#bruce having to turn this energy around somehow and seeing jason - my boy i love you so much and im so sorry and im so proud of you

[ew-selfish-art]

Dpx Dc AU: Ectoplasm is required for Ghosts to be visible to the human eye- And Danny creates his own ectoplasm.

Danny is visiting Jazz in Gotham and its weird how friendly everyone is. Like, the city gets a really bad rapport, everywhere he goes there is someone trying to strike up a conversation or answer his questions about getting around to the tourist spots. A few people even pointed out restaurants and ways to find off the beaten path gems! Jazz seems to role her eyes at him, but when he brings up her 'roommate' being kind of cute she flat out laughs.

Danny then comes to understand the Jazz doesn't have a roommate and that Ghosts in Gotham don't move far from their haunts- He's just been inadvertently turning these undead folks visible by accident of generating abnormal amounts of ectoplasm.

Which, is comforting in a way, he's never walking this dangerous city alone and really, most of the ghosts have been really friendly! They disappear once he's a few blocks away from them anyway.

---

Tim Drake is having a horrible day.

He'd been given intel that one of Black Mask's guys was going to snitch but that he'd died before given the opportunity to reach out to the GCPD. He tracks down the guy's last know whereabouts and yikes. Its next to the Theater. Tim was often grateful for his childhood obsessions, this time it backfired.

Tim and Bruce get into an argument about trust and respect and, worst of all, mental health. And even though Tim was vehemently against Batman accompanying Red Robin to the alleyway - that's exactly what happens.

They arrive and Bruce is closing up faster than a clam in the contaminated Gotham Bay- Clearly being in the Alley bothers him. No fucking shit. RR gets started on collecting evidence, there are a few extra blood splatters and a single left shoe... When a kid walks into the Alley.

"Uh, sorry to intrude-" The kid looks scared shitless, and runs away. And then, all of a sudden, Batman and Robin aren't alone in the Alley.

Tim can hardly believe his eyes as the dead man appears and quickly blabs Black Mask's bank passwords and what the plan had been- and While he's over joyed to have that closure, he turns around to Batman weeping in the arms of his parents.

The ghosts fade, and the emotions are certainly charged as this was never something Bruce or Tim would have ever dreamed of happening. Ghosts in Gotham. Talking, floating, granting closure.

"RR, Bats, come in." Oracle calls into their ears.

"Reporting in, but, uh, we need a minute."

"A minute? We have a case on 4th and-"

"O, we just saw the ghosts of the Waynes. It's going to be a minute."

"...Lots of Ghost reports lately then. Any chance you saw a kid looking like he could be adopted?"

"Yeah, actually, black hair and blue eyes. He was super polite before he ran away."

"We have work to do. Oracle, lets prioritize finding our person of interest and divert Nightwing and Robin to the case on 4th." Batman cut between them on the comms and he sounded... calmer than either of them anticipated.

---

Jazz is no longer laughing when Batman appears at her door explaining that he's looking for Danny (Who already flew away from town to get a good night's sleep before class on Monday). Turns out Danny reunited the man with his dead parents just briefly- and then the second guy appears and mentions how Danny had also given a guy who'd been murdered by a Mob enough time to explain the ongoing threats the city faced.

Jazz just rolls her eyes and says that it's not like the ghosts are going anywhere anytime soon and Danny will visit in another month. When pressed, she just explains that her brother is a weirdo. No of course he doesn't have powers. Gaslight and Girlbosses her way out.

And Jazz thinks that the game is up for at least another month, obviously when Danny visits more shit will stir up, but then this new guy appears.

Unlike the other Bats who are keen on watching her from a distance, the Red Hood knocks on her door. Are her eyebrows all the way into her hairline when Red Hood asks her to send his thanks along to Danny because somehow this whole situation led to his Dad expressing remorse for his actions and apologizing? Yes, yes they are.

But Jazz can smell Dissertation Data off of these vigilantes- Who is she to send them away? Jazz welcomes Red Hood into her place for a cup of tea and a small chat.

The story then devolves into Jazz getting shit done, Danny being cute by proximity and also bringing ghosts to the party, and the Bats having trauma resolve between them.

[a-wayne-at-heart-too]

Ask: The 27th of April, the Last (and Long) Part

Bonus Ask:

[Stately Wayne Manor]

Jason: *helping Alfred clear out the dinner table* You think we should’ve asked Harley to stay for dinner? 

Alfred: If you wished to see Master Bruce’s hair turn to grey as you ate dessert, I don’t see why not.

Jason: *burps loudly and fans his breath away* Whoops. Sorry, Alf. Just my way of complimenting your cooking.

Alfred: *carrying the dishes to the kitchen* Then perhaps you should come here more often, Master Jason.

Jason: *following Alfred* I'd rather not cause any trouble.

Alfred: *stops in his tracks and turns to face Jason with a stern expression* And you don't think it troubles me that you feel unwelcome here?

Jason: *takes the dishes from Alfred’s hands, sets them on the kitchen island, and pulls him in for a hug* Alf, hey... I didn’t mean it like that. I know you guys care about me, it’s just...

Alfred: *sobbing into Jason's shirt* We've already lost you once... Once is enough, Jason...

Jason: *tightens the hug and gently plants a kiss on top of Alfred’s head* I know, I know... I'm back, Alf. I'm back.

>>> *** <<<

Dick and Barbara: *sitting on the carpeted floor in the study, enjoying the heat from the fireplace in front of them, going through a stack of photo albums*

Dick: *smiling fondly* Wow, these are old-old.... I should probably scan them before they crumble to pieces.

Dick: *stops at a page and points at a picture of Bruce and Jason on a boat, smiling, and holding up a tuna* Check this out, Babs... Aw, I love this one. I had a few days off from work, decided to spend it here. Somehow Jason convinced Bruce to take break from himself and go fishing.  

Dick: *talking animatedly* So, there we are on Bruce’s huge fishing boat, the Bat-2-Sea -- And Jason’s starting to get seasick because he’s been hanging out by the edge, waiting for a bite for hours -- The persistence on that kid! --  And he finally gets one! A big one, Babs -- *spreads his arms* -- and it was pulling down hard like you wouldn’t believe, but Jason just wouldn’t let go! -- So Bruce drops the glass of wine he’s holding and runs to grab him --

Barbara: What were you doing?

Dick: Who do you think took the picture? As I was saying -- Bruce, he -- he -- *starts to laugh so hard that he tears up* trips over Jason’s line somehow and falls into the ocean! *slapping-the-floor laughing* The World’s Greatest Detective, in his Batwaders, drenched like a wet bird... *sighs happily* You should’ve seen his face!

Barbara: *turns the page* Oh, I can see it now. Still stone-faced, but wet.

Barbara: *stops at a page and giggles* Aw... Will you look at that?

Dick: *looks at the photo Babs is pointing at and chuckles softly* That’s adorable. 

Barbara: Those scaly leotards fit him better than they ever did you, Boy Wonder.

Dick: *smirks* Whatever. But I have to admit, he did look great. He looked really... happy. I wish... I wish I saw more of him in action, you know? *voice breaking* I could’ve maybe trained him the way I did Tim and Damian --

Barbara: *rubs his back comfortingly* Dick...

Jason: *walks into the study* Dickie, I took some of your --

Dick: *clears his throat and wipes his eyes haphazardly* Hey, Little Wing!

Jason: Wait, are those our old family photos?

Barbara: *pats the empty spot beside her* C'mere.

Jason: *sits down and rubs his hands together* Where’s the one where Bruce goes kersplat in the ocean?

Jason: *flips through the pages and grimaces at his photos as Robin* You're not gonna use these to blackmail me, are you?

>>> *** <<<

Duke: *watches as his RPG character explodes for the fifth time in a row and shakes his head* You beat me again! You're so good at this game, man.

Jason: *snorts and puts his controller down* Dude, you weren't even trying. If I didn't know better, I'd say you were letting me win.

Duke: What? Naaaah... That's... Come on, why would I do that?

Jason: *gets up and shrugs, grinning knowingly* I dunno... 'Cause you like seeing me alive?

Duke: Yeah. It’s pretty awesome, actually.

Jason: *offers to bump fists* I gotta pack up. Good game, though. See you around, bro.

Duke: *exploding-fist-bumps with Jason* You too, bro.

Jason: *pats Ace the Bathound’s head as he exits the game room*

>>> *** <<<

Steph: *examining Jason’s face* You look really pale.

Cass: *pointing at various spots on his face* And you have a lot of... scars.

Jason: *sitting on a stool in front of Cass’s vanity dresser, staring at himself in the mirror and absentmindedly running a finger over the shirt-covered scar on his chest* Yeah? That bad, huh?

Steph: *grins* Nothing a little makeup can’t fix.

Jason: *rubbing his chin* You think so? I mean, I just came here to borrow a few weapons from Cass, but if you think I need a makeover...

Steph and Cass: *look at each other and squeal in delight*

>>> *** <<<

Tim: And this *holding up a minuscule gadget between his fingers for Jason to see* generates a force field over your entire body. The more the impact, the greater the energy generated. Schway, huh?

Jason: *nodding his head appreciatively as he takes the gadget and sticks it on the lapel of his leather jacket* Schway.

Tim: *proudly shows Jason a Bat-shaped breastplate * Now, this -- You're gonna love this -- It can turn you invisible to the naked eye for roughly 34.5 seconds, giving you time to do all kinds of offensive or defensive stuff. They won’t know what hit them, Jay. You’re basically gonna be invincible and Joker... Joker, he’s... he’s not... not gonna... *drops the breastplate unceremoniously* 

Jason: *places a hand on Tim’s shoulder* Thank you, Timbo. Really. But I'll be fine out there. You don't have to worry about me.

Tim: Yeah? Can you promise me that? Because I don’t think I can live through another one of Bruce's meltdowns.

Jason: *chuckles softly* Aren't they the best?

>>> *** <<<

Jason: *staring at an empty grave layered with concrete in the backyard*

Jason: *rolls his eyes* I know you're there.

Bruce: *comes out of the shadows and stands next to Jason*

Jason: Why'd you keep it?

Bruce: Because I'm a sentimental old fool.

Jason: This is just... creepy. Even for you.

Bruce and Jason: *stare at the empty grave in silence*

Jason: I've forgiven you.

Bruce: *glances at Jason, who could’ve sworn his adoptive father’s eyes were bloodshot* 

Jason: You know that, don’t you? I mean, I know we’re always going to disagree about Jok-- about him, and a few other things, but... You’ll always be family, Bruce. My family. 

Bruce: *looks at Jason, smiling wearily*

Jason: *grinning back at Bruce*

Bruce: *puts an arm around Jason’s shoulder* Thank you... Son.

Jason: *pulls Bruce in for a tight hug*

Bruce and Jason: ... 

Jason: Hey, remember that time you went kersplat in the ocean?

>>> *** <<<

Damian: *knocks softly on Jason's bedroom door* Todd.

Jason: *stuffing a duffel bag with clothes, homemade snacks, and weapons* Hey, kid, come in. I’m just getting my stuff ready --

Damian: These came from Mother. *drops a pile of books on Jason’s old desk*

Jason: *picking one after the other up excitedly* Tolstoy, Machiavelli, Sun Tzu, Shakespeare, Marx... No way... 

Damian: They’ve been with me for a while. But since you rarely come over, they’ve been collecting dust and taking up valuable space in my room. -Tt-

Jason: *wiping the dust off with his shirt and hugging each one* She kept them... These were my friends back when I was in the League... 

Damian: I didn’t realize we had more in common than just being my Father’s sons.

Jason: Wow. I have no idea how I’m supposed to bring all of these home. I mean, I got here on roller blades, for Bat’s sake -- 

Damian: *thrusts a piece of paper into Jason’s chest* This is for you.

Jason: *gingerly uncrumples it, revealing a painting of him and Damian*

Jason: *reading the writing in calligraphy underneath* “The Second Chance Robins”... *looks at Damian, feeling the tears well up in his eyes* You made this?

Damian: *looking down at his feet* When it’s my day... M-my d-day... Will you come over, too?

Jason: *gets down on bended knee to be at eye level with his little brother* Hey, buddy, look at me. Damian, look at me. Of course. Listen, we’ll do whatever you want. We’ll, um... We’ll take bad guys down together! Pull pranks on Tim! You name it, I got you.

Damian: Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Todd.

Jason: I promise that I’ll do my best, okay?

Damian: You could stay the night, you know. You’re home anyway.

Jason: *ruffles Damian’s hair and grins* I'd like that. As long as you hang out here with me. And I promise I won't tell anybody because it'll ruin our reputation.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

If truth be told, @wingedskyes​ , Jason makes himself available on his Death Day. Because even if neither he nor his family and friends mention it, he knows that they need him just as much as he needs them.

Thank you for this Ask. It was both fun and just a tad bit heartbreaking to write. 

And thank you, @warrior-of-the-blue-moon​ , for the nice addition. 

See: Part 1, Part 2

[ashbrea381writings]

Red-Eye to Destiny: Chapter 3, Meeting the Family

Damian frowned nervously as he drove to pick up Marinette and Luka. There had been so many questions from his siblings when he’d told them he would be picking up two dinner guests. 

“Wait, Demon Spawn has friends and he actually WANTS them to come to dinner?” Todd had laughed. “Alfred, I changed my mind, I’m staying for dinner after all!” He called as he walked back to the den for a drink. “I’ve gotta see this!”

“Jason, behave.” Bruce sighed, looking towards the ceiling in frustration. “Damian, are you sure you don’t want to wait until it’s a little quieter around here? We don’t want them to be uncomfortable.”

“I do not believe that will be necessary, Father, they can more than handle it.” Damian had reassured Bruce, but as he drove away, the worry started. They were civilians, and his family wasn’t always good at hiding that they definitely WEREN’T civilians.

Arriving at the address they’d given him, Damian got out of the car to knock. “Dami!” Marinette exclaimed excitedly, opening the door before he’d gotten further than the porch steps. “Come in a minute, we’re almost ready.”

“Hello Marinette.” Damian had gone stiff with nerves and his mind was reeling.

“Damian? Are you alright?” Luka asked from where he was lacing his boots up. “I can feel how tense you are from here.”

“I would like to give you a small warning about my family.” Damian forced himself to say. “All of them are going to be there and they are an odd bunch. I don’t want you to be alarmed if they say something strange.”

“Damian, we’re from Paris, we can handle strange.” Marinette laughed, putting a hand on his arm and squeezing gently. “I can promise that there is nothing, short of them being cannibals or something, that would scare us off. Even if they did, we’d just take you with us.”

“You keep saying that… That you have seen strange things because you are from Paris, but what do you mean by that?” Damian asked, using the question to ground himself in the present.

“You didn’t hear? I thought the Mayor made a public announcement after everything was over?” Marinette frowned before shrugging. “We had our own supervillain for… What, four years?”

“Nearly five before they finally caught him.” Luka corrected, standing and moving to Damian’s other side. “His name was Hawkmoth, Ladybug and her team didn’t announce who he was, just that they’d captured him and his accomplice and that they would be facing consequences fitting to their crimes.”

“At the same press conference that they announced that, Chat Noir -Ladybug’s partner- announced that he would be retiring from being a hero, but that he’d return if asked by Ladybug.” Marinette added carefully.

Damian could feel that they were keeping their emotions carefully modulated, but he couldn’t figure out why. “What did this Hawkmoth do?”

“He would use the power of an ancient magic artifact to take advantage of people when they were feeling negative emotions. He would promise they could get what they desired; the person who rejected them, revenge for some slight, the position they felt was rightfully theirs, that sort of thing. But they were just more of his victims who he used to make more victims.” Marinette sighed. “The only reason that we all survived was because Ladybug was able to reverse any damage done during Akuma attacks.”

Damian looked between his two soulmates, considering the sad but proud look Luka was giving Marinette and the pained look and emotions he saw and felt from Marinette. The same kind of pain when he wasn’t able to save someone. “You two were heroes, weren’t you?” He asked quietly, grabbing each of their hands.

Both were shocked and they exchanged a look before Marinette sighed, “I guess we wouldn’t have been able to hide it from you for long.”

“You know what? I think you will handle my family just fine.” Damian chuckled slightly. “And I cannot wait to see their faces. I won’t tell them, but they might figure it out if you tell them about Paris.”

“Well, shall we make a game of it?” Marinette was full of mischief at this point. “Or perhaps… A bet?”

***

Marinette felt a poke in her pocket, and put a hand there, feeling another on her finger. “Just a minute, I’ll be right back.” She smiled at the boys as she walked towards the bathroom. “What’s up, Plagg?”

“That’s my kitten!” He said excitedly, “I wanna tell him!”

Marinette had never seen him so excited, how could she say no? “Alright, let me break the first part of things, I’ll call you to come out, okay?” Plagg grinned and darted back into her skirt pocket, where she could feel him vibrating with pent-up energy.

Amused beyond belief, she focused her thoughts to just Luka, ‘We’re introducing the Kwami’s.’ At his confirmation, she left the bathroom and wandered over to her boys. “Why don’t we sit down for a couple minutes, we can blame it on traffic or something.” She pointed to the couch, sitting in an armchair.

“What do you mean?” Damian frowned, his confusion obvious to them despite his carefully neutral expression.

“It’s about what you figured out. Us being heroes in Paris.” Luka smiled gently, taking Damian’s hand and pulling him towards the couch. “You weren’t 100% right, but you weren’t wrong either.”

“While Chat did retire, we didn’t entirely.” Marinette began. “That magical artifact that we told you Hawkmoth used? Well, we had them too, just with different powers.”

Luka held out his wrist and pointed to his bracelet. “We still use them on occasion, mostly so we don’t get rusty.”

“So… You guys still run around in costume?” Damian wasn’t sure how to react without giving away his family’s secret.

“Yes. Chat returned his miraculous to me when he retired. I could technically call him back and ask him to take up either the same mantel or a different one, we have a number of them, not just the three. We have the one Hawkmoth used, and his accomplice Mayura. But that’s not even the whole story.” Marinette chuckled. “You see, each one is a Miraculous, that’s the name for them, and each one comes with something else. Tikki, Sass, come out please.”

“These are our Kwami’s.” Luka held his hand out and Sass landed on it, “This is Sass, he’s with the Snake Miraculous. I get the power of Second Chance and can turn back time as many times as I need to within a span of five minutes from the time I set it.”

“And this is Tikki, she is with the Ladybug Miraculous. I can summon an item to help me in battle and return it to fix the damage done in battle if the battle was against another Miraculous. I don’t know if the magic works outside of that, I haven’t tried.”

“Why tell me this now? Why so soon after we met?” Damian stood, walking to the window to look out. His mind was buzzing with information and the knowledge that they somehow trusted him completely already.

“Damian, you’re our soulmate, you were never going to be kept in the dark for long. Besides, there’s someone who wants to meet you.” Marinette said gently, her mind sending soothing thoughts. “Plagg, be gentle, don’t freak him out more than he already is.”

Another Kwami comes out from behind Marinette, floating over to him and settling on the window sill. “Hello, it’s nice to meet you.”

Damian can feel the utter shock of his soulmates, but can’t for the life of him look away from the little black cat in front of him. “Hello.”

“The thing is, some people are more suited to certain Miraculi than others. I’m a nearly-perfect Creation soul with just enough of other things that I can wield other Miraculi with ease, and that was before I ever touched a Miraculous. Luka has the Snake because he’s most suited to its power, and no matter how much I platonically love Chat, and appreciate him for being a good partner, he just wasn’t that well suited to the cat, but we had to have both for us to balance each other.” She explained coming up behind Damian and taking his hand. “Plagg sensed you after we got home, he could tell we’d met you. He said you’re the one most suited to his Miraculous.”

In Marinette’s other hand was a silver ring. “You don’t have to answer right now, but we wanted you to know.” Luka went to the other side of Damian, putting a hand on his shoulder. “Are you alright?”

“Yes. I’m not as unfamiliar with this sort of thing as you think.” Damian took a deep breath, “But that isn’t my story to tell. Thank you for trusting me, both of you. Why don’t you guys hold onto Plagg for now, let me get to know both of you and him for a while before we make any decisions?”

