#wayne says save room for jesus i guess

[chantillyxlacey]

Scarlet Hollow Chapter 4 spoilers:

I fucking love that when you have been hitting on Reese and ask him to draw you, if you let him go back to sketching after he touches your face the two of you have the time to have a whole conversation before Wayne interrupts

But if you try to lean in for a smooch while Reese is touching you Wayne shows up immediately and fucking cock blocks you

Bro excuse me we’re having a moment here do you mind??

[steddieas-shegoes]

count on your courage

for @steddielovemonth prompt 'love is what makes you brave'

rated t | 1,508 words | cw: coming out (one goes horribly wrong offscreen, one goes perfectly right), steve gets kicked out | tags: wayne munson is the best uncle, secret relationship, steve has bad parents, hurt/comfort, wayne adopts steve

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Steve should've gone to Robin's probably.

But when you're in a state of shock after being kicked out of your house because your dad found a handwritten love note from your boyfriend, you don't always think clearly.

He was sitting outside the trailer, on the gravel driveway, rocks digging into his ass and thighs, thinking about how uncomfortable the back seat of his car was for sleeping. He managed to grab his sandwich bag of savings, which was barely enough for a motel for a couple of weeks, but maybe he'd find a place that would be more understanding.

After Vecna, most places were open to any arrangement on payment as long as they got something.

"Steve?" Eddie's voice filtered to him from the front door of the trailer.

It wasn't until he heard Eddie's voice that he realized Wayne's truck was parked next to Eddie's van, which meant Wayne was home, which meant Wayne would be confused as hell.

Eddie's hands were on his shoulders, worried and tugging him out of his own thoughts.

"Hey," Steve said.

"What're you doin' here, Stevie? You said you weren't comin' over because you have an early shift tomorrow," Eddie's eyes were wide, and Steve realized he must assume there's an emergency.

"Oh. I did say that." Steve sighed. "I actually don't know why I came here."

"Shit, Steve. Did you hit your head? Is it...you know?"

"No. To both. Just-" Steve didn't want to alarm him, but he did have to say what was going on. "My parents kicked me out. Well, my dad did. My mom just kinda...let him?"

"What? Jesus Christ, Stevie. Come inside, you're shivering," Eddie pulled him up so he was standing awkwardly in front of him. "How long have you been out here?"

"Dunno," he shrugged. Which was true. He knew his parents got home around five, and his dad had stormed out of his office around six, yelling about Steve's belongings being where they shouldn't be. It didn't take long after that for all hell to break loose. "What time is it now?"

Eddie looked down at his watch. "A little after nine."

"Huh. I guess close to two hours."

Eddie cussed under his breath, then wrapped an arm around Steve's waist.

It's not like they had to worry about being seen; What used to be a full trailer park now mostly consisted of the Munson's new trailer and Max's trailer that was only inhabited for a few hours a night, if that.

"Ed? Everthin' okay?" Wayne called from the porch.

Steve looked up, panicked.

It's not that he hadn't been around Wayne plenty of times, especially while Eddie was in the hospital. He'd run into him a few times at the trailer as he passed through the kitchen to pack his lunch for work or when he was heading to bed when Steve was picking Eddie up for work.

It was more like he felt like everything was written clear across his face, and if Wayne found out about him, he'd find out about Eddie, and what if he kicked Eddie out?

They couldn't both be homeless.

Eddie didn't verbally respond, but he must have done something to let Wayne know everything wasn't okay.

"C'mon in then," he gestured, opening the front door for them both to walk through. "Get that blanket off my chair for him."

Steve didn't know why he needed a blanket, it's not like it was even cold.

But as he was gently pushed down onto the couch, he noticed how much he actually was shivering, and realized he must've forgotten his jacket in his haste to leave his house. It wasn't winter, but the chill in at night was too much to be outside without a jacket.

The blanket was soft, and smelled a lot like Wayne's cologne, the one he insisted he didn't wear, but Steve could always smell just a hint of it lingering in the air after he left the room. It was a comforting smell, one he'd gotten used to in the background. One he'd come to associate with Eddie, and calm, and home.

He could hear Wayne and Eddie whispering by the kitchen counter, but couldn't quite focus on the words they were saying.

Wayne sat down across from him, right on the coffee table, like it wasn't a piece of furniture specifically designed for holding things that were never touched. Eddie sat down next to him, leaving no space, and no way to mistake how close they were.

He tried to scoot away, just leave a few inches of space so Wayne wouldn't question it. Eddie's hand on his knee stopped him.

"You wanna tell me about what's going on?" Wayne asked softly.

"I'm fine-"

"I didn't ask if you were fine. I asked if you wanted to tell me what was goin' on." Wayne's voice was gruff, but his face was open, his body leaning in closer to them so he could listen to what Steve had to say. "You ain't gotta tell me everythin', but if you're gonna be stayin', I'd like to know why you look scared outta your mind."

Eddie's hand moved to his back, rubbing in circles, comforting. "It's okay, sweetheart."

Wayne didn't even flinch at the pet name.

Maybe he was just used to Eddie being a bit too loose with his words, or maybe he actually knew.

"My parents um," Steve silently asked Eddie for permission to say more. Eddie nodded. "They found a note from Eddie to me. And they figured out some stuff about um..."

"It's alright. He knows about me," Eddie said softly.

"Go on, kid," Wayne said.

"They found out that he's my boyfriend from the note, and they didn't want their letdown of a son in their house anymore. I had to grab what I could in just a couple minutes and get out."

Wayne's hand rested on his knee now. "Thanks for tellin' me, son."

Steve broke.

The tears came so quickly, so viciously, he couldn't breathe. Eddie's arms wrapped around him, pulled him tight to his chest.

Wayne's hand was on his back, an extra comforting weight as he let the events of the evening sink in.

His parents didn't love him, didn't want him, didn't even care to hear about how lucky he was to finally have someone who got him.

But Wayne was here, showing him acceptance.

Eddie was here, holding him and loving him through this.

And when Robin heard, she'd be by his side, making threats that would make him laugh.

Eventually, he would tell the others, maybe even Hopper.

But for now, he held the courage Eddie gave him close to his chest, used this as a practice run.

"I'm gonna make us some hot chocolate. You got any stuff in your car to bring in?" Wayne asked.

"Just one bag."

"We'll get it in the mornin'. You can borrow some of Ed's clothes tonight. And you let me worry about gettin' your stuff. Me and Jim can handle it." Wayne stood up and started walking towards the kitchen. "And Steve?"

"Yeah?" he pulled away to wipe his eyes and look at Wayne, who was smiling at him.

"I don't expect ya to pay rent, but I do expect ya to help with chores. Your days for dishes can be Mondays and Thursdays and you'll be in charge of groceries one week a month. Sound okay to you?"

He blinked back at Wayne, confused.

"You can share a room with Eds, but remember the walls are thin."

"Wayne!" Eddie choked out.

Steve laughed, genuinely happy on a night when he was sure he'd be miserable for days to come. "We'll behave."

Wayne knocked once on the doorway and walked out of sight.

Steve turned to Eddie and kissed him once on the lips, a quick peck.

"You okay with me living here? Wayne kinda just invited me without talking to you," Steve felt himself blush.

"I want you to be safe and happy, right here with me. With us. If that's what you want."

"Yeah. I want that," Steve rested his head against Eddie's shoulder and sighed. "I'm tired."

"You were brave tonight. Takes a lot outta ya." Eddie kissed the top of his head. "I should know by now that I can always count on your courage, though."

"What do you mean?"

"Took me three years to admit to Wayne that I was gay. Took you three minutes," Eddie let out a quiet laugh. "You amaze me."

"You're being sappy," Steve said into his shirt.

"Let me be a little sappy."

Steve could hear the words he wasn't saying, had felt them plenty of times over the last couple of weeks, maybe months. The 'I love you' that was hidden under sappy words, hidden under the blanket wrapped around him being adjusted by worried hands, hidden in hands that were always touching him to remind him he wasn't alone.

They might be hidden now, but they wouldn't be for long.

[pizzaqueen]

I've had this scene in my mind of Eddie encountering Steve’s dad at the hospital post S4 for a while but I didn't know what to do with it. I've written it up, anyway, and I'm posting it here instead of letting it languish. Maybe I'll do something else with it one day?

Just over 800 words, warnings for being in the hospital, I guess and maybe being a little angsty

The first time Eddie meets Steve’s dad, it’s at the hospital, after everything. He’s seen Steve’s dad before, of course he has, everyone knows the Harringtons. But it's always been from a distance, and Mr. Harrington has always seemed arrogant and out of touch.

Eddie waits until Wayne is asleep in the chair beside his bed to get up. Between the shit he's hooked up to and the tightly bandaged wounds, it's not easy, but he needs to do this.

He pulls back the edge of the curtain dividing his bed from Steve’s, then pauses. Steve is lying there, dark circles under his eyes, unconscious and pale and looking less like one of the heroes from Eddie's stories and more like a boy who's seen too many awful things, given too much of himself to them.

Guilt wells up beneath the cotton wool feeling of the painkillers that have been pumped into him. It’s not because it’s Eddie’s fault, but Eddie’s here, on his feet, and Steve isn’t. He will be, though. He has to be.

There’s a vague memory playing in Eddie's mind of Steve carrying him out of that fucking place, Steve's breathing labored, his arms strong but trembling. He'd barely made it out of there before he'd collapsed to the ground with Eddie still in his arms. Everything goes kind of dark after that.

Eddie’s about to step forward, say something—thank you, would be a start—even if Steve can’t hear him, but then he notices that Steve isn’t alone. There’s a man sitting by his side, in the twin of the crappy plastic chair Eddie’s uncle is hunched over in on Eddie’s side of the curtain. He’s wearing a gray sweater and he’s got a sweep of dark hair that looks like he’s been running his hands through it and his nose is the same sharp line as Steve’s.

"Jesus Christ, Steve," he says, voice small and broken, "what the hell did you get yourself into?" His hand rests by Steve’s on the stark white hospital sheet, his pinkie finger hooked over Steve’s.

Steve’s breathing is deep and steady and Mr. Harrington chews on his lip, watching Steve so intently he doesn’t seem to have noticed Eddie standing at the corner of Steve’s bed.

After a few minutes, Mr. Harrington sucks in a deep, shuddering breath and says, "C'mon, slugger, you gotta wake up before your mom gets back from terrorizing the doctors, okay? You know how much she worries…” He trails off, looks away, puts his head in his hands.

And Eddie knows he shouldn't be watching this, but he's frozen. If he ever spared a thought for Mr. Harrington, it was just to think of him as some rich asshole Eddie didn't give a shit about. He has no idea if he's a good dad or even a good person but, right now, Eddie feels bad for him. It makes him miss his own dad and then he feels guilty about that, too. Wayne is right there, sleeping by Eddie's bed because he didn't want to leave him alone and he's a better dad than Eddie's father ever was.

Mr. Harrington makes a small frustrated noise and Eddie finally comes back to himself. He goes to turn away, but, as he does, his foot catches on something and the sound is small but it's loud in the hush of the hospital room.

Steve’s dad looks over, brow furrowing.

“Sorry,” Eddie says, “I wanted to… Sorry.” He shakes his head, which makes it spin. Or maybe it’s the whole room that’s spinning. “I’m Eddie,” he says, and he doesn’t know why. “Munson.��

“The boy wanted for murder?”

“No, I— I hope not.” Eddie breathes out and it feels harder than it should be. “That wasn’t… I didn’t…” His legs feel weak and he should just turn around and go back to bed but he keeps talking: “Steve, he— Saved me.” And it’s only part of what happened and it’s more complicated than that but it’s the truth.

“He—” It looks like Steve’s dad doesn’t know what to do with that and then Eddie’s legs give way and the only thing stopping him from falling is Steve’s hospital bed. “Whoa, hey,” Steve’s dad says, pushing himself to his feet, “you should, um…”

“Dad?” Steve’s voice is croaky and confused. His unfocused gaze slowly moves from his dad to where Eddie’s slumped by his bed. “Eddie? You’re—” He coughs, then winces, and his dad forgets all about Eddie.

“Steve,” is all he says, leaning over his son, hand hovering.

And then there’s a hand at Eddie’s elbow, guiding him away. "C'mon, kiddo," Wayne says, "you shouldn't be up," and he gently helps Eddie up onto the bed.

On the other side of the curtain, there are voices—Steve’s dad, a woman that’s probably Steve’s mom, doctors—but it’s quiet on Eddie’s side. Wayne is there, awake now, watching as Eddie finally lets himself fall asleep again. At least he knows Steve’s awake now. And he’s not alone.

[cxrsed-angel]

eddie x fem!reader (angst)

warning: angst no warnings i don’t think, around 2k words, not proofread

a/n: been in bad place mentally and i guess this was the result

You and Eddie had been broken up for almost a month now after being together for 2 years. When he broke up with you, he didn't give you a specific reason, he didn't say that he stopped loving you or you’ve done something wrong or anything. You wished he would’ve given you a reason as to why. You thought everything was going great, he graduated in ‘86 and started working as a mechanic, and you were both saving up to move into an apartment in Indianapolis while you attending Indiana State. You had a plan. What went wrong?

You were lying in your bed next to your stuffed animals, you had all the ones Eddie gave you in a box off to the side of your room. You didn't have the heart to donate them, they were really cute and had fun memories attached to them, but you couldn't look at them without starting to tear up. You missed him so much.

The Cure’s Pornography album softly played in the back. You look over at the stuffed animal box and see your white dragon stuffed animal Eddie had given you one day. He had the matching black one. You started thinking about the day he broke up with you, you tried hard not to, but it almost always played on replay in your head whenever you were alone with your thoughts.

You had just knocked on Eddie’s trailer, but you could tell something was off when he answered the door. He didn't look into your eyes, his body language was closed off, and he held his head down.“Um hey um come in” “are you okay” “um we need to talk.” You felt your heart sink into your stomach, you started getting a lump in your throat. “Ok what do you want to talk about” “babe-no um this wow hard,” he laughed lightly, but you could tell it was out of nerves more than anything “Eds you’re starting to scare me did-did you like cheat on me or something” “What! No no but um I think we should stop seeing each other” You felt your heart get ripped out of your chest. You suddenly couldn't breathe. You were trying as hard as you could to start not crying. “What-what-what’d you mean like a-like-a um a break or a pause or something like that” You saw him shake his head, still not looking into your eyes. “No like stop all together not a break” “you want to break up?” He just nods “why-why, did I um do something” He shakes his head. “You could at least fucking look me in my eyes Edward” your voice started to get louder, the sadness starting to mix with anger. He couldn’t even look at you, “why do you want to break up” “just because,” he said nonchalantly. He looked like he didn’t even care. “No this isnt something you can shrug off, do you not love me anymore, did you sleep with someone else, do you just not want to be-” “God! Can’t you just leave Jesus I don’t want to deal the 3rd degree right now can you just leave!” He yelled at you, it was the first time he had looked into your eyes since you’d gotten inside his trailer. “Sure Eddie yea um have a good life.” You stormed out, almost slamming the door, but you remembered he hadn’t gotten fixed yet and didn't want to cause anymore damage, especially to Wayne. You just get into your car and drive home.

Your pink phone ringing on the nightstand next to your bed breaks out of your thoughts that were replaying the scene again and again. You looked at the clock. It was 12 am, who is calling you this late? You get up and sit on the edge of your bed, “Um hello” there was a silence “hello?” you asked, more annoyed now “look if this is fucking prank-” “fuck i missed your voice” you pause, hearing his voice, you missed his too, but anger started boiling again. “Wrong number” you slam your phone down and lay back on your bed. You start reading your book to distract your mind from him. About 30 minutes later, your phone rings again, you stare at it, a part of you know it's Eddie again, but there’s a small part of you that was naive enough to believe it was someone else. You knew it was unlikely you didn't really have friends, especially ones who would call you this late; you were just acquaintances with Eddie’s, honestly. You sigh and picked up the phone “I'm not fucking doing this all night, Eddie” “I know I know but I just really wanted to hear you” He sounded off like he was high or something, you could hear it in his voice. “Are you fucking high right now?” there was a pause “maybe” “fuck you Eddie. ” You slam your phone down but leave it off the hook so he couldn’t call back. “That dick he doesn't call you for weeks, goes out of his way to avoid you, then calls you high he probably wants to come over and get his dick wet”, you thought to yourself.

You lay back down for a minute until you sit up and remember you have a personal phone and a general home phone for your apartment that your mother insisted you have when you moved out. You lay back down, “he wouldn't, right?” You thought about it for a minute and sat up “yea, the motherfucker would” you sprint to the phone as soon as you entered your living room, you see it ringing. You know you should just leave it alone, then take it off the hook and go about your night, but a small piece you believe he’s gonna call, apologize, and you’ll be back together that piece won. You slowly pick it up. “Hello?” this time, you stayed silent “babe, I know you're there,” you still don't respond “please just say something” you had nothing to say, though. You felt numb, you had lost your best friend and the love of your life all in one night, and he couldn't even give you a reason. And here he was calling you high, why, you started crying, ‘why couldn't he break my heart and leave me alone” you thought. You sniffled through the speaker “are-are you crying” you start crying more, hearing his soft tone. The one that had comforted you when you got rejected from your dream college when your pet guinea pig died, every time you had an existential crisis, or every time you would feel alone from having no close friends, he was always there. You sniffle into the phone again “wrong number,” you say coldly. You slam the phone down on and left it hanging off the wall.

You flop down on your couch and start crying, crying over the fact that you had no one, no one you could call and ask for help or talk to, crying because it was going so well, or so you thought, you felt like you messed everything up, like you did something wrong. You slowly cried yourself to sleep like you’d done almost every night since the breakup.

You were woken up by soft knocking on your door, you sat up looking at the clock on your coffee table, “why is someone knocking at 7:00 am” the knocking started getting more aggressive “Ok, Okay give me a minute!” You open the door and see Dustin and Steve arguing “No man, you didn't need to bang her door down at 7:00 in the morning.” “Well, I can't come after school you know that” “yea but I'm just saying we can just knock lightly and -” you look between them “hey whats this about?” “um can we come in,” Dustin asks? You just open the door wider “sure its not like I was sleeping or anything.”

They both come in and sit on your couch. “I would offer drinks but you woke me up before noon so you dont get a nice host” “thats fair thats fair um Steve do you want to um start” you lift your eyebrow up “ok seriously what is this” ‘its about-um Eddie” you stand up and walk over you your front door “get out” “wait just hear him out please” you look at Dustin and roll you eyes as you sit by down “what about…him” “He’s been miserable lately” “and thats my probably because?” “you guys need to get back together, he hasn’t been coming to Hellfire, the dungeon master, he takes is role very seriously and not like him to miss one session let alone every week.” “look Dustin thats rough but I dont understand want you want me to do” Steve started talking “maybe just hear him out whatever he did to make you want to take-” “wait wait wait you think I broke up with him” “well yea he didnt tell us but by the state he’s in we thought you ended it” you laugh and shake your head “no you guys got it all wrong um” you look down “he broke up with me.” There was a huge pause, “holy shit” “holy shit’ “yea holy shit guys so if this is over i would like to go back to sleep.’” They both nodded “um yea come on Henderson I’ll drop you off at school” “yea yea um we’ll see you later,” you wave and lock the door behind them.

You go to your bedroom and gain the sudden motivation to take all of Eddie’s stuff back to his trailer. You hope now would he would be at his shift at the car shop so you wouldn’t see him. After an hour, you were almost done until you see the box of stuffed animals. You were gonna be sad not seeing them, but you knew you needed to give them back if you ever want to even think about moving on. You put the stuffed animals in with the plastic box you had from moving, you decided to do one big box instead of smaller cardboard boxes that way, you just drop it off and move off with your life.

After a 15-minute drive and 10-minutes stalling outside the trailer park, you finally enter and park by his trailer. “Ok, you got this, you got this,” you say to yourself as you get the box out of your backseat. You take a deep breath and knock on the door, you were so anxious and nervous you wanted to turn back and cry, but you waited. You see Wayne open the door “hey kid,” “um hi Wayne um I have some of Eddie’s stuff” He nods, “come on in.” You shake your head, you weren't ready to step back into the place where you felt your heart shatter into a million pieces. You weren't ready to see his stuff, to be in the place that had once been your safe place that now kept you wondering what you did wrong, why didn't he want to be with you anymore. “Come on, kid, we can still be friends” you look up at him, crying a little bit “um really” he nodded “of course.” You slowly walk in and stand in the middle of the living room. “You can just put that on the floor” you put the box and floor and go to sit on the couch, but waves of memories come flooding in, all the movies nights, the first time you tried weed, make-out sessions, him teaching about DnD and showing you the newest campaign he had worked on, you just stare down at the couch.

