around, and he looked like he had just come out of the shower. He wore a towel, and little water drops were running from his head down to his weist. With his hands, he held a plate with breakfast on it and a fresh red rose.

He placed the plate on a dresser, and he moved slowly closer to me.

"Alfred is not here, I had to arrange something myself. I know you like strawberries."

He caressed one of my cheeks, kissed my forehead, and hugged me. I hugged him back with my heart pounding in my chest.

"You just had to stay in bed and wait for me a little longer. I wanted to surprise you with a delicious meal and good morning sex."

I smiled and hugged him tighter, finally understanding his intentions.

"You smell so good." I said, sniffing his chest.

"We can shower together after breakfast and good sex." We kissed and ended up in bed again, skipping breakfast and going straight to devouring each other.

We had breakfast after two rounds, and then we showered.

"I love you. I love you. I love you." He said, caressing my hair while hot water was running down on our bodies.

"I love you. I love you. I love you." I responded, smiling. He smiled back at me, and we kissed again.

That day we went to the beach, it was warm despite being winter. He looked so handsome, happy, and relaxed. It was at that moment that I finally saw the man I fell in love with. He looked young, well-kept, and glorious under the sunlight.

"What, honey?" He asked me.

"You're so handsome." I said, looking away since I was getting shy.

"Come here. Let me kiss you one more time. "

"You gotta catch me first." I smiled, seeing the confused face he made.

I ran, and he chased after me. My intention was never to get too far away from him, I couldn't anyway even in my dreams. He eventually caught me and threw me over his shoulder. He spanked one of my butt cheeks, making me laugh.

Not too long after, he put me down and caught my cheeks between the palms of his hands. We kissed once more.

There were sparks materialising around us. It was all so perfect.

To be continued...

Hope you liked it

Shotout to

For inspiring my story.

♡♡♡ Thank you for reading ♡♡♡

[missbluesunflowersstuff]

I think the only right way for Damian to become Batman is much slower than everyone thinks

Just image: Damian in the future as a veterinary student, slowly distancing himself from the world of vigilantes and Bruce, an old man, with aching and tired bones, who has suffered with chronic pain for years (you'll have to take chronic pain Bruce Wayne and Jason Todd headcanon from my cold dead hands) getting ready to go on patrol once again. There are a series of murders happening and he wants to investigate

And Damian goes into the cave (maybe to take care of Batcow) and see the scene. He feels sorry for his father, Bruce's love for Gotham cursed him and now Gotham was slowly killing him. Then Damian calmly approaches and gently pushes his father into the chair. And in a tired voice Damian says:

“Leave this to me today, father, take your medicine and rest.” "No, Damian. You have to go to college today"

"Gotham is my city too, they're my people too...and they still need Batman"

Damian also knows that Dick has his own city to worry about; that Jason is busy on some mission around the world; that Steph is too tired for this; that Tim is too attached to the Robin mantle for that; that Duke recently had a child with his wife; that Cassandra is now a renowned ballet teacher and Damian doesn't want to get in the way of his siblings' lifes. He knows that if he asked, someone would accept, but everyone is so happy now, it took so long for them to reach that moment... Damian then decides to sacrifice himself that night.

Only that night

He will becomes Batman just that night, so his father can rest, he makes it clear that he will only do it that night

"Don't get used to it, father, it's just for today"

But that news spreads like fire. Even Jon and the other heroes start to inform Damian about things that happen (Batman still is very important in the Justice League) and Damian? Damian ignores

He goes through the messages, emails and claims he only did it once and never again. He forwards everything to Bruce, not wanting to get more involved than is convenient

but then the next month, Bruce has another rough night and Damian takes up the mantle again. This becomes a strange habit between the two of them, slowly and silence, one night a week... two nights a week...

The biggest change happens when Bruce is seriously injured fighting someone much stronger (and younger) in the sewers of Gotham. Damian had an important test at college and Bruce didn't want to call him, it wasn't fair to push that on Damian when the boy made it clear that he didn't want the mantle. So Bruce lies there for hours, in the midst of pain and dirt trying to reorganize his mind until Damian appears, the youngest son noticed that his father hadn't come home yet so he got worried and went after him.

Damian and Bruce open a pact that night, Bruce would stay in the cave supervising and Damian would work in the field

This works very well at first but soon Damian comes home to see his father sleeping, and it becomes a routine. Damian is happy that his father trusts him enough to sleep while his son is on patrol, that's good

the truth only shocks Damian when at a league meeting Jon refers to him as Batman, not Robin or Damian, no. Batman. The Batman.

and even though many people believe that he became Batman out of neopotism, the truth is much more different and sad than that. He became Batman through his own choices and effort, to protect his tired father and also to protect Gotham. Because, in the end, Damian learned to love Gotham the same way Bruce loved it.

Note: I love imagining this old Bruce slowly realizing how unfair he was to Damian his early days, how Bruce only saw Damian as a spoiled brat, a monster covered in blood and mud instead of helping him like Dick, Alfred and Steph did . I love imagining old Bruce kicking himself for not noticing Damian's gentle, compassionate side sooner. Side that was underneath all the anger, dirt and trauma

And also Bruce realizing that Damian is as gentle to people as Talia was in the past Note²: I'm not trying to villainize Bruce and sanctify Damian; Damian did a lot of things, but he was a ten year old child who didn't know how to deal with the world (+brainwashed by a cult) and Bruce was a grown ass man who had been dealing with traumatized people for many years, Bruce should have been more patient with Damian but you still have time now Bruce, you can do it. I believe on you, you can still be a good father

[brucewaynehater101]

*sasukepose.jpg* I'm starting to realize that Trash!Tim is more like if OG!Cale regressed rather than Kim Rok Soo transmigrating, and rather than Trash!OGCale turning into a decent human, it's the other way around for Tim of turning from decent into trash and---

*lies on floor* I've been going about this all wrong!

Because in my mind, I was thinking Tim in the same way as Kim Rok Soo, because I hc Tim to have hyperthymesia and they both lost so many people but the only reason they're able to survive is because they learned to rely on other people!

And for regressed Tim to throw all that away in his new life, to make sure that the family he loves gets a happy life while he suffers? While he sees a family portrait with him missing from it? While he sits at the table and has Bruno from Encanto's levels of wanting to eat with his family but can only eat with them from afar? I just---

My heart is breaking. Unlike Kim Rok Soo who transmigrated and slowly built a family for himself, it's OG!Cale in the original timeline destroying his relationships with his family to keep them happy and safe. I am in tears.

I was thinking of Dick being Tim's Lee Soo Hyuk, telling Tim that living is best! I was thinking of Jason being his Choi Jung Soo, and Bruce being his Choi Han. Bruce who just lost his son having this sort of darkness in him, and Tim taking a page out of Jason's book and just feeding Bruce till he feels better rather than doing his whole Batman needs a Robin thing from the OG!timeline.

But now, NOW. THINGS ARE ANGSTIER. If in the OG!Timeline Jason and Damian were manipulated to get rid of Tim by Talia, Tim now goes on ahead and puts that target on his back himself. He's doing so well at being trash, he wonders if this is all he's good for in the long run of his life. How long can he keep this up, how long can he keep the gazes of disdain on himself by the people he loves? They don't even know him in this timeline, and that hurts even further.

My thoughts gets to a point where Tim got too deep in being trash that he ends up on a rooftop, looking at the sky and basking in the Gotham sunset. He's beside Jason's favorite gargoyle and he's just standing there.

Jason has plenty of reason to hate Tim, but Red Bat (stupid name, I know, but just to get to the scenario) has no reason to turn someone who may be a rich spoiled brat away.

So, he calls out to Tim. Asks him what's wrong.

Tim doesn't reply. But when he turns his head, Jason could only see how anguished this boy looks. How could a spoiled brat who knows nothing but being trash look so tortured and defeated when nothing even happened to him to look that way?

Or something is. Something might be happening behind the scenes.

That anguished look is instantly replaced with that cocky smirk, but his red eyes full of tears were still on display.

Tim says something, Jason doesn't listen.

It was probably to get a rise out of him, but so much is happening in Jason's head.

"Wanna get some chili dogs?" he asks on impulse.

