#and that Bruce brought him over to his house without a second thought of his secret identity

[an-android-child]

Just watched this episode of btas for the first time in my life and. I'm devastated I'll never see more of this kid again

[thecclover-fanfictions]

A Confession...The Grandmother

The telephone rung and hastily Camilla closed her wardrobe, jumped on her bed and grabbed it up from the floor. Virginia meanwhile had given up the pleas to place the phone where it always was: on the commode in the corridor.

But, it didn´t matter anyway. If Charles didn´t call in the morning and late in the evening and over the day, if he knew Camilla was at home, then it was her sister Annabel or her mother. And if Virginia really got a call now and then, Camilla, almost bugged off, would hand her over the phone with a demanding: “Hurry up, dear!”

But now it had to be Charles as he promised her this morning to call her around midday from his office.  He was really in a hurry as they woke up much too late as they had watched silly TV shows until midnight while making love on the sofa and later in her bed again.

“My pillow is still smelling of you, darling!,” Camilla laughed into the receiver while snuggling into the cushions. “Uumhhh…darling?,” Rosalind confused asked.

Camilla jerked up and heavy blushed. “Ooohhhh…Mummy!,” she covered her mouth with her hand and stuttered: “Oh….sorry…sorry…I thought…it..” “No, it´s your mother.” Rosalind chuckled. She never would be a friend of the lifestyle now, to live together like man and wife and have regular sex without a marriage certificate. Well, she herself and Bruce couldn´t wait until their big day as well, but this was another thing of course. And Charles had captured Rosalind´s heart completely, she just tolerated these things and kept silent.

But she very quickly changed the topic. “Darling, in two weeks I have a few appointments in London. And I thought, maybe if you have time…and if Charles has also…we could have lunch together,” she brightly smiled in excitement. Camilla could hear it and chuckled inwardly about the fact that Charles had charmed her mother so much and she hardly could wait for meet him again. But…”Mummy, I really don´t want to go out and show him around like a trophy!” “No, no, dear. I thought I could cook something in our flat!”

Of course, this could work. “On which day exactly you´ll come over, Mummy?” “On Wednesday in two weeks.” Camilla sharply exhaled and her heart made a fast beat. “Oh…I´m afraid we won´t have time then…” Rosalind´s corner of the mouth sunk down in disappointment: “Oh no…but why? Has Charles an appointment? But you could come alone then!”

Camilla loudly exhaled again: “No…no…I have an invitation.” Rosalind frowned: “With whom?” “Charles´s grandmother.”

Rosalind shortly squealed before it was silent in the line. And then she stuttered: “You mean…you mean…” “Yes, Mama,” Camilla interrupted her with a lightly strained voice, “he only has this grandmother.” It was silent again, but Rosalind couldn’t see that her daughter had tightly wrapped the telephone cable round her index finger, bit her lower lips and waited for an answer of her.

“Oh, dear..,” Rosalind whispered. “But why didn´t you tell me earlier, Milla?!” Camilla sighed and scratched her head. “Charles had told me only yesterday…,” but this wasn´t actually the excuse. The reason was that she started to panic by thinking of this, that she imagined the worst things ever to happen: a accidentally but total misbehaviour of herself or that The Queen Mother wouldn´t like her or that she would tell just very stupid things…She tried to avoid thinking of this day, but still had opened her wardrobe to the thousandth time today to check her possible dress. Without any success.

“Where will you meet her?!” Rosalind asked with a tumbling voice. Meanwhile she was probably more excited than her daughter. “In Clarence House…,” Camilla answered but these outspoken words brought back the panic inside. “Good Lord!” Rosalind whispered.

But this had to be enough to wonder now, Rosalind decided in the next second. It was a fact that her bubbly daughter was the girlfriend of The Prince of Wales, it was a fact that she would introduced to The Queen Mother and so it was a fact that something has to be done.

“I will come to London tomorrow, darling. We need a dress. And a plan.” Her voice became very steady, almost demanding. Camilla sighed in relief. Somehow this was what she had waited for, she just hadn´t even dare to think about it. “Alright, Mummy!,” she answered without her usual veto. Suddenly the prospect of meeting Queen Mum wasn´t so very frightening any longer. Her mummy would be there for her, and Charles anyway.

Though he saw the whole thing a bit too light hearted, at least for Camilla´s taste. Just out of the blue, between two kisses on the sofa and as if it was the most normal thing in the world, he told her of the invitation from his grandmother. Camilla almost fell off the sofa, but Charles watched her frowning. It was already a fact for him that the two most important women in his life would get along very well. Yet he embraced her laughing and chuckling in adoration as he felt her panic and insecurity. For a second Camilla thought about refusing the invitation, but she knew it was unavoidable. She wanted to be with her little prince, so she just had to overcome a hurdle now and then. It was just part of the strange life he leaded and that she shared now in some ways. And, she knew very well how much he longed for this meeting.

But it wouldn´t be her wonderful boyfriend if he hadn´t promised her to stay by her side all the time, that really nothing would go wrong and that he´d rescue her if something would happen nevertheless.

And with his soft and loving, but very longing kisses down her body he made her slowly forget the upcoming day at least for the night, but made her even clearer how much he loved her, with his heart and with his body…

It rung immediately again as Camilla had hung up the phone. And Charles didn´t wait for her “hello”, he immediately started with a chuckled “How are you, my lovely chatterbox?”  “Whaaat?!,” she laughed back. She felt so much safer now and hearing the voice of her little prince made it even better. “Yes, I´ve tried to call you three times now and it didn´t work!” “I didn´t talk more than five minutes, darling,” Camilla still laughed, “how long did you try?” “Three times in a directly row!” Camilla laughed louder: “You are crazy!” “No, I just adore you. Who was the important person, if I may ask?” “Uummhhh….my secret admirer!” “I will find him!” They both giggled until Camilla said: “It was my mother. She will come her tomorrow.”

“Really?” Charles was excited, he had lost his heart to Rosalind. “Oh no, I will be away all the day tomorrow, I had loved to come along!” Camilla cheekily answered: “No, you hadn´t anyway! It will be a girl´s day!” Charles heartily laughed: “Whaaat?! And why?” “Aahh…Mummy will help me with my dress…” “Which dress? And what for?” Charles was slightly confused. “Oh darling! For your grandmother!” Charles moaned: “Lovey! It will be a wonderful day! Because you are wonderful…and all your dresses are wonderful as well!” “But I have nothing suitable!” Charles frowned again, this was one of the woman things he couldn´t understand. “But your wardrobe is full of dresses. And I love them all!” “Yes, you love them. But it´s nothing for your granny! Too short, too long, too fashionable, too worn out…” Charles grinned: “And too sexy…Yes, alright. Buy a new one. But not too grandmotherly, will you promise me?” Camilla chuckled: “I will think of you, darling.”

The next morning a black cab stopped in front of the house, Rosalind jumped out and came back not even five minutes later with her daughter in tow. They didn´t talk much on their way, Rosalind just lovingly stroke Camilla´s back and encouraged her: “We´ll find the right for you, darling.” She was very proud of her daughter, yet she wasn´t sure where her way would end. But somehow she had known, since holding her in her arms for the first time, that this little girl would be different, something special. And though her stubbornness sometimes wrecked Rosalind´s nerves, she felt Camilla would need it in her life, for reasons whatever.

The cab stopped in front of Harrod´s.

Straight forward Rosalind went upstairs in the Ladies´s wear floor. Camilla followed her with a strained face, she just hated shopping. And she knew that a real torture waited for her now, her mother wouldn´t let loose before she had found the absolute perfect dress.

Two saleswomen stormed towards them both, though they hadn´t passed the doors completely. Camilla inwardly rolled her eyes, these two ladies here came just out of her nightmares of a shopping day. Heavy rouged, with overdone hairdos and way too much perfumed they asked for Rosalind´s wish, with squealing voices. Their eyes got up and down on her and her daughter, checking every little detail of their bodies.

“So, we need a dress for my daughter. She got a really important invitation.” Camilla moaned inwardly and almost unnoticeable rolled her eyes to her mother. Rosalind smiled lovingly, she knew how reserved her daughter was about her boyfriend and she admired her even more for that. With a fake grin the both ladies neared Camilla: “Oh, how lovely! May we ask for which event exactly? As we want to give you the perfect dress, young lady!” Camilla hated them now and she had no idea how to come through the procedure.

Rosalind obviously didn´t care these two, but cleared her throat: “So, yes…she will meet her future in-laws…” Camilla gulped and heavily blushed. But, of course, what else should her mother say?! That she will meet Queen Mum, as her boyfriend is Prince Charles?!

The two women moaned in feigned admiration and checked Rosalind again with wandering eyes to discover her financial limits. She had almost to laugh and wide grinning, but friendly said: “The price isn´t important. It has to be perfect.”

Almost curtseying the two women made an inviting move of the hands to follow them.

With a straight back Rosalind crossed the room, followed by her scuffling daughter. She half turned around while walking and hissed: “Darling, please…” Sighing Camilla squared her shoulder, of course her mother was right. And, she thought of Charles and how very important the whole thing was to him. And, out of the corner of her eyes she spotted something and suddenly wide smiled.

All sorts of dresses were ripped down from the clothes hangers now and shown to them. With an exactly explanation of the textile and the shape. After three dresses Camilla stopped listening to them, in contrast to her mother who imbibed each of the ladies´s words and very soon was involved into a lively discussion.

Camilla stepped aside a bit to look around, stepped even more aside without the recognition of her mother and turned away.

A few minutes later her mother jerked at her shoulder and shocked hissed: “Daaaarling, please!” She gulped by watching the thing Camilla hold in her hands and clearly admired. A mint green lace bra, with a very low cut, almost transparent with matching, very small panties.

Blushed Rosalind turned around her head to look at the saleswomen who pretended not to have seen anything and she determined took back the undergarments. She took her daughter by her hand and smiled over to the ladies: “I think we can start now!” To her horror Camilla watched the changing cubicle for her, in front a clothes rail with lots of dresses that obviously were in the choice.

But she kept smiling, a bit cheeky indeed. She had promised her boyfriend to think of him, and she did. She would.

After changing into the tenth dress Camilla desperately watched her mother, her hair a mess meanwhile from dressing in and out. The two sales women tugged at her from the right and the left, arranged the collars and sleeves and fumbled at the hemlines. They didn´t ask Camilla, they just talked Rosalind almost to death.

“Mummy, Mummy…,” Camilla sharply interrupted the two ladies, “I want that dress,” and pointed on the last one in the row on the clothes rail. One of the ladies rushed over, took the dress and hold it up. “It´s made from a newcomer we want to give a chance for his first collection,” her squeaky voice sounded. “He is very talented in making humble things looking wonderful. His name is Bruce Newfield.”

Camilla didn´t care the brand, she just needed a fine dress and this was the one she liked from the first view on. Quickly she slipped into it and watched into her mother´s happy smiling and satisfied face. The saleswomen said nothing, just stared at her with wide eyes.

The dress was more than perfect. It was pink, ended a palm above her knee and the textile flattered her wonderful curves. The upper part that ended shortly under her breasts was hold in white. It was chick and classy, but still modern, not too overdressed, just the absolute right thing for a visit to The Queen Mother.

Speechlessly one of the ladies grabbed the matching coat from the clothes rail and helped Camilla in it. Rosalind smiled even more, she never would dare to say this, but her daughter looked like a princess to her. “And, darling? What do you think?” Usually her daughter wasn´t one for looking twice into a mirror, but Camilla couldn´t hardly take away her eyes now from her own picture. Yes, it was perfect, but most of all she would feel safe in it. “We will buy it, Mama.”

With her last power she endured some pins to make the dress completely fitting, within a few days she could pick it up then.

Rosalind paid it all immediately and the ladies almost carried her on her hands now. She thanked them exuberant for the good advices and kindness and Camilla inwardly rolled her eyes again about the scene.

Outside they snatched the next cab, exhausted flopped on the back seat and Rosalind just yelled out, with fits of giggles: “Hoooooorrible! Just horrible!” Camilla was confused, actually her mother was happy with the dress choice yet. Frowning she watched her and Rosalind laughing grabbed her daughter´s hand: “Those two old boots up there! Horrible!” Camilla couldn´t believe it, but her mother really joked about the saleswomen up there. She felt, that she still could learn a lot from her mama.

A few days later she entered a cab in front of Harrod´s again with two bags in her hand. A huge one with her new dress and a much smaller one with something carefully wrapped into thick paper.

And then came the day when she wasn´t raise out of her sleep the way she did since knowing her little prince.  Either Charles woke up beside her and kissed her good-morning or he rung her out of her sleep, already sitting in his office.

But today she even could watch the dawn, still snuggled in her blanket though, as she still was reluctant to get out of her cosy nest that somehow still smelled of her boyfriend from two nights ago. Some time later the phone rung and her hand angled up the receiver. “Hello, good-morning,” she answered with a lively voice. Charles was perplex, usually he was greeted with a “mmhhh…”. “Darling…?,” he insecure asked. Camilla giggled: “Good morning, my darling.” “What´s up? Did you have an all-night party?,” he chuckled disbelieving. Camilla just laughed as an answer, what had she given now to embrace her prince and feel his warmth and being secured by him. “Are you nervous, lovey?,” he asked with a low voice. “Mmhh…”

Charles kissed the receiver: “I know, I´ve told you thousandth times before you haven´t too. And, yes, you really, really haven´t too. But…I´m a bit excited now as well…” Camilla sharply exhaled: “Why, darling?” She feared he could have lost his confidence in her, but Charles answered: “Because this will be one of the most wonderful days in my life, so far.” Camilla just didn´t know what to say, even more as he continued: “As the two woman I love most will finally meet. You will make me very happy, darling.”

This was one of Charles´s specialities: leaving her in shivers, helpless and speechless, overwhelmed by his romantic moves out of the blue. And his declarations of love, so very different and special from any others she ever had heard of.

Charles had loved to pick her up in the afternoon, but of course he had an engagement and hoped that he would be on point at Clarence House. Camilla didn´t just hope it, she prayed to God.

And she didn´t know how she managed to get through the day. She had no appetite at all and her stomach started to tumble heavily if she even just thought at what would wait for her. Of course her mother had called in the morning, as she was at least as nervous as Camilla by herself. Even Bruce grumbled something from the background, like “good luck, old bean” or something. He tried to not make any fuss around this event, yet Camilla knew he would restless stroll through the garden until she would call back at home. But her mother reminded her of the correct curtsey, they had practised for hours, as it to do with Charles was hopeless anyway. He didn´t want to see her curtsey to him, not even in fun, and just kissed her down on the floor if she tried.

Much too early Camilla started with doing her hair. Actually Charles always loved it the way it was, but this time Rosalind wasn´t fine with it. After torturing her daughter with doing the right curtsey they had tried out several hair dos. But Camilla wouldn´t do more now as using a straightening iron to smooth down her curls and bringing them into a light wave. This was something she would feel comfortable with, and Charles hopefully too.

She almost lost her nerves with this thing and had to start three times, swearing to use it never again. Still there was more than half an hour to wait until one of Charles´s driver would pick her up. Camilla had begged him not to send one of his prestige cars, she knew he wouldn´t mind to see her in the back of a stately Rolls Royce.

Twenty five minutes later, she had just checked her hair, her light Make Up and her dress for the thousandth time, the door bell rung. Her heart made a jump before it sunk into her boots. For one second she watched Milla from Plumpton in her mirror, who accidentally was invited to a member of the Royal Family. Her corners of the mouth sunk down and her gaze became flurry, as always if she was nervous to death. But then her little prince appeared in front of her eyes, with his adoring smile and all the wonderful things he did to her. Immediately her eyes begun to sparkle and she happy smiled. With squared shoulders and a last gulp she opened her door and got out to the waiting car.

Charles had made the compromise to send a huge Range Rover. But this time she wasn´t able to chat with the driver, he just grinned now and then and the only thing he said, was: “Don´t worry. She isn´t that bad.” Camilla gulping just nodded and watched out of the window, her sweaty hands tightly wrapped around the carrying strap of her white handbag.

It was heavy traffic and the driver made some risky overtaking manoeuvres to stay in time. Charles had probably killed him for bringing his most precious girl in danger, but Camilla was so nervous, she barely noticed that.

They passed Buckingham Palace and her heart raced like mad. She had loved to have a cigarette by driving down The Mall and almost fainted as the car slowed down to turn left into the Stable Yard Road. Behind the trees the white front of Clarence House appeared and all what she could think of now was that hopefully her little prince would wait for her round the corner.

The car passed the guard, turned right and stopped in front of the main door, under a huge veranda. The door was open and a servant carried down the marble steps a huge tray. He shortly greeted her, watched her one second longer as necessary and disappeared in the garden.

Nobody else was seen and hesitantly Camilla got out of the car. Carefully she watched into the house, but already the small entrance hall took almost her breathe away. It was overloaded with china vases and almost tacky dog figurines.

Not even one second later, but to her it seemed like ages, hastily and jumpy steps sounded. And to her very relieve Charles turned round the corner and run down the corridor to her, with wide spread arms. His face beamed with overjoy and happiness and he excited breathed: “Darling, darling, darling…hello darling!” He grabbed her upper arms and placed a huge smacker on her lips.

Camilla had still wrapped her handbag and stared at him with nervous eyes. Charles chuckled in adoration, grabbed her tighter and rubbed nose with her. “Aaww, darling! What´s up with you?” Camilla had to chuckle as well now, she knew it was ridiculous and almost never happened to her, but she trembled in her nervousness. Desperate she leaned her head against his shoulder and Charles, still chuckling, whispered to her: “Wait, wait…” while pushing her into the house.

He quickly grabbed her hand and jumped up the marble steps with her and then to the right into a room.

He embraced her tightly and cradled her in his arms while placing soft kisses on her lips. “It´s just my granny, darling. And I´m with you! Old Fred is here!” Eventually Camilla could laugh again and Charles beamed at her. “I just hope I won´t behave like a silly idiot, Fred!”, she sighed. Charles laughed louder, somehow he was so relaxed, Camilla noticed. “Usually this is my part, darling!” Then he grabbed her hands and became serious: “No, sweetie. Everything will be fine, you´ll see. And…,” his eyes started to beam again, “I love you. I´m very, very happy.” He said this with the voice she always got weak knees from, a voice that would sound ridiculous with all the other men in the world. But from Charles it was like to be on pink clouds.

She just tightly embraced him and nodded into the crook of his neck. “Love you too, Fred,” she breathed and kissed his throat. Being in his arms let her really calm down, at least that much to stop trembling. So she happy smiled up to him now and satisfied Charles put his arm round her shoulder. They shared one deep glance before he pointed into the room. “This here is granny´s Morning Room.”

Camilla wondered, she always had imagined a Morning Room to be bright and friendly. And this was what she knew from her own granny´s room at Hall Place too. But here it was dark and old fashioned. Through Camilla´s mind rushed a short picture if she would have a Morning Room for her own. What of course never will happen, she corrected herself immediately. But she would love to have it bright and sunny and the furniture would be held in dug egg blue, with matching curtains and wallpapers.

“Ready?,” Charles brightly smiled at her. She deeply exhaled, nodded and with a steady voice answered: “Ready.” Still wrapped her Charles guided her to the main door again but his arms slipped down on her then to hold her elbow gently. Camilla knew it was inappropriate to show some physical affection here, but she had loved it just right now. Still she was thankful to feel something of her boyfriend to give her hold.

They stepped out into the garden and passed some flowerbeds and a hedge. Camilla´s heart bumped like mad, she could hear the blood running through her veins. Again she asked herself what she actually had lost here, but by watching her beaming boyfriend beside her she got back some confidence.

Charles winked at her and suddenly started to giggle. In front of them appeared the servant from earlier and just right now Camilla noticed that he behaved a bit strange. He had a really wavy hairdo, wore very red trousers and moved in a swinging walk. “This is Backstairs Billy…,” Charles chuckling whispered. Camilla started to giggle as well, she didn´t want to, not yet. But Charles´s laughs infected her always in the same way hers did to him.

But she stopped laughing as they made a few steps more and watched a small lawn. In the shadow, under a huge tree at a table sat Queen Mum. Steadfastly she watched them and Camilla´s body tensed. Her mouth dried and her body slightly started to tremble again.

Charles felt it and grabbed her elbow tighter. “Don´t worry, darling,” he whispered to her and his thumb gently stroke her. His voice was still full of happiness, even more as they eventually stopped in front of his granny´s chair.

“Granny, she is here!”, he almost tumbled. Queen Mum had taken away her eyes completely from Camilla and happy smiling stared at her grandson, still she remained sitting. She reached up her arms to him and Charles got down to embrace her. Obviously he hadn´t seen her today and just had arrived, Camilla´s confused mind composed.

They kissed each other´s cheek and Queen Mum mumbled: “Oh, hello my darling!” Her voice sounded so different to what she had sometimes heard on TV, Camilla thought. But Queen Mum still ignored her and adoring stroke her grandson´s cheek. Charles grabbed her hands and watched at Camilla: “Yes, granny. This is Camilla.” He hastily corrected himself: “Miss Camilla Shand.” He spoke out her name with such a pride, Camilla wanted to sink into the ground as she still had problems to understand which reasons exactly Charles had to be proud of her.

And eventually Queen Mum turned her head around and watched Camilla with all the power of her eyes. Within milliseconds she had scanned her, Camilla felt it in every inch of her body. But she had a poker face, she didn´t smile nor did she look grumpy or unpleasant.

Breathless, almost frozen, Camilla curtseyed. And in this moment she didn´t know how perfect it was, her mother obviously, luckily had really drummed it into her. From far away she heard Charles´s: “This is granny, darling.” Queen Mum, still sitting, reached out her right hand to her, her eyes glued on Camilla. She took the hand, or better just her fingers in the way her mother had shown it to her, and with a surprisingly self-confident voice said: “Your Majesty, I´m very pleased to meet you.” Queen Mum just slightly nodded.

Charles quietly sighed in adoration for this scene and his eyes wandered from his girlfriend to his grandmother and back then.

Suddenly and quickly Queen Mum turned her head away from Camilla and watched at Charles: “Don´t you want to sit down, darling?” Camilla´s heart raced, she was unsure if his granny meant just Charles to sit down or them both? Maybe she already had done something wrong or ridiculous?

Charles took the chair in the opposite of Queen Mum and said: “Come here, darling!” But she interrupted him, still not watching Camilla and jarred at the chair by her side: “No, no. Here!” Smiling even wider Charles took this chair and nodded to Camilla to sit down. He took the free chair and satisfied leaned back.

Almost to be at the ready Backstairs Billy appeared again. “Tea, Ma`am?,” he bowed down. Lovingly smiling Queen Mum nodded and quickly got her cup of tea. “And the young lady here?,” he watched Camilla with curious eyes and imbibed all of her. Not even half an hour later all the staff would know exactly about her appearance…

“Yes, thank you,” she gulped and Charles hastily added: “With a sip of milk, please!” Billy bowed down again and did how he was told.

Camilla recognised how Queen Mum had checked her again during the scene, all of her. Her behaviour, her face, her dress and her voice. But she looked at her grandson again: “And, how was your engagement, darling?” Charles shortly told her, or better his girlfriend. He just couldn´t take away his eyes from her and just now and then looked over to his granny. Camilla felt better slowly, Charles nearness and his lovingly gaze let her calm down a bit.

But she almost unnoticeable jerked as she heard Queen Mum´s voice: “Don´t you want to drink your tea, Miss Shand?” Hastily she turned her head to her and watched into a still mysterious pair of eyes.

Forcing a smile Camilla took her cup and gulped down a mini sip of tea. And she couldn´t believe her ears as Queen Mum suddenly started to talk: “So, your father is still in the army, Miss Shand?” She didn´t take her eyes away from her for one second. Pressing her knees tightly against each other Camilla started, intensely followed by Queen Mum, without any facial expression.

But she wondered, Queen Mum did know a lot. She almost enquired her, calm but deeply, until Camilla had told her every step of her father´s carrier. And his interests and his way of life anyway.

She didn´t know that Queen Mum already knew all of her, since weeks actually. Since learning that her darling grandson was fallen in love with a girl she did an in-depth analysis of her. She also knew that she was the former girlfriend of her godson, Andrew Parker Bowles.

“Don´t forget your tea, Miss Shand,” Queen Mum demanded her while looking at Charles again. “And you too, darling,” she lovingly smiled at him. But Charles was over the moon. Totally relaxed he had leaned back and smiled adoring to the both ladies in his life.

But Camilla felt so insecure just right now. She really couldn´t evaluate what Charles´s grandmother thought of her, but somehow she had the feeling she didn´t like what she saw. She hadn´t smiled to her, she often turned away her head from her and her voice just lived up when talking to Charles.

