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#caught stephanie in 4k
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i come bringing another W for the ouabh community.
have you all considered that evangeline is a pisces and jacks is a scorpio 🤨 and if you google them you get this 🤨
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gc go crazzyyyy for this one
BUT YALL EVANGELINE IS SUCH A PISCES LIKE NORMALLY IDGAF ABOUT ZODIAC BUT DAMN OK
and hmmm... sounds like someone we know 🤨
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isn't it... a little funny... that it also says scorpio's want emotional closeness and are very flirtatious......that's a little.... weird 🤨
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dazebrasrecs · 2 years
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Batfamily Gen-Fic Recs
Incomplete fics or series marked with a *. All other works are complete.
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Braaaaaaaains... by Wisetypewriter
Length: 14k / Rating: T / Genre: Humor / Warnings: N/A Major Pairings: N/A Summary:  Jason Todd is legally – and biologically – dead. His family noted his lack of pulse at three in the morning, inside the cave, his body laid out on a table with medical instruments. No, really, tell him something he doesn't know. What else crawls out of a grave moaning and groaning? -- Or, Jason thought his family full of the world's greatest detectives was smarter than this. Apparently not.
Contour Lines by momoejaku
Length: 3k / Rating: G / Genre: Hurt/Comfort / Warnings: Injury Major Pairings: N/A Summary: Stephanie tries to get Damian to open up to her by forcing him to do her makeup.
The Dark Knight Strikes Back by audreycritter
Length: 8k / Rating: T / Genre: Angst/Fluff / Warnings: Blood Major Pairings: N/A Summary: If Bruce knew anything, he'd know one simply didn't finish Minecraft. Tim would have told him, but he didn't exactly expect him to actually play-- Bruce didn't play things. Dick remembers Bruce playing things. Jason does, too. There's a hard line between what Bruce was like before and what he was like after the, well, you know. The thing with Jason. Maybe it's time for that to change
Father's Day in a Graveyard by almondrose
Length: 1k / Rating: G / Genre: Hurt/Comfort / Warnings: N/A Major Pairings: N/A Summary: It's Father's Day and Stephanie Brown hasn't been seen all day.
found some peace inside yourself by incogneat_oh
Length: 1k / Rating: G / Genre: Fluff / Warnings: N/A Major Pairings: N/A
Summary: And the silence stretches a little longer this time, because Bruce is hesitant to break it. He knows Jason well enough not to push too hard, to give him a few minutes to collect his thoughts. He’d obviously come here on a whim, but Bruce still can’t imagine why.
Gear Shift by audreycritter
Length: 3k / Rating: G / Genre: Slice-of-Life / Warnings: N/A Major Pairings: N/A
Summary: Damian is spending a summer day at the Kent Farm and gets caught in an argument. It's a little surprising. What's more surprising is that it doesn't ruin the rest of the day.
Girl, 19, just wants normal relationship with in-laws. by lysiabeth
Length: 4k / Rating: G / Genre: Humor / Warnings: N/A Major Pairings: Stephanie Brown/Cass Cain
Summary: “I honestly just didn’t think about it. I’ve been helping out at the shelter for years now, I assumed everyone knew.” Steph said, and Titus yawned on a the bed, a loud whine, grunting as he pushed his head into Damian’s thigh. Damian stroked one ear, his full attention now on the dog.
Grade School series by KagSesshlove
Length: 100k / Rating: G / Genre: Humor / Warnings: Bullying Major Pairings: N/A
Summary: Imagine that Damian goes to a regular school full time. And has to do things that normal grade-schoolers have to do. This is his life now: pretending to be a normal 10 year old at school all for the sake of the public. But, honestly, the public would rather he not.
Growing Pains by incogneat_oh
Length: 2k / Rating: G / Genre: Angst / Warnings: Injury Major Pairings: N/A
Summary: "Haven't you read a book you enjoyed, Jason?"
I Used to Be an Adventurer Like You, Then I Took an Arrow to the Knee by audreycritter
Length: 9k / Rating: T / Genre: Drama / Warnings: Blood Major Pairings: N/A Summary: Stephanie was just on patrol and now she’s stuck somewhere, sometime, with Bruce. They bleed and bond and mostly try to keep each other alive— you know, just a Tuesday.
Lost Not Gone and Found Not Lost by  DawnsEternalLight and audreycritter
Length: 4k / Rating: T / Genre: Angst / Warnings: Temporary character death Major Pairings: N/A Summary: Damian Wayne is convinced that Tim Drake-Wayne is still alive after the events in Rebirth Detective Comics, Tim has returned and is dealing with...an unexpected welcome.
Minimum Height Requirement by Drag0nst0rm
Length: 2k / Rating: T / Genre: Angst/Humor / Warnings: Temporary death Major Pairings: N/A
Summary: Somewhere in the multiverse, there's a universe where letting his children dress up in capes and follow him into vigilantism seems like a good idea.Bruce is determined that it isn't going to be this one . . .  Despite his children's repeated attempts to convince him otherwise. (Or: "When you're eighteen, you can do what you want. Until then, no capes.")
* Never Get You Right by audreycritter
Length: 1k / Rating: T / Genre: Hurt/Comfort / Warnings: Child abuse Major Pairings: N/A
Summary: When Stephanie Brown was little, she would sit on her roof and watch the sky and wish that Batman would come save her. Then one day, he did.
Reservations by LemonadeGarden
Length: 11k / Rating: T / Genre: Angst/Fluff / Warnings: N/A Major Pairings: Clark Kent/Bruce Wayne
Summary: Bruce Wayne's kids make a high stakes bet to find Bruce a girlfriend. Clark is... not sure how he feels about this. What follows is a tale of romance, friendship, family, tractors, bullet wounds, Stephanie Brown's (frankly amazing) motorcycle, and too many PowerPoint presentation jokes.
