#you can defend Jason in other comics he’s in. just dear god why would you pick the one where he’s literally The Antagonist

[river-bottom-nightmare]

hello - do you have any dick grayson-centric fic recs?

do i-do i have any dick grayson centric fic recs?? oh babe you have come to the riGHT PLACE. as any of my mutuals could tell you, i have so many goddamn fic recs it’s not even funny anymore. here are some of my personal top favourites:

1. And The World Came Crashing Down by @zhe-angst-diary  ~5k. a fic centered around dick’s self-sacrificial tendencies, especially for the batfam. a bit angsty, very much feels, a tad ooc, but i really did love it

2. bad signal by @prismatic-et-al 38k. the plotfic to end all plotfics. this author is one of the most brilliant dc fic authors i have ever come across, and the way they weave this dark, mysterious story is nothing short of ingenious. i was on the edge of my seat the entire time. again, brilliant.

3. Breathe In, Breathe Out by @kirazalea ~20k. this woman is one of my all time favourite writers for just some really really good stories about the batfam working through and overcoming their issues. this series is comprised of 2 fics that deal with the batfam discovering how much of an impact other people’s blatant sexualization and dehumanization of dick does to him, and how, over time and with help from his family, he picks himself up and starts to defend himself. really just a wonderful series

4. Declensions by @dustorange 13k. the best rom dick grayson fic to ever exist ever. you ever look at dc making dick romani and how they fuck up all the time and think “this could have had so much potential?” this work of art tackles that issue and creates something spectacular. each line of this fic had me screaming with joy. the robin cape symbolism? beautiful. i reread it all. the. time.

5. Don’t by @haunt-the-stars ~4k. do i have too many fics on here about dick dealing with + recovering from sexual assault and rape? probably. do i care? no. this fic takes a dive into trauma and how it can affect victims. it was absolutely heartbreaking, but also has the actual best wally + dick friendship i’ve ever read ever. seriously. if “wally west is a Good Bro” could be condensed into one fic, it would be this one. 

6. the fit of the cowl by @quillium ~4k. some people could argue dick was the best batman. other could argue the cowl only hurt dick. still others say dick could’ve been a much better batman if was better written. regardless of your opinion, you should definitely read this fic. it delves into the different reactions the batfam have to batman!dick. the family dynamics in this one were super interesting, and it’s always wonderful to read a fic about dick grayson  but from someone else’s eyes

7. Hard Truths and Other Realities by @ckbookish  ~108k. a series about dick feeling lost after being fired from robin and eventually finding his way again. featuring very very much wonderful uncle clark, and bruce isn’t an asshole, he’s just a worried dad that fucks up a lot but tries his best to make amends. also, dick bonding with jason. it basically takes you through that time period from the end of dick’s robin to him solidly affirming himself as nightwing and starting to forgive bruce. a really cool take on canon, loved this series!

8. Job Performance by @i-just-want-to-destroy ~3k. ohhhhhh dear god does this fic give me the feels. set during s1 yj, it shows what being a vigilante since the grand age of 9 does to someone, how much it hurts dick to compartmentalize, how much he doesn’t even realize it. this fic leaves you with a sense of “wow. this child. he’s really fucked up.” in a heartwrenching way.

9. a soft place to land by @bluebeauregard 3k. the best dick + tim being brothers fic i’ve ever read. people like to expand on his gradual acceptance and love of jason, people go batshit crazy over him practically parenting damian. and while i do love those, dick and tim had the best canon sibling relationship in the comics (at least, in pre52). this fic takes that and runs with it, and it’s so goddamn unique. i have literally never read this idea anywhere, so i was blown away by both the fic and the way the author wrote it. 