“I can live with that, but only if you promise to visit me!” Plagg announced, flying up to be on-level with Damian’s face, prompting a small smile from him.

“Of course.”

***

The drive to the Manor was quiet, but peaceful. Plagg was back in Marinette’s pocket, as well as Tikki and Sass in their respective hiding places. ‘Why did you discovering that we used to be and kinda still are heroes mean we can handle your family?’ Marinette asked silently, not wanting to disturb the quiet in the car.

‘I’m sure you’ve dealt with your fair share of chaos, and while they’re rowdy and will absolutely be in our business, at least you know they won’t be as bad as some of the villains you’ve dealt with.’ Damian was amused, and his fondness for his family despite his protests shone through the bond.

‘Well, we’ll just have to see who we break first.’ Luka smirked, his rarely seen mischievous side showing a little bit.

‘Break? Are you planning to try and traumatize my family?’ Damian sounded more amused than concerned.

‘If you feel that it takes superheroes to handle them, then we should make sure they can handle us too.’ Marinette giggled quietly, showing Damian that she planned to surprise them.

“This will be fun.” Damian finally said out loud. “I’ll give each of you points based on their reactions.”

“Will we be telling them or let them figure it out?” Luka asked as they drove through the gates of Wayne Manor.

“Let’s see how smart they are.” Damian smirked, taking it slow up the long driveway. “But let’s not sabotage each other like I’ve seen the two of you do.”

Both Parisians blushed and grinned. ‘Where’s the fun in not teasing each other?’ They asked simultaneously.

‘I am so screwed.’ Damian sighed and shook his head, using a phrase he heard from his brothers a number of times. ‘Just, let’s keep the game up as long as possible? We want to see how long it takes them to figure everything out, not give it away because we are being competitive.’

They agree silently and when Damian parks, Luka gets Marinette’s door for her before they walk in. Everyone was there, and the moment they walked in Bruce greeted them with a wave and brief smile on his way to the den. “So, you’ve already met Father, Todd is by the mini bar, Grayson is bouncing over like the nitwit he is.” Damian paused as Marinette giggled a bit at his description. “Cain is on that armchair there, Brown and Drake are on the sofa, and I don’t see Gordon here, but she might be busy.”

“Given what happened at the Gala, I’m going to assume those are your last names?” Marinette asked dryly. When half the room gave a sigh she giggled a bit more and nodded. “Good thing we never told him ours then.”

They went around the room giving first names and Dick stood a little closer than he needed to while looking at them very intently. “Where do I know you two from?”

“Well, we work with Jagged. Luka is in the band with him and I do design for both of them. We’ve been on tour for months, so it’ll be nice to put down some roots here in Gotham again.” Marinette explained.

“Wait. YOU’RE his designer?” Tim sputtered, sitting ramrod straight. “You’re the designer that Jagged works with exclusively, that’s also done work for Clara Nightingale and publicly schooled Gabriel Agrest right before he left the business?”

Marinette and Luka both stiffened when Gabriel’s name was said, and Damian could feel the carefully covered anger before they both smothered it. “Yeah, that’s me.” Marinette’s answer was stiff and brisk, causing everyone in the room to look at her strangely. “Sorry, there’s a reason I was as harsh as I was on Gabriel. I went to school with his son and I cannot say I liked the way Gabriel behaved. He is a rather cold man and I was glad to see Adrien gain a bit more freedom when his father stepped down.”

‘That’s not the full story, but I’ll ask later.’ Damian pointed out silently, feeling them acknowledge the request.

“Dinner is ready.” Alfred called, waiting for them to all go into the formal dining room. Damian ended up at the rear of everyone as he let his soulmates go ahead of him, and was stopped for a moment at the door. “I approve, very much.” Alfred whispered, a small smile gracing his lips.

Damian returned the small smile before schooling his expression and walking to his place on the left side of Luka. ‘Pennyworth already figured it out, but I believe he knew from our meeting at the airport.’

‘Well, he’s more observant than the rest of them then.’ Marinette internally rolled her eyes at the way the others were bickering now that they were all sitting at the table.

“How are you two getting along in Gotham? It can be a little unnerving for new people.” Dick asked, leaning his forearms on the edge of the table. “Are you staying safe?”

“We keep our heads in an emergency.” Marinette nodded, “And we’ve been staying in Gotham off and on for a year or two now, we’re just away pretty frequently because Jagged has been on tour so much lately. Besides, we lived in Paris the whole, what four? Five? Or so years that Hawkmoth was active, so… Yeah, we can handle ourselves.”

“Remember, Mari, we had heroes with magic to fix everything up after the fights, they don’t have that here.” Luka reminded her gently.

“Well yes, but I didn’t have very many times where I got incapacitated in an attack, and I know you had less than most people.” Marinette pointed out, her accent getting heavier.

“Perhaps this is not the time to discuss such things without explaining what you mean?” Damian dryly commented, sweeping a hand out to show the confused faces around the table. “I know we talked about this in the car, but the others here were not part of that conversation.”

“Right… Merde, I don’t know how you guys never heard about Hawkmoth.” Marinette sighed and shook her head.

“Who is this person? A villain?” Tim asked, his voice an intriguing combination of tired and curious.

“Well yes, he wielded a magical artifact called a Miraculous and used it to turn normal people into villains to do his bidding. He chose people who were experiencing a negative emotion, and used his power to corrupt them into villains he could control to get what he wanted.” Marinette explained.

“What did he want?” Jason asked, frowning and crossing his arms.

“Well, the Akuma Victims kept yelling about the Miraculi that Ladybug and Chat Noir used to stop him, so I’m assuming that’s what he was after. There was a lot of collateral damage pretty frequently.” Luka shuddered, Syren flashing through his mind. His family had been spared since they had just unmoored the boat, but seeing all those bodies of people who didn’t get to high ground in time.

That image floated into Mari’s and Damian’s minds, Mari had to blink back tears, recognizing some of the bodies from Luka’s memory. Damian stiffened, and looked at them in concern.

“Collateral damage?” Dick asked quietly, “What sort of collateral damage?”

“Every kind you can think of, really.” Marinette sighed, focusing on warm and  happy thoughts to cheer up her boys. “Deaths, injuries, destruction of property. It was pretty brutal.” She nudged the boys mentally to make sure they were okay. “Thankfully, Ladybug was able to reverse all the damage caused by Akuma battles. Her Cure reversed everything to how it was right before the attack. People, buildings, everything.”

“How did nobody know about this? How did the League not interfere?” Bruce asked, his spine straight and shoulders tense.

“I don’t know, it always seemed like anytime anyone not from Paris left Paris, they would forget about it. The news media within Paris covered it, but it’s almost like nobody paid it any mind from outside of Paris.” Marinette shrugged. “And Ladybug fixed everything, so people would probably think it was a hoax unless they were caught up in an attack and saw it first hand.”

“And now? What happened to all that?” Steph prompted, leaning forward to see them.

“Ladybug and her team defeated Hawkmoth about two and a half years ago. They didn’t reveal who he was, but they said that they were having him punished appropriately and that he would never be a problem again.” Luka informed the room. “And then they said that Chat was retiring unless Ladybug needs him to return, the other heroes were either going back to civilian life or would be on standby, and Ladybug said she’d be around but keeping to herself for the most part.”

They spent the next hour or so eating dinner and sharing stories from different villain fights, both in Gotham and Paris. Damian’s sense of horror grew as he realized how much responsibility was on Marinette’s shoulders the whole time. He did the math and realized that she was 14 when she received her Miraculous, and from what they’d implied earlier, their mentor hadn’t been around much.

‘Damian, breathe, it’s been over for a couple years now, we’re both fine and well-adjusted. You don’t have to panic.’ Luka’s gentle voice whispered in his mind, and he felt like he was being cradled in warmth for a brief moment as Marinette shared a memory of a warm, secure hug to try and calm him.

‘I’m alright now, thank you.’ He responded quietly, still processing but from the perspective of the fact that it was long since over before he even met them.

Just then, Marinette’s phone began to ring. “Oh! I wasn’t expecting…” She trailed off when she saw the caller ID. “I’ll be right back.” She stood and walked towards the den where they’d been before dinner, using the bond as she went to tell the boys, ‘It’s Adrien.’

‘Tell him hello from me, I hope everything’s okay.’ Luka responded, frowning in concern.

“Does she get phone calls like that a lot? Where she storms out to take it?” Jason asked lazily, leaning back in his chair and tipping it onto the back legs.

“The only person she leaves the room like that for is Adrien.” Luka sighed. “We both worry about him given his Father’s behavior when we were younger, and given that it’s… Nearly 9pm where he is and he gets up super early, it’s rather odd that he would call without texting first.” Luka checked the time on his phone and sighed. “Adrien is sort of like a little brother to us both, despite being the same age as Mari and only a little younger than me. We worry about him and check in frequently, but it’s usually at scheduled times or with a text beforehand.”

Both Luka and Damian felt a shock of excitement flash through their bond with Marinette. Exchanging a look with Damian, Luka stood carefully. “I’m going to check on her.”

In the den, Luka found Marinette rapidly gushing in French over the phone at Adrien, who he could hear laughing and trying to calm her down. “Mari? What has you in such high spirits, Melody?” He asked, grinning as he couldn’t contain the happiness that Mari was putting out.

“Adrien said that he and his mom are in Metropolis and he found his soulmate!” She giggled, “He forgot to text ahead because he’s just so excited and wants to meet up sometime soon!”

“Alright, congratulations, Adrien, I’d be happy for us to all meet up, but Melody, we left an entire room full of people we were talking with in suspense.” Luka chuckled and spoke just loud enough for Adrien to hear him.

“Sorry for the interruption! I’ll text you guys with the details!” Adrien laughed and hung up without saying goodbye.

“Come on, Melody, let’s get back to dinner.”

***

Damian felt his phone buzz incessantly, but refused to check it, instead finishing dinner with his soulmates and family, waiting for them to figure out the truth. ‘How long will we leave them in suspense before telling the truth?’ He asked as they moved back to the den for coffee.

‘We could just sit on either side of you and see if that’s a big enough hint?’ Mari had gotten a bit exasperated with how oblivious the family was. ‘Honestly, they aren’t very observant, are they?’

‘About each other within the family? Not at all. With people outside of this house? Ridiculously so. Which is what makes this so interesting.’ Damian smirked a bit and crossed his arms, sitting on one of the sofas instead of his usual armchair.

Marinette and Luka sat on either side of him perfectly in sync, as though they’d practiced it. There were a few moments of silence before Jason started laughing, “I knew it!!!” He doubled over laughing, not even hearing the confusion and queries of his family.

The trio watched him wheeze in amusement, ‘I didn’t expect him to be the first to say something.’ Damian mused, raising an eyebrow.

“Jay, what are you raving about now?!” Tim sighed, slumping back into Damian’s usual armchair before stiffening and sitting up straight. “Wait, since when do YOU sit on the couch?! With people you just met?!”

The rest of the family started to mutter to themselves and Cass began to chuckle, catching the rest of them off guard. “Called it.” Was all she said, looking pointedly at Alfred.

“Yes, Miss Cassandra, you did. Master Jason, please get off the floor, we have chairs.” Alfred set down the kettle of coffee and the cups on a table and began to serve it up. “Miss Cassandra spoke to me this morning that this was a possibility, and I honestly didn’t have the heart to tell her I already knew.”

Marinette began to giggle, “I guess you’re the observant one in the family.”

Cass nodded and gave Marinette a thumbs up, mouthing, -I approve-.

More giggles from Marinette, this time with a few chuckles from Luka before the room exploded with everyone asking what was going on and why half the room knew while the rest didn’t until they all looked down to see that Damian was holding hands with both Parisians.

“Seems it was fate that I had to catch a last-minute flight.” Damian said matter-of-factly. “They are my soulmates.”

[side-shawty]

Don’t Hate Me

Fandom: DC 

Type: one-shot

Prompt/Summary: “Hello! Can I request a Damian Wayne x reader where the reader can communicate and control animals, so when the batfam sees her fight for the first time, they're like, hella surprised and Dami is very pleased that the reader treats the animals so kindly? 💜💜👽”

Pairing(s): Damian Wayne x Reader

Requested? YES by @comicnerd557​

I mostly focused on the controlling part but the communication is implied. I hope you enjoy :)

-Duckie

“Come on Y/N just show me what your power is please~” Dick begged for what felt like the millionth time today. Ever since Damian had let it “slip” that you had an ability that even he didn’t know about all of the Wayne boys had become curious.

“Just give us a hint,” Tim pressed as you sat on one of the sofas, getting ready for a post-patrol movie night.

“I’m telling you she’s not going to give it up,” Damian said as he sat beside you and wrapped an arm around your shoulders, you were quick to snuggle into his side.

“How about this,” Jason began settling into one of the armchairs, “If we guess right or even pretty close then you have to tell us that we’re right, okay?”

“Deal,” you said as Dick started the movie but it was pointless considering they spent the entirety of it trying to guess at your power. They were close a couple of times but not enough to call them right.

“Okay can you, um, teleport people?” Dick asked as the credits rolled.

“Nope,” you said, popping the ‘p’ and repositioning to place your head in Damian’s lap.

“Alight how about —“ Jason started but was interrupted as all of your phones began to chime with a crime alert from Bruce, who was already suited in the cave when you all arrived, he probably hadn’t taken it off.

“Sorry to interrupt movie night but I could use a hand with something,” Bruce said, “Get suited up, I’ll brief you in 5.”

“So much for a quiet night,” you said before you all suited up for a second time that night.

When you all got back there were already images and CCTV footage on the Batcomputer and Bruce didn’t hesitate to begin.

“At approximately 3:45 AM Killer Croc and Gorilla Grodd released all the animals from the Gotham Zoo from their cages but have yet to release them into the city. They’re trying to wait until sunrise for their ‘animal liberation.’

“The police are there but it seems they have lions and tigers barricading the entrances. We’ll go in, take down Crock and Grodd, and put the animals back. Hopefully before breakfast,” he finished and you saw Damian’s hands become fists, you knew he had a soft spot for animals and it was one of the reasons you hesitated to tell him about your powers.

You controlled them, for lack of a better word. Yes, they might have been drawn to you but like Grodd, it didn’t take much for them to bend to your will.

“One last thing,” Bruce continued, “You’ll be needing these. Attach them to your temples and Grodd won’t be able to get inside your head.” He looked to you, “Y/N, you’ll be needing this too,” Bruce said and handed you an amplifier. You looked at him and shock but he only winked at you.

Damn, he really was the world’s greatest detective. 

“What why does she get a special gadget?” Jason asked.

“It probably has to do with her powers, idiot,” Tim retorted.

“Shut up replacement. Y/N you told B about your powers before us? I’m hurt,” he said throwing a hand over his heart as you all made your way to your vehicles.

“Let’s be honest, nobody tells B anything,” you said before hopping onto your cycle and revving the engine.

———

The Zoo was controlled chaos when you got there. Gordon already knew what Grodd’s powers were so he had fewer men than with a regular villain. Just in case the gorilla somehow managed to be able to control the animals and the police there wouldn’t be too many at his disposal.

You split into two teams Bruce, Tim, and Dick would focus on Killer Croc whilst you, Damian, and Jason went after Grodd. They had barricaded themselves in the middle of the zoo along with crocodiles and gorillas because they truly were that cliche.

Killer Croc put up a good a fight as ever but he couldn’t do much when Grodd turned on him and forced the animals to defend only himself. Croc went down cursing Grodd’s name as Batman and Nightwing left to take him to the authorities.

“Now that the nuisance is out of the way I can focus my energy on getting rid of all you pests,” he said and began his onslaught. You fought but waited for Batman’s signal before hitting the amplifier on your neck and stretching your powers.

“Stop,” you spoke, holding a hand in front of Grodd and he immediately went lax before you.

Damian and his brothers also froze as Batman and Nightwing returned to the battlefield.

“What the hell?” Grodd spoke angrily, “What are you doing to me girl?!” He screamed at you.

“You’re strong Grodd but your downfall is that you’re also an animal and I control animals,” you told him, a smug smile on your face as he roared at you.

“Silence,” you commanded and he found himself unable to speak.

“Take his helmet, Robin, it’s still controlling the animals but they can’t move if he can’t. The cuffs are on my belt,” you told him and Damian quickly removed it and disabled it. Within minutes he was in police custody with the proper utilities to ensure he wouldn’t be using his powers any more tonight.

“Nice work Y/H/N,” Batman complimented and you smiled at him.

“Couldn’t have done it without this,” you told him tapping the amplifier. 

“Feel free to keep it. Now let’s get these animals back in their enclosures,” Batman said and you all instantly got to work.

You took the lead mostly, coaxing the larger animals back to where they should be but stopping often to pet them or appreciate how beautiful they were. At some point, Robin had joined you in or rather stared watch you as you were getting the polar bears back to their place.

Even though you weren’t looking at him you could feel his eyes on you from your crouched position rubbing at the polar bear cubs belly. 

“What?” You asked as the cub rolled over and stood up to join its mother behind the gates.

“So this is your power? It is truly“ you braced yourself for the worst, “amazing,” Damian finished and you had to do a double-take.

“Huh?” You said dumbly, not expecting that at all.

He grabbed your hand so you stood next to him but still avoided eye contact.

“Why did you not tell me sooner?” Damian questioned softly, releasing your hand because you were still in uniform even if your only witnesses were animals.

You thought about beating around the bush or making a joke of it but instead, you said, “I thought you’d hate me.”

“Hate you?” He said, incredulous, so much so that you spared a glance at him and suddenly you took interest in anything but him.

“Yes, I’m no better than Grodd,” You said fingers grazing over the feathers of a passing peacock.

“Tsk, I assure you that you are not similar to that overgrown monkey in the slightest. Let’s go home,” he said and you nodded.

——

When you got back you took a long shower and didn’t see Damian again until you found him reading on his bed as the sun rose.

He looked at you, all smiles as if nothing had changed and it made you look away again as you sat next to him.

Damian sighed at your silence and put his book down, holding your hand instead.

“What’s wrong beloved?” He asked, noting your lack of eye contact.

“I just don’t understand why you’re so okay with my power. I mean I can’t stand it and I hate using it,” you told him and risked a glance into his blue orbs, suddenly you couldn’t look away.

“Y/N do you want to know one of the reasons I fell in love with you?” When you said nothing he continued, “It’s because Ace, Titus, and Alfred don’t like anyone outside of the family for at least a month but the moment you stepped through the door they were as smitten with you as I was,” he told you and your eyebrows raised in surprise.

“Really? ” You asked, you hadn’t even noticed.

“Yeah, and then when you told me you were studying to be a vet I fell a little harder. And when I came back from patrol and found you and Titus sleeping on my bed. And when you carried that bird half a mile in the rain because of its broken wing,” he said and before he could continue you interrupted.

“Robin, it was a robin. I found it a day after we told each other about our night lives. I thought of you that entire half-mile,” you told him smiling as the rising sun began to make his eyes shine.

“There you go again,” he said and you tilted your head slightly in confusion, “Making me fall in love.”

You felt your cheeks warm beneath your chocolate skin as he used his free hand to cup your face.

“I don’t hate you or your power beloved, I know people who would be more than happy to abuse an ability like yours but you only use it for good. Hell if it was up to me I’d use it to make Alfred attack Drake non-stop,” he smiled at you and you couldn’t help the laugh that escaped your lips.

“That laugh too, I have always loved your laugh,” he told you.

“Okay now you’re getting cheesy,” you smiled as he released your hand to mimic the one on your face.

“Oh am I?” He teased inching closer and closer to your face.

“Absolutely,” you told him before closing the space between you and falling into a kiss that was all smiles and love.

Suddenly you didn’t hate your power so much.

[itsmeevie01]

Bio!Dad Bruce Wayne Day 4 -Habits

I just wanted to put a trigger warning up at the top. It's not very well discribed, because this was edited at 3 am, BUT. Marinette... Disassociates(?) Toward the end of this. I know that it's a little different than what people usually discribe for her, but I kind of based off my experiences I've had and experiences my best friend has had.