“You can sit on the barstool, um by the counter” you just nod and go to sit. “Im gonna be honest with you, kid, this is the worst I've seen him since, um since his parents.” You didn't know much about his parents but knew they left him when he was around 10 or 11. That's all he ever told you, and he never mentioned it again. “Well um, he-he made his choice” Wayne walked over and sat on the bar stool next to the one. “My nephew, he um has a tendency of ruining good things, he has a leave before they leave me first mindset, you know, he’s been abandoned by his parents, friends one he started being himself you know, he the the town he grew up abandoned him in a way, you were his first serious girlfriend and honestly sweetie I think he got spooked, he really loves you, and you loves him back, and he’s so use to only me being around I think he wanted to leave before you left him” you felt the tears pooling up in your eyes, now it made sense why he never gave you a reason he was leaving before you left him, you look up at Wayne, “he thought I was gonna leave him” you started crying harder “I wasnt going to,” you say through sobs, Wayne puts a hand on your back “I know you weren't kid I know.” You stay there just crying life you've been doing all month, you just missed him so much, you don't even know how long you’ve been crying, you just felt so bad that he thought you were going to leave him or suddenly not want you and that so many people in his life has made him feel that way, he was the sweetest person you’ve ever known, and didn't deserve all the shit he put up with,

In between crying, you go to get up to leave when you hear the door open, and you feel the same way you did a month ago, lump in your throat, your heart suddenly in your stomach, you felt like you couldn't breathe. “Hey Wayne, I’m gonna go smoke in my-” You slowly get off the barstool “um I was just go-” “no-no, you two need to talk ” You see Wayne grab his keys and walk out. You stand still, staring at the floor, you couldn’t look at him. “Um, listen I’m really sorry,” you see him start to walk near you and flinch away, stepping back, distancing yourself from him. “For-for the calls or-” “ for that and for ending it the way I did, so suddenly, honestly, that night I realized how much I love you, and I’ve never loved anyone like the way I love you, it scared the shit out of me sweetheart, then I started thinking how you weren’t made to stay in Hawkins, you weren't meant to stay in this small ass town, babe, I realized I was holding you back and you could do so much better than me.” You see tears in his eyes now “but I don't want anyone else because there is no one better for me than you Eds. I love you so much, and I would never leave you, and You weren’t made for Hawkins either. You’re too metal for this small ass town.” You see him smile slightly, “but you really hurt me, you know that, right” he nodded “I know, babe I was stupid I should've just talked to you, I just didn't know what to do” you nod “I know Eds”  “can I give you a hug” you nodded again, and he pulls you tightly against his chest “I’m so sorry baby I will never do that again promise Im so so sorry.” You pushed him away slightly “but if you ever break up with me again and proceed to call me high in the middle night Im not taking you back” he laughs a little “while that is fair, I promise I will never break up with you ever again.” You lean up to kiss him and bent down a little and grabbed your face, his lips felt nice and  comforting.

He pulls you away from him, slightly looking down into your eyes, and you stare back at his, “man his eyes are so pretty,” you thought to yourself “I’ve missed my princess, babe” you wipe tears off your face “I’ve missed you more.” “do you want to cuddle or do you still need some space from me” “I can use a cuddle, but Eds, please, please come talk to me ok, I’m here for you and I never want you to feel that way about us again ok babe” he nods and tears slowly falling “I promise”

He wraps an arm around your waist and you walk back to his room. You both take off your shoes and lay down in his bed. He pulls you tightly into him “ ive missed your cuddles” “me too”

[angsty-twihardxx]

Heartbreak Led Me Back to You |E.M

Chapter 4 | Bad Day

Prologue | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 |

Pairing: Eddie Munson x fem!reader

Summary | You and Eddie were childhood friends, best friends even. When your life changes drastically you run away from Hawkins, leaving Eddie and Wayne without a goodbye. But when things go wrong she has no choice but to go back, a second chance for the two to finally admit their feelings.

Warnings | (18+) Adult Themes that some may find upsetting, mentions of abuse, alcohol/drug abuse, slurs directed at reader(f), swearing, angst, sexual references and eventual smut. Pls let me know if I missed anything x

A/N | bit of fluff and angst, Eddie with children, what can I say i love this guy.

Taglist | @haylaansmi​, @aedicn​ (if you would like to be added to the series taglist lemme know x)

Your eyes squeezed shut tightly as you let out a well deserved yawn, you packed your bag and threw on a jumper over your scrubs as you stumbled out of the clinic towards your car. This particular shift the sun was lowering to the horizon, threatening to disappear for the night, the clouds shifted to an array of golds and burgundies, instead of the blue sky and soft grey clouds that usually graced you on your drive home.

God, when they said they were understaffed they weren't lying, you thought to yourself as you begrudgingly fell in the driver's seat. It had been a few months since you started working and boy was it taking a toll on you, not that you were ungrateful you absolutely loved working. It was just a lot to get used to, for both you and Christopher, he had been used to you always being home since he was born. You guessed you had gotten used to it as well.

There were definitely lots of tears the first week from the both of you as you left him with Wayne for the day. It worked out well for all of you, Wayne worked nights while you worked during the day. 

You remembered Wayne's face when he offered to watch Christopher for you. “Give you a chance to save up and get a proper place for the two of you,” but really you knew it was because he loved spending time with him, not that you said no. 

But tonight was different, it was so busy you had to stay late. You called Wayne and told him you’d say no so he can go to work but he quickly chided you. “I’ll make Eddie watch him, he’s home and he won’t mind.” Your eyes went wide at the thought. Not that you didn’t trust Eddie, no, quite the opposite, since the two of you talked at the diner things had been going amazing.

You just didn’t know if you could handle the sight of watching him with Chris. It’s not like  you never thought about it before. There were times when Michael stormed out of the home in a drunken rage that made you wish you were back at Hawkins, that Eddie was the man that came home to you and Christopher every night. You were going to decline Wayne’s offers, but you really needed the money. 

You didn’t really know what you were expecting to walk into when you arrived back at the trailer park. Not expecting to see the Munson’s trailer empty and a glowing yellow light coming from yours. Usually they stayed in their own trailer, even though you offered your place many times. You could hear ‘Master of Puppets’ before you even made it onto the patio, Jesus your neighbours were going to hate you.

Walking in you smiled at the sight in front of you, Eddie sitting crossed-legged on the floor in the living room, Christopher sitting in front of him in the same position. His small curious eyes ogled at the man in front of him, completely mesmerised in the story he was telling him as he held his guitar in his lap. “-and then all these bats came, you should’ve seen them, they were huge!” Eddie held his arms out wide, excitement all over his face as Chris’s mouth fell agape in shock. “You're like a superhero!” He exclaimed, jumping up hearing the sound of the door shutting behind you. God you didn’t want to interrupt their moment, but fuck you were cold. “Mommy! Did you know Eddie fought monsters?” He screamed exuberantly as he ran towards you with such a force, making you let out a quiet ‘ooph’. “Wow buddy, let me organise dinner and you can tell me all about it.”

“Don’t sweat it mama bear. Dinner is sorted for the night.” Eddie chimed in, drifting towards you slowly. As much as it was a pain in the ass figuring out what to  cook for a three year old he didn’t regret it. He could tell that you were exhausted, it made the hard work worth it.

 “Wha–? Eddie, you didn’t have to do that.” You scolded him gently, hovering over the stove and seeing the pasta that cooled down in the pot. “It’s nothing like Enzo’s but it’s my best work yet. Well at least Chris thought so–” His voice drifted off noticing your glossy eyes. “I hope I didn’t overstep or anything. He kept telling me he was hungry.” He shrugged at the last part, as if it wasn’t a big deal, but to you? Someone stepping and lightening your workload was so foreign.

“Oh no! Eddie it’s just, nobody has never done this for me before I just wasn’t expecting it thank you.” You hoped that he didn’t notice you stumbling over your words so much, you wished that it could be like this, that it was like this from the beginning. The thought of coming home every night to Eddie and Christopher made your heart flutter, god he even folded the washing that was piled on the sofa–how was he so perfect?

During your ogling, your eyes moving to the tattoos on Eddie’s arm, his Metallica shirts sleeves were scrunched up to his elbows. Now, usually you’d probably be eyeing at the veins that stuck out but your eyes caught onto the messy coloured lines that traced around the ink. “Oh god, he got to you too!” Eddie feigned offense as you chuckled, “Are you kidding? This kid is an artist, just needed a pop of colour.” He held his arms out proudly, making your son beam from the living room. 

God you couldn’t wipe the smile off of your face, why couldn’t it be like this all the time? “Now, go and have a shower and get changed, I’ll heat up some food for you.” Eddie gently nudged you into the hallway.

. . .

The golden sky melted with the disappearance of the sun, leaving both you and Eddie alone in the dark on your patio, Christopher deep in sleep tucked away in his bed. The only source of light being the nearly full moon and the now lit cigarette in his calloused fingers. 

Small orange embers grew brighter with each of Eddie’s deep puffs and blew out a smoky breath, before handing it over to you.

Inhaling the smoke you felt your body begin to relax, as you continued you let your head fall back, letting out a drained breath. “Bad day?” Eddie tilted his head to look over at you, watching as you stared up at the sky, not catching a single word he was saying. It was times like this we wished he could see what was going on in that head of yours. 

All you could think about was how easy it was, being with Eddie. It was completely effortless, there were no eggshells that you had to walk on whenever he came home, instead the conversations flowed easily, he constantly made you laugh. It was just like it was before, before you decided to try and find another guy to hook up with so you could try and get over the feelings you had for the brunette beside you. The two of you grew up together, surely there was no way that he felt the same as you did.

“Hmm?’ You hummed, turning your head at the sound of your name, Eddie’s honey golden eyes gazed at you inquisitively. “Bad day today.” He repeated, more of a statement this time than a question, your absent eyes already answering him. “Mm, not bad, just– busy.” You shrugged, stubbing your now finished bud onto the ashtray that sat between the two of you. 

Because your day was in fact bad– terrible even. You got called to go over and spend the day at the ER, and were stuck being tied down with patients that were just down right difficult. Your arm hurt from a particular patient that was sent down with the police department, he was clearly on something. Not that you would know because he refused to let you or anyone for that matter to take his blood. Which led to the bruise that was most likely beginning to form on your forearm. 

And then you got the phone call, what kind of lawyer calls you at work to inform you of your husband filing divorce? A stuck up prick just like Michael, didn’t even have the guts to tell you himself, not like you weren’t expecting it– but it still was weird. You didn’t understand your feelings when you found yourself crying in the toilet block, were they tears of sadness or tears of happiness? You had no reason to be sad, you finally were going to be rid of the asshole that was Michael. No, you cried for your son. Who had a father that didn’t even have the common courtesy to say goodbye to his son when he left. You cried because you felt like you failed him, you promised him the day that he was born that he was going to be loved by both his parents. Give him what you never got, you were going to love him twice as hard now.

“Y/N? I know something’s wrong, c’mon talk to me.” He pleaded with you as he nudged you softly, only now noticing how close he had gotten. His soft curls brushed along your shoulders, making you shudder. “It’s uh, it’s just a million things all at once Ed’s.” 

“I’ve got time sweetheart.” Eddie grinned, shrugging playfully at you. “This patient hit me, he was on something bit it uh– it reminded me of y’know, my parent’s.” Eddie’s understanding eyes remained unchanged, as he nodded for you to keep going. “And then I got a call from Michaels lawyer saying that he wants to get a divorce, which is just great and now I have to find a lawyer.”

Strong arms enveloped you into the safety that was Eddie.

One hand gracefully swooped up to the back of your head guiding it to his shoulder, the other wrapping around you, keeping you close. Your eyes watered, but no tears fell onto the leather jacket you leant against. No, you had already shed so many– you doubted you had any left anymore. Eddie remained silent as he rubbed slow circles on your back, letting you feel him, knowing that he was there. 

“He was an asshole.” You croaked out, feeling Eddie's worried gaze burn in the back of your head. Answering his own question before he even had the courage to ask. “He uh, starting drinking more– when Chris got older. Staying out at bars, not coming home until morning after doing god knows what. I think it got too real for him y’know, having a kid.”

Eddie was glad that you were tucked away in his grasp, he was glad you didn’t have to see how upset he was. “Starting saying that Christopher wasn’t even his, that I just said he was the father so I wouldn’t be on the street.” You scoffed, “He knows it’s bullshit, just said it to get to me. Then he kicked us out, and now I’m here.” 

“Jesus.” Eddie muttered into your hair, not meaning to say it out loud. He didn’t want you to know this was getting to him, his mind telling him that he could’ve helped you avoid all the pain if he just told you how he felt. He should’ve waltzed over to you that night at the lake. He should’ve told you how he felt, he wished he kissed you, and promised once again that he’ll always take care of you. He should’ve kicked Michaels ass to the curb and kept you all to himself.

“It’s okay Eddie really, I- I’m used to it.” You had moved back in his arms, noticing the troubled look in his eyes. “But it’s not Y/N, god you don’t deserve this. Both of you don’t.” It took everything in him to stop his shaking, “I told you I was going to take care of  you, I just–fuck I feel like I failed you.”

“Hey, it’s not your fault Eddie, it was my choice to leave, not yours.” 

“But I should’ve stopped you. I wanted to.” His voice faltered as he spoke, sighing into you as you now cupped his cheeks. Smiling sadly as you swiped your thumb to catch the falling tear, “Why didn’t you?” You asked softly, the sudden feeling of bravery caught the two of you off guard.

The cold night air began to feel thick and heavy, Eddie gulped trying to swallow the lump in his throat. The silence suddenly felt deafening, he wanted to run back to the safety that was his bed. Right now, with you was uncharted waters, the unknown was terrifying to him. But he couldn’t help but melt as you smiled at him. “I thought he would do a better job at taking care of you. His family had money, they could buy the cute baby crap.” He shrugged, ignoring the hint of hurt in your eyes. “You think I care about any of that?” 

“No I know you don’t, but you deserve it.” 

God you wanted to lean forward and kiss him. Your soft fingers still grazed over his cheeks, begging to pull forward towards you. For the first time when your eyes locked in on each other, filled not just with admiration, no this time there was something different. Want.

Dammit did Eddie want you too, but not like this, hell you were still married. 

Instead he engulfed your small hands with his larger ones, moving them to sit in between your laps. “Look, I’m sorry about Michael, must’ve been hard putting up with that all alone. He sounds like an asshole.” 

“I believe you mentioned something along those lines a few years ago.” You scoffed softly, daring yourself to laugh at your own joke. “Sometimes I wish I listened to you. That night, just sometimes– I wondered what life would be like if I just stayed at your place. Does that make me a bad person?”

“No!”  Eddie’s voice came out a little louder than he expected, his hand tightening over yours. Your eyes shot down to where your fingers were squished in between his. Only now noticing the cold sting from his metal rings. “Y/N, you're literally the furthest away from being a bad person. I never had to make the same decisions that you did– no one can say anything about what you had to do. Not even me.”  

You breathed as his golden eyes stared intentionally into yours. You nearly missed everything he said thanks to his warm  calloused hands holding onto yours. “Wow, you somehow always know what to say.”

“What can I say? I’m perfect like that baby.” Eddie shrugged nonchalantly, bringing some humour back to the conversation. “Nevermind, I'll take that back.” 

“Says the one who stroked my ego in the first place.” Eddie reverted with a laugh, making you roll your eyes. “Yeah, remind me to never compliment you ever again.” Sarcasm dripped from your every word, because you knew you were lying, Eddie was perfect and you wanted to make sure he knew that.

Eddie had a witty response ready to go, but withdrew it when you let out a tired yawn. “Looks like someone needs to go to bed.”

“Yep, back to do it all again tomorrow.” You spoke between another yawn, groaning as you stood. Never had you felt so old as you watched Eddie spring up to his feet with no effort. “Thanks again, for everything– really.” Eddie looked up at you as he descended down the couple of stairs to the ground. “You don’t need to thank me sweetheart–” Eddies voice was cut off with your lips on his cheek, dangerously close to where he wanted them. “Y- uh, anytime Y/N.” He stammered, grateful for the fact you couldn’t see his cheeks redden. 

It’s not like you hadn’t kissed his cheek, not now it meant something different– for the both of you. Instead of a friendly peck between two friends, your lips lingered longer, leading to suggest it meant more. Deliberately close to his plush lips, daring him to tilt his head so your lips. 

You wish you had the courage to kiss him properly. But like many years ago, you both let each other walk away.

[the-atlas-sister]

First Kiss (Batfamily Preference)

(Y/f/h= your favorite hairstyle)

Bruce:

Bruce put on a fake smile, like he usually did at these galas. A handful of people approached him and asked him about his company or life, mostly old ladies asking when he was going to get himself a wife.

He let out a puff of air as the last group of old ladies walked away from him. He raised his glass of sparkling water to his lips, scanning the room for his special guest.

That's when he saw you. You wore a black dress that fit you perfectly and your hair was in (y/f/h). Alfred led you into the large room, saying something to you.

You looked around the room filled with people, anxiety rising in your chest. Your eyes finally landed on Bruce who stared at you with a loving expression on his face. You felt at ease as you stared at him.

Bruce approached you, taking your hand and raising it to his lips. They grazed your knuckles gently and you blushed as he kept eye contact.

"You look beautiful, my dear," Bruce said, spinning you.

"Thank you," you said, smiling gratefully.

"I want to show you something," Bruce said, giving you a boyish grin.

"Alright," you said, letting him guide you up the main stairs. He continued to lead you down the long halls until you reached a large terrace overlooking the garden and pool. "Wow," you sighed, leaning your elbows on the railing. You stared in awe at the beautiful sight before you, not noticing Bruce come up next to you.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" he asked, making you look at him.

"Very," you said. "I can't believe this is all yours."

"It can be yours too," he stated, turning to you.

"That's very sweet," you chuckled, turning back to the garden.

Bruce smiled at you. "I mean it," he said, gripping your chin gently and making you look at him. "I love you, Y/N," he said honestly.

Your eyes widened. You stared at Bruce before leaning forward and pressing your lips against his. You pulled away seconds after. "I love you too," you said quietly, your face a deep red.

Bruce's face lit up before he wrapped his arm around your waist, pulling you into a sweet hug.

(Don't mind me. Just blushing because I'm imagining Christian Bale's Bruce Wayne)

Dick:

"You'll be okay," Dick mumbled, setting you on the guest room bed at Wayne manor. You had recently been kidnapped by Slade as bait. When Dick arrived, you were already bloodied and bruised.

"I'm fine," you said, sitting up, wincing as you did. "I'm Batgirl."

"Lie your ass down," Dick demanded, taking off his domino mask. You closed your mouth and relaxed against the headboard.  You watched as Dick pulled out one of the first aid kits that was held in every room (due to the family's tendency to endanger themselves), his shoulders tense.

"Calm down, Cereal Boy," you said, trying to make a joke. Dick sent you a harsh look, making you sink into the bed.

Dick noticed this and his gaze softened. He sighed and sat in front of you. "I'm sorry," he mumbled. "I used to love the idea of you being Batgirl. I loved to work with you, but after this- a-and after what happened to Barbra and Jason-"

"Dick, listen to me," you said, now sitting right across from Dick. "I understand your fear, but I'm not Barbra or Jason, and your not Bruce. You won't give up everything for the city. And I can take care of myself."

"But-"

"No buts," you interrupted. "I'm a little bruised but alive."

"Y/N-"

You rolled your eyes before leaning forward and pressing your lips against Dick's. He stiffened but slowly leaned into it. He placed his larger hands on your shoulders as gently as he could.

"Thanks for worrying," you mumbled as you pulled away.

Jason:

You smirked as you ran across the rooftops, Red Hood and Nightwing behind you. You had taken up the mantle Catwoman for a while, because your mother had been injured fighting Batman.

You had just stolen a golden cat statue from the Penguin, who was at large.

"Is it just me, or has Catwoman gotten smaller?" Nightwing said, doing a flip and landing in front of you.

"Is it just me or is this Nightwing's hairline reseeding?" you smirked. You watched as Nightwing's face contorted into one of fear, his hands going to his hair. You took that opportunity to jump down from the building. As you fell, you felt someone wrap their arms around your waist, catching you before both of you tumbled onto one of the lower buildings.

