brucewaynehater101

[brucewaynehater101]

The song "string theocracy" by mili but it's sung by the robins growing disillusioned with bruce.[lyrics would be in non chronological order of comic events]

"Inside the mirror do you see someone else in that body" i picture Dick first hearing that Bruce has given Robin the role and costume, and along with it the nickname Dicks mother gave him, to Jason.

This is heavy-AU, but "How does it feel to be free" and the exchange there can be a Robin still in the role talking to one of the others who have left the role and are more independent from bruce. Could be a Jason starting to clash with bruce talking to dick, A later robin- damian or future hypothetical robin of your choice realizing Bruce is kinda fucked up actually talking to, I'm thinking, dick or steph, who I see as being the most seperate from bruce- steph for obvious reasons, and dick as Nightwing operating in a whole different city.

"My heart goes right my head goes left and end up on your bed" I picture one of the robins ending up in the Batcave.

"May your self centered beliefs lead you to peace," if interpreted as deeply sarcastic, could either be Jason's clash with bruce over not killing the joker or more broadly any robin about how bruce places his own ideas over seeing them as people.

Follow this with"if you're gonna replace me at least have the audacity to kill me thoroughly" - now this could be said by Jason, but I think it would actually be more fucked up and thus more interesting if the inner thought of one of the robins who was replaced without dying, and a secret selfish envy of Jason that they would never admit even to themselves- he had a good reason to be replaced,had to be convinced to do so by Tim, and so they imagine the betrayal would sting less.

The "sure I'll be your marionette" and connected lines could be any Robin, but I'm specifically thinking of tim forgiving bruce after the whole hologram birthday debacle. He accepts Bruce manipulating him like this.

Hi! Wonderful analysis you've got here. Let's explore!

"Inside the mirror do you see someone else in that body" is a wonderful line for them. This could be the Robins/batkids criticizing Bruce in that Bruce sees himself more as Batman than Bruce (in some versions of canon). This could also be each of the batkids trying to figure out who they truly are. They were all children/minors when they assumed a secret identity. Do they exist outside of being a vigilante? Do they have another purpose? Does their civilian selves matter in comparison?

Then you add on that most of them assumed a role that others used. How much of Robin or Batgirl is themselves and how much is legacy? For the progenitors, how much of their intentions/meanings behind the role actually passed down? How much of that mantle is truly their own?

For the "How does it feel to be free" line, might I propose we examine multiple perspectives? I imagine pre and post Robins could look at the Robin role as "being free" while post Robins also look at it as restrictive. Because Robins fly. They soar. They're also naive-ish, in that children uptake the role. While pre Robins might see Robin as being truly free, a post Robin might see it as the nostalgic freedom of childhood. Afterall, post Robins lose more of their faith in both Bruce and being Robin.

Current Robins might see post Robins as free because they are both an adult and independent from Bruce (we could also explore some lovely angst with pre Jason's reveal in that Tim still sees Jason's death as a form of freedom. Not exactly canon accurate, but a very lovely premise). If you look at Tim continuously being sucked back into Robin, that's also a curious phenomenon to examine with the concept of freedom, duty (filial vs moral), expectations, and legacy.

"My heart goes right, my head goes left, and I end up on your bed." We could, if we wanted, interpret the bed instead as a metaphor for their place in Wayne Manor. The line gives a feeling of being pulled by both logic and emotion only to wind up where they do. There's confusion and conflicting tension, maybe such as how the Robin role can pull at the person.

"May your self-centered belief lead you to peace" is such a bitter line. It's made better by the other lines around it. "All that precious bravery is gonna get you hurt. In a world that feeds on the minority, may that self-centered belief lead you to peace." I can see the post Robins spitting this at Bruce (particularly Jason). Afterall, they still love Bruce even though he is a deeply flawed man. They want the best for their dad/mentor in spite of his self-centered ideals.