The sun started to peak its way through the windows as Dick Grayson made his way into the kitchen at the manor. It wasn’t often that he was able to come back for long stretches of time, but when he was, he enjoyed beating his family down. As he walked in, he blinked in shock. There sitting at the counter, was Marinette. His younger sister (who he was still mad at Bruce for hiding from him) was siting there happily chatting with Alfred as she sipped on a mug of coffee. She was already dressed and seemed too chipper for 5:30 in the morning.

 At the sound of him slinging himself into a chair, Marinette threw him a smile that made Dick squint in return. He huffed in response and latched onto the mug that was passed his way. There was a reason he made sure to be up before the others, after all.

Tim was settled with his laptop when Marinette maneuvered into the sitting room. In one arm, she had her sketchbook, a bag of pencils, and a cup of water. In the other arm, she had her computer, phone, and a tray that was holding four cups of coffee. When she set one down in front of Tim, he hummed in appreciation. She sent a smirk his way and added “a gift to the lord of the room” his responding

“Hey! Get back here Little Bit!” was met with laughter. She threw him a smile and arranged herself onto the opposing couch. He smiled at her and returned to his homework. This was his quiet time, and she knew that. Recently she had been making a point to spend time working in the same space with him when they both were busy. Both times she had come to visit since Thanksgiving, he had found himself working with the girl. Somehow, she always knew when he needed a break, and the thirteen-year-old girl made sure to pull his attention away for an appropriately short amount of time. He had often found over the last few weeks that he was sleeping better because of it too. Now, as he reached over to grab the coffee, she had brought him, he smiled. Maybe he could convince her to make a habit of this.

Every week his sister had been at the manor over the course of her winter break, Dick had been beaten to the kitchen. As he stumbled through the kitchen once again at an ungodly hour of the morning, he realized that he could hear Alfred and his sister talking quietly in the smaller dining room. As he made his way into the room, he could make out the tail end of their conversation, “-do know that they would be more than willing to let you talk about this, Miss Marinette. You do not have to carry this burden on your own.” The sound of a disbelieving snort followed.

“I know you keep saying that, Alfred, but I just…they all have such busy lives and there’s so much going on in Gotham and- “

“and you are still part of the family, Miss Marinette. Master Bruce is starting to worry about you, and Master Dick is starting to notice that you are avoiding the topic. Do not shut them out, when they can help you. This situation may need an outside touch.” When Alfred finished speaking, Dick decided that he had overheard more than he should have.

“Alfred? Are you in here?” When he called out for the older man, Dick watched with a cringe as little Marinette jumped at his voice. “Hey Net! I’m not sure if I should be jealous that5 you keep beating me down in the mornings!” as he teased her, he watched her eyes light up.

“Well, Dick, you try being the child of two bakers- “as the girl started her comeback, a groggy voice cut through the air.

“what the hell are you all doing up?” the three turned to see Tim standing in the recently vacated doorway, clutching his water bottle and looking around with bloodshot eyes. “it’s like, 2 am.” At Tim’s declaration, Marinette giggled.

“Tim? Its almost 6?” the look of shock that flashed over the boy’s face made Dick frown. Tim’s all-nighters were becoming more and more frequent. The way the teen stumbled out of exhaustion was worrying.

“Hey Timmy? Let’s get you to bed.”

In the week prior to Christmas, Bruce made it a point to try and come home earlier so that he could spend more time with both Marinette and Tim, who were both supposed to be enjoying their winter breaks. He knew, of course, that Tim had wheedled his way into doing extra course work over the holiday to cut down on time spent in school. That didn’t mean that he expected the boy to focus solely on the work. Imagine his surprise when he had come home to both of his teens settled in the sitting room working. Marinette was sketching furiously, while Tim was typing away on his laptop with a ferocity that would scare many of the villains that populated Gotham. Bruce blinked in shock before turning to find Alfred standing off to the side smiling.

“They have adjusted their habits so that they can bond even though this season is busy for the both of them, Master Bruce.” He turned back to his children and smiled at the two of them as they continued working, unaware of anything outside of the sitting room.

The next morning, when Dick came down, expecting to see his sister and Alfred, he was instead met with the sight of macaroons cooling on the counters. On the island, there were croissants, and on the stove, there were pans full of freshly baked sugar cookies. He blinked in concern and turned around the room searching. On the other side of the kitchen was his sister, standing over the sink, hands unmoving, as she gazed out at the slowly rising sun. Her eyes were unfocused, and as Dick made his way over, his eyes focused on the slight tremor that was running through her hands. “Net?” When he received no answer, he moved closer, “Marinette? Hey- “the girl moved, and Dick’s hand shot out and caught the bowl that she had been holding and set it down. Gently, he guided his sister out of the kitchen and led her into the sitting room, where they passed Alfred as he made his way down for the morning.

Once Dick had Marinette settled, he sat next to her and held out one of his hands, leaving the offer for comfort open as the girl blinked and started to look around in confusion.

One moment, Marinette had been starting on the dishes, the next, she was sitting on the love seat in the siting room next to her brother. The sharp poke in her side that had brought her out of her mind was one that she could only attribute to Tikki. As she sat there, adjusting to the change in location, Marinette took a deep breath to ground herself. She wasn’t expecting her brother to speak.

“Do you want to talk about it, Net?” The girl studied the Man sitting next to her for a moment. When she decided that she couldn’t find any hint of insincerity, Marinette nodded hesitantly and trained her eyes on her hands. They were twisting in her lap, working as a distraction and an outlet for the nervous energy that had been building up since August.

“I- “Dick waited patiently for the girl to collect her thoughts, “I love Paris, I really do. I mean- it’s the place I grew up! But. Well, recently.” She hesitated again. She looked up at him, with tears in her eyes. “everything is wrong!” The phrase tore out of her, and she clamped her mouth shut afterwards as her mind flew through damage control ideas. “I mean. Well. Everything is do tense. Too perfect. No one can feel anything!” When had she started crying? Marinette could have sworn that she had a better handle on her emotions after spending the last five months held emotionally hostage. As she started to devolve into true sobs, Dick pulled the girl into a hug, and she clung to him. For the first time in almost five months the girl was able to truly process what was going on in her home city.

When Alfred came to check on them 20 minutes later, he found the duo sitting curled on the couch. In the other doorway stood a shocked Bruce. Alfred smiled at the look of shock on the fathers face before the man strode over to join his oldest and his youngest. As Alfred turned to go back into the kitchen and finish making sense of all of Marinette’s baking, the man shook his head. Who knew that the habits that Marinette influenced would be the ones that would bring the Paris situation to light?

so, i plan on picking up in the same place for tomorrow’s prompt (overprotection) so i didnt resolve anything. i think i have the rest of the month plotted out as well! as soon as i have a day where im not stuck at work all day, im going to go through and put all of these in a master post, along with my other fic *ideas*. 

just so that i can also clear up any potential confusion, no. Damian is not yet present in this. yes. he will eventually. at this point, Marinette is 13, Tim is 15, Jason (who is going to be in the background for a bit still) is 19(ish) and Dick is either 24 or 25, i haven’t decided. I do plan on including more of the Batclan as i go...

[ultimatetornshipper]

Daminette December Day 5

@daminette-december2019-2020

I can’t believe I’m doing this oms, Sweaters didn’t exist okay? I had no choice!! lmaooo no regrets tho, I’m loving where this fic is going. 

Anyway thank you for everyone who left such lovely comments on the previous chapter I literally almost cried thank you!!

Princes and Pedestals

Chapter 5 – Sweater

Previous

Next

“Oh I can’t wait to show you the stables, we each have our own horse. I named mine Lavender, since my favorite color is purple. Cass's is named Rose, Dick's is Robin, Damian’s is Ace, Tim named his Cloud and Jason...,” Stephanie stopped walking and released Marinette’s hand, turning around, she sighed, “Well, you should know, Jason was ten when he got his and the horse had been sick and well... it resulted in him naming the poor animal Sweater. He refuses to change it,”

Marinette laughed at Stephanie’s clear annoyance with this fact. She’d come to her room this morning and simply insisted that she show her the stables before negotiations regarding their alliance took place. Marinette had agreed, she was coming to quite like this girl and her energetic nature.

Stephanie kept walking, this time at a slower pace, she lead Marinette out of the castle and greeted the gardeners. The servants they passed greeted her back and smiled widely, everyone was clearly fond of her. Marinette couldn’t blame them, Stephanie’s energy was contagious.

“You’ll probably get your own one-,” she started, before interrupting herself, eyes widening, she laughed nervously, “I mean if you stay long enough you’ll practically be family so I wouldn’t be surprised, if you got one, that is,”

Marinette thought her behavior was strange but she’d found that questioning Stephanie’s actions only led to more questions.

“Hey Steph, wait up!” someone yelled. Marinette turned towards the voice, seeing Prince Richard approaching them. He was the only brother at the summer castle she hadn’t informally met yet.

When he caught up to them, he nodded his head to her, “Your Majesty,”

She returned the gesture, smiling, “Your Highness, feel free to call me Marinette,”

She saw approval flicker across his eyes, he smiled back, “As long as you agree to call me Dick. Where are you two ladies going this fine morning?”

Stephanie rolled her eyes at him and started walking again, “Calm down, worry wart, I’m just taking her to the stables. Wanna join us?”

“I’d love to,” Dick replied, walking along with her and Stephanie. He looked towards Marinette, “She tell you about their names yet?”

She nodded slowly, “Yeah, she did. Do you mind me asking why you named yours Robin?”

“Robin was my mother’s nickname,” he said, a sad smile on his face, he shrugged, “I guess when I first got here I just wanted something to remind me of her, naming my horse after her... it helped ease my grief,”

Marinette felt as though a knife was being twisted in her heart, the black dress she wore suddenly heavier than usual. It was then that she realized that she only had two days left before her mourning period was officially over. Two days before a year was over since it had happened.

She realized they were both looking at her, she needed to respond. She looked up and smiled at him, nodding, “I can understand that,”

Stephanie touched her shoulder and looked her in the eye, “I-,”

Marinette gave her a meaningful look and shook her head. Stephanie searched her gaze for a few seconds before she nodded solemnly and opened the door they’d stopped in front of. She walked through and started pointing out which horse was which.

The atmosphere was heavier than it had been, but as they progressed it seemed to lift. Marinette zoned them out slightly, making all the right faces and noises. She wouldn’t be surprised if they knew she was faking it, given their demonstrated ability to read people, but she couldn’t bring herself to care in the moment.

She thought back. There really only was two days left. A year ago today they’d been laughing, playing card games and pretending that everything was alright. They'd known the end was near and wanted the last few days of his life to be happy.

Outside his room the atmosphere had been sad, Rose was crying while Juleka softly scratched her back. Nino had been torn apart, clutching on to Alya's hand for dear life, the red head trying to console him. And Marinette... Marinette had held herself together. She held all of them together.

And when he finally faded, she’d made herself go numb, but people looked at her like she was seconds away from falling apart anyway. And maybe she was.

She hadn’t been able to take it, though. She’d disappeared for a week under the guise of going on a mission. She went to their base near the north western shore and there she cried more than she thought anyone should be able to. Chloe and Luka had kept everyone away at her request and she’d screamed and mourned and grieved. But after that week she didn’t shed a single tear again.

She returned and refused to speak about what she’d done during her week or where she’d gone. She’d comforted everyone else and after a few days they stopped asking questions. She’d organized his funeral and worn her black dresses.

And she’d been wearing them ever since, they were the only outward sign that anything was possibly wrong.

She never spoke of it. But she only had two days left. Tomorrow a year ago he died. And she had no idea how she was going to make it out alive.

After half an hour in the stables listening to Stephanie and Dick's stories they made their way inside and had breakfast before she met up with Master Fu to finalize their thoughts and preparations for the negotiations of the alliance.

She sat next to him on one of the many benches in the castle hall. After a few seconds, she broke the silence, “He’s my match,”

Master Fu nodded slowly, “I sensed it too, you have the ring then?”

She nodded and removed said object from one of the many pockets in her gown. She curled her fist tightly around it.

“I assume you wish to offer him the position?” he said, still only staring straight ahead.

“Yes,” she replied, her heart heavy, responsibility weighing her down.

“I trust you, Guardian,” he said, pausing, he looked at her, “I am proud of who you’ve become Marinette,”

The words meant more to her than she wanted them to, she didn’t want to care what he thought. It was because of him that the ring had been given to the wrong person in the first place. He hadn’t even told them when he’d realized and it lead to the boy she’d loved’s death.

They reviewed the terms of the alliance and headed over to the room where negotiations would take place.

When she entered everyone inside stood, proper greetings were exchanged and everyone sat. The king and all the children she’d met were sitting on one side of the table, she and Master Fu sat down on the other side.

The atmosphere was different here. Stephanie smiled at her but it didn’t really reach her eyes. They had something on the line, Marinette was itching to know what.

Had she been wrong in thinking they didn’t need this alliance as much as she and her court did?

They discussed the terms and though a few compromises were made, it all went over rather smoothly. She and King Bruce did most of the talking while the others rarely spoke.

“Right, now that we have most of the details sorted out, we have a proposal for the type of alliance we wish to establish,” King Bruce said, she noticed all the siblings tense, Damian's destruction and chaos spiked. That was strange, did they know something of this proposal?

“Yes?” she replied warily, all eyes were on her, but she kept her gaze locked on the King.

“I propose we strengthen this alliance with a marriage, between you and my son,” he said simply.

The room held its breath. She saw Fu move, about to reply but she held her hand up to stop him. She was intrigued by his offer, and if could easily work out in her favor if she played her cards right.

She held the King’s gaze, she had a feeling she already knew the answer but she asked anyway, “Which one?”

“Damian, my youngest,” he replied immediately. She’d been right, this would make her life much easier. It also showed her that, for some reason, they needed this alliance too.

She looked at where the siblings were sitting, they were all staring at her, clearly trying to gouge her reaction. But she kept her face perfectly blank.

Then she made the mistake of meeting his gaze. The green eyes flung her back in time and for a second she felt the façade slip.

Live for both of us, m’lady. The words rung through her ears. The words had been haunting her for almost a year. One of the last things he had said to her, a different kind of desperation in his eyes, he wanted her to move on, to be happy, to live.

She quickly snapped back to reality and put back her mask, but they’d seen it, the dent in her armor. Their reactions were varying levels of confusion, curiosity and understanding.

She turned to the King, “I have one condition,”

The entire room tensed again, even Fu didn’t know what she was going to say, but she didn’t let it stop her.  

“Which would be?” he replied, he was intrigued, but wary of what she’d said. That was good, she had his attention.  She just needed to phrase her words right, she needed to give Damian a choice in this too, somehow.

“Anyone I marry needs to be able to rule alongside me. In order to do that, he needs to wield a miraculous, but it can’t be just any miraculous. He needs to be able to accept the responsibility of wielding the Black Cat miraculous,” she put it down on the table and their eyes jumped back and forth between her and the ring.

She turned to Damian and fisted her dress in her hand when his eyes met hers, she needed to explain further, she needed to speak, she could freak out later, “I’ll give you a day to consider my condition, in that time I’ll entrust you with the miraculous, you can get to know Plagg, the miraculous’s kwami,” he nodded. She stood and pushed the ring forward so that he could take it.

“Does this mean you accept?” Dick asked, eyes now fully focused on her, the tension still there.

“If Damian accepts my condition, then yes, I accept,” she said simply, hoping that would ease his worry.

It didn’t. He stayed tense, his siblings all in similar conditions as the silence stretched after his words. Marinette looked over them, what could be worrying them so much?

“Um... Marinette, I – we,” Stephanie said hesitantly, gesturing to her and her siblings, “We were wondering if you'd be able to stay in Gotham instead of him moving to – well we know you lead the whole Order and everything but we don’t want to lose him, you know. And I know it’s a lot to ask but...,” she looked at Marinette, and she could see her desperation. So that’s what it was. They didn’t want to loose Damian.

She considered her options. She liked these people, and it wasn’t like she ruled a country, she wasn’t tied down to one place. It wasn’t like them and Gotham where they had to stay in the country.

All she’d have to do is move home base to Gotham and have her court travel and live here, she wanted to be near them. She also wanted to find a place as close to the Castle as possible, but it wouldn’t be hard considering Damian would be her husband.

She pushed the association she’d once had with the word away.

Maybe it would do them all good to move on. To make new memories in a new place. It would certainly do her good not to be somewhere she had made memories with him.

She turned her focus to the siblings. She was pretty sure Cassandra was holding Damian’s arm under the table, Damian was toying with the ring, but his face was resigned. Jason was staring at her as though through willpower alone he could convince her to let Damian stay with them. Dick and Stephanie both looked hopeful and desperate. The King had a blank look on his face but she had no doubt that he, too, was on the edge of his seat.

She met Stephanie’s gaze and gave her a soft smile, “Sure,”

“Sure? What do you mean? Like sure he can – you two- you'll both stay with us like at home?” Jason said, already standing, hands on the table. The others stared at her in varying degrees of surprise and shock. Cass was smiling at her.

She nodded, “I just need to move my Court's home base to Gotham. If he accepts the ring and its responsibilities, I’d be willing to have them move here too,”

Steph stood and ran around the table, grabbing her in a tight hug, “ Thank you,” she said softly.

Marinette felt her heart warm at how much they cared. Damian was staring at her in shock, his mouth slightly hanging open. Dick had a huge smile and Bruce was looking apologetic for Stephanie’s actions.

Marinette looked at this family of people, who she doubted would be related in most situations, and how well they fit.

She watched as Jason squeezed Damian’s shoulder and Dick hugged him from behind. Cass ran a hand softly through his hair and said something to him that made him smile.

She felt her heart long for that kind of familiarity. 

Stephanie pulled back from the hug but held on to her arm. The blonde smiled at her fondly, and Marinette suddenly had a feeling that maybe, it was only a matter of time before she’d have it.

Taglist:

@animegirlweeb @loysydark @toodaloo-kangaroo @forgottenfriends @wolf-for-life @heyitsbugette 

[hateswifi]

Sweet Lullaby

So remember not too long ago when I asked you if you wanted to see a Jason singing fic? Well here it is, I hope you enjoy This short story. Sibling Jasonette. (Just under 3,000)

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

For as long as Jason Peter Todd could remember, he had always been the main caregiver to his little sister Marianne Jiayang Todd, well his half-sister.  His mother was working as a full-time doctor to help support their small family. Most days it was hard to quiet the poor little Mari, as Jason called her because all she wanted was her mother, but he quickly learned that the Spanish lullabies his abuela used to sing helped her calm down. 

This is the trick he used when Marianne was two and their stepfather was sent to jail. Mari loved her dad but didn’t get to spend much time with him because her dad hadn’t wanted Mari. She was a mistake in her parents’ eyes, but to Jason, she was his foundation. 

She kept him centered when their mother died when Marianne was just eight. Jason helped repay her by singing Abuela’s lullabies. He helped raise a bit of money by singing on the corner or train station during the day and when they couldn’t reach ends meet, he would take the rest. Mari didn’t like it when Jay-Jay stole, but she knew they needed to survive somehow. 

On one particular night, Jason had gone too big, he tried to steal the Batmobile’s tires. He was caught and took into the care of Bruce Wayne. There was one problem, Bruce called GPD on Marianne. She was taken away and Jason never heard about her again, so he thought the worst had happened. He became depressed and reckless on patrol and almost got himself killed multiple times. 

“Bruce do you know what happened to Marianne?” Jason had asked one day almost two years after he was adopted. He was now fifteen with Marianne being ten. 

“From what I was told, GPD found her hurt and I don’t know anything after that, I’m sorry Jason, but you can ask if there was a different outtake,” Bruce says, patting Jason’s shoulder as Bruce walks past him out of the room to give him time. 

Jason started doing something he hadn’t done since he had found out his sister wasn’t coming with him, he cried. Not just cried, sobbed. He fell to his knees and sobbed into his hands. Not too long after he runs down to the police department. “Please tell me you have news on Marianne Todd.”

“And you are?” an officer says, raising an eyebrow. 

“I’m her brother, Jason Todd, I really need to know what happened to her,” Jason pleads. 

“Do you have proof of your relationship with her?” 

