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greytoiletpaper · 4 years

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Out on Allen Street, it’s 7 in the Morning

Set in the same-ish street-siblings universe as First Contact by @cryptids-and-muses and @a-sketchy-character @streetsiblings (they’re still awesome). Now, the pieces start falling into place or smth lmao :))

Drizzle | Deluge | AO3

Chapter 3: Squall

Did they get rid of her?

He dreads to think of it, but there’s nothing else he seems to be able to pick out from what information he gathers. Three years after he died, Cass (who hated killing, would never do it even for the worst of the worst) had nearly murdered the Joker. She almost finished the job until Batman saved the madman and subdued her. After that,

Nothing.

Not a single report on Batgirl. Nor a photo of Cassandra Todd. Only two traces he could find. One a significantly sullen Wonder Woman (he and Cass had liked her, and she, them). The other an interview of Bruce, repeating that she’d gone to ‘travel the world’.

Jason knows a lie when he hears one.

“It’s – It’s like she just disappeared,” He’s gripping his head, rocking back and forth while Rose smooths out his hair. “He cut her out of the family and then what?”

He remembers a promise, a vow Bruce had made with him. It had meant the world to Jason.

Bruce had broken that vow. Torn it apart and stomped all over it.

Rose watches him as he breaks down with no judgement in her gaze, just holds him close as his world crumbles around him again.

There’s a child in Nandra Parbat, and Jason has to train him.

“This is my son, Damian,” Talia had said to him, showing him some new kid as if he hadn’t just killed three assassins in the space of a minute. He would have said as much if she didn’t immediately order him to be the kid’s new teacher.

Looking at him now, all Jason can see is a small girl with a crooked smile mouthing his name. He blinks, and he’s met with a scowl and sapphire eyes (eyes just like Br-).

“Mother has requested you to be my instructor,” The kid repeats and lord, his voice is nasal. Jason chooses to stare at the kid, who fidgets. If he looks close enough, he could swear Damian’s scowl looks almost precisely like-.

“Is he mute, Mother? I do not see how an invalid could assist me,” He can tell by the way Rose’s head shoots up and glares at Damian whose side she would choose if this escalates. A flare of anger rises in Jason’s chest; his eyes start to flash a sharp emerald. Still, he pushes it down and diverts it to strengthening his stare, dominating the room.

He can’t read people the same way Cass can, but Jason could swear that the kid’s composure cracks at his uncertainty.

“Wanna repeat that for me?” Jason’s voice is low and even. He can tell the kid recognises the threat in his tone. To his credit, Damian hesitates before he honest to god tts, like every single other haughty, uptight rich boy.

“Regardless, habibi, you will treat your new instructors with respect,” Talia speaks, gesturing to him and Rose. “The quality of your instructors was incredibly subpar, and you have them to blame for killing the previous masters beforehand.”

“I do not think that a lowly thug and his harlot-,” Jason’s arm shoots out in an instant, clasping his hand over Damian’s mouth and clenching. Indignant fury flares in the boy’s eyes as Damian tries to slap Jason away. It does nothing, unsurprisingly.

“So long as you are under my tutelage, you will never speak that way to any woman. That is no way to speak to anyone, regardless of what they do for a living,” Somehow, the kid actually listens, the flinty look in his eye lessening somewhat. “I bet your own mother had to pull a fuck ton of strings just to make sure this meeting even happened in the first place.”

Jason glances up to Talia, expecting a reprimand. What surprises him is how genuine the approval she emits is. It hits him that he has literally confirmed to training Damian. He coughs.

“You should know,” Talia pipes up. “His full name is Damian Wayne-Al Ghul.”

Jason stares at the ceiling and curses the rain as it tap-dances with the universe, mocking him.

“All right, then, I’ll go to hell.”

Cassandra shakes herself from the nerves and rings the doorbell. The last time she had been here, she had kissed Alfred on the cheek and let him drive her all the way to the airport. That was only two months ago. Two months away from Gotham, away from Batgirl, away from-.

Bruce. He’s standing in the foyer, his gaze cold, but his body… his body seems unsure. She doesn’t know what to make of it. She half expects him to turn her away, but he moves to the side. He opens his mouth.

“Cassandra!” Steph darts from behind Bruce’s body, all flailing limbs and mismatched socks. “You’re here!”

“Yes.”

The girl grins, periwinkle eyes dazzling (They’re from the same cloth, just not the proper stitching) as she drags Cassandra away.

“So… how’s life in Hong Kong?”

“Peachy,” Cass answers honestly.

“Think of any names for your new identity?” Steph gesticulates to nothing, but her body language is focused on questions. So, she doesn’t give the girl any. They walk a little more until Steph decides to fill in the silence again.

“Tim’s dad found out about the vigilante business,” Cass nods as Steph talks. “Wants him to quit being Robin and Bruce doesn’t seem to know what to do about it.”

“His problem.”

“Well, duh. It’s just that….” Steph rubs her arm shyly, the same way she always does when she’s afraid of what she will say next. “When I was growing up, with my villain dad and addict Mom, I always imagined that Batman and Robin would save me. I’m here now, and….”

“You want to be Robin.” Cassandra deadpans, even as Steph whirls to gape at her. Really, it’s not like she wasn’t obvious. “Why not go for it?”

Silence for a moment. “Because I’m afraid.”

Cassandra looks at the blonde sharply. Stephanie Brown? Intimidated-by-Batman-and-joined-vigilantism-anyway Stephanie Brown was afraid? She doesn’t know what to think. That is until the dots connect in her head.

“You’re afraid that you won’t be able to help as much as you want to,” Steph scuffs the carpet glumly.

“With Mr. Anal-retentiveness-to-the-9’s? Yeah, that’d probably happen,” Steph sound so defeated and desperate that Cass curses because apparently, fate chose now to be when Steph is truly like Jason.

“Then don’t wear it,” Steph’s scuffing gets a little stronger. “I, for one, think you’d be a really good Batgirl.”

Steph makes an incredible impression as a fish and stares at Cass, barely wheezing as she gawks. “But Bruce -.”

“Bruce doesn’t have autonomy over Batgirl,” Cass smiles sweetly, echoing Barbara. “It’s your uniform now, and no one can take that from you but yourself.”

Her friend squeals loudly and squeezes Cass, gushing her gratitude over and over. Cass hugs her back, pretending it’s Jay she’s holding in her arms, giving the assurance of family she failed to keep.

He’s only trained with Damian for a few months, yet he’s seen more than he really should from the boy. His younger brother (the kid’s only a child, it doesn’t matter what Jason’s previous misgivings are) has been raised in the League of Assassins since birth. He can already use a sword with deadly efficiency at eleven years old. His attitude's as ruthless and condescending as every other assassin in the compound.

However, what is an exploitable weakness for Damian is the fact he’s only just started puberty. Most easily demonstrated when Rose makes a suggestive pose before tackling the boy and pinning him in place. Jason whistles because he’s fond of her, an asshole like that. Rose flips the bird at Jason and sticks out her tongue, now lounging casually on Damian’s squirming body.

It’s cute, the scene, but Jason knows how wrong it is. As long as Damian is with the League of Assassins, he won’t live normally. To find his own love, his own family. Even as the child wrestles with Rose and yells at him to help, it won’t ever be enough.

He’s not projecting.

He’s not.

He’s going to concoct a plan.

Ravi, Damian’s caretaker, has that air about him that Jason has only ever seen come from Alfred. So, he guesses trusting Ravi with this is more than okay. The man may be blind, but with him, they manage to smuggle Damian through the channels of the League, avoiding everyone who could threaten their goal.

“If I may ask, Mister Todd,” Ravi says as they reach the last legs. Jason nods. “Why are you doing this? To what gain is rescuing this child for you?”

“I don’t do this because I want to gain something,” Jason replies immediately. “No child deserves to grow up in this place. He deserves to have as good a childhood as he can get.”

Ravi stares patiently, hearing what’s unsaid.

“Sound reasoning,” Talia’s voice echoes around them. Everyone tenses. The woman steps out from behind the pillar ahead of them, alone. “And where, may a mother ask, are you taking my son?”

The woman’s voice lacks her usual veneer, sounding so genuinely earnest that he can’t help but blurt out: “Gotham.”

“Gotham,” Talia repeats, her forehead pinched. “With him?” With Batman? Jason bristles. “Might I remind you; he left your death unavenged and replaced you in mere months.”

“Fuck that,” Jason snarls. Ever since he came out of the Pit, madness clings to the edges of his mind whenever he thinks of how Bruce replaced him. This time, it only flickers. “What I want doesn’t matter when Damian needs his father figure. I’m – I’m not stopping him from having that.”

“So, you no longer wish to kill him,” Talia states. He sighs.

“I guess not,” Jason frowns, considering her presence. “Want to take him to Bruce?”

If Talia is surprised, she doesn’t show it, only beckoning for Damian to follow her. As the kid moves, Jason realises this might be the last time he’ll see Damian on the same side of the fence. He grabs the kid’s shoulder, who oddly doesn’t resist.

“Look, Damian,” Jason starts as his younger brother stares up at him. “Doing right is right, and wrong is wrong. A body ain’t got no business doing wrong when he ain’t ignorant and knows better.

“Living with your father, it’s rules like that he follows like gospel. He’ll love you; I know he will, but with him it’s always on the condition that you adhere to his principles. Can you promise something for me?”

Damian nods, soaking every word in.

“I need you to keep an open mind with what he says, but I don’t want you to follow them like gospel the way he does. You’re more than his soldier, you’re my brother, you’re his son.”

The kid nods again, shifting on his feet.

“And – And look after yourself, okay? And -,” The words that come out of his mouth feel like hot coals, but he has to say them. “And if somehow Cass is there, can you look after her too? For me?”

“Of course,” Damian answers softly before throwing his arms around Jason’s waist. “I will find your ukht, ahki, and make sure she is well cared for.”

Jason smiles. It's a broken, weary-looking thing.

“And Todd?” Jason raises his eyebrows. “You should confess to Wilson about your ridiculous affection. It is sickening to watch you two dancing around one another every lesson.”

Jason can’t help it; he laughs and lets his little brother go, his tears like raindrops.

Cass leaves the fresh hydrangeas on the headstone. It stares back at her, its date (four years) seeming to mock her from beyond the grave. Literally, Jay says in her head, which has her biting back the laugh that builds in her throat.

Bruce’s son had come in a few days ago, obviously an assassin child, yet he’s still… subdued, somehow. She knows the boy is there, at her brother’s grave, and that he follows her all the way to the manor. Even then, Cassandra lets it go. He probably took all his cues from Bruce anyway.

It’s when she’s sitting at the new memorial for Jason, a small statue of an apple with a plaque underneath, that Damian approaches her.

“Cain.”

“It’s Todd.”

Something crosses the boy’s face. She can’t tell what it is.

“Todd,” Damian says, his eyebrows pinching like a mini Bruce. “What is this?”

“It’s Jason’s memorial,” Cassandra traces the words on the plaque, a quote, one whose meaning she had struggled with a lifetime ago. She gestures to the book in her hands. “I read to it, every time I’m here.”

Damian looks like he’s about to say something about that, but he withholds it. Instead, he sits down with her, his head upturned, not unlike a bird.

“What was he like?” The boy asks, the words seeming to grit out his teeth.

“He was amazing, and we loved him so much,” Dick speaks up, out of nowhere, cutting Cass off before she can even begin. “I had a few issues with him, but I promise that I’ll be as good a brother to you as he was to us.”

Cassandra snorts, and Dick’s smile falls off his face.

“Cassandra, come on, I was just-.”

“You weren’t even a good brother to me or – or him.” She says quietly, because why is he even speaking now? “Why are you trying now? Why not before?”

“Like I said, I had a lot of issues with -.”

“I don’t care, Dickface.” Does it hurt to say Jason’s old nickname for the boy? Yes. Does she draw satisfaction at how much he flinches? Also, yes.

Barbara chooses then to speak up.

“I don’t think that’s fair for you to say, Cass.”

She freezes. The fact that even Damian, who hardly knows her, does the same with the others means they know how huge an error they’ve made.

“Don’t call me that,” Cassandra snaps, voice desolate and lethal, thoughts squalling and refusing to calm down even as she buries her head in the book in her hands.

Barbara sighs and calls Dick away to discuss the mysterious hacker that’s been pulling information from them. Damian, seeming to recognise her desire to be alone, follows him. Good. Cassandra’s mind falls in and out of a lull as her eyes try to refocus. So, she caresses the edge of the apple reverently. In its reflection, tears run down her cheeks. She can’t feel them.

“The information breaches just keep searching for Batgirl,” Barbara says, snapping Cassandra from her stupor. She pulls up a list; every entry confirms Barbara’s statements. Every entry, that is, except for one that catches her eye. The text flashes brightly, making her head spin, and she can’t look away because printed in the bright neon text is-.

There’s a memory, one she’s locked in the far recesses of her mind, where things like the Joker and David and all her other demons live. She remembers Faizul asking who her mother is.

David smirks, a savage thing he does whenever he’s about to order her to do something (murder, as it turned out, then) and says:

Sandra Wu-San | Lady Shiva

The words blare in her mind, bouncing round and round and blocking out all sounds in the cave. It certainly explains a lot; only Shiva can read the body like a novel. Plus, Cassandra isn’t sure that assassin skills are genetic but having two master assassins as biological parents should factor somewhere. It also opens a new avenue of thought. Why? Why did she give her up and never look back? Why did she leave her with her monster of a father? Cassandra craves needs answers, and she needs them now.

Staring up at the name printed on the screen, Jason once asked himself the same questions.

While the others discuss what to do, Cassandra has already listed Shiva’s last known locations and activities. They don’t notice she’s going to leave until she revs the engine of her bike. She sees them open their mouths, but over the sound of the motor, their voices fail to reach her.

All except, somehow, for Alfred and if there is anyone in this family Cass will listen to; it’s the one Jay loved the most.

“If you do pursue her, Miss Cassandra,” The butler has never been unkind to her, yet she can’t help but feel like he’s trying to keep her in place. “I am not sure if you will find what you are looking for.”

She leaves anyway, soaring underneath the tresses of Gotham as they settle around her, the mist obscuring everything but her path forward.

“Damian probably landed in Gotham last week,” Rose says casually. Too casually, she realises. Jace side-eyes her and snorts in response. Damn him and his ability to pick apart what she’s asking. Four years constantly in one another’s presence would do that to people with his life experience. Yet, as much as Jason can read her, she can’t say she can do the same for him.

Something about him seems fragile, like plaster covering a beautiful and distracting collage. Rose wants to dig past that plaster, through the collage and see the mind that is Jason Todd.

She has seen him at his highest and lowest points and always makes sure to stay by his side, as she does now. He’s her best friend; he might not know it, but he’s kept her sane (reassurances her father will not find her come to mind) just as much as she’s done for him.

“What do you think of the new Batgirl?” This time, she means to be conversational. When they stumbled across the profile of Cass’ successor, Jace had shaken his head and laid out half-heartedly into a punching bag.

“I don’t hate her, if that’s what you’re thinking,” That response was… not unexpected. But, when she raises her hickory eyes, Jason has his head raised to the sky. “I looked into her, and – and she’s like us.”

Oh.

“Girl’s from the Narrows. Didn’t live on the streets, but from her background, her home life definitely wasn’t that great growing up either.”

His hand is trembling, so Rose grabs it and tries to keep him steady with all the power in her.

“She’s going to do Batgirl proud,” Jason says shakily. “I think you’d agree.”

They stand there, leaning on each other, tranquillity settling around them as Jace lets his tears flow. It occurs to Rose that she never let his hand go. She doesn’t plan to. The feeling makes her feel warm inside, and as much as she wants to go further, she also doesn’t want to push her best friend away.

In the distance, the outline of a jet approaches the runway they’re on. It is time.

“You ready?”

“You wouldn’t believe me if I said yes.”

“Fair enough.”

“Hey,” Rose looks up at him, waiting for him to continue. “If anything goes wrong, I want you to stay out of sight of the others and get away from Gotham.”

Rose growls. “No way, there is no fucking way I’d leave you alone with them.” She steps closer, jabbing her finger on his chest. “I didn’t train with you for the past four years for it all to be thrown away just because Batman is an asshole. My dad’s just as bad, remember?

“You’re stuck with me no matter what Jace. Deal with it.”

He gives her a wry smirk that has her heart fluttering as much as her returning grin is sharp. Even as the plane touches down, she realises that he hasn't let her hand go, and neither has she.

In the next week, Red Hood and Ravager will carve their way through the deeper bowels of Gotham’s stomach, a bag of heads linking their iron fists.

For now, Rose breathes in the moist air as a drizzle begins.

Mad Dog, Cassandra muses, is a morbid reminder of what she might have become if she stayed with David. He doesn’t have her abilities, but he has more physical strength in spades; his movements are so strange, so unpredictable, that it’s not like it matters.

A deft swipe narrowly misses her throat, and Cassandra cuffs the man in the jaw with her knee, knocking him back.

She had definitely found Shiva. Tracked her all the way to some subset of the League of Assassins. The woman had only gazed coolly at her and set Mad Dog on her.

True to his name, the assassin growls and leaps at her, fury behind each of his strikes. Cassandra dodges one of these, the fist cratering the cement wall, and gets socked in the chest for her trouble. The force of the impact sends her flying metres away.

Getting up from the blow is a chore, and she can feel the agony her body is in, feels the blood run down her mouth as she rises. Her fist is shaking; her stance is uneven. Mad Dog notices, and he grins like David, drawing a jagged sword from his sheath and charges.

Cassandra darts past the assassin. She knows she can win this. Even though his movements are swift and deadly, she manages to outpace him. His sword strikes aim to draw blood as he swipes at her, but she’s still managed to weave her way around them, causing sparks to fly into the air. When he tries to hit her, she still uses his momentum against him and knocks him down.

Yet, Cassandra can feel herself getting slower now; her arms are still shaking. She dodges another strike, but it’s a feint, and Mad Dog grabs her by the hair and slams her onto the ground. Hazily, she watches his wicked grin widen as the assassin raises his arms and prepares his blade.

As Mad Dog is about to drive it into Cass’ chest, she thinks (This is it. It’s all over. It is time.) of a boy in an alleyway, an apple in his hand and a smile on his lips.

She closes her eyes and listens to the sprinkling outside.

“Do you think we were unfair to them?” Dick seems to ask to open air, but Bruce knows when his sons want a genuine response. “Like, that we didn’t give them enough credit for what they could do. And because of that, they’ve never had anyone but each other?”

Dick slumps. It looks so wrong on him that Bruce wraps his arms around him, especially careful (As a real father would. An insidious voice in his brain sneers). “Do you think, that if maybe we treated them so much better...” His boy is crying now, usually joyous lapis eyes cold and red-rimmed. “That they’d still be here?”

Bruce only grunts because not one of his answers is what Dick wants to hear.

On a slab of stone, the petals on the hydrangeas wilt, droplets dappling their edges.

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goldandbluesmiles · 4 years

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Nickname Game

Summary: Bruce wakes up with a drug in his system and shenanigans ensue.

Ao3

XXX

Jason was about to have lunch when his phone buzzed. He was going to ignore it until he saw who was calling him.

"Oracle," he said after picking up the phone, "Why're you ringing me during daylight?"

"Bruce has been kidnapped,"

A beat of silence.

"What?"

"Bruce-"

"Yeah. Yeah. I heard you," said Jason, "From where?"

"Lunch break," said Barbara, "Only a few witnesses and they've been kept quiet,"

"Okay," said Jason, already switching the call to Bluetooth and grabbing his keys, "What's the plan?"

"All the other Robins are out of town. You're with Cassandra on this one,"

"Okay," said Jason hopping on his cycle

"Jason?" said Barbara

"Yeah,"

"Good Luck," she said, "And be careful,"

xxx

There was no ransom demand. The kidnapping was done by a disgruntled former employee that Bruce and Tim had personally seen the termination of. Jason didn't need to know why it had happened. Neither Bruce or Tim was in the habit of firing people for no good reason. There had probably been something fishy going on.

He was more worried about how long it was taking them to find the man. Cassandra's taut muscles showed him she was worried too.

He's batman. He's fine.

It didn't help.

They did find him thirty-seven hours after the kidnapping. He was chained to the warehouse ground, covered in cuts and bruises. There were needle marks on him showing that something had been given to him.

He was unconscious, resembling a dead man more than an alive one.

It took all his will power and Cassandra's firm hand on his shoulder to keep from beating the perp to a pulp.

"Take him home," said Cassandra

Jason took a deep breath and steadied himself. She was right because of course, she was. The only bat with at least some common sense.

"Okay," said Jason, "Okay,"

xxx

The good thing about keeping the kidnapping out of the media was that they were able to bring Bruce home without raising too many questions. He was instantly taken to the med bay where Leslie did her tests as the various children of the manor slowly trickled in.

"He's stable," said Leslie, "From what I can tell he's on some cocktail of sedatives and pain mediation. I'm not sure what they were trying to do but it's nothing overly harmful. He'll probably just be a little loopy when he wakes up. If he's not up for another 48 hours, we should probably do some more tests,"

Jason can hear Tim and Alfred asking more questions but all he can do is stare at the nearly lifeless body was his da-former mentor.

"You did good," said Dick, gently squeezing his shoulder.

Jason tried to nod, tried to give any reaction. It didn't work.

He wondered how long it would take- how long it would take for this oily dark feeling in his stomach to go away this time around and if he would ever stop feeling it every time he saw the older man laid up in bed.

He wondered if he even wanted to stop feeling it.

xxx

When Bruce started to stir awake thirty-two hours after the rescue, Jason was the only one awake, the rest of the bats having dozed off at different spots around the cave.

"Hunghhhh," said Bruce as he stirred awake

"Hey," murmured Jason gently touching the man's shoulder, "You with us, B?"