10. touch starved by @iwhumpyou ~4k. we’ve all seen fics where timmy’s touch starved from not receiving much affection from his parents growing up and the rest of the batfam smothers him in hugs. but what i really want is a fic where dick’s the one touchstarved because he grew up in the goddamn circus where everyone was close, but ever since he came to live with bruce, he’s been starved of the affection he used to so freely get, because his entire family is most certainly not the touchy-feely type. and for added angst, he doesn’t do anything about it because he knows his family has issues with trust/intimacy and he wants to make them as comfortable as possible. anyway apparently that fic exists and it’s this one read it and sob with me will you?

11. you gotta tip on the tightrope by Anonymous 12k. for people that don’t actually know much about comics canon and why exactly dick went undercover at spyral, this fic is absolutely wonderful. it shows the lead up of events that led to dick faking his death and leaving, and why exactly he chose to listen to bruce. (i’m using “chose” liberally here). plus, sibling bonding!! specifically with jason!

12. young volcanoes by @dottie-wan-kenobi 3k. i haven’t read this fic in a while, so i don’t remember some of the finer details, but i do remember loving it. also i have it bookmarked on ao3 with the tag “THIS!!!!!!!” so that counts for something. this fic focuses more on dick’s relationship with the titans rather than bruce or the jl, and centers around what their friendship has done for dick/how it’s helped him, and how much he loves them. a wonderful team fic. 

anyway, i hope you enjoy these babe!! these fics are all so so incredible, and i just want to give all of these amazingly talented authors one big incredible hug. 

[toastedside]

Mothers

Damian had dinner with Talia and they talked about Batmom.

===========================================

Damian didn’t know what he should feel about this.

It’s been a very long time since he had a peaceful meal together with Talia. Or it felt like one, he didn’t know. Certainly, he had spent significant amount of days and night not having a peaceful meal together with his mother that he started to lose any strands of memories on how it should really be. Or does he never have any peaceful meal with her before? He wasn’t sure.

Should he really let his guard down? He wasn’t sure. It sure is felt wrong to let his guard down in the presence of his mother. After all, he knew her. She always had so many tricks underneath her sleeve. But it had been almost twenty-five minutes passed, and the dinner had been nothing but… pleasant.

“Hmm,” Talia made a sound. “They sure do make a great samosa. I admit your judgement is right. This is the best restaurant they have in the city.”

Damian pressed his lips together. “I am pleased to know you enjoy it as much as I do, Mother.”

Talia threw him a small smile. Or what he could considered as a smile from her, anyway. Damian did not have the smoothest relationship with his mother after all the odds happened. He certainly had seen her in different light after she had attempted to murder him with one of her clones of his own freaking self. But Damian certainly held a dear memory of days when his mother is warm to him.

She had not been perfect, but she tried, and she loved him dearly and fiercely too. In her very own twisted way, as she had tried her best to shield him from any bad influence that his grandfather is. But a powerful man of menace that he is, sometimes all of his mother’s best had not been enough to protect him from his grandfather. So, she had to send him away all across the country, gave the custody to his father, and had lived underneath the same roof with him ever since.

It certainly was a surprise that Talia showed up on the doorstep. Being civil and all, knocking the door and actually announce her presence. Not showing up out of nowhere sneaking her way into the Batcave or strike him in the daylight out of thin air. She wanted to rekindle and reconnect with him, that’s what she said, and Damian was hesitant. But Mom was enthusiastic with the idea – she had always been a very positive lady, bless her soul – and Father, surprisingly, did not opposed the idea.

Grayson did not. He was ready to throw a fit. But eventually begrudgingly agreed after a stern and long talk with Mom.

Besides, Mom and Father were supposed to attend a charity event in Star City this weekend. It’s a perfect occasion for him to have a day out with his mother while his other parents are away. God, it felt weird to address them that way. Grayson gave him a pep talk and a panic button that he certainly did not need in case things go south.

So far, things had been quite pleasant, if not good. They had stroll around the city, visited a zoo, went to a museum, and ready to end their day in this restaurant he had accidentally discovered few months ago. He didn’t even check his phone – well, once to text Grayson back and assured him that he was, in fact, very much alright – and surprisingly enjoy his time.