“Here’s my student ID,” Jason says, taking out his wallet. 

“Where’s your guardian?” 

“He’s in a meeting. Please I need to know what happened to her.”

“Come back with your guardian then we’ll talk.” The officer said, leaving Jason alone. Little did that officer know that Jason would sneak back into the police station later that night. “Let’s see, let’s see,” he mutters, flipping through a file cabinet with a flashlight in his mouth. “Ah-Ha!” He says, quietly pulling out the file. Marianne Jiayang Todd, badly injured, sent to the hospital to heal, later adopted by a family in Paris. Jason ran back to the manor and packed a bag including money, clothes, and the picture he had with him and his Mari. The was a problem along the way to the airport, he ran into the Joker. Batman tried to save him, but it was too late and Jason had died. 

He was brought back to life six months later by Talia Ra’ Ghul in hopes of taking down the legacy of the Bat Clan. Talia suppressed his memories of everything from Red Hood to where Marianne was living and also him into thinking Marianne was dead. Not thinking Jason had anything to live for decided to help Talia on her mission.

Marianne missed her brother, he hadn’t come home since his last job. He had become worried about Jay-Jay’s safety so she decided to look for him. She made it a couple of blocks away from their shelter before she was attacked, she had a broken arm from being pushed down along with a concussion. She got up a tried to walk back to the shelter so Jay-Jay would find her but she got kicked in the ankle and it was snapped. After that, the little couple of coins she had and was left for dead.

She was surrounded by a wash of red and blue lights. She felt herself being lifted but didn't have the energy to fight. “Jay-Jay, where are you?” she mutters.

“Miss, can you tell me your name? Where are your parents?”

“Marianne Todd, Mom is dead, Dad is in jail have you seen Jay-Jay?”

“Can you tell me what hurts Anne?”

“My ankle, hand, and head. Where’s Jay-Jay? I want Jay-Jay!”

“Anne you need to calm down, we’re going to take you to the hospital.”

She doesn’t remember much after that. She wakes up, what she is told the next day, with two casts and the lights dimmed.

“Miss, we were unable to locate your brother, and do to the fact you have no guardian, we found a family who would love to adopt you,” the social worker said. “The only problem is that the family lives in Paris, but they happen to be here on vacation.” (I realize there are many steps to adoption but this is just fiction).

“B--bu...but my brother, Jay-Jay, can’t I can’t leave him,” Marinette stutters out, her breathing becoming faster.

“Anne you need to calm down, you need to breathe,” the doctor says. “Can you breath with me?”

“Nam- My my name is no not Anne, it its Marianne,” she stutters out, catching her breath.

“Ok Marianne would you like to get some fresh air?”

“Th- that wou- would be fine.” she says.

“I can not stress how important it is that we discuss this,” the social working stresses, as the doctor leaves the room, dragging the social worker along.

“Can’t you see that she is in no condition to talk about that right now?!” the doctor yells. “She needs to be calm before she accepts the fact that she’s moving to a different continent.”

“I’ll be back in a half-hour,” the social worker said, walking the hall.

“C- can sing umm you sing to me?” Marianne asks, sitting down on the bench.

“I’m not too good, but I can try,” the doctor laughs. 

Marianne sits quietly listening to the song, wind, and the world around them. She starting to calm down.

“Thank you. Jay-Jay sings to me, sometimes even in Spanish,” Marianne says. “Just like Abuela did.”

“Would you be able to talk to the social worker now?” Marianne hesitates, looking up at the doctor. “Don’t worry Marianne, we can take a break if you need it.”

“Ok then,” Marianne sighs, reluctantly.

“Perfect! Times up,” the social worker says, approaching the bench. “So during that half-hour, the parents go there!”

“Hello, Marianne, my name is Sabine, this is my husband, Tom,” the short Asian woman, Sabine, said, squeezing the giant man’s arm.

“Are you ready to head to your new home?” Tom asks, smiling. Marianne nods, standing up.

“She has to have a check-up in a week for her concussion, as her doctor has said,” the doctor said, standing up.

“Wait, I thought you were her doctor?” the social worker says.

“No, I’m an on-call psychiatrist,” the doctor answers, crouching down to Marianne’s height. “Marianne, you ever need anything, call me here.” 

Marianne looks at the card. “Harleen Quinzel?”

“Yep, that’s me! Call me if you need anything ok,” Dr. Quizel said, standing up. “You can call me, Harley, ok?”

“Thank you, Harley,” Marianne says, hugging her waist.

“Bye, Marianne,” Dr. Quinzel waves as Marianne walks off with Tom, Sabine, and the jerk social worker.

Two years later, Marianne Jiayang Todd turned Marinette Jiayang Anne Dupain-Cheng loved living in France even though Jay-Jay wasn’t with her. Her new Mama and Papa were great and treated her like the Princesita that Jay-Jay told she deserved to be. If someone brings up Jason, without Marinette initiating the conversation, she has a panic attack. She doesn’t bring up Gotham much, but when she does she smiles at the good memories and sings along to the sweet lullabies Jason used to sing. Marinette took Dr. Quinzel up on her offer to talk, so once a month they have an hour conversation about life among other things, even after she became Harley Quin, their phonecalls continued like clock-work.

One day, two years after being adopted, she got a call, it was Harley, even though it was not her normal day, Mari still picked up. 

“Hey, Auntie, what’s the matter?” Marinette, now ten, answered.

“I’m quittin’ the villain life. My puddin’ just killed an innocent boy who reminded me too much of you. Can you put your parents on the phone?”

“Of course Auntie! Mama, Papa, Auntie Harley wants to talk to you,” Marinette said.

“Coming sweetie,” Sabine answered, her footsteps following not too long after. “Yes, Harley?”

“Can I come live with you guys for like a week or two?”

“Yes, what’s the matter?” 

“Ya know how I got dragged into bein’ a villain? Well, my boyfriend, Joker killed an innocent boy and I don’t think I’m mentally fine to be alone right now,” Harley’s voice came through the phone a bit shaky.

“It’s ok Harley, but just know that when you are living here, you’ll need to be crime-free, help out around the house, and Marinette,” Sabine said sternly.

“Ok, I promise,” Harley promised before hanging up.

“What happened to Auntie?”

“Nothing sweetie, she’s just tired, but we’ll see her soon, ok?” Marinette nods. “Ok time for bed.”

Harley came and stayed the two weeks, and later got an apartment near the bakery. Sabine and Tom hired Harley for help in the bakery and watching Marinette. Harley was first to find out that Ladybug. That lead to her parents finding out. She was great friends with her bench partner, Alya and the other girls in her class as well as Nino and Adrien. That was until Lila came and destroyed almost all of her friendships, Alya, Nino, and Adrien stayed true friends to her. Lila convinced everyone that Chloe was unsafe to be around and they bullied her until she changed schools. Marinette was on the verge of transferring especially after heritage day.

“I’m going to be talking about my mother’s heritage,” Marinette said, pulling up her slide show.

“You’re adopted though, do you mean your birth mother or Sabine?” Lila says ‘innocently.’

“I was adopted young so I don't know much about my birth parents,” Marinette defends, putting a hand on her hip.

“Well then just tell us about your life before you were adopted,” Ms. Bustier said.

“No Ms. Bustier you don’t understand--” Alya said, standing up.

“Alya, everyone has to participate,” Ms. Bustier said, shushing her. “Now you need to do as everyone else or you can go to the office.”

“Ya know what? Fine! I was born with a shitty father, who was sent to jail when I was four, a mother, who worked as a doctor so she wasn’t around. My step-brother took care of me for as long as I can remember with the help with his Abuela,” Marinette said, tears welling in her eyes. “We lived on the streets for a while after my mother’s death. My brother sang to make money. Nig-- one nigt when eig- I… I was eight, he didn’t co- come home... so I went out looking for him. I got got hurt and hospitalized where my Mama and Papa adopted me.” She finished, tears streaming down her face. 

“What’s your brother’s name?” Ms. Bustier asks.

“Th- that- that’s no-not im-imp-important,” Marinette stutters, rubbing her face. “Ummm… I got-- have to go- go.”

Marinette cried in the bathroom, Alya following closely behind her. “Girl do you want to go home?”

“N… no Ask- Mama and Papa ask-- will ask,” Marinette cried, hugging her. “Can we just stay here?”

“Of course Mari.”

“Can you sing?”

“Of course.” After a song, Marinette is calm enough to go back to class. 

“We’ll be going to Gotham for our yearly trip as planned by our class president, Lila,” Ms. Bustier announces near the end of class. A tear slipped down her face hearing this, but she decided to she missed Gotham, her home. Aunt Harley promised to come and be there just in case something happened to her.

Jason went back to Gotham after Talia finished training him. He was determined to get revenge for the Bats taking away his princesita. The Bats let her die and they were going to pay for it.

Marinette’s class was at the Museum of Gotham, then there was a problem, Joker attacked. Marinette distracted Joker and his goons so the class could getaway. She kneels down as the goons ties her arms behind her back.

“You’re pretty bold little foreign girl, but I guess that makes sense because you don’t know how dangerous I am,” Joker says, putting a finger under her chin to lift her head. “Perfect hostage, blue eyes, raven hair, just like Batsy likes. Watch her, the rest,  follow me.” He finished, walking away.

When she heard the door click she subtly turned her head to see where the goons where. She starts crying, cathing a goon’s attention. “Shut up girl.” the goon commands. When she doesn’t stop the goon approaches her so head butts him in the stomach before standing. She jumps over tied arms and swings at the goon that came over as soon as the first goon was hit. The third one tries to grab her from behind, so she kicks him the groin as he falls she kicks him in the nose.

She hears noises at the door that Joker and a couple of his goons left by. As she’s about to open it when the doorknob wiggles before being thrown open. The youngest Robin stood on the other side.

“Are you ok, miss?”

“Umm… yes, I’m ok, but you should those guys, the last guy might have a broken nose,” Marinette said, pointing with both hands towards the room. “Can you help me untie this?”

“Um sure!” He said, untying the ropes. 

“Hey! We got another in here, heavily armed, dangerous,” Red Robin called from the previous room.

Robin left the room, telling her to stay there, but Marinette being the person she is, didn’t listen. She entered the room to see a man in a tan trench coat and a red helmet. 

“You didn’t even try to help her! You left her for dead,” he screamed.

“Who? There a lot of people we can’t save but we try everything we can,” Nightwing said.

“Marianne! She’s all I had! You’re all going to pay!” He screamed.

“Marianne? Jay-Jay,” Marinette mutters to herself before raising her voice. “Jay-Jay!” Catching his attention he turns her voice. She sings softly as he approaches her. “You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are gray. You'll never know dear, how much I love you. Please don't take my sunshine away” He drops his guns, rips off his helmet, and envelopes her in a hug.

“Marianne, Princesita, she told me you were gone. She told me you were dead,” Jason said, letting tears fall.

“Jason I thought you were dead, you never came home that night,” Marinette said, crying into his shoulder.

“Jason I thought you were dead!” Batman says, approaching the siblings.

“How do you know him?” Marinette asks, stepping back from Batman.

“His adopted father.” 

“I was dead, Talia brought me back and told me you, Marianne was dead and it was Batman’s fault.”

“That wench did it again,” Robin sighed.

“What do ya mean?” Jason asks, breaking the hug to look at the people around him.

“I’m her son and she messed me up big time,” Robin explained.

“Sweetie! I heard what happened! Hey! Let me through!” a familiar voice came from down the hall. Not too long after the familiar face of Harley Quin entered the room. “Mari! Are you ok?” She rushed over checking for anything amiss.

“Seriously hasn’t enough happened today,” Red Robin sighs.

“Harley, where’ve been?” Batman sighs.

“I’ve been taking care of Sweetie.”

“Auntie has been very good she hasn’t done any crime!” 

“Joker bette’ not of hurt ya at all or I’ll rip off his balls,” Harley said, hugging Marinette. “Marinette is that your brother? You’re the one that Joker killed? That bastard!”

“Marinette?” Jason asked, turning to look at his little sister.

“I changed my name after moving, it hurt too much to keep my name,” Marinette explained. “But I think I could go back to Marianne now.”

“Let’s go, Sweetie, the police need to take your statement,” Harley said, grabbing Marianne’s hand.

After the statement is taken, Marianne turned to her class and says with a smile. “Lila you may be a lying sack of shit, but because of your attempts to hurt me, I found my brother. And I, Marianne Jiayang Todd couldn’t be happier. Thank you for making my life miserable so I could have a great full life with my brother and the people I care about.”

“Let’s go Princesita,” Jason said, kissing her head. Before they, Harley, and Jason, get into a cab and head to the manor to talk through everything.

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

Tag List

@sturchling @mlbchaosqueen

[black-streak]

Okay, so I have this bat mobile tent... it’s meant for like three year olds (I promise I’m not three). And I would love to see a one shot of the batboys being forced by marinette to go to Walmart, like the rest of us peasants. And they see this bat mobile tent and buy it... the rest is up to you, but I imagine Bruce just being really done with his sons.

This made me laugh, thank you.

Made it a bit pre-relationship Dickinette here, since I've never written for the ship before. The moments are very small though, so it shouldn't take away from the overall effect. Hope you don't mind!

~---~

Herding four boys in a Wal-Mart proved to be the opposite of a good time. 

Sure, she figured they could use the humbling experience of having to go to the store and buy their own stuff for once, granted with a helping hand to reel them in on this first excursion, but what had she been thinking, bringing all of them at the same time?

Dick wandered off like an excited child every two seconds, finding something new to discover in every aisle, having grown up first in a traveling circus and secondly with a billionaire and therefore having exactly zero experience in the megastore.

Tim kept stopping unexpectedly, studying the back of containers or asking questions about different things he'd yet to encounter on his own, which made exactly no sense considering the teen frequented corner stores for energy drinks and snacks all the time.

Damian scoffed and loudly complained any time he deemed appropriate, which was always. Apparently everything here including the act of even shopping was far below him and he saw no reason to "lower himself to such trivial, commoner pastimes" as he put it. That did not stop the kid from drifting off into the pet section any time she turned her back for even a second.

Jason happened to be the only sane one amongst them for once, used to the process of shopping from when he was little, even if Wal-Mart was a step up from his usual convenience stores he used to have to steal from. He helped her reign in the others and itemize her list, not easily swayed from their end goal.

That all went out the window when they arrived in the toy section. Like mice found in the kitchen by a panicked human, they scattered out of sight within moments, leaving her to wonder where she got the bright idea to even pass this section. By now, she was so done.

She rounded a corner only to see Damian and Jason facing off from each side of the aisle, mounted on bikes too small for either of them, training wheels and all, with decorated poles in hand, joust style. Tim sat on top of the shelves to the right, looking down upon the two.

"Alright, I want a good, clean fight," Tim spoke solemnly, "No going for wheels or running into one another. Do not move until the signal has been given. Any contact beyond your poles will end in immediate disqualification, are we clear?" He watched both stare at him, blank faced, "Oh who am kidding, attack!"

The two pedaled as quickly as they could, Tim shouting encouragement from his perch. Marinette chose this moment to disappear, rounding into the next aisle.

There she found Dick, sitting on the floor, reading the back of a circular package, eyes intent. Approaching quietly, she peeked over his shoulder to see what he had found, only for his instincts to kick in. He grabbed her wrist where it hovered over his shoulder and twisted her forward where she began to fall. Noticing who it was, he quickly corrected mid-fall, landing her ungracefully in his lap.

"Whoops, sorry," he offered with a bright smile, arms holding her upright.

"You did that on purpose," she pouted with an accusatory glare.

"Now why would I ever do that?" He asked, wiggling his eyebrows, making her cherry red.

"Nevermind," she looked away, pulling herself up to stand again, her nerves getting the best of her, "what'd you find?"

His eyebrows creased at first from her response only to perk back up, grin widening at the reminder of his discovery. Dick held up package for her to see, watching her for her reaction. She did not disappoint.

At first, Marinette's face scrunched up in confusion at seeing the child's tent, only for a shocked sort of joy to take its place. Looking down to him once more, eyes wide with wonder and lips slightly parted, she looked down at him, "This is amazing. We have to get it."

He couldn't agree more.

…

Bruce had been having a wonderfully calm evening, relaxed in his quiet manner for once undisturbed by the reckless chaos of his children. He felt a certain type of immense gratitude for the young woman who took them all out for the evening, keeping the peace between the otherwise bickering siblings.

Turning the corner into the hallway, he stopped dead in his tracks. In front of him was a small, collapsible tent with a small skylight on the roof, blocking the path forward. Designed to look like the batmobile.

The boys had come home.

Taking a cautionary step forward, he wondered which one bought this monstrosity. Just then, Damian turned the corner on the opposite side of the hall.

"Drake! It is my turn with the tent. Remove yourself at once!"

A sleepy headed Tim peaked out of the top, looking as though he'd just woken up. Upon seeing the fast approaching child assassin, he acted fast, somehow standing up (legs out the entrance perhaps?) with his head through the top and his body beyond his legs covered in the tent, taking off away from the would be theif, flintstones style. Blinking, Bruce processed what he'd just witnessed only to let out a world weary sigh. Shoulders hunching inward in defeat, he turned back around, heading towards his study to lock himself in until morning. So much for peace and quiet.

In the next hall, Dick and Marinette giggled, shushing each other, pressing fingers to the other's lips in an attempt to silence them, but ultimately failing to contain their mirth at the show that just played out. 

Best. Purchase. Ever.

[squiddybeifong]

Bonding

Day 5 of RobRae Week 2019:

--

Raven squeaked and fumbled around for his hand, some of the tension in her shoulders falling away as Dick’s palm slid against hers. Her amethyst eyes were wide and while she'd never actually admit to being overwhelmed, she was not too proud to concede that she may have been in a bit over her head.

And why wouldn't she be? She was surrounded by Bats: Cass and Steph had a cheek on each shoulder, Duke was aiming her a sympathetic smile an arm’s length away, Damian was in her face and all but interrogating her (if not for Dick’s and Duke’s hands pushed over his mouth, muffling the little bird’s words the best he could), Jason had silently nodded at her from his spot perched against the BatJet, Tim was praising her choice of tea (“That kind has a lot of caffeine in it for tea. It’s not coffee but good enough!”), Babs had given her an encouraging thumbs up but elected to watch the circus show alongside Jason, and Alfred had a plate of her favorite snickerdoodles in his arms, looking amused at all that was going on.

Bruce was just kinda there, but she knew he was watching her carefully. He still must not have been over his “no-metas” argument from when his oldest had brought home Kory that one time. But, for good or not, Dick had rubbed off on the mystic and she was hopeful that the dark knight would at least be open to getting to know her.

Especially since she fit into the family aesthetic so well.

Dick wrapped an arm around her shoulders, laughing as he shooed his siblings away, “Give us some space!”

He was positively cheeky at how excited everyone was to meet the love of his life, Don’t worry, we’ll all get used to each other soon. Become best friends and all that; especially you, Lil D.”

The swordsman’s nose scrunched up at his assertion, “You’re sure about that?”

“You’re the current Robin,” He stressed. Raven rolled her eyes as he declared, “Birds of a feather no matter what. Y’all just need some quality bonding time and bam!” Dick kissed her cheek, “Best buds in no time.”

“She’s a civilian.” He seemed unimpressed, but Dick told her enough about the kid to know how to get through to him, “I can still train.”

“Hmm,” Damian narrowed his eyes at her. His arms crossed, pleased with the idea. “After lunch sparring then?”

“Maybe tomorrow morning?” Raven fought back a smile at the frown that curled immediately the boy’s lips. He was definitely Batman’s son, that was for sure. The mystic shrugged a shoulder, her fingers brushing Dick’s again as she explained, “The trip here was a bit long.”

The boy let out a “Tch” but nodded, squawking as Steph shoved him out of the way. The blonde was excited, “But you still have time for doing stuff today, right?” She whipped her head from Raven to Cass and back again, “We really wanted to get to know you more. And not just like, as Dick’s girlfriend.”

“Oh?” Raven obviously didn’t quite get it so Cass spoke up, “You’re very… powerful. Well-known and…” The girl paused, trying to think of the word. Giving up, she jerked a thumb towards Steph, her smile obvious in her voice, “She has your posters.”