It shuts Tim up, makes Tim have a complicated look on his face, before settling for what Jason could tell is forced disgust. Because the kids' eyes were widened, his shoulders relaxed. He's hopeful and excited.

Jason grabs Tim and jumps off the roof, grappling to his favorite chili dog stand. The kid didn't even force a scream or demands for a lawyer.

But he did hug Jason tight.

Huh.

Shizz... This kind of makes me want to actually write a bit of an angst fic about the Tim "Trash" AU. You are correct that the entire thing would be angsty, but I imagine Tim's narration of it would be full of jokes. He's be laughing, rolling his eyes, making slightly fucked up jokes about his situation, but he wouldn't go into it. Maybe he'd even convince himself that it's fun to pretend so much. He's a bit of a troll like that and makes internal debates with himself on how fast he can get someone to explode in rage.

But, yeah. I wrote a fic about Tim going back in time and purposefully cutting himself off from the family (and not rejoining them despite helping them). This, though? Him making himself into a public figure he knows his family would despise? Yikes.

It hurts but in a very delicious way.

How much time does he spend hesitating before doing an action that would lower the Waynes opinion of him? How often does he try to ignore his family so he can do what he must (being "trash")?

Hopefully, Tim isn't alone in that AU. I like to imagine he has another persona (maybe his vigilante one, maybe an online one) so that he has at least someone who doesn't hate him

[leoleolovesdc]

I really don't get what's so appealing to writers and fans who make Bruce an abusive father. Why is it so fun? Why do people enjoy doing one of the biggest superhero of all times that dirty? How does that make any sense?

People always complain about how Batman is a power fantasy, but the fact that his actions aren't justifiable if applied real life doesn't mean that you have to fuck the character's fictional morals.

Every hero is a power fantasy, but they are enjoyable because they are good people (or people who try to be good). Bruce Wayne is a human being and he is capable of bad parenting and committing mistakes, but making him willingly hit his kids is just stupid.

Batman is and has always been about hope, about rising above your trauma, protecting who you love, using your pain to make the world a little better. Bruce doesn't go around "beating the mentally ill' just because, he does because they are dangerous people, criminals, terrorists who are constantly harming citizens with their actions.

With all that said; Bruce hitting his children/sidekicks/allies (or just purposefully harming them in any way shape or form) is incoherent with his character and all that he represents.

Batman brought Robin, especially Dick Grayson, in to help him. He didn't want a child soldier, he was comforting this kid and taking him to the police station when he asked to be trained so he could get the guy who killed his parents. He asked to become like Batman and Bruce, realizing that they were very similar, saw that he was also filled with anger and needed to be guided. That's why Dick became a better person than Bruce ever was, not because he was inherently good or something, but because even if their relationship was not perfect and troublesome at times they understood each other's pain like no one else would.

With all of Bruce and Dick's history saying that this father-son bond was filled with physical abuse just sounds wild to me. Same thing goes for Cass, Jason, Steph, Tim, Duke, Damian and any other child that Bruce parented or taken care of.

Jason and Dick are usually the victims of writers and fans who are full one Abusive-Bruce-Shit™️, and honestly, I don't think that's because they have remarkably difficult relationships, but because this fandom loves to make their favorite pretty "white" boys suffer.

No one cares if it makes sense for Bruce to be abusive towards his first sons, they just care that Dick and Jason are angsty. My prove of that? When do you ever see content of Bruce being abusive towards Cass? Damian? Steph? Duke? Never. Because those characters are either women or people of color largely ignored by both canon and fanon.

I'll admit that Damian and Tim do get angsty abusive dad content at times, because regardless of their actual relationship with Bruce Tim is a sad white boy and Damian is the largely white washed blood son, but they are still not the most common alternatives whenever family angst is the focus (despite the large fanon torture porn industry that Tim Drake goes through it is usually focused on other aspects of his life).

I don't really know how to end this, at this point I'm just ranting about annoying batfam fans, but, yeah, don't fuck over legacy characters by making them abusive dads bcuz u like saying ur fav has it worst👍

Little edit: In this post I talked abt Dick as a white guy, would like to apologize for that, I do know that he is romani but ended up forgetting to add that. Either way my point still stands as, just like Damian, his race is pretty much ignored by writers and parts of the fandom

[ayamari-no-goshi]

Don’t Forget to Write (4)

AO3 -> first, previous, next

Fandoms: DC (Batman comics)

Summary: From Dick’s POV.  Damian happened to win a contest to illustrate a new book by an up and coming author. Being the good brother he is, Dick decided to check the book.He quickly realized he was reading a  very first hand account of one of Jason’s old cases, and deciding to act like a normal person would, he decided to read some of the author’s other works. What he found shook the very foundation of what he thought  was true?  

Warnings: rated T - mostly for swearing and questionable mental health. Amnesia

Parings: none

Notes: originally uploaded to AO3. Cross-posted to tumblr

“What are you doing…?”

Dick looked over from his place near where all the water bottles and some juice boxes were spread out on the cart he’d rolled over for cleaning duty as Bruce, back in his full costume, walked over. While sight, Dick hadn’t missed the flicker of emotion as he caught sight of Jason sitting in front of the open drink fridge, scowling at it.

“What does it look like, old man?��� Jason snapped as he stretched and popped his back before shifting so he could more easily remove one of the shelves.

Between his statement and movements, even Dick had to take a moment to remind himself he hadn’t hallucinated it. Jason was really there.

“Something contaminated one of the bottles.” Dick supplied as Bruce finished silently reassuring himself in the same way he had.

“So you’re cleaning…?”

Jason shot Dick a look which clearly stated he wasn’t impressed with Bruce’s brilliant conclusion. “Oh, that’s right, you’d rather have me back in the cell.”

“No! That’s not…” If Dick wasn’t mistaken, and he was pretty sure he wasn’t, Bruce took a moment to ground himself before speaking again. “It’s just odd to see you doing something so… mundane.”

Openly confused, Jason straightened up. “Are you expecting me to hit one of you with a tire iron again? Or mess around with your equipment? Or flip around the Cave like him?” He gestured to Dick before moving his hands in what only could be describe as defeat.

The answer was a resounding ‘yes’ to everything, except maybe for the tire iron. But neither of them could say that. Not yet. While Dick had suffered through the phantom images of a boy taken too soon, he couldn’t imagine how haunted Bruce was after losing his son.

Unlike with Dick, there wasn’t the same hesitance about replacing memories of someone. Jason needed and had wanted a father, and from what Dick had heard and seen, Bruce responded in kind and flourished just as much as Jason did. But then everything came screeching to a fiery halt. Jason died, and their dad never recovered.

“I… I want you to be happy.”

“Happy?” Jason repeated as he stiffened before squaring his shoulders and taking a few steps forward. “You’re a real piece of work. Do you know that? You brought me here in fucking handcuffs before putting me in a cell. And now you’re saying you want me to be happy?” He gestured to the scars on his face. “You clearly knew who I was before this happened, and now you’re just jerking me around. If you really want me to be happy, let me go home and leave me in peace.”

Bruce’s hand twitched as if he wanted to reach out and touch him, but if he did, he didn’t act on it. “You know you can’t leave until Black Mask is located and captured,” he stated instead.

“Of course. Why’d I expect anything else?” His brother turned his back on their dad before moving back towards the shelves removed from the fridge.

To be honest, Dick thought Jason might go back to the cell to sulk, but it was a pleasant surprise to know he was going to continue helping him. While it had turned into something like bonding as Dick managed to get his brother talking about shows and movies he liked, which weren’t too many, it was going to take a while for the almost friendly mood to return. Whatever would he do without Bruce’s inability to talk?

“Will you be okay on your own for a moment?” Dick questioned. While he didn’t get a verbal answer, his brother made a shooing motion towards him. “I’ll be right back. B, walk with me.”

Once he managed to lead his father closer to the training area, Dick ran his hands over his face. “Seriously? B, what’s wrong with you?”

“You know we shouldn’t prove any information he doesn’t already know,” Bruce stated. Ah, there was the logic that he liked to hide behind.

He shook his head. “But it doesn’t mean you have to keep pushing him away. Bruce, whether or not he remembers you, that’s Jason. That’s your son, my brother. I know we have to be careful with how we introduce information to him, but we need to start repairing those bonds now.” He glanced back over to see if Jay had decided to watch them or not. Eavesdropping was common in the family, but it didn’t seem his brother was all that interested. Weird. “When he realized you knew him, he immediately assumed he’d been a criminal because of how you handled things last night.”

