#Richard Carrier

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

“The New Testament is recognized by biblical scholars the world over as an arbitrary hodgepodge of dubious literature of uncertain origins and reliability.

We have no reason to believe the authors of the New Testament documents were any more honest or critical or infallible than any other men of their time, and there's plenty of evidence to suspect they were less so.”

-- Richard Carrier

[redshift-13]

Whether Jesus existed or not is a question on which I don’t have any firm view, other than the firm view that it’s not a good move to have a firm view on this question.  I suspect Jesus actually existed, but I could be wrong.

I think it’s a fair estimate that 99% of people have little to no familiarity with biblical scholarship.  Churches aren’t in the business of mass academic and scholarly education, they’re there for wholly different reasons having to do with community, reinforcing faith and moral commitment, etc.

So, the mere idea of that some people seriously think that Jesus never existed would no doubt come as a surprise and an unbelievable assertion.

I take it as a sign of how little regard American culture regards the life of the mind, learning and expertise, that knowledge of the mythicist view isn’t widely known.

As with any view you hold, it’s basically a requirement for self-honesty to fairly appraise what critics have to say about it.  I don’t know how many times I’ve been compelled to change my mind when presented with new evidence or a better argument.  Swallowing my pride once again has become easier with practice.  I’m ignorant about most things, the reach of my reason is limited and I fully expect to make many more mistakes.  Please call me on my bullshit, my false confidence, my erroneous assumptions, categories, deductions.

I think this is a helpful humility with which one should approach matters of religious belief, but this is far from the norm.

If you’re a believer in Jesus, you owe it to yourself to sincerely and studiously inquire as to whether that belief is actually justified.  Maybe you’ll end up where you started but with a new appreciation.  Or, maybe you’ll end up letting go of things, and this is perfectly okay.  We’re only human and we’re all grasping in the dark toward the few points of light.

[manuelcrespoale]

Análisis bayesiano del argumento de supervivencia indígena luego de la colonización en Puerto Rico

Se analiza aquí brevemente la hipótesis de supervivencia indígena luego de la conquista y colonización en Puerto Rico utilizando el Teorema de Bayes. Anteriormente trabajé un análisis historiográfico de los argumentos de supervivencia indígena cuyos planteamientos iniciales se publicaron por primera vez en la revista Ecos de Plazuela, titulado Ensayo historiográfico sobre escritos con el…

[modularmedia]

60 Years of Doctor Who Feat.  @cleverdickfilms  - Modular Componets Episode One Hundred & Eleven

The crew is joined by a long time Doctor Who fan and analyst to discuss the show and his work covering it!

[miscellaneousdoodles]

[newyorkthegoldenage]

The $60,000,000 naval aircraft carrier USS Bon Homme Richard, named after the continental frigate commanded by John Paul Jones, slides down the ways at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, April 29, 1944. The 27,100-ton carrier of the Essex class was 850 feet long and designed to carry half a million pounds of warplanes. The Williamsburg Bridge can be seen in the background.

Photo: Associated Press via the NY Post

[starryskyspectacle]

I was wondering why Richard Wellington was so familiar to me then I remembered THIS FUCKING BITCH

THEY'RE LIKE THE SAME CHARACTER PLEASE TELL ME I'M RIGHT

[miyanagateru]

if i could hear richard call me oneesama i would stop being mentally ill

[nightmarist]

I have acquired palmarosa and pink pepper from my local yeberia

ＩＴ’Ｓ　ＴＩＭＥ

[rwwinton]

I’m once again stuck thinking about my 10x great-grandfather, Richard Carrier, and how, at the age of 18 he, along with his 16-year-old brother, Andrew, were arrested on suspicion of witchcraft in 1692. After being tortured, Richard confessed that he and his brother were witches, but only because of their mother. Martha Carrier was already in custody and was hanged on August 19th, 1692, for being a witch. Her sons were not executed, and Richard’s “confession” was likely part of what resulted in her hanging. She died without knowing whether or not her sons would be safe.

I can’t help but think about what that must have done to him mentally. Did he, in keeping with common belief at the time, genuinely believe his mother was a witch? Did her death weigh on him? Did he feel guilt? Did he ever recover from the trauma of the entire ordeal? I speculate that the fact that he later moved out of the area suggests he felt something for some time, at least.

Whenever I study history I always find myself thinking about the “little people” in the story - not the leaders or commanders or politicians or “big names,” but the Average Joe people, the ones swept up in events beyond their control without a say in things. That’s why I write about those types of people, too. Learning about my family history has built an even deeper sense of connection to these people. I have very few “big names” in my family tree. Most of my ancestors were pulled into events based on when and where they lived, what their communities were like. There are things in history I can look at and say, “my family was there, they were impacted by these events in ways I cannot possibly begin to comprehend,” and to me that creates a weird feeling that I can’t even name. It’s definitely not pride, because in the end my family lines all came to the US and Canada from Europe between the 1620s and 1872, and that is not something to take any goddamn pride in at all. It’s more of a melancholy feeling that I can’t quite put my finger on.

