#Will Bruce think about how he failed another of his children

[radiance1]

Inspired by this post because I have some thoughts about this one au.

So, Damian stuffs his shadow twin into the body of an unfinished clone, and somehow it just got worse really. Danny mostly just stuck to him whenever he was a shadow, and hide from basically everyone else.

But now that he has a body?

Sheer and utter chaos.

First of all, was the Batfamily's reaction to Danny. He explained who exactly Danny was, and it pained Bruce to only know now that he had another son that was killed because he was born with a birth defect.

Meanwhile Danny, feral child who may or may not have shadow powers with the maturity of a ten-year-old and the emotional maturity to match. Does not give a single care of what Bruce or anyone that isn't Damian feels.

Damian, meanwhile, is trying to stop him from putting a rat in his mouth because, as much as he loves his brother, he does dislike his specific trait to put basically anything in his mouth.

As a shadow creature? That would be fine.

As a human? No. He does not want his brother to get a disease.

So he is currently trying to wrangle his brother and trying to get him to spit out the rat, and he succeeds, and the rat runs off. Only for a spike of shadow to spear the rat right one through, leaving Damian stunned, and in that time frame the spike whipped back, the rat went in his brother's mouth, and he swallowed.

He looked down at Danny, only to find a tail of shadows peeking out from his back, horns and clawed hands and feet covered in shadows.

And him chewing on the rat.

Damian, did the only thing he could even think to do at that moment.

He smacked his brother's head and chided him for eating something who could have been who knows where.

[audreycritter]

every time i see a post talking about how alfred pennyworth failed bruce for not getting him into therapy as a kid i want to scream.

it did not exist. the idea that children could have PTSD was just starting to be discussed in the late 80s/early 90s at the FRINGE of child psychology, and then trauma therapy even for adults spent an unhelpful 2ish decades dominated by forced-conversation talk therapy. that's a thing that is detrimental to trauma recovery, because if someone doesn't feel safe or in control of the dialogue about their trauma and is repeatedly asked to describe their trauma when they're uneasy, it COMPOUNDS TRAUMA AND FEELINGS OF DANGER.

when bruce was a kid, even the best psychs available would have had training that taught them kids bounce back, that kids don't respond to or handle trauma the way adults do, and that any behaviors post-trauma were almost certainly unrelated mental illness.

i see this esp in fandom circles but a gentle reminder that therapy even when it's good doesn't fix everything. even if bruce had HAD access to good childhood PTSD therapy, he would still have grief, he would still potentially be socially awkward or withdrawn, he might have still decided to be Batman because it's a comic book where being a vigilante isn't as wild as it is irl.

therapy requires honesty, readiness, safety, sound application of theory, an accurate picture of life outside the therapy room (self-reporting is often flawed!), consistency, and more! it can help but it doesn't erase trauma or grief. it's dismissive of the history of trauma therapy to say an adult "should have" had a kid in a therapy approach that didn't exist, and it's dismissive of the actual work of therapy to act like therapy would have made everything ideal. bruce isn't going to be a normal, well-adjusted adult because his parents were murdered in front of him. he could be happy! he could have coping skills! but honestly it would be weirder if he didn't wrestle with residual trauma and grief throughout his life.

and maybe this is just because i love Batman, and love specifically Batman as a symbol/figure of hope and sacrifice and the belief that every life matters, but I don't think the worst ending here is Bruce deciding to give up a lot of his time, energy, and health to work in Gotham AND then choose to parent a traumatized child and actively meet his needs. like you think the alternative is that Alfred is a better parent by getting him into non-existent therapy and then he stays comfortably wealthy at home and is just another rich dude? that's the ideal version? the one who can't help Dick Grayson because Dick Grayson wants to run away and murder a man?

anyway tl;dr alfred should have flaws, yes, but there's a big gap between "flawed human parental figure" and "man who massively failed Bruce in multiple ways, one of which was not putting him in therapy."

[im-totally-not-an-alien-2]

The safety on his gun was turned back on with an inaudible click as Jason let the tension leak out of his body.

It wasn't often that someone broke into one of his safe houses, especially one that he hadn't used in a while, so seeing as some of his silent alarms went off he raced over ready to put a bullet in some wannabe robber or maybe a goon sent by another crime lord trying to start something.

Instead he found a prime bat adoption bait sitting in the living room floor, bare stomach pressed to the side of a ginormous egg. It didn't look like any egg hed ever seen either with midnight blue fuzz covering the whole thing. "Hey kid."

The kids head whipped around, startled by a strangers voice. "Who are you?" He asked incredulously, hugging the monster egg closer to himself, "How did you get in here? This place has some serious security."

Jason gave a short laugh, "Yeah, I know. I'm the one who put it there." He watched with mild amusement as the color drained from the kids face.

"You're the apartment owner? I thought he was supposed to be some big scary crime lord!"

"I'm not scary to you?" It wasn't uncommon for people to be intimidated by him. He was, as Steph put it, 'built like a fridge'.

The adoption bait stared into his eyes for a few torturously long seconds before simply saying, "No."

Huh.

"So, whats up with the egg?" He asked, trying to change the subject.

"Thats my line, Todd." A voice said from across the room. Both him and the little intruder snapped there attention to the window where Robin was perched. Jason fought back the urge to chastise the little bat for using his real name seeing as he was out of costume at the moment. After all he was here as Jason Todd, normalish civilian man who came to see why his house was broken into, not Red Hood. Jason almost wished with was some goon working for a big bad even if it would have meant his secret identity was busted, he would have been at least dealing with that instead of Damians inevitable animal custody battle with the kid. Speaking of which.

"Hey kid, whats your name?"

"Danny Fenton." The kid-Danny, tilted his head. "I think."

Robin raised an eyebrow, causing his mask to sift with it, "You think?"

Danny nodded, "Yeah. Got blasted with something a few weeks ago and I don't remember much before that." His grip on the egg had loosened a bit and Robin chose this as he time to strike. Bird boy tried to lift the egg up out of the intruders impromptu blanket nest, but seemed to have misjudged the weight of the egg that was as big as both children's torsos and Danny was swift to take back his egg.

"What do you think you're doing?! Thats mine!" Egg dad hissed.

"Tt. I will be better able to care for the creature. You should just hand it over now. Do you even know whats in there?"

"No! Neither do you!"

Jason knew Robin couldn't refute that so he chose now to step in, "Where did that thing even come from?

He watched as Dannys scowl turned into a beaming smile as he told them about how he was hiding behind a dumpster for warmth when this egg just fell out of the sky and with quick thinking, managed to catch it with a bed of ruined pillows from a recent villian attack. "So you can't take my dragon egg away. I'm the only reason it didn't become a failed street omelet." Danny held his hands on his hips while giving Robin a smug look.

Before the demon brat could say anything or, more likely, try to wipe that smirk off the other kids face, a new person swooped in through the window. "You think its a dragon egg?"

The kid seemed unbothered by the Batman questioning him and just replied with, "Yeah! Look how big it is! Its gotta be a dragon!"

Bruce looked like he was about to have an aneurysm, "You found a large egg of an unknown, potentially supernatural creature and decided to incubate it?"

"Yeah!"

Jason decided he liked this kid.

[celaenaeiln]

so my friend, at 12 am, called me just to say that dick grayson is the only one in his family that bruce truly views as an equal and then hung up. what. what do i do.

well, call them back and tell 'em they're right 😂😂😂

I started cackling so hard I began wheezinggg oh my god that's hilarious!!!

But maybe for a more reasonable time to talk about this concept after you wake/have woken up from your dick grayson cameo dreams, I'll drop some comic panels

Dick is privy to all of Bruce because of the way Bruce treats him like an equal

He lets Dick in on secrets that he doesn't tell any of the others

I've made a post before on how Clark views Dick as his equal just as Bruce views Dick as his equal.

I'm going to drop the Bruce segment here:

When Bruce was gone the only person he entrusted any information to was Dick. He left a personalized - voice activated - message for Dick and only him that lists his worries, faults, and regrets.

"The girl, Cassandra Cain... I told her to give this file to you should I fall tonight."

"She's my greatest sin, Dick. My deepest regret. Stay alive, and please. Try to forgive me--"

He lists his insecurities to Dick as friend, as an equal.

Of everyone Bruce left behind, the only person Bruce left a message for was Dick. He relies on him unconditionally to take over because Bruce doesn't seem him as a kid like he does with the other - don't get me wrong, he still values and knows just how brilliant the rest of his children are - but he sees Dick as an equal in terms of intelligence, abilities, and leadership. Actually -

Bruce puts Dick on a pedestal.

He views Dick as the golden standard of everything he's working toward.

The reason I think Bruce is so harsh on Dick in regards to training is he doesn't see him as a kid that needs protection, he seems him equal to himself.

Time and time again he sends Dick on solo missions because of the faith he has in Dick's abilities and intelligence

In another comic there's an Arkham breakout and Bruce just. He just sends sends Dick on a solo mission to contain the entirety of Arkham and the villains inside by himself.

And Dick does. Effortlessly.

The fight for Spyral

"I know the other heroes. I know them all. I'd have them do it, but they can't. They'd fight, but eventually they'd give up, they'd give in."

We all know that Bruce despises himself when he fails at something. He thinks he's the best in the world and struggles to cope with the idea that he failed. As such, Bruce views Dick as an extension of himself. Unlike with the kids where he acknowledges their differences and treats them like children, Dick and Bruce are so intertwined that Bruce considers Dick as the "good part" of himself while Bruce is the "bad part".

He gets the angriest at Dick during times where Dick disagrees with him because he believes that Dick should understood what he's going through and what he believes in. For his part, Dick is always on Bruce's side and acts like Bruce's leash. He'll let Bruce do anything he wants as long as it's within the limits of acceptable behavior. Once Batman crosses those limits, Dick fights with him to bring him back.

As such, Bruce doesn't differentiate himself with Dick. He is the best and as a result so is Dick. Except in his mind Dick is better than him in every way possible and he took the steps to ensure it through training.