Rules by audreycritter
Length: 1k / Rating: G / Genre: Hurt/Comfort / Warnings: N/A Major Pairings: N/A Summary: There is an unspoken rule at Wayne Manor concerning nightmares and it's there to make everyone feel better. No slash, much fluff, some mild memory angst.
Running Headlong into My Arms by gleesquid
Length: 54k / Rating: T / Genre: Fluff / Warnings: Violence, mental illness Major Pairings: N/A Summary: Bruce doesn’t like to credit one thing for saving his life, but if he did, it would be Haly’s Circus that Friday night in September, just as summer was beginning to die.
Safe Space by Cerusee
Length: 5k / Rating: G / Genre: Humor / Warnings: N/A Major Pairings: N/A Summary: Turns out, Bruce and Jason aren’t quite on the same page about who’s parenting whom.  Bruce is going to need to clear some things up.
Serving Sizes Are a Myth by audreycritter
Length: 2k / Rating: T / Genre: Fluff / Warnings: N/A Major Pairings: N/A Summary: Stephanie and Bruce find a small area of common ground.
Sleeping Heartaches by audreycritter
Length: 5k / Rating: T / Genre: Fluff / Warnings: N/A Major Pairings: N/A Summary: A winter patrol is cut short to take care of a baby. Damian isn’t prepared for it, or the conversation it leads to. And Bruce is pretty good with babies.
Spoiling a perfectly good kidnapping by Fishykarp
Length: 2k / Rating: T / Genre: Humor / Warnings: N/A Major Pairings: N/A Summary: The Riddler discovers that Stephanie Brown is The Spoiler. He kidnaps her in an attempt to figure out the other Bats' identities, and instead spends an afternoon getting called stupid for 1500-odd words
That One Hug Meme series by incogneat_oh
Length: 23k / Rating: T / Genre: Fluff/Angst / Warnings: Injury, illness, drug use Major Pairings: N/A
Summary: A series of one shot prompt-fills posted to tumblr, from a hug meme. Pretty self-descriptive, really.
What’s Love Without Chocolate by audreycritter
Length: 1k / Rating: G / Genre: Fluff / Warnings: N/A Major Pairings: N/A Summary: Stephanie tries to help Damian buy Valentine’s Cards for his fifth grade class.
White Christmas by LemonadeGarden
Length: 9k / Rating: T / Genre: Fluff / Warnings: N/A Major Pairings: N/A Summary: Jason's been in the manor for a few months now. Bruce is a pretty cool guy, sure, but he's not exactly sure what to expect from him. And then they go to Siberia in the winter on a case. It goes horribly wrong, and then pretty well.
Yesterday's Voices by LemonadeGarden
Length: 49k / Rating: G / Genre: Fluff / Warnings: N/A Major Pairings: N/A Summary: While trying to take down a drug cartel that deals with memory altering drugs, things go awry, and Batman wakes up with no recollection of the last five years. As a result, his family must now race against time to find the antidote, while also having to deal with a Bruce who still thinks Jason is Robin. A Bruce who doesn't recognise most of them. A Bruce far less jaded and cynical than the one they're used to. A Bruce who still cares.
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inkandpen22 · 3 years
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Permanent Chaos (4/?)
Pairing: MGK x Female!Reader
Word Count: 4k
Warnings: mild swearing
Part Summary: While Y/N is out shopping with Cara, news breaks that ties her with MGK. 
Masterlist
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Masterlist
Two days later...
Cara and I go out shopping and have lunch for a girl’s day. I have yet to talk about the other night with Sam. Cara hasn’t mentioned it and I have no plans to either. Cameras have followed us up and down Rodeo Drive. By this point, Cara and I are both used to it. Carrying my bags however, I doubt I look graceful for these videos their taking. Oh well, they have fifteen thousand more of me.
“CARA! EXCITED TO WALK IN THE CHANEL FASHION SHOW?”
Cara ignores the paparazzi and points out a dress in the window at Dolce and Gabbana. I request to go inside to try it on. I’m not sure where I’d wear it to, but that doesn’t really matter.
“Welcome ladies!” A woman in a black dress approaches. “Can I help you find anything in particular?”
I point over to the dress in the window, “could I see that in a size six please?”
She leaves us to go find the dress for me and we roam around a small section while she does. My phone rings and I see Nicole’s name pop up. My heart immediately begins to race. She doesn’t call me unless absolutely necessary, usually we text. I step away toward the corner to be discreet.
I answer the call hesitantly. “Nicole? What’s up?”
“I got a call from Stephanie,” she sounds agitated on the other end.
Stephanie is my publicist, she handles everything that Nicole can’t basically. They bicker a lot since they’re both so headstrong and constantly need control. It’s the classic good cop/bad cop scenario, yet I don’t know who’s who. These two cover every aspect of my career, God bless them.
“Oh no, sounds bad,” I grumble anxiously.
“Depends how you look at it,” she lightens her tone.
“What is it?” I press.
“Well…” she hesitates.
“Nicole!” I drag out her name.
“It’s all over social media, magazines and it will be on TMZ tonight,” she stammers. “I’m surprised you haven’t already heard if I’m being honest-”
“Nicole! What?” I rush her.
“An article about you and Colson Baker just dropped on some gossip sight,” she explains. “It says that you and Colson Baker are dating. Stephanie and I figured no one would believe it but it’s everywhere! They have videos and photos of you two leaving The Ivy plus talking by Sam’s car. If I didn’t know you, I would be convinced.”
My head hangs low as I rub my forehead, letting out a deep sigh. “Oh dear God.”