You jumped up, seeing Red Hood across from you. "Now, let's make this easy," he said, pulling out one of his guns, which you assumed had rubber bullets. "I got a date tonight and I can't be late."

"So do I," you stated before pulling out your whip. You snapped it around Red Hood's ankle, pulling him to his back. You yanked on the whip, pulling Red Hood towards yourself. You placed one foot on his chest and the other on his wrist holding the gun. "Now tell me, what's under that hood?" You leaned down, your gloved hands running around the metal hood, searching for a way to take it off.

"Hey-" Red Hood exclaimed as you pulled off the hood. Your eyes widened as your boyfriend's face appeared. You decided to put on a fake smirk.

"What a pretty face," you said, leaning down and placing your knees on his wrists. You smirked as you pressed your lips to Jason's. You placed both of your hands on his face, tilting your head to deepen the kiss. "Hope your girlfriend doesn't mind," you whispered before jumping up. You grabbed your whip and rewrapped it before jumping off the building. You let out a breath as you landed in a dumpster.

You jumped out and began running. My boyfriend is Red Hood, you thought.

Tim:

Where is he? you thought, looking around the cafeteria. You were waiting for your best friend, Tim. He had been incredibly kind when you first arrived at school and the two of you instinctually clicked.

You sighed after waiting a few more minutes before standing up and walking into the halls. That's when you saw Tim surrounded by three bullies.

"Look at this loser," the first one said, pushing Tim back when he tried to sneak away. "Bet he's never even had a girlfriend." Tim met your eyes. He seemed less scared or intimidated and more annoyed.

"Can I just go to lunch?" he sighed.  

"You could eat this," the second bully smirked, pulling out a stinky sock.

You scoffed, deciding to step in. "What are you, 5?" you said, pushing the bully's face to the side. He looked at you, extremely offended. "Come on Tim," you said, grabbing Tim's hand and beginning to pull him out from the small circle of bullies.

"Guess he can get girls to save him, but never sleep with him!" one bully yelled. You stopped, glaring at him before grabbing Tim's face and kissing him softly.

Tim panicked for a second, going stiff and not knowing what to do, but eventually placed his hands on your waist like Dick told him to when he explained how to kiss a girl.

"Come on," you grinned, pulling away.

"O-okay," Tim stuttered out before letting you lead him back into the cafeteria.

Damian:

"You're getting sloppy," Damian commented as you threw a punch at him. He had suggested a while back that you two start training together. You thought it was a great idea and would be fun. You were wrong.

"I am not," you defended, ducking as Damian threw a punch. He was going easy on you, and it annoyed you. "And don't go easy on me Damian. I'm Supergirl, I can handle it."

"I'm not going easy on you Beloved," Damian insisted, ducking down and going to trip you, but you easily flew above his foot. "Although we did agree no powers," he said, crossing his arms over his chest and looking up at your flying form.

"I'll stop using my powers when you stop going easy on me," you said, mimicking Damian's actions.

"Alright," Damian smirked, making you blush slightly. He quickly pulled out a grappling hook gun from who knows where and shot it. It wrapped around your ankle before you could fly away. Damian pulling on it, slowly pulling you down from the air until your feet touched the ground. Then, before you had time to react, he rushed forward, tripping you.

"Ow," you mumbled, looking up to see Damian pinning you to the ground with a smirk. "I knew you were going easy on me." Damian smiled slightly, admiring you. "Can you let me up now?" you asked, you face flushing pink at the newfound attention.

"Try and get out," Damian stated, apparently unsatisfied. You sighed before an idea popped into your mind. You leaned up, pressing your lips to Damian's. His eyes widened, unsure of what to do. He racked his brain for what Dick had told him to do in the stupid 'what if someone kisses you' talks. You then leaned back down.

"I'm sorry," you said, worried about Damian's reaction.

Damian stared at you before leaning down and recapturing your lips. You quickly reacted, lifting your head up to get a better angle.

You felt Damian's grip loosen as you continued and tried to slip your wrists from his grip, only from Damian to grab them again and press them to the floor.

"So close," he teased, pulling away slightly.

You rolled your eyes.

"SWEET JESUS!" Dick's voice yelled from the side, making you and Damian turn your heads. All of Damian's brothers stood there, staring at the two of you. Dick seemed horrified, Jason seemed both impressed and proud and Tim just looked confused. "YOU TWO NEED HOLY WATER!" Dick screeched, rushing forward and pouring his water on the both of you.

"Grayson!"

Terry:

"Terry," you said, looking up from your book as Terry walked into the living room of Wayne Manor.

"Hey Baby," Terry said, approaching you. "Where's the old man?"

"At some charity event," you stated, returning your attention to your book. Terry sat next to you, staring at you.

"What are you reading?" he asked.

"Y/f/b," you answered, turning a page.

"Well, can we do something together?" Terry questioned.

"After I'm done reading," you shrugged him off. Terry glanced at the book, raising an eyebrow at how much you still had left. He pushed the book down slightly, making you scowl at him. "Terry, I told you-"

Terry leaned forward, kissing you gently. You pushed him away. "Did I do something wrong?" he asked, staring at you with a hurt expression.

"I said after my book," you said, going back to y/f/b.

These aren’t fantastic- but thank you for reading

I take requests btw! <3

I take requests for the following fandoms:

Demon Slayer

Haikyuu

Hunter x Hunter

My Hero Academia

Studio Ghibi films

IT (the films and book)

Percy Jackson

DC

Marvel

Umbrella Academy

Harry Potter

Star Wars

Most Actors (not a fandom, I know)

Rise of the Guardians

Disney (some people like reading Disney character x reader things)

I do fluff, smut, lime and angst.

[rosevanhelsing]

Wendigo

Chapter 20.

As Vic made her way to the gas station, Manx straightened up, sat on the couch, and watched Alice. The girl was shivering with cold since she was only wearing a nightgown.

-Come on, pretty. You're shivering with cold and you're going to catch pneumonia.

Alice approached him suspiciously. Charlie smiled, trying not to show his pointed teeth and said:

-Come, sit here a little while. I do not bite.

She sat on the opposite side of the couch but she didn't say anything. Manx took his coat and wrapped Alice up so she wouldn't get cold.

-That's better, isn't it? - said Charlie

Alice nodded in response. Charlie was curious to know what kind of inscape and special ability that girl might have to attract the Wendigo's attention so he subtly started asking her.

-Why was that bad man chasing you to kill you?

-I do not know. That man came into our house at night, I don't know why the alarm didn't go off, he came into my room, woke me up and said that people like me shouldn't exist, that we are bad and that he was going to kill me and then eat me - she said in a distressed voice.

-It is awful. You must have been terribly afraid. Lucky Vic rescued you.

-What was that man referring to "people like me"?

Charlie said:

-It means that you are a very, very special little person. Tell me, have you ever been in a place that is the same as you have imagined?

-Yes. Repeatedly. I have a place that I always go to. I call it The Forgotten Yard. I discovered it one day while going for a walk with my parents. Once I was there for a long time and my parents were very scared. They believed someone had kidnapped me.

- Oh, and how did you get in? Did you take something special with you?

- Like what?

- Something that you like a lot, and that you always wear when you go to the Forgotten Yard

 Alice thought a bit, and said:

"I think this," she said showing him a pendant of a little angel.

- How beautiful. Did your parents give it to you?

- No, my grandmother before going to heaven

- "Wow. I must be losing my faculties”- Manx said to himself, -“I should have been able to guess this”

At that moment, the Wraith sent him a telepathic message:

- This woman is a mess. She is driving me out of pain ...

- Well, take the initiative. Make driving easier.

The Wraith's engine roared a little under its breath as if it were huffing with resignation, though Vic didn't notice. In a subtle way, the Rolls made it easier for Vic to drive, anticipating her movements on the gear lever and clutch. Vic arrived at the gas station, put in the gasoline that Charlie had indicated, and went inside to buy a can of gasoline, oil, distilled water and some food.

While Vic was shopping, the Rolls asked Charlie if he wanted him to turn Vic into someone like him .... Charlie thought for a moment and said:

- No, now is not the time. That moment will come, sooner or later, Vic will end up being mine ... and she will be the one who begs me.

The Wraith's engine purred and she waited patiently for Vic. She loaded the bags into the front seat and they returned to the library. Vic called to let them  know that she was there and went upstairs

- Wow, Charlie. You have better color ... - Vic said- At least now, you don't look like a vampire at all ...

- You are so funny ... - Manx said sarcastically

 Vic looked at Alice peacefully asleep on the sofa and decided to wait for her to wake up alone, she sat on the floor and said:

- I'm going to call Tabitha to send the FBI and Child Care to take care of Alice and give her police protection as long as they don't capture or kill the Wendigo. If he is smart, he will not face the police, fortunately he is not practically immortal like you.

- I keep insisting that Alice should come with me to Christmasland, Vic. She is a creative soul, they will not understand her and that matter will get out of hand- said Charlie- By the way, in your absence, I have found out what her inner landscape is called, and what is her supposed "knife" ...

-Maybe it would be better for her if she didn't use her powers, so that the Wendigo couldn't track her again ... -Vic said

- Definitely. To do this, if you don't want her to come with me, we should take the knife from her, even destroy it. It is the pendant that she wears, it was given to her by her late grandmother.

- Charlie! Surely it is the only memory left of the poor girl of her grandmother. Surely there is a better way to explain it to her or to convince her to "lend" us her pendant while the Wendigo is on the loose ...

- What about my pendant? Alice asked half asleep

"You woke up, sleepyhead," Charlie said affably.

- Nothing, Alice.  I was simply commenting to Charlie that we had to tell you that you should not enter the Forgotten Yard while the Wendigo is on the loose.

- The Wendigo is the bad man who killed my parents?

-Yes. In a while I will call the police and they will protect you and hide you. The Wendigo will not come near you. But while to facilitate their work, do not enter your inscape.

-Inscape?

-That's what the Forgotten Yard is. A place created with your imagination and that you can make real and enter it.

- The Bridge that we cross also an inscape?

-Yes. It's mine

-And the amusement park where it is always Christmas from Mr. Vampire, too?

"Yes, it is too," Vic said as she laughed at the nickname Alice gave Charlie. "Now what do you think if we eat a little?"

 Alice nodded and Vic took the sandwiches she had bought out of her backpack.

-Are there any without meat or fish? I am vegetarian- Alice asked

Charlie rolled his eyes and said:

-You have to see  that you children are fussy  nowadays ... that if I'm allergic, that I don't like that or that ... take a walk with the Wraith and she will take away all that nonsense ...

-Don't worry Alice. I can take the ham off the sandwich… Vic said. She removed the ham from the sandwich and handed it to the girl with a reproachful look at Manx.

Alice stuck her tongue out at Charlie. Manx grunted and said:

- Jesus, look at how badly they educate children nowadays ...

Charlie took the distilled water and oil and said.

-I'm going to put the water and oil in the car. Leave me some of this delicacy ... he said ironically

While Manx was busy with the car, Vic called Tabitha to arrange Alice's pickup time. She also took the opportunity to call home and inform Lou of the situation and calm him down. Lou said:

- An invitation for Halloween has arrived from the publisher of your books. For a costume party, set in the 1930s.

- For parties I am ... we'll see ... how is the theme of Wayne's birthday?

- All ready. I have bought everything the puppy will need. Shall we pick up the puppy with Wayne or may he be surprised when he arrives?

- I don't know, Lou. I don't know what would make you more funny ... Let me finish fixing the girl and when this is over, I'll go home and talk about it. I have to hang up or I run out of battery.

- Okay.

When Charlie returned, Alice was half asleep with her head in Vic's lap. Manx took one of the sandwiches and one of the sodas and satiated his hunger a little. Vic said:

- We have to take care of the Wendigo, Charlie. I'll do it with or without you. I can't allow it to destroy more lives, like Alice's.

- We'll do that.- Charlie said sitting down next to her. -Miss Leigh predicted with her Scrabble tiles that we could beat him together." If the two of you were about to kill me ... imagine what the two of us can do. Vic, I am sure that right now we are the most powerful creatives- said Charlie enthusiastically, taking Vic gently by the shoulders and turning her towards him so that he looked into her eyes - We will come up with something ... and we are not going to die, none of the two. Since we have started this, we are going to finish it.

Vic smiled at him and held out her hand to fit him

- Done deal. The creative soul team will kick the Wendigo's butt and send him to hell.

Charlie laughed and looked directly at Vic as if he wanted to hypnotize her with his gaze, suddenly the Wraith began to honk its horn, and police sirens sounded in the distance.

- I think I'd better go, Vic. When you have a plan and are ready, just tell me.

- I will do it.

Charlie went downstairs, but instead of leaving, he sent the Wraith a few miles farther and hid in the shadows to watch. Vic and Alice went downstairs and spoke to that police officer who had chased him once. Vic hugged Alice and said

- They will take care of you. The bad man won't come for you.

Alice hugged him back tightly and said:

-Thank you for saving me, Vic. - She suddenly took off her pendant and said, "I'll lend you the little angel that my grandmother gave me to protect me.  It sure protects you too. You will return it to me when we meet again. Why will we meet again, right?

- Of course. When the Police and I are done with the Wendigo, I'll come see you and give it back to you. You have my word.

From the darkness, Charlie watched the scene intently, licked his lips and said to himself:

- You have changed a lot, Vic McQueen ... now you are worthy of being Mrs. Christmasland.

[paintedlight]

Supernatural Season 15 & Sufjan Stevens' “The Ascension”

Teaser: there’s a song on this album called "Die Happy” where the lyrics are just “I want to die happy” for 5 minutes and 45 seconds. yeah. yeah.

Disclaimer: yes it’s all a stretch and I’m overthinking it but also… am I? (yes) 

long post time! know that reading ahead may hurt you and yes it does get worse the further down the track list you get 💕 have fun kids

So just to start off, I think it’s funny that something Sufjan’s discography & Supernatural have in common is the 15+ years of the internet arguing if it’s gay or not, and the answer ending up being yes. PLUS there’s the obvious connection of American mythos + mythology + calvinist themes (I am hissing) + religious trauma prevalent in both. 

If you’re a fan of both like I am, it’s easy to connect them— notable connections being songs like “John My Beloved” and “The Owl and the Tanager” or even “John Wayne Gacy Jr.”, but I’m going to focus on Sufjan's 2020 album, “The Ascension” since even the arc itself seems so connected to season 15 of Supernatural, specifically. 

At least in my head it does <3 enjoy 

MAKE ME AN OFFER I CANNOT REFUSE

When interviewed about the meaning of this track, Sufjan explains that this song is about asking God, “what do you have to say for humanity?” That it’s about desperation, creation, and devastation. It’s about frustration with divinity. Also the vibes are 10/10. Need I say more 

RUN AWAY WITH ME

This song is beautiful, it makes me want to sit in some grass and stare at the sky. 

Some lines that make me Dean/Cas crazy are the two lines in verse 1 and verse 2 that mirror each other by being in the same place melodically:

Verse 1: they will terrorize us / with new confusion / with the fear of life that seeks to bring despair within

Verse 2: I will bring you life / a new communion / with a paradise that brings the truth to light within

Yeahhh so the words “Despair” and “The Truth” were mirrored in this song yes it was coincidental yes I’m clinging to it. It fascinates me 

But this song is about begging someone to stay with you.

sweet falling remedy / come run away with me / you’re all I ever need

VIDEO GAME

My first thought when I heard this song was about how it was such a song for enneagram 4s. If you don’t know what that means, I think Dean is a 4 and wrote a post about it here. 

AND @trapperjohnmcintyre also made the connection between these lyrics and Dean in this post, and honestly I don’t need to say much more than that??

The song is about feeling paranoid and angry that God is controlling your every move and you can’t escape it (aka hating the doctrine of predestination). Of course it’s also about not wanting to follow societal scripts. 

You just want to have an easier life instead of the weight of good and evil resting on your back!!!

I don’t want to put the devil on a pedestal / I don’t want put the saints in chains / I just want to make my life a little easier / I don’t want to play your video game

Also these painful lines, as a treat: 

I don’t want to love you if you don’t receive it / I don’t want to save the world that way

Oh, I almost forgot, also. At the end, the narrator gives up. He’s like well I guess I can’t escape. Gotta follow the procedure. Gotta be a puppet.

I don’t want it to go down that way / but in a way you gotta follow the procedure / so go ahead and play your video game

  LAMENTATIONS

I don’t have much to say about this one but this line always makes my heart ache idk:

I was only thinking of human kindness

TELL ME YOU LOVE ME

Here we gooooooo. Y’all aren’t ready.

Thesis: Tell me you love me despite the primordial darkness about to overtake me. And even if you don’t, I’m going to love you. 

15x18 Despair anyone?? 

I want to just paste the whole song but, here—

DIE HAPPY

Yep, "Die Happy" immediately follows "Tell Me You Love Me." Yes, the lyrics are just “I want to die happy” over and over for almost 6 minutes. 

First of all, the repetition mirrors the end of the song Fourth of July, from Sufjan’s previous album Carrie & Lowell, where Sufjan sings “we’re all gonna die” over and over.

Parallels, baby.

But I noticed something else about this recently though— in Die Happy, if you are listening to it in your headphones, there’s this weird sound that sounds like a wasp flying around your head (it made me uncomfortable which is why I noticed it, haha). After I felt unnerved for a moment, I had a realization— that this could be referencing one of Sufjan’s most beloved songs, “The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Is Out To Get Us!!” (yes that’s a real song title lol)

The Predatory Wasp is about how Sufjan fell in love with his best friend at the Bible Camp he went to as a teenager. The wasp is a metaphor for internalized homophobia and also his love and how he fears his love will hurt the boy he’s in love with. 

So, Die Happy references an iconic song from Illinois (2005) with these notable lines:

Tl;dr: 

I want to die happy vs. I can’t explain the state that I’m in / the state of my heart / he was my best friend

Here’s an Despair photoset with Predatory Wasp lyrics via @toneelspeelster. 

ATIVAN

So your best friend has just died happy by being in love with you. You feel like the primordial darkness is on YOU now:

I woke up in stereo—I spent the day in vertigo / I could not get the spirit off my back

You’re once again tossed in the waves of thinking that God is fucking with you. But either way you just want to be tranquilized at this point. 

Is it all for something? Is it all part of a plan / tranquilize me, sanitize me, Ativan

Is it all for nothing? Is it all part of a plan? / make my death wish, mind my business / do the best I can with what I am

Ativan asks, was the true leading woman all this time… substance abuse?? 

Ativan / my leading woman

Long story short, you’re drunk on communion wine, asking the shadows to come back.

fill me with the blood of Jesus / clean my plate 'til he receives us / separate the colors from the black / ... / tell the shadows near us to come back

 URSA MAJOR & LANDSLIDE

Not a lot to say about this (even though I love these songs) so I’m gonna skip mostly, but the narrator has decided he wants to love you, he can’t help it <3 

GILGAMESH

Oh boy. 

I mean you kinda know what’s coming because of the title. The Epic of Gilgamesh is the world’s oldest piece of epic world literature, and Gilgamesh was “the first hero of human history.” 

In the world’s oldest story, The Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh and Enkidu are “very close friends” (their relationship is very homoerotic and this is barely disputed). Gilgamesh calls Enkidu his brother, and they are mutually selfless towards each other but when Enkidu dies, indirectly because of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh has a breakdown and mourns him like that of a spouse and then has to come to terms with his own mortality. 

The meta level of this is so obvious I’m not even going to go into it. Anyways… here are lyrics that make me want to scream! 

the repetition of “my heart”... the concept of singing a eulogy.... saying your heart is chained to Your Angel............ it hurts

DEATH STAR

Star Wars reference my beloved. Like many of these songs this has Fuck You God energy.

what you call the human race / expedite the judgement day / it’s your own damn head on that plate

vandalize what you create / ... / witness me resist your fate / it’s your own damn head on that plate

 GOODBYE TO ALL THAT

This song is a bop honestly 

When the lyrics were released a bunch of Sufjan fans contrasted Goodbye To All That’s here I am alone in my car / hopelessly infatuted / and I’m driving to wherever you are to Sufjan & Moses Sumney’s song, “Make Out in My Car”.

Yeah, I know, we’re all thinking of this:

Make Out in My Car is basically where Moses gave Sufjan a horny car guy chorus and told him to write the verses, and Sufjan proceeded to write the most liturgical shit ever (and we love him for it). ANYWAYS… Goodbye To All That also reminds me of Dean’s depression and the weirdness that started in 15x19 and goes into 15x20. For some reason he makes it seem more upbeat and happy than it is...