One of the reasons people in the comics call Dick the Golden Child is because he's the living embodiment of everything Bruce strived to create. It's not because he follows his orders religiously or anything. No, Dick just gives Bruce a longer leash than most.

In the Spyral fight I think he hits Dick because he is in part frustrated with himself. Imagine seeing someone you have unconditional faith in because you know they're capable of the very same things as you and can even surpass you fall to a threat. Doesn't that mean you would've fallen too? Is their failure just as much yours if you see yourself as a god? But how can a god-like being fall?

Their relationship is complicated because while Bruce sees Dick as his own person, he also sees him as the reflection of his success.

That's why Bruce is harsher on Dick than the rest of the kids. That's why Bruce makes Dick his right hand man. That's why Bruce shares his sorrows, fears, and vulnerabilities to Dick.

The way they interact, they view each other as father and son but with all the roles and responsibilities as partners.

Dick's compartmentalization and the way he mothers Bruce and Bruce allows it? He doesn't let anyone do that. I feel like on some level he subconsciously expects Dick to take care of him. As someone he can turn to with his worst and darkest sides and still be loved and appreciated and told everything will be alright. It's not a burden he places on the rest of his kids. Which is why Dick's relationship with Bruce straddles the line between son and guardian with him playing both roles and Bruce reacting/ forcing him to react that way.

Also

"Robin fuctions as support."

"Robin wasn't your idea, Bruce! It was mine! I sat in your cave and I watched you and I learned-- and when you needed my help I was there!"

"I'm not your employee, I'm not your son. I'm your partner."

One thing that differentiates Dick's robin from the other robins is that while the other Robins were worried about meeting Bruce's expectation, Dick was more worried about Bruce not seeing him as an equal. He ran away from home because he was mad that Bruce was becoming more controlling and not at all like how they used to be - partners.

There's a reason Dick is the only one Bruce views as his equal. It's because the experiences they've shared have woven them so tightly together that Bruce considers Dick his better half and pillar of strength. If he falls back, he can rely on Dick to take over. Emotionally and physically.

Still laughing at your friend lol. Wild

[duskyashe]

CAMP NANO DAY 6

[chapter 4] [AO3]

(please see tags for trigger warnings)

============<×^-^×>============

It was a little known fact that Bruce Wayne hadn't only fostered his boys. As one of the few above-the-board trained and highly experienced foster parents in Gotham, Bruce had actually fostered dozens of children from all kinds of situations over the years. The only kids the press ever actually found out about were the ones he legally gained custody of, in one way or another, due to stringent privacy policies set in place back when he'd applied to be a foster parent for Dick.

Sometimes Bruce is able to keep in contact with his former foster kids, and he's always happy when that's the case, but other times he loses complete contact with them and can't legally track them down again. It's those children, outside of the ones he's legally able to claim as his own, that he worries about relentlessly. But even among those kids, there's two he worries about the most.

Jasmine Madeline Fenton and her younger brother Daniel Jackson Fenton had come into Bruce's life and home when Dick was thirteen. They weren't the first kids he'd fostered since adopting Dick, but they were the most impactful. Jazz was six, her hair was freshly cut and washed, her clothes neat and a bit on the baggy side, and her backpack still had a tag on it. Danny was three, he, too, had freshly cut and washed hair, his clothes were brand new, and his diaper bag was fully stocked.

Jazz was six and her clothes hung off her frame. She had bags under eyes and didn't know how to brush or wash her own hair. The backpack she had when she walked in his front doors was the very first new thing she'd ever seen that her parents hadn't immediately cannibalized for their experiments.

Danny was three and hadn't been given a real bath in almost a year. His clothes were all either too small or his sister's hand-me-downs. His diaper hadn't been changed in over six hours.

Bruce had been so sure he was going to be awarded permanent custody of the two. There had obviously been criminal neglect going on in that household at least, it should have been child's play to gain permanent custody of them. His lawyer and the children's case manager had assured them their case was practically airtight.

The kids had only been in his custody for two weeks before the state awarded full parental rights to the Drs Fenton. Jazz had only barely started getting used to eating three times a day again. Danny had just started smiling whenever Dick played peekaboo with him. And the courts sent. Them. Back. A month later and the Fenton's moved without a word, leaving behind not a single trace. It was almost as though they'd vanished.

Dick had been devastated. Alfred was crushed. And Bruce? Bruce experienced the five stages of grief for the second time in his life twice over. For years, he had private investigators searching everywhere he could think of for the siblings, desperately hoping to find even the slimmest glimmer of hope that they were alright, that they were still alive.

Jason coming into the household lessened some of that pain and desperation, especially after Bruce obtained full custody of him, but the tension between Dick and Jason drove the lingering tension between Dick and Bruce to critical levels. Argument after argument, fight after fight, all about the same topic: Why did Jason get adopted when Jazz and Danny were still out here?

Eventually the tension exploded in one of the worst ways possible, and the family was reduced back down to three. The first six months after Jason's funeral, Bruce refused to take on any new children. He even asked the private investigators to only contact him if they definitively found proof of the kids. The pain, the grief, the guilt was just too much for him. He'd failed Jazz and Danny, and he'd failed Jason, too. He couldn't handle failing yet another child.

Then Tim showed up, too tiny and too determined to get his way. The shock of seeing the obvious evidence of yet more criminal neglect from his own neighbors drew Bruce out of his downward spiral just enough to realize he needed help. Tim was right, he had been killing himself with his work, and doing so was the exact opposite of what Jazz, Danny, or Jason would have wanted from him. He notified CPS of a possible situation he was keeping an eye on, as well as the fact that he was pulling himself back together so he'd be able to reapply to be a foster parent, and then sought the help of a therapist sworn to absolute secrecy with the help of multiple NDAs.

A year later, he was reinstated as a foster parent, awarded first temporary, then later full, custody of Tim. He fostered a pair of blonde little girls for a few nights before an aunt was found in Vineland, New Jersey, who got custody instead. About a month after them, he fostered a ten year old boy for a week before his dad regained custody. He even fostered Tim's friend, Stephanie Brown, for two months while her mom went through rehab.

And then Red Hood came to town.

Between trying to track down and figure out who Red Hood was, Bruce also took on twin eight year old boys for about five days, a fifteen year old girl for two and a half weeks, a pair of cousins for ten days, and three siblings for a night. When Red Hood was finally revealed to be a revived Jason, angry at the thought that Bruce had replaced him and missing a few key memories, it had been two years since the last time he'd heard from the private investigators he'd hired eleven years prior. After weeks of careful negotiation and peace talks between Bruce and Jason, the family of four was well on their way to being the family of five they legally were, when Bruce decided it was time to get back in contact with the team he'd left in charge of the investigation looking for the Fentons. They only had a potential sighting of the Fentons at a class reunion in Wisconsin a few months prior, but any sighting was better than what they'd had for most of the eleven years prior, so Bruce asked them to double down and see what came from it.

Two weeks later, there was a knock on the manor door. It was the middle of a torrential downpour, one of the worst thunderstorms Gotham had seen in years, yet there was undeniably someone knocking at the door. Bruce, who'd been passing through the entry hall on a late evening stroll through the manor, was the one to answer the door.

She was in her late teens, her hair was long, wet, and stuck to the side of her face, her clothes in poor repair with splotches of dark red and neon green on them, and her backpack was worn and frayed. He was in his early teens, he, too, had long, wet hair that stuck to his face, his clothes were rags and barely hanging onto him with more of those dark red and neon green splotches, and his duffle bag was stuffed to the gills.

"Mr Wayne?" Jasmine Madeline Fenton asked, voice quivering as the two of them huddled on his doorstep, Daniel Jackson Fenton's eyes drooping to half mast from exhaustion. "We need your help. Our parents are trying to murder us."

============<×^-^×>============

I'm not gonna lie, it took me forever to figure out what I wanted to write today, but once I decided on this, it just wrote itself (⁠^⁠_⁠^⁠メ⁠) I actually got the idea for this fic from a prompt @evandarya had posted in the Batpham server a while back, which I absolutely loved and just had to write, so this ficlet is dedicated to them (not that they're aware of it yet lol)

Once again, I have no idea if I'll ever continue this ficlet, for my muse is fickle and likes to play favorites ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠⊙⁠_⁠ʖ⁠⊙⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯ I might get lucky and get sudden inspiration for a sequel for this, or I might not, who knows? Honestly, if anyone wants to add onto this, go right ahead lol that'd be amazing.

[cursedkeyboard]

Babies shouldn't grow up ☆ Jason Todd & GN!Reader (PT.4)

What does Jason do as he raises his kid lovingly like he wished he'd been raised? Try his best and fail spectacularly to keep his nosy family away, of course. [PART ONE ♤ PART TWO ♤ PART THREE ♤ PART FOUR ♤ PART FIVE ♤ PART SIX]

Pairings: Platonic Jason Todd & Child GN!Reader / Batfamily & Jason Todd

After about a year and quite a few months, maybe around the second christmas Jason spent with you, Jason became antsy

The problem wasn't with you two, no

You were his angel and almost never caused him any trouble, even if he'd always call you brat and squirt

The problem was Bruce and Dick and his entire nosy ass family trying to find out why hadn't he come home for christmas a second year in a row

Not only that, he also had cut back on many other activities he'd usually do with friends or his family

Like taking over patrol shifts for others, hanging out with Roy, visiting the manor to see Ace and Alfred, and gossiping with Babs

C'mon, you know he's totally the type to think his kid is so much better than everyone

You're his damn best friend, his confidant, the person he trusts most in the world and would die for in a blink

So Jason wouldn't even notice he was neglecting every other person in his life until they started blowing up his phone and trying to break into his apartment

Like the fucking demon brat did

Damian tried, at three in the morning, with his katana and everything

His excuse? He was tired of everyone talking about why Jason was growing distant and decided to solve the mystery by infringing his privacy

Jason's excuse to grabbing him by the collar and throwing him out of he window before he could take another step inside? You had classes that day

And children are supposed to sleep a lot to grow

He thought that'd be the end of it, after properly threatening every single one of them into staying the fuck away from his home

but then again, Jason should've never put faith in people who are nosy for a living

So he started having to hide you during the day when the two of you hung out

Jason took you to Bat Burger after a rough day at school? Dick conventionally shows up minutes later! And you hide under the table

Jason and you were taking a morning walk to start the day? Surprise! Cass is suddenly coming your way. And you're jumping into a bush (he helped you take the twigs out of your hair later but laughed the entire time)

You finally convinced Jason to watch the latest superhero movie that just came out? Ho, boy! Look, Duke just so happened to also have been wanting to see it! Aaand you have to pee real bad

For you it's like a game, never let the Waynes catch you

The rewards are many; head pats, Jason's laughter, a hardcover book that you had been eyeing

The consequences of failing...?