“We can handle it, don’t worry!” Nicole assures. “This story will be gone soon!”
“I need to go, talk to you later!” I hang up on Nicole right when the woman shows me the dress.
“I’ll take it” I attempt to hurry up the process.
Cara comes up next to me “don’t you think you should try it on first?”
“I’ll explain later but we need to go” I whisper to her and just like that, she’s hurry the woman along at the register.
I have the dress and exit the store in a rush. I must act cool, the paparazzi will take notice of my mood change.
“HOW’S COLSON, Y/N?”
“SEEING HIM TONIGHT?”
“HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DATING?”
“HOW ARE GONNA HANDEL HIS FANS?”
“HAS HE MET THE FAMILY YET?”
“What’s going on?” Cara asks concerned.
“I’ll explain once we’re somewhere private,” I whisper so the cameras don’t pick up on it.
We speed walk to the car and I offer to drive since I made us cut the day short. Once we’re on the highway towards home Cara asks what the heck is going on.
“Why did they keep asking about Colson?”
I turn on the radio and Elvis Duran, along with his team, are discussing no other than me and Colson.
Danielle summarizes the article for the listeners. “The article says they’ve been dating for the past few months. They’re very happy but the relationship is still new. The pair has not yet met each other’s families but Colson is going on tour soon so maybe Y/N will join him and eventually meet the family. Throughout, there are tons of photos of the cute young couple leaving The Ivy Wednesday night. There’s even a link to a video showing them, what appears to be, having a deep conversation by Sam Merka’s car. If you watch the video, the two are clearly looking at each other very lovingly. I mean, he’s looking at her the way I look at a fresh pizza!”
The rest of the cast laughs and I can’t believe what I’m hearing. Actually, scratch that, I can believe it. I’m just pissed.
“If MGK and Y/N are officially an item, why did she leave with Sam Merka?” Elvis questions.
“I’m glad you asked! According to sources, they’ve been very close friends since the start of TSL. In fact, the duo have taken many vacations together along with their co-star Penelope Glass.”
Cara turns down the volume and looks to me with a steady expression. “Is it true?”
I narrow my gaze at her in bewilderment. “What? No! There’s no way in hell!”
“Okay, just checking,” she lets out a sigh of relief.
“Never ever!” I add and change the station.
Colson Baker is everything I despise in a person. I’ve never hated someone so fast as I’ve hated him. Us together as a couple is impossible. It’s completely irrational.
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Later in the afternoon, Stephanie sets up a meeting for us to meet with Colson and his publicist. I had to drag myself to her office. My Fridays aren’t well spent in an office building with enemies. In fact, my whole day could be tarnished by this incident. The meeting room we’re all ushered into is freezing and I’m still in my sundress from earlier. Cara and I were never able to get lunch so I’m starving on top of being cold. The photos of us play in a slideshow on the meeting room’s tv. An endless cycle of false advertisement is how I see the photos. The media is selling us as something completely far from the truth. On top of everything, I’m in a meeting with the one guy in all of Los Angeles I can’t stand. Death would be less painful than the current situation. I tune out the debate between Stephanie and Colson’s publicist. He told me his name but my brain is so numb from the temperature in here I can’t recall it.
“Y/N!” Stephanie calls my name and I search for her around the room until I find her in the doorway with Colson’s publicist.
“We’re going to go make a few phone calls. You two will stay here while we handle the press.” I nod “sounds good.”
I send her a weak smile to charm her out of an apology for zoning out. She huffs and escorts Colson’s guy to her office so they can talk on speaker privately. I stand up from my office chair and stroll over to the windows overlooking the courtyard. I watch the cars zoom by on the street and businessmen and women shuffle in and out of the Starbucks below.
“If it means anything, I’m sorry,” Colson says quietly behind me.
I nearly miss it, he speaks so quietly. I lean against the wall, crossing my arms as I face him.
“You’re sorry?” I shrug, not really seeing his blame. “Why? It’s not your doing.”
I return my gaze to the chaos below us. I watch as people with office jobs travel about. I wonder if they’ve heard of me? I wonder if they like me or think I’m a stuck up actress? I shouldn’t care what people think, but it’s easier said than done. When millions watch TSL every week, it’s hard to ignore the wondering.
“If I hadn’t walked you to the car none of this would be happening,” Colson reasons guiltily.
I shake my head, finding humor in the situation now. The paparazzi can make nothing into a months long romance. A brief conversation outside a restaurant and suddenly we’re meeting each other’s families.
“We were only walking to a car. How could either of us have predicted the amount of attention that would come of us walking?” I justify, not to ease his mind, but my own.
My flicker over to the tv, I examine the slideshow of us. Examining the photos I realize it wasn’t all in my head, the way in which Colson was gazing at me is a tad bit gawk-like. Images of us walking to the car while I’m answering the paparazzi’s questions depict Colson glancing at me with what seems to be such admiration. A picture of when Cara calls for Colson comes up and I’m stunned by how we look. Even I appear to be in awe of him in return. It’s evident Cara is speaking yet neither of us react. We were so caught up within on another.
“I have one question!” I blurt out suddenly with my arms crossed I walk back over to the table. Just one and then I wish to put all of today’s events to rest.” Colson perks up and hums for me to continue. I point over to the photos on the screen “why did you look at me the way you did?”
Turning his head, he reviews the photos blankly and I wait anxiously for some sort of reason. “I’m not looking at you in any particular way,” he disregards my accusations.
I chuckle, amused by his horrible way of lying. “Lies!”
He’s thrown off by my reaction and I storm over to the TV screen to point it out to him.
“It’s clear as day to the press, the public and now me included. You’re clearly lost in some kind of thought! You were there, so was I and our friends! Say all the lies you want but you’ll never convince anyone.”