Out of the blue she was asked again: “You said earlier that you love riding, Miss Shand?” Camilla couldn´t remember to have mentioned this, but anyway. This was a topic she felt safe in and had a lot to talk about. Lively she told about her own horse, in the stables of her parents and the little breed they had. For the first time Camilla watched Queen Mum leaning back in her chair and fumbling at a huge Art Deco diamond ring at her left hand.

Again out of the blue Queen Mum asked her: “So, what do you think of the winner on Ladie´s Day at Ascot?” This was nothing Camilla could confuse. She knew all about the races, even more as Charles was on first hand for in-depth information.

She felt how he lovingly squeezed her hand and crossed fingers with her. She wasn´t sure if this was appropriative just right now, in front of his grandma, but as she turned her eyes to him she couldn´t other as squeeze him back. Queen Mum noticed very well, and again, how they sunk down in their own world for one second and obviously could read their minds mutually.

Charles didn´t let loose of her and Camilla calmed down more. Queen Mum just ignored it and watched straight into Camilla´s eyes. “What do you think of the garden here, Miss Shand?” Her hand wandered around, while still staring at her. Camilla started to sweat again, what should she just say? Luckily she spotted a small rose tree in the back of the garden: “I think it´s wonderful that you´re able to grow those kind of roses here, in the middle of London. Usually they are at home in a lot warmer regions.” Camilla´s heart bumped heavy, she hoped she hadn´t make a fault just right now.

For the first time today Queen Mum lightly smiled at her. Charles almost fell off his chair in pride and grabbed her hand tighter. Camilla could read in his eyes that he had loved to kiss her, but his granny interrupted their exchanging glances. “Darling, would you excuse me now? I have a Dinner later and have to go up.” Camilla understood that this was the sign that the meeting had ended now.

But before she could say anything Charles jumped up, wide smiling: “Of course, granny. I will just bring her to the car!” Queen Mum nodded silent and still glued on her chair. Without any facial expression again she reached out her hand to Camilla, watched her curtsey and motionless listened to her: “It was a real pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty!”

Camilla had grabbed her handbag with both hands, smiled nervous and felt Charles´s hand touching her again. Now he had tightly linked arms with her and pushed her round the corner.

Camilla desperately watched him and sighed: “Oh darling, I´m so sorry!” Charles frowned: “Why?!” “Because…as…I don´t think it went very well.” Charles laughed and stopped her, grabbing her upper arms tightly: “No! It went perfect! Really!” Camilla feared he lived more in a wishful thinking now as in reality: “Charles! I don´t think she will like me!” Charles still laughed: “Darling, it´s just her way! She is carefully, but believe me! She likes you, very much!” Camilla sighed again, she really wasn´t sure about this.

But she could smile again, very brightly indeed as Charles embraced her and whispered into her ear: “Guess who has time tonight to visit his wonderful girlfriend?” Camilla was overjoyed, actually he had a Dinner too tonight. But now…life wasn´t that bad.

She smirked to him: “That´s wonderful. Virginia isn´t at home tonight….” Charles grinned back cheekily and affectionately kissed her good-bye with a wink. “Have I told you already how wonderful you look actually? You really have thought of me with this dress.” Camilla smirked even wider: “Yes, I have thought of you!” With an asking gaze Charles watched her, but she quickly escaped him by jumping into the car.

Backstairs Billy stood in the entrance door again and very lightly bowed to Camilla with a smile as the car started.

A few hours later her door bell rung again and Charles almost jumped in. He lifted her up and turned around and around with her in the small corridor. Camilla squealed and giggling steadied on his shoulders: “Heeeee, what´s up darling?” Happy giggling Charles let her down, but embraced her immediately. He radiated with happiness and love and adoration for her: “I´ve told you that she likes you. Very much!” Camilla stopped breathing for a moment and clawed into his back as he almost yelled out, with a tumbling voice: “She has invited us to Scotland! Very soon! To Birkhall!” Camilla just stared at him with wide eyes and Charles lovingly jerked at her: “To Birkhall, Darling! Not to Balmoral, to Birkhall!” Camilla knew what that meant…

She had cooked her little prince´s favourite meal tonight. Holding hands they sat in the small kitchen and Charles happily munched his girlfriend´s cooking wonders. No one, not even the best chief in Buckingham Palace, would do this better for him. As it was made with love.

Not one little bit was left over as Charles leaned to her and kissed her for the thousandths time this day. “Darling, why actually you are wearing a bathrobe?” With a mischievous grin Camilla took him by the hand and pushed him over into her room. Chuckling Charles raised one eyebrow, but not even a second later he had problems to breathe properly.

Camilla had opened her belt and whispered: “I wasn´t sure if you want to have dessert tonight.” The bathrobe slipped down her shoulders and fell on the floor. And she was dressed just into a mint green lace bra with a low cut and very small matching panties…

[theyellowhedgehog]

Bruce Part 1

Ripple Effect Au

An AU of reverse robin where Damian is the oldest, and became a hero Gotham need. Tim is the second oldest that became the Grandmaster of Court of Owl. Jason in the middle and Dick the youngest. None of them became robin, except for Dick.This is the a parallel universe of reverse robin.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------Bruce was eight when his parents were murdered in front of him. And at 14 he started his training, and took over WE at 18. At the age of 21 he set out to train under different masters with the goal of vengeance to the criminal and justice for his parents.

On his journey, Bruce arrived at to a small village in Thailand. There he met with a master who taught him Muay Thai. When the Master notice that Bruce was actually learning this martial art for revenge, he immediately dispersuade Bruce. The boy doesn't listen,so the Master brought him into the mountain where's a large tree with a house built on it. On the ground there was a small little hut.

In the front of the hut was a man in his late forties, slicing the neck of a chicken and a little girl holding a bowl to catch the flowing blood. When they notice them, the man told the girl something, and the little girl immediately put down the bowl and run back into the hut.

The man stood up with a bloodied knife in his hand. He give a respectful bow to the Master but watched Bruce with weary eyes. Bruce watched the Master conversed with the man in Thai language, he could only understand a words that involve his name, Bruce. Bruce glanced behind the man, at the hut to find two head poking out looking at them curiously. One was the little girl from before and the other was who Bruce assume the wife of the man.

When the man caught Bruce looking at his hut, he immediately charged toward to harm Bruce with his knife. If Bruce was without training, he could get decapitated, but he dodge in time and went into defense.

Bruce tried to reason with a man that doesn't understand his language and back off to a certain distance .The man stopped, eyes never leaving Bruce. Bruce held up his hand to show he meant no harm and back away slowly where his Master was waiting for him. The man also retrieve to his hut when they got to a good distance.

On their way back, his Mater told him that the man name is Atid. He has no last name. And he was a soldier in the second world war. Atid was 19 when he was forced to participated in the war. When he came back he became a different boy from before. He would scream at night and cause a ruckus in the village. Everyone would be afraid of him. One day a little fool befriended him. She would be the only one who would dare approach him.

But a terrible incident happened, the little fool was raped by the son of the chief village, and this lead Atid to beat the bastard to death. The men of the village beat Atid and drove him into the forest and forbid him from entering into the village ever again.

During that time, the Master was a new resident that just arrived to the village. And one day, he saw Atid stealing his chicken but he did nothing. Another day, he notice another chicken missing but he never complained. The next day instead of finding another missing chicken, he saw a freshly killed pheasant on his table out in the front of his house.

Later, Atid and the Master have a proper meeting, he accepted Atid as his disciple. The Master turned to Bruce,

"Would you call him a monster because he killed a man?" The question stumped Bruce.

"Bruce, there are... two types of criminal. Those who are sick and those who are desperate. No one is born to be evil, Bruce."

This drove Bruce into deep thoughts. One midnight, Bruce was taking a leak outside when he saw the little girl sneak down the mountain into the village. Curious, he followed. He found the little girl was going to steal a chicken from a house. He quickly hiss to call out the girl. The little girl was surprise to find Bruce. But she stubbornly insisted on stealing. When the neighbor dogs began howling and barking, Bruce yanked on the little girl, covered her mouth and run back up the mountain before the homeowner came out.

After they got to a certain distance he put the girl down to gesture her to go back to her hut. The little girl glared at him. Bruce has never dealt with children so he awkwardly uses his hand gestures and awkward english. The girl looked at him weirdly, rolled her eyes and walked back up the mountain. When Bruce was certain she has gone back up, he went back to where he was staying.

The next morning, he went to the village to buy two chicken alive and told the Master to gift it to the man up the mountain. It worked because the next night, he kept watch if the girl would come down again, and she didn't. The weird thing tho, after that night incident, the little girl would always come to peak at him when Bruce was training. Bruce has some candy, and he would sometimes share it with the little girl.

What even more weird was whenever the little girl came to play with Bruce, her father will always be keeping eyes on Bruce from some distance. Bruce learnt that the little girl name is Chicha and she is now 6 years old. And unlike Atid, who doesn't talk and her mother, who is a fool, Chicha is the most talkative and bright girl. She would sometimes teach Bruce her language, and when Bruce false pronounce certain words to mess with her, the girl give him stinky eyes and roll away complaining to Atid.

Just as usually, Bruce would train and Chicha would come play with him with Atid observing from distance. However, when both of them heard Chicha's scream they immediately became alert. There from between the two trees was an enormous elephant armed with tusk and trunk as big as a man. Its large ears are fan out and it was staring straight into Chicha. Chicha immediately run to Atid and when Bruce notice the Elephant was about to chase her he grab whatever was near and threw it at the elephant, completely drawing its attention to himself.

"Shit." he swore under his breath and tried shouting to scare away the elephant and made his form appear bigger,but what would look big to a normal prey animal would only be tiny in front of a giant elephant. Bruce saw it clearly wasn't working, so he immediately took off into a run where the trees are dense. From a distance he saw Atid shouting at him, but Bruce had no clue what Atid was saying. Bruce has no idea how to scare away an angry elephant and all he pray was to get through it alive.

Bruce ran to where he recognise Atid hut was and heard Chicha screaming for him up on the tree house. Bruce look at the rope ladder and doubt he could climb up in time but it was his only hope. The elephant sped up as Bruce only got to the third knot on the ladder.

That's when a large explosion sounded, successfully scare away the elephant. Bruce made it up the house and lay down catching his breath because his legs were shaking unable to bear his weight. In the tree house, Chicha was beside him offering him water with Adit and his wife by the window. Tilted out the window was a large bamboo smoking from one end.

Bruce exhale shakingly trying to control his limbs to stop trembling. Due to that event, Bruce has gotten close to Chicha and Atid. Atid would let Bruce train under his house so that they would have quick escape if there were another elephant attack.

It has been 1 year since Bruce's arrival in Thailand. He has advanced in Muay Thai each day and it come to a period where the master has nothing left to teach him. Bruce has decided to leave at the end of the month. He fell asleep thinking what sweet to buy for Chicha as a parting gift before he goes.

But before he was fully fell in sleep, he was rudely awoken by loud banging on the Master's door. Bruce came out to see the wife of Atid telling the Master something in their native tongue. All he could made out was the name Atid, Chicha, chicken, steal and fight. Bruce quickly follow after them into the village.

When they arrived the scene was chaotic. But in Bruce's sight, he only see the bloody body of Chicha lying on the ground with Atid fighting off men, armed with knives, spears and ropes, with bare hand. Atid's wife, him and the Master ran to check on little Chicha. The small girl was already blue and cold. The only sound ringing in Bruce's head at that time was the scream of a heartbroken mother and the Atid's scream in anger and agony.

There were 5 men on the ground already killed by Atid. One man got an opening on Atid and jab a knife into his neck. It was all happening in the same time that Bruce didn't even has a moment to collect his thought. Bruce shot out to save Atid,the Master hasn't had a chance to stop him.

He was blindly bulldozing himself into the men that got Atid pin down. He used whatever things he had mastered. He incapacitate them render them unable to fight but not dead. No, his only thought was they deserved more than what a quick death could offer.

When the Master has able to pull him away,the villagers and the head chief looked at him in fear like he's a monster. The Master pushed him away. Bruce walked back mindlessly. His body was barely standing but he manage to made it to where Atid's wife was digging a hole to bury her daughter and husband. Bruce grabbed a shovel and start digging as well.

The Master came back to them covering the pit with dirt. Atid's wife was crying into the ground - fisting the ground. The Master put a hand on Bruce's shoulder

"You have to leave, Bruce." Bruce doesn't stop shovelling the dirt into the pit.

The Master turned his disciple to face him, "Go and never came back. If they alert the authority you might never leave!"

Bruce's red eyes looked into his Master's own ones, and turned his face to the mourning wife, "She-"

"I will take care of her!" The Master urged his disciple and dragged him away, "You must leave now!"

Bruce took a bath, washing away the dirt and blood. Before he left, he found himself in front of the dirt grave again. Bruce knelt and put down a pouch of candy he always carried, on the smaller dirt pile.

"I'm sorry I couldn't protect you."

Bruce ignored the silent footsteps that came up to the grave. He stood up in his own pace and turned to face his Master.

"Master, you have asked me if all criminals deserve to die. I have came to realization that what I want to do what protect those who can't protect themselves. Those who are incapable of protecting themselves." Bruce looked into his master's eyes determined.

"But I have also realised, that I cannot protect them if I am not the bigger threat. Atid was able to protect what is his because the people were afraid of him. And today I realised that I need to bring them to the retribution that they were not afraid of."

Bruce walked to the Master, "Tell them that I will come back to bring retribution to their actions."

With that Bruce left.

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

[asterias-record-shop]

╭════• ೋ•✧๑♡๑✧•ೋ •═══╮

— she’s my alibi

╰════• ೋ•✧๑♡๑✧•ೋ •═══╯

inspired by ‘please mister jailer’ from Cry-Baby (1990)

𓆩[main masterlist]𓆪 𓆩[request/ask me something!]𓆪

The feds finally think they can finally pin a murder on Jason before he tells them an alibi you can back up.

The minute Jason was dragged into the precinct, he grinned. He knew what was in store for him, but he also knew that he had the most perfect alibi; fucking the lead detectives daughter in a house Bruce bought without a second thought for him to live in with you.

You hated your father; after years of neglect because of his job and anger issues you were always on the receiving end of, at first, your relationship with Jason started out purely in spite. It was a situationship based purely off of lust and resentment toward the same person, but soon enough, it developed into something more, talking about your lives that were similar in ways and your futures that would soon enough be intertwined.

He was pushed into the chair a little too rough, a scoff falling from his lips as your father pulled out the chair, sitting in it while opening up the file. “Where were you last night, Todd?”

“Why do you need to know?” Jason concluded he’d play hard to get this time, at least until you came stomping through that door like you promised you would when they brought him in for questioning, changing out of your skimpy nightdress into something more presentable. “What happened last night, Detective L/N?”

Jason couldn’t wait to change your last name to his own, that way the two of you could cut ties with this man as quick as you could.

“You tell me, Todd,” he threw an 8x10 picture of a dead man Jason had seen a few times — a drug dealer that hung around his old apartment he had beat up a few times for trying to sell crack to some kids. “You know him, don’t you?”

“I knew him,” Jason corrects, gesturing down at the picture. “He’s obviously dead.”

“Obviously,” the detective says as though it was the most obvious thing in the world. “I can’t believe it.”

“I know right, I can’t either! Can I go now?”

The detective stands, glaring down at Jason. “Don’t start with me, Todd. You live in the apartment right-”

“Lived,” Jason corrects, tapping the file with his name on it. “You should update my file. I moved just recently to a house in suburbia, right on the bay.”

Detective L/N scoffs. “Oh yeah? Did you now?”

Jason starts to grin, crossing his arms. “Mhm. With my lady friend, yeah. Pros of having a billionaire as my adopted dad.”

Your father hummed, pulling out a sticky note and a pen. “Oh yeah? What’s your lady friend’s name? It is just one of them, right?”

Jason’s jaw clenched as he leaned forward, his fist tightening. Even the thought of having another woman besides you was sickening, and the thought of having more than one partner besides you made him want to punch your father more than he normally did.

“She’s my fiancée, asshole. Let me give you her number first instead,” he starts listing it out, watching as your father scrawled it down before humming. “Look familiar?”

He paused, staring before pulling out his phone and slowly typing it in.

“You don’t recognize your own daughters number? What a horrible father, I have it memorized,” Jason smiled, leaning forward as he tapped the sticky note. “Probably why she’s screaming out my name every night.”

Your father dropped the phone, quickly bending over the table to grab Jason’s collar before the door busted open. “Detective, don’t do that! Stop!”

Jason laughed as your father is dragged out, crossing his arms while leaning back in the chair. “Let me know when Y/N’s here, you can’t hold me with no charges!”

He could and he knew it, mainly because the window of 24 hours wasn’t up yet, but he know you’d be here soon with his bond. He twisted the gold band around his ring finger, humming softly to the tune you sang in the shower every once in a while before the door opened and you came stomping in, two helmets in hand.

“Jay, let’s go,” you ordered, scoffing as you glared at the reflective mirror. “They got nothing on you.”

He stood, walking forward and sending you that signature smile before cupping your face and pressing a firm kiss to your lips. “Whatever you say, mama.”

You smiled as he took his helmet, holding your side as you both slowly walked out, his body close to yours. “Your dad give you trouble, mama?”

You snorted, shaking your head. “I fucking wish he would’ve.”

Jason stayed close to you as you both walked through the police department, all eyes on the chief detective’s daughter they watched grow up and an orphaned misfit following behind her like a puppy on a leash. It was true, he would follow you around wherever you wanted him to like he was now, hand firmly on your waist to guide you to the door while holding his helmet with the other, lips pressed against your exposed shoulder as you both finally made it outside of the precinct.

“Jason?”

“Yes, doll?” He was already straddling the seat of his bike, waiting for you to come behind him as you stood next to him. “What’s wrong, hm? Baby? They got nothing on me, remember?”

“Promise?” You whisper, inhaling as he shook his head and pulled you closer. “Y-You left last night… afterwards. Did you go there? Jason, we said no more lies, don’t lie to me-”

“Y/N, doll, can we do this somewhere else, please? Somewhere not in front of the Gotham police department?” Jason tries to suggest before you cross your arms, raising a brow.

“No, I want you to speak, right now. We promised no more lies, Jason, don’t lie to me!” Your yell makes the door of the precinct open, your father stepping out with a few more officers as Jason cursed softly.

“I went to go see Dick, alright?” He whispers, stroking your cheek as he pulled you closer. “I promise you, I’m not lying. He’s in town for a few days, so I went to go see him at the house. I promise, that’s where I was, you can call him.”

“Then why didn’t you say that?” You whisper, shaking your head. “I thought we were past you using me as a pawn to get to my dad. Didn’t think you’d use that damn excuse whenever the whole fucking precinct was watching your questioning.”

Jason looked up at your father, the detective holding up his hands, one hand with a finger raised and the other a closed fist.

1 - 0

“Fucking bastard,” Jason cursed, you quickly looking back with a scoff. “He’s trying to drive a wedge between us, baby, can’t you see that? Come on baby, come on. Look at me.”

He cupped your face, pressing a firm kiss to your lips as he stroked your cheeks. “Jason, you promised no more lies.”

“What did I lie about, baby? You scream my name out every night, just like I told him,” he laughed lightly as you shoved his chest, biting back a smile. “I was with you last night, I went to go visit Dick, and I didn’t kill him.”

“Promise?”

“I swear, baby.” He pushed your hair back, pressing his forehead to yours. “You said no more lying, and I’m not. You’re my alibi baby, you always are.”

“I love you,” you whisper, stroking his cheek with a sigh. “I love you so much.”

“I love you,” he whispered back, pressing another soft kiss to your lips before pulling away to slip your helmet on your head and put on his own. He leaned forward as you quickly got on the bike, arms wrapping around his lower torso and hands settling near his groin and thigh as he looked at your father with a middle finger up before turning on his bike and speeding off.

When you both stopped at a red light, you pushed your hands up his thighs, already unzipping his pants as he groaned. Your hands slowly pump his cock as your helmet tucked into his neck area, your giggles making him groan.

"For fucks sake, Y/N."

You had made him cum at least twice on your ride home, thankful for the fact that Jason took the backroads back to your now shared home right on the bay. You both laughed, ignoring the cop car now stationed outside of your house, giggling Jason pushed open the gate to your backyard.

He had installed a bed outside right next to the pool, easily slipping off your helmet and his and placing them both on the ground. He smiled, laughing as you leaned back on the bed and pulled him down to lean over you, giggling along with him as his hands tug off your pants, pawing at your thighs as he giggled.

"For fucks sake, I can't wait to marry you."

You laughed, cupping his cheeks. "Well then, speed it up. Let's get married tomorrow."

He paused, tilting his head to the side. "What?"

"Let's get married tomorrow," you giggled, shrugging. "I'll buy a nice dress; you don't even have to wear a suit-"

"No," Jason dismissed the thought, shaking his head. "When I marry you, I'm going to do it right, do you understand me?"

You laugh, nodding. "Okay."

"I love you, Y/N L/N. And I'm going to make sure everyone knows it."

Taglist: 𓆩[@lem0ns77]𓆪   𓆩[@cecepop15]𓆪   𓆩[@memeorydotcom]𓆪   𓆩[@your-favorite-god]𓆪   𓆩[@xyzstar]𓆪  𓆩[@just-my-shit]𓆪   𓆩[@your-mom21]𓆪   𓆩[@c78r]𓆪   𓆩[@dizscreams]𓆪   𓆩[@copypastedaphne]𓆪   𓆩[@asrt5]𓆪   𓆩[@xoxomoonlightbabe]𓆪   𓆩[@f-aggotry]𓆪

© asterias-record-shop

[prettyyoungandbored]

Becoming Mrs. Wayne [The Dark Knight] Twelve

Pairing: Christian Bale!Bruce Wayne x OC

Summary: Demetria Gallagher knew her cozy life would change the second she became engaged to Bruce Wayne. But what she doesn’t know is she’s getting more than what she agreed to. (I am trash at summaries.)

Warning: Angst. Pure angst. Cursing.

Taglist: dragonballluver, disgraceful-marvel-trash, barikawho, claudiahxrdy , @christianbalefanatic, @librarianafterdark​,  @rosegxoxo​

Author’s Note: This chapter is dedicated to the anon who wrote me and said they got so into reading this series that apparently, their mom whoop their ass. I apologize for past and any future ass whooping.

A silence was shared between Demetria and Alfred as they waited on bated breath for Bruce’s return.

Demetria twirled the pendant of her necklace as Alfred checked his watch every few minutes or so. The old man’s eyes shifted to the young woman.

“What exactly did Master Wayne tell you about the night his parents were murdered?” Alfred questioned.

She thought for a moment. “Just that they were leaving the theater when some guy from the mafia shot them down in an alley,” she recalled. “He told me the name but it’s escaping me at the moment.”

“Did he ever tell you that it was Gordon who found him?”

She shook her head. Alfred went on. “Gordon called me that night and told me he had Bruce in his office. He offered to bring Bruce to his house and then drop him off in the morning. I assured I could pick up. When I arrived, Gordon was with Bruce in his office. Another officer said Gordon wouldn’t let anyone else near him. Made sure he knew that that boy was safe with him. I suppose he might’ve forgotten that, but I can assure you, Bruce hasn’t.”

The weight of the situation felt clearer. It also made sense to Demetria as to why Gordon was Batman’s confidant. Bruce trusted Gordon.

The grumble of the platform rising down to the Batcave broke the silence, the two watching intensely.

Bruce kept his eyes to the ground, rolling his motorcycle to where he kept his other transports. Demetria and Alfred watched his every move when the old man gently nudged Demetria.

“I’m going to let you handle this one,” he whispered.

She gave a nod. The old man turned to Bruce. “I’ll meet you back at the penthouse, Master Wayne.”

Alfred was met with silence. Demetria mouthed “thank you” as the old man gave her a reassuring smile.

She turned her attention to Bruce, watching as he made his way to the desk. He leaned over the desk table, his head hung low.

Her heart fell to her stomach and she wondered if she was up for this challenge. She made her way toward him. What seemed so natural felt so awkward. She feared being clingy or overtaking his space, but still yearned to show love and support.

“Bruce,” she spoke up. She stood behind him, but gave him enough space as to not crowd him.  “This isn’t your fault.”

He didn’t look at her. “Joker wouldn’t exist without Batman.”

“Given Gotham’s history, I kind of doubt that.”

He turned to her as she flashed an apologetic smile. She took his hand in hers, quietly surprised he accepted it. “You knew when you took this on that there were going to be days like these. Unfortunately, this one was personal and I get it. I meant it when I said I’m here for you. But that doesn’t mean I’m also going to sit here and let you blame yourself.” She gave his hand a squeeze. “And I don’t think Gordon would want you to blame yourself either.”

He pulled her to him as she wrapped her arms around his waist. His forehead rest against hers as he melted in her arms and touch. There was something about the way Demetria would touch or hold him that brought out a vulnerability in him that he had pushed away since the death of his parents. She knew how to make him feel a peace he had sworn he’d never feel again.