“Hey!” The blonde flushed, snapping her head back to the demoness, “Poster. I just have the one, actually.”

Raven sheepishly smiled, her eyes flicking to her boyfriend in astonishment, “I have my own poster?”

“Pssh,” Dick kissed her temple, “Of course. Why wouldn’t you have a fan-base?”

“And you know her best,” Steph mused aloud, a hand going to her chin. “That means you can help me impress her!”

“She’s literally standing right here.”

Luckily Raven looked amused and a tinge abashed at the attention, so Steph added, “But if we’re gonna spend time together, that means we should probably make it count. Do stuff we both-- all three of us like, right?”

Steph looked so excited at the prospect and kept glancing Cass’ way; while the Black Bat wasn’t as visibly antsy Raven could tell she was hopeful. Amethyst eyes glanced around the room, lingering on Duke as she aimed a soft smile his way, “I’ll have to find time to spend with all of you, but that sounds fun.”

She glanced over Steph’s head and smirked at the redhead, “We can invite Babs. Make it a girls’ night.” A not quite squeak slipped out and Dick let out a yelp as she grabbed his arm, leading him towards the controls. “We need to plan everything!”

Dick conceded with her tugging on his arm, wagging his fingers and blowing a kiss to the empath as he was pulled along. And with the acrobat no longer by her side there was another clamor for her attention. She appeased them the best she could; however, Tim was the quietest of the group (unsurprising, given that even Cass’ occasional signing was almost as loud as her siblings words) and Raven chose to follow his lead out of the BatCave.

She gave Duke and Cass a sympathetic wave as she heard the tail end of Damian’s instructions to them, deciding not to question why the youngest Bat felt it necessary to bring out the training flamethrowers for their sparring.

“Don’t mind Dami,” Raven glanced to the side and felt her smile widen at the sight of Barbara. She and Jason were the only Bats Raven had a chance to meet the first time she’d been invited to Gotham, way before romance was even an option between her and Dick. And now the redhead looked thoroughly entertained at all that had happened (and was bound to happen, given this family’s track sheet) as she wheeled alongside Raven, her olive eyes glancing at Tim. “You know about coffee?”

Raven shrugged, “Dick tries to get me to try it sometimes.”

“You’re about to get an… education.”

“On the necessity of caffeine?”

“On how insane Tim can get.” Babs’ grin was entirely cheeky as she admitted, “Jason used up the rest of the beans and didn’t refill them, so he was waiting until after you showed up to get as caffeinated as possible.”

“Should I say ‘oh no,’ or is this somehow gonna turn out okay?”

The lens of Babs’ glasses shone as they entered the kitchen, seeing that Tim had already made his way to the coffee pot in the two second lead that he had on them. “You should say ‘oh no.’”

“So, Raven…” Tim spread his arms and spun in a circle, a sleepy grin brightening his face, “You like your coffee with one sugar to two?”

Ignoring the look that Oracle sent her way, the demoness decided to be honest, “I’ve never had a full cup before.”

Babs palmed her face and wheeled back a few feet.

Raven blinked as, seemingly a second later, she was the sole audience to real life TED talk. Her head tilted to the side as she was introduced to a whirlwind of teas and coffees with Tim, trying her hardest not to smile as he walked her through how to roast the beans just enough to get all the caffeine out of them possible, taste be damned. The boy was oddly engaged and, admittedly, the topic was interesting (if a bit unexpected). Alfred’s kitchen also apparently had twenty hidden drawers just for coffee enhancements, but they would absolutely remodel to get Raven her own tea drawers ‘if she ever decided to move in.’

Her pale cheeks flushed at that, the heat burning down to her neck as Babs piped up, “Might as well start the renovations now, if Dick’s letting her fend for herself with us.”

Tim snickered at that, pointing out to his brother’s girlfriend a second later, “But you know what’s best for keeping sane in this house?”

“A cup of tea?”

He stuck his tongue out at Raven’s cheekiness and strode to the fridge. Tim pulled out a can and shook it, energy shining beyond his lethargic eyes, “A shot of coffee. Whipped cream on top.”

“A shot? Seems like coffee’s something I need to take down as fast as possible.”

“He’s actually done that before,” Babs casually added into the air.

There was a pause as Raven leaned it, squinting at the sleep-deprived teen. She wondered when the last time he had a proper night’s sleep was, but immediately tossed the thought out, lest she actually find out. Still, the mage had to know, “How long until you take in too much caffeine?”

“I know you’re just coming into the fam, but Raven,” Tim held up his coffee and sprayed a burst of whipped cream into his mouth, “Too much caffeine isn’t even an issue when it comes to me.”

Her head tilted to the side, her eyes narrowed in suspicion, “This seems dangerous.”

Babs let out a snort, “Yep.”

“And unwise.”

“That’s the idea.”

Amethyst eyes flicked to Tim and she decided that if she was in their house she might as well act like a Bat. Her arms crossed over her chest, her words resolute, “You can’t knock down a day’s worth of coffee in less than ten minutes.”

Babs let out a sigh but Tim looked excited. He winked at his undoubtedly future sister, speaking one word before tossing back the near scalding coffee, “Bet.”

Raven blinked, not sure whether to be alarmed or impressed at how he merely took another burst of whipped cream and went onto the next steaming cup. Briefly, she thought that Dick probably wouldn’t be too enthused that she wasn’t necessarily stopping him from doing this. But, if she was being completely honest, she was truly enjoying whatever this mess of her afternoon had become.

Although she did jump when Barbara nudged her side.

The redhead noted the tiniest crackle of magic on the girl’s fingertips and her face softened, remembering what Raven had told her of her powers when they’d first met. “You know,” She muttered, her brows inching up as Tim decided to simply down the whipped cream and coffee simultaneously.

Green eyes flicked to the mystic, “I’m surprised you haven’t needed to meditate yet.”

Raven shrugged one shoulder, “I rested on the way here.”

“Yeah, but we’re kinda a handful, empathy or not.” Another glance at Tim, who had somehow brought Alfred into his experiment. Babs tried to hold back a chuckle before she added, “We also brood a lot. I’m sure no one would hold it against you if you needed to chill out for a bit.” She gave Raven a knowing smile at the younger woman’s shifting, both of them knowing that she was right.

“Now that I think about,” Babs’ voice was teasing but a calm in the chaos that was Alfred silently tut-tutting as he watched Tim down coffee at a speed that shouldn’t have been possible, “There’s a little nook near the cave’s entrance. You know that carved mouse hole, like in the cartoons? It’s where Dick almost broke his arm trapezing over the statues?”

At the demoness’ nod Babs added, “It’s probably quiet enough for you to sneak in and out of if you want. I’d take you but we really don’t need Tim being too hyped up this early.” Her head tilted in thought and she pushed up her glasses, “Jay’s usually there whenever he visits the manor, though.”

She grinned at the empath, “But you two get along pretty well. And you can tell you’re there if you see ash piles around.”

Raven’s lips twitched in a smirk, “You’re really telling me to follow the breadcrumbs?”

“More like the cigarette butts. Besides, it’s peaceful and we left him in charge of keeping Damian from interrogating you. You’ll be fine and probably--maybe alone.” Babs touched her arm and Raven smiled back, feeling closer to the redhead since the last time they’d met. And, if her smile was any indication, Babs felt the same.

A lazy laugh escaped her as she turned her wheels, ready to stop Tim from his ongoing lecture that Alfred was almost certainly tuning out, “I’ll save you a spot at the table.”

“See you at lunch, then.” Raven wondered if this was what having siblings was like and nodded once, turning towards the door before Babs could even begin to guess what she was thinking about.

She knew that Batman wasn’t a fan of superpowers in his city, let alone his manor, but she still let herself fall into the shadows, quietly making her way to to place Barbara had guided her to. Her heart light, Raven wondered if Dick was right to be so hopeful on the way up here; so far things were going well. She was actually bonding with others, as insane as it was to imagine. Her thoughts and movements faltered as she passed by some of the artwork and busts that lined the halls, wondering if her lover knew their origins.

Oh, well. She had a whole weekend to find out, maybe longer if Batman somehow took a liking to her as much as his children had.

Raven shook her head and stopped, reorienting herself before she got lost. Slipping through a crack under the door the mage blinked at the tiny pile of ashes just inside. She felt his presence before he noticed hers and let her body manifest again.

Jason didn’t pause his smoking as she walked up to him, simply putting down his phone and nodding at her. His lips split in a grin as she let out a sigh and she collapsed into the seat next to him. He nudged her with his shoulder, snickering at the scent of coffee that wafted off her, “You let Tim explain his coffees to you?”

“We made a bet and he actually started drinking all of them.”

Jason let out a noisy breath, not quite a laugh and not quite a sigh, “You’re more patient than me.”

“That’s a given.”

“And you’re finally letting some of that snark out! Look like you’re getting along pretty fine here.”

A curl of magic wordlessly put out his cigarette. Jason leaned his head back, a resound laugh rumbling out of him at her antics, “Basically a Bat already.”

His turned to look down at her when all she did was snort at his words, his smile secretive. Jason nudged her again, “Although we gotta wait til Dickolas gets the balls to ask you to make it official.”

Raven gave him a flat look, although the stare was weakened by the curl in her lips. She turned away from him and decided to pivot the conversation to a more expected route, “I thought you would’ve been trying to tell me embarrassing stories of him, maybe even bring out a video or three.”

“That’s not until he brings you over for Chrismukkah.”

She snickered, resting her arm on the couch’s back. Her violet gaze looked him over once, “And what about you willingly babysitting Damian like Babs said you were supposed to be doing?”

He smirked at her choice of words, “That’s not happening until Hell freezes over.”

Another pointed look, this time interrupted by the mage’s snickers. “Although,” Jason looked her over once, surprised and appraising that she was keeping a calm head in this midst of meeting this clusterfuck of a family, “I kinda thought B'd've run you off by now.”

“B'd've?” She snorted at the contraction, one brow rising in question a second later, “Is B for Bruce or Batman or…?” She let her words trail off at the new press of emotions around her. The empath didn’t acknowledge the shift as Jason’s gaze landed on something just beyond her shoulder, but she had a good enough idea when a cocky smirk lit up his face.

“B is for Bitch.”

He looked up as he spoke, grinning at his adoptive father as the man approached them.

Bruce aimed a pointed look Jason's way, his attention settling on the demoness right after. Raven sat up straighter but didn't speak, electing to simply observe him and the subdued emotions that he carried. Jason watched their stare off for a moment, a fist pressed into his cheek in mock-curiosity.

“Quite a party,” He drawled, snickering at the two sideways glares he received. The anti-hero shrugged and bounced up to his feet, not wanting to endure the thrilling conversation they were bound to have. He aimed an emerald wink Raven’s way and nudged his dad in the arm as he passed.

A calloused hand waved over his shoulder, “Later, you two. Have fun with whatever the fuck this is!”

Raven gaze flicked from his retreating back to Bruce’s face, not knowing what to say. But the Batman seemed busy with observing her, trying to determine exactly how much he could possibly trust her. So she decided to do the same, wondering how they could get along. They certainly seemed similar enough, if Dick’s opinion was anything to go by (and she trusted his opinion with everything in her).

After a minute Bruce broke the silence, his hands going to his pockets, “Glad to see you're getting along with everyone.”

Pale fingers drummed against her thigh, “No ‘else’ at the end?”

His chin twitched and a sigh escaped, Alfred’s earlier words echoing in his mind. The billionaire shrugged a shoulder and he got on with it, “Dick loves you so I might as well get to know you.”

“That’s almost sweet.”

“I still don't trust you whatsoever.”

Her lips moved from a straight line to a half-smile, “That’s not as sweet, but very obvious.”

“But,” Batman paused, deciding to be completely honest with this girl, “I didn't trust a lot of my allies at first either. And if you may be,” He all but grunted out the word, “Family… then I'll try.”

Raven bit back a hum at his words (and Barbara’s, and Tim’s, and Jason’s), wondering if Dick was introducing her like this for a reason. But this was an opportunity she refused to waste and she nodded at him, “So will I.”

The demoness paused and stood, tucking some loose hair behind her ear. Her face raised to meet him and she spoke, “I don't expect us to start over. I know that this distrust will be there for a while but I was hoping--” Raven cut herself off, shaking her head as her voice faltered.

Visibly making up her mind, the ex-Titan squared her shoulders and held out her hand. She looked into the dark knight’s eyes as steadily as she could, “I'm Rachel, although I prefer to go by Raven.”

He stared at her for a long second, then grabbed her hand. They shook and he introduced himself, “I'm Bruce, I prefer being called Batman.” Raven was stoic despite the wave of disappointment that filled her and he rolled his jaw, “But you can call me B. Most of my kids do anyway.”

She let out a tiny breath at the intent behind his words and a genuine smile formed. “It’s very nice to meet you B,” Raven’s hands clasped in front of her stomach, her thumbs rubbing against each other, “I'm in love with your son.”

“I can tell.” The closest thing to a smile curled his lips, “He's desperately in love with you too.”

“Yeah?”

Bruce shrugged again, but this time there was some humor in his stance. “He all but threatened us to do our best to make you feel included this weekend.”

A quiet laugh escaped her, “Did he really?”

“His exact words were ‘Please try and make her happy.’ We may have taken some liberties.”

The empath’s shoulders shook again and she decided to be bold, “Well, I'd think a tour of the manor would make me quite happy. Some of those paintings in the eastern wing are new and possibly Baroque.”

“Hmmm,” His sapphire eyes glanced down at her, “You haven’t been here since Tim was Robin, right?” She nodded, knowing that his words weren’t a question. Bruce aimed his chin towards where the kitchen lay and continued, “Alfred would probably prefer taking you around, but I have an hour or so to spare.”

“And here Dick had me thinking you were a workaholic.”

A brow raised and (honest to Azar) the Batman looked amused, “Just Dick?”

Raven bit the inside of her cheek, keeping her smile from getting too wide, “Maybe a few others too.”

“Well, then,” He motioned for her to follow him and they strolled out into the hallways, “Let’s get going.”

They fell into an easy silence (well not easy, but easy enough for someone being accompanied by Batman) as they walked the halls, their steps slowing every corner or so for Raven to admire some of the art and for Bruce to offer some details. After a few minutes the mage blinked as she recognized the doorway to the kitchen and they passed through, spotting a certain acrobat.

Bruce merely tilted his head and Raven gave him a small wave, the stoics not stopping their tour as they went. As the vigilante paused to explain one of the mustachioed busts she had hesitated at earlier, Raven quietly murmured into the air, “Did you see his face?”

“He looked very happy. Usually I only see that when he’s talking about you.”

Raven smiled at that. “I’d imagine us getting along certainly helps too,” she added.

Bruce glanced at her, neither acknowledging the positive press of his emotions. The dark knight motioned around them as they entered the foyer, “So would you like to see the library or courtyard first?”

“Courtyard, please.”

--

Dick had brought her here on a few occasions, although Bruce only knew about the first time. Most of the times they’d snuck in for her to get a sight of the sheer amount of literature that the Wayne family had collected over the years. The library was still that wonderful mix of clean rain and old books and the shelves were as pristine as ever, but Raven was still as awestruck as the first time.

Bruce laid a hand on her shoulder, “Alfred was talking about preparing your favorites for lunch. I’ll go check up on him and send Dick your way if I see him.”

“Thank you, Bru- I mean, B.” She let out a quiet chuckle at her mess-up, “I’ll get used to it eventually.”

He raised a brow, his face a bit more open than before. Raven tried to keep the hope out of her face but she knew that he noticed. The vigilante nodded to her once, “I hope so.”

She tucked her head and, after a beat, he turned on his heel and snuck out of the library, moving in the shadows. The mystic’s attention immediately went back to the bookshelves, so she didn’t notice as he hesitated to glance one more time at her, missing the approving (albeit reluctant) nod to himself.

Finally alone, Raven let herself get lost in the novels and indexes around her. She let out a soft “Aha!” as she spotted a huge collection of first editions, carefully tucked away on a raised platform of their own.

After what felt like seconds (though, knowing her, could’ve been hours), Raven felt a wonderfully familiar aura burst into her senses. She felt the uptick of happiness through their bond before Dick softly called out to her, “There you are.”

The mystic turned to face him, her nose still in her book. “Seems like you’re having fun,” He laughed, winking at her when she glanced at him from the top of the page.

“I am.” Raven completely tore her eyes from the pages, leaning up as he pressed a kiss to her temple. Whether it was the smell of him all around her or just the calm that he brought after all the emotions of meeting his family, the empath let out a happy sigh. She sunk into his arms and the words slid out of her, “I love it here.”

Dick rested their foreheads together, his smile bright in his voice, “You do love your libraries.”

Raven’s eyes slid halfway shut, a soft smile forming, “Not what I meant.”

“Yeah?”

She sighed as he bumped their noses together. The mystic flew up an inch to quietly murmur against his lips, her words a breath between them, “Yeah.”

[sassycassie-s-writing]

Mr. Neptune

By: SassyShoulderAngel319

Fandom/Character(s): DC, BatFam - Jason Todd/Red Hood

Rating: PG-13/T

Original Idea: I can’t remember the original idea... because this is an older one...

Notes: (Masterlist)(By Character)(About Me) Another early one that got lost. @welovegroot @batboys-and-other-messes @haylo4ever

^^^^^

“Jay! I need your help!” Bruce called, jogging up to his second eldest.

Jason sighed and looked up from the gun he was cleaning. “Let me guess, Bruce, you need me to infiltrate and spy on some baddie’s operation so we can take them down.”

“Yeah, actually. A new up-and-coming crime-lord called Mr. Neptune. He’s out in the warehouse district.”

“No way. I already tried that with Black Mask and it was a catastrophic failure.” Jason looked back to his gun, cleaning the barrel.

“Please, Jason. You’re the only one who can do this. You know your brothers. They won’t.”

“Liar.”

Bruce sighed. “Jay… he’s got Tally.”

Jason froze, hand on his gun going slack so it slipped. “… Wh-what?” he stammered.

Bruce took a deep breath. “He’s got Tally,” he repeated. Jason shoved out of his chair and took off through the Batcave. “Wait! So you’re gonna do it?”

“I have no choice, now! B, you don’t end with your most convincing argument. You start with it! Don’t you know anything about writing argumentative essays?” Jason ran into the darkness. A moment later, the roaring of his motorcycle’s engine filled the cave and then receded.

^^^^^

Jason rode down the streets at top speed, weaving between the traffic. His helmet glinting off the streetlights as he sped by underneath them. His jaw was clenched so hard it was pressing against the sides of his helmet. “Remember, Hood, this isn’t a rescue mission. You’re infiltrating and gathering intel. Don’t free Tally until you have everything we need. She’s strong enough to withstand whatever they might do,” Bruce said in Jason’s comm.

Jason wrinkled his nose in distaste and shut it off without even replying.

He’d reached the warehouse his Heads-Up Display—HUD—said was the right location. Which he only knew because it was the one Tally’s phone’s GPS signal was broadcasting from.

“What kinda amateur nonsense…” he muttered under his breath. He killed the engine and parked his bike in the shadows where no one would notice it. Shoving his keys in his pocket, he strolled right in.

At least twenty guns pointed at him in seconds.

He smirked, grateful the helmet concealed his entire face so no one could see he was amused.

“Stand down! I’m here in peace,” he called. “Take me to your leader, earthlings!”

^^^^^

I looked up from where I’d been staring at the floor for… however long. I recognized that voice. Jason…? I thought.

Yup. Standing there, large as life and realer than real, was Jason Todd, all decked out in his Red Hood getup with the most powerful handguns known to our planet strapped to each thigh. The moment I looked up, the dried blood that had dripped down my neck from the split on my cheekbone cracked.

Mr. Neptune stepped between me and him, blocking my view. “Well, well. The infamous Red Hood. The mercenary. The leader of the dark trinity. To what do we owe the pleasure, Outlaw?” he asked, voice smooth and nonchalant. He put his hands in the pockets of his slacks.

Jason folded his arms and shifted all of his weight onto one leg, going for a casual look. “Here to watch. See if I wanna join. The other Outlaws are on vacay and I’m bored.”