Despite this song being a bop, the lyrics are depressing. He’s alone in his car. He’s hopeless. He realizes it’s too late to have died a young man. 

He’s going to try to move on, even though nothing is left of him, he’s begging someone to turn around and show me his shadow.

He also references substance abuse again—

love me / and leave me / intoxicated

  SUGAR

The music video? Iconic. The mom of a family is making a pie, or she’s trying to. She ends up rubbing the filling all over her face, crushing the fruits, the oven catches on fire. 

But she does it! She makes the pie. 

Meanwhile the other family members are in their rooms, overindulging in sugar in all its forms. And then as she and her family eat around a dining table, occassionally being seemingly marrioetted by some unseen force, she looks angrily over her family, they all seem to kind of lose it, then the house starts to come apart until the chandelier falls on the dinner table. 

It’s the making pie + overindulgence in sugar + marionetted family metaphors for me ❤️ 

Ultimately, the song is about begging for affection, being desperate for domesticity, but you feel doomed, you feel like your defeat is predestined, that you can’t escape it.

You just don’t want to be heartbroken & you don’t want to be angry anymore!!!!

  THE ASCENSION

So you may be asking… does this guy get the domesticity he’s longing for?? Does he get his love back?? 

No. He dies. :/

The Ascension begins with just that. He’s dying.

THEN Sufjan decides to rhyme “confess” with “confess”, in two lines that mean almost opposite things:

When I am dead / and the light leaves my breast / nothing to be told / nothing to confess / let the record show / what I couldn’t quite confess

So does this guy have something to confess or not??? 👀

Moving on… 

He goes back to thinking about how his life was predestined all along, and now after all that, he’s dying. So he thinks about all the times he was kind of like this Mythological Icon. That he always had to be the one to show what was right, to lead by example. That that had been his entire identity. 

And he realizes he needs to answer for himself. 

Then he is frightened— realizing he was always asking what everything meant, what it all was for, but that all along he was just angry and depressed.

But even though he feels a like he should have just resigned himself to meaninglessness, that he only thought he could change the world for the better… it strengthened him to know the truth.

And even through the absolute shit of it all, and even though God & others did things from a place of so-called holiness and hopelessness...

He did everything out of love ❤️

So then he dies 🙃

AMERICA

So, as the end of The Ascension asked, what now? 

The album ends on this long track, which Sufjan describes as a protest against all that America has been and has become. 

It’s a protest against capitalism, of destroying humanity for the sake of some cold machinery. 

I have worshipped / I believed / I have broke your bread / for a splendor of machinery

And in true Sufjan fashion, he makes this song about protesting somehow both horny and religious, god bless

I have loved you / like a dream / I have kissed your lips / like a Judas in heat

I have worshipped / I have cried / I have put my hands in the wounds on your side / I have tasted of your blood / I have choked on the waters / I abated the flood / I am broken / I am beat / but I will find my way / like a Judas in heat

I am fortune / I am free / I’m like a fever of light / in the land of opportunity / don’t do to me / what you did to America / don’t do to me / what you do to yourself

  to finish out, here’s a DeanCas post by @eggcessive with lyrics from America ❤️ I HOPE YOU ENJOYED MY WEBWEAVING :)

[considermewhelmed]

See You Again by Wiz Khalifa (ft. Charlie Puth)- Dick Grayson and Jason Todd

a/n: strap in folks. This is going to hurt.

taglist: @river9noble

Master

part 2

-

“It's been a long day without you, my friend/And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again/We've come a long way from where we began/Oh, I'll tell you all about it when I see you again/When I see you again.”

“Damn, who knew?/All the planes we flew/Good things we've been through/That I'll be standing right here talking to you/'Bout another path/I know we loved to hit the road and laugh/But something told me that it wouldn't last/Had to switch up/Look at things different, see the bigger picture/Those were the days/Hard work forever pays/Now I see you in a better place.”

“The love will never get lost/And when brotherhood come first/Then the line will never be crossed/Established it on our own/When that line had to be drawn/And that line is what we reach/So remember me when I'm gone.”

-

October 18, 9:30pm.

“Jason? Jason, where are you? You need to pick up- Bruce called me, freaking out because you’ve been spotted in Europe? I know you wanted to find your mom but Jesus Christ Jay, where are you? Pick up your goddamn phone, at least let me know you’re safe, that you’re okay. I won’t even tell Bruce. Just tell me you’re alright, okay? Call me back as soon as possible.” 

October 18, 11:48pm. 

“Hey. Sorry. I don’t know what to say. When I heard… Bruce told me. I didn’t really want to believe it. I still don’t really want to believe it. I’m just… I’m so sorry.” 

October 21, 5:36pm.

“You’re everywhere. God. You’d probably hate it. Everyone talks about the tragedy. They don’t really know what happened. They just know that you… that you’re gone. I wish you were gone. Completely. It would be easier to handle if you were. I’m sorry.” 

October 31, 1:01am.

“I was supposed to pick you up, remember? We were going to go trick or treating in Bludhaven, because we never had that before. Because I was in the circus. And you… anyways, you said I should go as Green Lantern because you think if it could, a green ring would pick me anyways. No fear, huh? Well. I was always scared of something, Little Wing. God you hated it when I called you that I’m sor-” 

November 13, 4:13pm.

“It’s been almost a month and your face still shows up sometimes on the news. I miss you.” 

December 1, 2:52am.

“Bruce isn’t the same without you Little Wing. He’s reckless. Careless. I think he’s going to get himself killed. It’s kind of… terrifying. Clark’s worried. The League’s keeping an eye on him. I wish I could. But… god it just hurts to be in the Cave right now. I’m sorry.” 

December 20, 9:38pm.

“I was helping Alfred put the decorations up. No ones really feeling festive but… we had to do something I guess. We got the stockings up, and… I’ve never seen Alfred cry over anything, but he just couldn’t stop when he saw your stocking. I… I put it up in my room. I wanted to feel like you were here for the holidays. Sometimes I feel like you’re going to burst through the door anymore like it was some sort of joke-” 

December 25, 12:02am. 

“Merry Christmas Little Wing.” 

January 3, 3:26pm.

“I don’t know why I keep calling this number. You don’t pick up. I know you won’t pick up. But I miss you. This is the only way I hear you anymore. I wish you were calling me for tips and tricks again. I wish I had known you were in trouble. I wish I was fast enough to get you. I wish you’d never gotten into this in the first place, you were so young, you didn’t deserve to go out like this, god it’s just not right-”

January 26, 7:09pm.

“Today was a good day. We took in a stray dog, kept him safe and found his owner. He’d run away because he was spooked by a loud car. He was a German Shepard, I remember you saying you had one when you were really little, his name was Buddy, right? Anyways, I think that saving stray dogs and getting cats out of trees and helping lost kids find their parents are the best parts of this job.” 

February 15, 1:29am. 

“I’m so sorry Little Wing, I think I forgot that joke you told me. I was trying to tell Kori and I forgot the punchline and I wish you were here to tell me it again because it was really funny and I think she would really like it. I think you would like her Jay, she’s a spitfire, you’d get a kick out of how she keeps us all in line. You’d like this crew. You’d like it here. I’m sorry.” 

March 29, 3:06am. 

“I’m sitting here, in the Batcave. Looking at Bruce, passed out from a fight that took a sharp turn. It was stupid, he’s beaten Mr. Freeze so many times, he was making rookie mistakes and I just don’t know what to do anymore. He… he hit me Jay. He’s not the same. I asked Alfred, if this is what happened when his folks… when they… anyways, he said no. He said he fought to be better. So why is he trying to get himself kil-” 

April 04, 6:45pm. 

“I don’t even… fuck.” 

April 04, 6:49pm.

“Okay so, this kid, he’s like, 12? 13? He comes up to me and he’s like ‘I know who you are’ and I’m sitting here thinking this kid has some affinity for the Flying Graysons or something ‘cause that has happened before. But no. No this kid, his name is Tim by the way, Tim is like ‘I know you’re Nightwing and Jason Todd was Robin and Bruce Wayne is Batman and’- fuck, Jay you should’ve heard this kid-”

April 04, 6:52pm. 

“And he’s like ‘I know Jason died and now Batman’s being stupid because he doesn’t have a Robin to care about so you should come back and be Robin again because Batman needs Robin’. Jesus Christ Jason, this kid, I swear, he genuinely believes if I don’t go back to being Robin, Bruce is going to go completely off the deep end. And I think he’s sort of right, but I don’t think me going back to Robin will fix it-” 

April 04, 6:54pm. 

“I’m also a grown ass man with my own life, and my own identity, and I worked so hard to get out from Bruce Wayne and Batman’s shadow and I don’t even want to go back to Robin. I like Nightwing. Besides, with how things are going with me and Bruce, I don’t think he’d take me back to begin with. And now he knows things and fuck things got pretty fucked up after you… after you… fuck.” 

April 26, 1:22am. 

“I’ve never wanted to harm a child more in my life, Jay. This jerk started tracking me down on patrol, still trying to convince me to go back. I’m not going back. It’s not happening.” 

May 11, 8:47pm. 

“This isn’t a Tim update. I just. I was starting to forget what your voice sounded like. I still can’t remember that joke. I’m sorry Little Wing. Thanks for listening. I’m sorry. I miss you. I’m sorry I wasn’t a better big brother, I should’ve been better. I’m sorry.” 

June 18, 5:14am. 

“Tim had officially been taken under Batman’s wing. He saved Bruce today. No training. No strength. No guidance. Just a shit ton of will and heart. Kind of reminds me of you, when you were first starting out. The you behind all those walls you built to protect yourself. I wish you would’ve torn more of those down for us. He starts training today. I’m going to help. I don’t think Bruce should do this but, what do I know?” 

July 04, 9:00pm. 

“You always liked the fireworks in Gotham on the Fourth of July. You’d wanna sit by the water and watch the colours burst through the sky. It was like, the one night a year Bruce would let you take the night off when you were healthy so that Alfred and I could take you. He’d join us if it was a quiet night. You remember that? He’d come with us. For a minute it felt like we were just a normal family.” 

August 16, 12:00am. 

“I always liked to be the first one to say it. Happy Birthday Little Wing. I love you kiddo.” 

September 1, 5:19pm. 

“I keep forgetting your voice. For a scary minute today, I couldn’t picture your face. When was the last time I hugged you? I’m sorry. I should’ve done it more.” 

October 18, 11:45pm. 

“I…” 

October 18, 11:49pm. 

“I can’t…” 

October 18, 11:55pm. 

“It’s been a really long year, Jay. I hope wherever you are, you’re with my folks. They’d love you, I think. Say hi for me. Give them a hug for me. I love you. I miss you. I wish I could see you again, I’d give just about anything to give you one more hug. I remembered that joke. Kori didn’t quite understand it, but she says you sound like a good kid. … I love you Little Wing.” 

[prettyyoungandbored]

Becoming Mrs. Wayne [The Dark Knight]

Pairing: Christian Bale!Bruce Wayne x OC

Summary: Demetria Gallagher knew her cozy life would change the second she became engaged to Bruce Wayne. But what she doesn’t know is she’s getting more than what she agreed to. ( I am trash at summaries. )  

Author’s Note: If you want to be tagged in this, let me know. 

_____________________________________________________________________

“By now you already know Bruce Wayne is officially off the market. Wayne is engaged to his girlfriend, now identified as Demetria Gallagher. Ms. Gallagher was an employee with us here at GCN, however, we weren’t aware of the relationship between her and Mr. Wayne. Ms. Gallagher is no longer with GCN and has parted with the network on the most amicable of terms. On behalf of everyone here at GCN, we wish her and Mr. Wayne the best and she will be missed in the newsroom.”

Demetria shut off the television and leaned back in bed.

Amicable. What a lie. It was more of a dismissal, a “hey, congrats on the engagement but we have to fire you because it’s a conflict of interest.”

In truth, she’s expected it to happen. Bruce was a fixture of the media, considering his family company Wayne Enterprises practically ran the city. She knew the second she’d accepted his proposal, she’d have to quit. The plan was to give two weeks notice and then let it be known to the world they were engaged.

But the person who tipped off the Gotham Times had other plans.

The newspaper ran the day she went to resign, the engagement making front page news. A picture of her and Bruce holding hands, leaving the back of a restaurant from two nights prior.

She was mortified as all eyes fixated on her as she walked in and out of the newsroom. The whispers, the side eyes, simple actions weighed heavily on her and made her beyond vulnerable.

There was one that killed her.

“Why her though?”

Throughout the year they’d been together, she’d wondered why Bruce had chosen her when he had his pick of any woman he wanted. She wasn’t unattractive but she’d seen the women he had been seen with prior. Yet she never asked, afraid to step into such a territory.

Now here she was, in Bruce’s bed, jobless and unsure of what she was to do. Granted, it wasn’t the worst position in the world to be in. She still had money she’d saved from working and was about to get her security deposit back from her apartment in Gotham. So really, who was she to complain?

She eyed her notebook on the nightstand and figured if she couldn’t go back to her job, she could make a list of what needed to be done to clear out her apartment and move into Bruce’s place.

Unbeknownst to her, Bruce stepped into their bedroom a towel wrapped around his waist. His eyes fell to the sparkling pear-shaped diamond, with tiny diamonds around the band. He smiled to himself as he sat on the edge of her side of the bed.

Demetria could feel his hand on her legs and smiled to herself as she continued to write.

“What are you writing?” he asked.

“Just what I need to get done today,” she sighed. “Mainly breaking down the moving process for today.”

“I told you, I could hire people for that.”

“And I told you that while I appreciate it, I want to do it myself.”

Bruce sighed, catching the underlying tone in her response. In truth, he’d felt guilty for what happened. He knew how desperately she wanted control on how she left, and for someone to take that away from her angered him. He loved her need for independence, never once in their relationship asking for luxurious jewelry or fancy trips or expensive dinners, just asking for him and his time and his commitment. While it was difficult considering his Batman schedule, it would be worth it when she would look at him and tell him she loved him and appreciated him. 

She eyed Bruce and put her pen and notebook down. She scooted toward him and ran her hands through his hair. 

“I love that you want to help me, but you know how I am,” she told him.

He grabbed her hand, kissing it. “I know.”

“I will, however, need your help with this whole ‘being Mrs. Wayne’ thing so you’ll have that to look forward to,” she chuckled. 

He laughed. “I can assure you, it’s not that difficult.” 

“But you always told me how involved your mom was with the charities here and I want to do that.” 

She eyed his left forearm where a freshly stitched wound was. She leaned up. 

“Holy shit, what happened to you?” she asked reaching for his arm. 

He looked down on it and waved his hand. “Training accident. Alfred stitched me up in no time.” 

He’d kept his Batman secret from her by saying he was training to do extreme hiking and athletics for when he traveled to different countries. She bought it, thankfully, and her lack of interest in major athletics made it easy for her not to ask to tag along with him. 

“I’m fine,” he reassured, kissing her hand.

“Please be careful next time. If not for you, but for me?”

Bruce smiled. “For you, anything.”

_____________________________________________________________

She and Bruce entered the kitchen as Alfred read the paper on the kitchen island. 

“Master Wayne, Miss Gallagher,” Alfred greeted, giving them a nod. 

“Well I’m headed off to a meeting, but I’ll see you two later,” Bruce sighed. He gave Demetria a quick kiss goodbye before he walked out of the room.

Demetria smiled at Alfred, taking a seat beside him. “Have time for a break?” 

Alfred slid over an empty mug he had beside his own mug. “I was hoping you’d ask.”

Alfred and Demetria had become good friends. The old man had taken a liking to her, often times bonding with her over crossword puzzles and talking about old movies they both liked. Whenever she’d stay the night, which later into hers and Bruce’s relationship became frequent, she’d spend the morning bonding with the old man over a cup of coffee. 

He grabbed the pot and poured some coffee into her cup. “So I take it you’re going back to the apartment to finish the packing?” 

“Yep!” she exclaimed, popping the “p”. “Thankfully I only have one more day left of it and then some of my stuff goes here while the rest of it goes into storage at Wayne Manor.”

Alfred chuckled. “Have you hired helpers for that process?” 

She took a sip of coffee. “Some old college friends of Harvey and mine run a moving company in the city so they’re going to help me drop some of the stuff in the storage area. Initially, he told me I could move into the mansion but it’s just so far away .” She stopped and chuckled. “Mansion. Jesus Christ, who’ve I become?” 

“You’ll get used to it,” he laughed. 

“I don’t think I will, Alfred.” 

Alfred tilted his head to the side. “What do you mean by that?” 

Demetria pulled her lips back. “I’ve seen first-hand how the media treats people like Bruce. Everywhere he goes, there’s someone with a camera just waiting to capture something they can create a story out of. Soon, I won’t be able to go out for a walk, run errands, go out with friends, or do anything without a camera following me closely, watching my every move. Even if I can’t see it, I’ll know it’s there.” 

She paused and leaned forward. “Don’t tell Bruce this, but...the day I was fired from GCN, one of the reporters saw a photographer they knew who worked at the Gotham Times waiting out the door, waiting for me. Our boss had tipped off to their boss I was getting fired and they could catch me walking out with a box of my stuff in my hands in exchange for information for another story. The reporter told me about it and had gotten me out through the back door. She and the photographer snuck me into the news car and dropped me off at my apartment and I spent the next hour trying to ease myself off a panic attack.”

She swallowed hard. “Bruce grew up like this. He knows how to handle it. I don’t and I’m scared that one false move and I...I could embarrass him or the image of the Wayne family and become some kind of joke.” 

Alfred’s heart sank for the poor girl. Most of the women Bruce had been out with in the past reveled in having their picture taken with him, smiling at the flashing cameras. He knew Bruce knew and, quite frankly, didn’t care. But when it came to Demetria, Bruce went the extra mile to ensure total privacy was given to him and Demetria, even going as far as paying the restaurant manager extra and waiter for their discretion and for the private dining room. Alfred initially thought it was ridiculous until Bruce gave him an explanation. 

Demetria eyed Alfred, an embarrassed smile on her lips. “I guess it’s not like I don’t come with my own baggage though. I mean, no one said dating someone with severe anxiety and panic attacks was a breeze.” 

Alfred set down his cup. “When Master Wayne was a child, he would get nervous around photographers so Martha told him that as long as she held his hand, he had nothing to be afraid of. So whenever they went out, he would reach for her hand and she would take it and he wouldn’t feel so scared. When she died, he learned to manage on his own, but he never held another woman’s hand until you came along. You are the only other woman whose hand he’s held.” 

Demetria could feel her cheeks warm up. Whenever they were out or he noticed  her anxiety kicking in, he’d take her hand. His hand became her security blanket, her lifejacket to save her drowning. What seemed like a natural thing for a boyfriend to do, had completely different meaning for both her and him.  

“Do you think Martha would’ve liked me?” Demetria asked. 

A small smile crept on the old man’s smile. “Without a doubt.”

__________________________________________________________________

It was around 1:30 p.m. when she heard a knock on the door at her apartment. 

“Who is it?” she called out from across the room. 

“Your favorite lunch date is here.”

Her lips curved into a huge, childish smile. “What’s the password?”

“Demetria...”

“Can’t you let you in without it.”

“I have hot food.”

“You know the rules.”

A heavy sigh was heard from the other side of the door. “Demetria rules, Harvey drools.”

She opened the door. Harvey stood there, a brown bag in each hand. 

“You’re a lifesaver,” she said, taking the bags from him. 

“Interesting. I get a gun pulled on me during trial and put the guy in prison, yet I bring you Chinese food and then I’m called a ‘hero’.” 

She set the bags on the table, her eyes not leaving Harvey. “Someone pulled a gun on you?” 

He shrugged. “One of Maroni’s guys. It was cheap and wouldn’t even go off.” 

“Well, I almost pulled my back from lifting one of the boxes so it looks like we’re both having quite the day.” 

Harvey chuckled. “Always keeping me humble, Dem.” 

She pat his shoulder. “Someone’s got to.” 

They sat at her little table. Harvey reached into his briefcase and pulled out a section of the newspaper with the headline “10 Things to Know About Future Mrs. Wayne Demetria Gallagher”. 

Demetria rolled her eyes. “Jesus Christ, Harvey. Why’d you bring that bullshit into my apartment?” 

Harvey grabbed the paper and began reading. Demetria groaned. “Oh god, I’m gonna be sick.” 

“Number one, Demetria is from Pennsylvania.” 