His jaw clenches and he avoids my gaze. He leans back in his chair, staring out the windows. “Colson,” I sigh, slowly approaching the table. “Maybe the truth could help the lies disappear! If we’re honest then maybe the press will leave us alone!”
He shakes his head low, letting out a brief laugh. “I highly doubt that.”
I have a thousand questions but I’m aware none will go answered. He’s a lost cause. I’m in this alone I guess. Turning my back to him I return to my position by the window. Observing the worker bees swarming around the spaces below. The sound of Colson’s chair rolling back comes from behind me but I don’t even shift. Out of the corner of my eye, I see his figure in the reflection of the window beside me. My attention remains outside. He won’t give me the time of day so why should I treat him any better?
“You wanna know why I looked at you the way I did?” His presence hovers of me and he feels like a wall surrounding me.
“Please,” I mutter a subtle beg.
 “I... I had this imagine of you in my head, pre-judgements. You’re supposed to be America’s Sweetheart, Little Miss Perfect! You told me you had been working for this for years, had drive and trails.” He confesses. “You’re not what I expected... It caught me by surprise is all.” 
My eyebrows furrow close, “So you thought I was just some pretty face, goody-two-shoes, ditz? If it’s because my image, my past, you said so yourself it doesn’t matter!” 
“No, no, that’s not it!” he runs his hand through his hair nervously.
Narrowing my eyes, I press further. “Why then?”
The door swings open and I straighten up before forcing a warm smile to my face. I step back from Colson before the person ever appears in the doorframe. One of Stephanie employees informs us that we’re free to go. Steph doesn’t want to keep me here all day and since I’m allowed to go Colson’s publicist is releasing him. I clasp my hand together, walking over to fetch my purse.
“Thank you so much!” I gush. “Have a good day and please tell Stephanie “thank you!””
The young intern eats up my pleasant expressions. “You too Miss Voss! Will do!”
The young woman shuts the door behind her and I return to the state I was in. Expressionless, I gather my belongings and Colson does the same. Checking my phone for any missed emails or calls I can tell he’s staring me down.
“Does it ever get tiring?” His tone is light, but I can hear the ounce of mockery beneath the surface.
My attention is locked on my phone as text after text pops up from Penelope. She’s more likely than not has seen all the articles and Twitter posts. I should call her and explain.
“Y/N!” Colson shout pulls my from my thoughts.
“Huh? Does it ever get tiring?” I restate his question back to him. “What exactly are we talking about?”
I slide my purse over my shoulder while stepping over to the door, leaving Colson behind. That is until he follows me.
“Your whole act.” He forces a fake smile and tosses imaginary hair over his shoulder. “The “happy go-lucky goody goody All-American girl?””
I scoff, eyeing him up and down. “You’re ridiculous. It’s not an act.”
I swing open the meeting room door, eager to leave here. My heels clink against the white shiny tiles on my walk to the elevators. After hitting the down button, I call up Blake now that I have some time to kill. She’s my oldest friend, I’m sure she sees right through all of the tabloids and is only checking in.
“Calling your boyfriend?” Colson mutters over my shoulder and I quickly move away.
“Don’t have one,” I answer plainly, waiting for Penelope to pick up.
He smirks and props himself up against the wall beside the elevator doors. I side eye him, all he does is smile all the time and he calls me out for acting so happy all the time.
“Can’t you find anyone else to annoy?”
He grins proudly, “sure I could. None would as entertaining as you though.”
“Geez,” I mumble under my breath.
I pace outside the elevators as I wait for one to arrive and for Penelope to answer. Classic of her to text me non-stop but not to answer when I call her back. The elevator doors open and I step inside, ready to get out of here. I hit the ground floor and Colson strolls in lazily not rushed at all. He checks the button and doesn’t add any. The doors shut then silence sits flat in the small space with us. My phone buzzes continuously, I check the name at the top of the screen.
“Frickin’ frackin’!” I clench my teeth together in a growl.
Colson’s eyes widen at my sudden explosion. Closing my eyes, I exhale to calm myself then bring the phone up to my ear. Smiling helps to fake enjoyment when talking to someone on the phone. Sometimes I can fool myself into thinking I’m not miserable during discussions.
“Finn!” I greet. “What’s new?”
My southern accent surfaces. I flip the switch whenever I speak to my family or friends back in South Carolina. I can’t have them thinking I’m not the same Y/N from Charleston. Colson eyes me with his eyebrows raised, surprised by my sudden transition. He makes fun of me in a whisper for my fake enthusiastic voice. I wack him on the arm and it only encourages him more.
“Hi ya Y/N, uh so ya prolly already know butcha face is everywhere along with this MGK fella...” Finn’s voice falters at the end.
I sigh and press my forehead to the wall. Finn asks me if any of what he has read is true and I instantly deny.
My tone goes timid, “who all knows?”
“Just us, Odelle, Greyson and Myself,” he assures.
A sense of relief rushes over me. I turn back around and Colson sends me a sympathetic look, it shocks me. Going from mockery to sympathy from him has my entire mood shifting.
“What ‘bout Momma or Daddy?” I ask, keeping eye contact with Colson.
“Nah, at least I don’t think they do,” Finn guesses. “I’m not entirely sure. Greyson is sayin’ they don’t. He’s the only one that’s home at the moment.”
“Heavens to Betsy,” I exhale deeply, looking up to the heavens. “Let’s hope to the high heavens they don’t. Thank you Finn.”
I go to hang up but he says one last thing. Bringing my phone back up to my ear I reply. “Sorry, missed that.”
My brother becomes stern on the other side, “do you and this guy spend tons of time together?”