“If you have anything to say, then talk,” Talia’s voice snapped him out of his train of thought.

“Nothing. It had been a very good day with you, Mother,” Damian answered. He had almost forgot how straightforward his mother could be.

Talia pressed her lips together to form a thin smile. “Y/N…” she paused for a moment as if she was testing the way it rolled out of her tongue. “She had made you soft, hadn’t she? Or was it the work of your father?” Talia tilted her head to the side, studying him.

Damian didn’t say anything, but his hand tried to reach for his non-existent weapon on his pocket out of instinct. He and his mother agreed not to bring any sort of weapon on their day out together today.

“Y/N, what a bright woman she is. Too bright.” Talia’s finger traced the outline of the table. Damian braced himself for any words that would come next. “I understand why you take a liking on her.”

“You do?” the word came out before Damian could stop it. Talia’s head perked up at his question, the corner of her lips turned upwards.

“Yes. I admit she is a very likable woman. Even Jason Todd seemingly adore her, and we both know the man usually reluctant to put his guard down so easily.”

“In case it escapes your attention, Todd grew up with her.”

“And with your father too.” Talia raised a questioning eyebrow. One that she usually gave him when she questioned all of his method in training. Or progress. “Look at their relationship now. A little rough around the edges, if you ask me.”

“That’s just how they work.”

“That’s just how they work, indeed,” Talia agreed. “That’s just how it works with Y/N too.”

Damian nodded, understanding his mother’s point of view. But he couldn’t see where this conversation led them exactly, and why the matter of Mom had been brought into the table in the first place.

“You know, I only had met her once or twice. Not so much. But it certainly felt like I had known her for years. Your father used to talk fondly about her a lot back in the days when he was still in the League. Besides talking about his parents and Alfred Pennyworth, he had the habit to talk about Y/N too. Or should I call her Y/N Wayne, now that she is married to your father?”

Damian remained still. Talia waited for a few beats for him to answer, but the lack of response from his part was an enough answer. Talia shrugged it off. He knew she did. It wasn’t a first time.

“Any person would’ve known that it was love. He swore it was just a childish crush, he would say that a lot in his defence. But I know. I had always known. You should see the way his eyes shine when he talked about her,” Talia told him. Damian knew what his mother had talked about so well. He had witnessed it so many times. “Because he used to look at me with the same shine in his eyes, Damian.”

Damian’s breath caught in his throat. He remembered the early days of him arriving at his father’s doorstep, upset at the presence of another woman that he fondly calls Mom now. He recalled days of wishing his parents would just talk and reunite, before eventually made a peace with the fact that his father is very much happy with his marriage.

He couldn’t find any words to say, and Talia did not expect him to. An invisible weight had been lifted from his shoulders magically. A small amount it seems, the one he barely noticed. But it was a comical amount of relief to knew that he was brought here by love his parents used to had with each other. For a short amount of time, perhaps, but it was still one.

“I am actually glad that you get to grow up with her.”

“Are you really?” Damian was a little skeptical, albeit hopeful and a little surprised.

“I am, Beloved,” Talia reassured him. Damian closed his eyes; it had been a long time since he had heard his mother addressed him that way. “There are many reasons why I had to leave you with your father, but I mainly wish you to have a better path and future than I do. Y/N had not been on the plan, but now I am glad that she is. She is capable to give you breaks and normalcy that your father used to had when he was your age. The one that I unable to give. I understand why your father had chosen to marry her; she is capable to give him the breaks he needs from his battles. I couldn’t give him that. I certainly couldn’t give that to you.”

Damian blinked. He didn’t know what to say.

“She had raised you and nurture you as if you are her own. Besides, she is bright and very well-educated. Maybe not the best fighter, if she ever learned at all.” Talia paused to formed a smile. “I like her.”

Damian let out a shaky breath he did not notice he was holding. He experienced a rush of many emotions at once, many that he couldn’t register and understand. He felt a hot prickle in his eyes, and if his mother notice there were tears welled in his eyes, she didn’t point it out.