That was the scary part for Jason

He'd spend nights thinking about it after tucking you in bed

Would they take you away? Would they think he's abusing you? Would they be disappointed in him for thinking he could be anything else but a disappointment?

Irrational and emotional, those thoughts were, but you were the life of Jason's life

Fuck, you're the one person he hadn't let down yet

The one person he didn't disappoint or hurt

You thrived every day, growing up and putting on weight, learning more every moment because you had a thirst for knowledge just like him

God, every time you looked at him like he was your whole world

Like he was your damn hero

It gave his life a little more meaning

He wanted to keep you safe, watch you grow into a beautiful person, better than he could ever hope to be

But he also wanted you to stay being his

His kid

Not taken away by protective services or recruited into Bruce's little army of children

So imagine how his stomach dropped when during one fateful night, as he helped you with your haircare routine

–Jason sitting on the couch and you between his legs on the floor, your back to him–

his door opened up, was picked open, and a good portion of his family (Dick, Damian, Stepth, and Bruce) waltzed in like they fucking owned the place

There was no way to hide, both of you caught off guard

"Jason! Games' over, buddy, we're here now–"

"Is– Is that a child?"

"What the fuck."

Jason was torn between taking them on on a 4v1 or pulling you in his arms and jumping out of the window

You chose for him, quickly climbing on the couch and hiding away under his arm, almost completely covered by his bulky form

You're not a coward but you're also not good with people like you are with Jason

You also don't exactly like the big bat after everything he did to your da–

To Jason

"Tell me you didn't kidnap a child, Jay."

"No, Steph, I didn't fucking kidnap anyone–"

"Is this why you didn't let me in? I expected better from you, Todd."

"You fucking brat– Can you just leave–"

"No, no, hang on, am I an uncle? Oh, my god, am I? Holy shit, I am!"

"You're not a fucking uncl–"

"Jason, explain."

And oh, how that terrified Jason

He hated the way Bruce was staring at you, like you were a puzzle, something he needed to figure out before he could ultimately collect

It almost made Jason snarl like a wounded dog

You were his kid, god damn it, and Jason would be damned if he let Bruce take you

So he swallowed his fear and clenched his trembling hands and made everyone sit down before he explained

He asked you if you wanted to go to your room, just in case you didn't feel comfortable around them, but you shook your head

"I don't wanna leave you alone."

"...Okay, okay, squirt, what you say goes."

None of them missed the way Jason easily wrapped his arm around you, tucking you close, and how you hid you face partially in his shoulder, glancing at them with one eye

And so, he began telling his tale

Interrupted only a few times because Dick couldn't shut the fuck up to save his life and Damian thinks being insufferable is a good personality trait, Jason finally let the cat out of the bag after about two years of keeping it hidden

"Why didn't you come to us? We could've helped."

"Helped? Bruce, look at the demon spawn, he sleeps with a knife under his pillow and he's, what? Thirteen? This kid here sleeps with a Garfield plushy, like children should."

At that, you slapped his shoulder (it still didn't hurt) and all Jason did was chuckle and kiss your forehead

It was jarring for all of them to see such a soft version of their most volatile family member

In fact, they could now see how the entire apartment had changed

No longer was it a... mojo dojo casa house of sorts, but a cozy and welcoming environment

Shit, the fridge even had cute magnets on it to hold all of your drawings

Frames with pictures of you two were placed everywhere, along with your awards from school and his own additions like a couple of plants and vinyls on the walls

It stung a little to know he'd kept a whole child away from them for so long, to know he didn't trust them enough

It especially hurt Bruce, since technically this was his first grandchild

All in all, everyone eventually fell silent, one fuming, some curious, and others brooding

Until you broke it by finally speaking, tilting your head until you were looking directly into Batman's glowing eyes

"I don't care if you're Batman or Bruce Wayne, if you hurt Jason again, I'll kill you myself."

To say Jason was proud was putting it mildly

He was so ecstatic he could make that day a national holiday

Jason ignored the rest of his family freaking out about how you knew Batman's identity and hugged you close, squeezing you gently

"Fucking love you, kiddo."

To be continued...

[nanaonmars]

just finished watching batman vs the teenage mutant ninja turtles and tumblr you have failed me. WHERE IS THE CONTENT. i have so many feelings about this movie and they may be incoherent but here we go. bit of a longer post so i cut it here

first of all this is probably my new favorite piece of batman media i loved almost everything about this movie.

starting the movie off strong with my wife barbara gordon. she was so funny in this movie and i loved how much of her smarts and fighting skills were shown cause she can do it allll.

bruce was a little grumpy but when he eventually came around and listened to raph’s speech and agreed that they’re a family i was like 🥹🥹 this is the batman i wanna see.

mikey and alfred’s friendship 💗💗 would love to see alfred actually using mikey’s skateboard.

speaking of mikey I LAUGHED SO HARD THE ENTIRE TIME CAUSE OF HIM 😭😭 his entire vibe killed me lmfao. he was so unserious and i love that about him.

donnie came through as usual and him and babs being the smart duo who wear purple was very nice it made me smile. also it was very cute how often he hid in his shell.

raph was impulsive as usual but he also came through like always. i didn’t expect him to be the one to give the speech but i realized it was actually very fitting.

damian was a little whitewashed unfortunately but his very obviously going through puberty voice was adorable cause he kept trying to be intimidating but i couldn’t take him seriously. i thought he would mention that ra’s was his grandfather to the turtles as a shock factor but it didn’t bother me all that much. i liked his team up with raph bc they’re both secretly softies on the inside.

leo i love you sorry i don’t have a lot to say but keep being eldest daughter coded.

i do wish the rest of the batfamily had been there cause i think it would’ve been nice to see how similar they are to each other and also just explore their dynamics but if we get a sequel maybe they can do something about that. i wanna see jason and raph team up (if jason is red hood in this universe). and maybe HOPEFULLY (not very hopeful at all 😔) we can get the ENTIREE batfamily introduced. i know it’s based on comics and stuff though so i don’t know how they would work that out i’m just rambling. oh i also think we should see splinter!! he and bruce could bond over their teenage vigilante children.

idc about everyone else but i will say ra’s saying “maybe another needs to die” in reference to jason was UNCALLED FOR.

[xxgoblin-dumplingxx]

I lowkey high key love Clark sympathizing for arranged!reader who fools just about everyone but clearly feels out of place. I love the idea of him using his writing power for good, behind the scenes blocking some articles from developing or helping push through some Bruce slander ones if he thinks he’s the problem.

Softboy, sweetheart Clark is S tier in any universe lol.

"Gotham trash," Clark grumbled.

"Be nice," Lois said, "Wayne put a lot of money into-"

"Into his trophy wife's wardrobe?"

"Nice, Smallville, " Lois sighed. "Let's just get through this and then I'll take you to get a hotdog."

"You owe me one, Lane."

"Yeah, Yeah."

_____________

Lois and Bruce had done most of the talking. And for that you were grateful. It gave you time to check out. Tuning in just enough to smile, nod, or agree when it was appropriate.

What was expected. What people always expected. Your job was to be smiling and sweet. A loving and supportive wife. A dutiful daughter and sister. A pretty accessory a man could dangle off his arm like a charm bracelet. Something he could show off to other men.

"Your wedding photos were spectacular," Lois said, "It must have taken ages to plan all that out."

"I think," you tell her smiling, taking a sip from your water glass, "that my mother had been planning it since I was in diapers. She even had drawings for my dress."

"Wow," she said, "she didn't ask?"

You shrug, giving her your patented sweetheart smile. The one that never failed to make people believe you didn't have a care in the world. "I'm her only daughter," you remind. "And when she married my father he was in jail. It was nice, giving her a do over."

"Racketeering charges, wasn't it?" Clark said abruptly.

"Murder, actually," you answer. "awaiting trial and acquitted." You're used to it. Sometimes people try to play hardball with your father's past. As if you had anything to do with it. "It's horrible what happened to that man," you say softly. "If they hadn't spent so much time trying to frame my father they might have actually found the real perpetrator." And the tears that well up aren't all crocodile tears. But real or not, it's enough to make the man across from you look shamefaced as you take the handkerchief your husband proffered. "Excuse me a moment," you murmur.

You make your way back to the bathroom, locking the door behind you and take a deep breath. The truth was, it hadn't been your father. It had been Falcone. Or at least one of his sons. And when your father agreed to take the fall, Falcone had agreed to be the godfather to his children. And you wondered just how much chaos you could cause in Gotham if you let THAT slip.

Your father would probably have a stroke. And your mother- good lord. She's probably just straight fall over dead.

Tempting, but. That was for another day.

[bruciemilf]

i just want u to know that the thomas and martha lore with them fighting joe chill is everything to me. so is like everything else u post. brainrot is so fun i love it

After watching some old movies, I really want Bruce to interact with Martha's family more. The Kanes in my mind are stern, cut-throat, and ruthless in a very graceful way.

Phillip Kane (played by Charles Dance) is like that one relative from vintage Hollywood films that you have to deep clean the whole house for when they visit.