I shift uncomfortably, preparing myself for the older brother advice I already see coming. “From time to time but I promise, we’re just friends.”
There’s a pause on his end, an unbearable pause. “I trust you Y/N,” Finn finally speaks. “It’s him I don’t trust. He’s not the best sort of guy. Ya’ll aint right for one another.”
I hope Colson can’t hear any of what Finn is saying. To keep him from becoming suspicious, I keep my replies indifferent. “Sure thing. Uh, talk ya later Finn.”
“Bye, talk to you soon.”
We hang up and I slip my phone into my purse.
Colson leans back onto the railing next to me. “Who was that?”
“My older brother, kinda overbearing,” I laugh nervously then bite my lip. My accent begins to subside again.
“I didn’t know you had a brother,” Colson remarks.
A faint smile appears across my lips thinking of my brothers. “I have two actually and an older sister. The order is Finn, Odelle, me then Greyson.”
Colson returns a kind and gentle smile. “That must’ve been nice to grow up with so many siblings.”
“It was.” I nod as memories flash across my mind. “Finn and Odelle were grouped together and so was me and Greyson since our age gaps are less.”
As we pass each level on the elevator there is a “ding.” Facing toward the doors again, I absentmindedly watch the numbers go down as we pass the levels. My mind wanders to the many memories I’ve made with my brothers and sister.
“Finn is about Sam’s age, so he likes to believe he’s almost a co-parent for me and Grey,” I describe with a pleased expression. “He’s the total opposite of Odelle.”
Colson genuinely shows interest, “how is she?”
“She’s a total wild card! We all joke that it’s every other kid. Finn and I are the rule followers. He was student body president, quarterback of the football team and still managed to graduate with honors. I’m nowhere near him on the perfect child spectrum but I’m supposed to be “America’s Sweetheart.” My parents eat that up. Then there’s Odelle, she’s the total opposite of Finn. My parents had to beg her to improve her grades so she could graduate. I remember being twelve, it was the middle of the night when I got up to get a drink. I went downstairs and saw her sneaking out of the backdoor. She made me promise not to tell our parents. I haven’t talked about it until today. There were days she’d fake being sick just to ditch school with her friends. By her senior year nothing had changed. She ended up graduating but my parents forced her to go to a college close to home so they could keep an eye on her. Her antics continued the entire time I was in high school. College for her was a playground. For some reason, I envied her. I still do. I suppose it’s because no one expects anything from her. She messes up, well, that’s Odelle for you. She causes trouble, just another day. For me, my parents have me up on a peddle stool. By the time I turned sixteen people out here started taking notice of me. When I reached seventeen the title of “America’s Sweetheart” popped up and from then on, I was longer a teenager. I had a role to play and an image to uphold. I could never make mistakes like Odelle. I have to be “perfect” constantly. Sometimes I feel like a doll, plastic. None of it is real.”
The bell rings for the floor. I comprehend the words escaping my mouth and snap back to reality. I revealed so much about myself while I was in that daze, private facts about myself that I’ve never spoken of before.
Straightening up and adjust my dress, I apologize. “I’m so sorry. I have no idea what came over me.” The doors slide open and I step out. “Good to see you Colson,” I rush out a farewell before speed walking towards the exit.
I mentally slap myself for all I confessed. If only Nicole found out, my head would be on a stick. My life, my background, every aspect of my being is supposed to be flawless. An All-American girl from South Carolina with a wholesome up brining is who I’m supposed to be. If word gets out that I’m not so perfect then… then I would be finished. My hand digs for my keys in my purse.
“Y/N! Wait up!” Colson jogs up next to me then steps in front of me, blocking my path.
“Colson, please....” I practically plead in a mutter, stepping around him.
He wraps his hand around my wrist, stopping me. “Let me buy you a drink!” 
Workers around us walk around in multiple directions like zombies. I wonder if they’re taking notice. Hesitant, I narrow my gaze at me. The reason we’re in this mess is because we were seen with one another.
“I don’t think that’s such a good idea,” I admit and release myself from his grip.
I only make it a few feet before he’s in front of me again.
“Fine, no to a drink! How about we go get some coffee? Or tea? If you prefer tea!”
His chest rises and falls rapidly, his desperation is evident. The reason behind is desperation is still unknown to me, along with the reason he looked at me the way he did last night. Who is this mysterious man who stands before me? So many questions I wish to ask but I can’t get passed his eyes. Puddles of crystal blue settle on a white canvas. Confused beyond belief, for a reason unbeknownst to me, I accept. Could be my curiosity is getting the best of me.
“Coffee it is,” I give in to his request.
He grins ear to ear and steps to the side so we can leave side by side. “Unless of course you prefer we get tea!” he suggests, sounding a tad nervous.
Honestly I like both drinks but I prefer coffee. He holds the door for me and the bright sunlight of California weather strikes me.
“Nah, I normally drink a cold brew with a shot of espresso,” I describe.
He winces and pretends to gag. “Ew! That sounds horrible!”
“It gives you a boost in the morning! Nice and strong!” I laugh.
“You’re nasty!” He waves his hands in disgust.
“Eh, you’ve called me worse,” I laugh, unfazed by his insult.
He chuckles, “you’re not wrong.”
Our laughing dies down a little as we stroll over to the Starbucks. I peer up at him with a side eye. When our eyes meet we begin laughing again uncontrollably.
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Do Angels giggle?
Warning: Mentioned death of multiple people, a teeny tiny bit of angst, swearing, but otherwise you should be fine Word count: 4k (sis snapped again)(I should really stop doing this tbh) Summary: A rumor of an angel kidnapping criminals and leads them to a path of justice and Jason is on the suspects track. He hasn’t expected to be caught and he surely hasn’t expected what met him there...