But it’s also a problem sometimes, to know what my ancestors went through, because I apply it to myself without any ounce of context. When I have a tough day at work I think, “well at least I wasn’t working in a coal mine or on a tall ship or walking all day without shoes or raising 12 children - they knew what tough days really are.” And when my mental health hits a snag I think, “at least I wasn’t tortured into saying I was a witch or found out my husband survived the war only to die at sea on the way home or got kidnapped by a ship’s crew and sold into indenture - they knew what real mental anguish was.” Because what is my 21st century “suffering” to the real traumas of history?

There are little bits of all of them in me and I hope I’m enough.

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

“You must test your own religious claims and texts by the same standards you apply to other religions.

If your religion's claims and texts fair no better, then your religion is just as false as theirs is.”

-- Richard Carrier

Intellectual integrity is the downfall of religious belief.

[randomrichards]

AT LEAST YOU HAVE YOUR HEALTH:

Four comic vignettes

Struggles of everyday life

Now with more slapstick

[xtruss]

The DOT's challenge: Some Movers Who Lost Licenses Still Taking Customers

The DOT has said revoking licenses is one tactic it will use in a crackdown on moving companies announced earlier this year. But a Newsweek review shows it might not work.

— By Matt Clark | Monday 26 June 2023

At least 18 of the nation's companies with complaints lodged against them and whose licenses were revoked for various reasons in the second half of 2022 continued to advertise interstate moves in June, according to a Newsweek review. Some had licenses revoked for insurance lapses, not necessarily the complaint itself. TAPUI/Getty

Underscoring the challenges federal officials face in cracking down on moving companies, at least 18 of the nation's companies with complaints lodged against them and whose licenses were revoked for various reasons in the second half of 2022 continued to advertise interstate moves in June, according to a Newsweek review.

Several companies confirmed they had carried out such moves, though some said they had done them through affiliated companies. The Department of Transportation does not list whether licenses were revoked specifically because of the complaints, though some license revocations appear to be because of insurance lapses or safety violations.

DOT officials said revoking licenses is one tactic they would deploy in Operation Protect Your Move, a nationwide crackdown on the movers with the most consumer complaints announced earlier this year. But Newsweek's review underscores that even license revocation may be an ineffective tool to reverse the growing tide of moving company complaints with only limited legal authority. Agency officials have said they require additional authority from Congress.

The DOT's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration did not specifically say whether continuing to advertise interstate moves after a license is revoked violates departmental rules, saying it would look at each case individually. In a statement, it said the agency is assessing the more than 100 investigations launched during Operation Protect Your Move and its findings will be made public.

"Similar to the expectation that an individual will not operate a motor vehicle if their driver's license is revoked, companies are expected to cease related operations if their authority is revoked," the statement said. "If FMCSA is made aware that a broker or mover continues to operate even after its authority has been revoked by the agency, we may take additional administrative action. FMCSA has no criminal enforcement authority."

Operation Protect Your Move was announced after Connecticut Democrat Sen. Richard Blumenthal called for tougher action against moving company scams in a letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

Blumenthal's letter was spurred in part by a February Newsweek investigation into the mushrooming problem, including movers who hold customer possessions "hostage" until they are paid exorbitant fees. The letter acknowledged the limitations on the DOT's authority but said it could be more aggressive in referring cases for prosecution to the U.S. Justice Department. Blumenthal did not say whether he would introduce legislation to ramp up the agency's authority.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut, wrote a letter to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg seeking tougher action on moving companies after a Newsweek investigation of the firms. Stefani Reynolds/AFP/Getty

Under current law, officials at the DOT's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration have no authority to arrest or fine for moving company violations and have worked with the Justice Department to bring only 13 criminal cases and six civil cases against movers since January 1, 2017. The number of complaints against moving companies more than doubled between 2015 and 2022, from 3,030 to 7,647, including 3,644 alleging a "hostage" situation.

For this article, Newsweek examined 98 companies that were the subject both of a consumer complaint and had their license revoked for various reasons. Eighteen still advertised cross-country moves on their websites in June. Newsweek attempted to contact all the companies, but was only able to interview representatives with six of them.

Reached by phone in May, Kai, who said he was the manager when answering the phone of Pro Smart Movers of Alexandria, Virginia, and did not provide a last name, said the firm has done some interstate moves this year. The company's license was revoked in December 2022 and has been the subject of seven FMCSA complaints.

"It's become more slow than last year," Kai said of the firm's 2023 business.