Bruce cleans it, thought. Alfred couldn't give two fucks. The poor boy is stressed though, " Yes, it's not you he scolds for a single grain of dust on the furniture."

"Self preservation is an acquired skill, sir."

Dick's never seen Bruce like that. Frantic, moving from one place to another, energised by sheer stress. He also doesn't understand what's with all these rules! "But I wanna show Tim how to play on the chandelier!"

"Not this week, darlings, please," Bruce is constantly on high alert, "Uncle Philip doesn't,--"

"Doesn't forgive lack of manners."

Philip Kane marches through the manor, sharp as ever in his military suit, bedazzled in shiny medals. He's aged both roughly and like wine, blessed with the ability to own the whole air. " And in my day, we obeyed our parents without question."

Alfred merely steps in front of Dick, Tim, and Jason, "In your day we discovered fire. Mr. Kane. Forgive us for not being interested in outdated customs."

"Alfred. Transparent as always, I see. The bald spots are new."

" The stress of unwanted guests. What's your excuse?"

Philip scoffs, merely raising an eyebrow, but somewhere under that grey titan there's a glimpse of amusement. Bruce thinks he can breathe freely, for a second, but his uncle drags a white gloved finger on the piano.

It's slightly gray, and he's rendered with a classic look of disapproval. "I take it your education isn't the only thing you've abandoned?"

"I-I tried, Uncle Philip, but,--"

"Try? You either fail, or you don't." Bruce's faces collapses with shame and Philip sighs, as if he's seen all this before,

" Just like your father. I've told my sister this is what happens with Wayne men. They always pick the easy way. What a waste of greatness."

Bruce's mouth burns with defenses for his father. It's no secret Philip never approved of Thomas. He made it abundantly clear when he didn't attend the wedding or funeral.

Right when Alfred is about to say something, Dick charges forward, little fists striking Philip's knees, '' Don't you talk about my Tati that way! He's strong, and brave, and gives great kisses!"

Little of course joins his big brother, " Meanie!"

"You'll sleep in the attic if you're not nice! That's where I put Tim when B isn't home!"

Bruce is overwhelmed with the love his children have for him. He gathers them up in his arms and gives them each a storm of kisses. Philip hums, examining the scene.

" ...Acceptable. We'll have to improve on those punches. Pennyworth, do your job for once and fetch my bags."

" Oh, fetch them yourself, you bloody cunt."

"Hn."

[reality-exodus]

Time is running out

Pair: bat family x reader sister

Summary:Based on an old edit I discovered. Batman gets kidnapped and his children are trying to solve the mystery of his disappearance.

Warnings: blood, injury, trauma, cursing, triggering language

Edit: credits to them creator (the picture underneath my edit) https://youtu.be/pRuMwQAIVbI

I think I'm drowning, asphyxiated

I felt my heart skip a beat and my breath coming out shallow, I couldn't take my gaze away from the CCPD footage that was sent to the Bat-computer. Suddenly I felt like a little girl again. Watching something a child shouldn't have to witness, I felt a hand squeeze my shoulder pull me closer, I could tell it was Jason, it was too tight considering what we were seeing. He pulled me closer to him. There was silent in the cave, we were frozen, only our breath echoed.

"We have to trace it…" it was Dick's voice. "Tim Barb, do something" he exclaimed approaching Damian whose eyes were stuck on the screen as well.

I wanna break this spell that you've created, Your something beautiful, a contradiction

Bruce was laying still, many open wounds flooding with blood, we couldn't sense any movement, or see if he was breathing his suit devices that connected him to the Bat computer were destroyed as a laugh was heard in the background. It wasn't from the camera, I came to our comms… I knew that laugh, I despised that laugh… But the same time, I had so many memories of him, unfortunately good.

"Joker?" Damian asked and looked at us, his voice was shaking, I really didn't see that coming.

"Close enough, it's his creation, Jerome… this is Jerome. I would recognize his laugh anywhere…" I explained, I felt eyes on me, they knew it wasn't a pleasant subject for me, it hadn't taken me time to get over the fact that I was used by a psycho.

"How can it be Jerome, (Y/N), he died in case you do not remember…" Jason demanded looking down to me.

I wanna play the game, I want the friction

"I do not know Jason!" I exclaimed and swallowed "But this. Is. Jerome" I spoke and turned on my comm

"What the hell do you even want!" I exclaimed in the communication.

The laugh kept going without responding to my question, Barbara and Tim were typing, Tim signed to keep him laughing and talking so they could track down the signal. "What can be touched but can't be seen?" He asked me, it was his voice as I couldn't comprehend what was happening, this was a riddle I realized.

"Future, what of the future" I asked again trying to sound tremendous and firm like Batgirl would but miserably failed…

"It is a crime if attempted but not if committed" he spoke again, there was static in between, I couldn't make out an answer I was looking at Jason and Dick panicking internally. "Tik tak, clocks ticking. Ten… nine…" he started the countdown. We had no idea what would happen if he reached zero…

"Suicide!" I exclaimed out of the blue holding in my breath. The boys were staring at me, and so was I.

He laughed for a few seconds "What can be touched but can't be seen?" He asked me again and I let out a shaky breath. I was trying to ponder, think I couldn't make out a word, henstarted counting down again, and then his laugh became louder and louder.

"Now you brought this to the big bat" Jerome laughed, "Who makes it, has no need of it. Who buys it, has no use for it. Who uses it can neither see nor feel it. What is it?" He asked finally asked and I felt my eyes tear as i knew the answer. "You have about an hours before he runs out of air" there was another serious voice speaking now.

"He will bury him alive" Dick realized, I don't think either if them could tell the voice change.

"Tell where he is you son of a bitch" Jason yelled loudly, snatching the comm from my hands. The comm stopped working.

"Do we have anything?" He asked and turned at Oracle and Red Robin.

"I will have the location of the comm in some minutes" Tim informed us and I looked around breathing shallow.

"I got him killed, if the riddle was correct the second time, we would know more of Bruce's whereabouts…" I spoke in realization.

You will be the death of me

"Hey hey no, (Y/N)" Jason approached me and Dick did too.

"Yes… yes I did…" I yelled at him

"(Y/N) Don't do that;" Dick yelled while I was speaking

"He is going to suffocate to death and it's all on me" I yelled pushing him back

"Guys both shut up" Jason made an effort while all three of us were yelling at each other.

"SHUT IT " Barbarian yelled "The footage was recorded half an hour before it was sent, it wasn't a Livestream we have serious work to do." She exclaimed pulling us back to reality "Bruce is already buried based on what Valeska said" she pointed out as she looked at me.

"How can we know that he was speaking truthfully?" Damian finally spoke, his voice had eased from before.

"We don't, the tracking of the comm is being fulfilled at the moment" Tim replied and sighed

"It is not Valeska, I mean the voice is, but the last part, his voice changed… can't we like, rehear it" I asked and she put it on screen. I approached and dragged then recording of the comm to the end. "Here. Listen carefully it was the moment we were shouting" I explained and I sat down at the recording. Dick was above having his hand reassuringly on my shoulder, I was grateful for my brothers, and for Barb, and Steph.

"You are right" Barbara confirmed it and there was a notification sound. "We have coordinates, get ready and leave, I'll be having your back, sending them to you now it's in Iceberg Lounge" she informed us.

"To sum up we have Riddle and possibly Clayface…" I spoke as I approached my belt tied it around my waste as I put on the hood and then jogged to one of the motorbikes to drive as Tim did the same.

Jason cursed under his breath and sighed "I am driving, decide who is coming with" he tried to announce but none of us fell for it.

"Pick a ride Todd" I winked at him wearing my helmet, I knew he would ride with me, he had no issue with Tim but let's not get too touchy here. He was concerned about me, Jerome was a trigger for me.

"Okay plan. We need two teams, one to visit the Riddler at the narrows and one to penguin" Oracle spoke up on the comms "Red Hood Batgirl go to the Narrows, Spoiler will be expecting you there, Red Robin, Robin and Nightwing iceberg lounge, Alfred came here we are working together." She explained.

"Alright Copy Oracle" I spoke and turned over the direction and drove. Jason's hands tensed on the back of the bike. I saw it on the mirrors.

"Splitting up the communications. Red Hood, Batgirl and Spoiler you are with me" she spoke "spoiler is expecting you outside the old Thompkins infirmary" she added.

"Wooh feels good being the man of the team" Jason commented as the motorcycle roared throughout the streets of the bad-prestiged alleys.

"Out of the four of us you are the one who behaves most ladylike so…" I pointed out and braked as Spoilered sank out of the darkness on a nearby alley, her iodes suit gleaming at the street lights as well as her blonde curls.

"It's true Red Hood, you are not the man here" Steph poked him and he sighed ready to respond but he was interrupted.

"Spoiler, did you see the video?" Oracle asked.

"Positive, I also thought of Clayface, Valeska can't be alive, besides there was a voice alteration." She remarked and looked at us.

"Let's go in then" I signed and looked at the building moving in from the front door as Spoiler and Red Hood would go from the rooftop, we could use the element of surprise. It was dirty and the humidity was making the atmosphere heavy. I looked around listening to the rest saying they had eyes on me already. "Come out Nygma… I have an answer for you" I exclaimed,my voice echoed out loud returning to me. "The second riddle was heart, to be honest to break my heart, it was a smart move you know… to use him" I spoke loudly and then I heard the Riddler laugh, he appeared behind a pillar, from the dark, the light was dim, but my eyes were used to it.

"You must be the smart one, all batgirls tend to be smart huh?" He asked

"Is that a riddle too?" I asked him

"Oh we know the answer, it's that red head a few years ago." He stated and I rolled my eyes.

"Where is he?" I asked if I didn't know whom I was referring to at that point.