Neptune scrutinized him—I could tell by his stance.

Jason leaned to the side, catching sight of me for the first time. I could tell by the way his hand twitched toward his gun before he relaxed back into his casual stance. “What’s with the hostage?” he asked.

Mr. Neptune glanced back at me. I flinched away. “Oh she’s just here for fun. A little toy to play with when I'm bored.”

Jason’s trapezius muscles flexed under his jacket. “Hmm. Interesting motive for taking a hostage.”

“Got a problem with that?” Mr. Neptune snapped.

Jason shrugged. “I personally have a code against taking innocent women and children as hostages. If she was a dangerous vigilante or a villainess, I would understand but I personally do not take innocent women and children hostage.”

“Then it’s a good thing you’re not the one in charge, boy,” Mr. Neptune snapped.

Jason’s folded arms flexed. “Boy?” he asked curiously. I wondered if Mr. Neptune could hear the dangerous, murderous edge in Jason’s tone. “I assure you, I am no boy, Mr. Neptune.” He raised his hands and removed his helmet to reveal his bare face. He didn’t even have a domino mask on under it.

He looked so handsome. Strong face, black hair with a single streak of white, gunmetal blue eyes. Which were trained on me for a brief moment before looking back at Mr. Neptune. He was, truly, a man. I’d known him a long time. When he first became Red Hood, he was eighteen and had only returned from the dead three years before. He’d been a boy then. We were a bit older than that now, and I saw a man in front of me. A young man, to be sure, but with his muscles and scars, anyone calling him a boy was just plain wrong.

I barely had any energy to notice Mr. Neptune grunting out a, “Huh. I suppose you’re not,” before he strolled off into the shadows of the warehouse. “Come with me, Red Hood. We’ll talk about filling your time with something meaningful.”

As Jason followed Mr. Neptune, he approached me. The entire time, he stared at me pointedly, ignoring the other goons in the room. I could see blood already clouding his eyes—he was going to hurt Neptune for taking me.

As he passed me, he barely brushed my hand, leaving something behind in my palm.

A pocketknife with a switchblade release. A small one with a Batman logo carved into one end and a piece of masking tape with two words written on it in Sharpie. Get out. There was also a tiny heart drawn. I pretended it wasn’t there, sagging in my chair. I was too tired to get out. Even if I could cut the ropes and duct tape holding me to the chair, I didn’t have the strength to fight my way out. I didn’t know if I even had the skill to get past Neptune’s goons.

I was no vigilante.

^^^^^

“Tally? Baby? What are you still doing here?” Jason hissed, his gloved hands fumbling with the duct tape binding my wrist to the chair. “I told you to go! To get out!”

“Can’t,” I mumbled.

The duct tape strap fell off my wrist. “Why not?”

“Too tired. Too weak. Don’t have any fighting training.”

Jason pulled the pocketknife out of my hand and slit everything else off me. He closed the blade, removed the tape, and pushed the thing back into my hand. “Go. No one is here right now. No goons. No Neptune. Nothing. Go!” He pulled me to my feet and pushed me gently towards the doors. “C’mon, baby. You gotta get out of here. Bats and I will take this guy down but I can’t do that if he has you. So go!”

I stumbled out one of the doors and staggered down the street.

Wandering aimlessly, I somehow made my way out of the warehouse district and into the suburbs before I collapsed on the sidewalk. Bruised, bloodied, exhausted. I had no strength left in my arms and legs. So I just laid there. I’m not sure for how long.

At some point, everything went black.

^^^^^

I woke up on a gurney.

“You’re lucky, Tally,” Bruce said, “that Jason called ahead of time to let us know he was breaking you out before going through with the rest of the plan so Nightwing could come get you before Mr. Neptune’s men could find you.”

“Yeah,” Dick agreed, strolling over, suit on but mask off. “He really loves you.”

“That’s nice,” I mumbled.

Bruce put his hand on my ankle for a moment before leaving. “Get some rest, kid. You’ll feel better when the sun rises.”

“‘Zit still nighttime?” I mumbled, voice slurred from exhaustion.

“Yes. For now,” Nightwing said. He put his hand over my eyes. “Sleep, kiddo. Everything’s going to be fine.”

I nodded tiredly. My eyes drifted closed.

^^^^^

Mr. Neptune stopped in his tracks. “Where’d the hostage go?” he demanded.

The goons all looked around in confusion. “We were here all night,” one said.

Neptune shot the goon in the leg. “THEN HOW DID SHE GET AWAY?!” he roared. “She had no combat training whatsoever. She’s not one of the Batlings! That much was obvious when we kidnapped her! So WHERE IS SHE?!”

“Sir, if I may,” Jason piped up, rolling his helmet between his palms and invisibly fighting to keep his temper in check. “Gotham has seen some strange things. This girl could possess some sort of latent metahuman power that causes those around her to fall asleep when she is in a stressed state. If the men fell asleep, they wouldn’t notice she was gone until later because they wouldn’t realize they blacked out.”

He was lying but no one knew that except him. Tally had no metahuman abilities whatsoever. She was just a civilian whom he loved deeply.

“You took over Black Mask’s empire after he disappeared. Why are you even here?” Mr. Neptune snapped. “Trying to steal my territory for your own empire?”

Jason shrugged. “Nah not really. Like I said, the other outlaws are on vacation and I’m bored. If I thought you posed an actual threat to my empire I might have had a different reason for dropping in but I'm pretty sure I’ll be just fine.”

Jason, don’t sass the bad guys, Tally’s voice reminded him in his mind.

Mr. Neptune narrowed his eyes, not entirely sure if he’d been insulted or not—Spoiler alert, Jason thought, he has. “Right.” He turned to his men. “Find that hostage! Sweep the city!”

“Yes sir!” several voices chorused. They all thundered out.

Jason swung his arms back and forth. “Well. I guess as I'm technically part of the competition you won’t want to tell me how you run your operation, will you?” he asked.

Neptune snorted. “Absolutely not.”

“Shame. I was looking forward to folding you into my network and expanding on our business practices.” Jason shrugged. “Oh well. Good luck building up your own rep. And FYI: anyone dealing to kids in this town gets a death sentence, so don’t even think about it unless you want your small little empire to crumble faster than a sand castle in a hurricane.”

“Big words for a man who can’t be much more than twenty,” Neptune said.

“These guns aren’t for show, Neptune,” Jason said. “But if you don’t want to work with me, or rather for me, that’s your loss. I’m out.” He gave a sarcastic salute and strolled off.

Once he left the warehouse, he activated his comm. “B. I have everything you need. I’ll be back at the cave in a half-hour. Tear him down.”

[crypterion-moon]

Exchange: Resolution

“You can run but not forever.”

Part 3

It’s easy, at first, all Tim needs to do is be gone the moment Jason is near. Vanish he can do, but he doesn’t realize that it’s getting harder and harder as Jason gets more persistent. And Jason has come to realize it’s about time he stopped hedging around the issue.

Dick notices the deliberate behavior. Whenever Jason is close even on patrol, if he can get away with it, he'll be gone before even Batman notices, it hasn’t escaped B’s attention though but he isn’t about to confront either on the matter. He’s almost sure that it would end in disaster if he tried, Dick is too restless to keep out though, he has to hold Nightwing back every time he tries to chase either of them down for an explanation.

Tim doesn’t want to start a fight, fighting with people he’s supposed to be love, people who are supposed to be his allies, friends or family, drains him faster than a consecutive two week of work and patrol non-stop. He can’t look Jason in the eye and now, he realizes he can’t talk to Dick. At least Bruce and Alfred doesn’t force it out of him. He still can’t go back to the manor, the demon brat is there.

He collapses onto his couch, breathing a sigh of exhaustion as he pulls the cowl back. Scratch that, running away all the time is just as tiring, a lose-lose situation. The only thing left is if he...Tim’s eyes trail over to his comm unit, the batarang sits beside it under the spotlight of his kitchen counter. Bruce would understand if he just asked, maybe.

He pulls the cape and cowl off and hold it there, just staring at it from an arms length for a while. Then shakes his head and neatly folds it away. It would be stupid to throw away the thing that gave his life meaning over a simple disagreement, he’s held through worse to keep fighting. He carefully stows it away in his secret compartment.

“Pathetic Drake, you really are hopeless.”

Without even having to turn around, Tim was already groaning in his mind. Of all the people who could pay him a visit, it had to be HIM. If this was what it meant to have visitors then he’ll gladly stick to having none.

“Please, Damian,” he didn’t want to sound whiny but he is this close to crying from lack of sleep, emotional instability and generally just being fed-up, “I’m not in the mood for this.”

“That’s no excuse for being a coward,” Damian spits words like bits of red hot coal.

“Go home Damian, you got your Manor, I got my place, okay? Just...leave me alone.” Tim tries to get out of his suit while making his way over to the bedroom with full intention of slamming the door in the brat’s face and hiding under the covers. He just about makes it to the door when a batarang embeds itself in the wall next to him.

He stares at it for a few seconds before he groans, “Oh my god, I just had that done!”

“So what, you may have bought yourself a shack away from Father but you’re still in my city.”

Tim just leans back against the door, the exhaustion really hitting him hard, “If you’re about to tell me that this is your city and I don’t belong here, cool, I can-” he wants to leave, maybe then he’ll be free of all this crap. Maybe he can get a life. Maybe he won’t have to run around anymore and just be a normal person. But Damian cuts him off before he can finish.

“You’re in my City and that means everyone’s concern for you is doing us no good, get yourself together Drake and stop moping. Todd can’t chase you around forever.”

Tim struggles to get a proper response out, “Wha-I’m not, he’s not.”

“He is and it is getting to be an awfully sorry sight, deal with this for all our sakes or I’ll beat it into both of you.”

Tim would like to chalk it down to either Dick or Bruce or, god it sounds wrong, Damian leaving groceries and cooked food for when he got home. It’s not the first time they busted in on his home, without tripping the systems, but when asked, all he got were “Not me,” or “Don’t be ridiculous,” along with knowing grins or glares. It’s nice though, he hasn’t had a proper meal for so long since he left the manor. He’s convinces they were lying and actually leaving Alfred’s care packages in his apartment, but even Alfred says that he hasn’t needed to since Tim’s mystery carer.

He doesn’t have the energy to go into it so he accepts it gratefully.

Tim is in the middle of sleeping off the exhaustion when he hears a sound from outside his bedroom. His custom built alarm system bypassed, somehow. This sends all sorts of warning bells ringing in his mind and he’s reaching for the staff tucked by his bed. He steps over to the door carefully, opening it as quietly as possible. To Tim’s surprise, he sees Jason wrestling with his jacket and armor, cursing lightly as he does, it’s spattered with blood but there’s an especially large patch on his left side, dark red against the grey.

“Jason?”

The man looks up in surprise, “Oh, uh, hey.”

He winces, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to sneak into your place, but my safe house is a little far at the moment.”

Tim sets his bo staff aside, and walks over in large strides, Jason flinches as he gets close but doesn’t move otherwise. Tim searches around for the catches in the armor.

“Let me, help you out of this.”

After some pulling and tugging, the whole thing is off and Jason’s torso is left bare, with scars criss-crossing and bullet holes as well as the tell tale cuts from his autopsy. Then, there’s the wound, not too deep but the skin’s torn from a bullet.

“Thugs?”

“Thugs,” Jason confirms and Tim stands up.

“Wait here,” he says and makes his way over to the kitchen. He reaches down into one of the cabinets for the aid kit and returns to Jason, already rooting around in it. He kneels down and orders Jason to stay still as he dabs antiseptic on the wound. Jason winces but does what he’s told.

“Sorry, it’s strong but effective, I got some painkillers if you need some.”

“I’m no wimp, this is nothing,” Jason tries to joke but it comes out slightly louder than he’d intended. Tim flinches at the rise in volume.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to-”

“S’okay, here, keep your hand on the gauze,” Tim says as he finishes washing the wound, he presses the material to the wound and Jason takes over while he roots around for the roll of bandages, “Keep it tight.”

“’Kay.”

Tim tucks his hair behind one ear as he unravels the roll. Jason’s eyes sets on the young man’s cheek, butterflies in his stomach as he quashes the urge to give Tim a quick peck there. Just, something about it was so damn attractive. Tim pulls up closer and begins to wind the bandage around Jason’s torso. He’s careful, but makes sure it’s done right. Tim is so close and Jason’s raised arms could close around him and it might not be too noticeable while he’s so focused on the task. He only goes so far as to let one arm hover above Tim’s shoulders while he’s working. He’s so damn nervous.

“There, all done.” Done it was, Jason could go back out there and it wouldn’t shift a millimeter with Tim’s handiwork.

“Thanks, I, uh, owe you one.”

Tim turns to put the kit back, “You’re welcome...to stay for the night. You need to let that rest.”

“Yeah, I’ll..do that.” The tension has never been so unbearable. He would’ve rated the night they first met as a pretty tense moment, what with all the fighting and hatred going around, but compared to now, that was nothing. He watches as the former Robin walks back to his kitchen, barefoot he notices. He doesn’t want to admit it but he looks pretty damn adorable. He starting to wonder how he ended up hating Tim in the first place. The boy walks back into his room without closing the door and a few minutes later, comes back out with an armful of blankets and cushions.

“There’s some extra blankets and pillows I thought you might want, I know it’s not cold but...uh, better safe than sorry,” the statement turns into a question with an upturned lilt in his voice. He’s trying his very best not to seem patronizing. Jason feels that pang of guilt again. “I don’t need your pity.”

Those were his words, words that he shouldn’t have thrown around, words that Tim didn’t deserve, after all the trouble he had to go through himself. He wants to take it back, maybe he can fix this.

“I...appreciate it, really,” Tim looks surprised, “I also wanted to say, I’m sorry, I was a real jerk.”

Tim looks away, biting his lip, “I can’t imagine what it was like, having to survive, and die like that. I can’t imagine what it’s like to be so angry.”

“You don’t want to,” Jason says, he shouldn’t. In the end, no one should have to go through what he did, wasn’t that the whole point of Bruce’s insane crusade.

“I do, there are people out there who aren’t so fortunate, who needs someone who can understand what it’s like, if I don’t then how can I help them?”

“Here’s the deal, Dick made his name as Robin because he needed it, I accepted it because it was as far as I got to having something better to do, the thrill was all it was to me. You asked for it.”

Tim sits back on his heels, watching as Jason pulls himself upright from the couch.

“You asked for it because you WANTED to help, you worked for it. You know what pissed me off when I first heard about you? I thought ‘Great, another dumb kid who thinks it’ll be fun to die on the street for his stupid mission.’ I tracked you down thinking I was going to see another clone of me, pretending to be Robin like it was some game. Then I saw YOU.”

Tim swallows. This must be bringing back all sorts of bad memories, memories Jason would rather deny but he needed to come to terms with it as much as Tim does.

“You weren’t laughing, you weren’t swinging around to show off, you took everything and worked out the quickest and best way to solve cases. I saw you and I knew, this was no game to you. But that also pissed me off because I realized, deep down, you were a better Robin than I ever could be. I hated you because you were better. That you put your LIFE on the line not because of the thrill but because someone out there needs you to save them.”

“When I came back, I read about you, your file. I thought yeah, another dressed up rich kid from one of those Gotham’s elites, but then I learned that they say nothing about you.” Jason slips off the couch to Tim’s level, “Your mom, your dad, all your friends, you lost them all didn’t you trying to fight crime. For the longest time, you didn’t want to let anybody else in your life because you didn’t know if just they’d die just knowing Tim Drake. Then Robin was taken from you, you didn’t outgrow it like Dick did, or lose the name by dying like I did. It was all you had wasn’t it?”

Jason is almost knee to knee with Tim, who looks like he’s ready run. The emotions he’s tried so hard to put aside, the memories he’s tried to forget were surging back with Jason’s words. His fight or flight responses were kicking in. He tries not to. Jason places a gentle but careful hand on his shoulder. He flinches but he doesn’t run.

“You thought it was your fault. Didn’t you. They said you were crazy and you almost believed it. Now you run yourself ragged just so you could prove yourself. Just to prove you’re not useless you’re burning yourself out, or was Alfred wrong?”

“I-it’s not-” Tim tries to say but Jason cuts him off.

“It is, don’t lie to me now,” he says gently. Tim buries his gaze into the floor, trying not to cry. He doesn’t like letting other people see him like this but Jason rests a hand on his cheek and pulls him back to look him in the eye. The tears fall anyway.

“I was wrong, I should’ve stuck out for you like you did for me. What role model treats his fan like that?”

“How did-?”

“Alfred and I still talk you know?”

Tim let’s out a quiet ‘oh’ he closes his eyes and focusing on his breathing. He’s still chewing on his lip like no tomorrow.

“Stop.” Jason says. Tim looks at him in confusion.

“Huh?”

“Biting your lip like that, if you...I can’t” suddenly, his mind goes blank and he can’t find the words to tell Tim why he shouldn’t bite his lip that way or blush like that because he’s still doing it.

“Ah, fuck it,” Jason growls as he lunges, making the worst decision he’d ever made in his second life and capturing Tim’s red bitten lips. Tim makes a muffled sound as he tries to say something, his hands flail a bit before settling on Jason’s strong arms, trembling. Jason in turn pulls him closer, wrapping them around Tim’s waist without breaking the kiss.

Tim’s wide eyes begin to relax and close as he gives in.

When Jason finally pulls away, he mutters and doesn’t look Tim in the eyes again.

“J-Jason?”

“Go on, laugh, tell me it’s not how you feel, but I’m not going to deny it,” Jason growls, “I’m going crazy, I can’t look at you anymore without thinking how much I wanna hold you and make you smile again, you and your dumb, cute smile.” The one that only comes out when Bruce actually fails to make a joke, or when Alfred bakes his special cookies. The sigh when he’s finally warm and holding a cup of coffee on his mornings in, alone on the couch, swaddled in a ridiculous blanket fort by himself and looking smug. Jason watching and wishing he could join him, so Tim won’t be lonely.

Tim’s heart skips a beat, when he hears the passion in those words. Jason’s always been passionate, in his rage, in his vengeance and his loyalty and and friendship. But never in his wildest dreams, did he think his idol would be here now, confessing to him. Holding him for dear life and laying out his heart. It made his own ache.

“Could you ever forgive me?” Jason’s voice break as he struggles with the regret, “For being the biggest asshole, for treating you like dirt.”

Tim sits up on his knees.

“Jason,” smaller hands on either side of Jason’s face gently lift his gaze up, Tim’s eyes softly gazing back, “I forgave you ages ago, I won’t ask what happened or what went on in your mind then, but I will never hold it against you. All that matters...is that you’re here now.”

Tim holds the other man as his head falls against his chest, letting Jason listen to his heartbeat, “I’m not going to laugh or deny my your feelings or my own either.” 

Jason pulls Tim even closer against him in an almost crushing embrace, afraid that if he let go, this dream will end. He never could have imagined that this was where they’d end up, holding each other, confessing to one another. A far cry from the first time they met. He remembered how he’d ripped the R symbol out in anger, but now he would happily let Tim take his heart. That asshole version of himself can go to hell.

“I’ve got a lot of groceries now, thanks to you, if you’d like to stay, I can make us breakfast tomorrow.”

Jason looked up at Tim with amusement, “What makes you think it was me.”

“You’re the only other person that can get past my security system so easily, what I hadn’t figured out yet was how exactly.”

“I, uh..”

“You were watching me,” Tim chuckles, like the knowing little brat he is.

“You live an awful lifestyle, I don’t know how you manage to still look cute when you live off coffee and nearly nothing else.”

Tim laughs, a sound that still makes Jason jittery, “Well, I have you now to make sure I do better.”

“You bet you do.”

Their lips met again, their hearts singing their mutual song, hopeful, healing and of resolution. Robin’s song. Somewhere off in the distance, a -tt- could be heard, followed by a grin.

[camsthisky]

hey its me here with a prompt, which is simple as Dick and Damian angff. Have fun!!

Thanks for donating, CJ! I hope you enjoy this.