Evelyn Antonsen knows what it's like to hire a mover that has seen its license revoked. The moving company she used was not among the 98 Newsweek examined, but had its license pulled earlier in 2019.

Fulfilling a lifelong wish to return to her birthplace of Puerto Rico from Washington, D.C., the 75-year-old retired school principal carefully packed only her most precious heirlooms into 31 boxes destined for her new, smaller home in Old San Juan.

The moving company she contacted had a good reputation among Puerto Ricans for years, she said, but it ultimately contracted her move to New Jersey-based Pryco Movers in July 2022, nearly three and a half years after its license was revoked. She is still waiting for the delivery nearly a year later.

Antonsen contacted authorities in Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, as well as at the FMCSA, which she said forwarded her complaint and others about the company to a New Jersey field office. Attempts to reach Pryco Movers were unsuccessful.

Not willing to wait around, Antonsen traveled to New Jersey in March after a Pryco employee confirmed her boxes were in a warehouse. She intended to have a different company move them out of storage. She called the local police department when she was refused access because, she was told, she needed to make an appointment with management to enter the warehouse. Later, she says, an officer who was permitted to enter found only a jumbled pile of boxes that could not be identified as hers.

The number of complaints against moving companies more than doubled between 2015 and 2022, from 3,030 to 7,647. LICEC/Getty

Earlier this month, Antonsen said she was notified by the Polk County Sheriff's Office in Lakeland, Florida, which she had contacted because it was also investigating the company, that her case and those of other Pryco customers had been forwarded to the FBI's Tampa field office. A spokeswoman with the office said the FBI does not confirm or deny the existence of an investigation.

Among the heirlooms she has been unable to get back, Antonsen said, is a family recipe book she recently needed to cook her mother's pork shoulder recipe for Mother's Day. There are paintings and other gifts given to her by her family, along with numerous family photos.

"Those are my memories—my physical memories—things I can look at and say, 'this was my mom's or that was my grandson's,'" Antonsen said. "Those items are who I am. They represent me. They represent my family and my grandkids."

Antonsen's story is not unusual, given the thousands of moving company victims each year.

The FMCSA logged 55 complaints against Imperial Freight Lines, including 22 complaints of goods being held hostage, in 2022. The company's license allowed it to serve as a "broker"—meaning an intermediary between a customer and an often-small "carrier" with trucks that performs the move.

Its license was revoked in October 2022, but the Imperial Freight Lines website advertised across state-lines moves when visited in June. It warned that only licensed movers follow strict federal guidelines.

"Don't stress out though, because we here at Imperial Freight Lines have got you covered," the website says. "We can take your important belongings from the East Coast all the way to the West Coast."

Imperial Freight Lines representatives hung up when called for comment on this story. No response was received to emails sent to an address on the company's website. It is not clear whether the company was, in fact, still conducting interstate moves.

Bad brokers have been particularly problematic for customers and the FMCSA. None of the five brokers among the 18 companies still advertising cross-country moves could be reached for comment for this story.

Newsweek's February investigation showed how brokers offer low cost moves in exchange for large, up-front deposits before connecting consumers with carriers that often hold their goods hostage. When bad internet reviews and FMCSA complaints pile up, the firms, which are mostly based in Florida, "reincarnate" as a new company with a new name and president and begin again.

Reached by phone, some of the carrier representatives Newsweek interviewed said their moves were being completed by another company, not the unlicensed one featured on their websites. Federal regulations prohibit a company from conducting a move in the name of another mover.

After contacting Allstate Moving of Kent, Washington, a representative who responded said he was with another, licensed company and did not know how he received Newsweek's inquiry. A message left for the other company with the representative was not returned. Allstate Moving lost its license in July 2022 and 17 complaints have been made with the FMCSA about the company.

Amber Hallaman, co-owner of A&M Friendly Movers of Carolina Shores, North Carolina, confirmed her company does interstate moves, but through a separate company she and her co-owner have a partial ownership interest in. She said A&M operates out of several locations associated with different companies and one of them lost its license because of a lapse in insurance.

"So, unfortunately that happened at that location, but we closed the location," Hallaman said. "We no longer run out of that."

Hallaman said her customers' cross-country moves were now being done through another company that she did not name. No response was received after additional requests for comment. A&M Friendly Movers had been the subject of one FMCSA complaint.

Like A&M, many of the movers' licenses appear to have been revoked after their insurance coverage lapsed, according to FMCSA records. The records do not specify why a license was revoked, but do show that revocations often coincide with insurance lapses, which experts said is a common reason movers lose a license.

At some companies, officials said their revocations were because of motor carrier safety violations such as drivers not getting required rest or failing to have a doctor certification of their fitness to operate trucks. Though the FMCSA cannot fine for moving company violations, it can fine for safety violations.