Bruce blinked slowly, looking as if he was having a hard time focusing. Jason gave him a few minutes to adjust. Once he stopped blinking, he noticed that bruce was looking at him with an odd tilt to his head and a confused look in his eyes.

He frowned. Maybe the injections had some side effects.

"Hey Bruce," said Jason, "Do you know who I am?"

Bruce frowned in concentration and then a bid dopey smile spread across his face.

"Murder Baby," he said

Jason couldn't believe his ears, "What?"

"Murder Baby!" said Bruce, this time a little more enthusiastically

"What?" this time his question came out in a screech and prompted everyone in them cave to wake up. Dick fell off the chair, Timmy and Duke accidentally elbowed each other from where they were curled up together. Everyone also looked ready for a fight. Cass was the only one who looked even a little calm.

Bruce grinned and waved when he saw all fo them.

"What's wrong Little Wing?" asked Dick, "Everything okay with him?"

Jason didn't know how to answer.

"Uh, B tell me again who I am?"

Dick frowned but Bruce answered without missing a beat.

"Murder Baby!"

There were a few murmured 'what the hell's around the room?'

"Father what's wrong with you?" asked Damian, coming to stand beside Jason

Bruce grinned again and bopped Damian on the nose "Little Cutie!"

"Oh my God," said Dick gleefully, "It's the drugs,"

Bruce turned at the sound and smiled at Dick, "Birdie!"

"Well okay then," said Tim.

Bruce grinned and made grabby hands at Tim. Tim carefully came closer only for Bruce to bodily haul him up on the bed.

"Hi dad," said Tim, a happy grin on his face. Jason thought it looked good on him.

"Coffee boy," murmured Bruce, gently poking his cheek.

"Ain't that accurate," scoffed Stephanie

"Eggplant girl!"

"That's also accurate," said Tim, "Hey B who's that?"

Bruce followed Tim's finger to Cass and smiled, "Dancey girl,"

A few chuckles were heard around the room and a game was made of it.

Duke was dubbed 'little mister light'

Kate was 'Kit Kat', apparently a childhood nickname by Bruce

Barbara was 'Little Red', another childhood nickname

Selina was still called 'Cat'

Harper was 'blue brat'

Cullen was called 'Cute bug'

But the real kicker came when Alfred finally came downstairs.

"What ever is going on down here," he asked

A few voices went up to explain but it Bruce's words that cut through everything.

"Hi, Dad!"

Silence. You could have heard a ghost pin drop.

"Master Bruce?" asked Alfred

Bruce held out a hand and made an impatient motion, "Dad!"

Alfred quickly came to his side and squeezed his hand, making Bruce smile a big dopey smile all over again.

"What is happening here?" asked Alfred, sounding both bewildered and happy

"He's giving everyone nicknames," Jason told him, "We think it's the drugs. He keeps calling me Murder Baby,"

"And apparently you're dad," said Dick, a soft smile on his face, "Makes sense really,"

Alfred smiled, a little wetness in his eyes, "I see,"

"You should hear what he's calling the rest of us," said Stephanie, "Hey Bruce, who am I?"

And then the nickname game began all over again.

"I didn't think he would use the word murder in association with me so...affectionately," said Jason

"You guys have come a long way," said Dick

"He's high on drugs," said Jason, trying not to let hope swell in his chest, "Probably doesn't know what he's saying,"

"He called Alfred Dad, Jay,"

Jason didn't have anything to say to that.

The real shock came when Leslie came over to check up on Bruce.

"Mom!"

Leslie stopped in her tracks.

"What?" she asked, voice barely above a whisper.

"It's the drugs. He's giving everyone nicknames," said Tim

"And I'm..."

"Mom!" Bruce finished for her

"Well, baby," said Leslie, voice suspiciously rough, "Let's get you checked out,"

Bruce complied with a grin and nod.

Half an hour later, Bruce had dozed off again while everybody settled down around him.

"You all should really head upstairs," said Leslie

Nobody moved

xxx

Bruce woke up again two hours later but this time everyone was alert. Kate, Selina and Leslie had left while Alfred had gone back upstairs but the kids had all stayed.

Jason was once again the first one to notice that he was waking up.

"Hey, B," he said, "You with us?"

"Hmm, Jay?" said Bruce, prompting everyone to surround him once again.

Jason smiled, "Yeah. Yeah. It's me. How're you feeling?"

"I'm okay," he said, carefully, "How long was I out?"

"The first time nearly two days after. You woke a couple of hours ago and then fell asleep again," said Dick

Bruce frowned, "Please tell me you all haven't been here the whole time,"

"Don't worry about that," said Tim, "Do you remember anything from when you first woke up,"

Bruce frowned, "No, Should I?"

Everyone in the room shot each other looks, trying to but not succeeding in hiding their grins.

Bruce gave a resigned sigh, "Just show me the video,"

Four different phones were extended towards him. Bruce took Stephanie's and played the video displayed. They all watched him carefully as he cycled through very different emotions. Surprise, amusement, happiness and then utter bewilderment.

"I called Leslie, mom?" he asked, looking up at them

"Yeah," said Dick, "We were a little surprised,"

"I'm gonna have to talk to her aren't I?" he asked

"That's probably a good idea," said Duke

"Have you ever called her that before?" asked Tim

"Once," said Bruce, "I was around ten. I ran away and hid in my room for a full two days,"

"Wow,"

"Yup,"

There was a beat of silence and then Damian spoke up.

"Father, now that all this sentimental commiserating is over, I would like to bring up a complaint about the nickname you gave me,"

"Really brat?" said Tim, "Bruce was drugged for god's sake,"

"Quiet Drake," said Damian, "As I was saying, my nickname should not involve the work cute. I will allow little as I am the smallest right now but not cute,"

"But Dami," cried Dick, "You are cute,"

"I am not-Grayson! Get off of me- Father! Help!"

Bruce just shook his head and smiled.

Eventually, everybody wandered away from the cave, leaving only Bruce and Jason behind.

"So," started Bruce, conversationally, "What about this is bothering you? The murder part or the baby part?"

Jason stared at him, "I have no idea what you're talking about,"

Bruce raised his eyebrows and yeah, that was about eight on the Did you forget I'm Batman scale.

Jason sighed, "I don't know,"

"Is it a bad thing?"

Jason thought about it and landed on 'no'. Hearing it threw his for a bit of an emotional loop but it wasn't something that needed talking about. He would probably forget about it the minute he started eating Alfred's cookies.

"Nah. I'm good,"

"Okay," said Bruce, "Jay?"

"Yeah,"

"I love you,"

"Love you too, Old man,"

Yeah. It was good.

xxx

A few days after the incident, the family were all gathered in the den, having a rare night of pizza and movies. Well, the pizza was the rare part, not the movies.

Damian was grouchy about something like usual and talking-well complaining-Bruce's ear off.

Bruce was looking at his phone though and at one point pulled Damian close while shushing him absentmindedly.

"Hush, Little Cutie,"

There was a moment of silence and then the room exploded with Damian's screeching and everyone else's amusement.

Poor Bruce just looked bewildered.

"I-I didn't mean to say that," he muttered

It made Jason roar and double over.

"Your face!" he said between gasps

Bruce glared.

"Shut up, Murder Baby,"

It only made Jason laugh harder.

#bruce wayne #Jason Todd #batfamily #batdad #fluff #humor

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fishfingersandjellybabies · 4 years

Text

Abandoned - fic

Characters: Jason Todd, Ric Grayson, bits of Tim, Cass and Damian Summary: Ric was an only child. A man named Jay decided to remind him that, in another life, he wasn’t. A/N: Reminder Ric Grayson is one of the worst things to ever exist and the fact that they completely ignored what would happen with those really close relationships he had with his siblings is a bunch of bullshit. So here’s Jason word-vomiting for me. I wrote this in one go in the middle of the night. Sorry it’s garbage. The batkids were driving back to Gotham from some top secret mission and shit probably.

Ric frowned as he stepped out of the bar. There was a car blocking his cab in the alleyway.

And that in itself wasn’t a problem, not really. Had happened before. What made it worse was that there was a man in a leather jacket standing nearby, leaning on a light pole, puffing away at a cigarette. Ric didn’t know why, but he had an intense feeling the man was the car’s owner, and that this little blockade was on purpose.

Ric huffed, shoving his hands in his pocket as he began to stomp closer. He didn’t really want to fight one of the fine folks of Bludhaven today, but would if he had to. He had fares to find and bills to pay, and this guy looked like one of those smarmy assholes who would drag out a stupid argument just out of spite.

As he got closer, the man glanced over, a sharp grin flashing onto his face in recognition. He popped the cigarette into his mouth and pushed off the streetlamp, fixing in his jacket. While he did so, Ric caught a glimpse of scars, violent looking ones, and even a few wounds still in the process of healing.

Ric blinked, and his stomach dropped in frustration.

One of them.

“Bruce Wayne sent another one of you, huh?” He snapped before thinking too much about it. The man snorted a laugh, running his fingers through his hair. Ric took note of the white streak near his bangs.

“Nah. If he knew I was here, he’d kill me actually.” A drag of the cigarette. “Again.”

Ric stopped in front of him, waiting.

“Ah, yeah. Sorry. Amnesia.” The man exhaled smoke right into Ric’s face. “You wouldn’t get the joke.”

“Doesn’t sound like it’d be funny even if I did.” Ric countered easily. “Mind telling me why you blocked my cab?”

The man shrugged. “Wanted to talk.”

Ric groaned, glancing to the skies. “Look, I’ll tell you the same thing I told that Barbara woman. I’m sorry I don’t remember whatever relationships we had before, but I don’t want to come back to Goth-”

“I don’t give a shit about all that. Don’t come back, I don’t care. It’s your life.” The man cut off. “That’s not what I wanted to talk about.”

“…Oh.” Ric pursed his lips, looking around. “Then what do you want?”

“I want to talk about…” The man seemed to think over his words. “What you else left behind.” Suddenly he gestured his arm towards his own car, directing Ric to look for himself. “I want to talk about them.”

Ric glanced over and realized that the man’s car wasn’t empty. There were three people inside, three kids by the look of it. Two in the back and one in the front.

The teenagers in the back could have been twins from where he was standing. Both with black hair and pale skin. Petite. The girl’s hair was longer, almost to her shoulders, but the boy could have used a haircut himself too. The girl smiled and pointed to something on the phone the boy was holding between them. The boy laughed too.

In the front passenger seat was a younger boy. He was also consumed by the phone in his hands, headphones shoved into his ears and sweatshirt hood over his head. His knees were curled up to his chest, and he looked like he was hugging himself.

He looked…sad.

Not that the two in the back looked any better. They looked tired. More tired than a couple of teenagers should. Concerningly tired.

Ric looked back to the man. “Who are they?” And almost an after thought: “Who are you?”

“…You used to call me Jay sometimes. So let’s go with that.” Jay said absently. “And they…are your siblings.”

Ric was already shaking his head as he looked back. The three in the car didn’t seem to notice them. “I don’t have any brothers and sisters. I’m an only child.”

“By blood, yeah. By found family…you’re the oldest of five. Legally too, technically.”

Ric looked back. “Five? There’s only three kids in that car.”

Jay pointed to himself. “You were also kiddo’s legal guardian for a few years, too. But that’s less important in the long run I guess. Kind of.”

Ric’s stomach was churning now. “Okay, so Bruce Wayne had a bunch of kids besides me. So what?”

“So…that’s what I wanted to talk to you about.” Jay took another sharp inhale of his cigarette, seemingly steeling himself. Thinking. “Because Bruce is one thing. The secret cave and what we did down there is one thing. Don’t want to come back to that? Fine. Be as big an asshole as you want about it. I don’t care. No one does. Nightwing was a beloved hero around the world, but if it came down to the world having Nightwing or having Dick…Richard Grayson safe, not a single person would pick the former. Besides, heroes retire. Heroes quit. Heroes become bad guys. No big thing. It was wrong of Bruce and Barbara and whoever else to try to force you back into a role you didn’t remember.”

Ric waited.

“That’s one thing.” Jay repeated, and suddenly his voice was angry behind the cigarette. “But abandoning those kids is another.”

A moment to let that sink in.

“And sure, at first I thought I’d come here and say abandoning the people who love you was really shitty, but you know? A lot of people fucking love you and I don’t care about a single one of them.”

He pointed towards the car.

“But them? They adored you. Still do frankly. Especially kiddo.” Jay emphasized his point by jabbing his finger forward again. “You saved his life. You saved all their lives in one way or another. And even more than that – you loved them when it kinda seemed like no one else would. You gave a shit when not even Bruce did.”

Jay dropped his cigarette back between his fingers. Exhaled, and it was shaky. Upset.

“And I get it, I do. Leaving Batman? Easy. Leaving Bruce? Honestly, even easier. It’s not a life any of us should have or want and…you got out. Yeah, it was through getting shot in the head and forgetting everything, but. You got out.” Jay waved it off. “But what I have a problem with is that you left them and you don’t even care.”

“Because I don’t know them.” Ric countered, feeling his own emotions bubbling up. “How can I care about someone I don’t know?”

“Literally, you did all the fucking time!” Jay hissed. It seemed like he wanted to shout, but instantly turned it to a whisper. He glanced nervously at the car, and Ric realized – the kids didn’t notice them because Jason didn’t want them to. He didn’t want them to see Ric, or hear this conversation. “It was what made you…you. What made you special. Because it didn’t matter who it was or what they’d done. Even if you didn’t know someone’s name, you cared.”

Ric just stared. “I’m not that person anymore.”

“And I’m suspicious about that, because I’m pretty sure amnesia doesn’t change who you are as a core person, and Dick Grayson was no fake when it came to his heart, but that’s not what’s important here.” Jason snapped. The cigarette was close to burning his hand and he dropped his, squishing it under his heel. Immediately he pulled another pack from his pocket, along with a lighter. He shoved the stick into his mouth and lit it. “Because, okay, I can even forgive you not caring about some of the people around you when you woke up. Bruce, Barbara, even Alfred, maybe. Me.”

He paused, to inhale. Then exhaled the smoke, but into the sky this time.

“But they’re just kids.” Jay whispered, looking at Dick with some of the most pained eyes he’d ever seen. “What happened wasn’t their fault, wasn’t their choice. Trust me, if it was, that asshole in the front seat would have taken that bullet for you in a heartbeat, a goddamn thirteen year old.”

Ric let his hands in his pocket roll into fists.

“But this wasn’t their fault, and they’re the ones suffering the most here. Because, yeah, you’re not Dick Grayson, and you’ve made that clear. You’ve made it very clear you want no association with how the old you was, or anything he did. But they’re a bunch of fucking kids who have to convince themselves that their older brother is dead and gone and never coming back, but watch you be alive and well down here in fucking Bludhaven anyway.”

Ric found his gaze slowly drifting back to the car. The girl in the backseat had taken the phone now, the boy next to her leaning on her shoulder with his eyes closed. The little boy in the front hadn’t moved.

“And I take back what I said earlier. You being his legal guardian is important. Because you were like his dad, then. His motherfucking dad. You remember losing your dad. Imagine how it is for him to be forgotten and abandoned by his, while he’s still around out there enjoying his life?” Jay spit. “And Tim – you were there when his dad was murdered. When his best friend was. His girlfriend. One of the only ones there for him. You were there for Cass when she didn’t even know how to fucking speak. When she had no one but some parents who wanted to kill her. It was years ago, but how do you think they both feel now? How do you think they’re coping?”

“So what, are you saying this whole mess is my fault?” Ric snapped back. “It’s my fault I got shot and lost my whole life?”

“No. It’s not your fault what happened to you. But it is your fault how you reacted to it.” Jay answered coldly. “Avoid your old job. Avoid the people harassing you and trying to force you to remember something you can’t. But those three did nothing to you. They’re children. And you abandoned them without even giving them a damn chance. Without even attempting to start over with them or let them try.”

“Why are you telling me this?” Ric demanded. “What do you want me to do about it?”

“Nothing. I don’t want you to do a damn thing.” Jay shrugged. “I just wanted you to know.”

“Why?”

“So you know what you’re missing out on, being a stubborn piece of garbage who refuses to even acknowledge the people of his past, let alone interact with them.” Jay took a long inhale, and Ric watched the cigarette slowly turn to ash. “They’re good kids, Ric. Good kids you helped make. And now you’re mocking them with your mere existence and man. It just sucks.”

“And what am I supposed to do about it?”

“Like I said – nothing. Just wanted you to know. Barbara came down here and said her peace, so I figured I should be allowed to say mine.” He dropped the remainder of his cigarette and snuffed it out. “You mind going to your car first? I’m sure you’ve picked up on it right now, but I don’t want the babies to see you if I can help it. You’re still a bit of a raw wound for them, if you didn’t catch that.”

Ric stared at him for a moment. “…Tell the kids I’m sorry, if the conversation ever comes up.”

Jay shrugged. “I would if I thought you meant it, Ric. After all, Dick made it a point to not lie to them, if he could help it.”

Ric grit his teeth and turned towards his car without another word, making sure to keep his face in the shadows as he passed the windows of Jay’s car. None of the occupants even glanced up.

“Good luck with those memories and shit.” Jay called after him. Ric didn’t respond, and slammed his door a little harder than he meant to after he dropped into the car. He started his engine and rolled down his window, listening.

Jay was whistling as he walked back to the car, and jerked open his own driver side door.

“What took so long?” A young voice whined. Ric glanced into his rearview mirror to see it was the boy in the front seat. He hadn’t looked up from his phone. “I didn’t think destroying your lungs with cigarettes was an extended affair.”

“Was watching some old men down the street fight over a chess match.” Jay seemed to say nonchalantly. “Also had more than one cig. Excuse me if I don’t want to waste my supply, and enjoy the moment.”

The boy’s answer was cut off as Jay got into the car and shut the door. Ric listened as his engine started, and watched as they pulled away, freeing him from his temporary prison.

He threw his cab in reverse, dropping out of the alley and onto the road. He shifted to drive, and took off, ironically, the same way Jay and his crew went. In fact, they were at a light just down the block, waiting for it to turn green.

And Ric found himself frozen, blocking both lanes with his car, because the girl – Cass, he’d called her – was staring out her back window, directly at him.

When she’d caught his eye, she simply smiled, though it was clearly sad, and gave him a single wave.

Then the light turned, and Dick Grayson’s siblings disappeared around the corner.

#Jason Todd #dick grayson #ric grayson #cassandra cain #Damian Wayne #Tim Drake

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258-milkbags · 5 years

Text

Just hear me out

I've been meaning to rewatch Treasure Planet ever since I saw the lovely art that @jaykore (which y'all should check it btw) drew of Jim Hawkins but I haven't had the time

I finally did have time yesterday to rewatch it but since I usually watch it in Spanish the songs are different from that of the English one, they're not translated literally so the meaning kinda of gets a little lost but it's still there, anywhores since I normally watch it in Spanish I didn't realize I was "missing out" in a way because the original is in English which I guess has more depth to it? not sure how to put it

And the song I'm Still Here reminded me a lot of Jason Todd. I felt like it was very fitting, now I don't know if other people have talked about it before or if they've thought about it but I'm just putting it out there just in case. And now that I think about it the Spanish translation can also be interpreted the same way but I wanna say it gives a different feeling than in English somehow (at least for me) but I'm going to be talking about the English one

I am a question to the world

not and answer to be Heard

or a moment that's held in your arms

and what do you think you'd ever say

I won't listen anyway

you don't know me

and I'll never be what you want me to be

The first verse I wanna say that (relating to) Jason I this part would be young Robin at this point, in the sense that he was questioning many things all while not having any answers from any people. You know how Jason wanted to actually punish the criminals instead of simply throwing them in jail so that they wouldn't commit the same crime over and over again. And how Jason sometimes wanted to do justice by his own hands rather than wait for the corrupt system to take it's course leading to him not listening to Batman's orders and then leading to part where it says "you don't know me and I'll never be what you want me to be" because that's what Jason actually feels. He feels as if Bruce will never understand because of his high morals and because of those same high morals Jason feels like he's never going to be enough for Bruce or how Bruce had "everything" in live compared to him

I'm a boy no, I'm a man

You can't take me and throw me away

And how can you learn what's never shown

Yeah you stand here on your own

They don't know me

Cause I'm not here

In verse 2 Jason would be older? I think, 'cause you know how he's from Crime Alley he's had to grow up really quickly, from having to help his mother to having to survive living on the streets, he would consider himself no longer a child but a man. And how he feels betrayed that Bruce did avenged him after the Joker killed/murdered him and simply "replaced" him with another kid smarter and better than him, yet again making him feel like he's not enough. The Batfam don't really know him nor really try to see pass the first year of him being Red Hood, all they see is a crazy psychopath who wants revenge and the death of many people, they don't see that Jason is still very much Jason but at the same time he's also very different from the boy who died in the explosion. Dick didn't really pay attention to him because he was to busy being pissed at Bruce to be an older brother to Jason even though he tried his best to live up to the mantle, Tim (I feel has the most understanding than most of the Batfam) was almost killed by Jason and have a rocky relationship, Damian let's just say not the best and leave it at that for now. I don't know enough about Cass or Steph to have a say in it but I feel like Babs somewhat understands where Jay is coming from since she was also a victim of the Joker. And I have no idea about Duke since I have read any comics in a while

And I want a moment to be real

Wanna touch things I don't feel

We want to hold on and feel I belong

And how can the world want me to change

They're the ones that stay the same

They don't know me

Cause I'm not here

Now the chorus I had a bit of trouble trying to put into words mostly because there's so much emotion to be interpreted, Jason always puts a hard mask on so that he doesn't get hurt by the people he loves and cares about but those same people have let him down more often than not, so I guess what I'm trying to say is he feels that every interaction has some sort of ultirermotive in a way. He so badly wants a loving caring family that trust him, he wants to belong and be loved in a healthy way. But how can he do that when there's some must suspicion and doubt with layers upon layers or trauma and angst. Bruce wants Jason to change his ways, wants him to be the boy he so much misses that he fails to see the grown man Jason's become, all the while not changing himself to accommodate others.