"If you're gonna replace me, at least have the audacity to kill me throughly," is beautiful for the Robins. We could see this as a literal interpretation (particularly since a lot of the Robins have died either in that role or afterwards), or we can see this as a death of their reputation/ideals/contribution. For Jason, he got victim blamed a fuck ton. His death was used as a warning and a matryrdom/symbol. We could examine the death of his truth. We could examine Dick's death of his Robin and watching it being turned into what it was never intended to be. We could watch Tim continuously being sucked back into Robin as it slowly kills who he was. We could see Stephanie never truly living without blame and not even fully existing as herself within the Robin role (only for her to be condemned after she stops being Robin). We can see Damian trying to improve and become "better" as both a Robin and a Wayne only to later need to figure out who he truly is without Bruce. Each of them thought Robin was "theirs" even though it never was.

I agree that maybe (besides Jason) the others would secretly be jealous that Jason's replacement Robin was an obviously necessary replacement. Jason wasn't alive to watch his role being taken from him (even though it still emotionally hurt Jason). Jason was dead dead. The others were there to watch the rug being pulled out from under them. There's more nuance to it (particularly with Steph), but yeah.

There are the additional lyrics right after, "If you're gonna replace me, at least have the audacity to kill me throughly," that state: "When does it end for me? Hmm, I think I am done with everything. Now I'm ready to leave." Perhaps this indicates an acception of their end to being Robin. There's a smidge of relief at no longer being as throughly under Bruce's thumb. All of them were forced into being fired or quitting Robin, but they come to terms with it. There's grief, obviously, but there's also a sense of freedom.

"Sure, I'll be your marionette. Here, tug on my thread... Maybe we're all cold machines stuffed in the human skin with human sins sewed up by the gods of city." These lines are a wonderful impression of the child soldiers argument. "The gods of city" could be a reflection of Gotham, of those who control Gotham/crime, and of the Wayne family/legacy. Tim does seem the most openly aware as Robin of Bruce's machinations/flaws while also accepting them. I would love more fics examining the toxicity of the batkids offering every part of themselves to be used for the Mission™.

And then!!! Here's some lyrics I personally enjoyed outside of the ones you presented:

"You gave me strength, hopeful curiosity. Maybe there are still happy answers left for my discovery. What's the colour of the electric sheep you see? And if you love me, can you love your everything too, for me?"

Something something about Robins, hope, Bruce, being followers, conditional love, self-discovery, and being let down.

[brucewaynehater101]

my hobby is collecting images of tim drake's very normal proportionate responses to concerned loved ones gently suggesting that he see a therapist. god he's so real

[brucewaynehater101]

saw the tweet below on my tl and it was so devastatingly rude i had to doodle something out. happy late father’s day, i guess

[brucewaynehater101]

Ok back to regularly scheduled antagonism

[brucewaynehater101]

Interviewer, catching Damian in costume: Robin! Can you explain the process of picking up Robin or passing on the mantle?

Damian, mildly annoyed at Bruce at the moment: It's quite simple. Batmam steals young children from their bed, usually nine or ten or so. Then he takes you to his lair and give you a deal.

Damian: If you can beat him in a game of your choosing, he will train you to be Robin. If you lose, you are eaten. I beat him in a classic fencing game. He's quite good with swords, but he wasn't very good with the sport itself.

Tim, standing next to him: Yeah, I beat him at a memory card game. I like totally cheated, but I'm too old for him to eat now, so ot doesn't matter.

Damian, nodding: Yes. The worst part of the job is disposing of failed Robins bones. He usually sucks them clean and leaves them all over the floor.

Tim: Yeah, its messy. But after you hit, like 15 he stops trying to eat you, so that's cool.

Damian: I have not yet reached 15. I'm still in danger. If you have more questions, ask Nightwing, as he was the first to avoid being eaten.

-

Same interviewer, at a different date: Mr. Nightwing. Is it true Batman tries to eat potential Robins?