Under current law, officials at the DOT's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration have no authority to arrest or fine for moving company violations and have worked with the Justice Department to bring only 13 criminal cases and six civil cases against movers since Jan. 1, 2017. They can fine for motor carrier safety violations such as those discovered in roadside inspections. Paul J. Richards/AFP/Getty

Manager Carlos Torres of Bay Area Express Moving in San Jose said the company stopped doing moves after it was fined $15,000 for drivers failing to log the time they spent driving. The company's license was revoked in November 2022 because of failing to pay the fine, he said.

"So, basically we're not doing business right now, because as you know the license has been revoked because we didn't pay a fine," Torres said.

Torres said the company continues to take customer calls to schedule future moves because he expects the fine to be paid in the coming weeks. The FMCSA received 12 complaints about Bay Area Express in 2021 and four in 2022. Eight of them alleged hostage situations.

Regal Moving Services of Sterling, Va., has been the subject of only two complaints since 2021, but company president Stanley Burke said it lost its license in November 2022 after two drivers failed to present current medical certifications.

"Really don't do much interstate nowadays," Burke said. "I just focus on local moves."

To conduct local moves within Virginia, companies must be licensed with the state. According to Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Spokeswoman Ava Adenauer, Regal Moving Services' license to conduct Virginia moves was revoked in January 2020 after its liability insurance was cancelled. Burke did not return additional calls for comment.

Clifford Agnant said he shuttered his company Mid America Movers of Pembroke, Florida, after competition from scam moving companies made it too difficult to operate. Agnant said the firm automatically lost its license when he stopped paying insurance premiums for the company, which had been the subject of six FMCSA complaints. He said the firm's website remains active because it was paid for in advance.

"If anybody wants to call, I just refer them to somebody that still has a license to do their move," Agnant said.

Teresa Murray, director of the consumer watchdog program at the national nonprofit advocacy organization Public Interest Research Group, said that aside from the importance of educating consumers, the biggest impediment to stopping moving scams is a lack of regulation, particularly of moving brokers. She said revoking licenses is unlikely to help.

"Anybody that's going to screw someone with a move, you know, they're not going to care that they're not licensed," Murray said. "It seems like regulators aren't doing enough."

Lawrence Hawthorne, who retired from the FMCSA in 2020 after more than 40 years as an investigator focused primarily on movers, said he believes the industry may now be taking advantage the FMCSA's inability to fine for moving company violations, which it lost in a 2019 arbitration decision.

Hawthorne said brokers were previously not allowed to issue estimates that many have used to lure customers into making large deposits on promises of low-cost moves. Reversing that and restoring the agency's ability to fine could alleviate many scams, Hawthorne said.

"It's just that in today's environment, especially with Congress, it's kind of hard for them to get things done," Hawthorne said, referring to political party divisions. "They need to take care of this situation so that they can go back to issuing fines."

Antsonsen, who hopes to one day get her belongings to Puerto Rico, said she is worried about how her boxes are being treated and whether any items have been damaged. She becomes overwhelmed with emotion as she explains what happened with her move.

She's not just fighting the movers, she said, "I'm fighting the system that's supposed to be helping the consumer."

Mover Red Flags

If you must hire a company to move your possessions, be sure it is licensed. For moves across state lines, check the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Protect Your Move website, www.protectyourmove.gov. For moves within a particular state, check with that state's government. The FMCSA warns consumers to watch for red flags, including when a company:

Does not perform an on-site or video inspection before providing a written estimate or says costs will be determined after loading.

Demands cash or a large upfront deposit.

Asks you to sign bills of lading or contract documents that have not been filled out with the details of your move.

Does not provide a copy of an FMCSA booklet and brochure explaining your rights for interstate moves.

Has a website with no local address or registration or insurance information.

Claims all goods are covered by its insurance.

Answers the phone with "movers" or "moving company" rather than the company's name.

Has offices or warehouses that are in poor condition or nonexistent.

Arrives with a rental truck on moving day rather than a company-owned or marked fleet truck.

Claims you are moving more belongings than estimated.

[runwayrunway]

I'm going to interrupt my normal posting schedule briefly to discuss naming airplanes. Don't worry, I'll post the regularly scheduled Friday review after this, but first I'm going to talk about naming airplanes.

When I say that I don't mean naming types of airplanes. I mean giving the airplanes names. A lot of airlines do it. Back in the day you had your Clipper This, Flagship That, Star of the Whatsit, so on. Lots of airlines name theirs after places. Aer Lingus names theirs after Irish saints. SAS names their Vikings. FedEx Express gives theirs human names, like Gabriel, Richard, JobEdokat, and Meredith.