And you see the things they never see

All you wanted I could be

Now you know me and I'm not afraid

And I wanna tell you who I am

Can you help me be a man

They can't break me

As long as I know who I am

In verse 3 I want to say it could be Alfred in this since he seems to be the only to rightfully defend him without a second thought, Alfred sees Jason as the man he is today not the boy who died, not the madman he was but the present day Jason who's trying to be the best man he can, and Jason loves Alfred for who he is, he's the only one who Jason actually listens to even with all the selfdepracting things he does to himself. He wholeheartedly trust Alfred. And "They" being the batfam, can't break away from his goal. So long as he knows who he is and what's real and what's a hallucination he'll be able to do what he thinks is best for Gotham and the people who's life's have been lost or will be lost because of all the villians Batman refuses to take care of

They can't tell me who to be

Cause I'm not what they see

Yeah, the world is still sleeping

While I keep on dreaming for me

And their words are just whispers and lies

That I'll never believe

The bridge is Jason refusing to be like the rest of the bats, simply following orders to the T, him wanting to do what he thinks is best for Gotham and it's people for the smaller ones who aren't protected by Batman and Robin the ones who have been hurt by villians and avenged. And "They" being the Batfam again not seeing pass the old Jason and treating him like a wounded animal. He keeps trying to do the right thing, for the people for the ones whose lives have been lost by the hands of the Joker and will be lost if they don't put a stop to it permanently. "their words are just whispers and lies That I'll never believe" that could be Bruce trying to convince Jason that "we can fix this" all while Jason is like "You can't fix what's not broken" or "it's too late for that" and even though he wants to so badly believe what Bruce is saying is true he knows that's never going to happen because somewhere some god is playing and toying with his life like some sad sick joke that everything has to go to hell somehow. He feels like anything good he has in his life won't last since nothing has shown him to be the contrary which is why he has attachment issues and trust issues. So he already has that mentality that things just won't go his way and never will and that no one will ever pick him over someone else, that he's just a fuck up without a remedy and that'll always be the same because he's the [self proclaim] black sheep of the family.

I'll just leave that there....

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bluboothalassophile · 6 years

Note

Hello Blu, can I request more of your hogwarts au, I can't wait to see what's going/can happen next episode/chapter from your Diné in Scotland! :) of course, of course, you you want to do, of course!

Hello,

I enjoy this AU a lot and I hope you guys do too!

Welcome to Scotland…

Raven lay very still as she woke, her eyes looked over thestrange settings she found herself in, and she turned to look up. It was stone,the woods were dark, the decorations bizarre. She looked around as she felt thepanic well up, it was like a room in York City, she didn’t like it, she felttrapped. There was movement beside her which had her snapping over to where theother occupant was and she relaxed seeing the familiar haggard face, his eyesopened, they were pretty, so odd.

“Hey little bird,” he whispered.

“Jay,” she smiled as a calloused hand touched her cheek, shescooted closer to the warmth and curled up against him.

“What are you doing here little bird?” he mumbled as a handslid through her hair.

“I don’t know,” she whispered harshly. The last thing that hadhappened… she was in York City, she had been leaving Roy and Kori’s home, to goto Massachusetts in hunt for an escaped Voodoo Priest. Then there’d been a manwho had breathed something in her face… Then… It was blurred…

“It’s okay,” Jason promised.

“Why you here?” she whispered hoarsely.

“You crashed here,” he reminded her.

“I hurt,” she mumbled, twisting around to feel that pain inher ribs.

“I have no idea what you tangled with, love, but we’re goingto Hogwarts, sort this out. And I’ll contact Constantine, and the Aurors, MACUSAand the Ministry,” Jason said.

“I hurt?” she mumbled.

“Whatever hit you is bypassing your… unique abilities,little bird,” he explained. “I got it contained. Come on.”

“Jason, I…” the door was thrown open and Raven’s headsnapped over to a flustered black haired woman who stopped short of where shewas. Raven was twisting for her wand when Jason was grabbing her and yankingher against him.

“NO! Rae! This is my sister! Cassandra,” Jason hissed in herear as she struggled against him. “Rae, you’re safe, you’re safe, calm down,please darling,” he whispered. And Raven stared at him then.

“Safe,” she repeated.

“Safe, you can do the mind thing if you think you aren’t,” hepromised.

“Can’t, I can’t… feel it,” she whispered and hid against hisneck.

“Jason?” the woman’s voice was gentle.

“Cass, this is Raven, she’s a MACUSA Auror. Also, a nativeof America, she’s a Diné,” he said.

“A savage?” Cass inquired.

Raven snarled at the label and Jason tightened his hold.

“Raven is not a savage, she’s America’s greatest Auror andshe is going to be getting dressed, so you need to go, tell father that I havea guest, and we’ll be going to Hogwarts,” Jason said.

“Kara is here,” Cassandra said as she disappeared. Ravenlooked at Jason who rolled his eyes as he released her and fell on the bed.

“Bloody hell.”

“Kara? Gold Kara?” Raven mused remembering his besotted wayabout his mind at the thought of Kara.

“Maybe it’s a good thing you can’t do the mind thing, getdressed,” he chuckled tossing a sweater at her.

“Where are…?” she started.

“Sorry, love, they’re bloody, no you’re not wearing that,”he warned. “Take the clothes Rae.”

“Animal?” she started.

“No, I promise you, it’s not, but you’re going to need heavyclothes, so wear them.”

Raven sighed as she stood, wincing as she moved and lookedat her chest, the bandages were green and black, with red stains, which concernedher. What had hit her? Raven slowly pulled on the white shirt Jason had givenher, then the sweater, which was dark green, she pulled on the trousers, theywere uncomfortable, then socks. Several pairs; just before Jason could notice;she had lost several of the socks he had given her before and she wanted more.Once she was standing she had the boots on and she pulled on a belt; all theclothes felt familiar and alien before she looked over at Jason who offered heranother sweater as she shivered.

“Thank you,” she mumbled.

“Kay, you’re an animagus, if asked, and you’re a MACUSA auror,don’t say anything else, we’re going to Hogwarts,” he warned her softly. “Youcame here on a visit, and didn’t know better, flew window to window, landed inmy room,” he said.

She nodded and limped out.

“Also, why are you stealing three pairs of socks?”

“Warm feet,” she answered.

“Uh-huh, you could just ask for socks,” he muttered. Shewaved him off as she sheathed her knife and slid her wand up her sleeve. Shehurt, she hurt a lot. Pain, lasting, was unusual, she didn’t like it. Shepaused as she descended the stairs at the sight of a redheaded child staring ather with large blue eyes.

“Who you?”

“Raven,” she answered tilting her head as the child cockedtheir own.

“Thomas, there you are,” a woman’s voice was sharp and Raven’seyes flicked up as the woman walked into the room, then the woman snatched upher child. “Savage!” she gasped.

“Barbara!” Jason’s voice snapped which had Raven’s headsnapping up as her friend descended the stairs. “That’s Raven, and she’s nosavage. She’s an Auror, from MACUSA, Raven is the one who helped me track downthe Valeska brothers.”

“That’s…!?” she sputtered. “Jason you’re crazy!” Barbaragasped.

“You’ll have to forgive Barbara, she was a colonist, herfamily was murdered by something over there, she blames the tribes,” Jason said.

“Tory,” Raven spat out with disgust as she brushed past thewoman. Raven’s stance in the war had been minimal, but she had adopted Americaas her country, MACUSA her people, and if she should return west she wouldreturn to her tribe one day, to see her mother, and her aunt.

“Raven,” Jason groaned.

“Charming,” Barbara sneered and Raven looked down the hall.It was cold, damp, warm too, the stones were heavy. A hand caught her hand, shespun around, knocking the arm aside as she shoved the larger body up, the knifein her hand as she glared at him.

“Rae,” he growled.

Raven released Jason, and he stared at her balefully. “Youneed to calm down, and follow me,” he said. She nodded.

“Dining room is this way, then you and I will be going toHogwarts,” Jason stated.

She winced a bit as the wound pulsed on her sidebefore she allowed the white man to lead her through this labyrinth.

#bluboothalassophile #fanfic #one shot #jason todd #raven #jayrae #redrae #raex #hogwarts au

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hellsbellssinclub · 6 years

Text

Broken Nest for Broken Birds. Part 3

Part 1/ Part 2/ Part 3

Read it on AO3

Summary:

Dick Grayson. Jason Todd. Timothea Drake. Stephanie Brown. Damian Wayne.

All five were Batman’s birds. All five are broken in their own little ways.

Bruce Wayne struggles to keep his family together while keeping his more volatile children calm and feeling secure within their place in the family. But that is not an easy thing to do when you have five young adults with all very different needs that demand to be met and when you have your own issues to deal with.

*Follows the different Robin’s and Bat’s stream of consciousness as they deal with their day to day lives and try to figure out how to be a family together.*

Part 3. Dick Grayson. Age 22.

Unresponsive. Broken like a marionette puppet without her strings. Timmy looked like she has watched a world implode and she could have done nothing to save it while she sat in a space shuttle, safely away from the blast zone.

He should have been there, seeing Timmy home after they had been on patrol together with B. He should have made sure she was safe and well and that she had not been alone, especially after Bruce gave her that lecture and half about safety and not taking risks.

But he had left her. Gone and followed Bruce’s Orders once again and now he was looking down at the broken and exhausted face of the girl who was his baby sister. It wasn’t hard to imagine her on the ground, head twisted in an unnatural angle with blood around her head like a fucked-up halo.

He let her fall. He didn’t catch her. He wasn’t there to catch her. He had gone back to the cave like a good little Robin because he was Ordered to and now…

Dick felt lost as to what to do. He had failed another sibling. He was a terrible big brother. First Jason and now Timothea. She hasn’t spoken a word since she finished screaming and was she would only drink the tea that Dick had Alfred make, the one that Jason suggested before he took off on his bike, when Dick placed the cup against her lips. He wished he could be there alongside Jason. Away from the Manor and away from the biting feeling in the back of his throat that this was his fault for not being there with Timmy when she had finished patrol.

Timmy wasn’t doing anything much now that she stopped screaming her lungs out. Just breathing little choked and wet sobs under her breath. No more tears. She was still shaking and giving full body shudders as if she was in a snowstorm or the biting rain that Gotham has in winter time. Shock, most likely. Or the grief. Timmy wasn’t that close to her Dad or Step Mum but Dick knew she loved them. Seeing them dead like that… no child should ever see their parents like that. It is mentally scaring and destroying.

He should know. He still hasn’t gotten over his parents. Neither has Bruce or anyone else he knows who have found or saw their parents get killed. The Superhero community is full of heroes who have lost their parents or watched them get murdered. They even had made different clubs so that people could go and talk about their trauma and shit.

Not that any of the other Bats have ever gone to one of those clubs. Bruce is too fucking scared to admit his trauma of seeing his parents get shot when he was eight and is always high-key terrified that someone is going to turn on him because his Post-Traumatic Hypervigilance makes him to paranoid to trust anyone with his feelings. Jason was still on the outs with pretty much everyone. No one was sure how to approach the former dead Robin and he wasn’t inclined to go to any of the clubs anyway. Jay never had been in his first life and the sentiment was the same in this one too.

Dick had gone once, when he was still Robin. He didn’t go back again for another meeting. He never wanted to talk about what happened with his parents and looking back he probably should have tried. Really, he blames Bruce for his lack of healthy coping skills because all he ever learned really while living in the Manor was that unless it was all about to explode and end up with him hurting himself or someone else than Bruce was going to avoid the hell out everything and pretend that it was all normal.

And Timmy, poor little Timmy never qualified for any of them before now. She was as normal as one could possibly get before all this. She was just an average kid who wanted to do some good and she did. But at what cost? She lost all three of her parents, has been shot, stabbed and has nearly been murdered so many times in the past three years and Dick wanted nothing more than to go back in time and to tell the small girl who had come up to him with hopeful eyes that she should get lost and forget everything. That it wasn’t worth it at all.

But he couldn’t do that. He couldn’t. Besides all of the time related bullshit that would go with changing the timeline, Dick was selfish enough to say that he did not want to let the young girl go at all. He wanted her to stay. He wanted her and Jason to get along and for them to both be siblings without having to fear that Jason’s Pit Madness or whatever it was didn’t flare up and he wanted for Bruce to be surrounded by everyone who cares for him.

If wishes were fishes Dick would be able to open his fish market and make a lot of money, that was for sure.

Running a wet, warm cloth over Timmy’s face only got him a blink or two. She wasn’t reacting to anyone now. She just sat there, in the blood-stained clothes Bruce all but wrangled her into before the cops arrived at her house. She needed to change. To get out of the bloody mess and into something clean.

“Okay Tiny-Tim. Let’s get you out of these clothes and into the shower.” He doesn’t speak loudly, not wanting to startle the young girl out of whatever shock she was in.

The lights are on but no one is currently home in Timmy’s mind right now. Looks like they are just going to have to call back later it seems. She wasn’t reacting or moving on her own. With the help of Bruce and Alfred, Dick was able to strip her out of her clothes and get her into the shower. There were wounds, fresh and painfully wounds all over her pale body. Some must have been from patrol because the stitches on her hips looked fresh and painful. And broken. He would need to fix that.

He knew that Tim’s team was downstairs and that Oracle had called them all as soon as the call came through that all the Drakes were dead. He knew that they were all there and were all waiting desperately to see Timmy. But Dick didn’t want them near her. She was fragile and needed to be handled with care. He knew that they all just wanted to help her and that was good. The overwhelming need to comfort a friend in need is what makes them all good people. Makes them the caring and thoughtful heroes they are.

But Timmy didn’t need any of them right now. She didn’t need them crowding her or being in her space. She needed family. She needed Dick and Bruce and Alfred and Jason when he has calmed down and maybe Cass and Steph because they were all family and that was all Timmy needed.

He knows he should not be thinking like that. Possessiveness was a terrible trait that he needs to let go of but it is hard, so very hard not to kick everyone out of the Manor and keep Timmy safe and isolated away from anything that could harm her. He shouldn’t be having these thoughts and he knows, he really does know, that these thoughts only happen because he lost Jay and he doesn’t know how to deal with that guilt even now that Jay was alive and here with them and-

And he needed to calm down. He needed to stop and think and act like Nightwing, the leader and big brother. He cannot afford to act like Dick Grayson here. Dick Grayson was a human disaster and won’t be able to help his sister right now if he starts acting like a self-centred idiot.

Still, looking down at her all but hanging loosely in his arms as he dried her off and sat her down on the large tub so that Alfred could redo those broken stitches, Dick just couldn’t help those feelings of possessiveness overwhelm him. And by the look on Bruce’s face, he was feeling it too.

Timmy was their Baby Bird. The one the adored and wanted to protect all the time because she was just so weak and small and Dick knew in his head that she was a force to be reckoned with these days and that she was well on her way to becoming an A list hero.

But in his heart, he still saw her as the baby faced little twelve-year-old girl who he taught how to throw a decent punch. She was the little sister he had always wanted when he was younger and still with the circus. He adored her and loved her completely.

And he did know that some of that love came from guilt. Guilt that he hadn’t been the best big brother he could have been to Jason because he had been angry at Bruce at the time. He had been so angry that Bruce had taken his Mother’s name for him and had given it to Jason without his permission that he had taken it out on Jason, rather than Bruce. And after their first and terrible meeting, Dick had known that he had forever fucked up his and Jay’s relationship.

If he had not have died, Dick believes that they may have eventually gotten along properly. That they would have worked something out. But Jason died and then he had a small, excited child who looked up to him and he couldn’t, wouldn’t let himself fuck it up like he did with Jason.

So, Nightwing became the always the cool, calm guy who is everyone’s big brother. At least to the younger generation that is. To his own team and friends, he was allowed to be a normal person with normal emotional outbursts. But since taking on being the younger teams ‘den mother’ and all-round mentor and big brother to Timmy, he has forced himself to be this person that doesn’t get angry easily.

Which is you know, absolute bullshit. Everyone calls Jason the Angry Robin but anyone with half a brain knows that Dick is the Angry Robin. The Robin that rages and explodes and leaves a trail of destruction in his wake. At least Jay has a reason for his anger. The Pit fucks with people’s minds and the trauma he went through with dying really did give Jaybrid a reason to lash out. Dick just gets angry and fucks shit up before someone calms him down.

He knew that Timmy didn’t feel like they loved her, especially since taking Jason back in. But they did love her. They love how she stumbled down in the morning after a long case or patrol and would look at them sleepily before stealing Bruce’s coffee. They loved how she would get excited about small little things and would ramble on and on until she blushes and stops because she realises that she is still talking. They love her enthusiasm and joy and how brilliant she is.

They love her. All of them do.

And watching her sit numbly on the edge of the bath, barely twitching or moving as the stiches go through her skin, broke their hearts.

One of them would have go downstairs soon and tell Timmy’s team to go home for the night and come back tomorrow evening. They needed to get some clothes for Timmy for the next few days, seeing as she only had over night clothes in the Manor. Bruce needed to send a few messages to his lawyers about getting custody of Tim.

There was so, so much that needed to be done. And Dick didn’t want to leave Tim’s side at all. His Baby Bird was hurt and needed help and the guilt was just eating him inside, telling him that it was his fault that she had to face this alone when he could have been there with her but he had not and-

And he would not be any help his sister, father, brother or grandfather if he let himself fall apart right now. There was work to be done and the quicker he gets it done, the easier it would be on all of them.

He may have given Jay three days to go and find out what he could but Dick would be damned if he doesn’t go out and help the younger man search. With the rage and guilt rising like bile in the back of his throat, Dick could say honestly that he was looking forward to beating some heads in. And to leaving the oppressive atmosphere of grief and pain that was seeping into the Manor’s walls.

But that will wait. Right now, there are jobs to be done. The jobs won’t ease the guilt or rage like a good ass kicking would, but they were necessary and needed. Alfred and Bruce can look after Timmy for a few hours or so while he does these few jobs.

He isn’t running away.

(He isn’t.)

#Broken Nest for Broken Birds #hellsbells wrote something!!!#batman #dick grayson #nightwing #tim drake #red robin #bruce wayne #alfred pennyworth #jason todd #red hood #batman fic

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kenzieam · 7 years

Text

Lost Girl - Chapter 3 (Eric and Fox)

Rating: M (swearing, violence, smut, blah blah)

Genre: Drama/Angst

****Trigger Warnings - mention of torture, abuse****

Thanks everyone for the re-blogs and support!!! IT IS SO AWESOME!!!

@emmysrandomthoughts @beautifulramblingbrains @iammarylastar @tigpooh67 @bookwarm85 @badassbaker @captstefanbrandt @treeleaf @beltz2016 @girlwith100names @gaia25 @readsalot73 @slayer0507 @stone-met @lostinthebeans @lauraaan182 @girlslovestorys @lacy-love @fuckthatfeeling @sparklemichele @vitaevandal @micolegg @frecklefaceb @jaihardy @bookgirlthings @queenara4 @bluelassbird @mom2reesie @pathybo @letmagichappen @shaunarcanine @equalstrashflavoredtrash @itschibi @elaacreditava @lilu46 @tonyt1995 @jojogoo65 @littlesouthernrebel @sterek-foreverandever @kirstenisntkirsty

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A huge thank you to my beta and Jai-sister @iammarylastar ! Quelle equipe!

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What happens if Fox disappears, and is returned to Eric two years later, but is not the same woman he loves???

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“Who are you then?” Eric whispered.

Fox continued to watch him warily. Finally she said, her voice low and reluctant, “my name is Cass.”

Eric fought the desperate impulse to reach out and brush her hand, but she was looking at him like prey to a predator, like she expected him to wring her neck at any moment. There was defiance in her gaze too, she expected the worst from him, but was determined to die fighting. That spark of courage gave Eric hope, that was undeniably his Fox. Even if she didn’t remember her life in Dauntless, didn’t remember what she and Eric had been to each other, she still had her latent bravery; and Eric hoped it was enough to carry her through this.

“Do you remember me?” Eric asked quietly. The doctor’s warning about not agitating her sounded in the back of his head, but he had to know. His hand moved of its own accord, without his conscious control and brushed gently against the back of Fox’s.

She inhaled sharply and pulled her hand away, the restraints jangling loudly in the painful silence. A new expression furrowed her brow.

“I know who you are,” she hedged, her voice softer but still wary.

“Who am I?” Eric heard his voice break. He reached up slowly, hesitantly and although Cass’ eyes widened, she didn’t pull away.

“Please baby, tell me.” Eric begged, gently touching her cheek, curling his fingers against her skin, willing her to say what he needed to hear.

Cass inhaled, forehead furrowing. A look of uncertainty crossed her pale features and her eyes flicked to Eric’s large hand so gentle against her cheek.

For a second Eric thought he saw his Fox return to him, saw a flicker of his soulmate flash through this stranger’s eyes, but then her face darkened, she spat angrily and Eric felt the remaining pieces of his heart shatter.

“You’re Eric Coulter and you’re a monster! You hunt my people down like animals, you make us scrounge for food like rats!”

“Baby no-” unconsciously Eric leaned forwards, his body instantly reverting to how he would comfort Fox in the past; pull her to his chest and wrap her in his arms.

“I’m not your baby,” Cass growled and snapped her head forward, savagely head-butting Eric. He stumbled back with a surprised groan, clutching at his forehead. Feeling warm blood start to trickle down his face he pulled his hand away, staring in shock first at his hand then at Cass, who eyed him warily. Her lip curled and it drove the spike deeper into his heart.

“No, that’s not me. That’s not us.... Fox...?”

Hate blazed in her eyes. “I’m not Fox! FUCK YOU!!”