“Because that’s an absolute must know.” 

“Number two, she attended Gotham University.” 

She scoffed. “I’ll be impressed if they know what my GPA was.” 

“Number three, she was a junior talent booker for GCN.” 

“Guarantee you they reached out to James for confirmation and he made sure they wrote ‘junior’.” 

“Number four, she’s reportedly close friends with District Attorney Harvey Dent.” 

“Close is a strong word.”

“Number five, she was-.”

She grabbed the paper from his hands, crumbled it into a ball, and tossed it across the room.

Harvey started at her, dumbfounded. “The crossword was in there.”

“Oh please, you probably finished it.”

“Almost finished it.”

She pointed her chopsticks at him. “Eat your lo mein, Dent.”

“So I saw GCN’s statement about you,” Harvey continued. “First of all, it’s all cliché bullshit and you should release a statement back, especially after they tried to sell you out for a story afterward.” 

She rolled her eyes. “It’s not worth it, Harvey. Look, I get where they’re coming from. It’s dangerous for a network employee to be seen hanging out with a public figure because it could promote bias and the network could lose credibility. Remember how I almost lost my job because you sent me flowers on my first day?”

“And then I had an hour long phone call with your news director...” He sighed heavily at the memory. He shook his head. “I still think you should take action for them selling you out to the Gotham Times after firing you.” 

“Harvey-.” 

He leaned over the table. “I know a great lawyer who could-.” 

“Harvey.” Her voice was sharp. “I told you, I’m not doing it.” 

She dipped the piece of steamed dumpling into the soy sauce. “What does piss me off is their little ‘she’ll be missed’ bullshit. Half the people there didn’t like me and the other half barely knew I existed.” 

“I’m sure that’s not true. You had friends.” 

“I had two friends.” 

“Better than nothing.” 

She rolled her eyes. “You get my point. Anyway, it’s over. It’s done with.” 

Harvey smiled as his eyes fell to her engagement ring. “Wayne really went all out on the ring.” 

Demetria looked down at it, grinning. “Hm, he did. I don’t mind it though. It’s like having a little piece of him everywhere I go.” She then sighed and sunk back into her chair. “What am I gonna do, Harvey?” 

He raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

“Honestly, I have no single fucking clue what I’m gonna do and it scares me.”

“Do about what?” 

She leaned forward. “People are going to be expect to do what any rich wife does. You know, spend my life living going to galas or attending luncheons for charities none of the women give a single shit about. That’s not me, but it’s also not me to just be a housewife who sits at home doing nothing all day.”

“It doesn’t have to be like that.” He set down his food. “Look, Dem, you’re overthinking all of this. You can still work. I mean, doesn’t Wayne fund a bunch of charities?” 

“I was thinking about doing work for the orphanage,” Demetria said. “From what I’ve seen every time GCN has covered something there, the inside could use a massive makeover. I was thinking of re-doing it, maybe get my mom do the interior work.” 

“She would love that,” he agreed as he bit into his fried rice. 

“But I also want to help the kids,” she went on. “I just...I don’t know how yet.” 

“You’ll figure out.” 

She sighed. “What if the kids hate me?” 

He chuckled. “Then I guess you’re shit out of luck.”

“Now I see why that guy pulled a gun on you today.” 

He shook his head as he tossed a fortune cookie at her as she laughed. 

Just then, she heard her Blackberry ring. She smiled as she saw Bruce’s name come up on the caller ID. 

“Hey you,” she greeted, putting her phone to her ear. 

“Hey. Everything going ok with moving?” 

“Yep. Just taking break and having lunch with Harvey. How’s your day going?” 

“It will be even better if you let me take you out to a nice dinner tonight.” 

“Ooh, where?” 

“It’s a surprise.” 

“Hmm...well you’re lucky I haven’t packed my nice dresses yet.” 

“Is that a yes?” 

“It is.” 

“Then I’ll pick you up at 7 PM.” 

“You know where to find me.”

“I do. I love you.” 

“I love you too.” 

She hung up and put her phone on the table. She noticed Harvey smirking at her. “What?” 

“ ‘Hmmm, I love you,’” he repeated in a high pitched voice. “ ‘I love you, Bruce.’” 

“Keep it up and I’ll tell Rachel the secret to your coin trick,” Demetria challenged. 

Harvey made a face. “Threatening the DA, not a good look, Mrs. Wayne.” 

Demetria rolled her eyes and tossed a crumbled up napkin at him. “Eat your food, dipshit.” 

“District Attorney.” 

“Ok, District Attorney Dipshit.” 

 _____________________________________________________________________

As the sun set and the night sky rolled in, Demetria finished the final touches of her makeup when she heard a knock at the door. 

She quickly glanced at herself in the mirror, smoothing out the bottom half of her form-fitting black cocktail dress. She adjusted the shoulder straps and the sweetheart neckline that gave her boobs a nice, but not overly obvious lift. 

She opened the door and was greeted by Bruce leaning on the door frame. 

“Well hello there,” he greeted, his eyes fixated on her. 

“Hello,” she said, pursing back her lips. 

She had those first date butterflies her stomach every time he looked at her. It was a miracle she’d gone this long without melting. She held out her arms. “Is this ok or...?”

He stepped closer to her and cupped her face gently as he pulled her in for a kiss. Her hands wrapped around his neck as he moved them into her apartment. 

She pulled back, her lips close to him. “As much as I want to continue this, I am really starving.” 

He chuckled as he moved his hands down to her waist. He rest his forehead on hers. “You kill me, Gallagher.” 

“My sincerest apologies.” 

He moved his head up, eying the one bedroom apartment. “I’m sorry I only spent one night here.”

“Are you though?” she asked, cocking her head back.

He motioned to the bed. “I remember that being very comfortable.”

“Not that comfortable considering you never spent another night here.”

“Because you said you loved my bed.”

“I’ll give you that.” She pat his chest. “Let’s get going.” 

She threw on her cream colored trench coat and grabbed her clutch as the two.

Bruce opened the passenger door of his Lamborghini Murciélago LP 640 and closed it as she settled in the passenger seat. He climbed into driver’s seat and sped off. 

Throughout the drive, he kept one hand on the wheel, the other on her leg. 

“So are you going to tell me where you’re taking me?” she asked. 

He turned to her. “And ruin the surprise?” 

“Can I at least get a hint?” 

“You’ll like it.” 

“That’s not a hint.” 

“Ok, it’s new.” 

She shook her head. “Is this how it’s always going to be?” 

He smirked at her. “I’ve gotta keep things interesting, don’t I?” 

As they were pulling up to the valet area, Demetria and Bruce couldn’t help but notice the flock of photographers outside, flashing the cameras at the car. 

“Fuck,” she mumbled under her breath. She could feel her chest tighten and stomach drop. 

Bruce turned her head to her. “It’s going to be ok.” He grabbed a hold of her hand. “I’ve got you.” 

She nodded her head. Bruce opened the car door quickly, handing the keys to the valet attendant before rushing over to Demetria’s side. He opened the door, the screams of the paparazzi causing Demetria to jump. She took Bruce’s hand and kept her eyes in the street ahead, avoiding the flashing lights. 

She tried to ignore the voices that were screaming around her.

“Bruce, Demetria, look over here!”

“Demetria, how does it feel to be engaged to Bruce?!” 

“Demetria, Demetria, look up here!” 

“Give us a smile, Demetria!

 Bruce looked at her and tightened his grip, his thumb stroking his hand. Demetria looked up at him and gave him a small smile, mouthing “thank you”. 

As long as he held her hand, she’d be ok. 

[fishfingersandjellybabies]

Finding Your Heart - fic

Characters: Bruce Wayne, Damian Wayne, Alfred Pennyworth, Dick Grayson, bits of Tim Drake and Stephanie Brown Summary: This wasn’t the way he wanted to find Damian, after everything that happened between them. This wasn’t how he wanted Alfred and Dick to reunite with him either. A/N: Dick was driving the plane. Crane blew up the building on purpose to cover his tracks, and was the one to lock Damian in the lab after he and the nameless henchmen fought. The whole family comes home and basically all live in the cave/Damian’s room as he recovers, and they all have conversations with him about what he was doing, why etc. Damian didn’t kill the guy who stabbed him because he recognized the henchmen was no the problem, Crane was. He’s still a good boy in my book. Glossed over kind of plotholes because I didn’t care enough and it wasn’t the point of this story ok bye. Don’t forget my Pateron and shit!

~~

If Bruce was grateful for anything, it was the fact that no matter what he lost, save for his parents, it always came back.

Jason came back. Dick came back. Tim came back. Stephanie came back.

Alfred, now, came back too.

Damian…he came back. And then he left again.

It was in the back of his mind, as they celebrated Alfred’s return to life, and Dick’s return from amnesia. The fact that their returns were not through darkness, not through aliens, not through a multiverse crashing down around them and changing time.

It was magic. It was a miracle.

But Damian wasn’t here. And Bruce would never ever forget that. Not now, as they shared delivery pizza at the island in the manor’s spacious kitchen. Not in the days after, as things settled back into a semblance of the old normal, with new quirks here and there. Not in the weeks after either, as Alfred returned to being Penny-One, and Dick began to retrain himself to return to the Nightwing title soon.

Just as Bruce would never forget the tears in Dick’s eyes when he explained to him and Alfred what had happened to their youngest. His breakdown, and resolve in the violence. When he explained why.

“It’s not your fault.” Bruce promised, even as Alfred pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, and silently dabbed his eyes. “It’s mine. I…I didn’t see his grief. I didn’t understand how badly he was taking your absences. I didn’t know.”

“But I would have.” Alfred had whispered, closing his eyes.

“We would have.” Dick corrected.

And he’d never forget the despair on grandfather and son alike, when Dick asked if Bruce had any idea where he was, and he had to tell them no.

Damian was a sore subject, to say the least, after that. No one spoke of him, though Bruce found everyone stopping near the case holding his old uniform every so often.

Not a memorial for the dead, this time. But a memorial for the child they failed.

His name was like a bad word, a sour taste, and Bruce never forgot that either.

Most of all, he never forgot it was his fault.

Even now, as he, Tim and Stephanie fought against a gang that he had yet to determine which super villain they associated with, he thought of his son. The one not there, the one he chased away.

How much he could use his help right now. How much he missed him.

God, if Jason knew, he’d be furious. Furious because he didn’t learn the first time around, with him.

The fight was in the streets, and it was becoming a stalemate. Not that he and his partners for the evening would give up. But he was looking for an opening, a moment to retreat, regroup, then reappear with a new attack plan.

But the moment never came, because suddenly one of their enemies shouted.

“Boss said it’s a go! She’s blowin’!”

Before any of them could comprehend the warning, a building down the block – a lab, if Bruce had his bearings right – shuddered in an explosion. Glass from windows spraying into the street, flames pushing out right after. Dust and ash came at them in a typhoon-like wave.

And the gang members in the street laughed.

“You’re fucked.” One nearby cackled. When he came back into view, he had a gasmask on. “You’re so fucked, Batman.”

Bruce punched him in the Adam’s apple, and let him drop to the ground unconscious.

“Something’s in that building.” Bruce said through the comms. “How dangerous?”

“Gotham Labs.” Tim’s voice crackled. Bruce still couldn’t see him in the floating dust. “No major projects that I know of. Or dangerous. Vegan cosmetics was the last big thing I heard about coming from there.”

“And now it’s all up in flames?” Stephanie sighed. “So much for stealing Batman’s credit card on its launch date.”

“Spoiler, please.” Tim snorted.

Before Bruce could scold them, tell them to focus, get them to get these thugs off the street, there was a shriek from the lab, and a shape running from the destroyed building.

“Take care of them.” Bruce ordered. “I’m going up ahead.”

Stephanie and Tim both gave their affirmatives, and jumped back into fighting the henchmen, now with a small element of surprise in the fog. As Bruce ran forward, he saw the shape was a woman in a lab coat.

“Help!” She was screaming. “Someone…anyone! Police! Ambulance! Help!”

“Ma’am.” Bruce called as he approached, careful not to scare her. She turned towards him with tears cascading down her face.

Bruce frowned. She…was clean. No ash, no burns. Her hair wasn’t even out of place. He glanced back towards the building, now smoking.

“Are you alright?”

“What? Oh, me? Yes. I’m fine. We’re all fine.” She sniffed, trying to wipe at her face. “But he’s not. He’s trapped and…and I don’t think there’s any vents in there, and we can’t-”

“He who?”

“I…” The woman paused. “I don’t know. He didn’t give a name. He just…he just appeared! Out of nowhere! Got us all out of the lab, shoved us in the bunker, told us to stay there until help arrived. Then…then the explosion happened, and when we came out to check, he was still in the lab, but…but Batman…”

“What? What’s wrong?”

“He was bleeding when we saw him.” The woman’s tears suddenly flowed harder. “But the canisters were all broken, we could see them.”

“What was in the canisters?”

“I…I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” The woman cried. “He…he was paying for our other research, and…and he was blackmailing us. We didn’t have a choice.”

Bruce’s stomach dropped.

“Who paid you?” He demanded. “What was in the canisters?”

“Fear gas.” The woman whispered. “Jonathan Crane was forcing us to make it. Mass produce. The…the boy tonight, he saved us, but whatever happened, all the canisters are broken, and the gas is in the lab.”

The woman hid her face.

“And there’s a failsafe on the doors.” She wailed. “That…that fucking shit is dangerous. So if even only one canister malfunctioned, the lab would seal itself shut to contain it.”

“For how long?” Bruce asked. “How long does the lab seal for?”

“I don’t know!” The woman yelled. “Crane installed it! He never told us!” She stopped her foot and pointed from where she came. “But he’s in there, the gas is flooding the place, he’s hurt, I didn’t see him have a respirator, and we can’t get him out!”

Bruce nodded, shoving his own respirator onto his face. “Stay here.”

The woman, surprisingly listened, but shouted information after him. The lab was in the basement, and the remaining scientists were still trying to first reach one of the doors to the lab through the explosion wreckage, and second, try to figure out if they could even open the door.

“Red Robin, when you’re finished, I’ll need you inside.” Bruce called through his communicator as he burst through the doors and looked for a way down. Not hard, when there were various holes in the floor from the explosion. “And both of you, there’s a potential for fear gas in the area. Masks on, now.”

They both returned an affirmative, and Barbara was immediately on the line herself, relaying last known sightings of the Scarecrow.

As Bruce got to the lower levels, he began to follow the voices, the sounds of things being thrown, or pushed. After a few rounded corners, he found the gaggle of scientists, three pushing fallen shelving units and chairs away from a large metal door, and a fourth knelt in front of said door, typing wildly on a keypad.

“It’s…it’s not working!” The typer growled in frustration. “There’s…there’s nothing I can think of! Nothing is working!”

“Then keep thinking!” Another one spat as he threw a table over the heads of the other two assisting him. “That kid is a fucking goner if we don’t get him out of there!”

Unlike the woman outside, Bruce didn’t announce his presence, just silently moved forward. As he reached them, he glanced into one of the windows next to the door, just to see what he was going to be working with. Who he was, hopefully, going to save, and not have to watch die a slow and painful death.

Immediately, his knees went weak.

The lab wasn’t that big. Smaller than an average fast food joint, but bigger than a grocery store public bathroom. Even through the opaque green gas, Bruce could see canisters lining the floor underneath the tables that followed the walls of the room, where microscopes, liquid-filled vials and partially constructed containers sat.

Each canister had a sizable hole in the side, and Bruce could only guess – remote detonation.

But none of that was important, not now, as he tried to stop himself from collapsing to his knees. What was important was the boy in the middle, wearing a black body suit, similar to Nightwing’s, and a black cape with a hood and faded gold trim.

Damian.

“Jesus Christ, no.” He gasped. The scientists nearby jumped, having still not seen him.

Luckily, it was Gotham, and even scientists were disillusioned to the sudden appearance of a vigilante. “We’ve gotta get that kid out of there, Bats. Just one inhale of that crap will make you hallucinate. He’s been in there at least ten minutes, probably more, who knows what the effects could be.”

“Death, probably.” Another one said. The one who spoke slapped her on the arm. “What? I’m being honest! That’s why we don’t have to waste, here!”

Damian hadn’t moved at their ruckus. He was lying on the ground, eyes closed, half curled in on himself, hand clutching his side. There was blood on his fingers, and coming from his nose. Even through the gas, Damian looked dirty. Tired.

Bruce wondered where he’d been sleeping. Was he sleeping? Was he safe?

But then his heart stuttered again, as he noticed something else in the room. In the corner, by a door on the other side of the room. A man. A body.

A body that was, surprisingly, breathing. A body dressed like the gang members outside, that was wearing a respirator that looked suspiciously like one Bruce knew Damian used to carry, when he was Robin.

“…You all need to get out.” Bruce found himself croaking, as his surprise and heartache began to transform into action.

“What? No way. We need to get that kid out!” The one at the keyboard countered. “And…and maybe that other one, I don’t know if he’s even still…”

“I’ll handle it. Now go.” Bruce heard a click on his communicator, other chatter. Alfred it sounded like, to Barbara. Dick, too. He was at the cave with Alfred. The scientists didn’t move. “I said now!”

The four jumped again, and one by one began to slowly move. The last one, the man at the door, stopped on his way. “…You get that kid out, Batman, or so fucking help me.”

Bruce glared down at him. The man shrunk away and ran after his coworkers.

Bruce looked back into the room. The man in the corner was unconscious, he could tell that much. But still.

Bruce put his hand on the window. “…I don’t know what to call you.”

Damian twitched at the noise, and twisted his head to look at Bruce directly. His mask was still green, and it didn’t move as he frowned.

“Oh, great.” Damian sighed, dropping his head. “You.”

“I’m going to get you out, son.” Bruce said. “I promise.”

“Save it.” Damian huffed. But it was quick, and Bruce knew it was because he was trying not to breathe. “I’m not talking to you, Mother.”

Bruce blinked.

The gas. The hallucinations were your fears.

“It’s…it’s me.” Bruce tried instead. “Not your mother.”

Damian turned away, rolled with a groan to lay on his back. “My father doesn’t show up in real life, why would he show up in a fear-induced hallucination?”

Bruce almost smiled at his attitude. He was trying to fight the gas, like it was a sentient being. That was so like him.

God, Bruce missed it.

“I…Rob…” Bruce swallowed. “Da-”

“Do not say another word, Master Bruce.” Alfred scolded on the communicator. His voice was loud. “Focus on getting that door open.”

“I…right.” Bruce shook his head, and crouched, pulling out a code-breaking device from his utility belt.

“Tim will be in to help you in a few minutes.” Dick now, but he sounded distracted. “And we should be only a few minutes behind him.”

Bruce froze. “…What?”

“We’re coming.” Dick said plainly. “We’re coming to get Damian.”

“Wait, no.” Bruce growled. “Nightwing, you’re not recovered yet. A-Alfred, you’re…you are not to be in the field. It’s not safe-”

“And you will have your hands full with the other man in the chamber.” Alfred shot back. “Not to mention, you only have a respirator for yourself. From your cowl footage, it’s clear Damian gave his to that man. You know as soon as you get in there, he will be in the throws of the effects of the gas, and won’t recognize you. He doesn’t recognize you now. He will fight you, or flee, before you can get him any kind of help.”

“And we are not letting that happen.” Dick hissed. “We’re bringing Damian home, Bruce, or so help me-”

“It’s not safe.” Bruce snapped back, hitting buttons on his device. He could hear Damian babbling in the lab now. Talking about how he’s not scared of anything, least of all his father, or his judgment. Which, of course, Bruce knew, meant the complete opposite. He ignored the guilt in his heart, at least for a moment. “You are both to stay in the cave and wait for-”

“Bruce.” Alfred said coldly. “I am coming to get my grandson. Nightwing is coming to get his brother. And there is not a goddamn thing you can do to stop us.”

Bruce heard the distinct sound of a link click off.

“…So…” Stephanie chimed in after a moment. “Red’s on his way in and…I guess I’ll wait out here for Nightwing and, uh, Penny-One to arrive.”

Bruce frowned, squeezed the device in his hand a little too tightly, heard it creak in his grip. He continued to search through codes, the others be damned.

They didn’t know what he would do. Their beliefs were wrong. He wouldn’t worry about the man who clearly stabbed his son. He was unconscious and had a breather. He was fine. Tim could take him, whenever he got there.

No. Bruce would rush in, and he’d take his son into his arms. He’d put pressure on the wound, and hold his boy, no matter how hard Damian fought him, no matter how deep in the gas’s hallucinations he was.