Just a little warning for this, though. There are some dark thoughts in here. I don’t think there’s a lot of detail, and it ends well enough, but there might be some triggering stuff in here, so read with caution.

Dick wants to hit something. Or scream. Or cry. Or a million otherthings that are impossible in this moment, because he’s barely holding himselftogether enough to exist right now, even though all he wants to do is to just.Not.

But he has to hold ittogether. He has fix tape over the worst of his cracks and go on pretendingthat none of them are there, because that’s the only way he can function.Acknowledging the broken pieces are only going to bring his family running, andhe doesn’t have energy to deal with that right now. Not with a million and one otherthings vying for his attention.

So Dick does what he does best. He pastes a smile on his face, no matterhow stiff and wooden it feels, and pretends that nothing’s wrong while hisbrain rattles with bits and pieces of case information, the new dealers he’llhave to take down next week before they send for a new shipment, and the worry overwhat Bruce could have called him to the manor for.

In all honesty, Dick doesn’t want to be here. No matter how much he lovesit, he can feel the weight of Alfred’s disapproving look as he takes Dick’scoat in the foyer. He can see Bruce’s frown a few seats away at the diningtable at dinner. He can hear Damian’s small scoff when he turns down Bruce’soffer for Nightwing to patrol with Batman and Robin tonight.

He loves his family, but they can see right through him, sometimes. Someperformer he is.

Dick tries to keep pretending anyways.

To his surprise, though, it isn’t Bruce that corners him first. It’s Damian.

He catches Dick in that time between dinner and patrol—corners him,really. There’s something. To the set of his shoulders. The cant of his head.The downward turn of his lips. It set off alarm bells in Dick’s head, andbefore he really understands what’s happening, Dick freezes, one hand on hisold bedroom’s doorknob. He waits to go in, though, because Damian’s got this look in his eye.

It’s the same look that Damian used to get when Dick was his Batman, and something would happen that he didn’tquite understand how to feel about. Dick had learned early on to never ignorethat look.

“Damian?” Dick prompts softly when the two of them spend another minutejust looking at each other.

“You’re upset,” Damian says, green eyes meeting Dick’s head on, withoutwavering.

Yes.” Dick decides to be honest. He doesn’t like lying to his family,especially when asked about things outright. It doesn’t mean he’s going tounload his problems on a thirteen year old kid, though. Dick leans onto thedoor. “I have a lot on my plate right now.”

Damian hesitates a moment, before saying, “You aren’t upset withFather.”

Dick frowns, his eyebrows crinkling. “No? Should I be?”

“You declined patrolling,” Damian says, and he’s not quite meetingDick’s eyes. “I assumed it was because you and Father were arguing once again,”Damian scowls, like a thought he didn’t like just occurred to him. “Then was itDrake? Todd?”

“Bruce doesn’t have anything to do with this,” Dick says, and he hateshow weary he sounds. “And neither do Tim or Jason.”

Sometimes, Dick wonders how there are people that can’t read Bruce orDamian as well as he can. How they look at their faces and declare that allthey see is indifference, or irritation, when Dick can read leagues of emotionsin just the minute shift of their eyes, or the twitch of their mouths. Dick’sgood at reading people, or so he’s told, but apparently he seems to be of aselect few that can understand that a lack of words from Damian or Bruce canmean a whole lot more than a full sentence.

So what Damian doesn’t say tells quite a lot.

Dick closes his eyes. “And because I’m not mad at Bruce, Tim, or Jason,you think that I have to be upset with you.”

Damian doesn’t say anything, but he glares at the carpet, jaw clenched,and that’s pretty much all the confirmation Dick needs.

“Come here, please,” Dick says, standing up straight and holding hisarms open.

Damian startles, his head whipping up to look at Dick’s stance. He lookslike he’s about to protest with a storm of insults, but Dick’s tired. Exhausted. And his little brother thinksthat because he won’t patrol with him that it means that Dick’s mad at him. Which is all kinds of wrong.

“Please,” Dick says again, his voice dropping to a whisper. His lipstwitch into something that’s probably soft and sad, and he continues, “Pleasejust let me hug you for a second, okay? For my sake?”

Apparently, that’s enough to have Damian stepping a few steps forwardand into Dick’s embrace, and Dick folds Damian into his arms and just letshimself hold his brother. Damian’sarms eventually come up to wrap lightly around Dick’s middle, and Dick burieshis face in Damian’s hair in return.

A second turns into several minutes. Dick holds his baby brother andjust contemplates.

This is all messed up. Damian had though that because Dick hadn’t paid attentionto him—hadn’t wanted to go on patrol with him—that it had meant Damian hadsomehow done something wrong. And Dick—that’s Dick’s fault.

Honestly, he doesn’t even understand what’s wrong with him, anyways. He’s tired, and frustrated, and angry in away he hasn’t been in years, and hedoesn’t understand why. But he knowsthat those cracks are showing through, and Damian had misinterpreted them.

He’s having so much trouble with this. With expressing his love for hisfamily. With making sure that they know Dick’s angry with himself, not withthem. With going to someone when those dark thoughts surge up and try to takeover his head, seeping in through those cracks he’d done a shoddy job of tapingup.

And it shouldn’t be like that. It shouldn’t.

“I’m sorry that you thought I was angry with you,” Dick says at last,his voice muffled by Damian’s hair. “I’m not.”

Dick’s sure that Damian’s scowling when he says, “Then why aren’t yougoing on patrol? Are you—you aren’t injured, are you?”

There’s only a moment of hesitation before Dick realizes that this is the moment to say something. Thisis the moment where he can admit that he isn’t okay.

But he’s also not going to unload his problems on a thirteen year oldboy. No matter how mature Damian can be.

“Richard,” Damian says. Not Grayson.And he doesn’t pull away, either. “If you would like to speak to me, I am here.”

That makes Dick smile. “I’m not injured,” he tells Damian. “Not likethat. I guess, I’m just dealing with a few things, and if I went on patrol—”

I might have a hard time not flinging myselfoff a bridge, is what he doesn’tsay, but Damian seems to understand anyways. Or at least, he decides not to askDick to finish his sentence. Instead, Damian pulls away from him, taking a stepbackwards so that he can fully look at Dick.

“I will tell Father that we need to skip patrol tonight,” Damian tellshim, his eyes determined.

Dick blinks. “Wait—”

“A movie night,” Damian continues. “I’ll even let you pick one of thoseridiculous Disney movies you love so much.”

“Damian—”

“I will go and fetch Pennyworth. Perhaps he will help us make—”

“Damian.”

Dick’s tone and a hand on his wrist stops Damian in his tracks, fromwhere he looks like he’d just been about to turn around and head down the hall.Maybe towards the study, or the kitchen, where Bruce and Alfred will surely berespectively. Damian’s gaze is steady, and he waits for Dick to speakpatiently.

“You don’t have to do that,” Dick says after a stretching silence. “Onlyif you want to.”

That seems to catch Damian off guard, but he schools his expressionalmost instantly, scowling up at Dick. “I would not be doing any of this if Idid not want to, Grayson,” Damian tells him. Then his tone softens just atouch, and he looks down at Dick’s hand still wrapped gently around his wrist. “Andwe’re still partners. Batman or Nightwing, we’re still partners. And it’s Robin’sjob to look out for his partner when they’re injured. No matter the kind ofinjury.”

Dick is speechless for a second, something in his chest catching, untilhis eyes start burning and he manages to choke out a watery chuckle. “Thankyou.”

Damian nods, still not looking at Dick directly. “Do you—Do you requireanother embrace?”

Dick gently tugs his little brother forward, and wraps him up again.Damian’s hands are on his back, just resting there, and Dick lets something muchbetter than tape soothe those cracks of his.

Him and Damian stand in the hallways for a long time, and when hefinally pulls away again, and starts down the hallway towards Bruce’s study, totell him the news of skipping patrol together to watch movies and eat snacks untilthey fall asleep, Damian’s there next to him every step of the way.

[instantangelstudent-blog]

How You and Dick Get Together (Headcannons)

This can be read as a part two to my Dick Regretting Rejecting You head cannon that can be found here but its perfectly okay to be read as a stand alone. 

· Dick Grayson had been in love with you for five years now

· The crush that he thought would go away at 14 had turned into something deeper over the years

· Being his friend hadn’t been in a walk in the park, what with all the death that surrounded him

· Wally’s death had hit home and he had temporarily retired his mantle

·As did you when you retired from the superhero business last year to pursue your academic dreams of becoming a lawyer in Harvard

·Bruce was absolutely ecstatic that you wanted to pursue a higher education and had agreed to sponsor your education, even though you had saved up enough to sponsor your own first semester

·You were a really hard worker

· After Wally’s death, Dick had turned into a shell, somehow feeling responsible for the death of his friend

· Bruce saw his son’s unbecoming right in front of his eyes

· He had lost one son, he wouldn’t lose another

· So he suggested that Dick move in with you

· In Cambridge

·He had already spoken to you over the phone about it

· You were the one who suggested the idea

· Dick was sitting despondently at the steps of Wayne Manor when Bruce placed the tickets in his palm

· “Go. Be with her. She makes you happier than anyone else, and this time, don’t let her go.”

· Dick managed a weak smile

· Bruce pulled his eldest against him for a hug hoping you could fix what he had broken

· The service apartment was a 20-minute commute from college

· And although your dorm-mates were sad to see you go, you promised you’d be over as much as you can

· They didn’t mind much

· Especially after seeing Dick AKA the guy you were about to move in with

· And they teased you relentlessly

·“Just friends, huh?” suggestive smirk

·“Yes (Y/B/F/N) just friends,” you sigh before slamming your suitcase shut

· The service apartment was small, well-lit and well ventilated

· It was home before you even walked in

· Thank god it was summer of your freshman year when Dick moved in

· You were absolutely terrified when you saw Dick’s state

· The bags under his eyes were more pronounced

· He looked bloated and grey

· It was as though all his light was extinguished

·This was worse than when Jason died

· So you made him sit on the couch as you whipped up a large bowl of mac and cheese in the kitchen

· Once it was done, you place the bowl between the two of you and handed him a small black and blue plastic fork

· At least he smiled at that

· You coaxed him into talking to you

·  And he talked into the night, tears slipping through his eyes

· At some point, you ended up cuddling

· His head was on your chest and a blanket was wrapped around you as you placed soft kisses on his forehead once in a while

· He was broken, yes but you could still see the fragments of the young boy who had stolen your heart all those years ago within him

· And you were determined to bring him back

· Dick woke up the next day wrapped in your arms

· And he realised he’d not have it any other way

· He’d walk through hell in a parka if it meant waking up with you everyday

· Every day you would take him sightseeing, or just take him out in general may it be a laser tag place or a library or a circus gym

· You would go for a jog every evening and forced him to join you

· You cooked lunch and Dick would do dinner

· You spent most of your time with Dick and slowly, you could see the man healing

· His smiles were brighter and his laughs were turning back to guffaws

· He got along pretty well with your friends too

· He did notice, however, how all the guys would gravitate towards you and he couldn’t blame them

· You had looks to combat that of Aphrodite’s and a brain that could put Athena to shame

· Who wouldn’t be attracted to you?

· His only consolation was that you rejected every romantic advance

· Everything was great and Dick had finally built up the courage to ask you out officially when the call came

· “Dick, (Y/N) we need you in Gotham, now. Joker has placed fifteen bombs around Gotham. All hands-on deck”

· You intertwined your finger with his and dragged him to the roof in the dead of the night

·“Hold on, Dick”

· You said as you locked his arms around your waist and shot up with a swirl of golden energy

· Wayne manor was dead silent when you arrived

· You ran to the Batcave, suiting up immediately

·  Dick had forgotten how good you looked in your costume

· Your hair flowed out in (H/C) ringlets to your waist

· The black body fit you like a glove

· You blended into the night like a shadow  

·“You’re needed at the Bank of Gotham, Master Dick and Miss (Y/N)”

· Sirens were blaring when you arrived

·“13 bombs have been disabled. Batman and Robin are heading to the last location. Help the Bomb Disposal Squad enter Vault 11.”

· You did just that

· Commissioner Gordon was glad to have two of the less reckless vigilantes back in Gotham

· You levitated the team through the traps with one hand while you fought off Joker’s goons with the other

·  Dick was just as concentrated, rescuing civilians as you went

·  But you were too late

·  There was barely a minute left for the bomb to detonate

·  So you did what every selfless hero did

·  You sent Dick and the bomb squad out of the building with a burst of energy

·  You ignored Dick’s screams of protest

·  As soon as Dick scrambled to his feet outside the building he tried to run back inside

· But Tim grabbed his arm

· “Don’t” he said with tears in his eyes, “I can’t lose two siblings today.”

· The second he said that, the earth shuddered violently

· But the building didn’t blow up

· Everyone erupted into cheers

· And then, like a phoenix rising out of its ashes, you flew out of the building

·  Your hair was whipping in the wind and you looked like an absolute goddess

· Dick sprinted towards you, not caring if he was still Nightwing and you were still (Y/S/N)

· He was going to kiss you

· The adrenaline was pumping in his veins

· But at the last second he lost his nerve

·  And settled for a tight hug instead

·  To his surprise, Tim joined in too

· They all were a teary mess, sobbing on the road, holding each other

· Then they felt Bruce envelop them in a hug

· “You did well today”

·  When you were all back home, Alfred was fussing over you the most

·  He refused to leave your side

·  Dick too

·  He was practically coddling you

·  You were perfectly okay but you let them do it for their peace of mind

· It was midnight when Alfred left your room

· You had almost died tonight

· And it had made you realise one thing

· Life was too short

· So carpe diem motherfuckers

· So

· Without warning

· You got up from the bed

· Spun Dick around

·  And crashed your lips onto his

·  Interrupting him as he ranted on and on about the both of you being partners

· Dick froze before quickly melting into the kiss

·  His arms wrapped around your waist

· You pushed him against the wall and pressed yourself to him

· You didn’t want any gap to be left between the two of you

· Not tonight·      

[incorrectgrayson-toddquotes]

A/B/O headcanons for the batfam?

I’m way too late, but I finally finish it!!!!

Long Post alert! like, 1600 words?!?!

-

Background:

Wolves pack system.

A society that is similar to ours, gender equality is in progress.

There are about 60% people Beta, 20% Alpha and 20% Omega. A/B, B/B,  A/O and B/O couple are common, and A/A and O/O are fewer, they’re in a situation similar to current gay couples. Couples can get married no matter what their sexes are, but some of A/A and O/O are still suffer from discrimination.

Omega’s scent is able to calm Alphas, even when they’re not mates. Omega’s existence is very important to a pack. Without an Omega/Omegas, packs are hard to hold.

People in established relationships tend to mark their partner, and the mark works on both side. A old mark can be covered by a new one, but can not be removed.

Male Omegas are able to be pregnant, and female Alphas are able to impregnate.

-

Bruce- AlphaThe most famous Alpha in Gotham, though being such loved, he stayed unmarked. The tabloids are always guessing who will get his mark, but it seems that he’s quite satisfied with his current status. Disguised as Beta when he’s Batman (so does the other Bats), but most of the JL members know his real gender.

Selina- AlphaHas been messing around with Bruce for decades, it’s safe to say they’re deeply in love, and their genders are never problems. But they both feel that it’s not the right time for them to be established yet. The whole family know their relationship, but they’re not equally approve.

Dick- OmegaWhen he grew into an Omega, tons of rumors about he and Bruce’s relationship came up. It was terrifying then, but thanks for Gotham’s ridiculous ability of making hot news, the topic didn’t stayed long. When he’s dating Kori or Babs, Bruce had a great concern that some day Dick might come back and cheerfully tell him that he’s gonna be a grandfather, to Bruce’s relief, it never happened. 

Disguised as Beta when he’s Nightwing, but half of Gotham and Bludhaven assume he’s Omega, because there’s no way a Beta can be that graceful and agile.( but actually they can, John and Mary Grayson are both Betas) In Superhero community, only people who are really close to him know his real gender, such as Tim’s Titans don’t know about that.

A group sometimes turns into more hive-like in his lead, it’s pretty different from Bruce’s or Tim’s leaderships. Getting of on Jason’s scent when he first smelled it( in the middle of a close combat fighting each other when Jason newly come back maybe), but only started to seeing him when he made sure Jason’s purpose. After months or even one or two years messing with each other, now they’re in an established relationship. But once being marked, their scent will change, and they think it’s not the perfect time to let Bruce know about their relationship, so they stayed unmarked.( but Tim, Barbara and Alfred already know ( so do some of Dick’s friends.)

Jason- AlphaHe didn’t get his second gender even till he died, but he’s already a Alpha when he’s conscious again. Has loved Dick’s scent since he’s being Robin, but never thought it’s possible to date him or to be his mate.

Kinda struggles with his Alpha instinct to be a pack leader while facing Bruce, who still take Dick as one of his pack member even after his independence. Consistently gets into fights with Damian, who declares his possession over Dick all the time. However, when Dick’s Alpha friends or co-workers standing close to Dick, he will get a bit disturbed, but he’s not that kind of over-possessive Alpha. He has know Dick for so long, he won’t let his minor jealous becomes a problem between them.

It’s annoying when he’s just running errands and suddenly being hit on by some random Omegas or Betas( “How comes such a nice Alpha like you hasn’t got a mate?”) , so he covers his scent even in day.

After he found out that Tim has already known their relationship, he somehow manages to get blackmail materials. And in Dick’s next heat, Tim is bringing them food and condoms.( It WILL backfire, it just not backfires YET.)

Tim- BetaThough being the “ordinary” gender, he’s quite satisfied with being a Beta after seeing all the troubles that Alphas and Omegas can make. And he’s dating Connor, a demi-alien with no second gender, so there is zero his business.

Sometimes he would worry about Dick being Jason’s almost-mate, but he knows that it’s Dick, the original Boy Wonder, he will be alright dating a former psycho bomber.

Damian- AlphaActually his second gender hasn’t shown yet, but he is gonna be an Alpha. Treating Jason like he’s an intruder of their family, being very possessive over Dick. Believes in many conventional values of a “good Alpha”, it’s kinda funny to see him act like that.

Barbara- AlphaIs like thiiiiis close to get married with Dick/ be Dick’s mate, but they couldn’t work it out after all. She doesn’t looks like an Alpha, but her scent is rather strong, sometimes even Jason feels uncomfortable around that.

Steph- OmegaThough it’s bothering to her, she is able to calm the other Bats when Dick’s not there. But she doesn’t it, it’s like doing someone else’s job. Quite active into Omega’s right promotion movement, awares much more about disadvantages of being an Omega than Dick does. Her scent is really sweet, she doesn’t cover it but she will punch anyone who tries to take advantage of her.   

Cass- BetaShe’s quiet, and being a Beta makes she even more quiet. She likes that, she doesn’t need to be an Alpha to kick everyone’s ass, and she doesn’t have to worry about accidentally exposes her position because of her scent. She’s kinda curious about what’s having scents like, and what’s all the mates and heats thing like, but that’s it.

Alfred- BetaBeing a Beta, there were some troubles raising all the Alphas and Omegas, but he made it. What can we say? He’s Alfred.

-

And there’re something more I want to talk about.

*A! Jason/ O! DickThere is a setting I really like that Jason was a Beta when he was Robin, but the pit turns him into an Alpha. Because that he’s not born Alpha, he’s kinda different from normal Alphas. Like, he can’t smell others’ and his own scent, or he’s not able to mark his Omega, something likes that. Or the other way around, his scent and other Alpha traits are much stronger than regular Alphas, and he has to spend much more energy to control himself not to hurt others.

In this setting, Dick would remember Jason as a Beta, so it must be a shock to him when he finds out. (and how would he find out?)

There are so many possibilities, I really like this.  

A! Jason/ B! DickI believe that there’re many great fics with this setting, and it can be really angst or fluff depends on writers. But it can be cheesy and OOC if the not handle carefully. ( don’t I say?

A! Jason/ A! DickThis is a rather unusual one? But it can be really hot! It’s only gay in Omegaverse when it’s A/A, B/B or O/O, right? Like I said, I can only go with bottom! Dick. So there’s a kink(?) in this setting that Alpha! Dick getting fucked till he knots, wow. (this is definitely too nsfw for my regular rate.) And how Alpha’s body gonna take another Alpha in, things like that, y’know.