The year is 2023 at time of writing. Clipper This, Flagship That, and Star of the Whatsit are now all relics of a distant past where a plane ticket cost more than some cars and airports sold life insurance at kiosks. That age is long past. Delta, United, American...all cowards, their airplanes long unnamed. Though the practice is alive and well elsewhere, for some reason it has largely gone dormant in the United States. There are few exceptions, but there are exceptions, and there is one in particular which stands out from the rest. Just one carrier on a mission and their 289 individually named flying machines.

I would like to present you with a curated selection of things which jetBlue has named their airplanes. There are many more - 289, to be specific. Take a look through them all if you care to. But this is a list of my favorites. Just a bit of appreciation for a true titan of aircraft-naming in an era where the art seems all but lost.

Roses Are Red, This Plane is Blue (N3104J)

Aruba, Jamaica, Blue I Wanna Take Ya (N2016J)

Blue's That Girl? (N997JL)

Don't Hate Me 'Cause I'm Bluetiful (N996JL)

Don't Mind If I Blue (N971JL)

Blue Kid On The Block (N913JB)

1. Fly JetBlue 2. Repeat Step 1 (N807JB)

Shantay, Blue Stay (N794JB)

#Follow @JetBlue (N334JB)

Enough about me...let's talk about blue (N712JB)

Big blue people seater (N705JB)

Bippity, Boppity, Blue (N565JB)

Blue-yah! (N187JB)

Badda Bing Badda Blue (N534JB)

FuhgeddaBlueDit (N3113J)

Boogie Woogie Bluegle Boy (N3062J)

My Other Ride is a JetBlue A320 (N329JB, an Embraer E190)

My Other Ride is a JetBlue E190 (N793JB, an Airbus A320)

And, my personal favorite:

How's My Flying? Call 1-800-JETBLUE (N715JB)

(Although if you can read that, you're probably too close. Incidentally, 'If You Can Read This, You're Blue Close' is an A320-200 with the registration N729JB.)

[aries-writingblog]

If We Have Each Other

Summary: Dick Grayson has always been a saint for his friends, but especially for his best friend and her daughter.

Pairing: Dick Grayson x F!Reader

Word Count: 3.4K

Warnings: reader is a single mom, language, mention of adultery/ cheating

AN: this can be read as a platonic relationship or romantic, photos are from Pinterest

“Grayson, you’re an angel.” YN announced as she opened the apartment door.

Dick chuckled, turning away from his current task of gathering stray clothes that had never seemed to make it to the laundry basket. He dropped the pair of socks into the pile, quickly approaching the two newcomers.

“Oh, my favorite person in the world.” He reached out and snagged the baby from her hip. Olivia gurgled, her hands grabbing out for him. “And her mother, of course.”

“Ha, ha.” YN droned, allowing him to take both bags and the carrier from her, as well as the baby. “She was a little fussy during the night, but she’s happy as a lark now.”

“Never mind, that, I’ll handle it. Olive loves me.” Dick grinned, tilting the baby’s body side to side, only to listen to the giggling and cooing she made. He tucked her against his chest, cradling her with both arms. His attention returned to YN, as she closed the door. “How’ve you been holding up?”

YN exhaled. Hands falling to her hips.

He could see the exhaustion on her face. In her eyes. It was more than a restless night’s worth.

Between her job, errands, and daughter, YN was stretched thin. It was her own choice— a stupid one, considering Dick had offered his assistance, time and time again. She refused, more often than not.

It didn’t stop him from going over to her place and ripping the baby away, forcing her to relax.

He wished she would let him do more.

“I’ve been hanging in there.” She admitted I’m taking Night Shift next week, first time since Olivia was born.

“She can stay with me. I’d love to have a house guest; We can watch Golden Girls together and have all sorts of fun.” He promised, eager to lift her burden, even just for a few nights.

YN shook her head, instantly; She dug around through the backpack, brows furrowed. She swore she packed Olivia’s blanket…

“No, I’m calling the babysitter. She’s college age and could use the cash—“

“No way!” Dick interrupted. He sighed, shifting Olivia to his hip. His free hand reached out and brushed her arm. Holding at her elbow. YN finally stopped shuffling the items, meeting his eyes. “Look, I know it’s tough for you. And I know you want to do everything yourself, but I’m not gonna let that happen. You already know, I don’t mind helping out.”

YN swallowed, her eyes stinging with tears.

God, she didn’t deserve Richard Grayson.

He wasn’t the father of this baby, he wasn’t even in a romantic relationship with her, and here he was, giving up the best years of his life for some other man’s neglect.

For her choices.

And he did it all with a glimmering smile in his eyes.

“You’re a life saver, Richard Grayson.” She croaked, blinking rapidly to quell the tears before they fell.

Dick chuckled, lightly brushing the stray tears from her cheeks.

She had been all over the place, ever since she found out she was pregnant. Crying at the drop of a hat, angry the next, overwhelmingly happy, rinse and repeat.

He was fully capable of surfing the waves of mood swings, by now.