"That's the point of the riddle , Batgirl, you are supposed to solve both of them. Where is Batman buried, and how is Jerome still alive?" He spoke up and sighed. "Must be hurtful to listen to the voice of your beloved after so long … he was asking of you Batgirl…"

I was aware that he was bluffing, that most likely Jerome was still dead, and he was imitated by Clayface, the situation with Jerome almost spilled out of my identity, I felt cold sweat on my forehead. "Oh what to do, if he has anything to tell me he can just as well come and tell me, now back to Batman. Where is he?" I asked him and maintained my cool, I could hear Barbara commenting my heart rate that was speeding up

"Buried" Riddle simply spoke

"Where? isn't there a riddle or something?" I asked tensing, I was negotiating and I had to keep my cool.

I won't let you bury it

"Please you know I wouldn't tell you" he laughed. "At least you will have to earn it"

"How" I asked

"Getting passed the obstacles" he simply said and signed me to look upwards as a bucket of clay fell on me I gasped trying to unstick myself away from the substance I could hear voice through and outside the comms as I was suffocating for a drop of air soon I felt electricity run through me. Spoiler and Red Hood attempted with their teasers to get me out, it was successful.

I won't let you smother it

I breathed out air as the clay melted around me, I was breathing heavily and sighed looking around me seeing the dissolved clay slowly moving again into a mass to form Clayface who laughed.

"Are you okay?" Red Hood asked me and pulled me on my feet, and I nodded

"Is this an obstacle Nygma?" I asked loudly and ready to charge at him.

"You are smart, the obstacles will lead you to your bat and if you are lucky enough he will be alive" he laughed and winked at us and I flinched at the words charging at him instead of Clayface. But one hand got me pulled to a wall the same happened to the rest, I stayed calm this time and threw a cryo bomb while the rest reacted in a similar way trying to break free from the grip of the mutant. I fell on my knees dodging another incoming clay tentacle rolling behind a pillar as i started setting another round of electrocution, I had no visual in Spoiler and Red Hood and how they were doing, I could hear grunts and moans of pain…

"Clear the way!" I exclaimed and got on the battlefield again and aimed at the mass of clay, I saw both of them dodge out of the way as I shot the electrocution cable to him and gave him a shock. It lasted a while as the mutant started melting, there were sparks flying around as I felt the teaser burn in my grip realizing how I was overusing it. Before I decided to set it aside it blew in my grip. I fell backwards, my ears were ringing…there was a blur. I was on my back trying to assess the damage of my body, I breathed and closed my eyes trying to calm down, once I opened them I saw a figure standing above, a gun aiming at me.

I won't let you murder it

Before I could react there was another shot, Red Hood. "Don't you dare to touch her" he yelled as he jumped and spin kicked Nygma in the face, I rolled over and stood up grasping his collar. "Now tell us where Batman is?" I exclaimed loudly and he laughed. Red Hood punched him roughly.

"Where the fun begins you shall find information of his whereabouts" Riddler spoke "But if I stop breathing so does he" he told us and I let him fall to the ground and looked at Spoiler and Red Hood.

"Amusement mile" Oracle spoke up, solving it for us. "Are you guys alright?" She asked and the eyes of the rest fell on me, I looked down at my hands. They were kind of burnt but still functional.

"I am good" I smiled softly to reassure them but I got serious once I heard the location, my gaze turned to the other two, none of us had nice memories from there as I skipped a heart beat and sighed.

"Nightwing, Red Robin, Robin will find you there… everything will be alright." Oracle tried to assure us.

"What did Penguin say to the others?" Spoiler asked changing the subject as we started moving to the vehicle.

"Penguin said that he doesn't know anything he only aided and funded Riddler's idea, he said that many were recruited for this and that it wasn't only for batman, he wants us all down…" she said as we heard a beep meaning that the lines were all connected again

"We are walking straight into a trap" Tim spoke, I heard his sigh.

"We could ask for help" I suggested.

"Negative, i have already requested assistance but the league hasn't responded, I can't track down the Kents or The arrows or anyone… " she added.

"Kids,Master Wayne wouldn't want you to risk your lives on a hunt that may be resultless." Alfred spoke making my heart ache as I heard those words leaving his mouth.

"No!" Damian exclaimed

"I agree with the demon spawn" Stephanie commented "He has done so much for us"

"Risked his life for ours countless times, I know that you Red and Nightwing, you are the most hurt from this… this situation, from him… I do not know where you stand, but I am with them"I added and sighed, I was the third eldest of them and I would protect the kids if Jason and Dick backed down.

"Are you kidding me?" Dick asked through comms.

"You are an idiot Batgirl has anyone mentioned that to you?" Jason asked and sighed heavily looking at me. I couldn't see his expression but I knew he was staring at me with a raised eyebrow.

"No, actually on the contrary I am usually the smart one, and the eldest when I have to cover for you two. I am serious." I explained.

"Well right now you don't have to cover for us." Red Hood spoke and rode the bike as I signed him to ride the bike.

"Of course, whatever it has been done, he saved us too you know, helped us and saved more times than all of you combined… so we won't let him be murdered" Dick spoke up as I rode behind him while Stephanie went on her own. She would go roof to roof.

I took a deep breath. It would be the longest night of our lives, I simply hugged Jason from behind placing my cheek on his leather jacket. I was scared and my brother could tell, I felt him exhale. He remained silent. Jason wasn't the one to tell me a lie just to comfort me.

A/N: I would appreciate your opinion in the comments. Would you like me to continue, it was meant to be a lot shorter but it kind of started good. Thank you for reading <3

[hellodeez]

hello! Could I request teenage male reader who's new in the bat family? (or basically batman and his adopted kids, if your not familiar with the term)

Possibly who's more on the mechanical side of helping bruce? Making gadgets n stuff?

A/N: this is kinda bad but I think I'm improving 🤔 Thanks for the request!

Also girlies pls DNI! This is a post for masculine identifying ppl!

Warnings: swearing, being anxious, reader has trouble expressing his emotions a bit, terribly written fic

Batfamily x Male reader

*sigh*

Being a part of the batfamily is something you'd never expect to be a part of but here you are now. It's exciting but nerve wracking at the same time. There's so many family members...Even in such a big place it still feels suffocating from how much people there are.

Being new is weird to say the least. A majority of the family looking at you as if they're studying you like an experiment. "Hey, uh, can you stop that...Damian?" You can barely remember all their names. "Hm" is all they say with a stare that can make anyone drop dead right then and there.

Much like what happened with Jason and how he stole the Bat-Mobiles tires, you managed to break into the car and try and smuggle some of it's tech. Unfortunately for you, Batman just had to be there right before you were about to leave.

         -------flashback--------

"Hell yeah...What does bats have in here?" you say searching through most of his things. You managed to fit some smoke bombs and some spare batarangs in your arms.

You turned your face ready to leave but, you were hit with someone's chest. "Fuck" was all you could say as you felt cold sweat form on your forehead. "How did you get in here?" The one and only Batman asked. "Pfft your security is ass I thought you and your minions were smarter than this." You said trying your best to be intimidating, obviously failing.

That led to the man and his many children interrogating you. "Well what do we do with him? We got what we wanted but we can't just let him leave." Spoiler said. "How 'bout adopt me? I could help you guys y'know" you said somewhat joking and somewhat hoping the man would actually adopt you. "I'll think about it" was all he said.

You worked a lot with the Batman after that almost never with the rest of that batfamily as you were more comfortable with Batman since you met him first. Not being a people person made it difficult to work with the rest of them so you stuck with Batman. After a while, you gained Batman's full trust and eventually he decided to actually take you in as a part of the family.

        -------end of flashback-------

It wasn't that long ago that you got adopted but you'd think everyone would stop making jokes like "looks like Bruce found another stray" or "wonder how long till he becomes the next Robin". You had no interest in becoming a vigilante and would prefer to be the guy in the chair and making gadgets for them. That's why you would stick by Barbara when Bruce wasn't there.

It happened to be Tim's birthday and you didn't know what to get him so as a "surprise" you got him a better utility belt. "Here." You said. "Ah, God! Please don't come up to me like that Y/n. Oh? What's this?" He said. "it's your birthday. Open it." You felt so nervous you didn't know how to communicate whenever you where with the rest of the family. So far you where only friends with Bruce Barbara and Alfred.

You could see Tim open it and reveal the utility belt. "Woah what're all these buttons for.?" Tim was about to press a button that sprays smoke that makes anyone who inhales it uncomious before you smacked his hand away. "Don't press that!" "Um, ow?! What was that for?" You explained to him how the new belt worked and by every world you could his expression sadden more and more. "I'm starting to think you're smarter than me". "Maybe 'causs I am" you sneered and you could Tim smile a bit, probably because he'd never actually seen you smile since you got there.

After that, you stuck around Tim more. You usually hang around Alfred Barbara Bruce and Tim. You and Tim like to discuss topics that revolve around books and ideas for his suit to look better than everyone else's. You usually like to chill with Barbra and take turns being oracle sometimes. Alfred likes to have tea with you when you both have time. You and Bruce usually play chess or discuss ways on how to improve his tech. Sometimes, he'll even try to tell a dad joke because he's heard that dad's make jokes like that so he tell them to you because he wants you to feel like he's your dad.

Being new isn't gonna be easy, especially with Damian, they can be terrifying sometimes. But so far you're having fun, and you're happy being able to call them your family and to call the manor your home.

[bluejaysandblackbats]

Lily of the Valley

Fandom: DC Comics, Batfam

Summary: Jason Todd dies and comes back to life. As the League takes him in, he navigates his morality and family values over the years.

Chapters: 14/?