This was requested by @middevil465​: 'Babe did you fall from heaven bc you seem to be a chaotic ever shifting sphere of eyes & wings making a sound not of this earth and I’m kind of hoping God sent you because this is terrifying' with jason x reader
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Jason really didn't plan on this to happen. He didn't plan on getting caught while spying on the current suspect in a case of criminals disappearing only to re-appear with no memory of what happened and babbling of being lead to a better life by an angel. And he certainly didn't plan to end up in a warehouse that was decorated with a clearly religious altar and other things that heavily reminded him of the church. The only thing that wasn't church-y was the fact that he was tied to a - honestly not uncomfortable - chair in front of the altar. The worst fact was that he, too, couldn't remember how he ended up here. He had some flashes of memories, about how Bruce assigned him to the case, about how he found a man that all the criminals who found themselves 'victim' had met sometime before their disappearance and how he'd found and followed him before he blacked out.
And now he was here. He wasn't really afraid as much as he was concerned and curious about what was going to happen next. Bruce could easily track him as soon as he noticed he wasn't answering so there was also not much reason to try to escape before he knew what was going on here or if he was in any serious danger. Jason wasn't sure what to expect. Tortue, drugging, brainwashing? He knew the man must have some kind of secret weapon that made him able to re-write these criminals to his liking, but he wasn't quite sure why. Everyone in the cave had different theories. Bruce and Dick thought that he maybe got information about their 'businesses', deleted the memory and sold the info, Damian and (surprisingly enough) Tim thought that the criminals had been involved in something bigger, all of them involved somehow, and the person (or people) who hunted them down and changed their memories and life choices, were on a hunt for information. Steph and Cass had agreed that it was a cult or a conspiracy and Barbara had said that she wouldn't make any theories just yet, or rather not reveal hers. Jason had a more sinister thought though. He knew about the criminal world better than most others in his family, once having been a big part of it too, and he thought that whoever was able to do this, was slowly building an empire, first taking out smaller criminals, snitches and errand boys, maybe as to test their methods, before going for the big fish and re-writing them to take over their territory. It was honestly a good plan, but the fam wasn't really happy about it. Having an enemy that could delete and rewrite memories and demeanours could be a real threat. That was why Jason needed to find out how they did it. But he didn't see anything in the warehouse room that would implicate what they used for their plan, only all that church stuff, and Jason considered that it was probably something to harden the illusion that it was an angel who showed them the 'light'. 
"I've seen thou have been awakened, man in the blooded hood," a male voice echoed through the large space and bounced off the walls. The man he had followed stepped in front of him in a robe that reminded him of a monk. "It's crimson, bitch," Jason snarkily responded and couldn't help the smirk on his face, but it didn't seem to even slightly faze him. "Many have found the devil in their words in this city, but we, the church of hope and new ways, have made it our mission to bring thou, wrongdoers, to a path of justice and good, to a path of the angel." So Cass and Stephanie were right after all? A cult, really? "So that's all very noble and all, at least in theory, but ya know, I'm kinda on your side. With hunting and jailing criminals and all that jazz." "Thou words are full of sin that thou not even recognize, but don't fret, we will free you of them, free you of the devil within and bring you on a path of belief and light, we will bring thou to face with the angel that hath shown us the way too." Now that was next-level crazy, Jason thought and rolled his eyes under his still worn helmet. "Well, knock yourself out," he sighed and leaned back in the chair. Seemingly listening to Jason, the man disappeared through a door and suddenly all the lights in the room went out, leaving Jason in complete darkness, unable to turn on the night vision in his helmet. He heard another door on the other side opening and light steps echoed through the room, but whoever came in didn't make any other sounds but that. Then he was blinded by the brightest light he had most likely ever seen and what his eyes saw when the light simmered down a bit and he got used to the brightness made him freeze to the core. The words that left his mouth next were the result of habit more than thought, but he said them nonetheless: "Babe did you fall from heaven because you seem to be a chaotic ever-shifting sphere of eyes and wings making a sound not of this earth and I'm kind of hoping God sent you because this is terrifying." He wasn't wrong though. In front of him was, in fact, actually an ever-shifting sphere of eyes and wings that was making sounds that were clearly not human, neither anything that he had ever heard off-world and even though Jason was by no means religious, he had heard enough about how the angels in the bible were described to identify this thing in front of him as an angel. Suddenly the ever so brave, fearless and cocky Jason Todd stared at that being in front of him and his hidden face was drawn by fear and terror. He could deal with torture and pain, he could deal with technology and drugs, but he couldn't deal with whatever would be happening next. What would be happening next? Well, whatever it was that he expected, it sure as hell wasn't what happened. The sphere that he feared more than he had feared anything in the last years started to giggle. GIGGLE! Do Angel's even giggle? How would I ever know if angels giggle? The glow died down and the shifting intensified, the eyes were closing and drawing together, the wings merging too until there was only one pair left and the sphere turned into a different form, something longer and more humanly shaped, until it did a final change and turned into a girl. And what a girl she was. Jason's breath was stolen by her and the atmosphere surrounding her. She looked stunning in every sense of the word, from the Y/S/C skin that was basically glowing with angelic shine, her hair that was somehow looking like a halo even though it was nothing like one and her face that seemed to be sculptured by whoever created this hellhole called life themselves. And don't let him get started on the pair off wings that she was still sporting on her back. It was quite honestly gigantic. So big that its lowest part was reaching the floor and the highest part was still a few inches higher than her head. He could imagine that they would fill out the entire room if she was to stretch them out and the thought alone made him somewhat fuzzy in his head. He wished he could describe their colour, but he was sure that it was none of the ones he had ever seen on any planet, ever, he wasn't even sure if his eyes should be humanly able to comprehend the