“I’m your life saver, baby.” He nodded. He placed a hand on her back, pushing her along toward his bedroom. “Now, shoo. Go and sleep. Relax. Take a bath, read some books. Lunch is in the fridge when you’re hungry. Let the babysitting commence!”

He turned, holding the baby above his head and stomping back to the spare room, turned Olivia’s room.

Olivia giggled, as Dick wiggled her body in the air.

YN smiled, shaking her head. That man was something else entirely.

Pulling into a safe parking space, Dick turned his car off, searching his console for his wallet. Olive sound asleep in her car seat in the back. The girl could sleep through a hurricane, as long as she was in a moving car.

He was impressed, really.

Exiting the car, he rounded the back— making a pit stop on the left to grab his bag— then to the right side of the vehicle. Opening the back door and unclipping the belts around the baby’s chest.

Olivia cracked her eyes open, at all the new movements, a yawn escaping her lips.

“Grocery shopping with Olive.” Dick sang, tugging the knitted beanie snuggly onto Olive’s head. Covering her ears as she awoke, groggily staring above his head, into the shaded skies of Gotham.

He slipped the baby carrier over his shoulders, then scooped Olivia from her car seat and settling her against his chest.

She made no fuss, just curled her fists between their chests and propped her head against him. Cooing quietly as she tried to settle back into her nap.

Dick locked the car behind himself, backpack full of baby supplies, and his own necessities, on his back. Baby on his front.

This was how a majority of his errands were run, now. His ‘leaving home’ list a bit longer. Keys, phone, wallet, baby, diapers, etcetera. He preferred this over his bachelor days, anyhow.

Snagging a cart on his way in, Dick shrugged the backpack over his shoulders. Depositing the bag into the largest portion of the metallic apparatus. Withholding the infant, still against his chest.

Dick was more paranoid than YN was about a baby in the world. Bludhaven wasn’t as dark or despicable as Gotham’s streets, but having grown up in the dark made his affinity for the light that much greater.

And he never let Olivia out of his sight.

That included grocery store shopping carts. Not only were they hot beds for every snot nose kid’s germs, Dick could see a scenario playing out before his eyes. He leaves Olivia in the cart, cart gets snagged, baby gets snatched, and bye bye Dick Grayson.

Six feet under, murdered by a very angry mother.

Snapping away from the violent daydreams sucking him toward a crisis, Dick refocused on where he had aimlessly drifted. Luckily, down the right aisle.

Breakfast foods.

“You want Cheerios?” He muttered, moving his chin back to look at her. She didn’t seem to care about his words. It didn’t matter to Dick. “Hell yeah.”

He tossed the box into the cart, picking up a few other breakfast materials as he went. Several aisles passed, Olivia keeping herself occupied as he shopped. He talked to her nonstop— convinced that her grasp on the language would be better if he did.

And he didn’t care how stupid he might’ve looked doing it. Anything for Olivia wasn’t stupid at all. He was long past looking stupid in public; It was a juvenile fear of his that he surpassed quite easily, after his first few patrols with Bruce.

“Does the Olive want olives?” He asked, showing her the jar. Olivia turned her head to the opposite aisle, her eyes scanning the items. Uninterested in his proposition. “Yeah, me either.”

Dick swapped out the jar for a smaller one, putting it in the cart instead. He had nearly gagged the day he saw YN eating olives out of the jar— like they were potato chips. And at first, he was going to blame it on her sixth month pregnancy situation, but he couldn’t even do that because she had eaten them on many things, willingly, before that incident.

He usually had a small jar at home— pushed to the very back of his fridge, where YN would be the only person to eat them.

He didn’t even want to look at the things.

Dick hummed under his breath, bouncing gently. Olivia let out a long noise, the tone fluctuating as he bounced her.

She ended in a giggle; Wild laughter that echoed along the aisle. Dick scrunched his nose, mocking her. She only laughed harder.

He smiled, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

Dick pulled to a stop at the end of the aisle, glancing both ways before turning down the next.

But just as he pulled to a stop for Goldfish and other various crackers, he heard his name called from behind. Turning, keeping one hand on Olivia, his eyes landed on an approaching, feminine figure.

Kelly— the Police Sergeant’s secretary.

Her smile broadened as her eyes scanned to the baby strapped to his chest.

“I didn’t know you were a father.” Kelly smiled, her eyes switching back and forth from Dick to Olivia.

Dick laughed, following her gaze.

“Oh, technically— this is a friend.”

She blinked, brows creasing as her eyes flicked from the infant to the man she was strapped to again.

“The… baby?”

Dick gave an elated ‘uh-huh!’, before tilting his shoulder so that Olivia’s face was visible. Kelly cooed, doting on the baby instantly.

“Say hello, Olivia.” Dick shifted, trying to keep moving so that she wouldn’t fuss. “Her mom is a close friend and a single parent so, on my days off, I watch Olivia while she rests.”