Bruce’s eyebrows raised ever so slightly. “I hadn’t realized that.” A muscle moved in his jaw, a sign he was upset by the situation, but it still took him a few moments to decide to elaborate. “Dick, I got him killed. I don’t… I don’t have the right…”

He couldn’t help the groan that escaped him. “Do you hear yourself? When you were acting as a civilian, you were surprisingly pushy about wanting to interact with him. Now that he’s really here, you’re acting like he’s going to shatter if you get anywhere near him. You have a second chance, Bruce. This isn’t going to be easy, but if you don’t get over whatever guilt or grief is still eating at you, you’ll never be able to properly face him.” Dick patted his father’s shoulder. “Use your words. Don’t let this slip by.”

…

Startled cursing interrupted the silence of the Cave. Concerned, Dick glanced over to the cell where Jason was taking a nap. It was day two of having him there. He’d been livelier that morning, humoring Damian with another round of warmups and tea, but once they were done, decided to rest. There was a slight frown on their youngest brother’s face as he watched him retreat, but it appeared to be more as if he was expecting something.

They hadn’t heard anything else from Jason until started cursing. The only obvious change was the presence of Cass, who was standing in the doorway of the cell. Catching her attention, she gave a good-natured wave. Oh, she just scared him. Nothing big.

After some grumbling that Dick couldn’t quite make out, a disheveled Jason followed Cass out of the cell to where Tim was waiting for them. If Dick wasn’t mistaken, it looked like Tim had some case files with him. That could be problematic, especially with how Bruce wanted to keep Jason from looking at anything related to their work. So, either Tim was doing what Tim did best and ignored what Bruce wanted, or these were cases that had been closed. No matter what it was, there was a slight spring in his step when he moved. After all this time, he finally got to live one of his dreams and work with Jason on something.

As they got to work, both he and Cass decided to leave them alone so they could bond. If needed, Dick could check in on them later.

And unfortunately, later came sooner than expected. After being forced to take a lunch break by Alfred when Damian surprisingly joined them, Jason and Tim started getting into a heated debate. There wasn’t any malice behind it, but both were getting frustrated with the other. Worried, he and Bruce went over to investigate.

“Is everything alright?” he asked as his brothers noticed them.

“It’s fine.” Tim made a dismissive motion with his hand. “We’re having a disagreement over which of these cases are related.”

“This is the Coolage series,” Bruce murmured as he glanced at the files spread out on the table in front of Tim’s affectionally dubbed ‘conspiracy board’. While Dick wasn’t as familiar with some of the ongoing cases in Gotham anymore, this was one he remembered. Several similar murders had occurred periodically throughout the years starting around the time Dick found his identity as Nightwing. They suspected it was related to at least one of the crime families, but they hadn’t found enough solid evidence to be able to act on it. After giving Tim a look, which told everyone Bruce hadn’t approved of the choice to show Jason the files, he requested an explanation of their disagreement.

Before Tim could respond, Jason turned his attention from the board to them. “You have a copycat.”

“There’s no evidence…”

“I know you’ve been at this for however long, but these ones don’t fit in with the others.” Jason pointed to a few of the photos which were hanging on the board. They were some of the earliest victims associated with the case.

“But the victim profile and method of murder line up,” Tim argued.

Jason shook his head as he continued to look at the photos. “It’s a copycat. These ones…” His hand passed over his face and seemed to pause on one of the more prominent scars as he closed his eyes. “I can’t explain it… Everything you’ve gathered makes them look like they’re part of this, but they’re not. They smelled like apples…”

“You met them?” Bruce’s voice was sharp. This was something they hadn’t known.

“A lot of the working girls look out for the kids, and in turn, they’d help them stay away from the cops. Even if they can get off the streets, they tend to remain friendly.” He offered as he moved slightly as if he was looking at something that wasn’t quite there. Perhaps he was. Strong memories sometimes temporarily did that. “Several of them look familiar. But these ones,” he gestured at the ones he singled out again, “there’s that smell. Their friends didn’t trust whoever helped get them clean. Said they acted weird right before they vanished.”

“We don’t have any record of that,” Tim murmured as he glanced at Bruce. “The GCPD couldn’t get anyone to talk, and neither our evidence nor theirs found any strong scents. But they were found in the bay...”

“Most people don’t think details like that are important, and even back then, we had a lot of trouble getting information out of anyone associated with Crime Alley. It’s worth looking into,” Dick agreed as he watched Jason turn and head back towards the cell. “Jay, what’s wrong?”

“Give me a minute.” He disappeared into the cell. Moments later, he reemerged with his beaten-up laptop. His eyebrows were slightly furrowed as he placed the device on the table. “I thought it was just an idea for a story…” He moved away to show a document. “But I think I wrote this down.”

After making a face at the poor shape the laptop was in, Tim was the first to review it. “You did. And you might have identified other potential victims. B, take a look.”

Jason stiffened as Bruce brushed past him without a word. Uncomfortable with the close proximity, he moved away from the others and waited while uncertainty flickered across his face.

“I’m amazed,” Tim stated as moved closer to Jason while Bruce did his thing. While faint, Dick could make out hints of awe on his face. “You have information about their habits and relationships we never would have. This might be the break we’ve sorely needed for years.”

Seemingly uncomfortable by the praise, he glanced around the Cave before lingering on the display housing his damaged Robin costume. Was that a sign he was starting to put the pieces together? “How’d I even get that information? Their deaths were before… well…” his gaze drifted to his damaged hands.

“You were a bright kid with a big heart.” Bruce’s words were soft and caring, causing Jason to look up with wide, startled eyes. “I’m not surprised you noticed something was wrong and catalogued what you could.”

Not sure what to make of the change from aloof to almost fond, Jason expression and posture became guarded. “Then that’s probably what ended up happening to me. Stuck my nose in something I shouldn’t have and paid the price.” He then groaned. “Now I have to go through my files and try to figure out if I pulled anymore crap like this. You said I did, and I didn’t want to believe it. I’m just a fucking writer.”

“Language.” Between Bruce’s familiar scolding tone and the baffled expression that appeared on Jason’s face, Dick had to bite his lip to keep from laughing.

“I’m having a miniature crisis regarding my non-existent memories, and you’re worried about me swearing. What is wrong with you?”

“Just ignore him. Do you need any help?” Dick offered while ignoring Bruce’s slight frown. If the man wanted to be upset over his son’s dismissal of something familiar, that was his problem, not Dick’s.

“If you want, we can easily crosscheck your files against ours,” Tim excitedly added. “We can start with the book you’re getting ready to release. We already know that one has parallels to Black Mask.”

“Just… just don’t delete any of my files.” Jason’s voice was resigned. “I’ve spent way too long trying to get everything out of my head. You’ll need my flash drive.”

…

The sheer amount of information Jason had written down over the last few years was staggering. He’d already released sixteen novels that all were related to his cases as Robin, but he had hundreds of documents of cases that ranged from a few sentences to fully completed files. Several of the completed ones had been rewritten in a coded language which would need time to translate. For now, those ones had to wait until Jason redid them, unless Tim or Babs came up with a translating software. Knowing the two, they were going to try it, but for now, they had to leave that task to Jason.

After getting him set up at a nearby table, they left him to his own devices. Both Dick and Tim agreed he needed time to sort out his thoughts, but they weren’t entirely sure what Bruce was going to do. Now that he seemed to be adjusting to the idea that Jason wasn’t going to vanish as soon as anyone took their eyes off him, he was trying to act more like the awkward dad he was. But did that mean he was going to silently spend time near him? Or would start asking his opinion about the ‘family business’? Or was he going to lose his nerve and fall back to his Batman persona as more of a buffer?

He needed to make up his mind soon. The lack of consistency was sending Jason mixed messages and making it harder for him to trust them. Every once in a while, Dick would catch Jason glancing over at their dad with his brows furrowed as if he was trying to figure out some sort of puzzle.

A few hours into his task, Damian appeared with tea. While he continued to wear his signature scowl, he seemed set on turning it into his version of bonding time. Jason didn’t seem to mind, especially because it meant he got to partake in more of Alfred’s sweets. He also seemed to be developing a genuine fondness for his youngest brother, and Dick thought that was a good thing.