“I don’t deserve you,” he mumbled, loud enough for Demetria to listen.

She pulled back and held his cheek in her hand.

“Don’t say that, ok?” she said. “I’m serious, Bruce. I never want to hear those words come out of your mouth again. If you don’t want me saying it, I don’t want you saying it. Understood?”

He nodded, taking her hand off his cheek and gently pressing his lips inside the palm of her hand.

“I need to be alone,” he told her gently. “Text me when you get home so I know you’re safe.”

She nodded understandingly. “You get home safe as well, ok?”

“I promise.”

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

She turned on the shower when she heard her cell ring. She looked to see the caller ID. 

She contemplated answering, but given what happened hours earlier declining it didn’t sit well with her. She turned off the shower and answered. “What Harvey?”

“I need to see you. Can you come down here so we can talk?”

She sighed. “I’ll send you upstairs. It’s safer up here. Bruce isn’t home.”

“I don’t-.”

“If you’re not gonna listen to me, then stop wasting my time because it already cost you a life today.”

Her tone was laced with a kind of venom she had never used on him before. She was surprised he didn’t yell at her or even hang up, indicating whatever it was had to be serious.

“Please let the front desk let me up,” he sighed.

“Fine.”

She hung up and dialed the front desk. After informing the front desk to let Harvey through, she set the phone down on the bathroom counter. She changed into black sweatpants and a grey turtleneck.

“Heads up, Harvey is coming in for a moment,” she informed Alfred as she walked past the kitchen.

“I assume I shouldn’t offer him tea or water?” the old man remarked.

She smiled before opening the door to see Harvey standing there. “What do you want?”

“Can we talk inside please?” he asked, a slight annoyance in his tone.

“We can go out on the balcony.”

She motioned for him to follow her. She led him outside and then turned to him again.

“You were right.” he sighed. “You were right and I’m sorry.”

Her eyes met the ground, lips pursed back. “I know you are. But I also know you enough to know there’s a favor you’re about to ask me so let’s just skip right to it.”

“I need to keep Rachel safe and she says this is the safest place in the city,” he said. “While I’m not completely convinced she’s safe here given what happened last time she was here and what happened to you at the party, I have to trust her. I know I have no right to ask anything of you, but I trust you more than I trust anyone right now.”

“Is it because no one else is around or did you finally get your head out of your ass?”

Impatience filled the sigh he let out. “Demetria-.”

“Gordon’s dead because you and the mayor just had to have your little parade-.”

“The Joker is coming for Rachel.”

Demetria stepped back, her anger subsiding to shock.

Harvey shoved his hands in his coat pockets. “One is his goons was disguised as an office at the memorial. His name plate said Dawes.”

It was her turn to sigh. “Oh shit.”

“I need you to promise me you won’t let her out of your sight,” he pleaded.

She nodded her head. “Of course. Whatever it takes.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it.”

“Does she know?”

“I told her.”

“Ok. Yeah. She’s good here.”

He went to make his way out, when Demetria said,“Harvey?”

He turned around.

“Do you remember what you told my dad the first night the three of us had dinner? He asked you why you wanted to stay in Gotham, and you told him it was because you wanted to give the city hope for a better, safer future. That’s what he liked about you, the fact you actually cared and you meant it.”

She paused. “When that Harvey comes back, let me know.”

With that, she walked past him and into her room. She grabbed her cell phone and texted Bruce.

Call me when you can.

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

Demetria stepped out of the shower and into the bedroom when she heard the distant sound of voices from the other side of the door.

Not only did Rachel arrive, but it sounded as though Bruce had as well.

Demetria changed into black flared yoga pants and a matching zip up hoodie.

Walking out of the bedroom, she noticed Bruce and Rachel confined to the back corner of the living room. While normally she didn’t bat an eye to their close relationship, something about this moment felt oddly intimate and that her presence was bound to ruin it.

“Everything alright?” Demetria spoke up.

Bruce opened his mouth to respond when Rachel beat him to the punch. “Bruce, has something he needs to discuss with you.”

She motioned to Bruce, whose eyes fixated on the floor. “You need to be have this conversation with her,” she lectured him.

“If this is about him being Batman, I already know,” Demetria reassured.

“It’s not that,” Bruce said, looking up. He turned to Rachel for moment before turning to Demetria. “I am turning myself in tomorrow.”

Six words formed a punched that knocked her out in seconds. Her mouth fell open slightly, body frozen still.

“Thats it?” she questioned, her voice low. “You’re not gonna discuss with it me? I don’t get a say in this?”

“There’s nothing to say, Demetria. I already made up my mind. What else is there to discuss?”

Once again, his words packed a punch, this time in the gut. She was beginning not to recognize her own fiancé.

“You’re kidding me, right?,” she scoffed. “What about the fact that the city wants your head because they think you’re responsible? What about the fact that The Joker could come after Alfred or Lucius or Rachel or me just for being associated with you. You turn yourself in, you put your love ones in danger.”

“Demetria-.”

“NO!”

The room fell to an immediate, harsh silence. It was a kind vitriol neither Bruce nor Rachel had seen from Demetria. Even Demetria was taken back by her tone. But she stayed firm, even as her heart raced and stomach churned. The young woman shook as she pointed a finger at Bruce.

“I am sick of being talked down to by men, especially by the ones who are supposed to have my back!” she screamed.

The rage and fury inside her made her dizzy, but she persisted. She had to.

“What don’t you get?! He won’t stop even if you turn yourself in. He will not stop even if he has full control of the entire city. He won’t stop because he has nothing to lose, unlike you. You will lose everything. You reveal yourself, you lose your life. You lose Alfred, you lose Rachel, you lose the city. Investors will pull out of Wayne Enterprises. Funding for your charities, including the orphanage is gone. Everything you fought for, your parents fought for is gone.”

“What about you?” he inquired. “Do I lose you?”

Hot tears filled her eyes. She couldn’t answer. Any strength she had left was gone, unavailable to be used.

Bruce gave a nod.  “My decision is made.”

That was it. The final twist of the knife. She was about to turn when she when she felt him grab her hand.

“Don’t fucking touch me!” she seethed, poisonous venom laced in her tone.

Bruce’s eyes stayed on her, almost pleading. Demetria tried to pull away but he pulled back. Rachel, having seen enough, pulled his hand away.

Demetria’s face softened to Rachel, giving her a thankful nod. She went into their shared bedroom, slamming the door and locking it.

[ragingbookdragon]

What Is A Mother, But The Woman Who Loves Us Most?

A Batmom x Batfamily One-Shot

Word Count: 3.3K Warnings: Angst

Author's Note: I know there is a story like this already (by a different author) but I should preface that this is a story that I posted a year or so before but deleted my previous blog last year, so it's not going to seem like it. I haven't copied any ideas, this is my own that I posted a year or so ago, and re-posting again now. -Thorne

You are not my mother!

The loathing words came out of his mouth before he could stop them, and he watched the cave go deathly quiet around him. Everyone's eyes were wide, even hers, but a millisecond later, they set in a hard stare as she stood straight, her jaw tightening.

She nodded, staring at him. "You're right Damian. I'm not Talia al Ghul. I'm not your mother. But I will tell you what I am." She raised her left hand, flashing the silver wedding ring on her finger. "I'm your father's wife. And what I tell you to do in this manor is what I expect from you."

He shook his head in anger, glaring at her. "This is my father's manor!"

"No Damian, this is the Wayne Manor. And I've been, to use a rather weathered term, the lady of the house for almost fifteen years. Long before you were even a thought in Talia's mind." He stopped and she crossed her arms. "I may not be your mother, but you are a child and your father and I are the adults. When you turn eighteen, you can make all the decisions you want. Until then, what we say goes."

His lips drew in a taut line and she added, "I've already talked about it to Bruce. You're not allowed on patrol after what happened at the gala. If you want to complain to him about it, he's going to tell you the same thing." Her eyes shifted to the others, then she looked back at him one last time before turning around and walking up the stairs.

When she was gone, he let out a shout in anger and threw silver coffee pot against the cave wall. It hit the wall with a clang and dropped, rolling on the ground a few times as it spilled its contents, much like his mood.

He felt their eyes on them and he whipped his head up, glaring at them. "What?!"

Tim and Jason simply narrowed their eyes at him, but Dick walked forward and knelt in front of him. "Kiddo, that wasn't a nice thing to say to mom."

Damian scoffed at him before shoving past, climbing up the stairs. “Like the three of you haven't said that to her before." There was no return to his statement, giving him all the answer, he needed.

***

He stepped out of the study stretching his arms and listening to the sound of his bones popping before he shifted, moving towards the door. The boys had left a few minutes earlier to catch a rerun of an episode of Vikings, leaving him alone in the cave.

Alfred walked up to him, handing him a sweater before motioning to the door. "Mrs. Wayne has taken a seat out on the patio. I suspect you'll wish to see her."

Bruce nodded, taking the sweater from him before thanking him and moving out of the study and towards the patio. He crossed into the living room as he did, stopping to stare at his four sons passed out on the couch. The TV was still going, so he leaned down, gently taking the remote from Dick's hand and shutting it off.

He set the remote down and started his path again, but stopped when he heard, "You going to check on mom?" He turned around, looking at a his oldest.

Bruce nodded, taking in the sight of Dick’s arms wrapped around all of his brothers. “After you boys told me what happened, I thought I should talk to her about it."

Dick nodded, reaching up and rubbing his eyes, careful not to wake the others beside him. "He didn't mean it...he'll see that when he gets over being angry."

Bruce nodded and leaned over, ruffling his hair. “Tell Jason that you two should stay at the manor tonight...it's too late for you to head home anyway."

Dick started to argue, but a look from his father and quick, “Your mother would have a fit if you two tried to drive home now or later…you know that.”

His son nodded and Bruce turned around once more, this time making his way to the dimly lit patio. His hand curled around the cool metal handle of the sliding glass door, and he quietly opened it, stepping out onto the deck. She lay on the porch swing, covered by a heavy hound’s tooth blanket, with a barely full wine glass in her hand.

He walked towards her and bent over, picking up the wine bottle; he shook it lightly before quipping, "I can't believe you've drank an entire bottle in one sitting."

As if finally noticing his presence, she tipped her head lazily to him and mumbled, "It's empty?"

He snorted and tipped the bottle upside down. "As it was the day before it was bottled."

Bruce paused and grinned as she huffed a laugh and brought the glass she had in her hand up to her mouth. He watched her down the rest of her red wine before she set the glass on the table; he set the bottle beside it and shifted her forward, easing his way behind her until they were both comfortable. She rested her back against his chest, her head dropping against his shoulder. His arms came up around her as he pulled the blanket up to her neck, keeping her warm.

He was quiet for a second then he murmured, "...The boys told me what happened earlier."

There was a moment of silence, then she whispered, "I know I should be used to it after hearing it come from each of them..." She stopped, then continued with, "But it still stings to hear it."

A sad smile crossed his lips as he pressed his lips to her temple. "Of course it stings (Y/N)...you're their mother and you love them." After he didn't receive a response from her, he tipped his head and looked down. "(Y/N)? Love?" She turned her head, and he took in the sight of the tears in her eyes; his face fell at the sight and he brought a hand up, cupping her cheek. "Oh…sweetheart."

(Y/N) choked out a sob and pressed her face into the crook of his neck as she clenched a hand in his sweater. Bruce rested his chin on the top of her head as he rubbed her back, comforting her with quiet words.

***

Damian watched them from the screen door, feeling his heart clench in his chest at the sight of (Y/N) sobbing. He swallowed thickly and stepped back, only to come into contact with someone—something. He let out a quiet gasp and spun around, seeing Dick staring sadly out at his parents, Tim and Jason behind him doing the same.

Damian looked at them and whispered, "What are you three doing?"

Dick glanced at him briefly before motioning to them. "We heard the sliding door open, and we went to listen."

"I didn't know you were eavesdroppers."

A hand came up and cuffed him upside the head; he held his head, glaring at Jason who bit out, "Shut up, two-bit. You were eavesdropping too."

Damian opened his mouth to retort, but shut it and turned back around, looking at her. A moment passed, then he mumbled, "You said the same thing I did." He looked up at his brothers, who wore clouded expressions; each of them nodded after a few seconds, and he asked, "What happened?"

Dick was the first to speak, remembering a time from when he was a mere ten years old.

***

He stomped angrily through the house, not even caring about her following him; she called after him repeatedly. "Dick. Dick, honey, stop for a second."

He didn't listen, still moving. "No! You grounded me!"

"And I grounded you for a reason. You deliberately disobeyed me." He grunted at her and she called out, her voice ringing with authority, "Richard John Grayson. Not another step young man." He stopped at it and she continued, "You left the cave tonight and went on patrol without asking. As your mom-"

He spun around, his eyes angered as he spit, "You're not my mom! Stop acting like it!" Her mouth shut, and her eyes went wide from the declarations.

She blinked, obviously stunned at his words, and she stared down at her hands murmuring, "I may not be your real mother...but I...I am...I..." She drew off, bringing a hand up to wipe at her cheek. Dick's widened when she looked up at him, and he saw the tears beginning to spill, running down her cheeks.

He raised his hands out to her. "Wait! I—I didn't mean it!"

(Y/N) looked down and she brought a hand up to her mouth, moving past him, letting out a broken, 'excuse me'. He watched her go past him, then a few moments later, Bruce walked into the room and he turned to him.

"Bruce!" Bruce looked down at him, taking in the sight of Dick, who was almost in tears.

The lecture he had ready for him went out the window as he squatted in front of Dick. "Dick?"

The boy looked up at him, tears filling those big blue eyes. "I—I messed up B-Bruce."

He reached out a hand, wiping his tears away. "What happened Dick?"

Dick lowered his head and he whispered, "I a—accidently told (Y/N) that she wasn't my m-mom."

Bruce sighed at him and murmured, “Oh, Dick." The boy began to sob, and Bruce reached out, pulling him into a hug. "It's okay, bud."

***

Dick looked at her and murmured, "I've never forgotten the look she gave me after I said it to her..." He looked down at Damian, and said, "And neither has she."

Jason nodded at that. "I'm sure she's never forgotten how I left the cave telling her I had to go find my real mom.

***

"What are you looking at baby?"

He jerked forward, clicking the screen to minimize the images. "Nothing!" He spun around to see her walking towards him, an amused smile on her face.

"And I'm assuming that nothing is not important?" She questioned.

He nodded. "Not at all."

She stared at him until he sighed and turned around, clicking the screen to reveal the images of the three women; she walked up to him. "Who are these women?"

He pointed to each one. "Sharmin Rosen, Lady Shiva, and Sheila Haywood."

(Y/N) nodded, looking at them. "They're very pretty women." She paused and looked at him. "But why are you looking at them." He dropped his gaze and picked at his fingers. "Jason? Hon?"

He looked back up at her. "One of them is my mom."

Her eyes widened as she said, "Like...your biological mom?"

He nodded. "I found out after I went back to my old apartment." He looked between the screen and (Y/N). "I'm gonna track them down." She was silent, her eyes moving to the screen, and he turned to her, rising from the chair. "I have to go find them...I have to go find my real mom."

***

"And those were the last words I ever said to Ma." They stared at Jason as he leaned against a table by the door. "And it got a lot worse when I came back...I said horrible things to Ma...about her not caring...about her not being a mother." He went silent and shook his head. "I fucked up a lot of things between us for a good couple years."

Tim watched him, then nodded. "I hadn't even realized I'd actually said it to mom...it was such an offhanded comment that I didn't even know what I said until she was gone."

***

He barely registered the sound of his bedroom door opening, let alone the sound of her footsteps as she walked up to him. He did, however, hear the disappointment in her tone as she said, "Timmy...you need to go to bed."

He shook his head, typing on the keyboard. "I'm fine."

"Honey, you've been awake for almost forty-eight hours." She rested a hand on his shoulder. "It's not good for your body if you stay up like this."

"I'm fine. Really, I'm good."

She squeezed his shoulder, the other hand reaching out to close the laptop. "You'll be good when you're asleep in bed." Skimming the top of this laptop, she stopped when his curled around her wrist.

He turned to her and said, "Will you stop mothering me? I'm fine. I don't need your help."

He let go of her and turned back to the screen, barely registering the way she quietly whispered, “Alright Timmy...goodnight”, and walked out of his room.

***

"The only reason I actually realized what I said was after a few minutes, I realized that she hadn't told me she loved me after saying good night." He paused, digging a groove into the carpet with his toes. "Mom didn't say anything about it the next day, but I could tell that something had shifted. She was more reserved when it came to me." He looked at Damian. "Look, I know you and I don't get along, but I'm going to tell you something brother to brother. Go apologize to mom and tell her that you didn't mean it."

It was all he said before he looked at the others and waved. "I'm going to bed.

Jason soon followed saying, "I'm with Timbers. I'm gonna go crash."

The two of them began making their way to their rooms when the sound of the screen door opening and closing brought their attention back. They looked towards it, seeing Bruce carrying (Y/N), her head pressed against his chest.

He stopped when he saw them, his surprised look giving way to a hard expression. "Were you four watching?" They all started making excuses, but he shushed them, nodding at their sleeping mother; they shut their mouths and he brought his foot back, sliding the door closed.

"Is mom alright?"

Bruce looked at Dick and nodded. "She's fine. Wine drunk...but fine." He looked down at Damian. "(Y/N) does a lot for all of us. You owe her an apology when she wakes up." Damian nodded, watching as he walked past them, carrying her up the stairs to their bedroom.

***

The dull throb in her head told her the migraine was something she was going to need some aspirin, water, and a heavy blanket to block out the light to fix. She groaned lightly as she burrowed her face in her pillow, then she opened her eyes and looked around the room.

Immediately, she took in the sight of the four of her boys curled up like cats in the bed with her. A smile graced her lips and she reached down beside her hip, running a hand over Tim's head; he shifted in his sleep, burying his face in her side and she struggled to bite back the laugh that wanted to come out. She reached over again and ran her hands through Dick and Jason's hair, watching them do the same.

She smiled at them, then a voice sounded from beside her. "Are you awake, Umi?" (Y/N) looked to her side, seeing Damian curled up beside her. Bruce's broad shoulders made him look so tiny from where he was laying and she nodded, raising a hand and caressing his head.

"I'm awake, sweetheart." He nodded, then moved under her arm, resting his head on her shoulder. Her arm settled comfortably around him, and she brought up her hand, gently running her fingers through his short hair.

After a few moments he whispered, "...I'm sorry, Umi."

Her response was to press her lips to his forehead, and murmur, "I know, baby."

He swallowed thickly, feeling the beginnings of tears gathering in his eyes. "I didn't mean to say it."

She nodded; her lips still pressed to his forehead. "I know you didn't, sweetheart. It was something said in anger."

He moved to sit up, looking up at her as he whispered harshly, "But I have hurt you! I made you cry! I...did this." He dropped his gaze, closing his eyes, and (Y/N) watched the tears begin to fall down his cheeks. He looked back up at her a few seconds later and said, "You are my mother, Umi...you are the only mother I've known."

(Y/N) shifted, careful not to wake her sons, then she cupped Damian's cheeks in her hands. "Baby...it's okay...I'm not angry at you."

He shook his head in her grip. "But you're sad because I said you weren't my mother."

(Y/N) brushed her thumbs under his eyes, wiping away the tears. "We all say things that we don't mean." He looked up at her and she searched his eyes. "What matters is that when they are said, we try our best to fix what we've done wrong."

Damian nodded his head and whispered, "I'm sorry, Umi."

A sad smile crossed her lips and she leaned forward, kissing his forehead. "I am too, baby." She pulled away and brushed his cheeks again. "I still love you though...with all my heart."

"You do? Even after what I said?"

(Y/N) nodded, pulling him to her; he rested his head under her chin, and she wrapped her arms around him as she murmured, "The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness." She brought up a hand, caressing the side of his head as she whispered, "Each of you has told me as some point that I am not what I am. But I know deep down that none of you meant it. And each time I heard it, it hurt...but forgiveness is a good thing when used."

"To err is human...to forgive...divine."

She smiled at his quote and squeezed him gently. "I love you, Damian...my beautiful baby boy."

The feeling of tears gathered in his eyes, but he blinked them away, his hand clenching in her shirt as he replied, "I love you too, Umi."

There was a moment of silence between them until, "How come the demon-spawn gets all the love? We were here first."

Damian raised his head, glaring at Tim. "I am Umi's favorite, Drake."

"The hell you are, Tater-tot. If anyone's the favorite, it's me."

"I think you're wrong, Little-wing. Iwas the first. I'm the favorite."

"No one asked you, dickhead."

"Mom! Jason called me a mean name!"

"Mom! Jason called me a mean name!"

"Stop mocking me!"

"Stop mocking me!"

"Mom!"

"Mom!"

(Y/N) rolled her eyes at her two oldest as they began to shove at each other, and eventually, Tim and Damian got into the mess, and she watched their fists and feet fly at each other.

A grunt sounded from beside her and she looked down to see her husband glaring at her. "You just had to get them going this early, didn't you, Mrs. Wayne?"

(Y/N) let out a 'pfft' and leaned down, pressing her lips to his before laying her head on his arm, their foreheads touching. "Yeah...but I know that when they're fighting like this, they're giving each other love."

"Tough love."

She snorted and tickled his side, feeling him jerk away. "But love nonetheless."

He opened his mouth to respond, but the sound of someone grunting cut him off. "Mom! Jason won't let me out of this headlock!"

"Mom! Jason won't let me-"

"STOP MOCKING ME, JASON!"

"You're unbearable, Drake! I am Umi's favorite!"

"Keep telling yourself that, oompa-loompa."

"I am not an oompa-loompa!"

(Y/N) sighed and looked at her husband. "Never a dull morning, is it Mr. Wayne?"

He grinned at her but grunted when one of them hit his side. "No, it's not Mrs. Wayne. No, it is not."

[moonlit-imagines]

Just a Name

Bruce Wayne x reader

warnings: the batman spoilers, injury, blood, drugs, needles, death, i think that’s it

a/n: changed the plot just a bit to make more sense. matt reeves let me write the next batman movie. also to anon: 💖💖💖

prompt: anonymous: “so the reader and batman have been working together for a while but reader doesn't know his identity (for now) and batman is badly injured so they try to drive him to the hospital because there's no way they're letting him die but he refuses to go there and ask that they take him to the wayne tower instead bc there at least he can keep his identity a secret so the reader drives there and goes with him in the elevator and leaves him with alfred and they put the pieces together concerning his identity, and maybe they get to see him without his mask when he's better?”

Help was scarce in Gotham. At least, the help that made a difference. Two vigilantes among Gotham found themselves needing each other’s help every once in a while, you and the Batman found you worked well together when the situation called for it.

And tonight it did. You found yourselves at the same crime scene with a swarm of cops buzzing about the place, but the two of you walked together finding whatever forensic evidence might help you with the case. “Batman,” you drew his attention near window, a fresh etching in the wooden windowsill that seemed to be a calling card of sorts, “does this mean anything to you?” You stared at five lines and the shavings that were left behind.

“Tally marks.” He said, taking a closer look. There were four vertically, one diagonally. Same number of victims found in the house.

“Another serial killer on our hands?” You asked, waving Detective Gordon over for a closer look at the discovery.

“It looks that way.” He backed up with you and made another round on the scene. “You’re helping?”

“Was that a question or a command?” You checked the time on the clock nearby, staring at it a few seconds too long. Last serial killer this city had brought it to ruins, worst week of your life. You made a wish at 11:11pm, please don’t cause another catastrophe. “I’m in. Let’s get this over as soon as possible, agreed.” He grunted and led the way out of the house, which you were surprised at. “Hey, are you just done looking around in there?”

“I have a lead.” Batman kept walking away from you and opened the passenger door of the Batmobile, abandoning it for his side. You paused your steps and stared at him, who caught your protest just before crawling into the driver’s seat. “Are you coming?”

“I show you my clues, why can’t you show me yours?” You scoffed and settled for the ride in the Batmobile, at least he trusted you enough for that. “You don’t trust me very much, do you?”

“No. Why?” He bluntly answered, pressing harder on the gas pedal.

“We’ve just worked together for a while and I don’t know who you are.” Silence filled the car for a few moments, you hated when he declined to respond. Make things awkward. “Did you fall asleep?”

“You haven’t told me who you are.” He retorted, making you roll your eyes.

“I’ve shown you my face.” You said.

“I didn’t ask you to do that.” He stomped on the brakes and parked his peculiar car on the dark street. “We’re here.”

“Where exactly is ‘here?’” You took a careful look of your surroundings, but it was just like any other street in Gotham. Dirty, bleak, and miserable. “Can you fill me in on your lead yet? I thought you knew working together meant sharing your knowledge.”