“That’s so sweet of you.” Kelly pressed a hand to her heart, her eyes darkened, tilted so that she gazed at him through her lashes. Dick grit his teeth through a smile. “I’m sure her mom appreciates it.”

She was practically purring— in front of a baby, no less. A shiver of discomfort snaked down his spine.

He knew she had always been friendly with him at work, but he had never paid attention to just how friendly.

When he was younger, before YN and Olivia, perhaps he would have noticed. Perhaps he would have done something about it. But now, he just dreaded the scene that played out before him.

How was he supposed to word this and let her down easy?

“Yeah.” Involuntarily, his palm pressed to the back of his neck, brushing the strands away from his nape. “She’s a nurse at the hospital so her hands are always full.”

“I’ll bet you’re a hit with the ladies.” She giggled, fingertips brushing his bicep as she removed her hand from Olivia.

Bingo. Perfect opportunity.

“My days of chasing ladies are over, I’m afraid.” Dick chuckled, his hand pressed to Olivia’s back. She was wide awake now, and leaning into his palm, arms and legs outspread. Dangling from her seat. “It was nice seeing you, I’ve got a few more errands to run and Olivia has a date with a couple good looking toys on aisle seventeen.”

“Oh, don’t let me hold you up.” Kelly responded, her hands held in surrender. She gave another dazzling smile before leaning back down to the baby. “Bye, Olivia. It was wonderful to meet you. See you Monday, Grayson?”

“Monday, it is.” He confirmed, a nervous chuckle slipping from his lips. Satisfied with her work, Kelly turned on her heel and began making her way back to where she came from. Only glancing over her shoulder twice to send him a smirk— to ensure he was watching her walk away. Watching the sway in her hips.

As soon as she was out of sight, Dick exhaled a breath he hadn’t been aware was stuck in his chest.

“Oh, boy.” He groaned, relieved at his lonesomeness once again. Olivia gave a light grunt, fingers trailing over his lips. Removing the offending wigglers from his mouth, he leaned down to press a kiss to her forehead. “You’re a godsend, babe.”

She gurgled happily, completely ignorant of the words he spoke.

Even though she technically got him into the altercation, she also got him out of it. He didn’t feel bad taking advantage of her presence; Though, he may owe her a toy or two, after all.

It was mid afternoon before Dick and Olivia showed face at his apartment again. She was strapped to his chest, his arms full of his reusable grocery bags. Backpack on his back.

YN, who had taken it upon herself to finish up the laundry, pushed herself to her feet at his arrival. Her hands outstretched for the bags hanging from his arms.

He grunted.

“I’ve got them, don’t worry about that.” Dick refused. Instead, opening his arms so that she could unclip the infant.

So, she did what he asked. A wispy smile on her lips as she removed her daughter.

“Hello, darling. You have fun today?” YN asked, cuddling Olivia close to her chest. Dick gave an ‘uh-huh’ to answer; YN narrowed her eyes playfully, a smile pulling her lips involuntarily. “Were you able to get all your errands done?”

Dick nodded, dumping another bag onto the counter. He gathered a few items, then turned to put them away in the fridge.

“Yes. We went to the grocery store, the bank, picked up some documents from the station, defeated a whole gang of drug dealers, and got seven phone numbers.” He informed with a lilt in his voice. YN snorted, and Dick turned away from his fridge to continue his story. “You know how concerning it is that women practically fall over themselves for a guy with a baby? What if I were married?”

He pressed a hand to his chest, scandalously. As if adultery was the worst someone could do.

As if he didn’t see the utter destruction of human nature night after night.

“You should accept some of those, definitely.” She nodded, teasingly.

“Now why would I do that? I’ve got all the ladies I need, right here.” He grinned, holding her tightly against his side. She rolled her eyes when he squeezed her shoulder. “You staying for dinner?”

YN paused, running down her to do list. Nothing that couldn’t be put off another few hours.

“I don’t see why not, long as you’re not tired of us.” She bargained. Dick scoffed, sweeping her hair away from her face.

“Never.” He promised.

YN smiled gratefully, staring up at him. The domesticity of the moment was endearing. His blue eyes even more so. She should’ve been thinking a million different things— hell, she had been thinking at least a thousand before he looked at her like that.

Now, the only thought in her brain was that it was a shame her baby didn’t have those bright blue eyes.

A sudden, loud growling noise erupted from between the two adults. Yn’s face flushed with heat as she averted her gaze to the child in her arms.

“Speaking of dinner, someone is hungry. After that big day of fighting bad guys, we’ve got a tummy rumbling.” YN’s voice lowered, pressing kisses to Olivia’s face.

The baby laughed, her hands smacking her mother’s face and smushing her cheeks.