Deciding he needed his own break, he wandered over to them in hopes of stealing a cookie. While dodging out of the way of Damian’s attempt to stop him, he moved so he could look over Jason’s shoulder to check his progress. Not pleased with the sudden closeness, Jason leaned away before scowling up at him. Whatever playful thing Dick was planning to say died on his lips as he noticed something seemed off.

His brother’s scars looked different. They weren’t quite as prominent as they’d previously been. Was it just the light or him getting used to seeing them? He hoped that was the case because what would be healing them? No one in their family had any sort of meta ability. Maybe it had something to do with whatever force brought him back to life. If that was the case, it could be tied to his recovering memories. No matter which it was, he’d have to keep an eye on his brother.

“Can I help you?” Jason snapped, bringing him out of his thoughts. His shoulders had tensed, telling Dick he’d noticed his change in mood. “I know I’m ruggedly handsome, but you staring at me like that is unsettling.”

Despite himself, Dick chuckled as he pulled back and gently patted his brother’s shoulder. “It might sound weird, but you’re starting to look livelier.” That was true too. Jason was starting to look healthier – there was more color to his skin and his cheeks didn’t seem quite as sunken. That could be another reason his scars seemed different. Even his voice sounded less raspy. “It’s a wonder what a few good meals can do.”

Jason huffed and glanced away. “Excuse me for not exactly having access to a lot of money these last few years.”

Ah shit. He misstepped. “I didn’t mean anything by it. I forgot.”

Instead of anger, there seemed to be a twinkle in his brother’s eyes. “Guess your mind’s starting to fail you, old timer.” As the words slipped out of Jason’s lips, they both froze. That had been one of Jason’s many nicknames for him, and one he liked to use explicitly for teasing. Did that mean…? No, he realized had to squash his hopes for the time being.

“Why did I say that? I’m pretty sure I don’t know your age…” Jason ran his hands through his hair before standing. “I’m gonna take a walk.”

“Stay in this general area. We haven’t shown you most of the Cave, and there are some nasty surprises for intruders on the lower levels.” As he finished his warning, he noticed Damian seemed ready to follow their brother, an angry scowl was plastered on his face. “Dames, he wasn’t being insulting.”

“But he referred to you as ‘old timer’. While you are older than the rest of father’s adoptees, it’s hardly appropriate.”

Dick ruffled his hair and knelt down. Keeping his voice low, he explained how Jason had a habit of giving nicknames to the people he cared about, and different ones were used in different situations. The fact he used one of them so naturally was a good sign. At least Dick was pretty sure it was a good sign.

As he contemplated more, he watched as Jason eventually wandered over to the display with his old uniform. He stared at it for several minutes before deciding to collect his laptop and return to the cell with his belongings. When he didn’t re-emerge for a while, Dick stuck his head in to check on him. He was laying on the cot they’d placed in there for him while slowly examining his plush robin as if it held all the answers he needed. Hopefully, that meant he was beginning to piece together his own past.

…

On the fourth day of Jason being there, Dick found him assisting Steph and Cass with their equipment upkeep. He must have needed a break from sifting through his files. Bruce was watching them carefully; most likely unhappy Jason was working on equipment without his memory back. He wisely hadn’t said anything, or if he did, Dick wasn’t present for it.

After hearing some laughter, Dick decided he wanted to go investigate again. He knew he was probably pushing his luck with checking in so much, but he felt like he needed to. There was still a part of him that believed this was some elaborate dream.

“I hope you’re not talking about me,” he said innocently as he announced his presence. Cass waved at him.

Stephanie looked back over her shoulder, and he could tell she was grinning through her mask. “I told him about all the times you fell on your face.”

He purposely acted betrayed. “Spoiler, how could you?”

“Don’t act like you haven’t told your friends about how me and the others have screwed up over the years. I can’t wait until Ba… I mean Oracle finally sends me the footage of Jay going after you with a tire iron.”

“In my defense,” he glanced at his brother who was watching the interaction with thinly veiled curiosity, “I had no idea he could fit in there.”

“That’s your problem, not mine, Golden Boy.” Oh, another old nickname from Jay.

This one baffled Steph. “Why’d you call him that?”

“Isn’t it obvious? He’s the first out of Batman’s partners. He’s the one everyone is supposed to live up to.” He paused for a moment as his brows furrowed once again in confusion. “Or it’s because of that ugly ass costume he used to wear. The blue and gold one with the high collar.”

“Excuse you,” Dick stated as Stephanie howled with laughter, “my fashion taste is impeccable. But I’m surprised you remember it.”

“How could I not remember that abomination?” Jason’s teasing grin fell as he glanced over at Bruce. “Do you have any updates on Black Mask? Tall, dark, and brooding won’t tell me anything, and I’m getting stir crazy.”

“Well, we know his men have ransacked your apartment.”

“Assholes.”

Dick ignored him. “And we’ve narrowed down his current hideout to one of three locations.”

“Let me guess, until it’s verified and scoped out, no one is going to make a move.” When Dick nodded, he groaned before pulling out his pack of cigarettes and placing an unlit one on his lips. He must really be getting stressed about being kept in the Cave. “I’m so done with this shit. Seriously?” He swore as Cass stole the cigarette.

“Aw, and here I thought we were bonding.” Steph’s teasing was met with a half-hearted glare from Jason.

“You might think of it that way, but I know when I’m being babysat.” When Dick opened his mouth to say something, Jason dismissively waved his hand. “I get you thought I was dead, and I obviously went through some shit, but I can take care of myself.”

“Be that as it may, Black Mask is still a dangerous enemy to have.” Bruce surprised all of them by coming over. His tone was patient and almost fatherly.

Jason rolled his eyes as he got up from his seat. “And when he ends up breaking out of Blackgate or Arkham, wherever they decide to put him this time, in a month or posts bail, he’ll be just as dangerous then too. Probably more so because there would be a bigger grudge against me. I’m not going to deal with this again especially when I know this isn’t how you treat everyone who gets targeted by the various costumes in this city.”

“If that happens, we will catch him again,” Bruce promised without acknowledging why he was treating Jason so differently.

“‘If’, you mean ‘will’,” his brother spat. “Instead of just continuing to round them up, how about you do something more permanent about it? It’s a win-win for everyone.”

There was a moment of stunned silence at his outburst. After stiffening, Bruce recovered first and bluntly stated, “I don’t kill.”

“Who said anything about killing?” Jason’s anger echoed around the Cave as he threw his hands up. “I know your morals won’t let you. Although, there would be a lot of Gothamites who would probably sing your praises if you did.” He moved in front of Bruce and poked him in the chest. “You’re supposed to be one of the smartest men on Earth, right? If not, I know you have access to them through whatever connections you have in the Justice League. How about designing a jail that you actually can’t destroy? Or, better yet, go after the crooked cops, guards, judges, and whatever other fucks take the bribes and let these monsters keep escaping! Justice means nothing if you can’t keep them behind bars.”

“Or,” Jason backed away and gently shook his hand showing he was getting an idea. “Have them serve their time outside of Gotham. Even the worst psychiatric hospital with a criminal ward is a thousand times better than Arkham. Everyone knows you come out crazier, especially after some of the things Hugo Strange changed in there. Seen some people come home after a few months there after having a break from being exposed to Fear Gas. It wasn’t pretty. Blackgate’s not much better, but, hey, at least it doesn’t have the psychological torture Arkham does. I guess that accounts for something.” His words were sarcastic and biting.

After taking a deep breath, the tension in his shoulders lessened as some of his fight left him. “I know. I know you… all of you are trying to make the city safe, and it’s way more than most people do. It’s just… I think I can remember when you brought hope to the city, but, especially in the lower rungs of the city, that hope doesn’t exist anymore. Everyone just got used to it, to you, and proceeded on as if nothing changed. Too many people still end up working for the Families or whatever costume broke out this week because they’re desperate. Others just get caught in the crosshairs of whatever scheme started up this time and end up hurt, missing, or dead. And don’t get me started on the turf wars, trafficking, and worsening drug trade.” He sighed. “Some of us normal people who still care try to help in little ways, but it never seems to be enough. Everything good in this city eventually ends up corrupted or destroyed.”