He’d hold his son and this time, he was not letting go. For anything, or anyone.

He heard Tim arrive behind him, and glanced back into the chamber as Tim pulled a wire from his glove to plug into the keypad on the door. Damian was muttering to himself now. But more than that, he was trembling. Sweating. His eyes were wild behind the mask, darting back and forth, or trying to keep them closed, and failing.

He stood, put his hand on the thick glass. He wondered what Damian was seeing, hearing. “Son.” He called, and Damian twitched, curling deeper into himself. “Focus on my voice.”

“No.” Damian shot back.

“Batman, it’s not a good idea.” Tim offered, clicking away on his pad. “You know he’s hearing things. It’s not coming across as you.”

“Doesn’t mean we can’t try.”

“Doesn’t mean it won’t be construed into something else by the time he hears it.” Tim snapped. “You know that.”

“So you want him to lie in there and suffer?” Bruce shot back. He saw Tim tighten his jaw. “The least we can do is try.”

“The least we can do is focus on getting him out of there.” Tim countered. “So save your emotional vomit for later and help me.”

He huffed a frustrated breath, but…Tim was right. Of course Tim was right. So he pushed at the door, testing how tight it was, if the explosion had loosened it at all, and settled back in next to Red Robin to hack into the system.

The code was seven digits, and after they believed they figured out three, Bruce glanced over to make sure Tim had his respirator on. Glanced up at the unsteady building around them, that could theoretically collapse on them all at any moment. After four numbers, he glanced back to Damian. His trembles had manifested constant twitching now. Fingers, ankles, lips.

The gas seemed to be settling a little now, the room a little less green. That didn’t help, of course, since Damian was on the floor, where said gas was settling. But it would make containment easier. Wouldn’t reach the city, or any one who wasn’t in this room.

One less thing standing between he and his boy.

His heart fluttered when they hit the fifth digit. Hope, he could hope, he had hope. Damian had hope.

And when Tim’s device dinged for the sixth a moment later, Nightwing and Penny-One appeared in the doorway.

Dick was in his full Nightwing uniform, the one he hadn’t yet worn since before the amnesia. The one he was wearing when he was shot, Bruce realized, as he noticed the shadow of the large bloodstain on the costume’s neck.

Alfred was in black and dull green tactical gear, a black eye mask and a clear respirator adorning his face. He had a shotgun in hand, but Bruce saw at least one more handgun on his hip.

He forgot sometimes, Alfred used to be in the British army.

“Move.” Alfred demanded. Tim shifted to the side of the door, eyes still on his tablet. Bruce didn’t. “Batman, I won’t ask again.”

“He really won’t.” Nightwing mused as they walked forward. He was just finishing putting on his own rebreather. “Seriously, Bruce. Let us handle this.”

“He is my son.” Bruce countered, but his voice wasn’t right. It wasn’t as authoritative. It was almost whiny.

Almost scared.

“And you ran him off in the first place.” Alfred countered. “So the likelihood that you are the first one he’d want to see is almost zero.”

“Not to mention, there’s an asshole in there who, by the looks of it, stabbed him.” Nightwing added, glancing into the window. “So it’d probably be better if you took care of that guy than one of us because let me tell you, B. We’re already not happy.”

Alfred pumped his shotgun. “Indeed.”

“We’d also like some cover, if you don’t mind.” Dick said brightly. “There’s still been no sign of Crane. And if he or anyone else shows up while we’re trying to wrangle Damian, there could be trouble.” Dick looked over with a dark grin. “And we don’t want any more trouble, you know?”

And he did. Bruce did know. Bruce knew all of that, and on a normal case, he’d have already suggested and done all of it.

But, still. His heart was getting in the way. For once, his heart was overriding his head, and all he found himself saying was, “But he’s my son…”

For the first time that night, Alfred softened a little. He put a hand on Bruce’s shoulder. “So let us help you get your son home safely.”

At that moment, Damian screamed. No words, just a loud sound as he dropped to his back, body bowing as his chest and hips lifted.

Dick swallowed. “Red.”

“I’m working on it!” Tim snapped, angrily punching buttons on his tablet. There was the sound of something falling across the room. “I think if I can just…”

The tablet beeped, and the door sighed as the seal broke.

Dick was at the door instantly, digging his fingers into the seam until the door shifted. Bruce grabbed it too, pulling it until the gap was wide enough for their bodies to slip through.

“Kid!” Dick was calling as he fell into the room first. Damian growled in response. Dick jumped across the room anyway, dropping to his knees. “I’ve got you.”

Tim got into the room next, and he silently went for Damian’s assailant. Then Alfred, who followed Dick. Bruce remained just inside the room.

“Can you hear me?” Dick asked quietly, running his hand over Damian’s hair. “Can you hear me, D?”

“Fuck off.” Damian gasped, pulling away from Dick’s hand and struggling to twist up onto his elbows. His cape twisted around his biceps. “F-fuck off, I don’t have to listen to you.”

“I know.” Dick said smoothly. He glanced at Alfred, who already had gauze out, and was trying to assess Damian’s injuries. “…Do you know who you’re talking to?”

“What, did Satan suddenly forget his own name?” Damian spat, waving his arm like he was swatting at a fly around his head. “We already had this conversation last time I was in Hell, you twat.”

Bruce felt himself twitch at the statement. But he didn’t get any more time to think about it, as Tim was calling, “Any time you feel like it, Batman!”

Bruce shook his head, running over to help Tim with the other man in the lab.

“So yes, I know your name. And I know what you’re going to say.” Damian droned as he slowly shifted to his knees. “I know my parents hate me. I know I’m worthless. I know it’s my fault everyone is dead. Or was there something else you’d like to add?”

“…Oh, my boy.” Alfred whispered, and Damian froze. His eyes went wide as he slowly sat back on his knees. “My boy, it’s alright.”

Damian blinked, and tears appeared in his eyes. Almost robotically, he turned his head towards Alfred. “No.”

Alfred smiled. “Yes, my dear. It’s me. I’m here.”

“No!” Damian wailed. He turned back towards the room, searching. Eventually his eyes landed on something above and behind Dick’s shoulder. “Get him out!”

Dick glanced behind him, just to make sure there was nothing, and even looked over towards Bruce and Tim. They both shrugged.

“Pennyworth does not belong in Hell.” Damian hissed. “You’ve stolen him, haven’t you. You’ve stolen him and you’ve trapped him here, you overgrown piece of shit. No wonder you were kicked out of Heaven, you absolute waste of space!”

Damian tried to lunge, but the slice in his side reacted to the movement, and he recoiled instantly, shoving his hand against it.

“I’ll duel you.” He decided. “I’ll duel you for his soul, and I’ll kill you. Then I’ll rule Hell, and I’ll be sure to get all the souls you’ve stolen out.”

“Damian.” Alfred tried softly. He passed the gauze to Dick. “My dear boy, I’m not in Hell.” He reached out and carefully took Damian’s hand between both of his. Damian’s eyes, impossibly, grew wider, as he turned to look at Alfred once more. “And neither are you.”

“I should be.” Damian breathed. “I should be for what I did to you.”

“You did nothing to me.” Alfred promised. “What happened wasn’t your fault.”

It was mine. Bruce thought, as he rolled the man and pulled his arms together for Tim. It was mine, and I let Damian take the blame.

“I should have done something. I should have figured something else out.” Damian gasped, tears rolling down his face. He jerked, but didn’t take his eyes off Alfred, as Dick pressed the gauze to his side. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

“You have nothing to apologize for, Damian.” Alfred promised, squeezing Damian’s hand. “Absolutely nothing.”

“D, I need you to breathe.” Dick hummed. Damian jumped again, looked towards him. “Or, well, I need you to breathe slower. In and out.”

“I’m sorry.” Damian continued, eyes looking around the space, looking right through Dick. There was an accent in his voice now, and both Dick and Alfred knew too well that his accent only returned when their boy was at his lowest. “Pennyworth, I…I should have sacrificed myself. Bane would have happily killed me instead of you.”

“Don’t talk like that.” Alfred continued to try to soothe. “Damian, just focus on my voice, alright?”

“I should have let him kill me. I should have been there for Grayson.” Damian rambled. “I could have pushed him out of the way. Taken the bullet.” He tried to tug his hand from Alfred’s but the old man wouldn’t let go. “That’s why I’m here. That’s why I belong here. I failed you, and I failed Grayson and I am worthless so of course I belong down here in this god forsaken pl-”

“Hey.” Dick whispered. Balancing holding the pressure against Damian’s wound in one hand, he reached for Damian’s free hand with the other. Damian’s fingers twitched in his grip, and he watched with almost glee as recognition hit Damian’s eyes. “Kiddo, you didn’t fail me.”

Damian’s tears fell faster.

“You have never failed me a day in your life.” Dick smiled. “And look, see? I’m right here. I’m fine.”

“G-Grayson?” Damian murmured hopefully.

“Right here, Damian.” Dick nodded. Damian blinked at him, then looked at Alfred, then back. Then his eyes seemed to roam the room, like he was seeing it for the first time. He even looked over to Bruce, Tim and the man in the corner. “I came home.”

“…I’m sorry.” Damian whispered, looking back towards Dick. “I should have been there.”

Dick kept his grin, and shook his head. “No, you shouldn’t have.” He glanced behind Damian, watched as Alfred let go of his hand to reach into one of his pockets. It reappeared with the extra respirator they had brought, and he silently held the back of Damian’s head as he pressed it to his face. Once again, Damian didn’t seem to notice the action, nor Alfred retaking his hand. “I’m frankly real damn glad you weren’t.”

“It’s my job to protect Batman. My Batman.” Damian continued, frantically trying to blink the tears from his eyes. He turned to Alfred. “It’s my job to protect my family.”

“It’s not.” Alfred smiled too. “Your job as always been to allow us to love you, and to come home safe at the end of the day.”

“Your job is to be a kid.” Dick added. “Right now, your job is to not bleed out on this floor. Think you can do that for me?”

But Damian was shaking his head. Damian was pulling his trembling hands from theirs and hiding his face behind them as he doubled over himself and pressed his head to his knees.

“I’m sorry.” He cried. “I’m so sorry.”

“…I don’t think he believes they’re real.” Tim whispered as he leaned back from the unconscious man.

Bruce shook his head. “He won’t until his system is free of the gas.”

“Or until he stops losing blood.” Tim hummed. “We’ve gotta get him back to the cave.”

“I’m so sorry.” Damian continued across the room. “Please forgive me. Please, please forgive me.”

“…I agree.” Bruce sighed. He watched as Alfred pulled Damian’s hand back into his, and ran the other along the back of his head. As Dick, keeping one hand against the injury, wrapped his arm around Damian’s back and leaned his cheek on his shaking spine. “We need to get him home.”

“Want me to deal with this guy while you go with them?” Tim asked, pushing himself onto his feet.

Bruce watched for a moment longer. Listened as Damian sobbed, as Damian hated himself. Watched as Dick closed his eyes in sorrow, as Alfred wiped away his own tears too.

“No, I’ll…I’ll stay. They have him.” Bruce admitted, despite how tight his heart felt. “The more of us finishing this up, the faster we can all get home and be with him.” Tim nodded and helped Bruce to his feet, then leaned over to haul the man up. “…Nightwing.”

Dick opened his eyes and glanced over. After a moment, he nodded and sat back up. “Alfie.”

Alfred nodded too, reaching into another pocket and pulling out a syringe. Dick gently rolled Damian to his side, which Damian surprisingly allowed, and carefully gathered the boy into his arms.

“P-Please forgive me.” Damian continued, still hiding his eyes behind his one hand. As soon as he was settled, Alfred leaned forward and plunged the needle into his throat.

Like everything else, the fear gas made it so Damian didn’t notice.

They were all silent as the effects took hold. As Damian’s cries slowed, and tapered off into slow, watery breathes. As his hand dropped from his face in unconsciousness.

It was like a funeral procession as they left the remnants of the lab. Dick first, Damian in his arms. Alfred right behind them. Tim and Bruce bringing up the rear with the nameless man between them.

On the street, the GCPD were already swarming, taking the rest of the gang into custody. The plane Alfred and Dick brought sat in the middle of the road not far away.

“Get him home.” Bruce murmured as he passed Dick. “Call with any updates. We should be back soon.”

“Take your time.” Dick hummed. “It’s going to take us a while to get him stable.”

Bruce nodded, and gave Dick’s shoulder a grateful squeeze. He nodded to Alfred, who gave him a grim smile, and then they parted ways. Bruce watched as they loaded into the plane, as it took off down the street.

He exhaled, and let himself smile, just a little.

He’d found him. He’d found his boy.

It was another two or so hours before the rest of them could clamor home, the city saved, the day won. They’d found Crane, and they each took an extra punch or two to him, in honor of Damian.

But when Bruce stepped out of the Batmobile in the cave, the first sound to greet his ears was Damian crying. Still.

He frowned as he moved up the stairs. Had the gas not worn off yet? Why hadn’t they given him an antidote?

But he stopped as the medbay came into view. Damian was hooked up to every machine available, injuries bandaged and Dick was lying next to him on the cot. Damian himself was sat up, and engulfed in the embrace of one Alfred Pennyworth.

“You’re alive.” He was wailing, clinging to Alfred’s torso. To Dick, who was rubbing his back, he cried, “You came back.” Then to both, even as Alfred tried to wipe at the boy’s eyes. “You’re both here.”

“Like we could ever stay away from you, kiddo.” Dick smirked.

But still, among the tears of relief and reunion, was the litany that wasn’t as influenced as the fear gas as they’d hoped.

“I’m sorry.” Damian whispered. Alfred just stroked at his hair. Dick just rolled over and wrapped his arms around his waist, careful of the now bandaged stab wound nearby. “I’m so sorry. For everything that’s happened. For everything I did. Everything I didn’t do.”

It was something they’d have to work on, all of them. And a confrontation was coming, Bruce knew. But that was okay. That was fine. It didn’t matter. There was only one thing that mattered. One thing that Bruce, and everyone, was grateful for.

Damian was home.

[goldandbluesmiles]

Brothers, my supporting pillars

Summary: Jason has something to tell his brothers.

Note: This is kind of based on the Modern family scene where Haley tells her siblings about her pregnancy. 

Ao3

XXX

Dick was quietly reading in the den room, pretending he didn't notice Tim and Damian trying to sneak around and attack each other. It was a good day and wasn't going to step between his littlest brother unless it was absolutely needed. It wasn't like Alfred and Bruce were home to see it. Any disaster they created could be cleaned up before the older men came home in the morning.

So yes, Dick was very happy to sit in the den with his earbuds in and relax.

That was until Jason came in with puffy eyes and a pale face. He didn't even seem to notice that the other boys were in the room.

Dick instantly got up, hands outstretched toward his little brother, "Little Wing, what's wrong?"

Jason dodged his touch though and did a quick pace around the room.

Finally stopping in the middle of the room, he turned and looked at Dick while fidgeting badly. It hurt Dick's heart to see his usually confident brother like this.

"Okay so, I need to tell you something," said Jason, "And you can't tell anyone, especially dad,"

Oh damn. He said, dad. That wasn't good. Jason only called Bruce that under great duress.

"Okay, I won't," said Dick, trying to sound soothing, "Whatever it is,"

Jason took a deep breath, "I'm pregnant,"

"You're what?!" said Tim, jumping out from behind the couch. Damian also came out from where he had been about to hit Tim, eyes blown wide.

Dick felt like how they looked.

"Jesus," said Jason, jumping a little at their intrusion, "Don't look at me that,"

He moved to the couch Dick had been sitting on, "You guys probably think I'm an idiot,"

Oh wow, this was not usual Jason behaviour at all and Dick could tell it was unsettling his little brothers.

Okay, okay, big brother time.

"Well," said Dick "Uh, it's a bit to process. Um, do you know who's it is?"

"Roy's,"

"Oh great!" said Tim, trying to build up enthusiasm, "That's-"

"Oh save it!" said Jason, waving a hand in Tim's direction, "He's amazing actually. I'm a disaster! I mean I can't even take care of myself,"

He sighed and shook his head, "I'm going to be a terrible parent,"

The three brothers looked at each and then instantly took their places around their brother. Dick on the right, Tim on the left and Damian on a cushion in front of Jason.

"I suppose we should assume that you've decided to keep the baby," said Damian, matter-of-fact but gentle. Sometimes, Dick was very proud of how far the young teenager had come along.

"Yeah," said Jason

"You're not a disaster, Jay," said Dick, "Despite all the shit that happened in your life, you went to college, got a degree and you're doing a great job with the Wayne Foundation and its many projects,"

"Yeah," said Tim, "I mean, Bruce spent a good hour bragging about you to Lucius so... and you're going to therapy. You're actively taking of yourself,"

The omega sniffed but nodded, "I guess,"

"Also, if you're worried about father, don't be," said Damian, "He cares for you,"

Dick was so proud.

"And he's going to love having a grandbaby to spoil," said Tim, "Can you imagine it? 43 and a grandpa. The tabloids will have a field day,"

"If he does say something negative, which is highly unlikely," said Damian, "We will have your back and you're an adult, he doesn't get to interfere,"

"Not that it will be necessary," said Dick, "I think Tim's right. Bruce is gonna love having a baby around,"

Jason finally smiled, "Yeah, I guess you're right. Lian is pretty excited. We had her keep it a secret though. At least until we hit two months,"

"Oh yeah?" said Tim, "How far along are you?"

"Five weeks,"

"So that's why we can't smell it yet," said Damian, "I assume you've also been hiding your scent,"

Damian was right, they were all alphas and omegas, they should have smelled something.

"Little Wing, listen," said Dick, "You've done a lot to pull your life together and maybe you're not all the way there yet but that's okay. No one is perfect and this baby is going to have a lot of people in their corner. They're going to be so loved and we're all going to be there for your guys every step of the way and I'm pretty sure the arrow family will be too,"

"We love you, Jason," said Tim

Damian also squeezed his big brother's leg in support.

"Okay, okay," said Jason, finally relaxing "Help me tell Bruce than?"

"Whatever you need, Little Wing," said Dick, "Whatever you need,"

"Thanks," said Jason, "But maybe not for a few days,"

"Sure,"

"No problem,"

"Certainly,"

Jason chuckled, "You guys are great,"

Dick smiled and tugged all his brothers into a hug, even Damian coming along without any objection. Family was important after all and they would make sure their brother was supported. Always.

[badacts]

Tim Drake angst. I beg of thee.

me (manpain connoisseur) reading red robin 1: hm. not acceptable that there is zero crying in this scene

Tim is part of an exclusive club, but he’s still the odd man out.

Dick, Jason - they became Robin after loss, as a result of it or as a natural progression from it, the same way B did back in the beginning. Both the first and the second Robin were defined and delineated by their grief and their grievances, and that’s the thing that, besides family, has always tied them to Batman and his cause.

Tim was just a kid. Not a normal kid, maybe, but a kid with parents and school and wealth and certainty and self-belief. The loss came after.

And then kept coming, and coming. And now the Robins club is one member bigger, and apparently Tim’s the one paying for it.

It’s the closest he’s ever come to understanding Jason’s white-hot anger at finding himself replaced, because Tim’s blood is singing with it and he doesn’t even have the luxury of blaming the Lazurus Pit. 

Dick won’t look at him.

“You’re not my protege - you’re my equal. My ally. You’ll be okay,” he says. His voice is brusque, though not unkind. “Damian needs this. If he’s left alone, you and I both know he’ll…relapse.”

Tim swallows back bile. The worst part, the part that stops him from saying, then just don’t leave him alone, or, wow, I didn’t realise Batman handed out codenames based on the likelihood of committing murder, maybe Bruce should have given Robin back to Jason after all and it would have fixed everything, is that underneath the anger in him is something else. It’s a thin little voice that cries, I won’t be okay on my own. 

“Fine,” he says instead, icy. “So what do I do now?”

Dick finally looks at him. Tim can’t look back at him in the Bat’s suit without comparing him to a child playing dress-up. That’s not on Dick - it’s on the shadow of Bruce hanging over them both.

Dick says, “You can do whatever you want.” When Tim doesn’t reply, he goes on, “Go back to school, maybe. Or just keep on with WE - I’m sure Lucius would be delighted to have you around more. You don’t have to stay in Gotham, either.”

It sinks over Tim like a pall. “You’re trying to bench me.”

“No, that’s not…” Dick says, and then, when he realises his pause has already shown weakness, “There’s no harm in taking a break, Tim. Honestly, at this point I think it would be for the best.”