“Stay here.” He stepped out and locked you inside before you even got the chance to try and follow him. You knocked on your window a few times and watched Batman disappear into the building.

“God, he sucks.” You muttered to yourself and fell back into your seat. “I could have done this on my own. Maybe next time.” It took about twenty minutes for Batman to come back to the car, and you had much to say to him. “You really need to work on your people skills. Sorry I’m not Gordon, but I’m still a parter. Mind telling me what that was all about?”

“I’ve seen markings like those at other crime scenes, but never more than four.” Batman explained as he pulled back onto the road.

“And you’ve been keeping track of them because..?” You peered over and noticed his jaw clench and put the pieces together. “Because you thought they were scratch marks from your cat friend.” He huffed in response, confirming your suspicions as you smiled to yourself and quietly awaited a destination. Which happened to be a street corner near your hideout.

“Get out.” He instructed, catching your glare. “Now.”

“I was joking about the cat girl, by the way.” You pushed the door open with your foot and left, hearing him peel out seemingly before your feet reached the ground. “Sensitive much?” You muttered, stomping into the alley among the trash and rats and heading back to base. It was frustrating how uncooperative he could be, but you had work to do, work of your own. Hopefully this serial killer wouldn’t be as much as a hassle as the last one.

—————

It took two more days to hear anything back from him. And when you did, you actually got scared. He’d given you a beeper for emergencies and neither of you had used it until now. The location pinged to your computer and you rushed out the door, thinking over all the possibilities for the call. Was he in too deep? Batman, really?

The ride on your motorcycle was swift, but the GPS marker had moved since you left. Batman was escaping from whatever danger he was in. Or leading you to something you didn’t want any part in. Once you were close enough, you slowed down to try and spot the man dressed like a bat, and sure enough, he was hiding in an alley. Leaned against a dumpster, the most comically feared man-thing was panting, clutching his stomach, and fading in and out. You rushed to his aid, tapping his cheek to get him to focus. “Batman, it’s me. Hey, wake up. What the hell happened?” You asked and his eyes rolled back slightly. “Batman!” You shook him by the shoulders.

“Drugged…” He mumbled, barely audible.

“Shit…I gotta get you to a hospital.” You attempted to lift him, but he protested your words strongly when you tried.

“No! No…hospitals. Take me…my base.” He instructed and you shook your head.

“I don’t know where that is, Bat.” You reasoned with him as he faded in and out, breathing harder from the affects of whatever he’d been given. You noticed blood on his face, a few cuts. He’d been through the wringer, but mustered up the energy to move and fish into his belt pocket for a set of keys.

“Location is marked. Here.” He handed you the keys to that beast of a car and you’d be lying if you said that didn’t excite you, but this city couldn’t lose the Batman tonight, they’d be doomed without him. So you lifted his arm over your shoulder and hoisted him up, letting him direct you to his parking spot. You threw him in the passenger seat and sped out of there as fast as you could, setting his GPS for base.

“Hang in there, Batman. I’ll get you where you need to go.” You assured him and watched him reach for a button near the screen. An alert for whoever was waiting for him. A few sharp turns later, you were pulling into a hidden entrance, an abandoned train line with the name “Wayne” marked all over it. This place hadn’t been used in years, it was a clever hideout, didn’t look half bad either. You stopped the car and hopped out, dragging Batman out and being met by a nicely dressed Englishman who pulled him onto a gurney.

“He say what happened to ‘im?” The man asked and you nodded.

“He said he was drugged.” You told him as the masked man groaned loud, nearly screaming in pain. “Are you a doctor?”

“I’m whatever he needs me to be.” He rushed around the area, getting medical supplies in order to treat him, but he’d need to get the suit off of him first. “I think it’d be best if you left. Thank you for all you’ve done.” You shook your head in response, already putting everything together.

“Not going to happen. I’m sorry, but I’d like to help.” You protested and the man grew more upset.

“I’m afraid you can’t, you’d best be on your way.” He was losing precious time, it seemed, but this was dire.

“It’s because of his mask, isn’t it?” You asked, motioning to the room right after. “Do you take me for an idiot? I’ll save you the trouble, that’s Bruce Wayne. The same Bruce Wayne whose family owned this structure, who has the money for all these gadgets and machines, who has a butler for christ’s sake!” Your shouts echoed throughout the underground. “Trust me, pull off the mask.” You took off your facial coverings and decided to level the uneasy ground. “My name is y/n l/n. Any more problems?”

“Alfred Pennyworth.” He introduced himself. “Now that we’re acquainted, would you like to help me get this crap offa ‘im?” Alfred began trying to loosen the armor, and once he saw what he was working with, he was a bit shaken. “Oh, dear.” He gasped at Bruce’s pale, sweaty skin and the dark lines in his veins. “Mx. l/n, please grab me some ice from the cooler over there.” You were asked as he felt Bruce’s burning forehead, his breathing now much more shallow.

“On it.” You ran to where he pointed and found ice packs within, grabbing three and running back.

“Much appreciated.” He grabbed them and set one on Bruce’s forehead, and one under each of his arms. “That should cool him down.” He sighed, still very much on edge. “You know how to draw blood?”

“No…” You replied.

“Well, you’re about to find out.” He pulled out the kit and set in on a sterile cart, starting to explain himself. “We can test his blood right here and now to see what that bastard hit him with, that way we’ll know how to treat him. You just watch me, it’s a good skill to have.”

“Okay,” you nodded, watching as he turned Bruce’s arm over, tied a band on his upper arm, and cleaned a select spot, “hope you aren’t squeamish.” The sterile needle was taken from the packaging and stuck into his arm. “See the angle I did that at? Got to get the right vein.” You watched the reddish-black liquid run down the tube into a vial, it took a few moments, but once that one was full, Alfred passed it on to you. “There’s a machine beside that computer with a port for this little guy, set it in there and press the button, it’ll start the process.” You understood that much and did as your were told.

“How’s he doing temperature-wise?” You asked while doing your task.

“A bit better, not much.” He felt Bruce’s still warm cheeks and shook his head. “You know anything else about what happened tonight?”

“Can’t say that I do.” You stared at the loading screen as it analyzed the blood sample, but when you turned around, you saw the butler pull one of Bruce’s eyes open and reach for his eye. “Woah! What are you doing?!”

“Don’t be worried, my friend. He’s got a contact lens, records everything he sees. This should help us a bit.” The little lens was pinched between his two fingers and brought over to you, you watched as he set it on a separate machine and another monitor came to life. “Say about…an hour and a half ago?” He scanned back and started the recording, which was right where the struggle for Bruce was. One man, just the one was attacking him, which surprised you greatly. Not many could get the jump on Batman, but this guy, he looked crazy.

“My god, are those…those are scars, aren’t they?” You squinted at the unhinged man. The video paused and you zoomed into the man’s bare chest with the same markings from the windowsill a few days ago. “That’s the serial killer he was tracking, it has to be. But…that’s so weird. He’s definitely giving himself those scars.”

“You’re surprised by this? How long have you been in this line of work?” Alfred asked you.

“Yeah, yeah, I guess it isn’t that crazy for Gotham. Still…it’s unsettling.” You stared at the screen, looking at the man’s terrifying expression before the blood machine processed the sample, beeping a reply.

“Oh, great.” Alfred said to the computer and popped an empty vial next to the blood, then hooked it up to yet another machine. “This is the neat part. It’s making an antidote. Just gotta see what it needs…” He read off the ingredients from the screen and connected a few corresponding jugs to start the process. “Should only take a few more minutes.”

“You seem less on edge now.” You told him.

“Yes, well, things are starting to fall into place. Thank you for your help.” He tiredly smiled and went to the freezer for new icepacks. “Do you have somewhere to be?”

“Not at the moment, no. I can stay until he’s awake…if that’s alright with you.” You stood up from the seat you’d taken and walked near Bruce again, checking his light pulse.

“Stay as long as you’d like, won’t hurt me. Plus, I could use the company. Don’t get much of it.” Alfred tended to Bruce and as a few minutes passed, the machine pinged. “Ah, here we are.” He swiped the vial and added it to a syringe. “He might toss around a bit, it shouldn’t be an issue. Just step back.” Alfred injected the antidote and waited a few seconds, then Bruce jolted his body and let out a long scream, making you cringe at his pain. He’d been through enough for one night. After a few seconds passed, his body had relaxed and you felt at ease, too. “Well, now we just let him rest, he’ll be up soon. I’ll go make us some tea.” Alfred left the room and you found yourself alone in the Batman’s “man-cave.” It was a neat setup, much better than your basement apartment at a dead-end alley. You could never afford all this equipment. Or a butler. Man, a butler would be cool, though. Especially this guy.

A while later, Bruce came back to reality, turning his head sideways and seeing you. “You’re alive.” You smiled and walked over to him, who suddenly became aware that his face was showing.

“You know who I am.” He was disappointed, it sounded like it.

“It wasn’t hard to figure out after I got here. Nice setup.” You complimented, but he wasn’t very happy at the moment. “I’m y/n l/n. You’re Bruce Wayne. Now we both know who the other is.”

“That’s just a name…Where’s Alfred?” He asked, struggling to get himself up.

“Went upstairs for a refill on tea.” You answered him. “Hey, no ‘thank you’ or anything? I kind of saved your life.” Bruce walked past you and to the computer, limping on the way over. He was only concerned with what happened before he blacked out, concerned with the madman on the loose. “Is that really important right now? You almost died, you need to get some rest.”

“Thank you for your help. You can leave now.”

taglist: @ravenmoore14 // @summersimmerus // @xoxobabydolls // @evilcr0ne // @wild-rose-35 // @alwaysananglophile // @ruvaakke // @more-multifandom-of-madness // @girlmythlegend // @mowisdvdspecial // @diansaprince // @v0idl1nq // @theseawakes // @sydknee624 // @thedarkqueenofavalon //

[ficreadergirl]

Dangerous Inquiries (ch.6)

When you woke up you noticed the sun already up. You checked your phone. 4:00am. Your first class started at 7am. You remembered your professors gave you this week to pull yourself together but you didn't wanna spend more time in your quiet house. You decided to make coffee. You made coffee and started eating breakfast. When you finished eating breakfast you went into the bathroom to freshen up and get dressed in clothes suitable for going to school. As soon as you were done fixing up you head downstairs. Your door knocked. You looked at the peephole and saw Kory. You pulled the door open. She was carrying a bag full of books, flowers and other things. "I brought your stuff!" she smiled. "Thank you!" you hugged her tightly. "Why are you wearing these?" she asked. "I'm going to the class." you answered. "Are you sure?" she asked concerned. "Yeah. I'll be okay." She nodded and smiled. "Okay. Then I'm driving you there." "Thanks." you grabbed your bag and headed to the car. While she was driving you asked "Do you know about Jason Todd?". She looked at you confused "Of course. He's Dick's brother. Bruce's other kid. What happened him?" You explained everything. You told her what had happened. She remained silent during the whole story. After you finished talking, Kory said "You should stay away from him Y/n." "Why?" you asked. Kory hesitated for some seconds. She seemed reluctant in telling you something. "He's trouble." she said eventually. "Well. It didn't surprise me." you shrugged. Kory chuckled slightly. You arrived to the collage in time. "Thanks for the drive." "Anytime sweetheart." she said with a smile. After 2 hours of class you wanted to go to library. Library wasn't crowded. You quickly sat on one of the tables. You turned on your computer. Started to search for Jason Todd. You didn't find anything except a correction Jason T. WAYNE. There weren't any photos of Mr.Todd with other people. You started checking social media. He didn't have any account. He didn't seem to be as active as his brother. You sighed disappointed. You checked some old news about your dad. He was really famous for many things. He was really successful antiquist in Gotham. People loved him. A lot. He was always a problem solver for everyone he met. Even he was busy most of the time and always working. So how did someone like that could get murdered? You were really upset. You felt horrible. Your hands were trembling with anger. You felt like crying. You needed someone to talk to. Someone who understands your pain. Dick was the first name you thought. He also lost his parents when he was little child. He could give you guidance on how to get over this pain. While you were thinking about Dick you also remembered Jason was adopted by Bruce too. Why would he ask questions about your father's murder? His father was also murdered? You couldn't stop thinking about it. It was making you feel numb. You were looking your father's pictures and trying to not to cry. Then you went back to your Jason Todd search. Still nothing. He didn't seem to exist except being adopted by Bruce Wayne. Your head was pounding with questions. You closed the lid of the laptop. You leaned your forehead on the surface of the table. You closed your eyes tight. You felt dizzy. You were exhausted. Your stomach growled loudly. You picked up your bag filled with books and stood up. You started walking towards the exit. Suddenly you stopped. You felt someone watching you. You looked behind you to see the person. You saw white haired woman with eyepatch. She was sitting at a table near the window and was staring at you intently. You felt like she was analyzing you. You tried to remember if you knew her. But you couldn't. You didn't know her. She just watched you from afar. You felt uneasy. Her presence scared you. Without knowing why. You suddenly turned around and walked outside without paying attention to the woman.

Read more

[captainchewtoybaby]

Be my Baby

Chapter 6 : ice cream 

Home. Finally after just three days on the road, Bret was home and he couldn't be more happier. But this was just only a two day break as next Monday Stampede would be touring again. 

As much as he liked being home, there was still one person on his mind. Whitney. Sure he wasn't gonna let the rejection thing go but he really liked the girl. He had to find a way to spend some alone time with her. 

But he had one problem. Melanie. He needed to break it off with her before he could take it a step forward with Whitney. But something inside of him made him feel guilty. Was he really ready to face Melanie and break up with her? 

A knock at the door startled him. He went to answer it. It was Gina. Not again. 

"Hi." She said, with a smile.

"Hey, what's up?" Bret asked.

"Well, I made some brownies and I didn't want to eat them all, so I brought some for you." Gina held up a plate covered with a napkin.

"Uh, thanks." Bret said and grabbed the plate. 

"They're just as tasty as my muffins." Gina gave him a wink. Bret laughed awkwardly. 

"Anyways, I was also here to ask you something." She said. "My sister is having a party in two weeks and I was wondering if you would like to come, you know, get some drinks, and meet the family." 

"That sound great and all bu-" 

"Oh come on, please don't tell me you have a tour or something." 

"Well, knowing my schedule, I probably have one , but I'll check it out and then I'll get back to you."

He was lying. He knew he wasn't going to get back to her. He had his own problems he needed to worry about.

"Alright, I better go, bye." Gina waved at him. Bret said his goodbye and closed the door. He leaned his head on the door and sighed. He then looked over at the hamster cage, where Chico was staring at him.

"Don't give me that look." He said to the furry animal. "You would lie to." 

🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

The number one thing Whitney hoped to do when she was back at the hart house, was getting some good sleep and rest. But that all went out the window when she was woken up by a scream. At first she thought it was just her imagination, but when she heard it a second time, it made her jump out of bed. She went downstairs to see what was going on but was surprised when she went into the livingroom to find Helen, completely unbothered by the screams, watching tv. 

"Goodmorning, dear." Helen greeted her.

"Goodmorning, is everything alright?" Whitney asked, still confused by the screams. 

"Oh, yes, it's just Stu in his ' dungeon'." Helen said. Whitney grew even more concerned. 

"A what?" She asked. 

"The basement, dear, he trains people down there." Helen explained. "Our boys call it 'the dungeon'."

Whitney let out a sigh of relief. 

"Maybe you should go check it out, it'll make a nice addition to your story." 

Without hesitation Whitney went down to the basement. When she arrived at the basement she was met with an unusual scene. Stu had some poor guy in a submission hold while three other guys were watching. 

"Hello Whitney." Stu said as soon as he saw her. He let the guy go and got up.

"Boys, this lovely young lady over here, is Whitney." 

The boys all gave her a small wave and a quick "hello". 

"Is there anything I can help you with?"

"I just came down here to see what was going on." Whitney said.  "Helen told me this is where you train future wrestlers." 

"Yes." Stu said. "I don't know if you want to add it to your story." 

"I'll have to think about it." Whitney said. "I have to go, goodluck to you boys." Whitney waved and went back upstairs.

After taking a shower and having breakfast, Whitney went to work on the interview she did with Bruce. Helen had given her an old typewriter so she could write down what was useful. After about 20 minutes of work, there was a knock on the door. 

"Come in." Whitney said. And who was it? None other than Bret Hart. Oh no not him again. After the whole rejection situation, Whitney didn't want anything to do with him. 

"Hi." He said, closing the door behind him.

"Hello, Owen is out, if you're looking for him." Whitney said. 

"I'm actually not here for Owen." Bret said. 

"Oh? Well your da-" 

"I'm here to visit you."

Withney looked up from the typewriter. What on earth did he want with her? 

"Me?" She asked. 

"Yea, i just wanted to know how you were doing after the tour, you know, since it can be tiring and stuff like that." Bret said, scratching the back of his head. Whitney knew he was bullshitting.

"That's not why you're actually here, is it?" Whitney asked.

"Alright you got me, i just wanted to see you, that's all." 

"Well here I am, okay, bye." Whitney said. Now was not the time for chatting, she needed to get her work done.

"So you're just gonna kick me out like that, Sunshine." Bret said. There it was. That stupid nickname.

"For the last time, it's Whitney, not Sunshine." 

"What if I like sunshine better?" Bret said. Whitney let out a sigh.

"I don't have time for this." She said and went back to typing. Instead of leaving Bret went to sit on the bed. 

"I see you got Diana's room." He looked around. "Are you a fan of Leif Garrette too?" 

"No, I'm a David Bowie kind of girl." 

"Good choice." He said. "I listen to Zeppelin, sometimes a bit of Simon and Garfunkel." 

"That's nice, now please get off the bed, you're ass is gonna ruin it." 

"Are you saying I have a fat ass?" 

Whitney rolled her eyes and laughed. "No, I'm saying you'll wrinkle the sheets." 

"How long have you been working?" Bret asked, completely ignoring her statement. 

"A half hour, why?"

"You need a break, let's go get some ice cream." 

"No."

Bret sighed. He got up, walked over to her and stood right in front of the little table. He hooked his thumbs into his belt buckle. Whitney thought he looked very dapper in that stance but quickly dismissed the thought. 

"Alright, I'll make you a deal, if you get ice cream with me, I'll never bother you again." Bret said. "So what do you say, Sunshine?" 

Whitney looked up at him. Maybe she did need a break and some company. 

"Alright, but you have to buy me a chocolate flavored ice cream." 

"Whatever you like." He said.

🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

"One chocolate sundae for the journal girl." Bret handed her  a glass bowl filled with chocolate ice cream covered in strawberry syrup, nuts and sprinkles. Whitney laughed

"What am i? A child?" She said, taking the sugary treat from his hand. 

"No, but I picked it out just for you." Bret said. 

"Thank you." Whitney said and took a bite from the ice cream.

"Now tell me something, what was it like to grow up as a Hart?" 

"Are you gonna put that in your story?" Bret teased.

"I'm writing about your fathers promotion, not your biography." Whitney said. "Now answer my question."

"Well, it was tough but when you have eleven other siblings in the house it's a mess." Bret explained. "I remember beating a boy in a street fight once." 

"Really? Who won." 

"Me of course." Bret said. "I remember the kids hosting me up on their shoulders and celebrating." 

"What is this? Rocky?" Whitney said.

"Nah, but I sure felt like him after that fight." Bret said. "What about you, were you one of the good girls in school?"

"Not really, I was kind of an awkward kid." Withney said. "However,  i did egg a teacher's  house once, just because she was a bitch but that's just basic stuff."

"Uh ooh, we got a badass over here." Bret teased.

"Oh shut up." 

"Any highschool flings?" 

Whitney raised her eyebrow. "You would like to know wouldn't you?" 

"Hey, it's just a simple question."

"Alright, yes, but it only lasted a few months because he was a bit too imature." Whitney answered."What about you?" 

"Nah, I was a saint." Bret said.

"That, Sir, is a complete lie." 

"No it's true, I did kiss a few girls here and there but that's just it." 

Whitney gave him a look.

"I'm not bullshitting you, I promise." Bret said.

"Alright, whatever you say." Whitney took another bite of her ice cream. 

"Hey, we should check out that museum." Bret said. "Do you like art?" 

"Of course, but I can't draw." 

"I can watch this." He grabbed a napkin. "You got a pen." 

Whitney went into her purse and grabbed a pen. She handed him the pen and he started drawing something.  Whitney was confused. 

"What are you doing?" She asked but Bret didn't answer. She watched as he drew a face, then a figure and then some hair. He then added the finishing touches and handed her the napkin. It was a cartoonish drawing of a couple. The man had a slightly big chin and an even bigger nose while the woman had a smaller chin and big teeth. Above them was written 'Helen and Stu'. Whitney laughed. 

"That's amazing." She said. "You should become an animator." 

"Nah, not really my thing." Bret said. 

Maybe Bret wasn't such a bad guy, he was kind of annoying but he was super fun to talk to. But that did not mean she was gonna go on a date with him. Now way. 

"We should go before." Bret said, looking at his watch. "Keep it, something to remind you of me." 

"I'll frame it." 

"Even better."

🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

Hi, hi, i tried to finish this chapter and i finally did it. Hope you like it. Shout out to sour grapes, that series is bussin. Anyways, my broskis i gotta bounce, bounce on your boys dick.

Alrighty, i'm out. Bye. ~thys❤

Tag list: @aritamargarita @rainchyna @diesel-pls-powerbomb-me

[invisibleanonymousmonsters]

Seized

An addition to Approval. Do not read this until reading that first. 

Character: Bruce Wayne x Fem!Reader // Damian Wayne x Batmom

Summary: What happens when Talia Al Ghul learns that someone has stolen the affections of her past lover and her son?

Word Count: 3,000 [One Shot]

“Delinquents have been detained. I can hear the sirens,” Damian stated calmly in his comms.

“Good work, Robin. You know where to meet me. You have a minute,” Bruce responded as he whipped the bat mobile through Crime Alley to grab his son.

Just as Damian opened the door and hopped in, an alarm went off within the vehicle.

“The Manor,” Damian thought aloud as he read the screens with his father.

Bruce ignored his comment and was calling Alfred immediately.

“Master Wayne,” the butler instantly picked up. “I followed protocol, but they were already gone when I arrived.”

“Y/N…” Bruce immediately asked.

“They took her,” Alfred told him, distress clear in his tone.

Damian’s head whipped to his father to watch his reaction.

But Bruce’s jaw only tightened and he sped the batmobile even faster.

Returning faster to Wayne Manor than ever before, Bruce jumped out of the batmobile and up the secret entrance to get to the main house.

Damian was hot on his heels. He’d already sent an encrypted message to his brothers, informing them of the situation. It was only a matter of time before they were at the manor as well. Though Damian suspected Jason would not come, instead already starting to scour the streets of Gotham for Y/N and her captors.

Alfred was already waiting for them. “Master Wayne, I am so sorry.”

Bruce ignored him and walked to the master bedroom. Y/N would’ve been sleeping when the attack occurred. It wouldn’t have mattered if she had been awake, she had no training in self defense. She was merely an innocent civilian.

“Father,” Damian muttered quietly.

Bruce turned around to find his son ripping a shuriken out of the door frame.

They shared a look, both recognizing the particular shape and color.

“The League…” Damian muttered quietly, saying what they both were thinking.

——————

Y/N was barely awake.

They clearly had drugged her with something to make her more compliant. Everything was foggy and muffled.

Yet they still tied her hands and ankles together, as if her brain could even manage to get her body to move.

But Y/N could feel the effects of the drugs losing their strength, yet keeping their hold on her.

She squinted as she looked around. The air felt different. It was colder and dryer, making Y/N believe that she was no longer in Gotham. Little did she know, she wasn’t even in the country any longer.

“I do not know what he sees in you,” a woman hummed from somewhere in the room.

Y/N blinked as he listened, but her eyes could not adjust to the low lighting and she didn’t even have the strength to turn her head.

“You are weak. Ripped from your own bed without so much as a fight.”

Then she heard the grunts and clashing of metal.

The woman smiled. “Right as expected, my son.”

Y/N’s brow furrowed at ‘my son.’ Then she finally lifted her head and took in her surroundings. There were swords and other weapons stored everywhere, and there was armor hung from the walls.

“Talia?” She whispered.

The woman chuckled. “Weak, but not utterly foolish.”

Then the door of the room was thrown open.

Y/N looked to see Damian in his Robin uniform.

“My son, finally returned," Talia greeted with a smirk.

“Mother.” Then his gaze flickered to Y/N. Very subtly, he was scanning her body to access any possible injuries.

His gaze turned back to his mother. “What is the meaning of this?”

“You have forgotten where you come from, Damian. You are not just the heir to the Wayne family. Before anything else, you are my son and the heir to Ra's al Ghul’s throne.”

“She has nothing to do with this,” Damian said with a gesture to Y/N.

“She has everything to do with this,” Talia snapped. “She has made you weak.”