Eric’s knees grew weak. He had lost her, he could see it in her hate filled glare. He slammed his fists into his eyes and tilted his head back, swallowing back the tears. He glanced back at the ghost of his love, the ghost of his life, desperate to read something in her gaze other than blazing hatred.

Cass suddenly felt a strange feeling in her chest and it took her a moment to find it’s name.... pity. This Dauntless bastard, this hated monster she’d been warned so much about looked weak in front of her, and what’s more, he looked ready to break. A unfamiliar warmth invaded the cold space in her chest, where her heart used to be and she was stunned to feel guilt, shame even, as she watched this giant of a man in front of her fall to pieces.

Who was he to her? Who was she to him? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Eric reeled and stumbled towards the door. It slammed open before he could touch it and the guards flowed in, the doctor right on their heels. His glare was murderous.

“I told you not to upset her!” He snapped before turning back to Cass, holding up his hands placatingly.

A rough hand slammed down onto Eric’s shoulder and yanked him from the room. He was thrown unceremoniously against the corridor wall and Max leaned right in his face, spitting mad.

“What the fuck did I tell you? What the FUCK were you thinking Coulter?!” Max roared. “We told you not to agitate her! Goddammit, are you trying to fuck her up permanently?!”

“I want her back Max!” Eric screamed back, his temper was fraying, ready to snap; he would never take out his anger on Fox, but Max was another matter. Seeing the familiar gleam of impeding violence in his prodigy’s eye Max pushed Eric roughly away from him and down the hallway.

“Get out of here Coulter, get your fucking head on straight!” Max roared. “Don’t come back to see her unless I say you can! You better pray you haven’t messed this up!”

Eric gave an inarticulate scream of rage and fear and twisted sharply, slamming his fist angrily into the corridor wall.

“Goddammit Coulter!” Max shouted warningly. “GET OUT OF HERE!”

Eric flashed Max one last enraged glare and Max felt a chill at the emotions reflected in those steel grey eyes. Eric was walking a razor’s edge of sanity right now, anything could set him off. Max made one last attempt at getting through to the younger man. His tone was considerably softer when he spoke this time.

“Eric, I understand son, but you need to tone it down. You are not helping anyone right now.” He risked a hand on his shoulder and although his muscles tensed, Eric didn’t shrug his hand off.

“What would you do Max?” Eric muttered, so lowly Max almost didn’t hear him. “If it was Carlene? If she was the one laying there, brainwashed and not remembering you? If she had been gone for two years and you’d had to get used to the idea that she was probably dead, and she’d taken your heart with her? And then she’s back, but she’s not, not really, she’s still gone and its all you can do not to go crazy because you love her so fucking much and it’s killing you not to hold her, have her say your name again? Tell me.... what would you do?”

Max sighed heavily. In truth, he would be the same, maybe worse. The thought of his wife disappearing, being presumed dead like Fox had kept Max up at nights, caused him to startle awake, sweating and gasping for breath, rolling over and pulling her close to try and steady his heart again. Eric loved Fox, more than anything or anybody else, to his own ruin and Max wouldn’t wish the last two years of Eric’s personal hell on his worst enemy.

“I love her too Eric, like a daughter, you’re not the only one who’s suffered these last two years.” Ire flashed again in Eric’s eye and Max hurriedly continued. Leaning forwards slightly, praying silently that he wasn’t about to lose an eye he said earnestly. “We can’t help her if we aren’t calm and careful. We can’t mess her up any worse than she already is. She’s been told nothing but lies about you for the last two years and she doesn’t know any different. You have to give this time, you cannot rush her right now.”

Eric exhaled raggedly, his head lowered. Max felt the rage leave his body, sorrow and fear taking it’s place. Eric’s shoulders slumped and he leaned back against the wall, dropping his head into his hands. Max took a step back, giving him some space. He looked away, giving the younger man some privacy when he heard a muffled sob. After a long, tense moment Eric cleared his throat, lifting his head and wiping quickly at his eyes. He nodded once to Max and he saw that Eric had control of himself again. He straightened his vest with a quick jerk and when he spoke, his voice was quiet and restrained.

“I’ll be back later to see her.”

Max nodded, watching silently as Eric turned and strode sharply away.

The door to Fox’s room opened and closed quietly. Max felt a figure stop at his elbow, glanced over to see the doctor.

“I specifically said he wasn’t to disturb my patient. I want him forbidden from visiting again.”

Max bit back a rueful chuckle. Good luck with that. “I’ve spoken with him, it won’t happen again.”

The doctor raised an eyebrow, “you guarantee this?”

Max sighed, “you want to try and tell him no?”

The doctor’s jaw clenched, “I appreciate that he loves her-”

“No,” Max broke in, turning to face the doctor. “He lives for her. Without knowing him you cannot appreciate the struggle he has gone through, the last two years have been unfathomably difficult for him. I have feared for both his sanity and his life; fully expected some nights to get the call that his body has been found at the bottom of the Chasm. He will not stay away because he cannot, he is drawn to Fox like a moth to a flame.

But I have spoken to him, emphasized the need to stay calm with her as the only way to help her. The only thing that would get through to him right now is hearing that, the only thing greater than his desire to see her is his drive to help her. He won’t aggravate the situation intentionally, but you must appreciate that Fox will be agitated regardless of Eric’s presence or absence, her love for him was just as strong.”

“It must have been a sight to see, the pair of them.”

Max nodded, “it was, I hope they can reclaim it one day.”

“Alright,” the doctor acquiesced. “But I will monitor her closely and we will revisit this if I feel she is being unnecessarily agitated.”

“Agreed.” ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Eric jolted awake, curled on his side. After his fight with Max he’d gone home and showered, collapsed exhausted onto his bed and immediately fell unconscious. His dreams had been tangled memories of Fox, Fox nuzzled against him, secure in his arms, Fox writhing beneath him as he rose above her, muscles straining with each thrust, curled against him as they cuddled together on the roof, watching the city lights; he exhaled hard, ran a hand through his loose curls.

His body was wound tight, alive again with Fox so close and he shuddered as he remembered the bliss he’d found with her here in this bed. His belly clenched and he breathed deeply, hand trailing down to wrap around his straining shaft. His hand was a poor substitute for Fox’s delicate grip and luscious mouth, but his memories of her ministrations was enough for now as he started to stroke up and down, gripping tightly. A low groan started in his chest as his body began to shudder, as his mind’s eye placed Fox naked beside him, tangled in the sheets, that gleam in her eye that always made his blood pump. His body bowed sharply as he came hard, spilling onto the sheets, moaning Fox’s name and he sank back onto the bed, breathing hard. Opening his eyes again, Eric concentrated on the ceiling as the last of the tingles shivered through him. Today was the first day in the last two years he’d woken up not feeling crushed by crippling grief and gut-churning uncertainty. Fox was alive and she was here, at Dauntless.

She would come back to him, Eric would fight with everything he had to bring her back.

#eric coulter #jai courtney #divergent #eric coulter fanfiction #eric divergent fanfiction #fanfiction #eric and fox

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cloudaintfair-archive · 7 years

Text

The Letter Ch.2

Professor Callaghan was sent to the Isle of the Lost for the crimes he committed: attempted murder, arson, manslaughter and the many other things. When Carlos and Jay were going back to the school and create a phony wand, the disgraced Professor gave the de Vil boy an envelope containing a letter and asked him to give it to his daughter.

FFN I AO3

Chapter 1

With a few words, Carlos was able to persuade the king that he'd go to San Fransokyo alone, but at a compromise: he has to be accompanied by a local of San Fransokyo.

Carlos can't say he blamed the king for the decision. Considering the prejudice they were still getting from the people of Auradon, it was reasonable. That and the common notion that at any time he'll 'go back' to his evil roots, it was the only compromise the King could think that'd make both parties happy.

"Hey Tadashi?" Ben said while on his phone. "Yeah, there's someone who'd like to visit San Fransokyo." He stated his reason. "Yeah, I'd like for you to pick him up by the airport." He nodded. "It's just that he's from the isle." He admitted.

Carlos kinda feared what was the person on the other line was like. Yes he was from the isle, but he was still the very worst at being bad even while still in there. He spent more time cleaning his mother's car than actually plotting schemes to make anyone suffer.

"Really?" Ben's voice pulled him from his thoughts. "I think you're busy with your kids and teaching at SFIT to be able to do that." The King continued. "Tadashi!" He whined. "I guess." He continued. "Actually I was going to ask for Hiro to accompany him." He admitted. "But okay, if you really want to." He smiled. "It was nice talking to you again Tadashi." He nodded. "Bye."

Ben put his phone inside his pocket.

"Who was that?" Carlos asked curiously.

"That was Tadashi, Tadashi Hamada." Ben answered. "He's going to pick you up at San Fransokyo's airport."

"I thought he was dead?" Carlos questioned.

"Presumed dead." Ben corrected. "He was found days after Professor Callaghan was sent to the isle." He explained. "How do you know him anyway?"

"Well." Carlos began as he reached for the envelope inside his bag. "Remember when you were captured by Uma?" He responded. "Well when we were about to 3D print a wand to give to Uma, Professor Callaghan stopped us." He explained. "He wanted me give this letter to his daughter."

"That still doesn't explain how you heard of Tadashi." Ben pointed out.

"Let's just say Professor Callaghan and I were close in the isle." Carlos kept his answer vague. "And he might've told me about his regrets while still in San Fransokyo."

"I see." Ben nodded as he dialed another number. "I'm calling in the embassy and give details for your visit." He stated.

"Tadashi, who was that?" Hiro Hamada, Tadashi's younger brother, asked. "Was that Auradon's king?" He questioned.

"Yeah that was Ben." Tadashi nodded. "He called in a favor." He explained.

The brothers were inside their Aunt's café helping their aunt in cleaning the establishment. Cass's café's customer-ship drastically increased once everyone found out that most kings, queens, princes, princesses, were there. Most people who were there nowadays were hoping to have the one in a million chance at seeing the royals.

Much to Tadashi's relief.

Considering the café's increasing number of clients, Cass needed all the help she can get. She even enlisted her nephews' friends just to cater to the establishment's customers, apart from hiring full time and part time workers.

"Well the king wants me to pick up a kid who wanted to visit San Fransokyo." Tadashi admitted as he sat on a chair and continued their conversation.

"A Villain Kid?" Hiro asked.

"Hiro!" Tadashi called out. "We don't label people based on where they lived." He chided.

"I know, I know." Hiro rolled his eyes. "But everyone has been calling them the 'Villain Kid' moniker, VK for short." He justified himself. "They even refer to themselves as such." He added.

"Even so." Tadashi shook his head. "That deals with a whole other can of worms." He explained. "Technically Ms. Abigail can be considered a VK since her father was Professor Callaghan." He added. "So are Princesses Rapunzel and Cinderella, even if they don't know that." He finished.

It always irked Tadashi on how prejudiced some people were to the kids from the isle. He never really liked what the King of Auradon declared, equating every crime as equal and incarcerating the criminal's family just for being related.

"Well I'm heading upstairs." Tadashi said as he stood. "Need to look presentable for our visitor." He added with a smile.

It was Carlos's first time inside an airplane, and he loved every second of it. He really liked being able to fly without the assistance of something magical like Alladin's carpet or pixie dust.

Carlos was at the airport when a tall man approached him.

"Carlos de Vil right?" The man stated. "I'm Tadashi Hamada." He introduced himself.

"Yeah." Carlos nodded, tense.

Carlos really should've asked either Mal, Jay, Evie or even Ben to accompany him. Sure, he may not be in the Isle of the Lost anymore, but if there's anything he knew for sure, it's that people not from the Isle can be mean, if Family Day back in Auradon was any indication, not to mention Audrey and Chad.

As Carlos tried to collect himself, he noticed that the man, Tadashi as he claimed to be, before him wore: a blazer, a cardigan, a shirt, a pair of jeans and sneakers.

"Don't worry Carlos." Tadashi stated as he offered his hand. "I don't bite." He chuckled.

Carlos could sense that Tadashi was trying relieve him of the tension he was feeling.

"Yeah, if anything he's a mother hen." Another voice stated.

Carlos found the source of the voice, it was another man, a little shorter than Tadashi and wore: a hoodie, shirt, a pair of cargo shorts and sneakers.

"I'm Hiro Hamada." The boy introduced himself. "This nerd's younger brother."

"Hiro! What are you doing here?!" Tadashi questioned. "Weren't you supposed to take care of my shift?" He added. "What about the kids?"

"Tell that to Aunt Cass." Hiro replied. "She doesn't trust anyone from the Isle apparently." He said. "And can you really blame her?" He asked. "Blame us if we feel that way?" He added.

"Hiro." Tadashi sighed. "How many times do I have to tell you guys that everything was an accident?" He explained. "None of it was the Professor's fault." He added. "Besides we're not dealing with him here." He continued.

"By the way, your sons are under Honey's care." Hiro answered his older brother's last question. "

It was then that Carlos recognized the name of the other Hamada, Hiro. It was the same boy who Professor Callaghan claimed to have orphaned for the second time.

"I'm Carlos de Vil." Carlos introduced himself, still tense. "Son of Cruella de Vil." He continued as he shook Tadashi's hand.

"Well then, it's nice to meet you Carlos." Tadashi remarked.

"Yeah, well, forgive us for being uneasy with anyone from the isle." Hiro apologized. "We kinda lost him once and we don't want a repeat of that." He admitted as he offered his hand.

"I-It's okay." Carlos nodded. "I understand." He continued as he shook Hiro's hand.

"Hey there's no need to be nervous around us." Hiro commented. "We won't hurt you." He added. "More likely we can't hurt you, I mean you're from the isle." He grinned.

Tadashi glared at his younger brother and elbowed him.

Really, for all the intelligence his younger brother has, he still can't read the atmosphere. He's so clueless to the situation at hand.

"What?!" Hiro responded. "It's true!"

Tadashi just rolled his eyes at his younger brother and focused his attention to Carlos. At first glance the de Vil was acting like any kid his age, but Tadashi could see some signs of physical abuse from the child, the gloves on his hands were good indicators of hiding some things there. Judging from the way he speaks, there's some hint of emotional abuse going on too.

"So Carlos." Tadashi began. "I heard that you want to go to somewhere specific." He prodded. "Can you tell us where it is?"

"Can you bring me to where Miss Abigail Callaghan lives?" Carlos asked, still as tense as ever. "I have something for her." He added. "From her father. "

Hiro frowned at the mention of Professor Callaghan. His older brother might have forgiven that disgrace of a professor, it doesn't change the fact that the same person left him with emotional scars from the ordeal.

Still it would be totally unfair if he'd judge Carlos for being close to Professor Callaghan, even moreso judging him from his previous place of residence. His comments earlier were meant to take off the boy's restless and guarded attitude, but it only served to push the de Vil's buttons.

"Yeah, we know where she lives." Tadashi nodded. "We can take you there." He smiled.

"If we're travelling there." Hiro trailed off as he unloaded two wheel-less boards. "Might as well do another trial for the 101st prototype." He finished as he handed the green board to his older brother.

"Are we really testing out prototypes while accompanying Carlos?" Tadashi groaned.

"Hey it can't hurt if he's with you." Hiro justified. "Besides, a fresh pair of eyes might help." He explained. "I'm just looking for another angle here." He shrugged.

As the brother's argued, Carlos can't help himself but be curious about the boards that Hiro unloaded. At first glance, they looked like surf boards he had seen on TV while on the isle. Upon closer inspection, there's a small turbine under the board and panels that contained who knows what.

"Are you okay about this Carlos?" Tadashi inquired. "If you aren't, we can just walk." He offered. "And let Hiro test the prototypes on his own."

"It's okay." Carlos nodded, still agitated.

"You know, if you're really not into this, we aren't forcing you." Hiro repeated his brother's words as he knelt in front of the boy. "Like Tadashi said, I could take these things on a test run alone while you'll be accompanied by him to Abigail's place." He reassured.

"No, no." Carlos shook his head. "It's alright, may be a fresh pair of eyes will help." He offered. "If that's alright with you." He finished.

"If you say so." Tadashi obliged.

The three boys went outside of the airport's lobby and unto the streets where Tadashi and Hiro activated their boards.

The boards in question never touched the ground once activated, it's as if the boards were spelled to levitate.

"Is there magic involved in these boards?" Carlos can't help himself but ask.

"No." The brothers answered in unison.

"These bad boys are made with pure Science." Hiro declared.

"Besides, magic was retired." Tadashi shrugged. "It's not outlawed per se, but people like, want a magic-free lifestyle." He explained.

"Not that anything's changed though." Hiro interjected. "We've never needed magic to get by." He added. "Science rules!"

"And he tells me I'm the nerd." Tadashi commented as he chuckled. "While what Hiro said is true, but the fact doesn't change that we were both born when everyone in the world, not just the United States of Auradon, had already agreed to retire magic." He added.

Carlos wanted to prod the brothers more on how these levitating boards were made. As far as he knew, things don't just levitate without the assistance of magic, like Alladin's magic carpet or the pixie dust that assisted people.

Tadashi and Hiro boarded their respective hover boards, the older Hamada even made room for another passenger.

"Just hold unto me okay?" Tadashi offered his hand. "We'll go at a reasonable enough speed." He smiled. "While my brother will go faster than us and all the while perform tricks to test out some kinks." He explained.

Carlos just nodded and got on Tadashi's hover board.

Tadashi and Hiro nodded at each other as the both of them began to move. The younger Hamada sped past them and did tricks as the older man shook his head and moved at a steady pace.

"Carlos, we're speeding up gradually okay?" Tadashi informed.

"Okay." Carlos nodded as his grip on Tadashi's arms tightened.

The whole thing was surreal in Carlos's point of view. He just can't believe that levitation was possible without the use of magic. Sure airplanes and helicopters exist but those vehicles have the necessary propulsion needed to defy the world's gravity.

The Hamada brothers and Carlos traversed through San Fransokyo's high way, on their way towards Abigail Callaghan's place of residence at the moment, Hiro did some tricks, even go as far as to increase his altitude to make things seem death defying and cool.

Hiro was in the middle of another trick when his hover board stopped and he started to descend head first. Before he could go splat on the ground, he immediately flipped right side up and landed on his feet. The board he was riding was also lucky as a foam of hardened pink goo was released and covered the entirety of the board's underside and broke the board's fall.

"This always happens whenever I try to flip the hover board." Hiro groaned as he approached his fallen ride. "I just don't get what the problem is." He added.

As soon as Tadashi saw his younger brother dismount the board while in midair, he was immediately on panic mode.

"I'm going to go fast okay Carlos?" Tadashi warned but didn't wait for his passenger's response and increased the board's speed.

Tadashi and Carlos caught up to Hiro in no time at all. The older Hamada immediately went towards his younger brother, worried of the younger Hamada's safety as Carlos approached the fallen flying vehicle with a curious set of eyes.

"Are you okay Hiro?" Tadashi asked.

"Relax Tadashi." Hiro assured. "I'm fine." He smiled. "I learned how to land on my feet after Mocchi taught me how." He grinned.

Tadashi just glared at his younger brother.

"Oh c'mon Tadashi." Hiro groaned. "Relax will you?" He whined. "Your mother hen is showing." He chuckled as he approached his fallen ride. "I just don't get why we're getting the same results whenever I try flipping the board upside down." He moaned. "It's like the 6th time we changed the engines and the board's panels and it's still the same."

"Can any of you open the board?" Carlos spoke up. "If my hunch is right, there's should be something wrong with the assembly."

"Hey!" Hiro replied indignantly. "I assembled these things."

Tadashi just rolled his eyes and gave Carlos two screwdrivers.

Carlos immediately went to work and opened the board with the tools given to him. As soon as he opened the board, he immediately noticed that there's a smell of burnt chemicals from the solar powered engine.

"Is there supposed to be a coolant for the engine?" Carlos asked.

"Yeah." Tadashi replied. "In order to have the necessary propulsion to lift humans, we went ahead and used engines modeled after helicopters." He explained. "Due to the increased amount of revolutions per minute, and the closed compartments, the engine overheats quickly." He added. "To fix this problem we added a coolant compartment."

"Can you point me where the coolant compartment is?" Carlos asked. "I think I know what the problem is." He added.

Tadashi nodded and pointed at small rectangle inside the board. "That's the coolant compartment." He informed. "As you can see it's connected to the engine."

"And there lies the problem." Carlos pointed out. "Your engines are overheating because your coolant was leaking." He explained as he carefully removed one of the tubes leading towards the engine.

"What do you mean?" Hiro questioned. "I made sure to follow procedures in assembling the hover boards."

"Electrically, yes." Carlos nodded. "But you forgot to add tube sealant." He explained. "It's to prevent any liquid from leaking from the tube and go to its intended destination."

"Da-"

"Hiro." Tadashi glared.

"Oh c'mon Tadashi!" Hiro whined. "I'm 19! I should be able to cuss."

"That's not the point." Tadashi chided. "Besides we have a 12 year old with us."

"15 actually." Carlos corrected.

Tadashi ignored the correction and continued to look at his brother in chiding manner.

"Fine." Hiro relented. "That's still doesn't explain why it'll completely stop once it's upside down." He pointed out.

"Well the lack of sealant isn't exclusive to the tubes." Carlos reasoned.

"I see." Hiro nodded.

"Okay, we might need to collect everything now." Tadashi voiced out. "People are already staring." He added. "Some are even glaring at Carlos." He finished.

Indeed Tadashi, Hiro and Carlos were surrounded by curious onlookers who witnessed Hiro's accident and some of them were now blaming Carlos all because he was from the Isle of the Lost and the son of Cruella de Vil. Apparently everyone knew of the Isle kids that were sent to Auradon via Ben's decree, if the glares and murmurs were to go by.

"Nothing to see here people." Tadashi announced. "It's just another Hamada invention prototype testing." He announced.

Hiro immediately collected his hover board and cleaned the hardened goo that was on the ground. The goo wasn't that hard to clean up, a little fire and it disintegrated. Tadashi on the other hand put his hover board inside another bag and carried it.