B! Jason/ A! DickThis one is kinda similar to the A/A one, but like the upgrade version?? I mean, the literally power bottom! Dick???? Dick can’t control himself but bite Jason’s gland while getting entirely fucked???? I should better stop here.

B! Jason/ B! DickImagine how hilarious if they’re the only Betas in the family lol. It doesn’t have to be that way, but I think it could be fun.

B! Jason/ O! DickWell, we all agree that Dick would be the hottest Omega someone could ever meet, right? It must be though for Beta! Jason to have a mate like that. But they will be fine after all.

-

Bonus:

Clark and Connor- N/A (both disguised as Beta)People think that Superman and Superboy are Alphas? Nope, they’re aliens.

Diana- N/A (more similar to Alpha)It would be hard for Steve to wash her scent off if she’s an Alpha, but she’s an Amazon made out of clay. Sorry, Steve.

Arthur- N/A (more similar to Alpha)When he was younger kids in the school called him freak when they found he didn’t have a second gender. It was an Ah-ha moment when he knew he’s not only human.

John (Mars Manhunter)- N/A (disguised as Beta)Earthing is weird to Martian. Why does it have to be so complicated???

Koriand’r- N/A“Do you want me to knot you? Will you be upset because we can’t do that?” She gently asked Dick.

Hal- AlphaBarry- BetaThey can possibly be the A/B couple of American. Though one of them is mostly not in American.

Louis- AlphaToo precious! So pure! Must protect!!– Alpha! Louis about Beta! Clark.

Oliver- AlphaDinah- OmegaClassical A/O couple? Dinah is showing what an Omega is able to be, she encourages many young Omegas/women.

Wally- BetaHe treats Dick like second genders don’t matter, which they both believe. Dick appreciates that.

Roy- AlphaIt makes his conflicts with Oliver even more serious.Have I ever said that I like the idea that Roy and Dick were fuck-buddies?

Slade- AlphaIt’s safer for me not to talk about this.

Talia- AlphaThat’s how we know Damian will definitely be an Alpha.

John and Mary Grayson- B/B

Thomas and Martha Wayne- A/O

[tarantula-hawk-wasp]

Bat Paladin Chapter 3

Voltron / batfam /dc comics crossover

chapter 1

chapter 2 Shiro is Bruce Wayne’s adopted son and part of the batfam AU created by me (I was the anon) and @newtsckamander Chapter 3/ ~10 Word count 3.8k I’m sorry formatting is messy, I posted from mobile

******* In general, things get easier with repetition. Stage actors recite lines over and over until they’re engrained in memory. Athletes develop muscles through use. Accuracy is learned by doing the same shot a thousand times.

Bruce wished grief and loss operated by this principle.

He was no stranger to death. From that fateful night in his childhood when he lost his parents, to friends and young partners, he had buried many people. He had mourned and struggled to move on and coped with so much loss.

And yet, a vast majority of those people he had grieved for had come back. Jason had come back. Stephanie had actually survived. Clark and perhaps half the league had been considered dead at some point. Statistically, Bruce should be skeptical of the validity of any presumed death.

Experience now left him in a rather precarious position. A bit like schrodinger’s cat, Shiro was presumed dead but had a chance of being alive. The question now was which did Bruce focus on. Mourning him under the assumption he was dead like his parents and most of the population, while harbouring the slight and fated-to-be-slowly-crushed hope that presumptions were wrong and he was alive? Or to expect him to be alive and have reality wear down on him with each day of uncertain absence? Either one could destroy him in the long run.

And how long did he search? How far into space until Shiro was truly beyond any hope of finding? Did he continue like a one-track record while his friends agreed to search to his face and then plotted interventions behind his back? And what approach did he take with the rest of the family? Would it be healthier for them to mourn without doubt? Or to harbour hope that he would be found?

Instead of lessening his conundrum, investigation only exacerbated it.

A Justice League investigation of the icy moon had found no evidence of the spaceship crashing. In fact, the vehicle was completely intact. Shiro and the Holts had made it safely to Kerberos and had left their ship in their excursion suits with all the planned equipment.

The first experiment site however, told a darker tale.

Every part of the Kerberos mission was expertly planned. GPS and previous probes had plotted down to the meter where the work was to be conducted.

That exact location was decimated. Something powerful had wrought a swath of destruction that had shredded the ice and rock surface and left only mangled fragments of the metal drill tripod.

The part that left the most questions was the lack of evidence of the crew. No fragments of spacesuits. No helmet shards. No fabric fibers. No bodies. No charred carbon. They were simply gone.

The worst case scenario was that they were dead in some way that left no evidence, but no other matter was missing from the area. Re-arranged, yes, but unaccounted for? No.

Until the Green Lanterns returned from meeting with the Guardians, there was no way to identify any residual alien energy or microparticles they might have found.

Bruce’s desperate hope for his son was alien abduction.

****** A telescope was added to the memorial case.

It looked as out of place as it felt - a mundane object flanked by costume-clad mannequin torsos and propped weaponry. It had been the first gift Bruce had given Shiro. A settling-in present after he’d lived with him for a month and offhandedly mentioned over dinner how many more stars he could see from the Wayne property than the city. So Bruce had bought him a telescope.

It was moderately sized, nothing huge but big enough that Shiro could see some of the fainter and more delicate nebulae.

Shiro had been enamored with it. Astronomy became his nightly activity when he wasn’t helping man the batcomputer, allowing him to be on a schedule more compatible with the family.

Bruce remembered many times when he’d come up from the batcave after patrol to find Shiro clothed but asleep in a chair with a star chart open in his lap, and when woken, he’d drag Bruce to the telescope he’d left outside to show him some Messier object.

It became accepted fact that if there was any sort of high profile event at an observatory or space exhibit, Bruce Wayne would be accompanying his middle son there.

Recently, the observatory had invited Bruce for the first use of a new lens the Wayne family had donated money for a year ago. Bruce declined to attend. The observatory said they understood and expressed their empathy. The tabloids understood his absence too.

One of the truly worst things about a civilian identity was the public relations of when things like this happened. Even if he had a search underway for what really happened to Shiro’s, he still had to deal with the civilian side of things.

When Jason had died it had been easier to keep things low key and although the family had celebrity status then, not there was a whole decade more of notoriety. Shiro had been a public figure as an adult in his own right. And the mere fact he was an adult added levels of complexity.

Like lawyers, and wills.

Shiro’s last will and testament was a harsh, physical reminder that his son was a decade older than Jason had been. Shiro had an impeccable will, drawn up by a Wayne recommended firm.

He left a few sums to various funds, plans for a new charity, and items for his brothers and sisters and for his oft-spoken-of friend Keith.

***

Shiro’s death was public knowledge and scandal, on the news for weeks and then months as the Garrison investigation into the incident continued.

There were three memorials Bruce had felt obligated to attend.

The private one that the Justice League attended, with friends whose raw glances of sympathy were the only ones Bruce found tolerable. They had known Shiro for the decade since his adoption and were also feeling his loss keenly.

There was the public memorial held in Gotham where a crowd turned out and lay flowers and ribbons for one of the city’s famous sons. Gotham had been proud to have famously from her embark on a historic space mission. Shiro’s publicity tour before the mission had been well received. Bruce hadn’t minded saying a few words to the crowd there as much as he feared he would.

Then there was the Garrison memorial attended by both those graduated and attending there.

Shiro’s training team and close friends were sitting in their own section next to the one for families of the team. There was a variety of twenty-somethings and one younger teen that Bruce recognized as Keith.

Bruce had never actually meet Keith. He had heard much about Keith. Shiro had called and told him many stories about Keith, including on the day they had met. Bruce had seen many photos and short videos of Keith. But Bruce had never met Keith in person.

And a memorial was a hard place to start.

After the Garrison speech that waxed poetic on his son’s talents and love of his job and a touching note about how his contributions to science would not be forgotten, Bruce exchanged sympathy with the Holts and intended to introduce himself to the boy. But by then Keith had left. ****** Hal Jordan was standing in his usual civilian clothes and jacket in front of the memorial case staring at the telescope with wet tracks on his face.

Bruce put his coffee mug down on the nearest flat surface.

“I just got back from Oa… Diana told me…” he didn’t turn to look at Bruce. Bruce grunted noncommittally. “I didn’t know… I waved at Pluto as I passed…”

“He would have appreciated that.” Bruce eventually said.

“I’m heading back out. I’ll scan everything. I just- I needed to come here first.” Hal finally faced Bruce, eyes searching. “I keep picturing when he was a kid and he’d follow me around the watchtower asking questions. Every flight back to Earth I’d spend preparing what stories I’d tell him. I was so proud when he aced piloting and when he was selected for this mission, but now I can’t help but fear this was all somehow because of my influence. Piloting… space…”

“Hal… Shiro loved space since long before even I knew him. As much as you’re his favorite Uncle, he was determined on this path since childhood. You can’t blame yourself any more than I can for letting him go to that school.” They were standing next to each other, shoulder to shoulder facing the case again. Hal nodded silently but grateful.

“I’m going to search Kerberos for any clues. Then I’ll go back to Oa to research. If he’s out there, I won’t give up until I’ve found him or the truth.” Hal declared, voice heavy, and then flew out the cave entrance.

* * * * * In the past decade or so, Bruce’s social persona had become more bearable. “Brucie” had transitioned from “ditzy but well-meaning playboy” to “ditzy but well-meaning playboy and father”. His public persona had to appear responsible enough for no one to question his custody of half a dozen youths.

Bruce had found the easiest way to accomplish this was to cultivate a new hobby of showing off his kids at any opportunity. He had a wallet packed with school photos, albums of pics and videos on his phone, and a wealth of stories he could share in any conversation.

Instead of having to convince people that “Brucie” had suddenly become an extremely responsible adult, he could simply start bragging.

“My Cassie is doing triple pirouettes in ballet, I have a video of it right here that you simply must see”

“Look at Damian and his science project! I don’t think our carpets will ever be the same.”

“Shiro sent me this pic from the flight simulator at his astronaut school. He’s top of his class and set a school record for highest score”

It was far more satisfying than bumbling and flirting had been in his younger years. He still winked at the ladies and broke a few wine glasses every now and then, but mostly he blathered about his brood. This had the added benefit of boring and discouraging gold-diggers and those arrogant people who disapproved of the bloodlines of most of his family. Bruce was proud that there was so much to boast about.

Of course now his public reputation as a family-man and celebrity status meant that he had to address what happened on multiple television shows, and magazine interviews, and online forums.

It was a seemingly unending slur of similar statements.

“Shiro knew the risks, it’s like I said in the Kent interview for the Daily Planet, Shiro talked it over with the family, he felt that any danger was worth it and even in his will he reminded us that this was what he wanted to dedicate his life to, however much time that would be.”

“I think - and I’d hope I’d know as his adoptive father - that what Shiro would want for the future of space exploration would be for it to continue. Learn from his mission, make it so the next one is a success. Go beyond Kerberos someday. Meet some aliens.”

“It’s hard on all of us, but we’re trying to get through it as a family, to remember the better times.”

“No, I don’t blame the Garrison, like I’ve said, Shiro accepted the risks and chose that job. Now we have to accept what Shiro wanted. I’ve always said I encourage the kids’ interests and respect their decisions, I can’t stop doing that just because I don’t like the outcome.”

“What do I have to say to the parents of kids who want to be astronauts? Encourage them. Buy them a telescope, watch their eyes light up at night. In fact, that’s why I’m creating the Shiro Space Foundation, to help fund and organize the formation of astronomy clubs in schools. Because that’s what my son would want.”

Slowly the media ran out of similar questions and sympathy statements to use the Wayne name with, but Bruce knew that each release of new info about the mission would only restart the onslaught.

***** Dick and Cass went to collect a few of Shiro’s things and some gifts and cards from the Garrison.

They also were checking in on Keith, something requested in Shiro’s will.

Dick reported back that he was seeing the facilities counselor for required visits and that a few upperclassmen who had been friends with Shiro were keeping an eye on him.

Cass told Bruce that she read the boy as taking it hard and blaming authority.

Jason came back from a second visit laughing bitterly. Apparently Keith knew of him from stories as “Jay”, Shiro’s brother who hated the media and therefore hid from it. Jason then made a bittersweet observation.

“He’s an angry at the world black haired orphan. Apparently your taste in trainee is a family trait. That’s probably why he never brought him home here, Alfred would have given him a room thinking he was one of yours.”

Bruce tried to focus on how proud he was of Shiro for taking someone under his wing. That kind of compassion was an excellent trait to have.

*******

Batman hesitated before emerging from the shadows on the rooftop. Around the corner of the structure housing the roof-exit access Spoiler and Red Hood were supposed to be waiting for him. But he heard a third, female voice that was not Black Bat. It was Catwoman, but her tone was serious.

“-y’know him, he’s getting a little antsy,definitely plotting, but the rest of us can keep him distracted for a few more weeks at least.”

“Even the time you’ve given us so far has helped. I don’t know if he’s noticed but-” Red Hood was the one to reply.

“-Not that we couldn’t have handled it without him, but he’d take control of everything.” Spoiler interjected with a hint of defensiveness. Batman could picture her crossed arms and cocked jaw.

“I know. And if something does happen, I’m not the only one willing to help you this time.” Catwoman reassured. “The Rogues respect Batman enough to give him time to mourn, plus, you heroes hit harder when you’re upset.”

Batman felt a cold wash percolate down his spine at the vague reminder of what had happened. He aggressively ignored that to digest the new information. Retrospectively, the past few weeks had been quiet, with no capers by the usual miscreants, only mundane petty criminal violence.

The past month had left him so busy with his civilian life that he hadn’t had time to dwell on why things had been so quiet after hours. Suddenly a number of recent events made far more sense in the lense of the Rogues knowing something.

The flowers on his patrol route being unseasonably lush with their blooms open a little longer past dusk than natural.

Harleen Quinzel saluting him with a solemn expression while walking her hyenas in pajamas at five in the morning.

Bank robbers found trying to thaw out their getaway car’s frozen engine.

Batman was brought back to the conversation by Red Hood speaking again.

“What exactly did you tell them? Because it’s not like they ever saw-… It’s not like when it was me and they noticed the lack of Robin.”

“I kept it vague,” Catwoman paused, voice tired, “Just that Batman had an adult civilian son and he…”Her voice choked off. “That was enough for them to understand. Enough of them have civilian relatives themselves.”

“Thank you.” Spoiler reiterated.

“Of course. And how are you kids handling it. I know I’m no counselor but Batman is an emotional brick. If you need to talk…” Catwoman offered.

“It’s hard but we’re all working through it together.” Spoiler answered slowly.

“Yeah, helps that there’s no hard feelings and no blame… just grief. He was… he was close to each of us in a different way and that’s something we all have in common.”

“There are a lot of good times to remember and talk about.”

“I’m rather relieved you’re coping well. I didn’t know him as well as you, but from our limited encounters, I am grateful I knew him.”

Catwoman was gone when Batman showed up on the rooftop to confer with his silently waiting partners. *****

Bruce had loved the night for years. He spent most of his time out in the dark and, in between the moments of staccato sensation of fighting, there was the peace and calm. The lights of Gotham danced in the streets below him, a distant world of nightly reverie he watched and protected.

Thirty years ago, before the ordinances and bulb replacement projects he had heavily backed, the light pollution from the street lights and skyscrapers had drowned out all but the brightest of stars from the sky. Now it was greatly lessened and entire constellations were visible in the breaks in the clouds.

Bruce could remember driving out to the countryside with his parents as a small boy, lying out on a blanket on a grassy hill, and marvelling at the constellations while his parents spun the tales of the myths that those celestial patterns told.

Now, the stars were mocking points of light - too literal spots of hope on the inky darkness of reality. The night sky held Bruce’s hopes and fears.

If he felt embittered by the sky from Gotham, it was nothing to time on the Watchtower. He did not let himself shirk monitor duties there, no matter how many offers of coverage he was given by every other member of the League. Instead he would carry out his shift, sitting in a silence more stony than previous, resolutely focusing on the computers and monitors, not the expansive viewports.

He still freshly remembered the first time Shiro had come to the watchtower. He had left Gotham to Dick, Jason, and Barbara and taken Shiro to the nearly empty space station. Shiro hadn’t asked to see the Watchtower after he had found out that the league had a headquarters in orbit, he had still been too hesitant with his role in his new family and afraid of pushing a limit to request that. He had, however, asked a slew of questions about the station and the brightness in his eyes had allayed any reservations Bruce may have had about taking a “civilian” there.

Shiro had been fourteen and a set of long, coltish limbs restraining trembles of excitement. His arms had been clinging to a stack of books - homework and an astronomy book - and his eyes had been wide behind the rudimentary domino mask Bruce had deemed necessary.

Diana had smiled at his enthusiasm on her way out.

Bruce had picked a night where the only league members present were ones who already knew his identity, Shiro’s wasn’t one he was willing to risk haphazardly. The less people who knew about his connection to Batman, the safer both the family’s identities and Shiro himself were.

He had given Shiro a tour, showing and explaining much of the systems that ran the watchtower and lingering at viewports on each side. Then they had returned to the monitors and Shiro had spent the rest of the evening staring out the windows and telling Bruce his observations.

In his early teen years Shiro became a fixture of Bruce’s shifts there. He went with him every opportunity he was allowed. Bruce also liked that it let Shiro meet his “coworkers” without having Shiro anywhere near real combat or inviting more people to the batcave.

Even as he aged, Bruce had given him clearance to come to the watchtower to visit during weekends off from the school campus.

He associated the watchtower nearly as much with Shiro as associated it with the Justice League. It was a hard place to be.

**** It was the middle of the afternoon when Bruce’s phone pinged. His personal cellphone that was linked with the bat computer.

Damian was at work with him today, rocking in a swivel chair with a textbook balanced on his knees, and he lunged for the device before Bruce could.

“I know what phone this is. Is there some attack or something happening?” He read the notification with a furrowed brow, textbook readily abandoned and shoved to the floor.

Bruce reached over and snatched the device out of his hands. It was a series of symbols and code words sent to him by an automated monitoring system linked to the batcomputer. He opened his laptop, inserted a black bat-logo’d flash drive, and interfaced with the cave computer.

“Someone’s hacking a specific part of the Garrison computer.” Bruce said to fill Damian in. His son had moved to hover around his right side to watch the screen over his shoulder.

“Why would they do that? Is someone trying to launch a rocket?”

“No, they’re accessing probe and transmission records from a secure file. What I’m trying to figure out is who’s doing it.” Bruce explained, fingers moving quickly and gaze focused.

“Is it foreign? Wasn’t Luthor mad that space exploration privatized?” Damian speculated. Bruce grunted and frowned, pausing. He was secretly keeping tabs on anything related to the Garrison Kerberos mission. He had minor alerts for new or changed information in them, copies of all deleted files, and notifications when certain people accessed them. This was the first time a compromise alert had come in.

“The hacking coming from inside an office at the Garrison headquarters. But the computer is marking it as an intrusion.”

“Maybe the guy just forgot his password.” Damian was obviously disappointed at the anticlimactic answer.

“Ah. Whomever is doing this is using outdated security passwords for minor things. Passwords that weren’t flagged immediately as incorrect.” Bruce’s brow uncreased.

“Why? Shouldn’t a facility like that have at least some cyber security?”

“They do. Their computer didn’t automatically classify this as an attack because the codes used were those of Sam Holt.”

“Oh.” Damian became quiet, almost cautious, the way that was becoming typical with anything regarding Shiro. Bruce appreciated that Damian, who often frankly expressed his opinions of people, had been keeping quiet about Shiro and what happened around his siblings. Damian was very hit or miss for his interactions with people and only then in the long run. Bruce, despite mental efforts otherwise, found himself wondering at the lost potential of what Shiro and Damian’s relationship would have been.

The results of a cursory look at the Garrison indoor security cameras proved Bruce’s hypothesis of the identity of the hacker correct. He closed his laptop. It would be hypocritical to deny access to her when she had as much right to those files and the truth as he did and for the same reasons.