Damian said nothing.

“She has taken you both from me,” Talia growled.

“Father does not love you,” he growled.

“A small lapse in judgment on his part, but not something that cannot be remedied. Our love gave us you, and I fully believe he will return to me.”

“His heart belongs to someone else. The sooner you realize that, the sooner you can give up your fantasy.” Then he hesitated to say the next part. “I never plan on returning to The League of Shadows. I wish to stay with father.”

Talia’s amusement vanished at her sons words.

The next second, she unsheathed her sword. “Perhaps I should just kill her and remind you of your place, my son.”

With that, Damian rushed forward and intercepted Talia’s attack with his own sword.

“Do not touch her,” Damian growled.

Their swords continued to clash as the mother and son fought each other. The fight raged on for what felt like forever. Too evenly matched, but also both too terrible at hiding that neither actually wanted to kill the other.

In the distance, Y/N could hear even more fighting. She could only assume it was Bruce fighting his way to her and his son.

Talia and Damian’s swords locked again, both of their stances shaking from the hold.

“Do you really think you and your father stand a chance against the entire League? Why do you think we lured you all the way here? You are outnumbered.” Talia hissed.

“You think us foolish enough to come alone?” Damian smirked right before there was a boom that shook the entire compound.

Talia’s focus slipped half a second, allowing Damian a window to go on the offense.

He flipped his mother’s sword out of her grip and held his own to her throat.

“Yield,” he growled down to her.

“You truly choose her over your own mother?” The hurt in her eyes was clear.

“You abandoned me, used me as a tool to disrupt father’s life. She taught me that there is more to life than killing and destroying. She loves me and care for me, even when I gave her no reason to do so.”

“And it will be the death of you,” Talia warned.

He glared at her. “Yield!”

But he knew she would never. So he whipped out a dart and blew it to her neck – a sedative.  It knocked her out within seconds.

Waiting until he was sure it had worked, Damian sheathed his sword once again and ran to Y/N’s side.

With a knife, he cut the ropes around her wrists and ankles.

“D-Damian,” her voice was still slurred from the drugs and she was weak. How long had she been here without food or water? “I don’t think I can walk."

Damian helped her to her feet. “Y/N, please try,” he begged as he wrapped her around around his shoulders. He was still just a boy, one that was shorter than her. But he wouldn’t give up that easily.

There was another explosion.

“What’s-What’s happening?” Y/N asked as she dragged her feet and held on tightly.

“That would be Todd, most likely taking his job of distracting to an unnecessary level.”

“You all came?” She asked in shock.

“Of course,” Damian scoffed.

Suddenly an object came flying at them and Y/N cried out in pain.

“No!” Damian bellowed as he looked up to see that another League member was attempting to stop their escape. And with it, they had thrown a shuriken that had landed in Y/N’s side.

She dropped to the ground.

Damian screamed as he unsheathed his sword once again and charged the assassin. It wouldn’t take him long. He knew that every minute spent fighting was a minute Y/N was bleeding out and edging closer to death.

He didn’t hold back like he had with his mother and quickly disarmed the enemy. Then thrusting his sword into a nonfatal area of his body, enough to neutralize him. 

Damian rushed back to Y/N’s side, where a pool of blood was forming from her wound.

He knew it was useless, but he still tried to lift Y/N into his arms to carry her. He cried out in both panic and frustration.

The building had now caught aflame due to Jason’s explosions. Damian would need to call for backup, hoping one of his older brothers could help.

Then a shadow was cast over him.

Damian tensed, believing it to be another attack.

But he looked up to find his father standing before them.

However, Bruce’s gaze was on his unconscious girlfriend.

With the arrival of his father, Damian’s cold and calculating disposition melted.

“She’s hurt,” his voice trembled and tears formed in his eyes. “Help her.”

Damian rarely cried. He cried less than grown men. He was raised that way. It didn’t help that his father was not a great example of healthy emotional expression.

But Bruce knew what his sons tears were for: Damian was frustrated, he felt weak, and he thought he had failed his mission. But most of all, Bruce knew his son was crying for fear of Y/N’s death. Because the boy had grown to love her.

As if there were a world when Bruce wouldn’t give his own life to save Y/N.

Bruce bent down and carefully brought Y/N into his arms.

Damian heard her mutter his father’s name, though still delirious from both the drugs he’s sure his mother pumped into her and the blood loss.

“Red Robin, get the jet to my coordinates immediately,” Bruce instructed through his comms.

Damian wondered how his father could be so calm when the woman he loved was bleeding out in his arms. This wasn’t bat business, this was personal. But Bruce spoke like it was just another night of patrol.

A few minuets later, Damian and Bruce had fought their way through the flames and burning compound.

Tim lowered the platform of the jet.

Damian made sure his father and Y/N got on before he followed. He turned and gave one last look at the burning compound that would no longer exist come morning. He did not fear for his mother’s life. He knew someone from the League would come for her – if she didn’t save herself first.

When he boarded the jet, his father already had Y/N on the surgical table that elevated from the jet floor.

Bruce had taken off his cowl, allowing Damian and his brothers to study his expressions.

Damian had been wrong about his father handling the situation like any other mission. For now he could see the terror and worry in his father’s eyes, despite him trying to control his emotions.

Damian looked to Jason, who still had his Red Hood helmet on.

“My grandfather?” He asked his brother.

“Escaped,” Jason muttered.  

Damian stepped forward to help Bruce with Y/N’s injuries.

“She’ll be OK,” he muttered to his father.

All of them had high-level medical training to know.

Thankfully the assassin’s aim was not great and didn’t land in lethal place on Y/N’s body. But she still lost a lot of blood and would need many stitches.

All the brother’s shared a look when Bruce ignored the statement. 

———

Y/N woke up to someone gripping her hand. She recognized from the smell and the feel of the bedding that she was in Bruce’s bed at the manor.

She winced as she opened her eyes to find Bruce was the one holding her hand as he sat in a chair only inches away from the side of the bed.

“Hi,” she whispered to him with a sad smile.

“Hi,” he said back with a smirk.

“How long have I been asleep?”

“Two days.”

Then Y/N looked past Bruce to realize there was someone else in the room.

Damian passed out on the velvet chaise that was pushed against the windows.

“He hasn’t left your side,” Bruce told her. “Dick had to convince him just to take a shower for 5 minutes when we first got back.”

Y/N’s heart melted at the revelation.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t here.”

The sound of Bruce’s voice as he said it made Y/N’s gaze snap back to him. Had it shook? Or was she imagining it?

Y/N squeezed his hand that was still wrapped around hers. 

“I know,” she told him with a sympathetic look.

He hid it well, but Y/N knew Bruce. And she knew that her being kidnapped from his own home probably drove him mad with guilt. She wouldn’t be surprised if he’d already designed an entirely new security system to prevent something like that ever happening again.

Bruce took in a shaky breath and opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out.

He wanted to say that he always feared her being with him would put her in danger like this. 

He wanted to say that maybe she should stay away from him. 

He wanted to say that him and the kids didn’t deserve her. 

He wanted to say that the only reason this happened is because Talia hated that she loved her son better than she ever did.

But Bruce had never been good at saying how he actually felt – or even acknowledging he had any feelings at all.

So Y/N brought his hand to her lips and kissed his knuckles. “Bruce, I know,” she said once again.

“I won’t let it happen again. I promise you,” he told her evenly.

“Bruce, I knew what I signed up for when you told me you were Batman. If I wasn’t willing to face the reality of it, I wouldn’t have stayed.”

“No one would’ve blamed you if you hadn’t.”

There was a knock at the door and then it opened a second later.

Damian jumped awake at the sound. But then he quickly brought his attention to Y/N. “You’re awake.”

But everyone’s attention was on Dick, who was standing at the open doorway.

“Hey,” he greeted Y/N, surprised to see that she was awake. “How are you feeling?”

“Sore. Tired. But I’ll be alright.”

He seemed to relax from her answer.

Then he winced when he looked at Bruce. “They put the signal up.”

Bruce’s jaw tightened.

He was about to open his mouth to ask them to handle it, not wanting to leave Y/N alone now that she had woken up.

“Go, Bruce. I’ll be OK.” Y/N told him, reading his mind.

“I think it’s the Joker,” Dick added with a serious frown.

“Bruce, go.” Y/N repeated.

And he saw the sincerity in her eyes. He leaned forward and kissed her gently, deciding he didn’t care if his two sons were witnesses to the intimacy.

Then Bruce kissed her forward. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. Alfred will be here if you need anything. Do not hesitate to call.”

Y/N nodded.

Bruce stood up and acknowledged Damian and Dick. “Let’s go.”

Once they were ways down the hall, Bruce heard Damian stop.

“Father?”

Bruce and Dick both turned to face Damian.

“I wish to stay with Y/N.”

Bruce and Dick shared a look, and then Dick decided to give the two a moment alone and muttered something about waiting in the cave.

Bruce walked back to his youngest son.

Damian’s gaze was glued on the floor. “Mother truly would’ve killed her?”

Bruce sighed. “Most likely, yes.” He saw no point in lying to his son.

“Because she knows that you and I love her?”

“Yes.”

Damian was quiet for a moment. But Bruce knew he had more to say.

“I used to think I had to earn it.”

Bruce frowned. “What do you mean?”

“Mother’s love. I had to earn it. Win in combat. Successfully execute a target. Outsmart a puzzle or challenge.” Damian looked up at his father with a broken expression. “Her love always came with a price.”

Bruce kneeled down to his son.

The boy shook his head. “But Y/N made me realize that I don’t have to earn anyone’s love. I don’t have to prove that I’m worthy of it.” He bit his lip. “She’s not my father or my brother. She didn’t have to love me. But she does…even when I did nothing to earn it.”

“Everyone is deserving of love, Damian.” Bruce gripped his son’s shoulder. “I’m sorry for not teaching you that myself.”

Damian nodded. “So, may I please stay with her tonight? I don’t want her to be alone.” But then he quickly corrected himself. “Unless of course, you require my assistance, father.”

Bruce smirked at him. “I think we will manage, Damian.” Then he squeezed his shoulder. “Look after her for me, alright?”

Damian relaxed and quickly nodded his head. “Of course, father.”

When Bruce returned hours later, Damian was cuddled next to Y/N in the bed. But clearly laying in a position to be mindful of her injuries. Both were fast asleep. The bright television was the only thing lighting the room, as it played a Pixar movie.

Bruce couldn’t help but grin at the sight.

“I got him,” Dick whispered to him before stepping into the room and carefully lifting the boy in his arms, clearing the space in the bed for Bruce to join Y/N.

Bruce moved about the room as he changed into cotton shorts and went without a shirt.

Y/N woke slightly as he joined her in bed.

“Everything OK?” She whispered sleepily.

“Everything’s fine. Did Damian keep you company?”

Y/N smiled and shifted her body so she was cuddle into him. “Yes…my little protector.”

Bruce smiled at that. “Don’t let him hear the ‘little’ part…”

She chuckled. “Good call.” 

And then she was fast asleep once again.

-----------------------

Please, please, please let me know what you think! 

[luminnara]

It’s Been a Long, Long Time | Ch 7 18+ NSFW

18+ ONLY PLEASE

Warnings: nsfw, sexy sex, abo, knotting

Part 6 | part 7 | part 8

Tags:  @kyrah-williams williams @oceanmermaidwitch @shawnie--jo @super-cape @ferxaniti @namjoonwatcheshentai @fandomsstolemylife00 @youngblood199456 @nightlygiggless @darlingely @bluemoon-icecream @kaz11283 @jenjen8675309 @dollfacev8 @witchinpractice @mystical-b3ar r @sukeraa @momc95 @book-lover-2006

Bucky was still reeling from finally getting to hear her name. While the omega explored his apartment, he sank down onto his couch, his head buzzing with thoughts of her and him and his past life with HYDRA and how her name felt so, incredibly, impossibly right.

Amoretta.

It didn’t sound familiar to him, and he was pretty certain that he had never known it before. That made him feel a little bit better about everything, a little less guilty for almost completely forgetting about his omega. He hated how much less he remembered about her than she remembered about him, even if it wasn’t his fault that HYDRA scrambled his brain up so much all the time. No matter how many times he told himself that it was okay, that he was already doing his best, he couldn’t help but feel like he was a bad alpha.

But when she looked up at him with that smile and those eyes, so trusting and happy and comfortable...well, a lot of those negative thoughts flew out the window again.

“So you live here? Like, for real? Like, all the time?” She asked as she inspected his tv.

“Sure do.” He chuckled, sitting on the couch to watch her. “Whaddya think?”

She spun around in a little circle, taking it all. “It’s...perfect.”

Bucky smiled. “I’ll have to find some more blankets for you.”

Amoretta paused, looking at him curiously. “For what? I don’t think I could ever be cold with you around. You’re like a furnace.”

“Well...so you can...you know.” He was feeling stupid again. She wasn’t even thinking of nesting with him around, was she?

“So I can what?” She seemed puzzled.

“You know...make a nest…” he mumbled. “Isn’t that what omegas are s’posed to do? I’ve heard Bruce makes them…”

Realization dawned on her and her jaw dropped a little. “Oh. I haven’t gotten to nest in...um...ever?” She laughed. “HYDRA never let me.”

“...oh.” Bucky cleared his throat.

“But now that I’m thinking about it, that might be nice.” She glanced around the room, already looking for a good spot. “Maybe there? Ooh, no, I don’t want it out in the open, do I? Or maybe I do…”

“Hey, FRIDAY?” Bucky asked.

“Yes, Seargent Barnes?” The robot replied, her voice sounding from somewhere in the ceiling.

Amoretta jumped. “Can she see us right now?”

“I monitor everything in this tower,” Friday said. “Tony has designed me to run all necessary systems.”

“Yeah, yeah. Tell someone we need more bedding. Blankets. Lots of ‘em.”

“I will let Miss Potts know right away, Seargent.”

“Thanks, FRIDAY.” He said, kicking his shoes off to rest his heels on the coffee table.

“Of course, Seargent Barnes.”

“So...you’re a Seargent?” Amoretta asked, making her way over to sit on the arm of the couch.

He stretched his arms back behind his head. “Seargent James Buchanan Barnes. World War II. I was with the 107th.”

“Is that how you know Steve?”

He smiled, his head. “Nah. We were always friends. Grew up in Brooklyn together.”

She sat up a little straighter. “Brooklyn?”

“Born ‘n raised, doll.”

“I wanna go!” She bounced down onto the cushion next to him, both hands pressing into his thigh as she suddenly leaned up towards his face. “Please?”

“Uh, sure.” He was a bit taken aback by her sudden movement, but he wasn’t complaining about how close she was now. “Mind tellin’ me why, though?”

“You mentioned it once.” She rubbed her nose against his neck, sighing happily as she scent of cloves filled her senses.

“...I did?”

“Mhm.” Amoretta snuggled up against his side, fitting next to him perfectly. “I don’t remember everything from back then, but I remember that.”

“What’d I say?” He brought on of his arms down to drape around her shoulders, hugging her closer.

“I think I asked you what kind of life we’d have outside of HYDRA.” She rested her cheek on his chest. “You told me we’d live in Brooklyn, in our own house. And…” she trailed off, blushing slightly.

“And what?” He asked, curious.

“You said we’d have lots of pups.” She chewed her lip, looking away from him in embarrassment. “It was probably just your rut talking, though, you know...i-if you don’t want that now, it makes sense. I mean, you’ve got this whole life now, and…”

She trailed off as she noticed that his chest was rumbling with a loud purr. When she finally brought her eyes back up to his face, she saw that he was watching her, features relaxed into a soft, thoughtful expression.

“Do...you want pups?” She asked, heart leaping hopefully.

“Always used to want a whole little family.” He pulled her up to straddle his lap. “Didn’t think I’d get the chance to, but now…hey, I never sired any for HYDRA, right?”

“Not that I know of.”

“Good.” He sounded relieved. “That’d be a fuckin’ nightmare.”

“They made sure my heat suppressants kept me infertile.” Amoretta said. “They didn’t have a program for breeding super soldiers ready yet.”

“Good.” He growled. “No pups of mine are ever gonna grow up in a place like that.”

She reached up, running her fingers through his hair. “You really want them now?”

“Course.” He pulled her forward, wrapping his arms around her waist and pressing his face against her scent gland. “Maybe not, like, now, now, but…with you? I do.”

Amoretta’s eyes widened, a happy little keen leaving her throat. “I’ve waited so long to hear you say that…”

Bucky tugged her back so he could face her. “I’m gonna court you properly. Do it right.”

“But you don’t need to—“

“I don’t care.” He interrupted. “I’m an old fashioned guy. I’m gonna court you.”

She grinned, a hand trailing down the side of his neck. “How old fashioned, exactly?”

He raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

“Too old fashioned to have a little fun?” Her hand slipped down to press against his chest.

His purr turned into a growl, his hands moving to hold her hips. “Doll, all you gotta do is ask…”

Amoretta brought her lips to his ear. “Will you fuck me, Bucky Barnes?”

It only took a moment before his lips were on hers. He was gentle, but he was hungry, devouring her in a kiss that left her breathless and would have made her knees weak had she been standing. With his hands slowly sliding down to her ass, Bucky was perfectly content to take his time; he wanted to feel her, inch by inch, until he had memorized every curve and dip of her body.

Her skin was so soft beneath his callouses. He nudged her sweater up a bit, his hands slipping underneath it to grab at her tits. She couldn’t help but let out a whine against his lips when he brushed a thumb over her nipple, her nails digging into his shoulders as she held him.

When he broke away from the kiss, he gave her lower lip a sharp bite. “Bed. Now.”

Amoretta practically launched herself towards his bedroom, scrambling onto the bed without a second thought. Bucky followed at a much slower pace, enjoying the view as she shed her clothing.

“Hey, maybe I wanted to do that,” he teased, crawling over her. His lips found her neck, his fangs scraping her skin.

“I-I wanted to make it easier for you,” she gasped, back arching as he gave her scent gland a gentle bite.

“I wanna take my time with you, sweetheart.” His voice was husky and low, his breath hot against her throat. “I wanna enjoy every second…”

She sighed as he nipped and licked at her, her hands slipping under his shirt. Her fingers ran across his abs, feeling the way they flexed beneath her touch as he ground his hips into hers.

“You’re overdressed,” She said, tugging at his hem. “Let me see you.”

Bucky broke away from her neck and grabbed his shirt, shucking it off and tossing it behind him. “Better?”

“Much,” She hummed, taking in the sight of his naked torso.

“Good.” He took hold of her hips, leaving a trail of kisses behind as he made his way down to her pussy. “God, you smell fucking amazing…”

Amoretta trilled happily. “So do y—oh my god…”

His tongue was already lapping at her. She couldn’t remember anyone ever eating her out before, but Bucky seemed determined to make up for lost time. He acted like he was starving, sucking and nipping at her clit while he sank a finger inside of her.

Her hips bucked against him, his vibranium hand holding her down while his human hand played with her. She was already soaked, slick running down her thighs, and her scent was driving him wild.

“Fuck, I want you…” he growled, adding a second finger. “So wet, so willing…and you smell so delicious….” He inhaled slow and deep, savoring it. “I think I’ve missed this…”

“D-do you actually remember all the t-times you rutted with me?” Her voice hitched with little gasps as he stroked her inner walls.

“Yes and no.” He admitted, leaning his cheek on her thigh and looking up at her. “But I know this scent…”

“What scent—ah!” She bit her lip as he crooked his fingers a few times, warmth mounting in her belly. “K-keep going, I’m—FUCK!”

She shuddered as an orgasm rolled through her, electricity tingling in her limbs.

“The scent of my omega, all drippin’ wet, just for me.” He pulled his fingers away, licking them clean. “I wanna fuck you, doll…”

“Please,” she whimpered, scooting back up toward the pillows as Bucky stood.

Amoretta’s eyes were glued to his hands as they unbuckled his belt, his movements quick and determined. He was tired of waiting around. He wanted her now.

As he shoved his pants down off of his hips, she bit her lip again, rubbing her thighs together. She could remember how good he felt inside her, and as she thought about the way he always used to snap his hips into hers, she felt another trail of slick running down her legs.

At the sight of his cock, she was practically a waterfall.

Before he could get back to her, Amoretta was flipping over onto her hands and knees, presenting herself for him with her ass up in the air. She peeked back over her shoulder at him, watching as froze and then stiffened, a low, impossibly loud growl rumbling in his chest.

“Good girl,” he praised her, his cock already rock hard as he crawled across the bed towards her.

Amoretta gave a little wiggle, trying to convince him to hurry up. When his hands grabbed her hips and jerked her back against him, she squealed in surprise, the sound melting into a moan as he rubbed his cock against her.

“Please,” she whined. “Please, please just fuck me, Alpha, I need it…”

“How bad?” He leaned over her, nipping at her shoulder.

“S-so bad, please, just—“

She interrupted herself with another moan, her hands clutching at the sheets as Bucky finally gave her what she was craving so badly.

He pressed himself into her slowly at first, waiting to feel some resistance. She was so soft and warm that he almost came then and there, his teeth sinking into her shoulder as he forced his hips to still. Fuck, how could someone feel so good? Her pussy felt perfect around him, gently squeezing his cock as he pulled back out and then thrusted back in, already balls deep inside her. He could tell why he had liked her so much during his ruts, but he had no idea how he could have managed to fuck her for more than thirty seconds during one.

When he started moving again, Amoretta turned into putty. She was absolutely melting, angling her hips so that he could sink in deeper and deeper, slick running down her thighs.

“You like my cock, baby?” He asked, voice muffled by her neck as he dragged his lips over her skin. He wanted to be as close to her as possible, and he didn’t care if that meant both of them being a tangled mess of limbs and sweat. He just wanted her.

“Y-yes, Alpha,” she gasped, slowly sliding down until her chest was squished against the bed. He felt even better than she remembered, his cock rubbing against every single perfect spot inside of her. He was stretching her out comfortably, her slick providing more than enough lube to ensure that his size could never hurt her.

Fuck, he was perfect. He was made for her. They were made for each other.

Bucky was pressed against her back, shielding her with his entire body. He didn’t want anyone else to see his omega. The sight of her there, beneath him, taking his cock so well was for him and him alone, and he was going to make sure it stayed that way.

“Want me to fill you up?” He asked, licking her scent gland.

“Y-yes please,” she moaned, leaning her head back for him.

“Want me to breed you, over ‘n over, ‘til you’re full of pups?” He bit at her jaw.

“Yes!” She cried, whines and trills all flooding from her throat in a symphony of needy sounds.

“Say my name,” he panted, his knot already beginning to swell.

“B-Bucky,” she moaned as she felt it catch on her. Fuck, she had forgotten how good it felt to be stretched and feel it filling her.

He let go of her hips, his hand finding hers. “No, my real name…”

“J-James,” she gasped, intertwining their fingers together. “James…please knot me...”

That was it.

Hearing her gasping and moaning his name sent him over the edge, and before he could stop himself, he was exploding inside of her. He snarled, biting her shoulder again as he held her down, his knot locking him in place as he pressed his hips forward.

Amoretta sighed happily at the feeling, relaxing as Bucky’s weight fell onto her. He was panting hard, trying to catch his breath.

“Fuck,” he sighed, kissing the already-healing bite marks on her shoulder. “Sorry ‘bout the bites.”

Amoretta grinned at him as he helped her turn onto her side. “I like your bites.”

“Oh yeah?” He pulled her up against his chest, settling in to wait for his knot to go down once more. “I’ll remember that.”

“Super soldier, remember? Built to withstand you at your roughest.” She snuggled back.

“Guess I’ve got something to thank HYDRA for, after all.” He chuckled, drawing lazy circles on her hip. “You didn’t cum when I was inside you, did you?”

“No, but that’s fine.” She shrugged. “I did before.”

“That’s not enough,” he growled. “If my knot wasn’t so swollen right now, I’d be fucking you until your legs shake.”

“Is that a promise, Sergeant?” She asked, a mischievous glint in her eye.

“It is.”

“Well, then…” she held his jaw in her hand, leaning up to whisper in his ear. “I can’t wait for your knot to go down.”

[arty-chase]

Graveyard Siblings (3)

Some for revenge and some sibling bonding.

[Masterlist]

(Part 1)(Part 2)

-------

Adrien was next to be visited. Plagg woke him up from his sleep.

-------

“Kit, wake up. I want camembert.”

“Plagg, silence. You are not getting any cheese if you do that.”

“Sorry, Adrien but you are not my ‘master’ anymore.”

“Plagg? Why are you here? Where’s the ring?”

“The ring is as far away as possible and kept safely away. I am here because someone wants to talk to you.”

“Who?”

A cloaked, hooded figure stepped out of the shadows to his room.

“Kitty. My Chaton. Did you miss me?” A sweet, familiar but yet so terrifying voice came from the figure.

She pulled down the hood to reveal Ladybug with a wicked-looking black mask with white lenses.