"Done." Hiro announced. "Let's go."

"We're here!" Tadashi declared as they stood outside a door. "This is where Abigail lives for the moment." He explained.

The trio of boys stood outside an apartment complex in the middle of San Fransokyo.

"Why is she living here?" Carlos asked. "Didn't she already have a house to herself?"

"When Professor Callaghan resisted to be taken to the isle, he took his own daughter hostage." Hiro answered. "It was then that their house was partially destroyed." He added. "So until repairs are finished, she's living here."

"That can't be right." Tadashi frowned. "Professor Callaghan loved his daughter so much." He explained. "I've said this before and I'll say it again." He continued. "That's just so wrong in so many levels."

"I know." Hiro nodded. "He even went as far as attempting to kill Krei because he thought the businessman killed her." He added. "It confused all of us." He continued. "Authorities chalked it up to mental deterioration and closed the case."

"I feel like there's something missing." Tadashi stated.

"I thought so too." Hiro nodded. "But enough about that." He changed his attention to Carlos. "Aren't you going to knock?" He asked.

Carlos was listening

"R-right." Carlos nodded and went up the steps and knocked on the door.

"Coming" A voice coming from inside the house responded.

Not a moment later, an elderly woman opened the door form the inside.

"Tadashi!" The old woman exclaimed. "I haven't seen in you in forever!" She stated as she hugged the older boy. "I knew those alternative news were wrong when they stated that you were dead." She added as she tightened her hug.

"Good to see you too Mrs. Matsuda." Tadashi wheezed out.

"Umm…" Hiro started. "I'd like for my brother to breathe again Mrs. Matsuda."

"Little Hiro!" Mrs. Matsuda exclaimed. "Look how much you've grown." She added as she removed herself from the older Hamada and latched herself unto the younger one.

Mrs. Matsuda was known not to act and dress her age, so it's no wonder both Hamadas aren't as disturbed as Carlos was. Speaking of Mrs. Matsuda's clothes, she's wearing a spaghetti shirt with only a pink scarf covering her shoulders and back, a tutu skirt over her skin tight pants.

Before the tight hug could last longer, Mrs. Matsuda noticed another boy with the group. She released Hiro from her hug and approached Carlos.

"Oh who's the cutie?" The old woman questioned.

Carlos actually took a step backwards, with a fearful look on his face.

Tadashi and Hiro shared a look before completely interrupting Mrs. Matsuda from advancing again. They definitely noticed the fear in the de Vil's eyes.

"We're actually here for Abigail." Tadashi interrupted and stepped in front of Carlos. "King Ben actually sent him here." He explained. "We're just tasked to escort him." He smiled.

"Still the same good boy as when you were a child." Mrs. Matsuda commented. "Why don't I accompany you three to her room." She said as she motioned for the three boys to enter the house.

"No need to trouble yourself Mrs. Matsuda." A voice inside the house joined in. "I'll take care of them." She added.

"Abby!" Mrs. Matsuda exclaimed.

"Hello Tadashi, Hiro." Abigail greeted as she appeared by the old woman's side. "I'm assuming you're here for Baymax?"

"Actually no." Tadashi smiled. "My friend here wants to give you something." He continued as he nudged Carlos forward.

Tadashi felt his phone vibrate from inside his pocket, he quietly excused himself to the foursome and answered the call.

"I-I'm Carlos de Vil. "Carlos introduced himself as he made a gulping sound. "Y-your father wanted me to give you this." He continued as he handed Abigail the letter Professor Callaghan gave to him.

Carlos promptly turned around and began walking in the direction of the airport.

"Wait." Abigail started as Carlos stopped walking. "Why don't you stay for a while?" She asked as he turned around. "At least until I finish reading the letter." She explained.

"I really just came to San Fransokyo to give you that letter." Carlos explained. "Nothing else."

"I agree with Abby." Tadashi inserted himself into the conversation. "Why don't you stay here for a little while longer?" He suggested. "At least until Abby's finished reading the letter from her father." He offered.

Carlos really didn't want to stay in San Fransokyo for much longer. He really didn't want to be separated with the others any longer. He may have transitioned well to living outside of the isle does not mean his paranoia about being attacked any time of the day was lessened.

"I really can't stay."

Carlos walked down the steps and walked in the direction of the airport, when he pricked his finger on the side-walk garden.

"Ow."

Carlos held his pricked finger to his face and assessed his wound when a whirring sound caught his attention.

Suddenly a red suitcase-like thing made itself out and approached him down the steps before it opened and inflated a large white balloon inside.

"Hello." The white balloon began." I am Baymax. Your personal healthcare companion." The robot introduced himself as he waved at Carlos. "I was alerted to the need of medical attention when you said, ow."

"Hello?" Carlos questioned.

"On a scale of one through ten, how would you rate your pain?" Baymax asked as his chest lit up and showed ten different kinds of expressions of pain.

"A two, maybe three." Carlos answered.

"I will scan you now." Baymax stated.

"Not really needed." Carlos tried to stop the robot from scanning him

Baymax just looked at Carlos from top to bottom.

"You have a lot of laceration scars on your torso." Baymax began to enumerate his observations. "Some are wounds from years before." He continued as a diagram on his chest appeared. "Minor bruising on the shoulder blades and a pricked finger."

Everyone was horrified at the result of Baymax's scan. How have this boy survive those wounds? Somehow the guarded and tense attitude made sense and their hearts go out to the de Vil boy.

"Why don't we continue the treatment inside?" Tadashi called out.

"I agree." The robot monotonously agreed. "Treatment of wounds outside in the open will risk the wounds getting more infected.

"I really should be going." Carlos insisted.

"I strongly disagree in continuing such endeavor." Baymax interjected. "Further ignorance of infected wounds would lead to a diminished lifespan." He explained.

"I suggest you heed Baymax's suggestion." Hiro spoke up. "Trust me, he's going to bug you and follow you wherever, and I mean wherever, you go." He explained. "He has the ability to fly and follow you back to Auradon and bug you."

"Of course you'd know about that." Tadashi snarked. "I mean you're the one who installed rocket boosters on a robotic nurse."

"Fine." Carlos reluctantly relented.

Abigail and Mrs. Matsuda ushered everyone in, with Carlos being the first one to go inside the house, followed by Baymax then Hiro. The last one to enter was Tadashi as he carried Baymax's charging port.

"I'll take care of them Mrs. Matsuda." Abigail smiled at the older woman as she led everyone to her room. "Make yourselves at home." She offered. "I'll go help Mrs. Matsuda with snacks." She explained as she left her room, leaving Carlos with Baymax and the Hamada brothers.

"I highly suggest you remove your clothing." Baymax started then raised his right index finger. "So that we may begin your treatment." He added.

Carlos was even more reluctant to remove his clothes. It's not that he's shy of his body, but rather he really doesn't want to see the lasting reminder of the things his mother did to him.

Tadashi and Hiro remained silent as they watched their robot go on with his program to treat people.

"I am detecting an increase in your cortisol and adrenaline levels." Baymax said. "This indicates that you are stressed and afraid." He continued.

The robotic nurse began to waddle forward and approached the de Vil boy. Baymax then bent his body forward and wrapped his arms around Carlos and hugged him.

"There, there." Baymax offered comforting words then patted Carlos's head. "Everything will be okay."

Carlos was at a loss for words at the turn of events. He was just supposed to give Abigail a letter from her father then get back to Auradon. Now, he was hugged by marshmallow-like but huggable robot and his wounds were being treated by someone who he didn't even know.

By someone who was good for the sake of being good.

"Are you comfortable being treated shirtless with us watching?" Hiro asked.

"We can wait outside until the treatment is done." Tadashi offered.

"No its okay." Carlos said. "There's no point in hiding it, since you already know." He sighed. "Just know that it wasn't Professor Callaghan who caused them."

Carlos didn't know why he had said that. He didn't know why he had felt the need to defend Professor Callaghan and said a disclaimer right from the get go.

Carlos began taking off his top, starting from his leather jacket then his shirt.

The sight that greeted the brothers was nothing sort of cruel. Scars practically decorated the de Vil's back. Scratch marks, burn marks, whip marks; they were all found on the boy's torso. What kind of a prison island does this to kids?

No, what kind of mother Cruella was to ignore all the wounds her son had acquired.

The robot began the necessary medical procedures to help Carlos with his wounds and scars. The boy hissed from the sting of the treatment but nothing too bad.

"You were a good boy." Baymax interrupted. "How about a lollipop." He offered as a lollipop appeared on his hand.

"Great! Thanks!" Carlos thanked the robot.

"I cannot deactivate until you say you are satisfied with your care." Baymax informed.

"Well then." Carlos smiled as he opened his lollipop. "I am satisfied with my care."

The white robotic nurse nodded and blinked before he waddled to his charging station, deflated and deactivated himself.

"So that was Baymax." Carlos commented as he put his shirt back on and slung his jacket over his shoulder. "Professor Callaghan said he's a masterpiece." He continued.

"So you've heard of Baymax?" Tadashi asked. "What else did Professor Callaghan say?"

"Never mind that." Hiro interrupted. "How do you know him?!" He exclaimed.

"Don't mind my brother." Tadashi interrupted. "So tell me, what else has Professor Callaghan told you?" He asked, curious.

"Well." Carlos began." First he regrets everything that happened." He continued. "No one in the isle really knows that you're alive." He admitted. "And that has been eating his conscience away." He added. "Then he'd gush over how much of a better student you were and the limitless potential you'd unleash on the world." He relayed. "He mentioned that you'd probably help a lot of people by the time you graduated at SFIT."

"Well thanks to him." Hiro scowled. "That prediction almost didn't came true." He spat bitterly.

"Hiro." Tadashi chided. "The man was grieving for the apparent loss of his daughter." He explained.

"Yeah, yeah. I know" Hiro relaxed. "And a parent, a good parent, would be livid if the accident that killed their child was prevented if they followed the protocol." He finished his brother's statement.

"I'm glad you understand." Tadashi smiled. "So Carlos, what else did Professor Callaghan say?"

"Nothing much really." Carlos admitted. "After his daughter, your name was what I often hear." He continued. "And by then he's been teaching me everything I know about technology." He finished.

"You couldn't have gotten a better teacher than Professor Callaghan." Tadashi and Hiro nodded.

"Well he first taught me how to read and write." Carlos admitted. "School really isn't mandatory in the isle and my mother couldn't bother herself to teach me." He shrugged.

The Hamada brothers looked at each other at the boy's subtle, yet concerning, reveal.

"I take it that you and my father were close?" Abigail asked as she went inside her room and put down a tray of tea and snacks. "Dig in." She prompted everyone to take her snacks.

Tadashi and Hiro immediately heeded Abigail's prompt while Carlos specifically took chocolates, with some minor reluctance on his part.

"I'd like to think so." Carlos admitted. "He was the only person who was nice to me." He continued. "And doesn't really abide with the isle's rules of being bad is good and being wicked is better." He added. "He does still teach schemes as its part of the curriculum of both Serpent prep and Dragon Hall." He supplied. "Along with Professor Yen Sid, Professor Callaghan is the only other teacher teaching about technology."

"Enough about my father." Abigail started. "Why don't you tell us about yourself Carlos?" She asked.

"I'll start." Tadashi volunteered. "I am Tadashi Hamada, a graduate of San Fransokyo Institute of Technology." He introduced himself. "A father of two very cute boys and am currently working with Krei to mass produce Baymax." He added. "Also a part time teacher at SFIT."

"Hiro Hamada, boy genius." Hiro followed suit. "College boy at age 14, High School graduate at 13." He bragged. "I am graduating this year in Robotics." He continued. "Once I graduate, we're going to build the Hamada Industries."

"And I am Abigail Callaghan, Professor Robert Callaghan's daughter." Abigail started her introduction. "The first person to test the teleportation device without magic being involved." She continued. "Graduated in applied physics and currently working for Krei Industries."

Carlos processed the information that was given to him, so far all of them checked on the things that Professor Callaghan has told him, apart from Tadashi's story, as the disgraced professor was still convinced that he was dead.

"I-I'm Carlos de Vil." Carlos began. "Son of Cruella de Vil." He added as an afterthought. "One of the first four Villain Kids who were given a chance by King Ben of Auradon to live outside the barrier that keeps the villains in the Isle of the Lost." He continued. "Currently affiliated with Auradon Prep's Swords and Shields and Tourney teams." He finished.

"What about technology Carlos?" Abigail asked.

"I guess, technology has been my comfort zone." Carlos admitted. "I always hid behind my experiments whenever my mother would be in one of her episodes."

The Hamada brothers and Abigail looked at each other at the reveal. The implications that the boy's scars came from Cruella was very concerning. They can't help but admire the boy's strength.

"So what have you been working on?" Tadashi asked.

Carlos didn't know how, but he's starting to get comfortable with the people around him. Its certainly faster than how he adjusted at the school. He can kinda see his cousin, Diego, in Hiro and Tadashi, both protective of each other without being overbearing.

"The last thing I worked on was a black box that can locate magic." Carlos shared. "Though my intention was just to get more channels and radio stations aside from what we see on the isle." He added. "Instead it punched a hole on the barrier and can locate magical artifacts that are activated."

The three other people in the room looked at each other. They realized that it was a good thing that Carlos was off the isle, surely somewhere in the future, people will know of Carlos's feats and the world will have anarchy in its hands.

"Say Carlos, how about I give you something special." Tadashi smiled as he approached the young boy and gave him a poster. "That's the annual SFIT tech showcase, make something that would blow me awa-"

"Tadashi!" Hiro called out. "Phrasing!"

"Fine!" Tadashi chuckled. "As I was saying, make something mind numbingly good and an instant access to SFIT is all yours." He added. "Regardless of where you took your basic education from."

"What do you say?" Hiro asked.

Carlos looked at the flyer that was just given to him. He was still an eleventh grader at Auradon Prep, and even then, he was still advanced than his friends, because he was supposed to be a ninth grader. Frankly there were different pros and cons should he accept the offer, one of the cons being separated from Evie and the others.

"Can I think this through?" Carlos asked.

"Sure!" Tadashi smiled. "Take all the time you need."

"Now that's done." Hiro began. "Abby, why don't you read the letter your father sent you?" He prompted.

"Hiro!" Tadashi chided. "That's supposed to be behind closed doors."

"But, she said that until she reads the letter Carlos won't be able to go home." Hiro pointed out.

"I did say that." Abigail nodded. "Give me a sec."

Abigail opened the letter.

Carlos vaguely knew what the letter was about. He knew what the Professor's regrets were and one of them was acting like a lunatic and hurt his daughter. Hiro and Tadashi's points earlier were valid as the good professor truly loved his daughter more than ever. He even admitted that he'd do everything again, including killing Tadashi, if he got his daughter back.

Why couldn't he have a parent like that? Why couldn't Cruella act like Professor Callaghan?

"Dear Abby." Abigail read out loud. "I'll always love you my little sweetheart. I've always regretted taking you hostage and acted like lost my mind." She continued. "It was the only viable option I have considering how the entire de Vil line was incarcerated for being related to Cruella de Vil, from her brother to her niece."

Everyone looked at Carlos for confirmation, to which he nodded.

"Just know that I haven't lost my mind and I'll always love you." Abigail continued reading. "And I'll do everything for you. From you loving father."

Tears were now streaming from Abigail's eyes as the truth had finally come to light. People were always telling her that she was in denial and that her father had lost his mind back when he had made a building explode.

"PS Send Hiro my apologies." Abigail swallowed and continued to read. "I can't promise that I won't do everything again if the end result was getting you back."

"Tha-"

Tadashi hugged his brother and immediately calmed him down. He knew his younger brother would be greatly affected from the last bit.

"Don't worry, its okay." Tadashi whispered. "I'm here, I'm here." He continued as he rubbed his brother's back.

"Tadashi dear." Mrs. Matsuda said as she went inside the room. "Why don't you go back to the café?" She suggested. "I think Hiro and Abby need some time alone." She explained as she engulfed Abigail in her arms and gave the younger female comforting pats.

Tadashi just nodded and followed Mrs. Matsuda's suggestion. He left Baymax in Abigail's room and motioned for Carlos to follow him.

Carlos has just arrived at the entrance of Auradon prep, where he greeted by Ben.

"How was San Fransokyo?" Came Ben's greeting. "I hope you enjoyed your stay."

"Nice to see you too Ben." Carlos chuckled. "But yeah, San Fransokyo is quite nice." He agreed. "Did you know that because of your visit on a certain café people have been going there hoping against all odds to see you?" He shared

"Wait the Lucky Cat Café's customers are there solely because they want to see me?" Ben questioned. "Now I feel bad." He lamented. "Their food was super tasty too."

"Don't feel bad." Carlos comforted. "Once they tasted Aunt Cass's goods, they've been repeat customers." He informed. "She sends her regards."

"You call her Aunt Cass?" Ben questioned. "I hope she hasn't forgotten my offer." He sighed in a hopeful tone. "Anyway, did you do what you intended to do there?"

"Yeah." Carlos nodded. "Speaking of them, they offered me something."

Carlos retrieved a piece of paper from his pocket and showed it to Ben. It was the annual SFIT showcase that Tadashi gave to him.

"Carlos this is amazing!" Ben exclaimed. "Are you going?"

"I don't know." Carlos admitted. "I'm still weighing the pros and cons." He explained.

"When you do, tell me." Ben put his arms over Carlos's shoulders. "I'll support you all the way."

"Thanks man." Carlos said. "That means a lot." He smiled.

"Carlos!" Mal shouted. "Where have you been?!" She questioned. "We've been looking everywhere for you!" She exclaimed.

"Hey Mal!" Ben exclaimed as Jay and Evie came into view.

And so Carlos, along with his fellow kids from the isle talked about how he had ended up in San Fransokyo and tell his friends that levitation is now possible without the use of Magic.

"Bullshit!" Mal exclaimed in disbelief.

About the cool people he met in the city of San Fransokyo and everything.

#carlos de vil #tadashi hamada #hiro hamada #big hero 6 #descendants 2 #disney descendants #abigail callaghan #mrs matsuda #story

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nightwingswing · 7 years

Text

The family’s girl (Batfam x reader) Part4

Here it is, Part 4 of the family’s girl. @hamsterforlive and @miissu, i read your coments while writting the part 4, i thought I’m going to surprise them! ;)

We’re 109+ little wing! OMG I never thought so many people would enjoy my writiing! I thank you soo much!

So now, ENJOY, MY LITTLE WINGS!

Part1 Part2 Part3 Part4 (you are here!) Part5 Part6 [Interlude] Part7 Part8 Part9 Part10

“Hi..”

“…”

You felt your blood flood your cheeks as mister’s Wayne piercing glance looked at you.

“Hello. You must be Miss (l/n), Tim talks a lot about you.” Mr Waynes hand grabbed you and pulled you up. Tim, who was about to help you up, stopped dead in his tracks as his cheeks reddened.

Damn, why couldn’t his family stop saying he only talked about you.

But you did, Timmy.

I know. But I don’t want them knowing it.

Too late.

“Come, miss (L/N), Alfred has our dinner already served.” Bruce grabbed your hand and leaded you toward the dining room where Alfred was serving dinner.

You sat between Damian and Tim, with Dick and Jason in front of you.

“I hope you enjoy my (f/f). Master Tim said it was your favorite.” Tim hited his head against the table as you looked at him surprised, his family with an amusing smile and Bruce… Bruce just sipped his wine like it was normal.

“So, (y/n). Where are you staying?” Steph asked you and before you could respond Dick answered for you.

“She lives in front of me! We’re neighbors!! “ He said with a silly smile.

“Yes, I meet Dick when he helped me moving in.” You smiled.

“Ohh sooo chivalrous Dickiebird” Jason mocked.

“Stop it Jason.” Dick said.

“Ow! Grayson, why do you hit me with your foot! Do you wish to start a war?” Damian said.

“Sorry, Dami. I was trying to hit Jay.”

“Sooo mature, Dickiebirdd” Jason mocked once more.

“THAT’S IT!” Dick said.

“OW! GRAYSON. YOU STARTED IT” Damian said before hitting Dick with his food.

“DAMIAN!”

“HAHAHAHAHAHAHA” Jason laughed until Dick shoved his face in his food.

“FOOD WAR!” Shouted Steph.

Everyone except Tim, whose face was red of hitting it with the table surface, You who was looking at them weirdly but amused and Bruce who was just chilling there, sipping his wine. He suddenly asked you

“I hope their incessant questioning isn’t overwhelming you.”

“Oh no, I-“

“She’s overwhelmed, you are underwhelmed. Why isn't anyone just welmed?” Dick asked before being tackled by Damian and his battle cry, spoon in hand.

“Please (y/n). Don’t let this change your opinion of me! I’m sorry! Pls don’t stop talking to mee” Tim said giving you the cutest puppy dog eyes ever. Even when Damian splattered his plate of (f/f) on his face, he didn’t tear his eyes from you.

“Don’t worry, Tim. I won’t stop talking to you and this is rather amusing if I say so myself.” You grabber your handkerchief and wiped Tim’s face clean. Now his face was red for another other reason.

He smiled at you dazzling. His brother, who were a little jealous of you ignoring them for Tim, grabbed his food and splattered Tim and you.

Tim’s eyes became murderous.

“THAT’S IT! YOU CAN HIT ME, BUT YOU CANT HIT MY LOVE-I MEAN MY BEST FRIEND” Tim tackled Dick, who was in front of you and soon Jason and Damian became involved somehow.

Meanwhile Cass was eating peacefully, Luke and Babs facepalmed and Steph recorded it.

“Send me the video, please.” You whispered in Steph’s ear. “It makes good blackmail” You smirked at Steph’s surprised face that soon turned in a smirk.

“I knew I liked you for a reason.”

This continued for a while, with Alfred trying to stop the batboys but the fight didn’t stop until a tiny little piece of (f/f) smudged in Bruce’s face.