Characters: Jason Todd, Talia al Ghul, Ra’s al Ghul, Damian Wayne, Barbara Gordon, Dick Grayson, Bruce Wayne, Sheila Haywood

Relationships: Jason Todd/Original Character(s)

Additional Tags: Immortal Jason Todd, League of Assassins Jason Todd, Protective Talia al Ghul, Good Parent Talia al Ghul, Jason Todd Needs a Hug, Good Sibling Jason Todd, Hurt/Comfort, Adopted Children, Resurrected Jason Todd

Chapter Fourteen: Baby's Breath

His tenth nightmare or hallucination in three days. Ra's didn't allow anyone to see Jason during that time. The first two days, all Jason did was sleep and wake up screaming, but the third day was different. Jason sat up in a panic, but there was no screaming. Ra's waited for Jason to speak, but he didn't have anything to say. Instead, Jason broke down and wept. Ra's hesitated before wrapping his arms around Jason. "It's alright-."

"I'm sorry I failed you-."

"You wouldn't have fallen had you not been ill. In fact, I'm proud of how you carried yourself despite your attraction to Saru," Ra's grinned.

Jason blushed and pulled his shirt up over his mouth. "Is it obvious?" Jason asked. Ra's shook his head.

"But you are attracted to her?" Ra's questioned. Jason sank into his pillow as he nodded. It was just Jason's luck that Ra's decided to show his more casual side as soon as Jason developed his first crush. He wasn't sure if he preferred this side of Ra's or the cold and distant one. "Jason... I've been thinking. I was going to send you on another assignment straight away, but I've decided I'll give you a choice." Ra's was sincere, and Jason felt like he was being tested.

"Would you like me to go?" Jason asked.

"It's not a test. I'm asking you what you want," Ra's replied.

Jason answered without thinking and wasn't sure he said the right thing. He didn't get a chance to ask Ra's anything further before Ra's left him alone in the room. Jason climbed out of bed and tried to follow Ra's into the hallway, but it was empty. He awakened with a start and nearly screamed as he met eyes with the Ra's he knew. "I'm not dreaming, am I?" Jason questioned. Ra's felt Jason's forehead.

"What did you dream about?" Ra's asked. Jason bowed his head.

"You want to send me away again... Don't you?" Jason mumbled. He bowed his head and hid his face in his hands. Ra's took Jason's wrists and shook his head.

"No, that's not what I wanted to talk to you about," Ra's whispered as he felt the healed wound on the back of Jason's head. "Restored..."

"I'm ready to do whatever you ask," Jason replied.

"Good... Go see your mother and get some rest. There'll be no training for you today or tomorrow," Ra's commanded as he helped Jason out of bed. Jason looked into Ra's' eyes hoping for approval or forgiveness for his failure. "You're an al Ghul in every sense of the name. Now go to your mother."

Jason smiled and stepped forward until he mustered the courage to embrace Ra's. "Thank you for accepting me. You have my undying loyalty," Jason swore to him. Ra's wrapped his arms around Jason, and he let go. He seemed confused by the outward display of affection, but it didn't shake him the way it would've shaken Jason had the tables been turned.

Jason ran down the hall, searching for Talia, and she grabbed him, cradling his face in her palms. "You must be starving," Talia smiled. Jason nodded and embraced her. She kissed the top of his head and led him to the kitchen. "I worried you wouldn't be on your feet this early."

"Is Damian awake?" Jason asked.

Talia nodded. "He's in the kitchen. He's eating a snack before training," Talia replied as she wove her fingers through his curls. "It's midday... I'm sure something is cooking for lunch."

Jason took her hand and followed her to the kitchen, where Damian sat at the counter eating jicama. Jason snuck up on Damian and wrapped his arms around the child. "Could I sit on your training today?" Jason requested.

"Gē! Of course," Damian replied excitedly. Jason smiled and sat next to him as he grabbed a bite of Damian's raw vegetables. Talia looked fondly upon her sons as they ate and whispered for one of the cooks to serve Jason's dinner early.

Talia told him he wouldn't be training until the week's end as he gorged himself on his meal. "You've grown," Talia noted out loud.

"I have?" Jason asked. Damian nodded.

Talia nodded. Jason beamed and pulled his hair back into a bun before returning to his meal. Damian waited patiently for Jason to eat. Once Jason finished his meal, he picked Damian up and spun him around. "Di, you ready to go?" Jason asked. Damian nodded as Jason set him down. "Are you training with Saru again?"

Damian covered his mouth, and Talia shot him a glance. "Didi," Talia warned.

"But she told me," Damian whispered loudly.

Jason's eyes widened, and he crouched down to meet his eyes with Damian's. "Didi," Jason sternly whispered, "What did she tell you? Did Saru say something about me? Because I'm willing to fight her again. I'm not afraid of her." Jason's heart raced as he considered the prospect of seeing her again.

"Do you want me to tell her you'll fight her?" Damian asked.

"In four days... Ra's won't let me fight before then," Jason replied, "Will you go tell her for me?"

Damian nodded and pressed a kiss to Jason's cheek before running off. Talia smiled and shook her head. "Can we talk later?" Talia asked. Jason nodded. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm confused... I feel like things are different than before I left," Jason confessed as he followed her to the training room.

"Is it frightening for you?" Talia asked.

"Ra's said something kind to me," Jason replied. Talia stopped in her tracks.

"He did?" Talia questioned. She knew it wasn't in her father's nature to give a kind word without reason. It wasn't something that came easy for him.

"He said I was an al Ghul," Jason answered. She nodded.

"Never think otherwise," Talia grinned.

[002yb]

absolutely obsessed with your infertile!dickjay hcs!! but also curious about your take on a kind of opposite au: any thoughts on dickjay accidental pregnancy 👀👀

Thank you so much, anon!! You're so sweet. I've written up two accidental pregnancy scenarios below just for you~ I hope you enjoy!! (´∀｀)♡

Mistaken Infertility leading to Accidental Pregnancy 👀

Honest to goodness, they both wholeheartedly believe that children aren't in their futures. So when Jason gets pregnant he's very much alarmed because how the fuck.

Dick, too, is lost because how. Also, who?

And Jason doesn't take offense to that, given their circumstances, but he swears it's only Dick. It's only ever been -

Jason being spooked and concerned that Dick won't react to the news well. And Dick is reeling, for sure. But only because they're pregnant? Yes. They're going to have a pup? If Dick wants to.

And Dick - even if he thought he could, he would have never actively tried, but now that it's here and happening? The fact that this is a miracle aside, Dick could never not want to do this.

His smile is brilliant, devastating. They're having a pup. A litter? A pup! ANd that reaction. That pure joy gives Jason so much peace of mind and assurance; it soothes so many of the fears and stress Jason would have been battling with.

Dick taking Jason's face in his hands, squishing Jason's cheeks as he kisses him. It's little more than a peck before Dick is on his knees marveling Jason's stomach and Jason can't help the sputtered laugh as his abdomen receives a similar kiss. He's peppered with them until Jason falls to his knees too and they hug each other and it's sweet.

Proud papa!Dick telling everyone about their pup, about how Jason is going to be a mom and Dick gets to be a dad. It both embarrasses Jason and makes him all warm

Intense family of bats going feral over the news because it's Dick and Jason's pup and it's the first pup their pack will get and Bruce in particular is intense because he's gonna be a grandpa, a grandpalpha? He's happy. Hugs for his boys. Especially because he knows they were convinced they would never have the option, the choice.

Jason being genuinely happy to be having a pup with Dick, but pregnancy is a long standing fear of his so Jason is stressed; Dick is there with him though. He's terrified of being a dad - as terrified as he is thrilled. They're in this together though; they've got one another. And their pack who won't leave them alone. Just them working through insecurities together and it's lovely.

So many belly kisses. Jason gets annoyed with it because hello, he's still here too. Dick laughing but smothering Jason with affections until Jason shoves him away because ugh alphas

Refraining from the angst route but please do know that my default for Jason in these sorts of routes never fails to go tragic I'm just - o(-( the pain it hurts good

Extra Unplanned Pregnancy without the Infertility Storyline 👀

Where Dick has a no strings attached one night stand with Jason

It's literally a one-time casual encounter, one time; a quick one and done fling where they both let off steam and resolve a ridiculous amount of UST between them it's good

Contrary to popular belief, Dick isn't actually the sort to do that kind of thing. Despite any efforts, he's a traditional alpha; something he's been playfully teased about by friends

So for him to do this? He's a little proud of himself ngl.

But lbr Dick fails at casual right away because he's already thinking about doing it again. Consistently. A committed friends with benes situation where they don't see other people

Anyway, Dick is happy with how everything played out. Feels better than ever.

Relationships never end well for him, but this thing he fell into with Jason? They both left happy and no one got hurt in the end.

Little does he know 👀

And then from Jason's side:

Jason turning up on Dick's doorstep, agitated as all get out

Dick, hopeful and eager for a reprise because Jason doesn't just visit him out of the blue like this

And seriously right on the doorstep Jason just bluntly blurts out that he's pregnant. It's Dick's.

And Dick is just (ʘ‿ʘ) ???? because of course this couldn't be casual of course something like this would happen what in the goddamn omg okay this is fine but no it's not because Jason is clearly freaking out but so is Dick what do what ahhhhhhhh (internal)

Continuation to the above because Dick absolutely going through the full range of emotions from denial to acceptance; panic to excitement - all the feelings but ultimately tempering himself because Jason is very clearly going through his own thing and Dick needs to be there for him first and foremost as the baby daddy

Then it follows the usual storyline of the two of them deciding on what to do which is a rollercoaster of ups and downs and do we keep or not but what if this that and the other and they fall in love along the way and it's just a good time.

[dairy-farmer]

I have the first chapter of the Civilian AU done, it's just going through beta slowly, and I decided I wanted at least half of chapter 2 done before I posted since it's gone from 3 chapters to 4 somehow TT

But! In the meantime, do you remember the multi verse AU aside? Where canon or Canon adjacent BatFam meets Civilian AU BatFam? Well, currently I'm thinking about the reverse, for full Drama (tm).

A villain attacks a fancy gala event, a fundraiser for children's literacy programs in Gotham, planned by Tim, at Gotham oldest hotel, in the ballroom. The villain takes the building hostage kind of situation, but a child there is a meta kid whose powers of time and space manipulation, and manages to transport all 173 people to a new universe, where there is a hero named Red Robin.