“What am I talking about? You do miss me. Your Bugaboo. Too bad I don’t feel the same, Adrien.”

Lightning flashed and it started to rain. The mask was gone, revealing his dead classmate, Marinette with chilling red eyes. The pigtails grew longer and curved upwards, giving the illusion of her having horns. Twin blades flashed and she leaped towards him. (Damian gave them to her with some lessons in exchange for spending time with, babysitting, the kwamis.)

Adrien scrambled away from the bed in the nick of time. A sword impaling the spot where he just was.

“Plagg, help. Where is the ring? I need to transform.”

“Sorry, kitten. I am not telling you. Even if you did have the ring, it’s not going to be much help.”

“Kitty, stay still. Then, we can be together. Just like you wanted.”

Adrien continued to dodge.

“What do you mean?” He all but screamed at Plagg.

“Pigtails, here, is a vengeful spirit. She’s not going to stop until she is satisfied. How about asking her what she wants?”

“Ladybug, what do you want?”

“What I wanted was a partner I could rely on, someone I can trust with my life, someone who wouldn’t stab me in the back for his own selfish gain. I wanted a friend who would have my back and not tell me to keep quiet at the price of my mental health and my relationships with people I care about. WAS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK?!”

She managed to get a cut on his left cheek.

Soon, he was on the ground, bleeding out on the round.

“Tell Hawkmoth that he better watch out. Because-” lightning struck and Plagg and Ladybug had disappeared, “his downfall is coming.” Her voice echoed through his room.

Adrien laid bleeding until Natalie opened the door after hearing a crash from the room and came to check on him. As she called an ambulance for Adrien, she wondered if it wasn’t too late to ask for redemption and be spared from Ladybug’s wrath for her part in her murder.

Adrien had the word ‘TRAITOR’ carved into his back. Forever reminding him of his crimes.

--------

He wasn’t in school for a week after the incident. They all were told that Adrien had an accident while fencing.

Gabriel was a little panicking now.

He hired an exorcist, (John Constantine got a hefty amount and did a few flashy magic tricks to appease Gabriel but he didn’t lift the curse Maria put on the place. She is not someone to be on the bad side of and he thinks that he can’t lift it even if he wanted to.)

Emilie gets a little sus at Gabriel when he brought this strange man with a British accent into their home after their son got attacked in his own room with security tighter than Fort Knox.

She doesn’t buy that ‘accident’ bullshit that her husband, son and even Natalie tries to sell her. She thinks it is connected to what happened while she was in a coma.

-----

Adrien has a curse too.

(Credit to @raeuberprinzessin for giving me an idea)

He couldn’t act like the ‘Perfect Adrien’ in public anymore. Acting more like Chat Noir at first then, later a spoiled brat. His friends thought that he was finally rebelling against his father and encouraged it a lot.

Adrien started criticizing other people, strangers at first then to the people working on the photoshoots to his fans to his other school mates, people in his class and his friends. (The curse planted ideas into his head about what he should say and he said them all without thinking about the effect it has on other people)

People started avoiding him not liking his attitude and his comments about how they should behave and change something about them because he doesn’t like it that way and guilt-tripping them when he doesn’t get his way. Even Nino started to distance himself after he saw how Adrien talked to a fan.

The public thought it was a phase but as he got progressively worse, people started despising him. Adrien doesn’t realize this of course so far, happy that his father let him get away with ‘ruining the Agreste image.’ (Gabriel was worried about a potential vengeful ghost and making sure his wife didn't know about his stint as a supervillain. There was also the fact that the Afterlife made more sales than him again and managed to get on the cover of Vogue when he should have, dammit.) He was finally able to say what he wanted to without repercussions. Until he realized when Nino and everyone else cancelled for a hangout for the third time that week that he was slowly losing his friends.

He panics and tries to fix the situation. He didn’t want to be alone again.

He talks to Nino about it and to his horror, he couldn’t stop himself from saying many things that were a little hurtful. (Second part. The moment he realizes he is going to be alone. He is going to find out that yes, lies can hurt people. He is going to see it happen firsthand.)

Nino moved seats and told Adrien that their friendship was on hold until he apologized.

Soon, nearly every time his mouth opened, lies and insults about his friends or their embarrassing secrets came spilling out. Everyone hated him now and Mme. Bustier tried to give him a reprimand about his behaviour, which when he tried to defend himself, he found himself unable to speak.

He managed to explain to his father what caused his unpopularity by writing what happened to him. Unfortunately due to his poor behaviour before the second part of the curse was activated, his fan base was dwindling and people didn’t like him anymore so there was a hit on the Gabriel brand.

He no longer has to do modeling, clearing his schedule. But no one would spend time with him.

The best solution he could do with his predicament was to keep quiet and endure the loneliness and the glares of his classmates at school. Adrien was relegated to the back and nearly everyone avoided him. He was now a social pariah.

Even Lila avoided him because of her own curse which made Adrien turn into one of her previous victims. (She also didn’t ponder why Marinette rarely appears compared to the others.)

If Adrien felt a tiny bit remorseful or guilty for making Marinette keep quiet or betraying Ladybug, he can gain a little control over what he says.

The curse can be broken if he apologizes to Maria herself or to her grave.

------

The first few months, while Marinette adapted to living with the Waynes, Jason stayed over at Wayne Manor because having Maria living with him at his apartment wasn’t a good idea and he had no clue how to take care of a teenage girl.

On paper she is adopted by Bruce because Jason can’t. (Some CPS reasons.)

Making Jason a little more salty towards Bruce. “I found her first. I called dibs.”

Brought Maria to meet the other Outlaws and they adopted her too. “Hey, guys. She’s my sister first.”

Jason was the one to teach her how to shoot a gun because he was ‘the most capable’ of teaching her.

The first few months were a little tense with Marinette not fully trusting them and the same with the rest of the Batfam.

Jason warmed her up a bit to him by telling a little of why he took her here.

He was also the one to book them flight to Paris with Bruce’s credit card so she can tell her friends that she wasn’t dead in person.

They bonded more after stopping some nefarious plot in Paris while they were there. Let’s say Gentleman Ghost and something involving the catacombs in Paris. (I watched some Batman: Brave and the Bold for childhood nostalgia.)

Kwamis were animal-shaped and they were interesting creatures to be around. And very very curious.

There was a stressful day for Maria when all the Kwamis decided to play hide and seek. Damian somehow got roped into helping her as the only available person in the Manor and he will deny that he enjoyed it.

Damian is the little brother she always wanted and she is more tolerable compared to his brothers. There is also the fact that she trusts him with the kwamis and deep down, he feels super-honoured. (I just love older sister!Mari)

Tim and her being insomniac/coffee buddies. There has been many many interventions to stop this.

I get that Marinette is this selfless person and loves making people happy but she has siblings now and them eating the stuff she made for herself to enjoy, should get on her nerves after a while.

She makes a box with booby-traps in which she puts in her cookies and food.

There are many different layers of traps because this is the Batfam and each of them is non-lethal and more ridiculous.

Okay, I once read a fic about Marinette making a bear-trap style box to hide the Miracle Box so this box is also like that but kept for food. (Traps and Sneaks by quicksilversquared)

Someone (I vote a hungry Dick or Jason, maybe a suspicious Bruce) made a mistake of putting their hand into the box and the first trap activated.

Screams filled the house.

Everyone came down including Marinette.

Bruce asked, “Who did this?”

“It was me.”

“Why?”

“They kept eating the cookies.”

“There are other ways to stop them from doing that you know like a ‘Do Not Touch’ sign not a death trap box.”

“They are non-lethal.”

Bruce locked it away but Tim later stole it to tweak it and store his coffee. ------ (Part 4)

[ragingbookdragon]

Love Bites (But So Do I) PT. 2

Justice League x Reader One-shot

Word Count: 2.3K Warnings: Explicit Language

Author's Note: Aye, we're back with another Skyrim!Reader fic! Enjoy! -Thorne

**********************************************************************

It’d been close to a year since she’d joined the Justice League, and though the original members were a tightknit group, they’d welcomed her with open arms. Some of them were still wary about her, but for the most part, she was doing well within their ranks, especially when it came to being around Bruce or Hal. Given her longevity, she’d seen men like them before, known how to get along with them. Bruce she could meet on equal footing, Hal was simply a man that had to be shown who was in charge; it didn’t take much to make Hal crack under her authority, and in mere days, she had him wrapped around her fingers—Bruce too, but he’d never outright admit it to her face, or anyone else’s, even if a gun was put to his head.

She didn’t particularly fight much when they went on missions, preferring to be backup as well as their combat medic, a job she did well. She’d sewn up most of them without a blink of an eye, and while the first time she sewed Bruce’s wounds up, Clark and Diana stood beside to watch in case she tried to feed, they quickly learned, not only through her own comment but also his, that she wasn’t going to harm anyone.

Barry liked her. Or at least he enjoyed speaking with her. He found her ten thousand years of experience interesting, the history of her life, the survival of it. They’d spent hours talking about the past, hers and his from going back in time often. She enjoyed puzzling the poor scientist with magic. Barry wasn’t one to follow the whole “It’s magic” sermon; he wanted scientific evidence, hypothesis and experiments to prove how sparks, fire, and frost flowed from her fingertips like water. How natural it was for her as if it were like breathing.

She liked Barry. Liked to help him through personal issues. Her many years had given her experience in most subjects of life. Spurned lovers, betrayal of friends, death, life, all of it. There wasn’t anything she couldn’t help with, the League had come to find out. Sometimes, she even helped, and she didn’t even realize it.

***

It was one of the routine meetings for the month; she sat next between Diana and Hal, trying to focus on the words coming out of Bruce’s mouth but all she could hear was the quiet rumbling coming beneath them. What was she hearing? A broken pipe in the ceiling? Air hissing from a crack in a window, perhaps? No, it seemed to be coming from the table. But what was it? Nothing was shaking the foundation. What—

“(Y/N), is something wrong?”

She cocked her head up, realizing she’d pressed her face to the table in hopes she could listen closer to the noise; clearing her throat, she felt the eyes of the group on her. “Apologies,” she excused. “There’s…there is something I keep hearing under your voice. It’s…distracting.”

Her eyes found Clark’s. “Listen for a moment and see if you can hear it.”

They waited, everyone holding their breath, and when the rumbling came again, her eyes widened. “See! That! What is that!”

Clark held his hand up to say wait and she fell silent, letting him listen of for a few more moments, and then he cracked a smile and laughed.

“What? Why are you laughing?” she questioned. “What is it?”

“It’s Barry’s stomach,” he chuckled, nodding at the Speedster who suddenly flushed.

“Sorry,” he said. “I didn’t know you guys could hear it.” He laughed nervously. “It’s past my usual snack time so I’m really hungry.”

“I’ve got you,” Hal replied, digging in his bomber pocket to pull out a candy bar. “Snickers?”

“Ooo!” Barry chirped, taking it from him with a, “Thank you. I forgot to pack snacks when I left the house today.”

“Bar, one day, you’re gonna keel over from hunger because you forget. I swear, your memory is just as bad as your lateness.”

“God, don’t remind me,” Barry snickered.

(Y/N) hummed, eyes lingering on Barry for a moment before she turned to Bruce. “Sorry for the interruption. Please, continue.”

Bruce didn’t skip a beat, but she kept the thought of Barry in the back of her mind.

***

A couple hours later, the meeting had ended, and she caught up with Barry and Hal as they left. “Barry, a moment of your time, please? There’s something I wish to discuss with you.”

Hal waved the two off and continued to the Zeta tubes, leaving them and Barry smiled, “What’s up, (Y/N)?”

“How often do you eat?”

Hello left field with that question.

“I—what?”

“Consuming sustenance,” she reiterated. “How often do you do it?”

Barry shuffled on his feet, scratching at the back of his head. “Well…my metabolism burns through food like Hal does jet fuel.” He saw her cocked eyebrow and unimpressed look and immediately said, “I need to eat roughly 4.8 million calories a day.”

Her eyes went wide and for a moment she simply gaped at him, then she recovered and shook her head. “Divines, you eat a lot of food.”

“Yeah,” Barry chuckled. “Only downside of being a Speedster besides seeing the world in slow motion.”

“Forensic scientists make between forty and one-hundred-thousand a year. Is it possible for you to afford the nutrition you need to adequately feed yourself?”

Just like that, she hit a sore spot because Barry stilled, a remarkable feat, and his cheeks tinted red; she heard the stutter in his heart rate, noted the way he looked around uncomfortably. “I…Bruce…helps me sometimes.” He shifted nervously. “High calorie protein bars are the easiest to manufacture in massive quantities. I need them most nights.”

“So, you can’t afford the amount of food you need?” (Y/N) hummed, eyes narrowing as she brought her hand to her face, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. “I’m going home for the evening,” she suddenly blurted out. “Come back here tomorrow around the same time. I’ll have something for you that will help with your food shortage.”

As she walked off, Barry grabbed her arm, pleading, “Wait, (Y/N), don’t. I can’t take money from you.”

“I never said anything about money,” she corrected, removing his arm. “I merely said for you to come back, and I’ll have something for you.” She winked. “Relax Barry. I’m not going to tell the world your secrets.”

***

He stood in the center of the area where he was supposed to meet (Y/N), had been standing there for an hour, but then again, she was only fifteen minutes late and he forty-five minutes early. Barry glanced at his watch when a buzzing started in his pocket; he pulled his phone out and saw her caller ID, lifting it to his ear. “Hello?”

Barry! Sorry for calling late. That thing I’m looking for is taking a bit longer than I expected it to. Do you think you could come to my home in Gotham? I’ve already called ahead and let Bruce know you’d be in city limits.

“Oh, yeah,” he answered. “I’ll be right there.”

Good! Travel safely!

It’d taken him all of ten seconds to get from the Watchtower to her house and Barry almost shit his pants when he saw it. It reminded him of Hagrid’s house but slightly wider and with multiple conjoined buildings to it. He walked up to the front door, hyping himself up to grab the brass doorknocker that resembled a demonic skull. When he knocked on the door, nothing happened, then the locks flipped and it opened, creaking on its hinges like a cheap eighty’s horror film, but it did the trick because Barry was scared out of his mind when all he saw was a darkened room lit up only by a candle holder on a table in the middle.

“I’m in the back!” a voice called from inside. “Fang is coming to greet you! He’s bringing Nevermore!”

Nevermore was the bird. He remembered that one, but who was Fang?

His question was answer by a giant mastiff came bounding from an opening to the hallway and Barry almost jumped a foot in the air; it looked terrifying, but he merely whined and shoved his head into Barry’s palm, waiting to be scratched behind his ears.

He relented, giving Fang a good ear-scratch, and smiled as Nevermore hopped up his arm to sit on his shoulder.

“Hungry!” he croaked. “Want snacks!”

Barry dug around in his pocket, finding a half-eaten granola bar. “Granola?” he offered, holding up a piece and Nevermore swiped it with a quick snap of his beak.

“Come in!”

“(Y/N), where are you?”

“In the back!” she called. “I told you that already!”

“I meant where!” Barry laughed, coming to the hallway. It split down two sides, one going to the right the other left. The right opened to what looked like a studio. The left went down and had two doors on the wall, what were bedrooms, and at the end of the hall was a study.

“Bedroom!” she answered, and Barry walked down the left, stopping at the second door that was creaked open.

He saw (Y/N) laying over her bed, digging for something on the opposite side away from him. “(Y/N)?”

“Come in,” she said, listening to him walk around to see her. “I forgot I shoved this underneath her a long time ago when I was cleaning things out.”

“How long is a long time ago?”

“Hmm…American Revolution? Give or take a decade or so?” she waved it off, pulling out what looked like an antique drawstring bag, about the size of a dinner plate; she held it up and patted the bed beside her with her free hand. “This is going to solve all your food problems,” (Y/N) announced, watching him sit down.

“Uh…how so?”

She placed it in his lap. “Think of your absolute favorite snack food. Chips or cookies or something.”

He did.

“Now…reach into the bag and pull it out.”

Barry’s brows furrowed as he reached in the bag, and she knew he’d found them because his eyes went wide, and he pulled out a snack pack of cookies. “What the—”

“Magic food purse,” (Y/N) explained. “Found it one day when I was exploring.” She took it back and reached into it, pulling out a thin tray of expertly wrapped sushi. “It’s really helpful when you’re traveling and can’t carry massive amounts of food around with you.”

Barry watched her pop one in her mouth; he knew damn well that sushi wasn’t in there when he reached inside. He swiped the bag from her and opened it, peering inside, but all he saw was a dark, stretching expanse. “That’s not possible,” he breathed. “There’s nothing in here.”

“It’s magic,” (Y/N) snorted, reaching in to pull out a frosted chocolate cupcake. “Anything you can imagine eating or drinking? It will come out.”

“That’s not scientifically possible!” Barry stressed, trying to shove his head into the bag. There had to be some gimmick to it. A transporter! Something!

“Why is it so hard for you to accept that some things in this universe can’t be explained by science?” she stared at him. “For Divines’ sake, Barry, your best friend is a man who wields a magic ring. You run faster than the speed of light.”

“There’s science behind some of that!”

“Not much.”

“But there is science! Here—there’s nothing!” Barry was having a crisis. “I don’t know how this works. I don’t understand.”

(Y/N) smiled and folded the bag up, gently stowing it in Barry’s jacket pocket. “It’s not about understanding, Barry, it’s about accepting that there are some things you won’t ever understand.” Her eyes crinkled at the edges. “That bag will never run out of magic. You can think all the food and drinks into existence and never run out of food again.”

She reached up and cupped his cheek. “No more high calorie meal bars unless you have to eat them. No more worrying about putting money aside to make sure you have enough to eat. No more relying on others to keep yourself from going hungry.” (Y/N) whispered comfortingly, “No more fear. No more worries.”

Barry felt the lump rise in his throat. He’d never admitted it, not even to Hal, but he worried constantly about keeping fed. Worried that money wouldn’t come in, that he’d go hungry, that something worse would happen. All the nights he’d laid in bed and had to roll over on an empty stomach because he couldn’t afford to buy more or eat what he’d planned for tomorrow then. All the skipping meals, all the exhaustion, all the worry. Gone in moments.

He felt her thumb under his eye, and he looked into her umber ones, seeing her smile softly as she wiped away another tear. She didn’t say anything, merely gazing at him and Barry leaned into her palm, reaching up to cup her hand closer to his cheek. “Thank you,” he managed through the lump in his throat. “I don’t know how to repay you for—”

“Shhh,” (Y/N) hushed, pressing her thumb to his lips. “There’s nothing to repay anyone for. I did this for you, Barry, not so you’d owe me.” She pulled away from him and rose from the bed, looking back. “Now, if you’d like a moment to yourself, I understand. But I was planning on making dinner. Would you like to stay the night?”

“You don’t mind?” Barry asked. “I wouldn’t want to intrude.”

She glanced over her shoulder with a wink, flashing those pretty white fangs in a smile as she flirted, “Stay all you want, Barry. I won’t bite…yet.” She left Barry in the room, heart pounding in his chest, but not from fear—from excitement and anticipation.

[sweetsbfreex]

my baby, my baby

brought to u by me watching IW for the millionth time

Summary: You ask Steve for one thing before the fight against Thanos (IW), but for the first time in however long he denies you of fulfilling this wish.

Warnings: language?

Pairing: Nomad, Bf!Steve x thanos daughter!reader

-

He was manning the quinjet, not all the way true. Sam was flying the jet to Wakanda, Steve slumped in his seat beside Sam, in deep thought. His chin is set into his palm, his arm sitting up on the armrest, and his palm covering half of his mouth. Looking further down his leg was jittering steadily.

What would happen next was a pretty big deal, none of you on the jet knew what could go wrong. So obviously tensions were at an all time high in this cooped up jet. 

You rise up from your seat between Wanda and Nat. Walking yourself behind Steve’s chair. Your pointer finger taps his embellished shoulder, separating him from his apprehensive thoughts. He looks up at you and the creases that were once prominent in his forehead evaporated. 

You don’t utter anything, only nudging your head behind you. 

Follow me to the back.

Is what’s reciprocated when he too gets up from his seat, letting Sam know he’ll be up front in a second. Once you turn, he follows you down the small aisle to the side “room” away from all the prying ears. 

Finally.

You step into the room first. You weren't going to lie, your heart was beating with so much force and it only grew as he walked past you into the room. You close the door behind you, turning, so you're facing Steve's attentive figure. 

You only smile at him to some extent, prompted to show there were no ill intentions to asking him back here. When you see how nervous he looks, as you take his hand seating the both of you to a bench against the wall.

Your knees tenderly touch. He clears his throat coercing you to go on, raising an eyebrow in confusion. 

“You alright doll?” he asks you, in a gentle manner. Taking the already linked palms shifting it from your lap to his. His other hand blanketing your combined hands. 

“I’m okay. Are you?” you ask the question hesitantly, raising your spare hand to move aside the hair that fell over and veiled his eyes. You desperately wanted to make sure you got a good look at his face. You loved his face.  

His cheeks go plump in a charming smile, and his hand squeezes yours back. 

His hair was long. Longer than you would’ve ever imagined Steve would let it be. Either way you loved every inch of the gold locks. Yet, everytime you told him how much you loved it, despite his insecurity and slight annoyance with it. He'd always fall into a rampage down memory lane. Telling you how his late mother would've hounded him about the upkeep of his hair.  

You adored that about him too. Loved, that he loved so hard and so full. He’d never forget the ones he loved no matter what. 

“I’m swell, you don’t need to worry about me” he tells you. 

You didn’t believe him one bit and you weren’t going to push him about it. You knew how he was...stubborn as ever. But, it was also ,by and large, your job to worry about him–– after loving him of course. Contrary to what he would say (Which was vice-versa.)

“We’re gonna be okay...okay? But I have something to ask you. And you can’t get mad.”

“I’m not promising that, but we won’t shout. We’ll talk it out–– whatever it is”

It was the best you were going to get from him and time was closing in on you guys being able to be like this, anway.  

“I know how you are, but this is a really critical thing we're fighting for here. So, unless I'm in some type of grave danger. I don’t want you worrying about me on the field. No matter what...Make sure he doesn’t get that stone.” Your voice lets you down towards the end, starting to get scratchy and low. 

He stands up in no time. His hands going to his belt, then to his hips, he finally raises one hand to run against his beard.

His facial hair, another thing in the endless things you loved about Steve Rogers. 

When the stubble he usually shaves away kept growing into a full beard, it surprised you both. You in a hot kind of way, he became more adoring by day when decided to stop shaving. 

You walked in on him one day. He was facing the scratched up mirror in a bathroom in a dingy hotel room. Running his fingers against his face, the other clutching onto the edge of the counter. Tilting his head back and to, eyes shifting as he looked over his face. It was another part of the effect of the serum he didn’t expect would happen. 

Telling you a story as he wandered down memory lane again. How he had problems growing stubble as a sickly kid–– so behind on puberty. He even watched Bucky grow his first “stache” at sixteen, but that came to an abrupt stop when Bucky’s mother made him shave it off. 

Steve thought It was weird to think that he could now also.

You were still sitting on the bench. Swiveling your body so you were facing your boyfriend, looking up at his fidgeting build with care. 

Feeling like a child waiting for their parents to dispute whatever impending punishment they would grant. 

“Why would you ask me that?” he finally, finally disrupts his silence. Scoffing at the offensive question. 

He doesn’t look at you with anything negative, only confusion.

“Because. I don’t want you jumping in front of whatever it is in front of me...I know him, he’s my dad. He’ll do anything to get what he wants, even if it means I die.”

When Steve told you that it was actually Bruce calling and told you what he said. He looked at you baffled when the shirt you were about to put on dropped from your grasp.

Once you told him you had knowledge of Thanos and how you knew him, there was a pregnant silence in the air.

If anything it filled the rage towards Thanos in Steve even more, by the time you finished. 

“Are you listening to yourself?” he questions you in disbelief, lips stuck in a sneer.

“Please. Just please, angel.” you maintain.  

You don’t answer either of his questions and he truly hates that. He stays silent for a bit watching your seated figure, looking up at him with the saddest eyes you’ve ever given him. His puzzled eyes shift down to your bobbing leg and your hands wringing together with so much speed and anguish.

He could probably throw up right now.  

And when he shifts his eyes up again, you keep that same look on your face waiting for him to say anything.

He sighs dejectedly, dropping his hands to his side, and walking himself back over to you. He sits closer to you than before. Extending a gloved hand to caress your cheek before fixing the flyaways from your sleek ponytail.  

“I can’t. You’ll always be my priority, and I won’t promise something like that sweetheart” he tells you this languidly. His thumb starts to rub circles against your cheekbone, to calm you down, when he catches the way your eyes widen at his admission.  

“Steve!” your voice breaks. So shocked, you can’t hold back the tears that build up and fall slowly over your face. 