Then all became quiet.

Spooky quiet.

“…” Bruce hand wiped his face as he bat glared at his children, who looked at scared as f*ck.

“I’m sorry, miss (l/n). My sons can be rather…childish. I hope you excuse their behavior.” Bruce looked at you seriously and you swallowed.

“You can call me (y/n), mister Wayne.” You smiled awkwardly.

“If you wish.” The boy returned towards their seats as Bruce started eating his food.

The dinner went quietly since then. No one dared to do something else no wanting the Batman’s anger unleashed.

////*\\\\\

Tim and you were sitting in the couch, talking animatedly.

“Oh my god, (y/n). Bruce likes you! You are the first girl I’m friend with that he likes!”

“Really? He looked at me rather…angry”

“Nah, don’t worry, babe. He always looks like that.” Jason said as he sat next to you.

“Your cute…” You whispered.

“Thanks doll” Jason smirked.

“…Did I said that out loud?” You blushed. Tim glared at Jason, looking at his longer hair and clothes.

Would you like him better with shorter hair, dyed white and with leather?

“Am I cute too, (y/n)?” Dick bounced happily, searching for your attention.

“You are not, Grayson. You are more like an unavoidable annoyance.”

“Ow Dami…” Dick frowned sadly.

“You are cute too, Dick…” You said to make Dick stop pouting.

His face lightened, cheeks reddened.

“Hmph” Damian humphed.

“I think you are cute too, Damian. “ You smiled at him, your hand brushing his short hair. He slapped your hand away, blushing.

“I’m not a child! Don’t call me cute.”

You laughed at his tsundereness.

“Do you think I’m cute too, (n/n)???” Steph said tackling you on the couch.

“I’m sorry for her behavior.” Cass said, grabbing Steph away from you and sitting herself next to you.

“I like your case” She said, pointing at your (f/t) mobile case.

“Thanks! I like your dress!” You smiled at her as Babs approached you.

Babs and you started talking about what you were studying, the bests methods to study and on, boring all the bad boys except Tim, who sometimes interfered in the conversation.

“Oh, talk about something else! Not school. School is for weekday. Not weekend!” Dick said childish. Babs smirked and said nonchalantly.

“Did you know, Dick here had a crush on me when he was young? He did the weirdest things for getting my attention”

“Really? Tell me more” You said as you saw upcoming blackmail material. Jason became interested all of sudden in embarrass his older brother. Dick face exploded in a blush so violent, it seemed he was going to die.

“BABS!!! NOOOO STOOOPP, DON’T SHOW HER THE PHOTOS! NOT THE PHOTOOOOS!!!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO”

///////*\\\\\\\\\\

“I had the best time of my life!”

“Really? You don’t think my family is weird?” Tim asked.

“No, they’re….extravagant but not weird!”

Tim’s face relaxed.

“Besides I love them! I’m going out with Steph and Cass on Saturday, then I’m meeting Babs at her house, she is going to teach me a thing of two for my (least favorite class)! Then on Sunday, Damian is going to show me his art-“

“But he never let’s anyone near it! Not ever his father!” Tim said.

“Dunno, he said he show me and his pets. He say he’s got a lot!”

“…”

“Then Jason and I are going to meet for dinner on Friday!”

“oh alrigh-WAIT JASON ASKED YOU OUT? AND YOU SAID YES????????”

“Tim, are you alright?! You look like you are about to faint!”

“NO I’M NOT. JASON? JASON ASKED YOU? IT’S THE LEATHER RIGHT!? DAMN, STUPID SUIT!” Tim said, fighting his vest.

“Tim, relax. It’s not a date. We’re meeting because we got a lot in common. Also, don’t kill your suit, it’s not alive. And you look dazzling in it.”

“I do?” His face came closer to yours.

“You do” Your lips were about to touch, finally when.

“(Y/N) I’M GOING HOME! DO YOU WANT TO COME WITH ME??”” Dick’s face got in between you two.

You blushed.

Tim thought about 1000000 ways of killing his obtrusive big brother.

“I’m going to take her home” Tim said with a smile as scary as the Joker’s.

“But Tim, If she can come with me why bother Alfred, because, you know, you don’t have a driving license.” Dick smirked.

“But I do! And I got my baby right there and I have a spare helmet for you,(y/n).!”

“…” You didn’t know what to do. “ I don’t want to bother Alfred more, he’s got a lot to clean for your little fight earlier…”

Yes Dick thought in his head, highfiving himself

NOOO Tim said in his head, He’s going to woo her.

“Okay. Sorry Tim, do you want, maybe, meet me tomorrow to have lunch with me?” You said, scratching your head awkwardly. Tim’s whole demeanor changed. Eyes sparkling, smiling lovingly.

“There’s nothing else in the world I want to do more…” Tim said.

“Okay! See you tomorrow!” You kissed his cheek and bounced towards Dick who pouted in jealousy.

But now was his chance!

Haha

You’re so smart, Dick! He praised himself in his head

You bid everyone goodbye and before going Bruce stopped you.

“Wait, (y/n).” You stopped dead on your tracks.

“Yes, Mr. Wayne?”

“Call me Bruce.” He winked. And you know now why everyone calls him a playboy. You smiled, cheeks flushing.

“Bye, Bruce” You waved.

“See you for the charity ball next Sunday. Bring a date.”

“Wait what?”

But before you could say anything more Dick had already snatched you away.

/////*\\\\\

You were hugging Dick’s waist for dead life as he speed his bike like he was racing someone.

But really

He just did that so you would hug him like your life depended of it.

“CAN’T WE GO SLOWER?” you shouted.

“NO” said Dick, speeding more.

“AHHH, I’M GOING TO FALL!!” You hugged Dick tightly, your helmet on Dick’s shoulder. Dick’s smirking face was covered by his own helmet.

Dick: 1 Damian: 0 Jason: 0 Tim: 0

😏

///*\\\

“ YOU ARE AN IDIOT, DICK GRAYSON!” You hit him in the head. He smiles at you, but soon his arm grabs you shoulder and leads you to your home.

The ride in the elevator was tense, as Dick planned his next move.

Once the two of you were in front of your home, Dick backed you against your door.

“Dick, what are you doing-“

“Shhh.”

Dick face approached you.

His chapped lips nearing your soft ones.

Breaths mingling.

Until-

To be continued…

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redrobin-detective · 7 years

Text

Business as Usual

Ok! So I did a little thing based off @timdrakeothy's AU (that I've been calling the Reverse Batman AU) where Bruce is included in the AU and is a smol bb dealing with all these crazy vigilantes. Also tagging @audreycritter for her brilliant contributions to the AU and me borrowing her idea of Jason's origin (which I'll find after posting and link here). Anyway, tiny Bruce trying to boss around ""his"" team is very entertaining for me.

“You’ve probably wondered why I’ve gathered you all here today,” 12 year old Bruce Wayne announces in that resolute, self-assured way that only a child can be. The team of tired vigilantes exchanged amused glances before going back to patching each other up after a rough patrol. They didn’t mean to end up in the boy billionaire’s orbit but one by one, they’d been drawn in first by Damian’s one man war against crime and stayed because of Bruce’s stubborn resolve to save the world. He financed all of their equipment and Batal had been using the cave system beneath Wayne Manor as his base of operations for the past five years since he’d left the League of Assassins and become Bruce’s “bodyguard”. If the kid wanted to think he was in charge, no one was going to stop him. Besides, it was pretty cute.

“Yeah Boss, we have been wondering.” Jason responded sarcastically but the fondness in his tone was evident. He hadn’t expected to be unofficially taken in by a rich kid he’d been trying to rob nor become a partner to the legendary Batal but he was happy here with these crazy nutjobs. Bruce either didn’t notice or ignored Jay’s flippant tone for he pulled himself up onto one of the operating tables so that he could look each of his team in the eye. Those tables were supposed to be for emergency surgery but they mostly ended up being high chairs for their fearless leader.

“With Alfred visiting family in England for the week, it’s up to me to maintain order around here. And I’m worried about how this team is being run. Your hearts are all in the right place but I’m afraid there are some things I can’t let continue.” Bruce says with all the seriousness of a reluctant businessman about to fire someone. Damian most certainly does not look amused as he crosses his arms and stares down at the boy he saved almost five years before.

“And that would be?” He asks as Brown leans around his muscular arm to beam down at Bruce, probably because she deems his pout to be another ‘Kodak moment’ as she puts it.

“Dick,” Bruce begins causing the 14 year old, who was in the middle of end of night stretches, to freeze. “I saw on the cameras you were on your own for exactly 39 minutes tonight and it was almost an hour last week. You’re just starting out; you can’t be without back-up out there. If you can’t follow these instructions, I’m going to have to bench you.”

“Come on B,” Dick moans, “I’m trained enough; I can do things on my own for five minutes without Batal breathing down my neck.” Damian sniffed, turning his attention onto his latest partner.

“He’s right, you’re still young and you still need constant supervision out there. If you’re not with me or someone else at all times, you’re not out at all.” Dami said sternly while Dick just deflated, there was no arguing with Batal Almafquda when he was like this. “Good observation Bruce, please continue.”

“Barbara Gordon is still running around as Batgirl,” Bruce continues pulling out a small notepad and observing his notes. “She’s getting better at learning to avoid your patrol routes but I want to put a stop to her activities before she gets hurt. We can’t encourage her behavior, no matter how cute Dick thinks she is.” Dick sputters in the background but Bruce continues on unperturbed, turning to Jason.

“I’m concerned you’re not taking this seriously Jason,” Jay rolls his eyes as the focus turns to him.

“I’ve been doing this for almost 3 years and I’m 18 so you can’t boss me around kiddo.” He says with a flippant shrug, “I don’t even live here anymore so you can’t hold that over me like ya used to.”

“No but I was here when the Joker kidnapped and tortured you for nearly a week because you hadn’t listened to our warnings about how dangerous he was.” Bruce said with too dark eyes while Jason’s face became blank at the mentioned of his abuse. “I’ve lost enough family and I don’t want to lose any more.” This of course brought all eyes over to Tim, who was glaring at the floor with a stern expression and his fists clenched in stress.

“And what did I do Bruce?” He rasps out, trying to get the visions of the sword going through his heart during what should have been a normal patrol out of his head. He recalls the sharp acidic sting of the Pit when Ra’s brought him back to use against Batal. He thinks of his short, terrible tenure at the League of assassin before Damian finally was able to reach through Ra’s brainwashing and allow him to escape. He thinks of his once steel grey-blue eyes that have become stained green, a permanent sign of his failure as a hero. “What other ways did I screw up?”

“You did not eat the fruit roll-up I put in your utility belt,” Bruce replies seriously and the absurdity of the sentence snaps Tim out of his painful reverie. “You haven’t been eating well enough lately; you’ve been working too hard. I told you to eat more fruits and vegetables but you wouldn’t eat the potato chips I gave you and I found the uneaten fruit roll-up still in your belt.” Bruce paused to wag his finger, “this is your last warning Tim or else I’ll make you stay home and let Alfred feed you.” Tim feels a weak laughter bubbling up in his chest not just at Bruce’s naïve earnestness on what counts as a healthy diet but the nonjudgmental care in the younger boy’s eyes.

“Yeah Tim,” Stephanie teases from beside Damian, “eat your fruit roll-up or you’re off the team.”

“Stephanie you need to put more effort into your schoolwork, your English grade dropped to a B- this last quarter.” Bruce adds with a disappointed raise of his eyebrow that is entirely inappropriate on a child who still has babyfat in his cheeks.

“I do plenty of studying! My teacher is a shrew and out to get me and why the heck are you looking at my grades you little gremlin?” Stephanie complained, putting her hands on her hips.

“I do it because I care Stephanie and I want you to get a good education so you can get a nice, well-paying job. So bring your grades up or you and Tim will be studying and eating fruit roll-ups together.” Stephanie grumbles while Tim sticks his tongue out at the girl, his earlier melancholy gone in the face of a chance to make fun of one of his best friends.

“Cassie, you’re doing great as always,” Bruce says with a smile and a nod while Cass smiles back with that special smile she saves only for Bruce. “And lastly, Damian.”

“Yes?” The Arabic man asks, staring down at his employer in name but his child in every way else.

“You’re approaching the 60 hours without sleep which you know results in confusion, lack of concentration as well tremors and slowed reaction times. Alfred usually can get you to see reason but since he’s not here I’m forced to take drastic measures.” Bruce said seriously, letting his words sink in before he held out his arms to be held. “It’s nearly 3am, much later than Alfred lets me stay up. I was placed in your care during his absence so unless you want to deal with his anger, you’d better put me to bed. And I can tell you that I won’t go easily unless you go with me and ensure I sleep the whole night by staying with me.”

Damian stares down in incredulity at the child before him. Was he being guilted and blackmailed into sleeping? But then he notices Bruce’s pale face and dark circles under his eyes and he remembers that the boy hasn’t slept much since Alfred’s been away. Distance from the butler always made his nightmares that much more potent. This tactic was probably to help him sleep as well as Damian; the older man sighed and rubbed at his eyes. He had a good bit of work still left to do but he was feeling tired and he couldn’t just leave Bruce alone with his demons, threats or no threats.

“Drake, Brown, go over the files we took from Cobblepot’s computers tonight and see if anything sticks out. Cain, please get me that report on Zsasz’s underground fighting ring and then we’ll move in on that. Todd, you’re still on the Falcone murders get me that research but also finish your schoolwork, you’ve got class tomorrow. Dick and Bruce are going to bed.” Damian announced addressing his team as he stooped down to pick up their little leader. At 12, Bruce was getting to be too big to carry but there were some exceptions when the orphan needed a little extra care. He settles the warm, weight against his chest and sighs. “I’ll be going up too. Good patrol but Bruce is right, we are going to be making some changes around here. We can’t allow for any error in our operation, I will not lose any more people.” That said, Damian turned around and stalked up the stairs to Wayne Manor with Dick skipping after him.

“You know you can probably just put him in bed and he won’t notice, you don’t need to sleep with him.” Dick whispered as they passed through the grandfather clock. Bruce was already half asleep in his arms and would likely be completely asleep by the time Damian settled him down.

“We both know he would notice,” Damian responded back, “besides, there’s nothing wrong with giving the children some attention.” He said reaching out to ruffle Dick’s hair. “Now bed or I’ll make you join us. You have school tomorrow as well.” Bruce sighed sleepily into his shoulder as Dick ran up to the second floor and Damian took a moment to stroke the boy’s head. He was such a good-hearted child, so full of hope and a determination to see that no one else should suffer his tragedies. Damian would do everything in his power to make sure that Bruce was given the love he deserved, he deserved better than this life no matter what he claimed. His real talent was not just his brilliance but his ability to attract people due to his earnestness and keep them together as a family. Given the opportunity, Bruce Wayne could change the world. But not tonight.

“Let’s get some rest little one, you’ve earned it.”

#my writing #I wrote this #reverse batman au #I love this au thanks for letting me borrow it

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its-the-fifth-horseman · 7 years

Text

Chapter 2: Nun’s Garb

2:32 PM,

Sunday,

21st Oct 2007,

Route MC-103,

Maysteirn, Acordia Petra

“So what do you reckoned happened to him?”

[Chuckling sound]

Niko was slightly annoyed by Vader's response.

“[Imitating Novatian accent] I reckon that he be somewhere in the yonder over the rainbow..ain't that right pardner? [Laughing]..”

“Hilarious..”

“You do realize that we don't talk like that, right?”

“[Chuckling]..Relax, mate..ain't nothing but a good old poke, eh?..[Chuckling]..”

[Sighing sound]

Niko then took his attention elsewhere. Outside the moving vehicle, the desert seems to stretch infinitely towards the distant horizon. The heat was barely tolerable and they have been on the road for at least 2 hours with no civilization in sight. He continues to stare at nothing in particular.

“If you ask me..I think he might have faked the whole thing,” said Vader, suddenly taking a more serious tone.

“Oh good..captain goody two shoes' finally back..”

Niko turned towards him.

“Why do you think that?”

“Hmm..why..why indeed..I don't know..maybe because it's fake?”

“That's it? That's your take?”

“Ok..wait..wait..hear me out, mate..I'm not done yet..”

Niko took another deep breath.

“[Clearing throat]..As I was saying..fake..as in there's no way any of those videos could be real..”

“I see..he went into an abandoned asylum..captured a bunch crazy shit and stuff..barely escaped with his life..went missing..uploaded his videos and never even bothered to update his website since 2001?..Ok..” said Niko.

“Is that a hint of sarcasiz I heard, mate?”

“I don't know, you care to elaborate?” replied Niko, referring to Vader's vague statements.

[Sighing sound]

“Alright..alright..[Sighing]..I..I just don't think that any of it is real..it just looks like he might have staged the whole thing..now I don't know what his angles are but he's up to something..”

Jay was silently observing the conversation while Cass was still fast asleep at the front seat.

“And especially that thing at the end..a centipede wearing a nun's garb? How crazy was that? It might as well wear a bat suit..”

[Laughing sound]

“And if he didn't escape from that she-devil from hell, then who uploaded his videos? Come on! He's been trolling people since 2001!..But yeah..there was no proper explanation as to why he decided to quite the gig..for all we know he might have resurfaced elsewhere..at least that makes more sense..”

Niko smiled.

“Now that wasn't so hard now was it?” asked Niko, referring to his proper elaboration.

“Yeah..yeah..what evs..”

“[Chuckling]..Oh yeah..by the way..It's not a centipede wearing a nun's garb..it's a human-centipede hybrid who happens to be a nun..in a nun’s garb..obviously..”

“Yeah..yeah..you Novatians and your political correctness..and I thought you don't believe in these stuff. Why do you care so much whether it was real or not? What's it to you?” said Vader while turning his head slightly to the left.

“Because that's what I do..bro..I challenge notions, thoughts, assumptions..I challenge the impossible until it was possible.”

“That's how you got your viewers right? Your gimmick being a non-believer who keeps looking for the unexplained and whether the mystery was unraveled or not, you'll just choose not to believe anyway, right?” Jay suddenly offered his piece to the ongoing conversation. Niko looks at him.

“An explanation is not necessarily the same as a logical deduction. People tend to go with the former just because it's easier and to some extent, more appealing,” explained Niko.

“Thank you professor Niko,” said Vader while still focusing on the road.

“Just for the record, what's your take on his videos?” asked Vader again.

Niko took a pause.

“I won't know until I go there and see it for myself.”

“Go there? You mean you haven't been there? Why?” asked Jay.

Niko looked stumped.

“Looks like someone 's afraid of a big bad holy centipede..[Laughing]..” said Vader.

“Shut up..[Chuckling]..I..I can't explain it..but I just have to go there to be sure..you know..not until I can logically explain how those videos were shot and made..someday..I guess..”

They drove for another 30 minutes or so before slowing down and pulling over beside the road. Niko was half asleep when realized that the vehicle has stopped moving.

“What..what's going on? Where are we?” asked Niko in a semi-dazed state.

“We're here,” said Vader.

In front of them was an unpaved path that lead away from the highway and into the desert. A few feet ahead was an old entrance arch with short wooden fences attached to either sides. Niko exited the vehicle before taking a closer look at the dilapidated signboard that was barely hanging below the arch.

“Welcome to Doonesberry Town”

3:17 PM,

Sunday,

21st Oct 2007,

Doonesberry Town,

Maysteirn, Acordia Petra

“Ghost town.” That was the first thing that went through Niko's mind as the van was slowly moving through the dusty road that had very few intersections in between. He unzips his bag and took out his Sony HDR-HC5 before recording an old rickety house that was right outside his window. The van then stops.

“Why don't you go right ahead and have a go at ye' olde' ghost town,” said Vader.

Without uttering a word, Niko went out of the vehicle and scans the remnants of a civilization that was left long ago. The structures around him has stood for at least a hundred years but it wasn't until the turn of the century that people began to leave the town, not just for a better life but out of fear as well. Ever since the disappearance of one the cleaners that was sent by the owner then, Mr Connors Shipp, no one else would dare to set foot in the mansion. Even looking at the black mansion was seen as a superstition. Grandmaster Lord Caligo, along with some of his followers were presumed dead eventhough their bodies were never found and the room that supposedly held his most unholy secrets was found empty. No secret exits were ever found either. Only a room with eight walls, eight red banners and 8 paintings. There was no logical explanation on how they manage to escape on that night when allegedly, one of his followers, strong of will as they would say, managed to break free from his influence before running away and seeking help from the town.

It was said that on that night, he was preparing for a ritual that would ensure his survival and that it will also be his most vulnerable moment. It was rumored that the town's mayor's son was involved. Before he was able to carry out the dark deed, an angry mob forced their way into the mansion. His guards managed to hold them off, long enough for the rest to escape into his private chamber. The mob soon outnumbered the guards before they make their way towards the upper floor, where the room resides. They started pounding and hitting on the door with what ever that can be used before a battering ram was brought forward. By the time they managed to break in, the room was already empty. Frustrated, they then proceed with an attempt to burn down the mansion but for some reason, a fire can never be properly lit inside the building no matter how many times they tried. Plans to bring down the mansion were immediately brought forward but no one had the slightest idea on how to demolish a structure that was made completely out of black marble, a material that was well known for its strength and above all, its price. With a heavy heart, the mayor, whose son was said to be missing as well, decided to just let the matter go but refused to back down without a fight.