“You think I’m cracking up, Batman?” Tim asks. “I’ve been doing this for years. I’ve lost everything and still been more reliable than you ever were. And you think - what? Because I’m not convinced Bruce is dead, when no one we know ever stays dead, now’s the time to take Robin away, too?”

“I told you, this is about Damian-”

Tim’s yelling now. “So, what? You think I should hang up the cape, and you’ll replace me with a poorly-adjusted, egotistical ten-year-old who just lost his dad? Jesus, Dick! Just put him in therapy! And don’t use him an excuse!”

“It’s not an excuse!”

“But If you were hoping to keep up the tradition of ‘out with the old, in with the new’, then congratulations,” Tim says, ignoring Dick’s interjection. “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. It’s not like you waited that long before putting on the Batsuit.”

Dick’s expression pulls tight. His voice when he speaks is brutally controlled. “This isn’t about Bruce. And it isn’t about you, either.”

Abruptly, the anger dies. It’s just everything underneath it left, the deep quiet, and then beneath that silence; sickness, weakness, weeping. Tim says, flat, “Of course it isn’t.

Finally, a trace of regret slips across Dick’s face. “That’s not what I-”

“Save it for someone who’ll believe it,” Tim cuts him off, turning away. He doesn’t need to hear more thin reasoning and fake concern. He needs to go. Now.

“You’re still here, Drake?” says precisely the voice he doesn’t want to hear right now. And there’s Damian, wearing a Robin costume too updated to be a hand-me-down of any of theirs and a smile. 

“I live here.” And if Tim’s voice had been cold before, it’s arctic now. He looks back at Dick. “This is really what you want? Him in that costume?”

“Tim,” Dick says, and it’s a warning. Apparently he doesn’t want to have this conversation in front of Damian.

Damian doesn’t seem to care about that nicety any more than Tim does. “Don’t feel too torn up about it, Drake. You know it was inevitable. And besides, I’m sure Batgirl has a spare outfit you could borrow if you’re going to stick around.”

“It’s Wayne,” Tim mutters.

Damian’s issue has always been leaving well enough alone. He leans in, all smug posturing, ear tilted to Tim like he really couldn’t hear. “What was that?”

“I said,” Tim says, nice and clear this time, “My name is Tim Wayne.”

Then he has Damian on his belly on the batcave floor, arm twisted behind his back. He hisses, “You sound like your grandfather when you gloat.”

“Unhand me!” Damian grunts. It’s like trying to hold onto a furious cat, but he doesn’t have the weight to dislodge Tim. Tim keeps him restrained for one second, then two, then-

-An arm wraps around Tim’s chest, heaving him away. He’s quick to let go of Damian’s wrist before he dislocates his shoulder, and watches as Damian scrambles up onto his haunches. 

It only takes a sharp twist of his upper arms to break Dick’s hold on him. All his focus is on Damian when he says, “You’re going to have to be better than that.” If you don’t want to be the next one to be buried goes unsaid, but he may as well have yelled it by how tense Dick goes behind him.

“I let you have that,” Damian blusters. He’s lost skin on his jaw to the concrete, the blood bright where it’s beading there. “You need something to make you feel good about yourself. It’s not like you have any other reasons.”

“Shut up, Damian,” Dick says, and then, “Tim. Tim!”

Tim doesn’t stop. Not until he’s in his room, the door closed gently behind him. Alfred doesn’t approve of doors being slammed.

He also doesn’t approve of needless smashing of personal belongings, but it’s not like he’s not used to it. 

Afterwards, Tim sinks down into the debris. He’s panting. His face is wet, but it feels distant enough it could be happening to someone else.

There’s no anger left. Not a trace. No relief, no frustration, no grief. Just that little child’s voice saying, alone, alone, alone.

[kenzieam]

Destroyed - Chapter Four     (Chris X Raen)

Rating: M - ***TRIGGER WARNINGS***

Warnings: Violence, language, drama, angst, mentions of abuse and rape

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The days wore on, turning into weeks.

Although he wanted to be there every day, Chris forced himself to limit his trips to The Bend to only a couple times a week; sometimes for lunch, sometimes for drinks after dark. He’d learned that Raen often worked both shifts, but he refrained from learning her schedule beyond that, that was just too creepy and stalkerish;  but he held his breath ever day that he journeyed to the bar, hoping that when he entered, he’d see the woman who’d become as necessary to him as oxygen.

To his relief, Raen didn’t avoid him; she treated him as a regular customer, albeit with reddened cheeks and lowered eyes, mumbling her responses while she spoke clearly to everyone else; but her manner with others, as Chris observed, thanks to his former training, was formal and somewhat empty. She kept herself closed and untouched, smiling and laughing politely but never engaging more than skin-deep. With Chris there was more, despite her obvious hesitance.

She looked for him, and while she seemed to become more nervous when he was in the bar, she seemed more settled as well, as if Chris stirred feelings in her that made her antsy because they touched deeper inside her and made her feel safer at the same time, perhaps even without her realizing it.

He made sure to remain unfailing gentlemanlike; it was obvious that she was skittish, had been abused in the past and Chris would have to earn her trust, and rightfully so, before attempting to move any relationship they might one day have any further. It was hard for him though, she called to him like a flame draws a moth and his heart ached to see the pain and fear in her eyes. He would find and kill the man who’d put that there, make the bastard pay for daring to hurt such a precious treasure.

“The usual?” Raen asked quietly, appearing at Chris’ table. She already held the coffee pot, biting her bottom lip shyly.

“Yes please, Raen.” Chris felt himself relax, his body taking a proverbial deep breath of relief. “How are you today?” He watched her fill his coffee cup, noted the delicate polish on her nails, it looked good on her and he hoped it meant she was trying to spoil, to pamper herself.

You deserve everything good, baby.

“Fine, thanks.” She paused, as if gathering the courage and Chris’ fist tightened under the table; the effort he expended every single time she looked vulnerable like this, to not drop everything and draw her to him, hold her until that dread melted away, was herculean. And it was growing more difficult all the time.

Never, he vowed, and not for the first time, will I ever make you feel like that baby, I promise.

“How are you?” There was honest inquiry in her tone, this wasn’t just the dance of customer and waitress, empty answers demanded by decorum.

“I’m good. Better now that I’ve seen you.” There was no point beating around that bush, Chris knew his face lit up every time he saw her; if she’d been involved with Silas’ gang Chris would have blown his cover almost immediately.

Her cheeks darkened, lashes fluttering in a way that made Chris’ heart race. Jesus Christ, he had it bad. “That’s quite the line, Mr. King. Does it ever work?”

His pulse sped up even more at the faint teasing in her tone. “It’s not a line, it’s the truth. And does it?”

Tomato red now, Raen looked away and when she turned back, she’d replaced some of her walls. “What can I get you?”

The walls hurt and Chris swallowed uneasily, but when he glanced back up at Raen he saw her small smile, one just for him; the walls weren’t personal, he realized, just a habitual response. Still, he proceeded carefully.

“Is Wayne back there?” He asked, referring to one of The Bend’s regular cooks.

“No, it’s Pete today.”

Chris exhaled in relief, while Wayne was hella good with burgers, for some reason the man completely fell apart when it came to anything else and Chris was definitely in the mood for a good Club. “Turkey Club please, on brown.”

“Salad or fries?”

“If I say fries, will you share with me?”

Raen smiled, a fond look in her eyes that surprised Chris. “Do you ever let up?” Her teasing tone made his heart sing.

“Can’t help it with you.” Again, there was no use denying it.

Raen glanced back at the kitchen, then down at the watch on her wrist. “I might have a few minutes to spare.” Her tone was lighter now and she flicked her gaze back to Chris, who couldn’t stop a lopsided grin.

“I’ll save you some.” Chris replied, no pressure Raen, come to me when you want.

Raen glided away, eyes lowered shyly again, and Chris exhaled raggedly. He’d never had to work so hard to get a woman’s attention before, but it had never been more worth it. What he’d felt for Erin was like a perversion compared to this; he’d never experienced such a strong tie, without any physical contact either. He wasn’t sure he’d be able to survive the inferno this woman stirred in him if he was ever allowed to touch her.

He glanced around the bar, nodding at friends and customers, acquaintances and neighbors. There never been a sense of community or family in his life before, certainly not in the sprawling miasma of Los Angeles, not even in a twisted way with Silas’ gang.

“Here you go.” Her musical voice was back; a breath of her intoxicating perfume, mixed in with her natural scent, stirred fresh want in his chest. She set a plate in front of him piled high with crispy fries and a decent looking sandwich and he looked up to find Raen’s eyes before she left him again.

Chris gestured with his chin to the opposite side of the table. “Got those few minutes?”

Raen blushed again, then caught the eye of the other waitress, nodding to let her know she was taking a short break. She slid into the booth with a sigh, smiling bashfully. Grinning delightedly, feeling like he was five years old and it was Christmas morning in the dreams where he’d had Christmas mornings, Chris pushed the plate closer to her, nudging the ketchup bottle over as well.

“Dig in, doll.”

Raen’s reddened cheeks were matched only by Chris’, once he realized what he’d said but she saved him by smiling and reaching for a fry, dunking it delicately in the gravy.

“Yeah,” he continued, striving for a normal tone, feeling like that teenager again. “I like the gravy better too.”

Raen’s answering shy smile lit all kinds of fire in his heart.

She was only able to sit for a few minutes, and Chris felt a real pang of disappointment when she delicately wiped her mouth with a paper napkin and stood.

“I need to get back.”

“Sit with me tomorrow?” Chris winced at the hopeful tone in his voice, if Raen had any sort of mean bone in her body, she’d have an opening right now to hurt him.

“What makes you think I’ll be here tomorrow?” Her tone was light, even playful and Chris’ poor heart was sent galloping afresh.

“A guy can dream, doll.”

“Guess you’ll find out, Mr. King.” She replied, biting her bottom lip then her shyness flooded back in and she hurried away, taking Chris’ heart with her. He loved the way she called him ‘Mr. King’, not out of any patriarchal kick, but because it was special, her private name just for him, an edge of teasing and sliver of attraction softening the formal address.

Chris was on pins and needles all night, pacing his living room before collapsing into a chair out on his apartment’s small balcony and lighting a joint; a fraught hopefulness having seeped right down into his bones. He felt like a giddy teenager; Christ, like a man in love, and a sudden wave of dread crashed over him with the realization. Was he falling right down the same old rabbit hole as he had with Erin? Was he goose-stepping merrily into another trap?

No. He pushed the thoughts aside. Raen isn’t Erin.

Screaming agony tore him awake later. He’d gone to sleep with gentle musings of Raen, her drop-dead gorgeous curves his to finally touch and caress and mold his body around. Bolts of fiery pain shot through his torso, grotesque mimics of the bullets that had ripped through him, rending him from sleep and a scream of anguish poured from his lips; he could feel the blood coursing from his wounds with each desperate pound of his heart, feel the rough, stained carpet beneath his sweat-slicked face. He clawed at his chest, gasping for breath, his bare legs tangling in the sheets before his naked body tumbled from the bed to crash onto the floor, jolting what was left of his breath from his lungs. He lay trembling and panting, fingers clawing uselessly and he was sure he was dying, certain he was back on the floor of that bank, fooled into giving his life for nothing; Silas towering over him, ready to fire the kill shot.

“Nnnnooo.” He managed to wheeze, tears squeezing out from his lids and for a moment everything seemed to end, oblivion seemed to take him down into the Black then he pulled one last scream from his locked-down chest, shattering the nightmare. He convulsed, limbs slamming against the floor and lay winded and wasted, unable to even lift his head for long, terrifying minutes.

Finally, he dragged himself up off the floor, hands shaking as he pulled himself back into the bed and lay curled in the fetal position, trembling. He couldn’t remember the last time his nightmares had been so vivid, so real and it terrified him. What had provoked this?

Was it…?

No. It couldn’t be…

Raen?

Was his mind trying to warn him away from another fatal mistake? Would it truly be the end…?  Would he die this time? It was ridiculous to even contemplate but here, in the stark dark, his body still aching from the nightmare, it became oh so plausible.

What was he thinking? He’d survived once, he’d be a fool to give up his heart again. He was doing the same thing he’d done with Erin, giving up all semblance of himself and tempting that bitch named Fate as he plunged headlong into the spell of another woman.

He lay awake for the rest of the night, shivering, afraid to close his eyes. Work was a chore and, come lunchtime, he glanced at the clock then away. He couldn’t go back to The Bend; he couldn’t continue this. He needed to guard his own heart.

It was the right thing to do. He had to protect himself.

But Jesus God, why did it hurt so bad?

**************************************************************************

Raen chanced a glance at her watch, then scanned the bar. Chris was nowhere to be found, again. It had been a week since he’d asked her to sit with him. Even though he’d looked at her with such softness and excitement at the prospect of seeing her the next day, he’d never shown up. Despite herself, Raen felt a tear trickle down her cheek, which she wiped away angrily.

Like sand, he’d begun to seep through the cracks in her walls; like water gradually eroding away stone, he’d started to wear his way past her barriers.

And then he’d disappeared.

What a fool she’d been. She’d just been lucky she’d escaped without literally bleeding this time. Men were all the same, some played with your body, others your heart, but they all left you broken.

Never again.

*************************************************************************

He couldn’t do it any longer.

He’d stayed away from her for a week, but he physically couldn’t anymore. He needed Raen, she’d become essential to his heart and soul and that certainty wore implacably away at the conviction that he would be destroyed by giving them away again. Surely they couldn’t ache any worse than the anguish he felt now.

His palms were sweating as he parked his bike in the Bend’s lot and he rubbed them down his jean-covered thighs, swallowing nervously. What would his reception be? He’d been making inroads with Raen, and then he’d left. It was a shitty thing to do, but in the end, the draw was too strong. If loving Raen meant his destruction, then he was going down in flames.

It had been a week of loneliness, a week of sleepless nights, of tossing and turning and startling awake from restless dozes with a jolt of heart-pounding panic, nightmares twisting his mind into an exhausted miasma of misery. His body was leaden, weighted down with guilt and shame and just plain lonesomeness.

Even Al had noticed, real concern in his aged eyes as he watched Chris work, probed in his typical roundabout way what his problem was but Chris hadn’t been able to voice it. How did you explain something like this? As time wore on his reasons for staying away from Raen grew weaker and weaker in his miserable eyes, made less sense.

Raen was nothing like Erin, where his old partner had held a deep simmering rage at her childhood, at the hand dealt to her, Raen was pure sweetness, her past experiences only making her kinder and more compassionate. Like the analogy Chris had heard once, one that had resonated with him and made him wonder what he was deep inside, Erin was like an egg, tempered and boiled by the heat of her past into someone hard and unchangeable inside, while Raen was like a tea bag, her natural goodness and sweetness coloring her surroundings, improving everything around her.

It was late, after dark and the throbbing music from the juke spilled out as he opened the door and stepped inside, scanning the surroundings. Like the moth he was, his eyes were drawn immediately to her flame, currently standing at the bar loading up her tray for another waitressing round; her body was his kryptonite, did she realize how goddamn good she looked in those fitted jeans? Steeling himself, he approached, leaning casually against the counter to hide the shaking in his hands.

Had he wrecked what could have been the best thing he’d ever had, before he’d even really had it?

“Hey,” he offered quietly, searching to find her eyes when she turned to face him. What he saw, shock quickly eclipsed by hurt and anger, deepened his anxiety.

“What are you doing here?” That empty tone was back, the wall and that hurt worse than any emotion she could have infused her voice with. Emotion meant there was still a chance, emptiness meant there wasn’t.

“Raen, I’m sorry-“

“I have to work, excuse me.” She pushed past him with a loaded tray and his heart began to thump with dread. The bartender, a friend of one of his former booty calls eyed him with derision.

“She waited for you, asshole.” She spat before turning and storming to the other end.

Chris turned, feeling more scared and more hopeless than he had in his darkest moments with Erin, when Arturo was pacing the shabby living room, holding the handgun and goaded into playing roulette, in those endless moments after the gunshots. Her back was to him, shapely hips mocking him as they swayed. Her smile was soft, her lilac-grey eyes almost serene as she spoke to patrons and passed around their orders.

She wasn’t comfortable among strangers, not yet, but she had learned to disguise it and you’d have to be stone sober to notice the distance in her manner. He waited until her tray was empty and she was on her way back to the bar before trying again.

“Raen, please. Can I just-“

“What do you want, Chris?” He was ‘Mr. King’ no longer, her private name for him gone.

“I need to talk to you.” His hand reached out in desperation and gripped her forearm, pulling her away from the main area.

A flash of real fear, hurting his heart, then anger again. “Leave me alone.” She hissed, ripping her arm away.

“Baby, please!” Desperation made his voice crack, then pain exploded in his cheek and he staggered, eyes wide with shock.

Raen glared fiercely, her hand still raised from slapping him. Slowly, she pointed her finger at him with heartbreaking finality. “Do not call me that. You never came back, remember? I owe you nothing.”

Cold grief wrapped icy fingers around his heart as she turned and stormed away.

He didn’t leave, his body wouldn’t obey his commands. The furthest he made was the far end of the bar, the opposite end from where Raen was working and, although he knew Raen wouldn’t send a glance his way, he watched her all the same, cursing himself for his stupidity.

A cold panic had suffused his limbs, he wanted to grab Raen’s arms and shake her, force her to listen to him, to give him another chance, but that meant that he was a bastard, no better than the man she’d ran from before. He’d fucked up, he was the one to pay for it.

Jesus God, it hurt. His heaven was steps away and he couldn’t reach her. He might as well be on Mars.

A dead feeling was spreading through his body. To walk away from Raen tonight was going to cleave him in half, but what choice did he have?

Throwing down some bills to cover his beer, he steeled himself to leave, to walk away from the best thing he’d never had when a crashing sound hit his ears. He whirled, eyes scanning the bar with practiced skill, his F.B.I. training making a reluctant comeback. He reached for his sidearm, remembered he no longer carried one.

A fight was breaking out in a corner, two men pushing each other, their voices raising in drunken indignation and rage. A glass had already been knocked to the floor, alerting Chris, but it was the men’s physical altercation that was starting to get everyone else’s attention. Chris sized up the situation, not seeing any immediate weapons, but who knew if either man was hiding something? Shit, a broken bottle would be enough and these two looked like the violent type.

Then his eyes found her.

Raen. Trapped in the corner, eyes wide.

Somehow, she’d been on the wrong side of the table when these two had started in on each other, and was now stuck, her back to the wall, two brawling men blocking her escape.

Terror and rage like he’d never felt before filled him and Chris didn’t remember his trip across the bar, his tunnel vision only for Raen, he could be rushing into the path of another bullet for all he knew, and it didn’t matter in the slightest, all he could see was Raen, pressed to the wall, eyes wide with fear, searching for escape. Her eyes met his and if he hadn’t been so blinded by the need to save her, he would have seen the relief in her lilac-grey depths.

She reached for him as he barreled through the brawling men without stopping, elbowing the brutes aside and receiving a glancing fist to the jaw as he went and then she was in his arms and he pressed her back into the corner, shielding her from the fight with his body, glancing back over his shoulder before dropping his head to murmur soothingly to her.

“Chris,” she gasped, voice shaking. Her fingers clawed into his flesh as she shook and if he hadn’t been so intent on comforting her, he would have whirled in a rage and attacked the two bastards who’d made her so scared.

“I’m here, baby.” He breathed, curling around her, ready for the blows to come as he sheltered her but they never did and, as he turned to glance back again, he saw the other patrons and the bouncer had finally kicked into action, dragging and pulling at both combatants, hauling their thrashing asses out the front door.

Only then did he relax his hold enough to step back, his hands staying on her shoulders, unwilling to let go.

“Baby, are you okay?” He scanned her frantically, his hand leaving her shoulder only to cup her cheek and his heart lurched as his eyes landed on blood. “Christ, doll.” He pulled at her, drawing her into better light, his heart thudding with fear.

He tilted her head, gripping her chin, eyes running over her skin and he reached over, grabbing a napkin from a nearby table, dabbing gently at her cheek. His thundering heart eased as he saw the damage, not nearly so grave as he’d feared. Three small dots, tiny bits of broken glass embedded in them and glinting in the light marred her smooth cheekbone and more glass fragments shimmered in her hair that he brushed gingerly away before taking her hand and drawing her down the hallway, to the owner’s office past the bathrooms.

Without knocking he burst through the door, startling the man sleeping in his chair inside.