“You and me both, sister.” Dick concurred, brushing a hand over Olivia’s head.

YN readjusted to grab Dick’s backpack and start sifting through it.

“She have any milk left over?” She asked, pulling out his wallet and keys, pepper spray (like he wasn’t six foot and one eighty nine), various items of Olivia’s. She finally produced two empty bottles.

“Not a drop.”

“Damn.” YN muttered. Half relieved at the fact the infant was healthy and hungry, half annoyed she drank everything. Standing from her seat, YN began making her way out of the kitchen. “I didn’t have time to pump this afternoon, I slept most of it. Looks like we’re going old school, sugar.”

Dick reached over to the drawer beside the sink, rummaging through tea towels and potholders to find a burping rag.

YN caught it as he tossed it at her, throwing it over her shoulder. She made her way toward the living room to procure a modicum of privacy.

Dick hummed at her newest situation. He’d seen her topless far too many times to count. His embarrassment had long worn off.

That first night, in the hospital, he had tried to give her as much privacy and respect he could. He would turn away every time a nurse or doctor came in to check her; At every feeding, he would keep his eyes glued to her face so intensely it became a source of her self consciousness.

‘Get it over with and just look at my tits, Grayson.’

‘YN!’ He’d squawked— eyes going wide. She chuckled. ‘You’re my best friend and that feels like a boundary we shouldn’t cross.’

‘You’ve seen it all, Dick. Trust me when I tell you, this is the least embarrassing thing you’ll see me do from here on out.’

And she was right. As always.

But he liked to think himself a gentleman, and still gave her what she deserved in dignity.

Which is why he stayed in the kitchen, his back turned. YN’s soft hums floated in the air, along with the smells of dinner, being reheated on the stove.

It felt terribly domestic. It didn’t feel real. Like this was something he had dreamed up. Conjured in his mind to satiate his loneliness.

But his mind wouldn’t have made YN pregnant by a man who didn’t hold his word to her. Who didn’t have her back. Dick was too good a friend to imagine a future like that for her.

Even if he benefited from another’s loss. It hurt the ones he loved in the process.

“Your dinner, madam.” He presented the bowl graciously, his head dipping into a bow. YN snorted, eyes rolling. He settled in beside her, careful of the baby in the rocker in front of them. YN gently pushed it back and forth with her shin, keeping Olivia in motion. “Hey, wouldn’t it be hilarious if her first word was my name?”

YN sent him a side eye glance.

“If she says the word ‘Richard’ on first try, she’s—“

“No.” Dick laughed, the look of pure indignation on her face was too good to pass up. His original statement had been half a joke, but now… what he wanted to tell her wasn’t. He hesitated, fingers tracing over the handle of his spoon. “I mean like… dad.”

Yn’s chest tightened, her knee stopped moving. Her eyes pierced through him, though his own gaze remained glued to his soup.

She couldn’t say he had blind sided her— not really.

Dick had acted like Olivia’s father for as long as YN could remember. He had been the first person she called when she found out.

And he had been there every step of the way.

Of course, Olivia would call him dad. That was a given, that she had already confronted.

But for Dick to accept it? Encourage it?

That was almost too much to ask for.

“I’d like that,” YN murmured, clearing her throat. Dick’s gaze was heavy, as he lifted it to level with her. Her face was kind— her eyes gave away her true excitement. “You being her dad. Better than her real father.”

Dick scoffed, anger stabbing at his chest at the mention of the man who fumbled the best two people he had ever laid eyes on.

“That guy can kiss my entire ass.” He grumbled, tilting his bowl to his lips. YN hummed quietly, shifting Olivia closer to her body and carefully bringing a spoonful to to her own mouth. Olivia’s chubby hand reached up, attempting to disrupt the course. Dick smiled softly, reaching over and taking her hand. Pushing it down. “I do consider Olivia mine, you know. And you.”

He was trying to give her a heart attack.

And he was gonna get what he wanted.

Her heart pounded against her sternum. She had known for a while that Dick was slowing down in his older years. He hadn’t been on an actual date in… she couldn’t even remember.

At first she wanted to scold herself for being such a bad friend that she hadn’t even asked about his love life; But then, she realized, he hadn’t even mentioned anything like that recently.

He was being serious.

He hadn’t even needed to ask her and she agreed to his sentiments, wholeheartedly.

Tears welled up in her eyes.

“It’s nice to feel wanted.” YN murmured, failing at her attempt to guard herself.

Dick swore he heard heart strings snapping at her tone. He widened his legs, pressing his thigh to hers, ankles intertwined.

As close as he could get without disrupting their bowls, or the baby.

“I’ll always want you.” He promised, carefully leaning closer. “Even if you are obnoxious.”

YN let out a laugh, drenched in her tears. But Dick was prepared for them this time.

At least they were happy tears.