Batman responds with Superman since a whole building being consumed by light and suddenly being replaced by a similar building, one without any snow and whose lights are all lit. He ends up calling Diana and Superman, plus a few other league members because he quickly realizes there's multiverse travel involved.

News channels abound by the first hour, interviewing scared guests, alternate versions of Gotham's elite and some underprivileged children and their parents. Among them is Bruce Wayne and a strange woman none of them recognize on his arm with a baby on her hip.

The woman is beautiful despite being chubbier then most socialites, but would be just curver anywhere else. She does wear the Wayne Family jewelry however, a keen Vicki Vale notes, cornering her while Superman talks with this new Bruce. And then she manages to get one of her most viewed clips

"Tim Wayne, but Mrs. Wayne is fine Ms. Vale."

"And who finally tamed Bruce Wayne? What's your maiden name, Mrs. Wayne?"

"Drake, Timothy Drake." And so the world (mostly gotham, goes fucking insane." Oh, of course they find out Tim was just his secretary but it calls everything else into light. New light is shone on Red Robin and Bats both in and out of cape, while people keep trying to save Tim Wayne from his bad situation. Jason Wayne is also there, trying to defend his step mom and Dad, while everyone else thinks they're like in a cult or something. The cult of Bruce as it were.

Red Robin is so into DILF Bruce and his wife and soon gets seen making out with Mrs. Wayne of course 🤭🤭🤭

-Lady Lilac aka ♡♡♡

😍😍😍😍😍!!!! i LOVEE canon-verse/canon adjacent interacting with the multiverse!!!!!!!!!

i love the idea that tim in the civilian secretary au is a real martha wayne type socialite! because even in red robin and batman's universe this sort of expected way that married socialites are supposed to behave and act. no matter how progressive society becomes high society very much has deeply patriarchal values and failing to adhere to them gets you excluded, shunned, and bad mouthed. so everyone, bruce too, needs to adhere to it. and as much as the whole 'playboy' thing may have been entertaining and funny for much of high society, the older he got meant more than a few people started...wondering why he wasn't settling down. it's not like he was short of choice. and him turning down their daughters and such would be alright with them if he brought around women of equal or better standing but instead he'd bring about the likes of miss....selina kyle. well then at that point more than a few people start getting offended. angry even. bruce has a lot of money and has done a lot of work to make sure civilians never perceive him as more than a harmless idiot and that's great. that helps a lot for his work as batman. but it damages the work he can do as bruce wayne. bruce's actions are seen as disrespectful towards people with very deep pockets, deep pockets who can do a lot for the city. while the batman of one universe has a lot of charitable endeavors and does well...he doesn't do nearly as well as the batman of another universe. a batman who got married to a wonderful, darling little wife. who had plenty of rosy cheeked babies that all the wealthy grandmamas at galas and balls would coo over and pinch. a batman who managed to not step on any toes with tim there to apologize for him and grease squeaky wheels, who worked with him as a well oiled machine to make sure every ambitious goal they had in mind for the city came to fruition (because it turns out that bruce is more at ease at those events if he has someone holding his hand). tim takes the reins of the good will and projects for a 'better gotham of tomorrow'. being held in high regard means more solid connections, ones that bruce doesn't have the luxary of like of the newest mayor who is listening very intently over hor d'oeuvres about improved city planning so all those abandoned factories that are all around the city can re-enter production (sure it will make some people are a lot richer than they need to be but it will also ensure that a boom of jobs occurs in gotham with it's struggling market). so tim has his "little projects" that the other wives and ergo their husbands attend.

because tim is VERY well received by high society and all its stuffiness because he plays dutiful, loving wife who supports his husband.

tim and bruce's eldest child is just starting elementary school and it brought out stories from jason about his first day in first grade and about how he'd been one of only three kids who had been able to read a handful of words by the end of the year. and tim...well he thinks of all those children in his step son's place who still don't have the resources. the gotham media eats up how tim always has a new project coming out. a few of the crueler journalists make a joke about how he almost pops out as many charities and benefits as he does kids. that particular online newspaper gets blacklisted from all WE events.

tim does a good job and its the first of his projects he's undertaken with jason helping him on. having jason around helps especially since tim is very far along with jason's latest baby sibling. the program for literacy is a success. it's also the biggest task they've undertaken since in their research they realized a significant portion of adults from the lower income bracket in gotham were also illiterate. jason is the one who comes up with the idea for making the program run on a tv channel. unlike when he was a kid, nowadays most people had tvs. and since there were no playgrounds or places to play that didnt have broken bottles or dirty needles lying around that meant most kids watched tv.

having the kid's program be on tv meant that other information like job resources, night schools, and other programs could be spread to the parents of the child who were either in the room or watching with them.

it's a success. jason is the happiest that bruce has ever seen him as he gets ready for the one year celebration at a nice vintage hotel that is popular with the older crowd of socialites. normally jason hates these events but he's more than willing to shake a few hands in order to see the looks on kids from his old neighborhood's face when they see that the night's goal for the benefit is converting some of those condemned apartment buildings into a multilevel afterschool care center.

damian is relieved he doesn't have to go and has volunteered to stay the night with his younger siblings (no one mentions about how dick is upstairs and could easily babysit).

tim is cooing to their sweet one year old that they're taking (with them because the baby can be a little fussy) and beautifully filling out the silk halter dress he's in. their poor baby is whining and pawing at his mother for milk even though they're trying to wean him.

bruce is happy and content to accompany his wife and sons to the event. that changes very quickly when some masked gunmen show up because of course something has to happen when they're doing something for the underprivileged part of gotham.

jason is furious and carefully shielding tim and his baby brother across the room while bruce is in agony having to watch them as they're ordered on their knees with their side of the room.

but then...something pops.

there's no other way to describe it. it's like a big shiny soap bubble in his ears inflate and...pop.

bruce recognizes the sensation. it'd be hard not to recognize the sensation of dimensional travel though....he doesn't recall it ever happening with such a massive group before. in fact it might be the whole building because the front doors suddenly let in a gust of icy gotham winter wind even though bruce knows for a fact it's july.

normally bruce would be on alert. an entire building of people suddenly appearing must've set off every large energy monitor in the cave. if there's a batman in this dimension then...he must already be on his way.

the lights in the ballroom cut out for a moment but flicker back on. the gunmen are hunched over alongside many other guests who are in pain from sudden popped eardrums. many of the young children are crying including bruce's youngest child who is sobbing and burying his face in his mother's neck. the lights flicker again and bruce's knuckles throb from knocking out the gunmen as he crosses the ballroom to reach his family.

bruce is right about there being a batman in this universe and it appears this batman has wisely requested the justice league come help. and he does arrive. but not as fast as the gotham media who descend on this event like bloodhounds.

a few guests make calls on their phones, which apparently still work, asking for ambulances because a few of them panic at the blood leaking from their ears. ruptured eardrums are hardly something to panic about but bruce's heart aches at the sound of his baby sobbing. jason is helping comfort the other children while bruce carefully checks over tim, pressing firm fingers to tim's soft, pillowy sides.

bruce pulls himself from tim's side for only one reason and its at the sight of superman. his family might have thought he's turned into a softy ever since tim entered his life but if this is a universe with a hostile superman...well he'll deal with it.

it's not. clark is just as he remembers him. despite his firm voice in questioning and wary gaze as bruce approaches, dodging other reporters, there's a...softness...a relaxed sort of fondness that bruce hasn't seen in a while.

things had been awkward for a while after bruce married tim. and although clark may have come around there was an awkwardness between them. clark may not have said lois disapproved of their continued friendship- and maybe he did it to spare bruce's feelings but...he knew.

with this clark, once he figures out bruce isn't a threat by listening to his steady heartbeat, there's no...tension. no small lines of stress between his brow.

it's while he's talking with clark that the batman of this universe shows up and starts harshly interrogating him in low tones, quiet enough that surrounding guests being interviewed or attended to by paramedics don't hear. it's while theyre occupied that vicki vale makes her move.

bruce really shouldn't be surprised by the sharpness and readiness of the media. especially vicki. after all, it was those drama ridden articles she published about him and tim that was what landed her a talk show spot on good morning gotham.

the clip is circulating barely three hours later but within minutes of vicki finding out tim is his wife other reporters similarly descend and bruce has to leave the conversation to protect his wife from all their probing while dismissing their questions with tense words that they're frightening his wife and child.

jason swoops in for a rescue but grows hostile at the accusational questions about bruce and his and tim's relationship.

jason's harsh demand that they leave his mom alone elicits even more buzz. elicited and bloodthirsty buzz.

it reminds bruce a lot of how the media acted right after his surprise wedding announcement.

bruce is stuck dealing with a repeat of that so that means that fixing the whole dimensional mess falls to the batman and justice league of this world. thankfully keeping track of the guests is easy since they're in a hotel that had been on the decline for awhile and there are plenty of open rooms to house all the guests and families that attended.

turns out that in this universe this hotel was boarded up and shut down ages ago. that at least lightens concern about the hotel that is now in bruce's dimension.

it's been a while since bruce was enveloped in a media storm but thankfully, once they get over their shock, this dimension's batman and the justice league start gathering all the reporters up, trying to limit their probing into the situation given that the average person has no experience with alternate dimensions.

bruce appreciates it even if he catches a few of their grimaces and pursed lips. a few of the bats remain at the hotel to oversee and monitor the situation.

bruce recognizes all of them except one dressed in red and black wearing a cowl.

he catches the name. red robin. but can't quite pin the name to the suit.

until a few reporter photograph open windows and both he and the rest of gotham are treated to the sight of red robin and his tim wetly making out. black gloved hands squeeze his tim's plush waist and full tits and oh how bruce would recognize that pretty blush painting the visible part of red robin's face anywhere.

and well...bruce must admit he's only human. and given the stress of the situation he's certain that he's allowed a moment of weakness.