There are few moments of silence exchanged between them. Talia was the first one to broke it off. “Let’s finish this off and I’ll drop you off at your father’s house. It’s already dark outside, and I’m certain Dick Grayson would explode if you don’t come back any time soon.”

Damian grimaced. “He tends to worry about me a lot. Sometimes I am convinced that he forgets I can protect and defend myself very well.”

“It is a good thing to have someone care about your well-being. Count it as a blessing,” Talia said with furrowed eyebrows. “Y/N told me you joined a soccer club in your school. Tell me about it on our way to your father’s house.”

Damian didn’t have any expectation on how his day would go, but certainly he did not expect to talk about his soccer club experience to his mother as they take a route back to the manor. He talked about his practice and an upcoming tournament that sadly his mother couldn’t attend.

It soon become a tradition between two of them. Talia would take Damian out somewhere whenever she could, which wasn’t that often considering her condition and line of work. Sometimes it would take days, sometimes it was a mere quick day out that last few hours. His mom and his mother would sometimes engage in a nice small talk whenever Talia visited. All of his siblings conspired that they had secrets shared with each other and had a secret girl’s night out no one knows about.

Damian didn’t want to dwell on that. He was happy and content with the life he led on now. Even though this wasn’t the initial output he had wished, he was still very much happy to receive love from two amazing women he had privilege to call Mom and Mother, respectively.

[hains-mae]

Flowers - Pt. 4

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5 (end)

(Damian x Reader) Soulmate AU

The Flowers: @call-me-prodigy @annoylinglyaries @zphilophobiaz @comic-brew @biglilwing @awkwardspontaneity  @mariiecapo​  @distressedearie​@lozzybowe

(Feel free to shoot me a message or comment if you’d like to be tagged)

Rating: T

Ages: Damian and you are 16, everyone’s ages follow after.

Summary: Soulmate AU where the wounds on your soulmate turns into a flower tattoo on your skin, if it heals with no scars the tattoo goes away, if it heals with a scar then the tattoo stays.

Notes: Thank you so much, for all the wonderful comments, likes, and reblogs. You guys are awesome!

Disclaimer: I do not own DC. If I did, I wouldn’t make it as confusing as it is now.

A floating feeling encompassed me as I slowly roused. It was dark, wherever this place was. I wasn’t sure if I was truly floating or drowning as I felt myself fall in deeper. There was a calm light at the far end. Warm, and inviting.

I heard a sound. It was soft and rhythmic, like a beat, or was it more of a beep? There was a dull ache around my stomach and my lower back, which prevented me from moving. Not that I could move. My body felt heavier than a ton of bricks.

What happened?

Memories starting to swim around my head as I tried to remember. There were fragments.

Soft lights, and music.

Laughter and many figures dancing.

Men in suits.

Fiery hair.

Forest green eyes.

Perfume.

Paint, animals…

An explosion – I gasped lightly as the fragments pieced itself together.

A fight.

Damian…

The thought of his name pulled me straight into the light, away from the watery hold.

“Damian.” I mumbled as my eyes fluttered open.

“Oh sweetheart.” I heard a familiar voice sob beside me. My body didn’t feel as heavy as it used to, I was greeted with the face of my mom when I turned my head.

“Mom?”

She sobbed harder and hugged me. “Oh god, I thought I’d lost you.” Mom peppered my face with kisses. Her tears kept falling.

I lifted a hand and hugged her back as much as my body would allow.

“You’re here.” I sighed into her hair, inhaling her comforting scent. Without realising it, I had started to blink back tears. Everything that had happened, it was all so scary. I was sure I was going to die.

“I didn’t know what to do.” She pulled away and I wiped her cheeks. She wiped mine return and we started to giggle in relief.

“Mom, how did you – ” She seemed to know before I could ask.