“Jay…”  What was Dick supposed to say after that outburst. While the rest of them were constantly exposed to the worst of Gotham (and for him Bludhaven) while working, they could at least retreat and take a break from it at the end of the day. But Jason grew up witnessing what Gotham had to offer every day. Somehow, it made him one of the most compassionate people Dick ever met, but it also made him slow to trust. Maybe that was why. He saw how good intentions backfired more directly than the rest of them.

“Don’t.” His brother held up his hand to make sure no one touched him. “I shouldn’t be taking my anger out on you.”

Cass moved forward and cocked her head as she watched him. “You care so much. You want to help?”

“I’d like to do more than I am,” he eventually replied, “but between a broken body and no voice, I don’t have much to offer.”

There was a faint smile on Bruce’s face. Maybe he needed to hear Jay’s outburst to be able to fully reconcile the man in front of him was the same boy who agreed to become Robin to help the people of Gotham. “I will look into other options,” he promised, fondness coloring his tone.

Jason, who still expected him to be distant, bristled in uncertainty. “I’ll hold you to that. Prove those aren’t empty words.” Turning towards Steph and Cass, he gestured towards the workbench. “I think I’m going to stop for now.”

“That’s fair. Thanks for your help.”

After Jason nodded and headed back to the cell, Steph shook her head. “I so was not expecting an outburst like that. I thought you were going to combust at one point, Boss Man.”

“It always bothered Jason when criminals escaped justice,” Bruce explained. “While he didn’t talk about it much, he said sometimes there was retaliation against people who had provided me with information to help with a case if the criminal ended back on the streets.”

“My dad’s mentioned similar things.”

“He does make a good point though,” Dick murmured. “Guess figuring out how to fix the human element of Gotham’s legal system will be our next big task. I think we at least owe him that.”

…

A little later that day, Jason had taken to wandering the main level of the Cave. Dick recognized the behavior. If he was still Robin, he’d been making his way to his favorite gargoyle to think. Or, if it was daylight, take a walk around his old neighborhood. He disliked being emotionally vulnerable around people, so he needed time to center himself again away from everyone.

Dick was willing to give him space, but surprisingly, Damian wouldn’t be dissuaded from making sure he took time for tea. It took a little bit of coaxing this time, but Jason eventually agreed. It seemed to be business as usual as they set up and began, but the breaking of porcelain and agonized screaming ruined the tense calm of the Cave.

Rushing over, he found Jason standing and gripping his face. Blood was dripping onto the floor from his fingers, but was it from his hands or his face? “Ugh… It burns! No, no, no, no!!!” There was almost a primeval fear in his voice.

“Robin, report,” Bruce demanded as he rushed forward to try to help.

“Father, I…” Damian had backed away. While he tried to keep up the appearance that he was in control, both his voice and uncertain position of his hands showed he didn’t know what to do. “He wasn’t supposed to respond like this.”

“What do you mean? What did you do?”

=======

Notes:

Sometimes when you write, you get a scene in your head that's so strong that it must be written. That's what the scene at the end of the chapter and the beginning of the next were to me

[varpusvaras]

Okay so, I have so much to say about this and I would need a thesis-long essay to say it all, so treat this as a part one, because one of your points alings with one of mine and I'm glad that you said it.

I don't really like Jason being depicted as massive either. The childhood malnutrition mention is a bit of a distant memory for me (as in I don't remember where exactly that statement comes from) but the point still stands, because it really does come off as adultification. I have seen a lot of people who do not like Jason at all discrediting every single reading of his character that comes with quote un quote softer values, because he is a big, white and agressive male. And I get the angle of not wanting to have those readings put onto yet another male character, but at the same time, it sometimes reads as minimasing him being a victim of serious abuse and violence as well when he belonged to a group of people that are, in real life, one of if not the most opressed class in the world (meaning children). Making him this hulking, oppressive figure reads strongly as making him look and feel the least amount of vulnerable.

And it just...as if it's not already bad enough that traumatised men are only ever allowed to show their emotions through anger, they, yet again, make a case of being a victim meaning that you will turn into an abuser yourself, on top of villanaising mental health issues. It just makes me feel kinda ill if I think about it too much.

(Maybe it hits too close to me. My baby brother is around the same age as Jason was when he died. One is a real person and one is not, but I can't help but think. What an injustice. What wouldn't I give for nothing bad to ever happen. What wouldn't I give.)

Also the depictions of Jason as Robin written after his death are honestly just baffling to me. Like am I supposed to read this as "see! this child was actually bad all along! be afraid!!"? Really? After reading all the other times he was written as Robin, and shown to be a kind, bright child who wants the world to be a better place? Really? Because for me this just reads as this child, who already has gone through a lot and carries so much within him, is being put into dangerous situations where he sees suffering again and again and again and is starting to feel like he's not enough. And perhaps Jason didn't need to be Robin. Perhaps he just needed to have a stable, loving home with a support system around him that he could trust. Instead what he got was Bruce and Bruce only. He didn't have any other family. He didn't have friends who understood his entire situation. He didn't have a team around him like Dick did. Jason's life was always one mistep away from falling apart all over again. And the thing that I am supposed to get from this is that these are signs of him being evil all along? No, I don't think so.

(Not that Jason not necessarily needing Robin makes him a worse Robin, just that perhaps teaching a child violence is not the correct way of having him deal with his emotions, and neither is then demonising him for said emotions and how he reacts to them later on)

(On the note of the height and size, my personal taste is that he is tall, a bit shorter than Bruce, and it takes a while for him to truly fill in to his body. Have him be a middle point between Dick and Bruce if you must. Boys to tend to grow a bit longer than girls, often only reaching their full height in their late teens/early twenties. He can still be growing, and I know that this is comic book logic, but it is quite absurd to have him be suddenly a goliath only a couple of years after the Pit.)

Winnick will come this close to writing a good, rightfullly angry character with BPD/CPTSD and ruin it by making him his conception of "a dangerous psychopath" because dc's understanding of mental illness begins and ends with the joker.

I like that Jason was angry i'm not gonna lie I enjoy the "bad victim who doesn't accept that they were a necessary sacrifice, who doesn't think what happened to them is something they should be expected to tolerate, like fuck your greater good, you weren't there, it isn't worth this." I think even looking at Jason's past before getting adopted he has reason to be angry, like he is poor af and starving and he had to take care of his mom and his dad is in jail because he couldn't see another way to provide and he gets trafficked -he has so many reasons to be angry. And he's not, and I love jaybin, but I think there are so many ways and things he can be angry about without it feeling classist. And I love that he can't emotionally regulate, that he has so clearly BPD/CPTSD because why the fuck would he not, have you seen his life (and that's not even counting the csa hc, which i am because willfully and consistently implying csa and then not addressing it/denying it feels like feeding into a culture of taboo that ruins lives and getting away with covert victim-blaming at the same time). The issue is that they lack finesse or any kind of understanding of anger. The think anger is a personality trait. They think angry = evil. They think being angry means you're violent at and about everything, that you shoot indiscriminately even though you've known better since you were a kid, that you're suddenly treating women like shit (which, wtf seriously) which okay maybe THEY treat women shitty for no reason when they're angry, but that'd be more of a them problem I'd say. Their portrayal of anger is classist because their conception of emotions hasn't evolved since fucking Descartes. Think anger = bad = poor and not only doesn't it occur to them that this is classist, they so instinctively assign moral value to the concepts of poor and angry that they don't realise it and just conceptualise poor=angry and end up with incredibly classist portrayals of anger. You can write characters that are mentally ill and violent without being ableist, you can write characters that are poor and angry without being classist, but that requires a level of respect for people, introspection, humility willingness to learn about the sensitive topics you are exploring that is simply not accessible to Winnick and so many other dc writers.