[northsealight]

Hey, when you said RHATO Jason is the worst version on your last ask, were you referring to the first comic, second comic, or the Webtoon? (Honestly annoyed the Webtoon took that name, makes things even more confusing)

I have problems with all 3 (Webtoon most of all for sure, with the second and first switching places behind it based on what characters or plots I’m thinking about tbh), but I was just curious haha

oh. oh. oh you're not ready for this. I've been trying this entire week to find a good time to air out my thoughts:

so! in my opinion (again, this is not shaming anyone for liking what they like! if you happen to like RHATO!jason all the more power to you! dont read this!) all three reiterations of RHATO!Jason .. are not great. the one I think might have potential to be salvaged is the second one with Artemis and bizarro! (although roy harper is in my heart of hearts)

the way Jason is written in rhato... the rhato written by Scott Lobdell anyway, (who is actually a sexual predator and when you start to think even a LITTLE about how the women are written in RHATO makes so much sense) portrays Jason as yet another cookie cutter anti-hero-deadpool-esque personality who's mainly confined by the narrative restraints of his character.

I say this because hes so.... the way he goes about his vigilantism is so .. shallow. It's like the narrative is finding excuses to make him violent so the reader can be stimulated with Michale Bay explosions lol. You hardly see any stories in there where Jason is an actual champion for the people, and you hardly see his background as a street kid come into play... its like... he became... a vigilante because....he knows how the system can fail those... alienated and forgotten by those sworn to protect them... and thus channels his energy into said people through acts of radical protection... (also because the whole bruce thing yeah I know)

I keep thinking about injustice!Jason's monologue where he literally says something along the lines of "while bruce and clark were fighting I fought for the people who were being caught up in the whole thing" like if that doesn't just tell you who he is idk what will! and sure, injustice isn't Jason source material, so look at under the red hood! he literally becomes a drug kingpin TO CONTROL crime ... and then instead of getting these immense shows of care he has for the community in RHATO, we get panels like this:

like ok get it I guess 😭😭😭😭

this is the new and improved Jason!! he's suave.. hes American... he's... just like every other antihero now!!

I don't know how to explain it without sounding like an idiot- best bet is to read the comics yourself to kinda get what im saying! but even rebirth Jason is (kind of) getting what RHATO Jason doesn't-- he's a product of his huge heart. rebirth Jason has countless stories where we see how Jason ACTUALLY operates as red hood, and what his symbol means to the citizens of Gotham!

if you pour too much grit and "edginess" into Jason, then you kind of miss what he's all about- he can still be silly and sarcastic! in fact, one of my favorite Jason moments is from red hood: lost days, a series where he's portrayed as an edgy, "misfit" ruffian:

like. hello this is hilarious. and we can still have moments like these while balancing his emotional range as a vigilante that's motivated by his big fat heart! (ignoring the fact that he slept with Talia in the next issue 😭 Jason fans can't have shit 😭)

but anyway! ill likely add more when I'm not feeling so tired, but god!! is it so hard to show Jason's propensity for kindness!! is it so hard to realize that his character to the core is revolved around a deep understanding for others based on personal experience!!

there's a reason why DC (in the rare moments when they know what to do with his character) always writes stories with Jason consoling children, or Jason being good with kids in dangerous situations!

it's because he's been there before. he's felt the grief and confusion of being helpless in a situation of his control. he's felt the consequences of adults who were supposed to protect and raise him! he's been killed for daring to cling on to the notion of trust even after all he's been through!

and I don't know, I think his dedication to the people, children especially, is his way of forgiving himself- his way of telling little Jason that it wasn't his fault.

[sardonic-sprite]

Dad!Tim AU pt 3

Part 1 tw for referenced rape

The first few weeks are a challenge

They have to teach Eira how to eat/drink from the bottle, and it's nowhere near as simple as Tim would have thought. She just doesn't seem to know what to do with that tiny red mouth, and so she barely gets the food in, then she cries and cries and CRIES because she's hungry, and Tim starts crying too, because he's failing at this already. Steph's the one who finally cracks the code, and though she grins and tells the astonished batboys it was magic, she quietly murmurs to Tim that her Baby struggled too. Tim finally hugs Steph then, and they just sit together in the nursery for a long time

Diapers are another mess. Tim feels like he must be sick in the head for this but he just. He can't. Dick's the one to sit him down and tell him its ok, he's not sick, trauma gets processed in hella weird ways and he's not fully surprised. He pitches in, and so does everyone else (except damian. He is above soiled diapers thank you) and slowly Tim goes from being in the room, to watching how it's done, to doing it on his own. It makes him feel better about himself, even if he cannot wait until they can get through the "potty training" thing

But when it comes to calming her to sleep.... this, THIS is where Tim finally feels like maybe he can do this Dad Thing after all. Being such a new baby, Eira wakes up A LOT in the nighttime. And despite there being several people off patrol to help be caretakers, Tim is without fail the first to wake up and leap across the hall (if he wasn't on the nusery couch already) and scoop Eira up and hold her gentle and close against his heartbeat and murmur sweetly to her. But Not sweet nothings. Becuase theyre not nothings to Tim. When he says "It's ok, I'm here..." and when he begins to add, "I love you" he says it because he MEANS it. And as if Eira understands, she calms. She clenches her tiny itty bitty fingers in his shirt like Tim really is her only liferaft in a storm, and her squinched little face smooths out, and she'll give the most precious soft sigh he's ever heard before she's asleep again

To spite her being sentenced to death for her gender-based "uselessness" by Ra's, Eira becomes the most prized little princess that has ever joined the batfam, and that is SAYING SOMETHING

It has been close to forty years since Alfred has held a baby and godDAMN he's missed it. He is very good about sharing though, and is watchful for Tim's sake that she's away from his arms for long enough but not too long, remembering how downright feral Martha and Thomas could get when other people held Bruce without giving him back. Actually, plop Eira in his arms and Alfred will tell ALL KINDS of stories about Baby Bruce. Bruce is mortally embarrassed but the kids LOVE it and will literally forfeit their own chance at baby cuddles to hear Alfred detail Bruce's show-stopping discovery of his own toes.

Bruce had a month in a PICU ward during med school, so he knows ABOUT babies but he's never had one in his family before, but OHMIGOD BABIES ARE THE BEST FUCKING THINGS EVER OH GOD SHE'S SO CUTE OH FUCK HE WANTS ONE TOO-- he's very excited to be able to hold and care for one :) there's messy emotions in there too tho, both on the side of realizing that he never GOT to see any of his kids as babies, even Damian, and that kinda makes him sad, and then also.... this is supposed to be a miracle, he thinks. Sometimes its like they all forget, when they hold Eira or see Tim hold Eira with that loving awe on his face.... that she's only here because of something evil. Something cruel. And that's not her fault and it is good and right in many ways to disconnect the tragedy from the miracle.... but he also privately warns his own children every so often to tone down certain jokes or comments

Dick’s right there with him. Every so often, looking at Tim and Eira, he can't help but wonder what if Catalina...? Would that have helped or made it worse? Or would he have ever even known? And then he has to just Stop before he drives himself insane. He'll refocus on playing baby games with Eira, or changing jason's ringtone to Baby Shark, or ordering Tim to take a nap gdi there are 8 other people in this house and any one of them can give Eira her bottle

Cass has appointed herself Eira's personal body guard. She hovers like a mother hen, is constantly on watch (its hard to even get her to come on patrol) and scolds anyone who's holding her wrong or taking too long with a bottle or diaper. She won't confront it, but she knows it comes from her guilt. She didn't protect Tim, but she'll be DAMNED if she can't protect Eira

Babs has never interacted with babies, really. But wow is Eira cute. She's also super cuddly, which adds to the adorableness. Babs does a fuckton of research and privately keeps an eye on Eira's developmental progress, making sure her arduous first few hours post-birth haven't fucked her up too badly. So far so good. She also tries to keep an eye on Tim to make sure he's not running himself into the ground. So far... as good as can be expected.

Jason is still slowly trying to burn the league to ashes and salt the remains, but HOLY FUCK HE HAS A BABY NEICE WITH TINY TOES AND THE CUTEST FUCKING GIGGLE OH GOD WHY IS SHE SO CUTE THIS IS UNFAIR HE CANNOT FUCKING DEAL. He is constantly volunteering to help, and also constantly marvelling over the fact that he's ALLOWED to. Hes killed people. He nearly killed Tim once. But Tim trusts him enough to lay this tiny sweet little baby girl in his arms with a yawn, and say he won't bother to tell Jason to take care of her bc he already knows he will. Its honestly the most wonderful feeling in the world. (But hes still got an immortal bastard to murder. Yknow. After baby snuggles.)

Steph... is ok. Totally. Truly. Shes not at all thinking about her baby, who she never named, because she gave it away. Shes not thinking of the agony of labor, or the wonder of seeing the small, living and breathing human that was made inside her body. Shes not wondering how in the world any mother who birthed her child could ever stand to let it be buried in the snow to die. .... shes lying. Tims 17. Hes still just 17 and hes doing it, raising his kid. Hes not that much older than Steph was. But then she reflects, hes got a house of a dozen people to help him, with ANYTHING he or Eira might need. Steph didn't have that to give her Baby. She has to still believe she did the right thing.

Damian is slowly adjusting. Something shifted between him and Tim that first night in the nursery, when Damian all but named the child born to replace him for a role he no longer wants anything to do with. The two aren't friends by any stretch, but there's something calmer and respectful between them. The words they speak don't cut. The jibes they make are light. Damian's not sure if it's something to do with Tim himself, or with the infant almost always clutched to Tim's chest, but his brother seems wiser now. Not so foolish or flippant. It makes Damian respect him more, but he can't help but feel guilty it took trauma to get them to such a point. But its ok. They'll work on it.

And Tim... Tim. He loves his kid. He knows that. He loves that little girl more than he's loved anything in the world before. So whatever happens, he can get through it. For Eira.

Edit: part 4