The Black Mansion was soon auctioned off and surprisingly, there were many takers, especially with the fat cats from the city who heard of the mansion's reputation. The experience was said to be akin to staying and living in a house of a notorious murderer. That was when people started to disappear mysteriously inside the mansion and was never to be found again. This, however, didn't deter the property from being passed on to its next owner or “lord of the house” as they would call it back then. Thirty years later, the property would finally find its way into the hands of Mr Connors Shipp, who bought the property solely because of its extremely low market price. Unsurprisingly, he never stayed in the mansion and barely visited the place. It would take another 20 more years before he decided to sell off the property and therefore, sent 2 cleaners, a brother and a sister to clean it up. It wasn't because he cannot afford more cleaners, it was because no one else was up to the task. With a good pay for a 3 day job, the two find it hard to resist the offer, even though the task was almost impossible to be completed with limited resources and time. The rest is history. Just like before him, the boy was never found again. The sister frantically searched the mansion, unlocking and opening every single door she could find. She pleaded with Mr Shipp to aid in her search but her words fell on deaf ears. Not only did she lost her brother, but her income as well since she was no longer allowed to go inside the mansion seeing how she constantly begs for the owner to help with her case. No one knows what became of her or the rest of her family. A few years later, the residents began to leave until all that was left was a ghost town that Niko was looking and recording at the moment.

Niko made a quick sweep of the area. As much as the ghost town of Doonesberry was part of the exploration, he was more interested in the black mansion more than anything else. They drove for another few more minutes through the town before reaching a hilly area. There was a path that led all the way up to the top of Quelptic Hill. Luckily for them, it wasn't steep enough to hinder their progress. The engine roars into life again as the van began to ascend the hill that has long been forgotten since its last encounter in 1985.

“The last person to disappear in that mansion was some guy from back in the 80s. A bunch of junkies or so I heard,” said Vader while driving carefully uphill.

“Junkies? Really? All the way out here? Why?” asked Niko.

“AP haven't always been this lax with drugs law. Back then, even the addicts get the hang. So by hook or by crook, they always find a way to get their fix.”

“So, what exactly happened? One guy went missing and the others just left?” asked Niko again.

“Don't really know the exact details but supposedly, just like the previous disappearances, they heard a scream. Someone went to have a look, can't find the lad, started panicking and they just dusted the scene.”

“I see...”

“And oh, get this, they actually said that the statues were attacking them..[Laughing]..Oh, God..”

“Yeah, that is some crazy shit,” replied Niko. The van then stopped near the top of the hill. Cass was finally awake. Vader went out and head for the tall black gates in front of them.

“Hey, Jay, this property is abandoned, right?” asked Niko.

“Uh, not sure fam, I mean the gates are still up..so..” There was a look of uncertainty on both of their faces. Vader then returned to the vehicle before they finally entered the mansion’s area.

“This property's abandoned right?”

“Abandoned? Oh hell no, mate, some poor sap still own this God-forsaken place, sad eh?”

“What! Are you being serious? You know I don't do trespassing, bro!”

[Chuckling sound]

“Hold on to your horses, cowboy..no worries..no one's coming to check on us..” The van stops. Vader then pulls the hand-brake before turning towards Niko.

“In fact, no one dares to come in here, not even the cops.”

“What?” Niko was left hanging with that thought as Vader exited the van.

[Yawning sound]

Cass was yawning as she went of the vehicle. Seconds later, everyone was out and about within the mansion's compound. Niko wasted no time continuing with his recording.

“Ok guys..we've passed the ghost town of Doonesberry..and now..now we're at the very heart of the..well not the heart..but still..the entrance to the notorious..and insidious..black mansion of Doonesberry..” narrated Niko as he started recording the black mansion’s exterior.

“Some call it the mansion of the eternal night,” said Cass before the camcorder was focused on her.

“Really? Wow, that is another revelation for the day..[Camcorder moving around near the steps towards the main entrance]..and uh..as you can see here..no surprises why they call it the black mansion..check this out..[Zooming in on the steps, pillars and eventually the double doors]..every..single one of them..black..black as the night..black as the black pearl..black as the black marble..[Jay then passes in front of him]..uh..yeah..that's it..black as the black marble..black marble..obviously..[Clearing throat]..uh..yeah..we're..we're going up the steps..[Vader was already at the door with Cass]..and..and..Vader and Cass will try to unlock..”

“It's not locked, mate..I'm just opening it..” Cass then laughs.

“Ok..ok..so he's opening it...Cass thinks that's funny..[Laughing]..and I think so too..[Vader opens the door]..ok guys..this is it..this is the moment we've all been waiting for..wait for it..wait for it..”

Niko momentarily put down his equipment.

“Holy, motherload..”

Just like most first-timers, Niko suddenly felt like he just stepped into a different “zone.”

“Where's the light switch?” asked Jay.

[Laughing sound]

“There is none,” answered Cass while looking at the windows high above the walls.

She then turned towards one of the statues that looks like a humanoid figure with the head of a vulture.

“What crazy S.O.B would ever..[Screaming]..” Everyone immediately turn towards her direction. Her boyfriend just grabbed her from behind before proceeding to “biting” her on the neck.

[Giggling sound]

“Oh get a room,” thought Niko while Jay just smiled wryly. He then returns to his recording again.

“Ok, guys..I'm gonna do a quick sweep of this area before we setup for the night..[Focusing the camera on each of the group member before moving further inward]..so..ok..thankfully it's still bright..though it's weird cause..[Focusing the on the black windows]..God, this weird..why is everything black?..Even the light in here is..is..uh..I dunno..blackish?..[Chuckling]..Anyway..let's go towards..[Moving towards the study room]..over here..we have a room..so I've never been in here before..and neither is the rest of the gang..but hey..a room is a room..how bad can it be, right?..[Grabs one of the door handles]..so here we go..[About to open the door]..and..holy shit! Fuck!..” Niko immediately backs away from the door.

“What? What’s the matter?” asked Jay who was the closest to him.

“Shit..shit..what the fuck was that!” cursed Niko. He looked like he had seen a ghost.

Someone or something was peering through the gap when Niko was opening the door. He kept his equipment focused on the door, nevertheless.

#read #horror #creepy #dark #strange #story #book

0 notes

greytoiletpaper · 3 years

Text

Out on Allen Street, it’s 7 in the Morning

Set in the Street Siblings au by @a-sketchy-character | @streetsiblings without which I may not have had the motivation to write this much.

Drizzle | Deluge | Squall | AO3

Chapter 4: susurration

The world is dark.

Somehow, she knows how many marks and cuts criss-cross her body; how many bruises decorate her like a canvas. But she can’t feel them, not even one.

Instead, all she can do is listen, tuning in to the rain as it pours, as red droplets fall in time off of Mad Dog’s blade. If she really listens to the sound, it almost sounds like a different boy’s laughter.

She focuses on the noise and it alone, her body so perfectly still.

Mad Dog thrusts his blade to her chest, and Cassandra’s eyes open.

They’ve only been in Gotham for a week, yet, it feels like he never left. At least for Park Row, the “Crime Alley”, the city has never changed. Slowly, the Red Hood and Ravager make the area their own. He does everything to make sure that the Bat never catches a whiff of what he’s doing. He knows it is pointless; even if Bruce knew, he would be too much of a coward to venture into the evil heart of the city.

It infuriates him, the remnants of the old argument. If Batman was ever truly needed. It would be - no, should be - here. In the black, beating heart of Gotham, where crime and cruelty channel through its citizens as if it were in their own blood. Yet for all he prattles about his crusade of justice, Bruce will never set foot into Crime Alley; too hung up on the ghosts of his past to banish the ones that haunt others.

It’s why he’s wearing the original persona of the man who murdered him. Jason had lived these streets, born and raised and died because of them. Deep down, Jason understands what Bruce simply refuses to believe. Some people simply want to watch the world burn, and they can never be stopped, only carefully controlled, managed or otherwise taken out. He never wants what happened to him to be inflicted on someone else. Not if he can help it.

Now, Red Hood is here, slinking through the darkened hallways of Arkham. Past every guard and camera until he arrives at one particular cell. He knocks on the door, and a mop of neon green flips upwards.

The madman beams; his eyes are whirlpools of chaotic energy.

“What’s this? Birdy clipped his wings!” The Joker begins, guffawing like a howling hyena. “I was wondering when you’d come back to see me, little Jay.”

To his credit, Jason doesn’t react. The pneumatic seals of the helmet hiss as it comes off. The Joker never takes his eyes off his face.

“There you are, my boy. Just like your uncle Jay” The lunatic says without tone, feral grin seeming plastered. “Say, you seen Cass anywhere?”

That makes him shift uneasily on his feet. The Joker leans in close, almost conspiratorially.

“You think the Bat ran her out? That he…” Something morbid flashes in the eyes of his monster. “Killed her just like I did you?”

Jason wants to drive his fists into the man’s back. Stamp on his legs until the bones shatter. Bludgeon him over and over with whatever is on hand until the madman’s flesh is nothing but paste. Instead, he stands frozen as the cackling echoes around the room and in his ears.

“I’m not doing this for you,” Is what he says. “And I’m not doing this for me either.”

His hand lifts the pistol from its holster.

“I’m doing this because someone has to do what Batman can’t.”

The Joker takes the words in stride, nodding to himself. To Jason, it’s the calmest he has ever seen him.

“Not a fan of the whole motorcycle fetish style, but to each his own,” The madman’s eyes, still rotting in their own insanity, meet his. Something about the gaze seems so clear despite the instability. “You’re going to be wonderful for the Red Hood name.”

He sighs.

“When you do it, boy, make sure you get as much of the colour out of me.”

Jason nods and presses the barrel into Joker’s forehead, closes his eyes, and everything is silent.

He presses his hand to the glass, the rain sliding down the pane on the other side, its streams the same lengths as the rivers that flow from his red crown.

Fact One, a statement: Roman Sionis is the Black Mask, one of Gotham's most powerful crime lords with connections running deeply in the underground drugs and weapons trade.

Fact Two, an amendment: Roman Sionis is the Black Mask, arguably one of Gotham's most powerful crime lords with sizeable connections in the weapons trade.

Fact Three, a truth: He is absolutely livid with the Red Hood and the Ravager.

Roman stares at the text on the notepad; he picks it up and throws it across the room.

In the space of two nights, the new duo had taken over his entire drug operation and cut off every tie Roman had to Crime Alley. Internally, he thinks ‘cut off’ is still too lacking a description. Half of his thugs breathing through tubes for days. Pimps found castrated and dangling from lampposts. Drug dealers with their mouths frothing as they dissociated. If the rumour mill among villains is anything to go by, Red Hood had killed the Joker in his own damn cell. Roman shudders. He’d seen the images from the crime.

The pair are definitely a threat, and Roman needs him gone as soon as possible. Hiring the Joker would have been one of the best choices: effective, relatively cheap and definitely motivated to take on whoever dares don his previous mantle. Alas, reality disagrees.

Black Mask picks up the phone, ready to dial the more expensive alternative. He sighs and hopes they don’t call Deathstroke the ‘Terminator’ for nothing.

Cassandra dives away at the last second, adrenaline flushing through her body and lifting the fog from her mind. Her opponent’s blade impacts with the ground, firmly planting itself the whole way. Mad Dog, clearly thrown off, becomes an easy target with her renewed energy.

She does not hold back, unleashing a flurry of blows to the assassin’s chest, even as he tries to hold his defence together. With renewed focus, she redirects every strike he makes and strikes him back thrice as hard.

It is not long until Mad Dog is at Cassandra’s mercy, nearly a bloody pulp under her hand.

“Finish it,” Shiva calls suddenly, and she almost complies. But, with her hazy vision, the images of Faizul and the assassin blend together. The vertigo Cassandra is feeling becomes sharper, and she’s drowning in it.

In her hesitation, Shiva tuts and stabs her own blade into Mad Dog’s heart, crimson fluid spraying in all directions.

Cass doubles over, desperately heaving, and liquid green purges from her body.

Bruce stares up at the readout on the Batcomputer. There are new players in Gotham, but there’s something that makes them stand out from the others. They make headway faster than he’s ever seen it, clearing out and claiming Park Row as their own territory in a week.

Twenty-seven confirmed kills and thirty-four hospitalisations. He would have stopped with his investigation then and there. Yet, the detective in him tugs the back of his mind. He checks through the names again and finds that each one is attached to a laundry list of crimes that become more appalling the further he reads.

Then Red Hood killed the Joker; and for the first time since the madman’s debut, Gotham is quiet.

Bruce rubs his face in his hands and turns to the screens entirely dedicated to monitoring his daughter Cassandra. (The memorial makes itself known in his peripheral vision.) Her work in Hong Kong as Black Bat had been phenomenal so far. Every story he can find of her weaves the same story: Black Bat, hero of the Forgotten. Of the waylaid and the oppressed.

What would they think? Bruce finally turns to the statue, mouthing the words on the plaque to himself.

“Can you promise something for me, Bruce? Just one thing?”

“Anything for you, Jaylad.”

He tears his eyes away.

Damian becomes cagey whenever either of the three vigilantes come up in conversation. It is suspicious, but he has had the lesson very solidly ironed in his mind how unconducive to understanding he can be. So, he gives his son his space.

Despite the child's refined nature, little pieces of him remind him of Jason, far beyond the boy's temper, pride, or even his cursing. Bruce had seen Damian in the library once, his fingers tracing the spine of a newer copy of Huckleberry Finn.

Red and orange flash by his primary monitor, and Bruce pulls himself from his thoughts.

Batman rises, ready to confront whatever ghosts will taunt him in the shadows.

The world roars in her ears, and no matter how hard she tries, Cassandra can’t stop the erratic sequence of deep breaths that claw out her throat. For once she’s glad she’s not wearing her old costume. The mask reminded her too much of smoke inhalation and chains and-.

“Why?” She rasps in a throaty, breathless voice that has not escaped her for years. “Why would you do this?”

“Can’t a mother test the progress of her daughter?” Shiva replies coolly. Her stance gives off nothing, so Cassandra does not deign her a response.

“He went looking for me, you should know.”

Her head snaps up.

“He was curious. A unique girl who can read the body as if it were a book and a unique woman who can do the very same? An unlikely coincidence,” Shiva turns her head away, ducked down as if she had already admitted too much. “He asked me, if it was my choice to leave you with your father.”

“It wasn’t.”

Sandra nods.

“He told me that was, and I quote, ‘a load of shit’.”

“Sounds like Jason,” Cass mutters under her breath. A hush falls between them, not comfortable but not unwelcome either.

“It is not me you came here for,” Sandra says with such conviction that Cass can’t help but gape in her disbelief. Of course, she did. Shiva gave birth to her.

Before she can voice her thoughts, Sandra grasps her shoulder and wraps her arms around Cass.

“You’ll find your brother soon. I can promise you that.”

Gotham rumbles, her shock snaking through the crown of her scalp. She knows that tonight is the night; when events will pass and tear the whole city asunder. For better or for worse, she cannot tell.

But she is eager to find out for herself.

“Think that’s a wrap for tonight?” Jason asks quietly, almost inaudible over the Gotham rain. It’s the only coherent sentence he’s made in days, so Rose takes what she can get.

“Probably, you’re not shanghaiing me into grabbing groceries, right?”

“Maybe,” He chuckles, but even though his voice is filtered by their comms, she can tell it’s forced. “Anyone ever tell you how similar some of our problems are?”

“Really? You realised this just now?” Rose rolls her eyes because, honestly. “I mean, at least your dad isn’t some psycho assassin supervillain.”

“Aww, Rosie, making your old man sad. Truly, I’m hurt,” Hues from orange and blue armour melt from the shadows as Deathstroke emerges, eyeing her. “You don’t wear the uniform like Grant did.”

“It’s not meant to and either way, I barely knew him or Joey.” She draws her blades, trying to hide how much her arms are shaking. It doesn’t help. “No thanks to you.”

“Is that Slade?” Jason’s voice is like music to her ears, relaxing her muscles in the ways she needs.

“I made your brothers stronger,” There’s an edge to Slade’s voice, sharp as the glistening blade he brandishes. Ready to pounce at a moment’s notice. “I suggest you come with me so you can be the same.”

“What, dead because of problems you caused?” She laughs shakily, grimacing under her mask. “I suggest you fuck off.”

“I’m coming, Rose.”

“No can do. There’s a hit on the two of you, and its fait accompli,” Deathstroke makes a ‘what-can-you-do?’ gesture and Rose darts forward, her tears faster than the raindrops that dance on her skin.

Batman has followed the Red Hood for hours now, and he has no idea what to think. He expected someone wielding the Joker’s former identity to be as insane as the Clown Prince himself. Yet, the red helmet only bobs up and down as if it were in conversation rather than rotating listlessly.

Despite how antithetical the new face in Gotham is to his beliefs, some actions catch him off guard about the man.

While he has seen no deaths on this patrol, with every bone the criminal breaks, the same hands offer food to street children and escort working girls to their homes. Bruce is thrown, viscerally, into a memory of the bird that flew beside him to do the very same.

The Dark Knight watches him stalk through Park Row, freeze and then take off in another direction.

It is time.

He pursues the criminal, sprinting across the rooftops of Gotham, gliding above catwalks and fire escapes. Within minutes, he overtakes and blocks the path ahead of Red Hood, who curses and vaults over his body.

Or at least, he tries to as Batman grips the man’s ankle and slams him back into the pavement. Hood never misses a second, drawing a knife and swiping at his limbs. He lets go; the man faces him again, twirling the knife round and round.

“B,” A modulated voice hangs in the air, but there is a quality to it that tickles his conscious, like an old ghost whispering in his ears.

“Red Hood, I suggest you surrender peacefully, or I –.”

“Cut the act, alright? You think that just because you’re Batman, nobody can be above you,” Red Hood laughs. Through the modulator of his helmet, it comes off as hollow. “The truth with a saying like that –.” The knife is stowed away. “– It just means nobody is beneath you either.”

The criminal grapples him; kick, jab, punch, kick again in a rapid dance of attacks that Bruce can barely keep up with. Some of the criminal’s movements are achingly familiar yet so foreign that the composite form nauseates him. Red hood strikes over and over until he actually has him, the Dark Knight, pinned.

“And some of us can’t wait to drag you all the way down.”

Jason had always had a gift for speaking. His sister’s hands may be knives, but his words were bullets.

Breaking out of the Red Hood’s hold, that is what Bruce muses in his mind.

They’ve been at a game of cat and mouse for so long now. Locked in a chase of diving and darting around a maze of alleyways and rooftops. Jason drops on one of them and turns to face his pursuer, who draws short away from him.

“What, can’t work it out?” He triggers the seals on his helmet as he lifts it off. Without the lenses he can see, even in the rain, the second Bruce recognises him. “You really didn’t care enough to remember my name or something?”

“Jason,” Bruce’s tone gives off nothing and everything. “W-Why are you doing this? How are you –.”

“I’m doing this because you refuse to do what needs to be done.” Jason snarls, venom laced in every word. “You want to rule them by fear, but you never go any further with the ones who aren’t afraid.”

“Jason, I don’t under-.”

“I died for your cause, and in less than a year you shove some other kid in the uniform so he can die too!” He is raving now. He also doesn’t care. “You let my murderer run wild and slaughter thousands and when someone finally steps up to do what needed to be done, you cut her out?”

“I had to –.”

“Had to what? Isolate her? Run her out of the only family she’s ever known? She was my sister, my whole fucking world; who believed in you and you left her like she means nothing to you! Cass is gone now, and that is your fault!”

“If you would –.”

“Do you even remember? That the only thing I ever made you swear to me, that you vowed on your life, was that you’d never let her down?” For once this night, his voice isn’t angry or vicious. It is a void, detached from any feeling. “Guess I should have known better.”

He knows, almost intrinsically despite the years, that if there is one thing that Jason has said tonight, those are the words that pierce Batman’s defences. It’s why he lets Bruce rush forward like he wants to. Allows the chase to continue. When he jumps, Jason lands in an apartment that carries the same bloodstains that leaked down his mother’s arms a lifetime ago.

Black Bat arrives in Gotham, and superficially, it is empty. She almost hails Barbara when bright flashes shine in her peripheral vision. Lo and behold, Deathstroke and an unknown are locked in a duel below her.

Cassandra drops from above, and at that moment, she kicks Deathstroke into a wall hard enough to knock him unconscious. His opponent, she notices, stops immediately.

Before her is a girl, hair silver under the moonlight, garbed in orange and black.

Then the Batmobile rounds the corner, a small figure rising from the hatch.

"Black Bat," Robin says, "You have not responded to Oracle, she was-."

Damian's eyes bug out once he notices the girl beside Cassandra. She fully expects him to snarl or draw his ridiculously long katana. Instead, uncharacteristically rushes forward and embraces the girl tightly instead.

"Wilson. A-are you finally assisting us in Gotham?" Damian says, even with his head buried in a shoulder. "Drake may be intelligent, but his incompetence with the sword is impossible to rectify."

"Missed you too, D-man," The girl chuckles and ruffles the boy's hair. "I would help, but what’s up with tall, slim and broody over there?"

Cassandra crosses her arms expectantly at Robin, who obviously only just remembered her presence when he unlatches himself immediately. His cheeks may be red, but Damian still raises his chin proudly.

"I found her, Rose," His body language and eyes seem to sing. "I found his ukht."

The girl spins sharply, wolfish eyes drawn wide. “You’re her,” Rose breathes, awe rippling off her body. “You’re Cass.”

She would have flinched, but the body language is so familiar. Cass tilts her head.

“Yes.”

Rose grabs her arm so hastily that she almost rips it back in shock. But something is so honest about her body language that Cass relents, letting the girl lead her where she is needed.

He kneels, tracing the dark stains. Behind him, Batman pauses. Not even he would dare to disturb the sanctity of this room.

“Jaylad, please -.”

“Don’t call me that. That isn’t who I am,” Jason rounds on Bruce. He gestures to the shattered window, the ripped upholstery, and the bloodstained floor. “This is what I grew up being, what I never wanted anyone else to.”

He taps the insignia on Bruce’s chest with his pistol.

“That, right here, was your promise to people like me. People that needed help and protection,” He spits. “And you couldn’t even do it for the ones closest to you.”

"I just want to-."

"Want to what? Parade your antiquated sense of morality to hide, while the rest of the world suffers for what you refuse to do? Or cast out others from taking it in their own hands?"