And here comes my very hot take that I'm too cowardly to say off anon: the pit shouldn't have healed Jason's malnutrition. Like, outside of canon I love big jay, I love big men who are emotionally vulnerable and need comfort etc. but in canon? It just comes off as another way to adultify Jason, and make the horrible things that happen to him acceptable. Jason "sleeping with Talia because he is fucked up about Bruce" because they both look like adults until you realise this is actually just rape and you can't put any responsibility of Talia taking advantage of the kid under her care (very ooc of course) on the child himself. Jason fighting Mia looking like a 40 years old beating up a teenage girl when they're the same damn age. Fucking Ethiopia 2.0. And Jason's murders as well, for the matter. Like don't get me wrong the duffle bag of doom is an iconic villain move, but it's just that: a massive shock effect and a "psychopathic" move. We shouldn't need Jason beheading anyone to be horrified, because just one murder, if written correctly, should be enough. A child killing someone is a terrible thing. A child being put in a position where they think killing someone is the only solution to ending suffering (thinking about the Garzonas case) is a terrible thing. A kid trying to kill his murderer (because fuck his death has to matter it has to) and only begging to be allowed it should be horrifying. Jason, with his unhealed malnutrition making him look a couple of years smaller and younger than his physical age, should look his mental age. It should be impossible to look away from the reality of what he is: a traumatized teenager who wasn't allowed to grow up. And he has a gun. This is already a horror story.

Make utrh!Jason a villain if you must, but have the guts to sit with it. Don't shove the fact that he was a hero and a victim under the rug because it's uncomfortable. Sit with the unease that sometimes someone is doing something bad and is suffering a lot, and maybe they're doing the bad thing because they don't know how to survive the suffering, and suddenly it's not easy separating hero from villain from victim. Your imaginary lines in the sand will not protect you from the crude reality of the complicated and shitty situations you have chosen to depict; you open the can of worms now you can't look away and let the worms roam free just because you're squeamish.

How does it feel to be psychic and be in my head and write part of my essay on Jason for me? Fuck, I have so much to say about this but I need a good night of sleep to formulate it correctly. Look for a longer answer tomorrow, but in the meantime, everyone sit down and look at this and look at it hard. Thank you.

[spicyhamsamson]

I am. So fucking tired of Batman being portrayed as a bad parent and a toxic person. And it’s so goddamn widespread. Fuck, it might be as bad as the whole “Superman being a kindhearted Boy Scout is boring” take.

I get it, the man’s not exactly stable, he watched his parents get murdered in front of him and spent years of his life training to fight crime dressed like a giant scary bat, of course he’s not perfect.

But to say that Bruce Wayne isn’t caring, isn’t empathetic, to call him abusive…it just misses the point of who the character is to me.

Why do you think he fights crime? Yes, part of it is because he’s bitter and sad because his parents were cruelly ripped from him as a child, and he’s lashing out against the corruption of his city. It’s arguably the focus of his earlier years. But he learns to become more than that. He learns to bring hope, a chance to be better.

Harleen Quinzel is the Joker’s right hand lady, but she’s also a victim of an abusive relationship and a woman with a surprisingly strong moral compass and a love for animals, and wants to get better. That’s why we see time and time again that he has a noticeable soft spot for her, because he knows that she’s a good person at her core.

Harvey Dent is a man who will decide someone’s fate on a coin toss(and a pretty inaccurate depiction of DID), but he’s also Bruce’s close friend who clearly needs help learning to live with his condition, rather than try to get rid of it, and someone who he still goes out of his way to visit, even after everything, because he recognizes he’s not just a criminal with a weird gimmick, he’s a man who is struggling with a condition that he’s mishandled his whole life.

Victor Fries is a cold, emotionless man who will callously discard allies and blame them for being careless, but he’s also a man who’s either lashing out because he had the love of his life taken from him, or just desperate to make sure she isn’t taken from him, and is willing to do anything just to guarantee her survival. Of course Batman would understand, his whole life was defined by having people he loved taken away from him.

Even the Joker, arguably one of the most morally bankrupt characters in all of fiction, is someone that Batman has offered a chance to. After the guy shoots the daughter of his friend, a girl he cared for like she was his own kid, and paralyzes her from the waist down, he tells the Joker that he doesn’t want to hurt him. He wants to get him help. He looks at this monster who has taken countless lives and says “You don’t have to be alone.”

For fuck’s sake, he sat with Joe Chill in his last moments so that he wouldn’t be alone. Joe Chill, the man who murdered his parents, who took so much from him, the person responsible for all of the misery and suffering he’s gone through. And he sits with the man to comfort him while dies. Do you know how much emotional intelligence and maturity that must take? To comfort someone who arguably ruined your life?

And you’re gonna tell me the man who did that would abuse his kids?

That he’d hold up the young man whose death was his greatest failure, the boy he grieved, and say this?

That he’d look his goddamn son in the eyes and say this to him?

Why the FUCK do you think he took in Dick Grayson in the first place? It wasn’t because he saw the kid and thought “Ah. A potential soldier.”, it was because he saw a boy experiencing the same heartbreaking loss he had so many years ago, and wanted to make sure he didn’t end up as bitter and miserable as he was.

Why do you think he smiled when Tim Drake presented him a broken watch for Father’s Day? Because he was just happy to see the boy alive and safe.

DAMIAN LITERALLY POINTED AT A COW AND SAID “I’m keeping her. She’s Bat-Cow.” AND BRUCE JUST WENT WITH IT. DIDN’T EVEN NEED TO ARGUE WHY BRUCE SHOULD LET HIM KEEP HER. HE SAID “this cow is my pet now” AND BRUCE SAID “aight, bet”.

The thing about Batman is that he wants to make sure nobody else ends up feeling the way he does. That’s not just about stopping a mugger so a boy’s parents aren’t gunned down. It’s about giving his loved ones the support and care that he couldn’t have, because it was taken from him. It’s about comforting someone who just went through a traumatic experience and letting them know that they’re going to be okay. It’s about going to someone locked away in a cell who thinks that they’re a lost cause and a burden to society and telling them that he wants to help them get better. It’s about EMPATHY and COMPASSION.

That’s what makes him a HERO. He’s meant to inspire us, to show us that we can have that same empathy for others around us, that we can turn our suffering into hope for a better future.

I just wish more people at DC would start recognizing that. But I might as well follow that example myself. Maybe through this struggle of having to see this hero mistreat the people around him and act like a grade-A jackass, people will start to recognize that missing compassion, and slowly but surely, it might come back. After all, what is this post, if not trying to bring attention to the matter in the hopes of fixing it?

[providencehq]

Order and very quick design ideas for my version of the Reverse Robins AU. Descriptions of how they joined the Batfamily under readmore:

Duke Thomas aka Lark was the first to be taken in by Bruce Wayne after the incident where his parents and the Joker, Bruce didn't want someone like him to suffer the same fate of using anger to struggle through grief. Sadly, it's didn't work and Gotham ended up with the first person Batman willingly worked with, Lark. He ends up parting with Bruce after he slowly gets more kids to train and fill his shoes. Duke takes to working during the day, usually alone but sometimes Shadow/Cass will join him.

Next Bruce learns about the existence of a biological son who grew up in the League of Assassins. Bruce struggles raising him but Duke steps in and tries to help him. Damian soon takes on the name Robin and works to fill in another crime fighting spot next to Batman. Over the years Damian struggles to live up to Batman's impossible expectations and leaves Gotham to live in Bludhaven under the name Mockingjay (or maybe Magpie, I'm not sure yet.) He's quite distant from the family and tends to stay out of family drama.

Cassandra Cain aka Shadow joins the family next but isn't initially taken under the wing of Batman, no, she's initially discovered by Minhkhoa Khan/Ghost Maker. He tries to show her how to be like him and trains her. He does show her kindness where her father never did but they have two very different options regarding vigilantism and the morals and standards they must uphold. Khoa isn't a fan of leaving her be in his city as she might turn into a rival so he ends up dropping her off to Batman since their codes line up. She quickly becomes one of the bats. Her and Damian get along nicely since they were both raised as assassins, it's easier to understand another that way.

Stephanie Brown aka Spoiler aka Black Mask was never adopted into the Bat's family. Instead she became a close friend to Cass as a civilian but ends up running into Cass a few times as Spoiler while she's trying to take down her father. Things go well until she's 'killed' by Black Mask during a gang war she accidently started while trying to take down her father. Cass takes down Black Mask and he's sent to Blackgate. Steph comes back with a vengeance however and takes on Black Mask's old name in order to strike fear into the city and also to better control it. She doesn't want what happened to her to ever happen again so she takes on not quite lethal means to fight and protect her own but it's nearly lethal in all honestly.