You couldn’t believe this. He’s supposed to love you. Time and time again he’d always remind you how much he loves you and how he’d do anything for you–– too hard to say no to you, his words. Thinking this over you pull your face away from his hold, looking down at your taut hands. This wasn’t a silly death wish. You had to make sure your father didn’t get what he desired, no matter what. 

He hates having to watch you cry, but he doesn’t have much of a choice now. He needs to stand his ground, there was no way he would be arguing about this. And he does this, grabbing your face with a light hand,  so you were face to face again. 

"I love you so much. And if I have to choose between letting you die and Thanos losing. Or you living and watching the universe crumble, you know exactly what I'm gonna choose. I'm not losing you, not if I have anything to do with it"

Albeit how dumb it sounded, there is no notable instance in his life where’d let you perish over him. 

“You’re not thinking this through” you hiccup.

“It’s you, isn’t it? There’s not much to think about”  he smiles at you and as you look at him you can see his eyes glazing over. 

His statement only causes you to cry more. You feel nothing but the pain in your heart and the repositioning of your body. It takes you a moment to realize you’re settled on his thighs sideways. His well built arm warmly wraps around your shoulder, your temple rests against his shoulder, and his lips are placing light kisses to the crown of your head. 

You incline your head, “I love you too much” you say in an awed whisper, raising a hand to twirl in the strands at the back of his collar. Following that, you let your hand spread across the back of his neck pulling him down for a kiss.

“After this we’re done okay? We have our pardon and are going to buy whatever house you want to get. I’m gonna buy you the prettiest engagement ring money can buy, Gonna get whatever animals you want,” you chuckle at that part.

If there was one thing Steve learned while living incognito with you is that you’d save any animal if you were able to. Always stopping whenever you passed by any animal in need in the drary streets. Looking up at Steve, who’d always have to remind you that neither of you could give it the life it deserves right now. Opting to only go to the nearest convenience store to buy whatever safe animal food in sight. 

His hand immediately clutches your face to wipe away the tears that fell without pattern. His smile grows fonder when you do the same.  “‘Can paint the house whatever we decide...maybe even get a house big enough to fit the kids we’ll have?” he tells you the last part in such a timid manner, bearing one of his hands to clutch yours. His thumb running over your knuckles at full tilt. 

The only thing you were able to give him was a stunned look. So shocked you were unable to react like a normal person. 

You squeeze his hand tight only being able to stutter a “really?”

“Of course. I want to have a bunch of small Rogers with you, wreaking havoc around our house” he admits this to you, carrying out such strong eye contact. If his hand didn’t slither down your back, supporting you up and grounding you, you’d jump in glee. 

Fuck. Neither of you had talked about this, but you were glad that you both were on the same page about his. You felt terrified but in a good way, wanting to wholly get this over with and start this dream life with Steve. 

“And this is all gonna happen, because everything is going to go well. We’re gonna win, I don’t want you thinking like that or asking me something like that ever again. Thanos will never be on our list of priorities ever again.”

“I’m sorry, baby. I can’t wait to start that life with you” you respond, winding your arms around his neck, crashing your lips to his with force.

He pulls away without notice to place hasty kisses to your cheek, loving the giggles you emitted. Even so, the energy in the room shifts too soon when Sam knocks on the door. Steve allows him entrance. 

“Sorry to interrupt, but we’re about to land Cap”

Steve responds by nodding his head once, stiffly. Letting him know he’d be out in a second. 

You get off of his thighs, so the both of you were standing chest to chest. He claps your worried face. Pulling you into him with little force, so his lips could fall to your forehead, nose, and lips. 

“Remember what I said and be safe, I love you”

“I love you” you recite, bringing his hand down to kiss his covered palm.

With that he envelops you in his arm, his cheek resting against the top of your head. Both of you breathing each other in. Your shoulders relaxing at his loving touch. 

He’d do whatever needed to keep you safe and if it ended in his death, then so be it. You’d do the same for him in a heartbeat, there was no point in either of you arguing this one out. 

––––

Everyone was tired, it seemed like this fight only dragged on with the never-ending monsters. But, with the help of Thor (of course) it seemed like things were only getting positive from there. With the way he rendered lightning, destroying things into dust, you were ready to end this once and for all.  

And when a cloud of grey smoke appeared out of thin air, and a large titanian appeared. You knew this would either be the ending or the beginning of all these troubles. 

“That’s him” you falter, turning to Steve. You give him a quick once over, nothing the way he eyed your father. A menacing, scary look on his face and the furrow of his eyebrows only grow. 

“We have eyes on Thanos” he says into the intercom.

It’s like time stands still for a few seconds, no one moves a muscle. You haven't seen this man in years. You feel as if he doesn't recognize who you are as he glances over everyone, like they're roaches in his kitchen. 

Yet, in a blur, everyone takes their chance on Thanos. Trying their hardest to somehow, someway take this Titanian down. Bruce gets thrown with a shout, Branches entwine Nat, and Sam drops from the air smoothly. 

At some point you hear the grunt of Steve, who somehow gets some punches in, his hands clutching the gauntlet. He shouts from the hefty weight and in a swift motion is stock-still on the ground from the punch he endures. 

“Steve!”

Without a choice you run towards Thanos, your adrenaline kicking in. Kicking in punching only to use your hands to grasp around the metal. You knew towards the end; you were no match for him. 

“Please! Please don’t do this. Dad please I’m begging you” you plead profusely, but he only looks down at you emotionless. “Please, please, please” you cry, your head hangs low for a bit before you raise it up again. “This won’t fix anything! You–– you…JUST TAKE IT OFF” you scream, knuckles colliding with the gold.

You try so hard to think of anything to turn his mind, but he only looks at you like a stranger. Not the little girl he recruited and used to look at with some kind of affection. His type of affection, if you could even title it that, affection. 

Sure, he raised you to be a ruthless killer and thief, but you’d do anything in this key moment to change his crooked mind. 

“You don’t get to call me that again. You chose your path...I always knew you’d be the one to let me down the most” he says all this with so much venom. 

You cry as you're lifted in the air, by his gauntlet hand, and thrown against the bark of a tree. 

You're in a daze. The only things securing you back is the hand against your cheek and a booming, choked up "no". Hearing it a distance away.

You open your eyes to see Steve in front of you, your name on his lips almost incessantly. But when you open them, your eyes quickly move to Thor. Who’s a few feet away from the two of you, shocked and angry. The remnant of smoke in the air. You knew he did it.

“We lost?” you ask Steve, tears already forming in your eyes, as he carefully lifts you to his feet.

He doesn’t get the chance to answer you, though. 

“Steve…?” It’s Bucky, You both look towards him to see him fall slowly, disappearing into a brown dust. 

You both look on, shocked all while Steve tries to drag himself and your weak body to Bucky. But it’s already too late. 

“Buck?!” Steve calls out, but there’s no answer.

You watch on in disorder, stomach plummeting with every second that pasts.  Your eyes catch Wanda looking onto Vision's body in sorrow and as you do, she turns into brown dust.  It was frightening and you were speechless. So much happening around you, you weren’t sure where to look. You weren’t who was going away. 

The hand against your spine, holding you up, starts to feel faint and a headache you had suffered from earlier comes back, but ten times stronger. 

“My head hurts” you tell him, your words come out slowly as your mouth starts to feel numb. You drop your head to his shoulder. “Stevie...I can’t feel your hands” you blubber, chest heaving as your breathing picks up. Everything was happening so, so fast. 

He lifts your head, “Hey, you’re alright sweetheart, you took a hard hit. Just a bit banged up, gotta stay awake in case it’s a concussion” he reassures you.

You don’t believe him and when you look down at your right hand to see it crumbling away little by little. You lift your wrist up, hand gone. You look down to see the brown dust below your view. 

You didn’t want to go. You had merely planned your dream future with him. It wasn’t fair your father would be the one to rip that away from you.

“No. No, you’re alright, stop that” he condemns, bringing your other hand to his bruised lips imperatively. Watching as it climbs up and up, half of your shoulder  already gone. 

“I’m scared. I love you so much Steve”

“I love you so much doll, feel like we’ve been saying it all day” he tries to joke, eyes roaming all over your face. He had to make sure he had your face recognized to a t, even if it was in a manner of pain. 

And you do the same. You weren’t sure where you were going. Were you even dying?! You couldn’t tell, all you knew was Steve and some of your friends wouldn’t be where you were going.

You laugh despondently, low, and mirthlessly knowing how much he needed that laugh at the moment.

“No. I’m gonna––” you start, but never get to finish, because at that moment. In a flash, he’s left with the sight of the soot falling in a sway, like leaves tumbling to the ground. Staring at him gloved palms to see nothing of you there any longer. 

He does nothing but stand there for a few minutes, recollecting the exchange. Not only was his best friend gone, but so was his best girl.  

He had one fucking job. Keep you safe at all times. Not only did he let the whole universe down, he let you down. You were gone. He can only think about the moment you both had on the jet, telling you, you had nothing to worry about. Because you guys were going to win and now she is gone.  He let you down in the worst possible way imaginable. You were gone…

He repeats this to himself, losing hope each time that you would be back in just a second. 

He turns around to see his friends observing him and once he notices that Sam is no longer among the group it only increases his agony. 

“Cap?” Nat mumbles.

“FUCK!” he breaks. Ripping the gloves off his hand before he sets himself against the ground–– his body feeling heavy. His head is in his hand, body heaving roughly as he cries quietly.

Everyone is stunned and takes a step back to give his face, not remembering the last time they’ve seen him this broken or the last he’s had an outburst resulting in a curse word. 

He isn’t sure how he’s supposed to live with this guilt or without you by his side. In spite of that,  there was no way in hell he wasn’t going to try and find a way to bring you back.

– – – – 

realized while writing thing i am not creative...this (beginning) was literally a scene

if you enjoyed pls don’t forget to reblog or give feedback if ur up to it <3

[mochegato]

Even the Losers

Chapter 13

Chapter 1     Chapter 12

“You ready for this?” Dick asked flashing a charming, boyish grin that Marinette imagined many people had trouble saying no to.  She was not one of those people.  If she could say no to Adrien’s most charming, sappy, kitten eyes trained on her and Tikki’s most wide eyed, imploring, big blue eyes begging for cookies after a ‘grueling’ day wrangling the other kwami, she could say no to Dick’s blue eyes.  It wasn’t even a contest.

However, she currently had no interest in saying no. She was actually really excited to swing on the trapeze with him… or alone, really at all.  A bright smile spread across her face as she took in their trapeze rig.  She’d never been on a trapeze, but she was hoping it would be like swinging on her yoyo. She and Adrien had put their superhero days behind them.  They still wore their miraculous and of course she still had her guardian duties, but they didn’t transform anymore, preferring to move on from the painful memories and impossible balance.  They loved being heroes but the strain it put on relationships, the lies, the responsibility… they never regretted their decision.  

Wonder Woman knew how to get in touch with them should their services ever be absolutely necessary, but short of that, they were out.  So this was the closest she was going to get to that feeling ever again, short of a world ending event, in which case, she wouldn’t be able to enjoy it anyway.

But this, she looked at the rigging again, this was going to be great.  She turned to Dick, her bright smile spreading even wider and her eyes gleaming. “Absolutely!”  She gripped her bag tighter then actually took in what Dick was wearing, tight tank top and bike shorts, and looked down at her own street clothes in realization.  “Well, I mean not right now.  I need to change,” she motioned to herself, “but as soon as I change I will be.”

Dick nodded and opened his mouth to say something but Bruce stepped in before he could say anything.  “Good to see you again, Marinette.”  He leaned in to do a la bise.  He mentally congratulated himself for their first not awkward greeting. It was definite progress.  “Let me show you where you can change.”

Marinette nodded and walked in the direction he indicated.  She looked back over her shoulder to smile at Dick, but he was already turned around and focusing on checking the rigging.  “How was New York?” Bruce asked, bringing her attention back to the two of them.

“New York was good.  It was a good meeting.  Mrs. Bourgeois wanted to speak with me personally about styling the shoot. I was originally scheduled to speak with an associate editor.  I can’t imagine what changed in the last three weeks or so,” she joked with a smile at M. Wayne.

Bruce sighed and gave a resigned nod.  “Yeah, once people find out, they can change the way they treat you.”

Marinette nodded, looking away in thought.  “It was so strange.  I’ve known her for years and all of a sudden she was trying to be nice.”  She shuddered slightly.  “That woman has never been nice a day in her life.  Honestly, one of the creepiest feelings I’ve ever had.”

Bruce grimaced at Marinette’s first brush with being treated differently.  “Sorry about that.  I should warn you… we should sit down sometime and discuss security and social changes.  People are going to do that now, want to get close to you because of your name.  Not that you aren’t worth knowing without it!” he rushed to assure her once he realize what he said.  “I just mean…”

“I understand,” Marinette cut him off kindly. “I have quite a few famous friends or friends with famous parents.  I’ve seen how people try to get close to them because of that.  I’ve even had people try to get close to me in order to get closer to them.”  She rolled her eyes at the memories of the desperate people trying to flatter her and just dropping in mention of Adrien or Jagged.

Bruce looked at her sympathetically.  “Sorry you had to deal with that.”

Marinette laughed at his apology.  She laughed loud enough for it to echo off the walls of the hallway.  The absurdity of thinking that was something to apologize for.  That those experiences even registered on her hurt scale.  “Don’t be ridiculous.  None of that was your fault.  They weren’t even bad.  It was something for us to laugh about.”

Bruce gave her a small smile.  “Hopefully it stays that way.”  He stopped walking and motioned to a room.  “This is your room.”

Marinette waited for the ‘while you’re here’ or ‘while you’re changing’, but they never came.  And there was something off with the way he said it, a gravity that didn’t belong there.  She looked between Bruce and the room a few times and pushed the door open.  Like the rest of the house, the room was luxurious. Only the finest furniture and decorations.  The room was filled with pink, silver, grey, and white.  Everything coordinated and elegant.  She was almost afraid to walk into the room lest she damage any of it.

She walked into the room timidly and tried to take in all the details.  She scanned the room and gasped, her body going rigid, as her eyes rested on a crib against the far wall.  She walked slowly toward the crib, almost like she was in a trance.  Her eyes ran over the crib.  There were still stuffed animals in it.  It was almost like it hadn’t been touched in decades and except for the lack of dust in the room, she would believe it.

“I couldn’t…” Bruce started coming up behind her, “I could never bring myself to tear it down.”  Marinette looked up at him wide eyed.  She was too shocked to say anything.  Her eyes moved to the bookshelf next to the crib.  It was filled with children’s books and baby toys. “I can… I mean we can change it if you’d like.”  His face wrinkled as he forced the words out.  “I know it isn’t exactly,” he paused looking for the words. “I know it isn’t exactly an ideal room for a young woman.”

He sighed and looked around the room.  He made his way over to a nightstand and picked up the framed picture standing on it.  He sat on the bed still holding the frame.  The luxurious bed sagged under him as if it was accustomed to his weight there.  “For a while, it was the only part of you I still had.”

Marinette looked back at him, her lips parting in surprise at his admission.  “Did I spend time here?” she asked quietly, almost too quietly for him to hear.

Bruce nodded.  “You did.  The grey cat stuffie was your favorite, MaoMao.”  He looked up at her with a bittersweet smile.  “You loved chewing on his ears.”

Marinette slowly walked over and sat next to him on the bed.  She looked at the picture he was holding.  He noticed her interest and held it out for her to take.  Marinette took it, almost fearfully.  She didn’t know what exactly she was afraid of, more knowledge?  New knowledge?  Everything changing yet again.  Everything had been in constant flux for the past two weeks.  She wanted things to settle but she needed to know more.

She looked at the image and immediately brought her hand to her mouth, her eyes already tearing up.  The picture was of a much younger Bruce Wayne holding baby her. The look in his eyes was absolutely enamored.  She was looking up at him with much the same expression, a wide, toothless grin on her face as she reached out for his face with one hand and clutched the stuffed cat to her chest with the other.  It was the stereotypical image of a happy family.  She ran her fingers over the image, trying to force herself to remember any part of that day, or any day here or with Bruce.

“That was out in the gardens behind the house.  There’s a little creek back there that you loved. You kept trying to work your way over to it.  Before you could walk, you’d crawl to it.  Before you could crawl, you’d scooch.  Before you could scooch, you’d roll.”  He chuckled as a far off look overtook his eyes.  “You were always very determined.”

“How much time did I spend here?” she asked.

Bruce let out a heavy sigh.  “Your mother brought you once a week for a few hours.”  He frowned.  “Then when you were about ten months old, you spent an entire month here… while your mother was in the hospital.”  Marinette whipped back to him, her eyes wide in surprise.  Bruce gave a small, pained smile.  “You two were caught in an attack that affected your building.  Sabine took the brunt of the damage for you two, but there were other kids…”

He trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.  Marinette didn’t blame him.  She’d seen similar scenes in Paris, bodies strewn about, children’s bodies littering the street after an akuma attack.  Bodies she hadn’t been fast enough or good enough to save.  She’d had the luxury of knowing it wasn’t permanent and she could save them.  M. Wayne wouldn’t have had that.  

“I still have nightmares about it,” he admitted hoarsely.  She frowned at him in sympathy and laid her head on his shoulder.  He froze for half a second before relaxing and laying his head against hers.  “It’s why you left.  Sabine and I were never going to get married.  We both knew that.  So I would never be able to keep you close enough to protect you.  And if I couldn’t protect you by keeping you close…”

Marinette took a deep breath and let it out slowly.  She pursed her lips.  “Then you thought you’d do it by keeping a distance.”

Bruce nodded.  Marinette nodded too, but didn’t say anything.  There wasn’t much to say.  She understood the reasoning.  She understood making decisions based on nightmares.  She had experience with it.  The nightmares can seem so real, they have just as much effect on you as reality, sometimes more.  They can mess with you in a way reality can’t.  She understood all of it.  And it helped.  It didn’t make it okay.  It didn’t make the hurt go away.  It didn’t excuse not contacting her even after he made sure they were safe.  But it helped.

Bruce suddenly stood up awkwardly.  “Right well, Dick will be wondering where you are. I’ll just… get out of your way.”  He shuffled stiffly for a few seconds trying to figure out if he should give a hug or just leave.  He settled for a wooden pat on the back before retreating out of the room.

Marinette stared after him for a few seconds even after the door was closed before finally moving and slowly changing her clothes. She frowned at the room.  Would it be better to change the room to exorcise the memories, or keep it the way it was?  She really wasn’t sure.  She’d have to get to know M. Wayne better before she could have a hint at the right answer.

She left her room and looked up and down the hallway, trying to remember the way back to the gymnasium.  She made it to the end of the hall before she was lucky enough to run into someone.  She quirked her head to the side.  “I thought you didn’t live here.”

“I don’t,” Jason answered gruffly.  She raised an eyebrow at him.  “I’m grabbing a book.”  He held up his book as evidence of his claim.  She raised the other eyebrow but kept silent.  “I’m not here to see you on the trapeze.”

“I didn’t say you were,” she grinned.

“Shut up,” he looked away and ruffled her hair. She squawked an objection, making him smile.  He motioned for her to follow him and guided her to the gym.  “Just make sure you listen to Dickhead.”

Marinette rolled her eyes.  “Not going to lie, doing what I’m told isn’t my forte.”

“Hey!”  He looked suddenly very serious.  He moved closer until he was almost towering over her.  Marinette looked up at him wide eyed, caught off guard by the sudden change of mood.  “I’m the rule breaker around here.  Ask anyone. That’s my role.  Get your own.”

Marinette held her serious look for a few seconds before her entire body started shaking from the giggles she was trying to suppress. She pushed through the doors to the gym still giggling.  Jason huffed in mock annoyance and leaned against the doorframe.  Dick perked up at seeing them and made his way over with an excited smile.

“Whatever.  Just don’t wear that,” Jason motioned vaguely to her sports bra, tight tank top, and boy shorts, “around Roy.”

“You know Roy?” Dick asked with a frown.

“Why?  He going to give me a workout?” she asked Jason with a smirk.

“No!  He is not,” Dick exclaimed, face scrunching in distaste.

Jason shuddered and wrinkled his nose, making a gagging noise.  “No,” he said definitively.  “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go throw up.”

Marinette gave him a mock concerned look, her eyes open wide in innocence.  “Oh no, Jason!  Are you not feeling well?  You really shouldn’t drive yourself home.  Should I call your partner to come get you?”

“Wait, how did you even meet Roy?” Dick tried again.

Jason narrowed his eyes at her.  “I hope you fall.”

“Jason!” Dick exclaimed, his expression suddenly serious.  “That’s not funny.”

Marinette cackled as Jason walked away.  Dick shook his head at her and moved them into the gym. “Okay, let’s warm up first.”  He got down on the padded floor and started stretching out encouraging Marinette to do the same.  He watched her in surprise as she was able to stretch incredibly well for a civilian.  She was better than most of his brothers.  “You’re really flexible.  Did you take classes?”

Marinette froze almost imperceptibly.  If Dick hadn’t spent the last twenty years analyzing body language in order to survive, he would have missed it.  She shrugged in an excellent imitation of nonchalance. “I sit behind a sewing machine for hours at a time so I make sure to stretch a lot.” She laughed lightly.  “Probably a lot more than I need to.”

Dick watched her for a few seconds before nodding.  “Right,” he said slowly.  He looked her over one more time.  “Well it’s working.”

Marinette gave him an overly wide smile.  “Thanks.”

Dick eyed her suspiciously again but got up and grabbed something off the wall.  “Now,” he held up a harness for her, “I’m going to hook up a harness.  It’ll keep you from falling too fast and help with the moves.”

Marinette frowned at the thought.  If she was hooked up, she wasn’t going to be able to fly like she wanted to.  It wouldn’t feel like she imagined, like she just now realized she needed.  She needed to feel the weight of gravity on her body pulling her down.  The harness was going to throw her weight off.  It was going to interfere with her movement.  “Can we try it without the harness?” she asked tentatively.

Dick frowned at the idea, clearly not comfortable with it.  She may have swung a few times with the heroes, but that wasn’t nearly enough to be safe on the trapeze.  Maybe he could convince her to wear the harness for the first few swings and she’d realize how helpful it was.  He looked back in her eyes and faltered.  She was looking at him with wide, hopeful, innocent eyes.  How was he supposed to say no to those eyes?  “I…” he sighed and looked down defeated.  “Do you know how to fall?”

Marinette gave him a deadpan look.  “I’m the world’s foremost expert at falling.”

Dick blinked a few times and gave the deadpan look back at her.  “That’s not making me feel better about not using the harness.”

“Can we try it?” she asked hopefully.  “Just a few swings to get a feel for it and if I’m falling too much, we can try the harness.”

Dick sighed and looked down.  It was the same logic he had been planning on trying, but she was using it against him.  He ran his hand over his face in defeat.  Yeah, she’d fit in the family perfectly.  He glanced over to see Bruce peeking in and his eyes widened in realization.  If he let Bruce’s daughter, his newly brought into his life daughter, get hurt, he’d never forgive Dick.  “Okay, here’s the thing,” he started giving her his most pleading eyes.  “If we do this without the harness and you fall, Bruce is going to skin me alive.”

Marinette gave him an understanding smile.  She laid a reassuring hand on his arm and Dick breathed a sigh of relief and waited for her to agree to the harness.  “I’d protect you, but you won’t need it.  We start slow and build up.  Trust me?”  She turned her hopeful eyes back at him but they were somehow even wider and more pleading.

Dick groaned.  “Fine.”

Marinette grinned brilliantly and jumped up and down in excitement.  “Thank you! Thank you!” She jumped at Dick to give him a hug.  Dick almost startled in surprise.  A family member that wanted hugs and gave them freely?  He hugged her tightly.  Yes, please.  Hopefully, everything would be fine and she was as good as she thought she was and nothing would happen and Bruce wouldn’t kill him, so he would be able to get more hugs in the future.

They climbed up on opposite sides and stood on the platforms facing each other.  Dick got into position and showed Marinette so she could do the same.  When she was positioned, he nodded and pushed off from the platform.  “Okay, let’s start with getting the rhythm.  It’s kind of like getting a swing into rhythm,” he explained.  “When you’re ready to try, go ahead and let go.”

Before he even finished his sentence, Marinette had pushed off and started pushing the bar into a matching rhythm.  Dick blinked a few times at how quickly and smoothly she’d gotten into a matching rhythm.  It was a skill people worked at for days, sometimes weeks.  Getting into a rhythm wasn’t incredibly difficult, most people got that somewhat quickly.  

It was maintaining the same rhythm and matching your partner’s rhythm that took time and training.  Honestly, if learning how to get the trapeze to swing smoothly was all she learned out of this time, he would have been impressed.  But she was already far past that.  She was swinging like it was second nature, like the physics of swinging and gravity were inherent.