“Wayne. Mr. Wayne had called. Said it was an emergency.” Mom told me, her voice wavered and she choked up again. “The last time I received a call like that was because of your father. I couldn’t… I didn’t know what to do, I rushed here as fast as I could.”

We hugged again. It really felt good to have her physically by my side.

The doctor came shortly after to check on my vitals. I seemed to have luck by my side that night. “Any lower and they would’ve punctured one of her organs.”, she told us solemnly. “And any later, you would’ve lost… too much blood.” Or in other words, bleed to death.

Mom clutched my hand all the while. She nodded in all the right times, and pursed her lips to keep them from quivering. I knew she was trying to stay brave for the both of us.

Once we were alone she pulled her chair closer to my bed.

Tucking her hair back behind her ear, she asked me. “Can you remember how you got here?”

I shook my head.

“Well… apparently Mr. Wayne’s personal assistant brought you here himself.” Her voice was steadier now.

“Oh… Oh!” I gasped, quickly getting up, and regretting it immediately. I winced at the sharp pain.

“Honey be careful. You’ve had stitches.” Mom eased me back down.

“Damian. His brothers. Everyone at the gala, are they okay?” I looked at her slightly panicked.

“They are.” Another voice joined us.

We whipped our heads up, Mr. Wayne stood tall at the door. “Everyone managed to escaped with minimal damage. I wish we could have prevented this.” He lamented, eyeing the machines and IV drop I was hooked onto.

My mother shook her head and

smiled at him. “You saved her, just in time. I cannot thank you enough.”

“May we come in?” He asked politely.

“We?” I tilted my head.

The man strode in after my mother allowed, and 4 more bodies filed in after him.

“Y/n!” Dick was the first to rush up to me, balloons in hand a cheesy teddy bear with the words ‘Get Well Soon’ stitched onto a heart. Following him were his brothers.

Tim waved. “Thank goodness you’re okay.”

“You gave us quite a scare, princess.” Jason came up next, with a silent Damian by his side. Damian held up a bouquet of flowers.

“You guys…” I felt so moved at their gesture. Stealing a glance at my mom, she looked so surprised it was funny.

“This is *insert your mom’s name here*, everyone. Mom, meet Mr. Wayne’s sons.” My mom gasped lightly and stood to shake their hands.

“It’s an honour to meet you.” She smiled at them.

“The honour is ours.” Tim answered for them. “Your daughter was very brave. In fact, she saved our little brother.”

Mom paused and looked at me for confirmation. I ducked my head to hide my flaming cheeks behind my hair.

“I did what I thought I had to.” I said in a quiet voice.

“Nonsense.” It was Damian who spoke up next, he tutted irritably. “Tt. Don’t downplay what you did.”

I could only stare at him, thankful that he was okay.

“These are for you.” He pushed the flowers to my face. “Thank you.”

The petals tickled my nose and I was sure I took in some pollen at the mere proximity. I sneezed a little, wincing again at the pain in my stomach.

“Ah, Damian, dear, I think you’re suffocating her.” My mom said gently as she pushed the flowers off my face.

The boy quickly apologised, turning a pretty shade of pink, as his brothers snickered behind him.

“They’re beautiful.” I smiled and took them from him. “I’m so glad you guys are all fine.”

Mr. Wayne cleared his throat. “My sons are right.” He smiled at my mom and gestured for the door. “Mrs. Y/l/n, may I please speak with you privately? I’d like to extend my gratitude. And the boys seem a little preoccupied with y/n.”

My mother looked a little flustered but got up anyway to follow him out the door.

As soon as they were out of hearing range I felt Damian clasp my hand.

“Why did you do it?” He didn’t face me as he asked, instead he played with my fingers.

I gave him a confused look. “Do what?”

“You took the blow. Why?”

His brothers had made themselves comfortable around me. Dick sat by the foot of my bed, Jason took up mom’s seat, and Tim stood behind Damian.

“I had to. He was going to hurt you.” I answered simply.

“I could’ve handled it.” His grip tightened slightly and he looked at me straight in the eye. “You’re not invincible.”

