underdaydreamsstuff

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☆ metropolis kid!

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I think its in my blood to root for the underdogs because I will turn into a character’s number one supporter and defender the moment others hate on them unprovoked or for petty (read: shipping) reasons

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what are you wearing

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A good night

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My (extremely long) personal take on a specific part of Dick and Jason’s dynamic

Warning, this is a half discussion and half narrative I’ve written down when it comes to this topic, so if it’s not your cup of tea then scroll.

A bunch of times, from what I’ve seen in different medias, Dick and Jason’s relationship pre-death is seen almost in a black and white manner (if that makes sense). Some argued that Dick did not at all like Jason, that he borderline neglected his little brother back then and how they didn’t spend any time together. Another pointed out how Dick loves and cares for Jason so much that he was this close go kidnapping Jason to live with him in Titans Tower (insert a “omg I love my little brother so much he’s the light of my life look at how cute he is” conversation).

It’s always one or the other and barely in between. While I enjoy both representation in this case, my take on their dynamic is that they’re in a very awkward acquaintance-brothers position.

For context, I truly believe that the only people who truly know Jason back before he died was Bruce and Alfred. Obviously the other family members hadn’t appeared yet, hence they know of Jason’s robin days from stories only. Dick however, despite being a first generation bat-family member, wasn’t a constant presence in Jason’s life.

Yes, sure, Jason was his protege. Yes, Jason was his first little brother. Yes, Dick wanted to fix—arguably, just starting to build—their relationship, and even that chance was taken away from him.

And so, let me offer you my opinion; Jason came in after Dick had left, they have never met or interacted with one another beforehand. Jason, a scrawny 12 year old picked up from the literal street, meeting Dick. At that point, Dick was rightfully an angry bundle of emotions, borderline resented Bruce enough to move out of Gotham permanently. Their first and early meetings consists of arguments not between them, but between Dick and Bruce with Jason caught in the crossfire.

Dick had the rights to want freedom and space from Bruce, and had the rights to be angry the moment he knew Robin (the nickname his mother gave him) was forcefully taken and given to someone else, a stranger he didn’t even know. It also highlighted how kind and emotionally mature Dick (a teenager) is when he slowly began to accept Jason both as a family member and as robin. He really tried to treat Jason better, to open his arms and welcome Jason to his life even with how little they interacted with one another.

And then Jason died.

The difference between Dick and Bruce, despite both losing someone so dear in their life, is that Bruce had mourned over what Jason is while Dick mourned over what Jason could’ve been. Jason could’ve been the little brother in his life. Jason could’ve been the person who annoys him to no end but they’d make up after a bowl of ice cream. Jason could’ve been the person who calls him at 2 am because he finally had his first big fight with their dad. But they’d never made it to that point because Jason Todd died before Dick Grayson could properly embrace him.

Dick had mourned over Jason in a way that he’s mourning over what their relationship could’ve been. That sweet, witty, snarky but kind little brother he could’ve had.

When Jason returned four years after his death, worse than ever, I’d like to think that Dick was in the same state of denial as Bruce, maybe even worse because he had spent those four years playing “what could’ve been” in his head when it comes to Jason. Comparing the sweet little brother of his to this angry and borderline psychotic serial killer? Dick probably couldn’t wrap his head around it (This is my take on Jaybin if you’re interested).

So when Jason got “better” or so people say, starting to calm down a bit and slowly integrating himself back to the family, their relationship could get better right? Dick would finally be the big brother Jason needed and Jason would fit right back in that snarky but kind little brother image of his. Wrong.

Dick has always been an open person, reaching out to others like the lovable person he is. Being the original Wayne Brothers too, everyone (including Bruce) expected Jason to warm up to Dick first. Dick did try too, tried to bring back whatever shattered pieces was left of their relationship back then. And then he realized that none of those pieces fit, because Dick didn’t know Jason, and Jason didn’t know Dick.

Maybe the reveal wasn’t even a dramatic one, just a normal day where Dick and Jason found themselves alone in the manor’s kitchen, Dick joking about how Jason likes his coffee black. And to his horror, Jason merely scoffed (jokingly, but Dick couldn’t pick up on that) and replied with; “I always put milk in mine.”