Tim Drake aka Red Hawk is taken in as a ward by Bruce when his parents are killed by Captain Boomerang. Bruce doesn't want those he's close to know his second lifestyle and keeps Tim away from it the best he can. Tim discovers who Batman is and notices how much trouble he has taking down crime, now currently alone due to all of his children taking up heroism elsewhere. Tim confronts Bruce and forces him to train him. As Red Hawk, he helps out Batman and is later adopted by him.

Jason Todd was adopted by Bruce after he tried to steal the tires off of the Batmobile. Jason, compared to everyone else so far, is thriving under Bruce and his care. But Batman is currently struggling once more as he is left without a partner. Both Tim and Steph expose Batman's secret to Jason and more or less force him to take on the mantle to be his sidekick. Jason agrees but later dies at the hands of Joker. He comes via the Lazarus pits and uses the new name Shrike and attempts to get revenge on his siblings who failed to protect him. He's currently running amok in Crime Alley.

Lastly is Dick Grayson aka Robin aka Talon. Dick's parents died in Haley's Circus but Bruce wasn't there to control of the young boy and instead the Court of Owls got to him. They began to mold him to the next Talon but Batman intervenes as he's tracking down the Court of Owls. Dick is adopted by Bruce and takes on the mantle of Robin but struggles with heroism. Damian steps in since he was raised as an assassin and living the expectations of Dick. Damian helps Dick with the extreme adjustments he's facing while also trying to get Jason back to manor for some much needed interventions with what's he's doing in Crime Alley. Dick more or less acts a side kick to both Bruce and Damian when needed.

[linkspooky]

What do you think about Teen Titans TV Series?

Best Cartoon ever created? Best Cartoon ever created.

I think the strongest thing about the Teen Titans Cartoon is that it's the most cartoon, to ever cartoon. The writers have gone on record by saying that their challenge was to always try to do the most creative thing possible with every episode, and the result we get is that it's this wild, unrestrained beast which uses the medium of cartoons to tell a story. In my opinion it's as hard hitting as like ATLA, Batman the Animated Series, etc. etc. but like it's made by people who are huge warner brothers cartoons nerds. There's scooby doo references! There's FLCL references! They do entire episodes where the goal is to animate the weirdest thing possible. It is just so unashamedly a cartoon and not trying to be what it is, like no wonder so many children got attached to this.

It's also essentially what everyone's introduction to the Teen Titans was, and the most popular team lineup nowadays.

So like there are two ways you can talk about it, as it's own show, and as an adaptation. As someone who has read every Teen Titans comic ever though, I do have some hot takes on it as an adaptation. UNDER THE CUT.

Number one: Donna Troy's character is missing, and there's a big Donna shaped hole in the team. I don't know if they just couldn't get the rights to Donna, or they couldn't make her work with the story they were going for but like Donna is actually super important to the team dynamic of the Titans. She's the one normal person, the babysitter, the mom.

People wonder why Starfire is so softened in this adaptation, and while I generally agree they rounded off the edges too much on Starfire to make her more palatable especially for kids I feel like Starfire had to have these rtaits of being the patient one, being the naive newcomer, being the one who always served as the therapist friend because Donna wasn't there, but the group needed SOMEONE to be the emotionally intelligent one. I'd say Starfire isn't really out of character so much as they grafted Donna's traits onto her and had her pulling double duty as being Starfire but serving Donna's role to the team, and to Dick Grayson.

Number Two: I don't actually think the Teen Titans cartoon character ruined Raven's character in modern comics. I think the fact that DC editing staff repeated the terror of trigon arc about, five times, until Raven was like double dead and they had no place left to take her character in fact ruined Raven's character.

Dc Editing staff has not figured out basically what they want Raven's character to look like post-trigon, where they would want her character to go, or what she would even act like having grown past the phase of her life where she has removed herself from Trigon's influence and it's shown by Raven basically being a non-character for the past ten years.

Marvel does the exact same thing with Jean Gray where they keep on recycling Dark Phoenix forever, and ever, and ever. I don't think Raven's character being empty is the fault of the titans cartoon, I think it's because they keep recycling her dark phoenix moment and don't know what to do past that. Like "They keep resetting Raven to a younger version of her character" that's not necessarily the fault of the cartoon either, they do that to Jean Gray. and it's cuz they wanna repeat Dark Phoenix / Terror of TRigon instead of just trying to move past that.

Number Three: So when it comes to individual character adaptation.

Robin: This is the best Dick Grayson adaptation, with the exception of the Live Action Titans show Dick Grayson. Dick suffers from what I like to call the "WanyeFamilyAdventures-ification" where people like to sand off all of his character flaws to make him a wholesome good boy. Dick was an angry little kid for a long time, like Batman turning into him into a sidekick and Bruce's like really overbearing controlling nature did a number on Dick and he's a way more compelling character when he's working through those issues then when people skip straight to NIght Wing and make him "The Good Robin."

Also, like Dick Grayson is always better in Titans adaptations bar none. I wonder why. It's almost like he's a Teen Titans character and that's where his good development is.

Cyborg: Cyborg is probably the most accurate to his comic book counterpart, the only thing they really cut out was his interactions with his father, and his connection to the city he grew up in which are important but like they were superheroes most of the time in this show. Cyborg just has like a really strong disability representation narrative which has always been a big part of his character and how he stands out. On top of that they do a lot of focus on Cyborg's flaws and his own personal narrative how like unlike most of the other characters he was a completely normal kid, and he had his life thrown off by his life altering accident and now he is still trying to grow up and gain some semblance of his life back. And like living with prosthesis is not the end of the world to him because he figures out he can still live just like everybody else, his life can be just as fulfilling before the accident. The fact that Cyborg is just kind of a normal kid who went through a horrible accident, but chooses to do good and become a hero makes him one of the more compelling and down to earth characters. Cyborg's all about his emotions too,he's like the most driven, the most in a hurry to grow up, the most argumentative he's cool.

Starfire - I mean I kind of explained why, but Starfire is the character who suffered the most from the adaptation. Especially since she's the only character who doesn't get a season. If you want to watch a more comics accurate Starfire, who still keeps her traits of being the loving, emotional, heart of the group while having a much rougher exterior then please watch the Live Action Titans on HBOMAX.

Beast Boy - Actually pretty accurate, I like to bully Beast Boy so don't take this too seriously, but Beast Boy is like if Dick Grayson was more annoying and whiny. Beast Boy is an essential member of the team, but he's not the smartest, not the strongest, not the most driven. He's kind of completely necessary because you need one person on the team of children who acts like an actual kid. Beast Boy's weird immature bullshit is actually just as important as the other character's issues, and this Beast Boy especially gets two seasons sort of since his character is so tied to Terra. The only thing that I'm sad they cut out is Beast Boy's trauma from losing the doom patrol is so interesting in New Teen Titans and such an important part of his character for a long time, it's a little bit sad they cut out his really bad depression.

Raven - I don't knooooooooooooow. The thing is I don't know if you could have done a comics accurate adaptation of Raven as a character. Raven in the comics is like such a slow burner character. For the longest time she barely interacts with the team she just like teleports in and out. When she starts living with the team she has no relationship to anybody besides Jericho until like, way past the Terror of Trigon arc. If you wnted to do a cartoon that is about the dynamic of the whole team, where every character consistently shows up every episode, where they have to get in group fights, those traits of Raven would not have fit well at all.

Like, adaptations sometimes have to make changes. However, I think Raven's character is actually a lot more in spirit of the original character than people give her credit for. Like I've said in othe rposts Raven is Jean Grey. What you need to get right about her, is that she is a heavily abuse and isolated child who believes deep down she is evil, and she will hurt people if she ever loses that carefully managed control of herself. If you keep that core to her character I believe you have essentially captured the spirit of her character. Characters aren't just like personality traits, they're also themes, and the most important theme of all to Raven is a young girl told she wasn't even allowed to exist, and that her birth is a sin reclaiming agency over herself and learning how to live. Teen Titans has that and so you have a character that is true to the spirit of the character if not a 1:1 adaptation.

Terra - This is probably the best adaptation of Judas Contract. Yes, I know Terra in the cartoon is way more sympathetic than comics Terra but like, a twelve year old cannot process comic book Tara Markov, grooming victim, sociopath, hater and still see those sympathetic traits. I think once again the spirit of the character, rather than a 1:1 adaptation.