Dick, who has no idea what she's taking about: Yeah, it's really scary. His jaw unhinges like a snake.

[brucewaynehater101]

Alright. Ra's is older than dirt, yeah? I think some canon material referred to him ~600 years old. Not sure, but that would put him at around the late 1300s to early 1400s (which is pre-Renaissance).

Therefore, I would LOVE a Ra's that doesn't consider himself to be a progressive thinker even as he accepts people as they are (since he's been around for so long). I usually see fanworks give the LOA "traditional values," but Ra's is old as dirt. That man has definitely seen LGBT folk, matriarchal societies, and which groups are being marginalized based on location. Make him consider his views as old-fashioned because, to him, they are.

Just give me an LOA that is built on respect of people's gender, sexuality, nationality, religion, ethnicity, etc. Give me a Ra's who gets headaches at seeing bigotry and a Ra's that celebrates human differences inside the LOA. Give me a Talia and Damian raised with these ideals.

Give me the moral dilemma of LOA agents finding a place that fully accepts them even if it has a strict hierarchy and prominent threat to life. Give me an LOA dogma built on the LOA fighting against prejudice and evils for all beings that live on earth (to tie in Ra's caring about animals/endangered species).

I see a lot of "Damian comes to the Wayne household and learns that everything he's ever been taught is wrong." While that can be compelling, I'd much rather a more progressive Damian having to adjust to old money Gotham society. I want to see him being told by Bruce/Alfred/Dick that stabbing homophobes is apparently unacceptable behavior by Gotham's legal system/society (although they could show him other methods). Damian is trying to navigate when and how he's allowed to retaliate against people so clearly against the LOA's standard of respect/treatment of fellow humans.

[brucewaynehater101]

Requested by @alleywolf and @cristalk

btw about We Are Robin, I think one of the Robin specifically said that the kids from We are Robin are not technically Robin (something about robins being picked by batman idk) so I'd say they wouldn't be able to see ghost!jason. Plus security risk cuz jason has his face out lol

[brucewaynehater101]

Life update: I have moved across the country :)

It's really fucking weird over here. They've got flowers with butterflies in their parking lots like some kind of fairytale book. Pretty, yes. Just... weirdly picturesque. Lots of rivers/lakes and green grass and trees.

There's also the heat warning despite it feeling almost cool outside? They've got a really nice breeze, and it's not even above 100° F (37° C).

Suffice to say, I am enjoying the environment even if I'm currently stuck in a hotel room (my pups are with me too ^^)

[brucewaynehater101]

bruce should have a thing in his cape where he can hide all his kids in it and it closes to make him look like a giant cone shaped being. Like. You know an ice cream cone? But upside down. And very fat.

If Bruce's cape can't fit every single one of his kids at one time in some abhorrent affront to physics and nature, then he should get a new cape. I absolutely love the idea of the cape being a walking/moving safe space all of the bats can duck into whenever they need it (whether it's being overwhelmed, needing a little extra care, or being in horrific danger).

[brucewaynehater101]

I NEED to see Tim be Damian's joker PLEASE

Preferably in a universe where all other bat family members all died to make it extra angsty

[brucewaynehater101]

(id in alt)

prompt 591 (brutalia w/hijabi talia) for spinninggaround via @dcforgaza ! requests close on the 21st!

[brucewaynehater101]

Nothing will ever break me more than the fact that Tim and Dick were the first to meet each other, before Dick met Bruce, before Tim started fanning over the bats. They met before everything, and that means everything to me.

[brucewaynehater101]

things you might not know about ao3 but seem obvious in hindsight:

ao3 = archive of our own (three o’s)

the logo is “ao3” stylized

orphan_account isn’t one author but rather the name all accounts are given once they’re orphaned

bookmarks are public by default

once given, kudos can’t be taken back

drafts get automatically deleted quickly so use a different drafting platform to avoid that

you need an ao3 account to view locked fics and it doesn’t take long to apply & get one

ao3’s archive software is open source and free to use

you can change the way the site looks on your phone/computer

ao3 is run entirely on donations

no really, read why here

[brucewaynehater101]

Bruce is smiling.