It snowballed afterwards, with jokes that didn’t land and ended up with a few seconds of painfully awkward silence. Then it was their daily habits that always seem to clash with one another. Those habits slowly highlighted just how different their personalities really are, both struggling to reach a middle ground where they can actually interact without it being about missions and beating up goons or supervillains. It’s to the point where, sometimes, they both find themselves actively avoiding meeting each other alone.

The nail in the coffin however, would be when Dick finds Jason on the manor ground with a halfway lit cigarette between his index and middle finger. Despite being caught, Jason didn’t seem bothered by Dick’s sudden appearance.

“Smoking is bad for you,” Dick would joke, “how did Bruce even let you get away with smoking in the manor?”

Jason was smug. “He wasn’t able to pry this off of me when I was twelve, what makes you think he could now?”

And at that, Dick paused. “You started smoking when you were twelve?”

“No.” Jason looks genuinely thoughtful about his answer. “Even before that, I think.”

That might’ve been the end of the line for Dick, because he had seen Jason when Jason was twelve; a scrawny small kid who looked like he couldn’t be older than nine. He knew Jason when Jason was twelve, still hesitant to even talk to Dick on the rare days he’s in the manor. He should’ve known if his little brother had started smoking back then, he should’ve known all the hidden place where Jason would keep his stash, he should’ve known all the spots Jason would go when he needs a break. But he didn’t, because Dick didn’t know Jason, and Jason didn’t know Dick.

There’s no doubt that they’re close now, but only after accepting the fact that they had to get to know each other from scratch. Dick had to accept the fact that maybe the person he had spent at least four years mourning over had never existed in the first place, and that as much as he wanted it, he could never achieve all of his “what ifs” even when Jason is finally breathing, standing next to him in arm’s reach.

(Ironically enough, that version of Jason did exist at one point, but people change. Dick just wasn’t aware of it)

Jason? He just needs to accept that Dick couldn’t be that much of a big brother figure to him now, not when Dick knew more things about their other “siblings” than he knew about Jason, not when Jason—mentally stuck in that warehouse in Ethiopia—had grown up far too quickly to the point where the thought of depending on someone again makes him quench.

But they make it work, they try to.

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I feel like prior to recycling Jason back to him being a killer and having him double back on some very good development (see: the cheer arc) and fun stories (see: task force z), DC was dangerously close to giving Jason a very fun niche as the robin that does action movie/A Team schlock where he's at odds with other heroes not because he kills people but because he's wild card that constantly gets in people's way

Which to me is infinitely more fun than making him a crime lord constantly beefing with his family or him being daddy issues punisher that a lot of his stans seem to want

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hal …. scruffy sleepy hal being hugged and squeezed by kilowog…. hes so sleepy he’ll allow it….

squeeze smuck smother scruffilisms

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Ewwww

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they’re so different yet similar that i find it hilarious

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Parental permission

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When the new lanterns tv show starts i hope there’s gonna be a homoerotic old man yaoi tension between hal jordan and sinestro

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still kind of obsessed with @my-gf-timothy-jackson-drake 's office romance au. im so sorry

alts without the captions under the cut :3

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Inspired by this week's WFA:

Bruce, emailing: Dear Clark, I need you to report to Wayne Manor at your earliest convenience. Signed, Bruce Wayne.

Clark, emailing back: Dear Bruce, I will be there within the next hour. Signed, Clark Kent.

———————

Dick, texting: Meet me and Babs in 30.

Kara, texting back: K.

———————

Jason, shouting out the window: YO BIZ!

Bizarro, five minutes later: Not here!

———————

Damian, at a normal volume: Kent.

Jon: *zooms across the country in three seconds*

———————

Tim:

Kon: *breaks the sound barrier*

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They r rocking owt

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so ive been reading the kyle rayner run

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Adding to this i need there to be a “so he’s like your situationship?” comment from someone and hal jordan being absolutely baffled about it

When the new lanterns tv show starts i hope there’s gonna be a homoerotic old man yaoi tension between hal jordan and sinestro

[underdaydreamsstuff]

When the new lanterns tv show starts i hope there’s gonna be a homoerotic old man yaoi tension between hal jordan and sinestro