I read an interview somewhere where, the gist of what they said was the creators also didn't want Terra to quit the team, or fail at the end of her arc. But, some people aren't meant to be heroes. That is who Terra is at the core of her character. She's not necessarily a bad person, she just couldn't make it as a hero. Terra's self involved, and unempathic, and hurts a lot of people but at the same time her life is genuinely hard, and she was groomed by Slade and all of these things make Terra a mess.

I think one thing that the cartoon nails is number one Terra is a fake human being TM. Basically no matter who she is around, Terra is never presenting her real self to anyone. Terra's personality changes wildly depending on who she is with, when she's with Beast Boy she acts like a normal kid, when she's with Raven she's catty and mean spirited, when she is with Slade she's conniving and manipualtive, there's like no consistency between any of these identities because Terra is in constant survival mode. She is just a runaway kid who is saying and doing anything to live to the next moment because she's had no stability in her entire life.

Number two, is that Terra does not trust anyone, ever. Terra is exactly the kind of person who would blow up over a little betrayal of thinking Beast Boy told someone else about her powers, because like I said she is in survival mode. She is constantly expecting that betrayal coming and trying to make herself ready for it. In fact, I think from Terra's point of view the Teen Titans betrayed her to begin with. The night that Terra betrayed the Titans, she makes it sound like Beast Boy is the one who betrayed her by breaking his promise to her to always accept her and be her friend no matter what happens. That's insane because obviously he'd be mad at her for letting Slade get the access codes to the tower, and distracting Beast Boy while he attacked all of his friends. but like...!! In Terra's weird little head it makes sense. Terra can't really see the consequences of her actions because she's always reacting to things. She literally cannot decide things or choose things for herself, so it's almost easier to do what Slade wants of her because number one the way Slade treats her alligns with Terra's idea of what relatinoships are, based on transaction and not trust. Number two, he at least introduces some kind of control in her life, whereas the easy trust the titans share with one another is something she's to scared to belive in.

So yes, I think cartoon Terra is different than comics Terra and I definitely like comics Terra better but I don't think it's a bad adaptation of the character at all. I also don't want to fault the show for not being like the comic books, it's an adaptation it's supposed to make changes.

[quatribobo]

May I sprinkle in some more drama? Also i know nothing about tech so don't @ me

They were not going to take this lying down.

That was their boy, damnit, and they were going to find him.

Unfortunately, they had only one lead, which was the blood sample. Fortunately, it was a blood sample. No matter how much the DNA was corrupted, that had to count for something, right?

And if it didn't, well, then they'd just have to go and ask Ra's in person.

Tim shuddered even thinking about it. He really hoped the blood sample would give them something.

So far they hadn't had any luck, though. Not a single database held a sample even remotely as fucked up as the one in their possession.

He was just checking out a case from years ago, where a college student had been taken up in the hospital with what seemed like a somwhat similar form of corruption in his blood - though this was an adult man years ago, with nowhere near the same levels of green, and it only showed how desperate he was to find something but he has to find something - when out of the blue, Oracle ended his suffering.

"I've got a match."

"How much of a match?" Bruce asked, hastily making his way to the computer.

"A perfect one."

"Oracle, you're an angel."

"Tell me something I don't know, Nightwing."

"Everyone, focus. Oracle, what have you found?"

"Other than the sample match? Nothing yet, Batman. It's from a heavily guarded database, that has an external layer of encryption covering it. Clearly, there are multiple people who don't want us to find it."

"And now in English, for thos who don't know what that means?"

"Jesus, Red Hood, you've got to update your tech knowledge. Basically, you've got the protection from the database itself. Someone else externally reinforced that protection, making it even harder to find. But considering how they've left a back door into their system for their own use, i wouldn't say they're allies. Would have been really hard to find, too, if i'd have been anyone but myself."

"Yeah yeah, you're a genius, how about you focus on actually finding the kid instead of stroking your own-"

"OKAAAY hey we're all tense here-" Nightwing interjected, physically dragging Red Hood to the side. "How about we all take a deep breath and take a moment to cool down, wile RR and Oracle can do their thing, yeah?"

"Do we know whether these people have a base of operation?" Batman interjected, taking the attention off Jason and Dick. While they stood a small distance away, the others' attention turned back to the screen.

Tim appreciated the diversion. Ever since the boy had disappeared, everyone had been on edge. The only one who didn't show it was Cass, but he wasn't fooled. She had become attached to the boy, just like the rest of them. Hell, even Alfred seemed tense.

"I'm decoding their files now. I've found some logistics files which indicate that they have several bases, but I think they have one main hub."

"Won't do us a lot of good if we don't know where-"

"Calm down, Damian, she only just found the files."

"Names, Signal, though I agree. Give them some time, Robin."

"Time?" Robin snarled, turning to his father. "He's six, and out there alone! We don't have time! For all we know, he's already d-"

"Illinois."

They turned back to the screen at Oracle's interruption. "It's in Illinois. I'm sending you the exact location. And Robin?"

"What."

"Breathe."

Rpbin did just that, frown still etched on his face. Tim could see the kid's shoulders drop an inch. As Robin took a moment to collect himself, gravitating closer to Dock and Jason as he did, Tim turned back to his screen. While Oracle had been trying to find a location, Tim had been focussing on the files surrounding the blood samples.

To put it mildly, he didn't like what he found.

He didn't like it at all.

Name: Phantom_PH001

Status: ghost, deceased entity (TBC)

Risk assesment: high [link].

Weaknesses: electricity, high temperatures, other ecto-entities (particular: PH002, K9_001) [link]

Video archive natural encounters: [link]

Lab results: Log July 18 [link]. Log July 19 [link]. Log July 20 [link]. [...] Log August 3 [link].

Most recent contact: containment breach from facility, August 4, 2AM. No sightings since.

Tim felt his stomach sink. August four. That was little over two weeks ago, right before Bruce found the kid.

"Uhhh Batman?" Tim spoke up, interrupting the conversation going on behind him, "You might want to see this."

While his father read the details of the file he's found on Danny (was this Danny? It couldn't be, but - what else could it be?) he felt the gravity of the situation sink in.

Had they been taking care of a ghost all this time? Was Danny dead?

Damian's words came back to him. For all they knew, Danny could be dead.

But that wasn't possible, was it? Deadman was a ghost, but he wasn't visible. Let alone that he could eat, sleep or be tucked in at night.

Tim's head was spinning with the implications.

Had Phantom taken over the body of a six year old? Or was something else going on?

And who the hell had experimented on him??

As his cursor hovered over the first link to the lab log in the hope do find out more, Bruce's hand stopped him.

"You won't be reviewing this footage."

"What?! Bruce, I can-"

"Names, Red Robin. And yes, you can. But we need to focus, and we are already emotionally implicated in this. We will be sending this image to Zatanna and Martian Manhunter for review. They will let us know what we need to. In the meantime, we focus on what we can learn from their archive of natural encounters. Maybe we'll find a location there."

Tim sighed, but did as he was told. Under his scrutiny and the tenseness of the situation, all he could do was forward the files to the watchtower. Where, Tim knew, Batman would still be reviewing them himself. The hypocrite.

"Already on it, Batman" Oracle piped in.

"The person on the images doesn't look like our Danny, like, at all, but the location is mostly the same; Amity Park, Illinois. Coincidentally, it's not too far away from their base, which was built after their first contact with this so-called Phantom. Also, heads up: I don't know what kind of cover-up is going on here, but Amity park is Crazy hard to find. Someone clearly doesn't want us to investigate this place."

Batman grunted.

"Not hard to figure out why" Jason interjected, joining them again with Dick and Damian on either side. "Danny needs to get his pit corruption from somewhere, and we know they pop up in random placed from time to time. If Phantom and our Danny are two seperate people, then odds are even bigger that there's a Lazarus Pit there."

"And if they're the same?" Tim whispered, still rattled from what he's found.

Jason's eyes narrowed.

"Then we might just have found our boy."

Bruce had been walking out of the WE building when he spotted a child who could fit right in at Wayne Manor looking around. Determining he was probably lost, Bruce approached him and tapped his shoulder. The boy turned around.

"Daddy?" he asked.