“And you are?”

“You still shouldn’t have.” He said, his voice firm.

“Why?”

“You know why.” His gaze was intense, and for a moment he stole a glance at the flowers beside me.

A wave of realisation hit me.

The soul marks. Oh – How did I forget?

“I’m fine.” I tried to keep my voice steady.

“Clearly.” He scoffed. “Being hospitalised is fine.”

I took my hand away from him, suddenly put off with his demeanor. “Why are you angry?”

“I’m not angry.” He defended. “I didn’t need saving.”

“You’re getting defensive.” I surprised myself when I answered back. Where was all this confidence coming from? “Do I need a reason to save a friend?”

“No, but now look at what you’ve gotten yourself into.” He lifted a hand and gestured towards my figure.

“You were in trouble Damian, I had to at least try!” My voice rose slightly.

“Need I remind you that – you could’ve gotten yourself killed!” He shot back.

“Well, that doesn’t matter! I’m here now aren’t I?” I snapped.

“What – of course it matters! If you had died –“

“And if you had died – who would’ve protected them!?”

I regretted it as soon as the words left me. Immediately I slapped a hand across my mouth, horrified that I just probably spilled the biggest secret I knew.

“What?” Damian looked at me in surprise.

All the angry tension dissipated, replaced with a feeling of dread.

“Forget I said that!” I blurted out quickly, suddenly feeling hot.

“No, continue.” Jason pushed as he leaned his elbows to his knees. “Why did Damian have to protect them?”

I darted my eyes across the room, looking for an excuse, praying my mom and Mr. Wayne would come back and break up this sudden tension. I caught Dick and Tim’s eyes, and they looked at me curiously.

“I – I really am not entirely sure. It was just a thought –“ The monitor stole our attention for a moment as my heart started to race. I shut my eyes and covered my face with my hands. Taking deep breaths I weighed in the decision of telling them. I was only 80% certain, after everything that had occurred, it was hard not to connect the dots.

His stature, his hair, his voice, and most of all that damn perfume. I guess no one really got that close to notice.

Should I?

Should you?

I mean this was inevitable.

Was it?

I groaned to myself feeling even more conflicted.

“Am I allowed to say it out loud?” I whispered meekly. “Wouldn’t it… you know… alert people?”

Damian looked even more confused.

I carefully took his hand, and held it closer to my chest, regarding the camera situated at the corner of the room. Steeling my nerves, I drew a small initial on his palm.

R

Dick’s breath hitched. His eyes growing wide.

Tim’s was next. Jason leaned back on his chair and folded his arms across his chest.

“But, how?” Damian looked stunned.

I tried to calm the heat on my cheeks that had now spread down my neck and ears. Playing it cool I  shrugged, and bit my lip.

“Your perfume.”

-x-x-x-

As soon as Mom came back with Mr. Wayne I felt a sense of relief wash through me. But he narrowed his eyes slightly, and I knew that he could sense the tension that was there earlier.

I gulped.

Then he broke into a smile. “I’ve taken the liberty of inviting the Y/l/n’s for dinner as soon as Y/n get’s better.”

My eyes grew into saucers.

Ah, shi-

“That’s great, dad.” Dick grinned broadly at us.

Their father’s phone beeped once and he fished it out of his pocket, his crystal blue eyes scanned the screen.

“Well, we best be heading back. It looks like we’ve got company waiting.” He told them.

They all nodded and got up.

“Get well soon Y/n.” Tim said as they all passed.

I was nearly astounded by their sudden change in character. It was as if the last five minutes didn’t just happen. Very good actors... but that was probably the price to pay when you were rich and famous. They played their part well.

Dick sent a dashing smile my way, and Jason did a mock salute. Damian on the other hand looked at me with calculating eyes. Brows slightly furrowed. He stuffed his hands in his pocket before following his brothers.

“Well isn’t this exciting?” Mom beamed at me.

I did my best to smile back with the same enthusiasm.