He's not beaming his Brucie Wayne grin. It's a small uptick to the corners of his mouth. It's a soft, genuine smile.

His face is relaxed, the constant worry lines smoothed out. His shoulders are dropped, and he's wearing those worn Superman pajamas that Dick bought him. His feet are stuffed in those expensive slippers everyone makes fun of him for because they make him look like such a dad.

Bruce pulls Jason into a hug.

Jason foolishly, helplessly sinks into the hold. His arms wrap around the old man's back until he's compressed tight in the embrace. He sighs at the familiar scent of Bruce's cologne and aftershave. He trembles when the weight of a scarred, calloused hand settles on the back of his head.

Bruce murmurs, "I've missed you, Jay."

Errant emotions of twisting, sharp pain pierce Jason's guts as he tries to bury himself further between his father's arms. His head pulses with his confusion, but Bruce is lightly scratching at his scalp. Bruce is rubbing his back. The consistent, affectionate motions push comfort past the younger man's dismay. Bruce's mumbled words quiet the thrum of anxiety and uncertainty that Jason is valiantly trying to ignore.

Jason's father is hugging him. While Jason doesn't know why, can't he just enjoy it for a bit?

It's been so long since he's felt safe and protected. Even if the hug is a misguided nostalgia, it's warm.

Foolish, but warm.

[brucewaynehater101]

Hii!!! Do u have any fic recs about tim drake kinda being batman's dad/father figure during his Robin run? I see people talking about it all the time but can never find any fics addressing it. ;-; 🌻 thanks!!!!

Hi! I haven't really seen fics with this premise :( I've written "A Father or A Son," but I can't find more with Tim being Bruce's parent figure during his Robin run.

There is a fic where Tim acts as Bruce's therapist:

"A Gentlekid Thief" by Blazonix

I'd love more of either or both of these prompts/AUs/explorations ^^

[brucewaynehater101]

Me: "The mc needs to witness a death for it to really sink in how horrible this is. Let's use a random oc."

Brain: "But what if it's the mc's friend that you built up?"

Me: "Oh?"

Brain: "And what if the killer was really nice to the mc? What if the killer was concerned for the mc?"

Me: "Oh."

Brain: "What if the killer explained that they were saving the mc and their colleagues would've killed the mc too (thus meaning the mc should be grateful to their friend's killer)?"

Brain: "And what if it was the mc's fault?"

Brain: "What about giving the mc a scar so they'll always have a physical reminder of that day?"

[brucewaynehater101]

did y’all know that in victorian times it was really common after somebody died, that their family members would clean up the corpse, prop them up, and take post mortem photos with them?

Jason kills the Joker and instead of being normal about it he decides to antagonise Bruce by taking professional photos with the guys corpse in different outfits and poses while in full Red Hood gear and leaving them in the batcave for Bruce to find. he thinks it’s hysterical. Bruce thinks it’s psychologically damaging and he has no fucking clue how to get Red Hood to leave him alone OR how he can even get into the fucking batcave. eventually Tim finds Jason without a mask leaving another photo and figures everything out.

Tim: so you’ve just been doing this for months? isn’t the corpse like… decayed?

Jason: no i took like a hundred in advance before i cremated the fucker. so i can do this for like another year.

Tim, remembering the shit he had to go through on his 16th birthday so really Bruce has what’s coming to him:

Tim: that’s actually kinda funny.

Jason, delighted: right?!? i still have the suit i was buried in, too, so i’m thinking of making myself look corpse-like for a couple selfies and taking it one step further.

Tim: ok well that’s diabolically cruel.

Tim:

Tim: you know i’m somewhat of a photographer myself…

Jason: this is the start of a beautiful secret friendship, Replacement.