“Goddammit, Chris!” He swore, jerking awake, nearly falling off.

“Goddamn you, Gus!” Chris yelled back. He reached for the first aid kit perched on the file cabinet and gently sat Raen down on an empty chair before wrenching it open and continuing his lecture. “There’s a goddamn fight out there and you’re in here sleeping! And Raen got fucking hurt!” He broke off and turned his full attention back to Raen, who stared at him with a mix of trepidation and reverence. Gently, his hand shaking slightly, he sponged away the blood with a square of gauze then pulled out the tweezers. Raen’s eyes fell on them and widened, then looked back up at Chris trustingly.

“I’ll be gentle, baby.” He murmured.

Gus had shuffled outside by now and Chris pulled away from Raen long enough to kick the door shut behind him. As he reached to extract the slivers of glass her hand grasped his wrist, stopping him.

“Chris, I-“

“Damn, doll. When I saw you trapped back there, my heart-“ he flinched, pausing in his task long enough to cup her undamaged cheek. After a beat, he tipped his head forwards, resting his forehead to hers, relaxing when she didn’t push him away.

“Thank you.” She whispered.

“Anything for you.” He vowed, pulling away reluctantly. Raen followed his movements then closed her eyes as he began to extract the slivers. She remained still, not wincing, but then, she’d experienced worse.

Gus returned just as Chris had placed the last steri-strip and was wiping the remainder of blood off her skin.

“Goddamn Buddy Perkins.” He wheezed. “I told that bastard no more fights. He’s banned now and good riddance.” Focusing on Raen, his tone softened. Gus may have been a lazy old bastard, but he cared for his girls. “You okay, hon?”

“Just some scratches.” She replied quietly.

“Take the night off. Hell, take the rest of the week, I’ll still pay you.” He turned his attention to Chris. “You’ll make sure she gets home okay?” At Chris’ nod he looked back at Raen. “That okay, honey? Can Chris take you home?”

“That’s fine.” She was still quiet, but her hand hadn’t left Chris’, her fingers clasping his tightly.

Gus shuffled and wheezed his way back out, his voice thundering once more, shutting down the bar for the night because ‘you miserable sumbitches can’t behave!’ and Chris looked back at Raen, squeezing her hand, a hint of nervousness accelerating his heart now that he no longer feared for her immediate safety.

“You’re sure? I can take you home?” Chris murmured, too far gone to be embarrassed by the pitiful hope in his voice.

Raen sighed quietly. “Why didn’t you come back? I waited for you.”

Chris exhaled slowly. He would tell her, but not here. “Can I talk to you at your place? It’s kind of a long story.”

Raen looked up, meeting his eyes and studying him carefully. He held his breath in trepidation, trying to convey his utter sincerity through his eyes. She sighed, seeming to come to a decision. “Okay… there’s some things about me you should know too.”

“Only if you want to.” Chris murmured back, standing to his full height and pulling her gently to hers. He hovered protectively behind her as she gathered her things from the staff room and took the keys she held out when they reached the parking lot.

“What about your truck?” Raen asked, concerned as she searched the lot.

“I brought my bike; no one’ll take it. I need to work on it and its hard to start right now.”

“Thieves can’t steal what they can’t get running, Raeny baby, mind your daddy.” She suddenly said, glancing over at Chris with reddening cheeks.

“What does that mean?” He asked as he helped her climb into the passenger side.

“Just something my daddy taught me… it saved my life a while ago.”

Chris searched her face, trying to quell the sudden instinct to crush her to him and kiss away her sorrow but he needed to take her home, he needed to explain himself and maybe then… maybe he’d be lucky enough to have another chance with her. Contenting himself with reaching out and covering her hand for a heartbeat, he sighed and started the truck, threw it into drive and left the parking lot.

[dontcallmecookie]

for your Dick Grayson must Die series could I prompt something with the OG Titans maybe? Maybe he gets into a fight with Hank and passes out during it?? Or something along those lines!!

Change of Plans

Part 4 of the Dick Grayson Must Die series

Summary: In which Hank picks a fight with Dick after a bungled mission.

Warnings: Whump, canon-typical violence, lots of swearing

~~

The tension in the room clung to the walls like sticky dew, stinking up the room with hormones and emotions. Donna swallowed, glancing worriedly at Dick. Dove and Hawk would be back any second now. And Hank was going to be livid. The frown on her brow said it all as she looked pointedly to his cradled side.

Are you ready for this?

He considered it for a moment, working his jaw as his thumb beat out a nervous tempo on the countertop. Suddenly, he pivoted and stood, working out his nerves as he wandered aimlessly around the great room, cape swishing behind him.

Nope. Not even a little bit.

Donna sighed, watching carefully at the hitch in his step, the way he favored his right side. “You need to get that looked at.”

Robin made it as far as the dining room table before having to lean against it heavily, palms pressed to the tabletop. He was panting, dizzy as the lights swam in front of his eyes. “I’m fine.”

Wonder Girl rolled her eyes loudly, spinning to making her way to the fridge. She snatched a yogurt, not bothering to check the flavor; she wouldn’t be tasting it anyway. “You say to the woman who literally had to catch you midair after some psycho took a barbed wire bat to your-”

The elevator dinged. Robin straightened, squaring his shoulders. It was a brave face for someone who was moments away from passing the fuck out. He would need it, though. The only way to calm Hank down after something like this would be to either fuck him or bark louder. Dick knew which one he was in for.

The doors slipped open and Dove and Hawk marched into the great room. Donna moved around the island defensively, her instincts yelling at her to protect her Boy Wonder. Hank meant well, but he often forgot his own strength. The larger Titan saw Dick and froze like a predator spotting its prey and huffed angrily. Dawn slipped her mask off and moved to Donna, taking her yogurt and swallowing a mouthful.

Hank stared under the red lenses of his helmet, sizing up his opponent as he decided if he wanted to have this fight or not. Well, no, he definitely wanted to have a fight, he just wasn’t sure if it should be with Dick or a punching bag.

He scoffed sourly and stomped off. Punching bag it was.

“Hank.”

He kept walking.

Dick sighed. “Hank. We need to talk.”

Fuck the punching bag. If Grayson wanted a face full of fist, he would damn well get it. Hawk circled to Dick and gestured impatiently. “I’m all ears, oh great and wise leader.”

Robin swallowed, falling against the dining table for support. Suddenly, he was at a loss for words. Hank was expecting something from him and he didn’t have the first thing to say. Where would he even begin? It wasn’t his fault Hank’s plan was going to backfire. And Hank disobeyed his direct order to stop - was he just supposed to stand by and watch him and Dawn get slaughtered? “I won’t apologize for what happened back there,” he finally said.

It took a moment for the words to sink in, a wry smile splitting across Hank’s face. He looked back at Donna and Dawn, wondering if he had heard that right. “The fuck did you just say to me, Bird Boy?”

Well, too late to take it back now. Dick raised his chin in defiance. “Your plan was going to get you, Dawn, and tens of innocents killed. It was flawed from the start. I had to step in and set things right.”

“Did you now?” the larger man sneered, stalking forward one heavy step at a time.

“I did.”

“I don’t fucking believe this.” He waved at the women. “Do you fucking believe this?”

Donna bit her lip, fighting the urge to back up her childhood best friend. It was a hard call, but Dick had made it. And if he was going to be respected as the leader of this team, he would need to learn to defend his actions against the harshest scrutinies.

Dawn didn’t share her Amazonian convictions, though. “You saw what happened, Hank. You saw what they did - what they were going to do-”

“Dawn,” Wonder Girl warned quietly, touching her arm.

Hank turned his venomous glare to her. She titled her head and let it bounce off like a mosquito bite. “You’re taking his side on this?”

So much for the quiet bystander role. “I am.”

“Of course you fucking are. Anything for your boyfriend, right? Your little Boy Wonder?”

Robin grabbed his arm. “That’s enough, Hank,” he said and Donna would have to remember to compliment his Batman voice. It was pretty on brand.

Hawk yanked his arm back, shoving Dick roughly in the chest. “Get your hands off me! You want to divide this team, fine. But I’m not going to stand here and take your brainwashing.”

“I’m trying to keep this team alive,” Dick retorted angrily. A flush rose to his cheeks and Donna gulped worriedly. “There’s no brainwashing going on, no coercion. Because, unlike you, I’m capable of solving problems with my brain and not just my fists.”

“You think your brains are better than me? What, just because you grew up going to galas and fancy-ass parties with Bruce-fucking-Wayne?”

“I grew up out on the streets, five nights a week, kicking asses and thinking up strategies on the fly to keep them from kicking mine in return.” He sidled forward, using every inch of his height to intimidate his hundred pounds heavier teammate. “I was doing this while you were still playing Pee Wee, linebacker. Which is how I knew your plan was shit and had to step in and save everyone’s lives. Lives that you put in danger!”

Hank growled and shoved him again, Dick latching onto the front of his costume to hold himself in place even as the larger Titan tried to shake him off. “Back off!” Suddenly a meaty fist was slamming into Dick’s right side.

“Dick!��� Donna gasped, rushing forward.

He was immediately on the ground, a lump of pads and rubber under his bi-colored cape.

“The fuck’s wrong with him?” Hank wondered, stepping back in confusion as Donna knelt by their downed leader.

“The bad guy you were so insistent wouldn’t show up? Well, guess who showed up? And while you’re at it, take a stab at who found him and had to take him down. By himself,” she responded pointedly, cradling Dick’s face and prying his eyelids open to check his pupils. He groaned into her hands, eyes rolling lazily behind the mask.

Dawn approached worriedly, Hank gravitating to her for stability. “I… No, he was out of town. I checked. His plane wasn’t supposed to land for another-”

“Four hours? Yeah, say that to the barbed wire bat he took to Dick’s side.”

Dick coughed lightly, face scrunching in pain as his chest convulsed. He turned, droplets that matched the red of Donna’s suit decorating her shoulder.

“Jesus,” Dawn gasped, quickly joining Wonder Girl on the floor. “He needs to go to medical. Can he stand?”

Robin nodded, a gurgling noise coming from his throat.

“Turn him,” Donna said and they rolled him to the side just as bile and blood erupted from his mouth, staining the cold floor. He vomited weakly and Donna checked his temperature. “Go get a cold bath ready.” Dawn nodded and was out the door in a few hurried strides.

Hank looked like he was having a full-blown crisis under his ridiculous bird costume. “I didn’t know.”

“Clearly,” Wonder Girl snapped protectively. Recognizing her temper, she sighed, taking a precious moment to center herself. “You can grovel for forgiveness later. For now, help me get to him to medical.” She could lift the Titan on her own without breaking a sweat and they all knew it. But bridal style wasn’t easy on the ribs and Hank desperately needed to feel helpful.

“Uh, yeah, right.” He sprung forward, looping his arm around Dick’s waist. “Jesus, he’s burning up.”

“Thus the cold bath Dawn is getting ready.” Donna heaved him upright, nodding to the door. “Let’s go.”

.,.,.,.,.,.,.,

The bat had broken several ribs, one of which was inches away from puncturing a lung. He wouldn’t need surgery, but he would be bedridden for a number of weeks as all the internal scrapes and tears healed. A couple of days after he was conscious for good - it was definitely the most he had slept since, well, the last time he was immobile - Hank broke his streak of avoidance and poked his head into the leader’s darkened room.

Dick paused the video on his League tablet, taking out his headphones. “What’s up?” he asked not unkindly, but with about as much warmth as if he was talking to a table leg that had just violated his toe.

Hank cleared his throat, motioning to the device. “Interrupting your Netflix?”

“Something like that,” Dick replied, shuffling uncomfortably as he locked the screen.

Hank sat uninvited on the corner of the bed, making a face at the secrecy. “Guess you gotta get the blood flowing somehow,” he quipped crudely.

“What do you want, Hank.”

“Well, I was going to apologize but if you’re going to be a prick about it I won’t.”

Dick turned to the window. “Then you weren’t really sorry, were you,” he corrected quietly.

The larger Titan considered it, nodding loudly. “Guess not then. Well,” he stood, slapping Dick’s knee under the thick blankets. “Don’t be out too much longer. Getting kind of tired of kicking the ladies’ asses all the time.”

“I’ll tell Donna to take it easy next time.”

“Uh. Yeah. You do that.” He turned and left, fleeing as fast as he could.

Dick swallowed as he watched his back retreat and mulled over why he couldn’t have one single goddamn conversation with the man without ruffling his feathers and reopening wounds all over again. How was he supposed to lead a team when he couldn’t have a civil one on one with one-fifth of it?

He sighed, eventually accepting that that answer would just have to stay unsolved until another day. And he would have plenty of time to torture himself with it until he was allowed back to normal life.

Wedging the headphone back into his ear, he unlocked the screen of his tablet and resumed the video. Grainy footage showed a man swing a barbed wire baseball bat into his side. He went to the ground, exposed and vulnerable as the man continued to beat him with the weapon, hitting and hitting him without pause. Dick rewound and played the segment again. Then again. On the fourth time, he paused it and switched to his suit’s body cam, his own cries of pain deafening in his ears.

He turned the volume up.

He was well on his way to being recovered physically, but mentally he was on loop in the ICU of his own bleeding mind.

[wayneimagine]

Wedding bells

Anon asked: Idk if you’re doing requests but maybe!!! Could you do a thing with Wayne on his wedding day cuz I saw somewhere(I think it was here??) of him marrying young and adoring his wife and I’m FEELING THINGS RN??? Or something where he reflects back on his past and just gets lowkey emotional about his current happy family(wife and kids and new friends or something??) if ur not taking requests pls feel emotions with me over this AAAAA

Guess who had mayor feels while writing this? This is one of my favorite imagines, hope you like it as much as I enjoyed writing it!

----

If someone had said to Wayne that he would marry the love of his life when he turned 20 in a room with his loved ones, he wouldn’t have believed them. He thought that he would never fall in love with someone or that it wouldn’t be serious enough to propose to them. Love just wasn’t in Wayne’s plans. But now, here he was. Straightening his suit while waiting for (Y/N) to show up and start the new part of their lives together. They had met when they were fifteen, and they were absolute highschool sweethearts even though all their classmates thought Wayne was crazy and dangerous. (Y/N) had been friends with Orlando since they were born and when she changed schools she met Wayne thanks to him. She wasn’t scared of him, and she helped him when his dad died. They went to Florida together to get his dad’s car back and even though he had to spend one year on a prison there, (Y/N) visit him every visitation day. Sometime he wondered how he got so lucky with her. He loved her more than anything, so that’s why when they both turned nineteen, he proposed to her. She was overjoyed. She loved him dearly too, so they started making arrangements to have the wedding as fast as possible. And now here he was. Orlando next to him as the best man, a few friends from college, (Y/N)’s family, his mom (who, even though it had been difficult for the two of them) had reconnected with him after he left prison and the man who used to be his principal and who let him live with him when he came back to Brockton and didn’t have nowhere to be.

Wayne thought about all they had done for this day. (Y/N) had started working teaching English to a few immigrants and Wayne had done multiple jobs, from construction to internships in banks and companies. The two of them had saved a lot for a house, and with help from both of their families (who were more than happy to help them because they just wanted to see them happy and married), they got enough money to have the ceremony on a nice banquet hall.

“You nervous man? You don’t stop fidgeting ” Orlando asked

Wayne swallowed before shaking his head “She’s gonna be here any minute.”

“Dude, I still can’t believe we’re doing this.” Wayne furrowed his eyebrows at him with a slight scowl on his face

“What you mean?”

“I always thought I would get married before you. I mean, we had just finished mid term finals and you were buying the ring.”

Wayne chuckled “You’ll find the one. What happened with that girl from vet school...”

Everyone turned silent as the bridesmaids entered the banquet hall. There were Trish, Jenny, another girl from college named Veronica and Del. Each one of them were wearing a light pink dress and a bouquet of daisies.

“Can’t believe this is happening” Del whispered

“Right? That’s what I said to Wayne”

“At least he’s wearing a normal suit and not something like what my Dad wore at his weddings” Jenny said and they bit their tongues to not let out a chuckle.

All except Wayne who was too busy in seeing (Y/N) appear. She walked down the aisle with her dad and god she looked absolutely beautiful. She was wearing a white short dress and a flower crown which held the veil. Her smile couldn’t get bigger and when she was next to Wayne she locked eyes with him.

“Well don’t you look extremely handsome with that suit?” She whispered

“I love you”

The ceremony started and all went smoothly. (Y/N) was wrapping her head around the fact that she was now a McCullough when it was time for the kiss. At least now she didn’t have to stand up on her tiptoes, all thanks to her heels. They kissed and everyone cheered up and even some of them whistled. After they ate, the couple had their first dance as a married couple and they started dancing with their families.

“I can’t believe my baby boy just got married” Maureen said to Wayne.

Wayne smiled and saw (Y/N) on the other part of the room. She was dancing with her younger brother, and they were laughing while he spinned her around.

“Everyone says it’s a surprise that I asked her so soon, you think the same?” Wayne asked her mother after twirling her around

“Of course no! It’s so obvious that you two love each other, you can sense it from a million miles away. I remember when I met her and she said you were just friends. Yeah, just friends my ass.”

Wayne laughed while remembering that part of their trip to Florida. “We had gotten into a fight and we took a break before...ya know”

“You stopped her from leaving and kissed her? Yeah, I remember seeing my son’s first kiss”

“Now look where we’re. Seriously Wayne, I couldn’t be happier for you. I’m so proud of the man you’ve become. You’ve changed for the better.”

Wayne smiled and his face turned red. “Thanks ma.”

The song ended after a while and it changed to a different and more upbeat song. (Y/N) grabbed Wayne’s arm saying “It’s our song! From our first dance at Trish and Jenny’s school”

Trish and Jenny must have remembered too because they started chanting “Wayne, Wayne, Wayne” along with Del while they danced.

After a while of dancing, (Y/N) went to her table to take of her heels with Del, who couldn’t stop teasing her.

“So? (Y/N) McCullough, oh tell us please, when will you bring to the world a little McCullough? We’ll need to get ready and fireproof everythin’ and buy ‘em hammer” (Y/N) laughed and tried to hide her blushing face. “Jeez Del, if we have a baby you’ll have to learn things about babies too, ya know? You’ll be their cool aunt.”

Del smirked “Hell yeah, I’ll show ‘em the best music in the world and how to throw a punch at a bully”

After a couple of more songs it was time to cut the cake. Of course that when they cut the first piece for the newly weds they got the other one dirty on the face with the cake. After they cleaned up, and everyone got their piece, Orlando got up to make a toast.

“I’ve known (Y/N) since we were in diapers, and I never imagined her with someone like Wayne. But Jesus, when they met each other, all thanks to me (don’t worry Del, you also helped their relationship), they couldn’t be in different rooms. (Y/N) had fallen in love with him after a month and two dates and Wayne had had a crush on her since he laid eyes on her”

“So, one day at college, Wayne goes to me and says he’s got somethin’ to show to me. And he just goes and takes out of his bag a tiny box and when he opens it I’m shocked to see an engagement ring.”

“Turns out, the same day after we got our mid term finals results and he saw he had done them well, he went to Del’s university, picked ‘er up and went to buy a ring. Five days later, he calls me thrilled to say that (Y/N) had accepted.”

“All in all, I want to say that these two are your highschool sweethearts who have gone through a lot of things, so I’m have to see them here, on a day for themselves only. I congratulate you guys and wish you the best.”

(Y/N) and Wayne and hug Orlando and everyone cheers and congratulates the two of you and (Y/N) can’t thank Del enough for helping Wayne pick out a beautiful ring because all of this is happening thanks to her too.

Another hour goes by and, after throwing a bouquet of roses (which Jenny catches and yells “gay rights!” because she’s super drunk as well as Trish who goes to her and kiss her and wow they’re also highschool sweethearts), (Y/N) and Wayne are only a few of the people who are slow dancing.

(Y/N) is resting her head on his shoulder while his arms are loosely wrapped around her waist and they’re slowly moving to the music, because they feel they’re the only people in the room.

“I love you so much.” (Y/N) says looking at Wayne. He pushes a strand of hair behind her ear and smiles as she continues “This is one of the best days of my live.”

“I think the same. I don’t know how I got so lucky with you.” Wayne says and she kisses him.

Because they have gone through ups and downs on their relationship and people think they’re too young but they’re young and in love and (Y/N) loves her now husband and Wayne adores his wife.

 And they know everything will turn out fine because they have each other and they can begin a new stage of their relationship.