colour and yet there he sat looking at them. He was so impressed by these celestial limbs that he didn't even notice the fact that the girl was, in fact, completely naked. But even if he'd notice it, he wouldn't have seen her body as something sexual. The way she was moving like it was completely natural would more likely make him feel ridiculous for ever thinking of a naked body as something as intimate. And then her voice. Her voice was even more divine than anything else, making his whole body tense up and relax simultaneously. "You are full of darkness, but your darkness is unlike anything else they have shown me," she stated matter-of-factly and she came close to him, rounding him a few times with curiosity in her eyes, "And not just your insides are different than the ones they showed me, your head seems to have a sort of protective shell, how magnificent." Is she talking about my helmet? Does she think it is a part of me? "Uhm, Miss Angel, that isn't a part of my body, it's removable," he said, surprised that he was even  able to talk with his heart basically having stopped beating. Her eyes widened in child-like wonder and she kneeled down in front of him, her wings spreading out slightly beside her to accommodate the change in height. "Would it be okay if I were to take it off?" she asked in innocence that Jason has quite honestly never seen before. "Uhm, sure," Jason answered, completely having forgotten the whole reason that he was here in the first place.   Her delicate hands slowly found their way to were his helmet laid over his ears and she looked into the general direction of were his eyes were, her Y/E/C orbs seemingly shifting colour every time she moved even an inch. "I'll try to be careful," she hummed and started trying to get it off, changing her tactic ever so often when she noticed that it wasn't working, but instead of telling her what to do, Jason just looked at the angel and couldn't find any words. Finally, after about two minutes, she managed to pull it off and carefully laid it down beside the chair, before finally leading her gaze to his now, except for the domino mask, uncovered face. She didn't say anything, just bringing her hands up to his face and tracing it, including every scar, no matter how little, and every edge. Even though he had been in awe before, now he could almost comprehend why the criminals changed their ways, hell, at that moment he'd burn the city down without hesitation if she'd asked for it. Finally, her fingers wandered over the edges of his mask and when he gave her a small nod of consent, she somehow managed to peel it off and free his eyes for her to see. He didn't mind that she now knew what he looked like, that she could now identify him, but to be honest, he didn't think much about it, too caught up in that moment and that moment only. Their eyes met in a moment of complete silence whit the only sound present in Jason's head was the pounding of his heart and the rushing of his blood. "You are really unlike the others aren't you?" her voice broke that moment, but he somehow knew that he wasn't expected to answer. For a few heartbeats, the two off them stayed in place, before the angel ruffled her feathers, the sound echoing through the warehouse, like dozens of birds flying away. She raised back to her full size, her wings folding back to where they had originally been. "Tell me, why do my saviours want me to bring you to the light? I can see that it is already in you, it may be clouded and darkened, but it is there," she asked him and her hand was cupping his cheek in an act that seemed unnoticed by herself as if she was doing it unconsciously. Jason wasn't quite sure how to respond to that question, but he noticed something else in what she said, something that formed confusion in him. "Your saviours? Shouldn't it be the other way around?" "How do you mean that?" the angel asked with honest naive confusion written over her face as she cocked her head to the side and folded her hand in front of her bare stomach. "Well, uh, I'm no expert by any means, but you're an angel right?" She nodded but kept quiet as if that question didn't give her a clue as to what he meant. "Uhm... Angels are creatures sent by God and...uhm...they are over humans, right? So how is that guy and whoever he works with your saviour? Is he Jesus or something?" What she answered was something he didn't even remotely expect. "Who?" "Jesus? Your Boss's son? God sent messiah to free all humans? Allegedly forgave us for our sins and got killed for that?" Jason rambled and tried to count down everything he still remembered. The angle put her hand in front of her mouth in shock at his words. "That sounds horrible, is he okay?" she asked in a tone that made it pretty clear to Jason that she did, first of all, not know who Jesus was, and second, had no idea what killing actually meant. "Uhm, sure, he's great, somewhere up there with his dad, I guess," Jason just shrugged, not really caring about that topic anymore and more focusing on all the facts about her being an angel that didn't add up. "Can you tell me about yourself?" he just boldly asked her, but it didn't seem to phase her at all, in fact, she brightened up at the possibility to tell him about her. "Uhm, I can't tell you much, but I was saved by the church of hope and new ways when they found me after what they called a miracle, they took care of me and explained to me that I was sent to them to be their tool to re-shape the world," she explained with a somewhat proud undertone, but Jason's feeling got cemented. The feeling that she had actually no idea what was going on around her and what she was used to do, and the feeling that she may not really be the sort of angel he, and seemingly she, believed she was. "Re-shape the world?" he investigated further, a small voice muttering theories in the back of his head. "Mhm," she nodded and her right wing folded itself slightly in front of her as if she was nervous or shy, "They bring men who are filled with darkness and they have me look into them, look if they have light and make me watch their mind, then they have told me to bring them into the sun, I show them the way that they tell me is right, make them believe in the church." Her words were slightly wary and Jason could recognize the doubt in them. She wasn't doing this voluntarily... "Do you want to do that?" he asked to clarify things for himself, and maybe also her. Her eyes wandered to the door the mock-monk had disappeared in and Jason could have sworn he saw something like fear in them. "I- Uhm- Yes," she nodded, but couldn't look at the man in front of her, she had almost turned her whole body away from him. "I don't believe you." "Why?" her voice wasn't as childish and curious and innocent anymore, it was small and fragile. "I'm not sure, but I think they are lying to you, I think you aren't an angel. I mean, you're sure as hell no human, but you're not an angel, at least not one in the...uhm..traditional sense." This seemed to gain her attention in a way that had her turning around again and made her take a step towards him. "Do you really think so? Because... I have tried to tell them, but they said no to all my questions, they told me that I am the tool for the church, that that is my only task and that I would be lost without them, but I can see it in them too. The