“Good job,” he said a bit breathlessly.  “Ready to try a simple move?”

Marinette grinned back and nodded in understanding before remembering he wouldn’t always be able to see her.  She had to be very vocal about everything so he could react properly.  “Yes,” she called out loudly.

“Okay, when I say go, let go of your bar and hold out your arms for me to grab.”

“Okay,” Marinette called out.  She focused on maintaining her momentum and enjoying the way the air pushed back against her as she glided through it, the resistance creating a familiar feeling of a breeze against her skin.  The baby hairs around her hairline, the only hair free of her tight bun, were blowing back and forth as she moved.

As soon as she heard Dick say ‘go’, she let go and arched her back, reaching for him.  She free fell for only a moment before Dick caught her forearms in a strong grip.  She grabbed his forearms too in a tight grip and looked up to meet his eyes.  Their eyes met, exhilarated smiles on both their lips.  

Dick grinned in surprise at the success.  He’d been expecting her to fall, to be honest. The first time doing a catch almost always resulted in falling unless the person was well trained or well prepared, which he admittedly hadn’t done for Marinette.  It was a fumble of arms reaching and tangling, grasping for each other, but moving at the same time, trying to anticipate but guessing wrong. But she understood how to do a catch. She understood to trust her partner to catch her.

He grinned wider at what that meant; she trusted him!  His face suddenly turned serious.  “Okay, here’s the tricky part.  I’m going to count to three.  When I say three, I’m going to let go.  You’ll need to twist around and grab the bar.”

Marinette’s expression turned serious as well, though her eyes still sparkled with delight.  “Understood.”

Dick nodded.  “One… two… three.”  He let go on three and Marinette twisted in time to grab the bar, both of them frozen for a moment in weightlessness while she waited for gravity to take over.

She swung away from Dick but quickly flipped on the bar so she was facing him again.  Dick chuckled and shook his head.  “Let’s get more complex, what do you think?”

Marinette’s grin got wider and her eyes impossibly brighter.  “Yes, please.”

Dick laughed loudly, his laughter echoing off the walls, her laughter quickly joining his.  They swung together for almost half an hour, trying increasingly difficult tricks until they finally got to one Marinette couldn’t do.  Dick’s eyes widened in surprise as she fell in front of his eyes.  He was so accustomed to her keeping up with him, it was a shock when she didn’t.  His heart started pounding and he scrambled to get back to the platform until he heard Marinette’s giggles.  He looked down and saw her bounding across the bouncy net toward the ladder.

When she got to the platform she looked over at him with a grin.  “Try it again?”

Dick grinned at her and flipped back over on his bar.  “Let’s go then.”

The trick ended in the same result, but Dick joined her in the net on purpose this time.  “Maybe try to build up to that?” Dick suggested.  

Marinette nodded as she tried to catch her breath. “Sounds fun.”

“Did you want to try it on your own?” Dick offered. “You seem like you’re comfortable up there.”

Marinette’s eyes widened in excited surprise.  “Really!”

Dick chuckled and nodded.  “Have at it.”

Marinette bounced back over to the ladder and quickly made her way to the bar.  She started swinging and twisting on it, using the zero gravity to do solo tricks. Dick was so engrossed in her performance he almost forgot to get out of the net.  She was so graceful and elegant, like she knew exactly what gravity was going to do down to the millimeter.  It wasn’t at his level, she clearly hadn’t been trained.  But she was also clearly not a novice.

After a while she fell down into the net again breathing heavily.  She grinned at Dick.  “That was amazing.  Thank you! I didn’t realize how much I needed that.”

Dick helped her down from the net, immediately returning the hug she gave him before he could set her down.  “I had fun too.  Anytime you want to use it, feel free.  Just come on over.”

Marinette gave him a small nod.  Her smile still hadn’t died down at all.  “Let’s cool down.” Dick motioned toward the padded mat again.  He and Marinette sat across from each other and started stretching again.  Dick watched her as she stretched, that spark never leaving her eyes.  He knew the feeling well, that felling you get from flying, the freedom, the release.

Images of her growing up with them, him being able to teach her trapeze from the time she was a baby ran through his head. Fantasies of being a big brother to her, keeping her safe, teaching her, sharing the feeling of flying together… all of it gone.  No chance to happen.  Because Bruce walked away from her and straight to him.

“I’m sorry.”  His voice was heavy, weighted down with guilt.

Marinette quirked her head to the side and blinked a few times.  Her mind raced trying to figure out what he could possibly be referring to.  “Did something happen?”

Dick shook his head, his eyes narrowed slightly as he tried to figure out how to say what he was feeling.  “I.. I’m… he… I was the one he took in after…”

Marinette’s eyes softened immediately.  She laid a hand on Dick’s arm.  “Dick,” she started softly.  “You don’t have to apologize for getting adopted, for finding a home where you felt safe and loved.  You didn’t do anything wrong,” she assured him.

Dick searched her eyes for any evidence she didn’t believe what she was saying, but there was only sincerity and a touch of bittersweetness.  “Neither did you.”  His voice was sure and supportive.  His eyes bored into her, pushing against her boundaries.

Marinette looked away quickly.  She hummed noncommittally.  “Except going to the gala,” she said wryly.  “I should have just let Adrien take care of it.  As soon as I found out I should have…” she trailed off, unsure how to end it.

Dick moved closer to her and threw his arm over her shoulder, pulling her against his side.  “But then we wouldn’t have met for who knows how long,” he offered with a bright smile.

Marinette let out a heavy breath and smiled at how hard he was trying.  She looked back up at him from the corner of her eye.  “And what a shame that would be.”

Dick’s grin got wider.  “Exactly!”  He hugged her closer for a few moments as the smile slowly faded from his face.  “I just want to let you know I’m here for you.  I'm sure this is really overwhelming and Bruce has never been good with conveying... or feeling... emotions.  But if you need anyone to talk to, I’m here.”

He moved away so he could see her more clearly. “I missed out on being your big brother growing up and we’ll never get that time back.  And to be honest, I’m extremely upset with Bruce about that. But I’d like to make up for that lost time now.  So if you need anything, I’m here.  You want anything, I’m here.  You want to talk, I’m here.  You want to yell or scream at somebody, I’m here.  If you have a problem you need help with, I’m here.  I’m not going anywhere.”

Marinette looked up at him in surprise.  She blinked a few times uncertain what to say.  “I…”  She closed her mouth quickly, still not sure how to finish the sentence.  After a few moments she smiled softly at him.  “Thank you, Dick.”

Dick pulled her in for another hug, enjoying the feeling of her reciprocating.  Maybe she could show their other siblings how to do that without it being a life threatening situation.  Dick grinned widely as he squeezed her tight and rested his head on hers.  “Or if you just want a hug.  To tell you a secret, I give the best hugs in the family.”

Marinette scoffed playfully as she pulled away from him.  “I don’t know, Jason gives good hugs.”

Dick snapped his eyes to hers.  “Jason gives hugs!”

They almost jumped with Bruce walked in with a wide smile.  “How was it?”  He watched them with a smile as they stood together and stayed close after rising.  It was absolutely no surprise that Dick was able to get so close to her so quickly, but it was still reassuring to see it.

“It was amazing!” Marinette enthused.  “I had so much fun!  I can’t wait to do it again.”

Bruce smiled.  “Any time you want,” he promised.  “Any time you want to come over, feel free.  No need to call first.”  He paused for a moment.  “Although maybe not in the middle of the night.  “It would wake Alfred up.  He’d be more than happy to let you in but we already put him through so much.”

Marinette smiled and chuckled.  “I understand.  I’ll keep the visits to the daytime.”  She looked up just in time to see Dick giving Bruce a significant look.  Dick played it off with a wide smile that Marinette pretended to buy.  She also pretended not to notice the look Bruce gave him back.  She shuffled a few times before looking quietly between them. “Um… I’ll just… I’m going to take a shower and change back.”

Bruce nodded with a soft smile.  The smile was so convincing, Marinette would never have thought anything suspicious was going on if she hadn’t seen the look they gave each other… immediately after Dick spent the afternoon with her.  “You know the way back to your room?”

Marinette nodded rapidly.  “Of course.  Thank you.” She turned to Dick again.  “And thank you.  This was a lot of fun.”

Dick shook his head with a smile.  “You don’t have to thank me, Marinette.  I wanted to spend time with you.  I look forward to doing it again.”

Marinette nodded to him and left the room as quickly as she could without drawing suspicion.  As soon as she was out of eyesight, she speed walked back to the room, closing the door quickly behind her.  She leaned against the door and banged her head against it lightly a few times. It was okay, she tried to reassure herself.  They didn’t know her yet, of course they would have secrets and want to talk about what they learned about her.  She knew that.  But it still hurt.

As soon as Marinette was out of ear shot, Bruce turned back to Dick.  “How did she do?”

“She’s done that before,” Dick reported to Bruce, keeping his voice low so Marinette couldn’t hear him.

“We knew that,” Bruce answered just as quietly. “She said the heroes took her around sometimes.”  He pursed his lips tightly at the thought.  Even knowing nothing happened, he wasn’t happy about it.  The only thing he could think of was all the things that could have happened to her if their villain would have found out.

“No,” Dick cut in before Bruce could brood too hard. “She’s done something similar enough to be comfortable with it, enough that she soared, she flew.  Enough that her body instantly fell into the rhythm, into trusting someone else to catch her.  Those things are learned, Bruce.  I think she had a closer relationship with the heroes than we think she did.”

Bruce narrowed his eyes at Dick, processing his words.  He nodded and looked back to the hallway Marinette had disappeared down.  “The heroes disappeared.  Diana said she can’t even contact them anymore.  Marinette’s the only one who can tell us more.”

Dick nodded.  “I’ll see what I can do when we get together on Monday for Duke’s reading.”

“Carefully,” Bruce cautioned.  He glanced over to catch Dick’s flat look.  “I don’t want to push her.  She’s your sister.  She’s family, not a source.  She’s not a suspect.  She’s not even a victim.  We don’t need this information.  It would be nice to know, but we can live without it.  She’s allowed her privacy.  Plus she’s smart.  You start asking questions, she’s going to get suspicious and may get upset we’re digging into things she doesn’t want to talk about.”

“I know how to talk to people, Bruce,” Dick scoffed. “I’m better at talking to your kids than you are, if you recall.”

“I’m well aware,” Bruce conceded.  “I just… I don’t want to upset her.  She’s allowed her privacy.”

“And I’ll respect that.  And her,” Dick assured him.  He paused for a few seconds before he broached the next subject.  It was going to be delicate, one that neither of them wanted to consider.  “So the question is, if she did have a closer relationship with the Parisian heroes, when did her relationship with Adrien start.  And why.”

Bruce furrowed his brow.  “You think he started it because he knew she was close to the heroes? You think he was working with his father?”  He stared intently at Dick trying to gauge how serious he was about this.  “It doesn’t make sense for him to still be with her if that’s all it was.  And Ladybug told Wonder Woman Adrien was not involved,” Bruce said quietly.  “She vouched for him.”

“And we trust her word?” Dick asked in the same tone.

Bruce paused as he thought about it.  They really didn’t know Ladybug at all.  She’d disappeared after the last fight and only Wonder Woman seemed to have had any contact with her, and limited contact at that.  The League had never gotten the chance to gauge her competence in areas outside of fighting.  “She said he helped give evidence to take his father down,” he started tentatively.

“But…” Dick prompted.

Bruce let out a deep sigh.  This was not going to go over well with Marinette, but if Adrien was using her, they needed to know.  “But it could be a cover.  We don’t know enough to completely excuse him and we don’t know enough about Ladybug or Marinette to know how good of a judge they are.”

Dick nodded.  “We proceed with caution.”

“Extreme caution,” Bruce stressed.  “You heard how she talked about him at dinner.  She’s very protective of him.  Questioning Adrien is going to take more delicacy and tact than questioning her, I think.”

Dick nodded and looked down the hallway toward her room.  He would have to spend the next few days doing research before they met up on Monday.

Chapter 14

Tags:

@maribat-bdbwm @jayjayspixiepop @redscarlet95 @alice-hazelwood @deathssilentapproach-blog @unoriginalmess @alyssadeliv @emotionalsupportginger @frieddonutsweets @when-no-wings-do-broomsticks @toodaloo-kangaroo @colorfulmongerpsychicranch @iloontjeboontje @wolf-for-life @maribatserver @aespades @prettylittlebutterflie @imarivers8  @ certainmuffinbagelcalzone @ritacrow-blog @unoriginalmess @demonicbusiness @kking13 @lady-bee-fechin @blur-of-colours @kittenmywaythrulife @kashlyn @loysydark

[themaribatpit]

Jasonette July Day 1: Suit Up

EDIT: Written by The Maribat Pit Content warning: Swearing, there is a quote that is a reference to Titans!Jason, references to Chloe’s actions in “Battle of the Miraculous”. Rated: T Inspired by: that one Tumblr post that suggested what would happen if Jason used a Lucky Charm.   Prompt: Suit Up The kidnappers had Marinette, and Jason knew that desperate times called for desperate measures.  Marinette hadn’t returned home from her mission the night before, Plagg returned that morning without her.  He explained that Marinette had managed to free most of the kidnapped kids, but she was captured shortly after being depowered.  They assumed she was one of the kids that hadn’t managed to escape. 

Jason went from slightly worried to absolutely frantic.  Roy was still in rehab, and there was no time to call in the Bat clan for help, it was up to him.  In his mind, the more time they wasted, the closer she came to sharing his fate.  “Great, just fucking fantastic”, he muttered to himself “the bad guys have the girl you love and you’re here looking for her jewelry”.  If he went in guns blazing as the Red Hood, they would probably just kill her instantly and without a second thought.  That being said, she would probably kill him later for tearing through the apartment like this.   He was flipping the bed on its side, opening all the drawers and pulling out all of the contents.  He was trying to find the Chinese Miracle Box, thinking maybe someone in there would help him if it meant saving their Guardian.  He remembered a conversation they had when his curiosity about her powers got the better of him.

“So what if you were to, hypothetically, use several of these things at once?” He remembered asking.

“I did once, the Multimouse clones were using different fusions.  Wearing them all at once can be pretty draining, even the fusions can be pretty taxing at the best of times if I’m not careful” she explained.

She also explained what happened when her old classmate tried to put on various Miraculous at once and started demanding power from them. Suffice it to say she didn’t get her way.  So, by the sound of things, Tikki was his best bet, or he’d probably end up pissing off the other ones like Chloe did.

He found the box in her closet and opened it, to find that Plagg’s ring was missing and so were Tikki’s earrings.  He closed the box and pushed it back into the closet, before searching the room for the earrings.  She had said something before about Plagg and Tikki being the least suspicious of him.  Probably because their combined magic was what created the Lazarus pits, the very reason he wasn’t still six feet under.  He finally noticed the small red and black box sitting on the chest of drawers, and he popped it open to find the earrings inside.  He wasted no time putting the studs in one ear, before a pink ball of light appeared in front of him. The ball of light turned into Tikki who gave a little stretch and yawn before being startled to see Jason instead of Marinette in front of her. “Hey Tikki, sorry, no time to explain but Marinette’s in trouble” he spluttered, “please I need your help, I wouldn’t be asking otherwise”.

“If that’s true, then there’s no time to waste, let’s go!” Tikki exclaimed, “Just say the words and I’ll help you.” Jason’s mind suddenly drew a blank, as he tried to remember what words Marinette used to transform into Ladybug.  

“Bug Prism Power Make Up?” he tried.

“He doesn’t know the magic words?” Plagg asked slyly, “our Guardian’s life is on the line and he doesn’t know the magic words”.

“I know that you’d make a nice chew toy for Brutus”, Jason snapped as he tried to think.  “Go go Lucky Charm?” he tried, Tikki shook her head.

“Lucky charm usually comes a bit later” she rubbed the back of her head, “keep trying, if Marinette is in trouble, then she needs our help”. 

“Okay let me think, uh…It’s Magic Time? Ladybug Up? In brightest day, in blackest night...?” He kept throwing out suggestions, but Tikki continued to shake her head.  “Uh, Shazam?” he had to give that one a try at least once, Tikki sighed.

Tikki thought it was admirable watching him at least trying to figure it out, even if Plagg was no help at that moment.  It was clear to the little Kwami, she didn’t need to look that hard to know that this boy cared deeply for Marinette, even if he was hesitant to admit it at first.  Tikki remembered gently encouraging Marinette to confess her feelings towards him, while Roy and Jason’s brothers took a more…direct approach.  

“All right Jason, I’ll tell you the magic words but first,” Tikki told him and they both heard the Kwami’s stomach growl, breaking the awkward silence in the room.  Jason remembered why Marinette usually kept a cookie on hand whenever she brought Tikki along, while the faint smell of cheese usually meant Plagg was in tow instead.  

“Come on, let’s go get you a cookie” Jason said, “and some cheese for you” he shot Plagg a slightly irritated look.  As Jason looked around the kitchen, the only cookies and cheese they had were the cheap stuff.  Tikki tried to be polite about the fact that the oreo wasn’t going to cut it, Plagg just turned up his little cat nose at the processed American cheese. “Sorry Tikki, Marinette’s been a bit busy lately,” he told her before rounding on Plagg “what’s your problem?”

“You don’t happen to have any camembert, do you?” he asked, still refusing to even look at the slice of processed cheese.

“Camembert? Who was your last user?” Jason asked incredulously.  Desperate times were calling for even more desperate measures, “just hang in there Marinette,” he thought.

Jason wouldn’t be racing over to Wayne Manor if it wasn’t a dire emergency. Tikki was safely tucked away in his jacket pocket, while Plagg was clinging to the hem of his jacket as it billowed behind him.  Jason brought his motorbike to a stop just outside the gates, before hopping off darting past Damian, petting a sleeping Alfred the cat in his lap.  Right now, he was hoping Alfred the human was baking something that would catch the Kwami’s eye.  Sadly, he was not, a note on the kitchen door explained he wouldn’t be back until tomorrow.  Sadly, this couldn’t wait until tomorrow.  He opened the kitchen door, the cookies from Alfred’s last batch were stored in a cookie jar on top of the fridge.  There was one cookie left, he unzipped his pocket and gestured to the cookie in the jar.  Jason reached up and grabbed the jar, before opening it and grabbing the cookie inside.  He also reached into the fridge and grabbed the camembert for Plagg.  With the Kwami munching on their snacks of choice, he dashed out of the kitchen. Plagg had practically inhaled the wheel of cheese all at once, and glided alongside him. Meanwhile, Tikki clung to the cookie with one hand and the hem of Jason’s pocket with the other. 

That morning, Bruce was not expecting to see Jason rushing past him.  He wasn’t expecting to see a half-eaten chocolate chip cookie threatening to fly out of his jacket pocket.  “Hi, can’t talk now, Marinette needs help, bye.” He called before disappearing down the hallway. Jason dashed past Dick who had just woken up, and Tim was on his way to the kitchen for some more coffee. 

“Was that the last cookie?” Dick asked, slightly groggily.

“Oh that had better not be the last cookie” Tim groaned, someone had better be dying if that was the case.

Jason rushed to his motorcycle, and slammed the gate shut behind him before hopping on and putting on his helmet. Tikki was halfway through munching on the cookie, when she gave him a quick rundown of the powers that she would be giving him.  Jason knew that the Miraculous granted the user enhanced speed, strength and endurance, he just hadn’t thought there would come a day when he would have to use their power.  It was probably for the best that their guardian didn’t choose him when he was 13, for reasons that a bunch of guards were about to find out very soon.

Meanwhile, Marinette found herself in a cage inside a warehouse.  There were two men guarding the cage, neither of them knew that Marinette was the girl in the black leather catsuit. They caught her just as the clock had run out on her powers, and they assumed she was one of the kids that had been captured.  She was a petite young woman, and they found her dressed in a polka dotted hoodie, shorts and tights.  She sent Plagg to go get help, and he had been gone for a few hours now.  She was getting increasingly antsy,  Jason was probably worried sick about her.  

Jason arrived at the suspected gang hideout as fast as could, leapt off his bike and grappled to a vantage point. “Ok, relatively small time trafficking racket. Now where is Pixie Pop?” Jason thought to himself, scanning the area from his vantage point. “Plagg, go find Marinette, and tell her to not transform until I arrive.”  Plagg flew out of Jason’s pocket and made his way there.  “Alright Tikki, what's the magic word?” The Kwami flew out of Jason’s pocket as he spoke, Tikki glided to Jason’s ear and whispered to him the phrase. Jason repeated “Spots On” and felt power coursing through his veins. It felt like Venom without the addictive or berserk tendencies, pure energy was flowing through him. He felt the uncontrollable urge to pose and move with the flow of energy, doing a flourish of kicks and punches.  It ended with him raising his left leg to his head, as if it was a vertical split and slamming it down. “Owwwwwwwwwwww” Jason groaned, “My thighs were not meant to do that.” He was not expecting the compulsive flourishes for the transformation itself.

Jason looked at his reflection in a nearby puddle, he could see he was wearing a full spotted suit and domino mask like Ladybug, yet his leather jacket stayed during the transformation and received its own ladybug pattern. Jason sucked up the pain and pushed onwards to the gang hideout.

Jason snuck in through a vent and approached a large main room, housing most if not all of the guards and their “merchandise” with cages strewn across the room with mostly women and children locked up. He finally sees Marinette, alive but imprisoned in a cage with a few other people in a corner. Jason needed a distraction so that Marinette could transform into Lady Noire. He had to do something to take the attention off every single person in the room. 

Jason sighed and thought of a plan, it may not be the most flattering, but it worked and it would not be so threatening as cutting out the lights. He burst from the air vents and landed in a crouch, standing straight and shouting “Halt Evildoers, it I...Red Bug?” 

This indeed worked as planned, as every guard, goon and hostage set their eyes on the intruder.  The guards began pointing and laughing, “Good, they don't think I’m a threat” thought Jason. The guards underestimating Red Bug was what he needed, so that they would not find him threatening or harm anyone just yet. 

Marinette took this opportunity to transform into Lady Noire. She wasted no time and began with Cataclysm, bringing down all the cages and making her way to Jason’s position. Both Lady Noire and Red Bug began fighting the guards, buying the hostages time to make their escape. As the last person successfully escaped the gang hideout, both Lady Noire and Red Bug stood side by side.  More of them began to trickle in as they heard the commotion and began to surround the pair.

Marinette needed to think fast, she didn't have much time left after casting Cataclysm. She said to her partner, “Lucky Charm, Now!” Red Bug raised his eyebrow, “Lucky Charm?” he repeated. He suddenly felt the same compulsion as he did during the transformation, his arm suddenly shot upward with the yo-yo spinning. He looked up to see a swarm of ladybugs converge to form...a purse? Red Bug caught the purse with a look of disbelief, Lady Noire looked around the room for a plan to use the purse. Lady Noire got a burst of inspiration and turned around to tell her partner of her cunning plan, only to be greeted by thin air. She was brought out of her stupor hearing her partner yell out “LIGHTS OUT BITCH!”.  She whipped her head towards the source of the noise to see Red Bug beating the guards with the Ladybug-themed purse.  “I guess that works too” she said to nobody in particular. Knowing she had little time remaining as Lady Noire, she started running for the exit. Red Bug had no issue dealing with the remaining goons. Marinette hadn’t expected Jason to suit up with one of the Miraculous, not that she was complaining.  She had expected him to come charging in as the Red Hood, or maybe start by picking off the guards one-by-one.  She was surprised, but it wasn’t an unpleasant one, mostly.  Since leaving Chat Noir behind in Paris, the fight left her feeling oddly nostalgic.  Sometimes she missed fighting alongside a Miraculous user, though Tikki might have something to say about his...unusual use of a Lucky Charm.  She walked over to Jason’s parked motorcycle and waited. Within minutes Jason followed suit and walked out the front door of the hideout.  A swirl of green light surrounded him as he changed back, and Tikki zoomed over towards Marinette.  Tikki nuzzled against Marinette’s face for a moment, before Jason walked towards her.  He pulled his girlfriend into a big hug,  Marinette is left breathless for a moment as he nuzzles into her neck.   He didn’t say anything, but neither of them really needed to say anything at that moment. Touched by how much Jason cared for her, Marinette returned the hug. She stayed in that warm embrace for a long moment, before reaching up and gently patting him on the head.  “Let’s go home...Pixie Pop.” Jason pulled away at the mention of the nickname he gave her, and before she could react, Jason began pinching her cheeks. “What did you call me?” Jason jokingly interrogated, while Marinette giggled like an idiot. EXTRA: Jason is sitting next to Dick and Damian in the Wayne manor lounge with two ice packs on his thighs Jason:  I don’t know how you do it Dickie, my thighs were not meant to do that. Dick (covers Damian’s ears): Soooo did you and Marinette…. Jason:  I literally beat up some guys with a purse today, don’t push me.