That night, Mom came back with her luggage, saying that she was able to take a week off from work to stay with me. I was secretly glad she did.

I couldn’t stop thinking about Damian being Robin though. Something was poking me at the back of my mind, like I was missing a connecting link to make the picture whole. I laid in bed and stared at the ceiling.

Everyone knew the Bats were related, brothers and/or what-not. At least that was the news circling around. But if it were true, then that would mean Dick, Tim and Jason were...

No, that can’t be.

Can’t be?  My inner muse scoffed at me. Are you serious right now? Damian Wayne is freaking Robin. And you’re thinking it can’t be?

Still, it’s purely speculation. If they’re who I think they are... then Mr. Wayne is...

I sighed deeply and pushed the balls of my palms into my eyes till I saw stars. My head started to hurt from putting too much effort. It’s not like they wanted me to know.

Would I be in danger because I know?

Would they try to erase my mind?

How much trouble am I in?

I don’t want Mom pulled into any of this.

I was reeling with anxious thoughts.

They didn’t react much when I had told them. It was more awkward than the silence Damian and I endured during our first encounter. When mom arrived they just smiled politely and waved me goodbye.

What did that mean? Or am I looking too much into this?

Maybe you’re looking too much into it, my muse’s words echoed.

I decided sleep was for the best. My mother had taken a cushioned chair at the far corner of the hospital room with her feet propped up the coffee table. I giggled, despite myself.

Finally after fidgeting for what felt like forever, my eyes started to grow heavy. It was nearly 2 in the morning. I yawned and slowly let myself slip into the embrace of sleep.

Until I heard a tapping on the window.

All traces of fatigue vanished as soon as I saw the shadow. It opened the window and slipped in soundlessly.

“Robin.” I breathed.

I pressed a button beside my bed to push myself up so I was in a more seated position.

He didn’t respond. We stared at each other for a good few minutes. Neither of us really knowing what to say.

“Tt, this is ridiculous.” He grumbled under his breath and pinched the bridge of his nose.

“I’ll say.” I said without humour. “In just a short time I found my soulmate, then learnt he’s living a double life.”

Robin stole a glance at my mom and arched a brow under his mask. It crinkled to the movement.

I shifted my head from side to side and told him, “Mom’s a deep sleeper.”

Hoping I reassured him, we lapsed into silence again.

I bit my lip nervously.

“I’m not in any trouble. Am I?” I hated how weak I sounded.

Robin regarded me for a moment.

“No. I’m actually impressed with your deduction skills.” He answered, making his way to the chair beside my bed.

My heart rate sped up slightly.

“I wouldn’t expect any less from my soulmate.” He smirked at me as the heart monitor picked up my gradually speeding heartbeat.

“I’m not sure if I should thank you or...” I gasped only realizing then. I pointed at the camera.

“Don’t worry. Hacked it before I entered.”

I gave him an incredulous look.

“What happens now?” I tried to decipher his emotions under the mask. I suddenly found myself wishing I could see his eyes.

“I don’t know.” Robin leaned into the chair to make himself more comfortable. “How do I know I can trust you?”

I looked away, tilting my head just low enough to let my hair fall and create a curtain between us.

“My dad used to be with the GCPD.” I started. “Ever since I could remember he was always chasing after justice. Dad used to talk about you vigilantes a lot. He admired the Bats. Said he wished he could do more to make Gotham safer. Better. Greater.

He played fair. But corruption and crime were better at the game.” Fisting the sheets, I willed my hands to stop shaking and to keep my voice even.

“He paid for it with his life.” I bit my lip to keep it from quivering. “So I created the marbles. I’m not great at fighting, not the best with a weapon either. But I know science like the back of my hand. If I could help, even just a little — I would be honouring my dad’s memory. He believed in you. All of you. And I guess it was contagious because I started believing in you too.”

I gathered my courage and faced Robin. “That’s why I took the blow. And I’d do it again if I needed to.”

...

...

... to be continued ...