Tears are building in his eyes, but he wipes them away while Batman stands ramrod straight.

"I don't think you understand. That you've never understood," The man begins, and Jason gapes because what the hell does that mean? "If I let myself cross that line, even for Joker, I won't ever come back."

"You know what I think about that, Bruce?" Jason breathes deeply, feeling the whispers of the Pit roaring with the heavy rain in his ears. "I think that's a huge self-aggrandizing load of bullshit."

He charges forward, knocking Batman's legs from under him and ramming his face into the ground. Batman is down to his knees before either can even blink.

"And I'm so fucking tired of hearing it."

Jason levels the barrel at Bruce’s forehead, torbernite lining the edges of his vision, engulfing him in an absence.

“What’s the use of you learning to do right when it’s troublesome to do right?”

Then, her voice shatters the tension in the air, gripping his heart and silencing the susurrations of the rain that suffocated his ears.

“When it ain’t no trouble to do wrong, and the wages is just the same.”

“Cass?” The boy in the alleyway says. A gun. An apple in his hand. The girl falters in the doorway, her fist tongue clenches, and she nods.

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goldandbluesmiles · 4 years

Text

Joker’s Killer

Chapter 1: What do we do now?

Summary: In the end, it’s not Batman that kills the Joker. It’s Bruce Wayne.

May 29, 1:19: Bruce Wayne walked into Arkham undetected by any security cameras or guards

May 29, 1:25: Bruce Wayne entered Joker's cell.

May 29, 1:35: A guard realized that the hysterical laughter and gurgling from the clown's cell weren't just for show.

May 29, 1:37: Bruce Wayne was found standing over Joker's body with a steel bar in his hand, Joker's head bashed in.

XXX

Note: This is an A/B/O fic though the only tropes that are focused on are the protective omega parent and bonding.

TW: Non-consensual bonding (It’s an a/b/o fic)

Ao3

Chapter 2

xxx

No No No

Please Don't

"Little Birdie. You won't get away this time,"

Pain. Blood. Laughter. Hysterical cackling.

"Come on! Come on Little Birdie. Your turn. Take a bite!"

No NO NO NONONONO

Pain. So much pain. Painpainpainpain.

Jason tumbled home, assaulted by his memories and barely keeping himself upright. How he got from the cafe to his safehouse without someone stopping him was a mystery but one that he was grateful for.

Once he got inside, Roy was there, helping him up and calming him down.

"Jesus Jay! What the fuck happened?"

And really, Jason couldn't blame for the shock in his tone. He had gone out to have a late lunch with Bruce and while they still had their disagreements, the two omegas rarely had any problems outside of their vigilante personas. And even those were small, resolved within an hour.

Jason should not be coming back from lunch this out of it, barely reeling in his scent of distress.

"Jason! Come on talk to me! Don't make me call the Bat,"

Jason took a shuddering breath at that and tried to talk, tried to get something around the clog out of his throat.

"He asked- the bite-he-he"

"And you told him about the bite?" murmured Roy, gently leading him to the couch

Jason nodded.

"Jason," said the alpha, voice low and soothing, "What did Bruce do?"

Jason tried to answer but dissolved into sobs just thinking of the blank look the older omega had gotten.

"He left, Roy! He just left," whimpered Jason, "I told him what that thing did to me and he just got up and left. Didn't even say anything! Why would he do that, Roy? How could he just leave?!"

Roy's arms tightened around him.

"He said, he promised- He's my dad, he's supposed to-supposed to- take care of me! He just left me there, Roy!"

Jason could smell he anger starting to come off of the alpha. Anyone else, Jason would be getting ready for a fight but this was different. Roy was the one alpha who's scent didn't make him run. Even Dick had to reign himself in around Jason, but not Roy. Roy was the one alpha Jason knew would never hurt him, knew his anger was for him and not at him.

"We're going to fix this. Remember the plan. Next time he comes out we'll kill him and you'll be free," said Roy and Jason sunk low into the promise, let the words wash over him and calm him down. They had a plan, they would fix this.

"And screw the Bat," added Roy

Yeah, screw the Bat.

xxx

Bruce didn't come back for dinner. Alfred was not particularly worried.

The only time the man felt compelled to come home was when Damian was there and the young boy was spending the weekend with his eldest brother. Timothy was also with his friends. With the house empty of any children and Bruce having been banned from the cave by Alred for a forced 'vacation of vigilantism' it wasn't a surprise that the Master had opted to stay out a little longer, maybe gallivanting around the city with Selina Kyle.

Good for them. They needed some time together. She was a good influenced on him.

He got the call at 6:38 PM.

"Hi, Alfred. It's Jim. I'm so sorry about this. If I had been told right away I would have called much earlier-"

"Commissioner, if you could please get to the point," said Alfred, dread rising in him

The man on the other end of the line took a deep breath.

"Bruce Wayne had been arrested for the murder of Jack Napier, otherwise known as Joker,"

xxx

Dick and Damian were the last to arrive at the manor.

"He really did it?" Dick asked Alfred as Cass whisked their little brother away

"So it would seem," said Alfred

"This has to be a mistake!" Damian yelled from the other room, "Father wouldn't do that! Batman doesn't kill!"

"Except it wasn't Batman that did it," said Stephanie, sounding almost regretful.

Dick decided to intervene before the whole thing blew up in everybody's faces.

"Look, guys," he said stepping into the room, "As far as Jim's told us and Barabra has confirmed, Bruce was found standing over Joker's body and there was no one else there,"

"So he really did it?" murmured Tim from where he was curled up with Cass.

"Where's Todd?" said Damian, swiftly directing his anger and confusion elsewhere, "I thought he would be here singing and dancing out of happiness,"

Dick looked over to Alfred who just shrugged.

"Master Bruce was supposed to meet Master Jason for lunch. I held off from informing him. I thought it might be a good idea to figure this out first,"

"Father was meeting him for lunch," said Damian, "Well obviously something happened!"

Dick sighed, "Damian-"

"Uh guys," said Stephanie, "Leslie says to turn on the TV,"

The TV in the room was turned on and the first thing that popped up was-

Billionaire Murders Joker in cold Blood

Click

"Bruce Wayne-"

Click

"The Joker had been-"

Click

"Arkham inmate-"

Click

"Shit," muttered Damian. No one scolded him about his language.

"What do we do?" murmured Tim

Dick took a deep breath. It was time to take charge. He could freak out later.

"Everyone chooses someone to call fro the league before we blow up with calls, then Alfred and I will talk to Jim. I'm gonna ask Barbara to go meet Bruce and I'm going to talk to Jason myself. He was the last one of us that talked to Bruce and considering everything, there is no way that's just a coincidence,"

As everyone started to disperse, Dick held Damian back.

"What?" said Damian

"I know this is scary and confusing-"

"Master Jason!"

Dick stopped and looked up to see Jason standing in the doorway. The first thing that registered was the smell. He reeked of an Omega in distress. The second thing Dick noticed was how dishevelled he looked. Hair sticking up, red nose, puffy unfocused eyes.

"Jason wait up!" someone called from behind Jason and Dick straightened as Roy came into view.

"I tried to get him to call first," said Roy, "But he got really worked up and Dick-"

"It's my fault," said Jason

"What?"

"Jay we talked about this-"

"No!" said Jason, starting to tremble in Roy's arms, "It's all my fault, my fault, all my fault, my fault, my fault, my fault,"

Dick quickly moved toward his younger brother as Roy and Jason slid to the ground.

"Jay I'm gonna touch you," said Dick and when Jason nodded Dick carefully curled into the side Roy wasn't on.

"What do you mean it's all your fault?" asked Dick

"I told him," said Jason, "I told him about the bite. Joker's bite,"

Dick froze. He heard a soft gasp from where the rest of his siblings had also gathered back in the room.

"Jason," whispered Dick, devastation colouring his voice, "Jason, are you saying..."

Jason whimpered and tucked his head against Roy's chest.

"Jason," and that was Damian coming closer to them, "Jason can I sit with you?"

Damian kept his voice soft and low, almost childlike compared to his usual gruff and formal way of talking. When Jason sought out the voice, Dick realized what his little brother was doing. While the teenage omega wasn't a pup anymore he was still young enough to elicit a reaction from his oldest omega brother.

"Dami?" said Jason, eyes coming into focus for the first as he looked at his little brother

"I want to sit with you but the floor isn't very comfortable," said Damian, "Maybe we could move to the couch and maybe get some blankets to get warm?"

Jason blinked a few times and then nodded, making a small motion with his hands. Damian nodded and carefully tucked himself against Jason's front. As soon as Jason calmed down, the rest of the family leaped into action. This part they were all very good at. In less than five minutes the carpeted floor had been turned into a small nest with Jason in the middle and everybody else cuddling around him.

"Tell them," murmured Roy once everyone had settled down

Slowly, ever so slowly, Jason started telling the story of what had happened last time Joker had been apprehended. How Joker had taken him alone, and how the alpha had bitten him and then forced him to bite back.

"It was awful," muttered Jason, "He kept hitting me and hitting me and I didn't want to but there were other people in the room and I just-"

He choked off with a sob and Damian gently nuzzled his cheek.

"He made me bite him and bond. He made me-"

Jason stopped, crying too hard to continue.

"It's okay," said Tim, "It's okay,"

Jason just cried harder.

Dick knew the story from there. Bruce and he had dropped off Joker at Arkham. They had tried to get Jason back at the cave but Artemis and Roy had already been there and while none of the bats particularly liked their explosive way of doing things, they had to admit the Outlaws had Jason's back.

So they had let him go and then Jason had called them, saying he was fine but needed some time. That was three weeks ago and while they had stayed in communication via text, none of them had seen him.

Until Bruce today.

"I wasn't gonna tell Bruce," said Jason, once his sobs quieted down, "I wasn't gonna tell him but he saw the mark and he started teasing me about it and I just...snapped, telling him about the Joker-I still can't believe no one heard us and he got this weird look and then he just walked away and I was mad and hurt and dizzy and I-I should've-should've gon' af'er him. I should-"

Jason dissolves into sobs again and Dick could only rub his arm.

What else is he supposed to do?

xxx

It's late when he finally called Barbara.

"I don't know how to say it so I'm just gonna come out with it," said Barbara, "He did it, Dick. There's no other way around it. He used his training to get around the security system and he seems pretty out of it like he's on autopilot. Almost catatonic but he most definitely did it,"

Dick sighed, "Thanks Barbara,"

"Dick," she said quietly, "Do you need me to come over?"

Dick shook his head, looking to where Roy and Kori were sitting together at the other end of the cave, having left Jason to the rest of the family.

"No, I'm good," said Dick, "Your dad's gonna need you. We also need someone to deal with Wayne Enterprises and the Press and it's not gonna be us with the mental space everyone is in now. Coordinate with Lucius?"

"Yeah," said Barbara, "I'll get on it. Take care of yourself, Dick,"

"You too," said Dick and then hung up after a quick goodbye.

"So?" asked Roy as he went to sit near them

"He did it," murmured Dick, "He did it. God!"

It was only when Kori put her arms around him that he realized how badly he was shaking.

"Hush, Dick," said Kori as she pulled him close. Roy moved to his other side and gently started rubbing his back.

"We were going to kill him," Roy said after a while, "Me and Artemis. We had a plan. Next time Joker broke out, we would make sure he died, severe the bond. Artemis wanted to break into Arkham to do it but we decided it would be too much exposure,"

"But then Jason went to meet Bruce and..."

"He probably thought it was a sex mark," said Dick

Dick remembered when he had first started having sex. He had come down many times with a 'temporary' bite mark and Bruce had teased him every time he had seen it. Still did it sometimes.

"That makes sense," said Roy, "And then Jason told him the truth and he snapped,"

"Maybe he went into that state you speak of," said Kori, "When an Omega is protecting their pup,"

"Maybe," said Dick, too tired to even think of the logistics. Thank God for Alfred otherwise, he would still be up there comforting his siblings. It'll probably be his job to do it in the days, weeks, maybe even months to come but for now, he just need a minute, a little time to breathe, he needed-

He needed Bruce. Bruce would know what to do.

Except Bruce wasn't there.

"What are you going to do?" Roy asked in a soft voice

He didn't know. He had no idea what he was going to do.

And then finally, Dick let himself cry as Roy and Kori pulled him close.

#Jason Todd #bruce wayne #batdad #batfamily #roy harper #dick grayson #hurt #joke is an ass

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bluboothalassophile · 6 years

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Hello Blu!!! Blu, I'd like to ask you, what if exist a flashpoint like in Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox (in your mind/your point of view), for ex: What if Jason had been saved by Bruce, what would have change in this flashpoint paradox? What other things/people would have changed? What do you think of this? Sorry just a random question that came to me ^^ and i'd like to know your opinion! ^^

Hello,

In a flashpoint where Jason lives instead of dying… Alright, well, I’ve thought a lot about this. I even have a story on the parameters of if Jason had lived rather than dying, but that’s a bit closer to the Arkham Knight AU for what happened to Jay.

Anyways, B would save Jason, he wasn’t late, but Jason’s still in critical. I HC that B managed to save Jason but couldn’t save Shelia so that bitch dies in the very explosion she was meant to die in (a moment of silence as we mourn the bitch… okay back to business).

Jason is rushed into a hospital, coma, rehab, years of work to come back; because he’s not magic. Dick is now growing the fuck up and pulling his head out of his ass and trying to be a big brother to Jason as Jason struggles through PT. Alfred forces the family to see a shrink (JL or other), traumas are addressed rather than manifesting unhealthily. Alfred finally just had enough of this shit and said they would see a shrink; all because Jason’s brush with death scared decades off him, and B, and they both see the value now in maybe growing up and addressing the traumas. Also, B doesn’t blame Jay, especially not after he finds out about Sheila.

They address Jason’s trust issues, inferiority feelings, how he felt when they isolated him and were going to take Robin away from him. Dick gets to talk about his needs to grow up, spread his wings, be himself, and address his anger issues and maybe they’ll also talk about his relationship with and his feelings about Jason and how Jason IS NOT his replacement. B never develops his god complex, because God Knows That Man Is Merely A Man! It’s fucking annoying too, B feels that.

I think that Dick and Jay work on becoming brothers through Jay’s PT, movie nights, Titans actually properly meet Jay, books, books, more books, and Jay might even get to go to that school dance he wanted to go to. Even if he’s pushed into the dance in a wheelchair. Dick’s Titans, Garth, Roy, Donna, Lilith, and Wally completely support Jason’s role as Robin now. Yes, Jason still is crushing on Donna, but she’s out of his league and she finds it sweet.

In that time, I think Tim finds the Waynes, and I think Tim and Jay bond; tight and fast, Dick’s actually stepping up to be a big brother. Tim becomes Robin, Jason focuses on PT; resentments about that situation are addressed and Jason doesn’t have that festering wound of being replaced.

Tim is now the baby brother, and Dick and Jay adore him. They like teasing Tim, and drawing Tim out of his shell, maybe even doing normal brother shit, like beating up Tim’s bullies, rough housing with him, and even possibly formally telling Jack Drake to fuck off, Tim’s their baby brother. I think with that in mind, B legally goes about adopting Tim, and Tim is shocked at this news. They have a huge family dinner to make the announcement, and Tim cries like a baby in joy (No one will ever say anything about that, because Tim’s family).

Stephanie comes barrelling into the family (Jay’s starting to go back into the field; possibly under a different name, Red Bird, or Bluejay or something). Dick and Jason torture Tim about his crush on Stephanie, and they adore Stephanie. B tolerates her still, and maybe tries hard. Stephanie never becomes Robin, staying Spoiler, and she practically lives at the mansion. She trains with the boys, plays with them, and is never adopted because of Tim’s feelings for her, also B might like her but she’s so not his kid. Babs takes a real liking to Stephanie, and takes Steph under her wing, even presenting Batgirl to Stephanie when she’s older.

Yes, we still find Cass, or better Cass finds them, and she’s adopted by them. Babs is still Oracle. The Batfamily; whilst dysfunctional in different ways, is functioning, and they are recovering. B adores her; obviously and she’s his favorite child; the boys all know this and they adore her. The boys are also painfully aware that Cass can do no wrong in B’s eyes, and could probably get away with murder, they can never get away with anything.

Jason never clashes with Joker; and Joker is a quadriplegic, blind and mute after B is done with him. [I Know There are ways to incapacitate Joker without killing the fucker, so B can stay on his ‘No Kill’ rule and Joker is fucking gone from the depths of nightmares and on a painful trip to Hell]. Joker dwindles into nothing more than a nightmarish memory on Gotham’s psyche.

Jay and Roy become BFFs during his PT and Roy’s recovery, and get into a shit ton of antics still. Jason never makes that first kill, but is still reckless, he even acquires the All-Blades; though no one knows how he accomplished that. Alfred is the one who teaches Jay to shoot, it’s a coping mechanism to make Jay feel some form of control and safety. No, he does not use guns on his patrols, opting to stick to B’s methods and the swords.

Jason becomes a Titan, on a team with Raven, Eddie Bloomberg, Conner Hawk, Kyle Rayner and Koriand’r on his team. Jason torments Dick about this when Kori crashes here and Dick’s tripping over his tongue and feet around her. Tim just finds it hilarious too.

Dick and Babs never work out, but they stay friends, and Dick eventually marries Kori. Babs and Kori are great friends, and have a girls weekend once a month (Babs is Mar’i and Jake’s aunt, Raven’s still their godmother and Wally their godfather).

B and Talia never get back together, instead their fall out is of epic proportions when B finds out about Damian. The Bats take Dami in without questions.

Damian still clashes violently with Tim, Jason beats Damian up though and Dick comforts Damian. Damian still bonds closest to Dick, while Tim and Jay both leave the demon spawn to Dick. Tim will never admit this but he totally slept in Jason’s room for the first year after Damian moved in; after that first night and he was violently woken up by Damian’s attempt to murder him. Jason is Tim’s favorite brother at that point.

They adopt Duke a year after Damian, Dick and Jason actually insist on this; with Cass’ help, and Duke is dragged into the lunacy of the Bats.

Cass and Stephanie are BFFs, and they work closely with Oracle, they are Orphan and Batgirl, and together all of Gotham’s criminals fear purple glitter bombs, and ass-kickings. The girls are the ones who stumble over Harper Row and her brother, Cullen, and they quickly accumulate Harper and Cullen into their little group. B has no idea what to think about this, but everyone knows he’ll never say no to Cass.

Tim becomes a Titan, on a team with Kon, Bart, Cassandra Sandsmark, Zachary Zatara, Tanya Spears.

Kate joins their ranks, but is not permitted her firearms, in fact, she is the biggest clashing force in the Bats with B. But B, and the family are firm on their No Killing policy and their No Fire Arms. In fact, this is almost a fall out for Kate and B until the Bats have to save Kate, and they kind of make it clear that if she’s in she’s all in exactly how they want. If not, she’s no Bat.

Luke joins into the Bats too, though that’s completely accidental as he’s only interested in saving his father at the time. But he kind of falls hard for Babs, and sticks around. He’s also the buffer for Tim when it comes to keeping his secret as Red Robin from Tammy, though Luke vastly disapproves of tihs. But neither of them want Tammy in the Batfamily world; it’s dangerous. Luke and Tim also save Tammy from Bane’s venom, with the aid of Stephanie when that rolls around.

B marries Cat. No heartache or heart break there, they are married, almost a year after what happened to Jason because they realize: Life Is Too Fucking Short.

Jason gets into Princeton, he’s always at the top of his class and involved with athletics and vigilant life. He’s not a lady’s man like Dick was before Kori, but he’s good with the ladies, and has a lot of girls who are his friends. He’s not Mr. Popular but the world has finally stopped comparing him to Dick. Jason’s time in Princeton is huge! The family is extremely proud of Jay and they are vocal in their pride, even being the dorky family cheering at his graduation. Jason did punch Dick for that, and caught Tim in a headlock as Stephanie glitter bombed them both for having a banner there. Cass has the photographic evidence of this. Damian just clicked his tongue in disapproval before Dick glitter bombed him too. Duke was Cass’s perch for the glitter bombing so, he was safe from all glitter bombs. Over all though, it’s good times.

Jason later goes to Harvard to study medicine, which he’s really excelling at. He wants to be an ER doc, to help people shortly after their trauma, knowing the importance of quick actions after extensive damage.

Tim and Tammy get engaged. Tammy is furious when she finds out she engaged a Bat, but she’s mostly upset he didn’t trust her enough to say something.

Cass does become a ballerina, and still takes acting classes from Clayface.

Babs and Luke eloped; a weekend in Atlantic City neither of them really remember.

Tim and Tammy break up though when Tim moves to San Francisco to be with the Titans more.

Duke goes to Princeton after Jay, and meets Claire, they start dating.

Damian becomes a Titan, he’s on a team with Kaldur’ahm, Garfield, Wallace West, Jon Kent (for whom he is falling for almost painfully), Djinn and Emiko Queen.

Helena was born at some point, she’s adored and the center of the family’s eyes, even Damian fell for her. He’s also a sucker for Mar’i and Jake (though he’d soon eat glass than say that).

Jason finds Terry and Matt, by accident after they lost their parents in a wreck and were at the hospital Jay. The DNA testing showed Terry and Matt were B’s kids, so he kind of brings them home. B goes off on Waller for this violation, and the using of his DNA to create the boys.

Babs and Luke adopt Carrie Kelley and Nell Little, bringing them into the Bats when they can’t keep Carrie out of it.

Life continues on though, and they keep going. They are a family. They aren’t perfect, the Bats are far from perfect, they still have epic blow outs, and fights, also huge feuds but they are a family. They banned together after Jay’s near brush with death and didn’t travel down that morbid rabbit hole of self destruction and god complexes of inadequacy.

#bluboothalassophile #hello reader #ask me anything #ask me questions #feel free to ask questions #batfamily jay lives au

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