darkness, they tell me to turn into light, is in them too, but they don't let me change it, they tell me I must see something that isn't there... And not only that... I have memories, memories of the Miracle. I see flashes of other people, people that make my heartache, and flashes of a building, one that looked like this room here on the inside. "And then there are other flashes, flashes I have at nights when I'm resting, there are loud noises and heat is licking at my skin, at my back, at my whole body, and there are so many screams." She seemingly didn't find the connection between those memories, but Jason sure as hell did. It was mainly a theory at that point, but he believed that she had been at church with her family when it burned down, maybe there was magic involved or she had the meta-gen inside her, but while her family burned she must have turned into the angel she was now, losing most of her memory in the process. The people that must have found her and figured out of the great powers she had, had decided to use her for their own sinister plans and she was none the wiser, Jason couldn't know if she had always been that naive and innocent, but she was now and, even though he had only known her for a matter of maybe half an hour, she had grown on him if he was being honest. "Can you see into other people's heads? Can you read other people's memories too?" he asked, a small plan forming in his mind. She looked at him in thought, but she seemingly was somewhat intrigued. "I believe so, I have only done it one or two times." "Read my mind, read my memories," he almost commanded, but she was taken off for other reasons. "Why would you want me to do that? My saviours tell me that it isn't my place to do so..." "I know this is confusing and what you will see will shock you, but I hope you will be able to trust me after that, trust me to help you, get you out of here." The prospect of being away from her 'saviours' seemed to make her interested, but there was something else that she had to know beforehand. "Will you stay with me? Will you take me with you? I can't be alone, I don't know where to go, what to do, I can't- don't think that I can survive all alone," she looked away and he could see the fear and pain, of not knowing what the future would hold in her whole demeanour, and he wanted nothing more than to take her in his arms, but the restraints that were still binding him to the chair were keeping him from doing so. "If you don't want to be, you won't be alone, I will take you with me, we will go through this together, okay?" "Okay," she smiled slightly and came to him, her hands hovering over the rope around his chest and, in a for Jason surprising turn of event, her palms started glowing and the rope basically disintegrated leaving him free to stand up, having to physically restrain himself from holding her. "This won't be happening to me too?" he asked gesturing to what was still left off the rope. And she giggled again. God, he had almost forgotten how heavenly that giggle was. "No, I don't think it will," she said in a tone as if she was honestly questioning her statement, but before he could say anything about it her hands found themselves on the sides of his temple and the last thing that echoed through the room before the angel fell unconscious in his arms was her scream.
When the angel woke up she felt utterly exhausted. She had seen everything that had ever happened in Jason's life, including his death and every time he had killed, and she had felt it like she was it who experienced it. It had literally drained her, but Jason was correct, as she woke up again, she trusted him with her life and more. She knew him now. Possibly better than anyone else in the world. And not only that, when her eyes opened he was the first thing she saw. She was laying in his lap, something that was astounding enough considering the giant wings that were spread out beside her and partly over Jason, and somewhere along her time of being in his memories he had taken off his brown leather jacket and had put it on her and zipped it up, keeping the, in normal standards, intimate parts of her body hidden from sight. What the angel couldn't see were the bodies of the people who had, in Jason's opinion, used you for the past few months that were stacked in the backroom and, if he was lucky, not dead. "Sorry you had to see this, but I wanted for you to be able to completely trust me," Jason whispered, his hands caressing through her hands. "It's okay, I understand," she hummed back and they both knew that she meant more than just the statement about him wanting her to trust him. "Can we leave now?" "Of course," he smiled and helped her up, having been made aware earlier when she passed out that her wings added more to her body weight than he had anticipated, but that was to expect, they were robust and spread out almost twice as big as Jason in width. The angel, who Jason really needed to find a name for, had the wing on the side opposite of where Jason stood beside her, drawn in, but the one that was on his side was spread out behind him like a shield, curling around him slightly, but he just smiled and slightly shook his head at that. He honestly really didn't know what it was about the girl, his angel, or the whole situation itself, but a really small part of him wanted to believe that maybe there was something like a bigger picture, maybe not necessarily a god, but something that had brought them together, something that had wanted to make him know that the two of them knowing each other was meant to be.
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whereflowersbloom · 4 years
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Nursery
The evening light looks orange enough to catch fire through the window. Its such a nice day to start working on the most important room of their home. It’s more than just a room actually, the nursery.  It’s a precious and tangible promise. A promise of a life that would be full of everything a child should have.  A promise of a childhood free of pain or worry or neglect, one that would know unconditional love and attention in abundance. There was a large ivory rug that covered half of the gray hardwood floors, to the white furniture, which consisted of the changing table and dresser. They already had the antique birch and oak crib that belonged to the Wayne family. Pennyworth insisted they kept it.
Inside these mint green walls, no joy would ever be denied to him. Damian would make certain of that. Everything his son desired, every need satisfied, every wish made true. His child would be cared for, tenderly nurtured and assuredly protected. By all means. He would make sure to set consistent rules and limits, keep in mind that conflicts are one way that children first learn about self-control, compromise and cooperation that’s what he had read. They had been expecting Malik for six months and twelve days now. Yes, he was definitely keeping track of the days. He prepared a pregnancy calendar board marked with the ultrasound appointments, prenatal classes, and other details in case of emergency. Reminders. Raven had commented several times he tried too hard, but Damian had this compulsive need to be in control of everything. They were creating their own family together, As a future father Damian wanted everything down to the littlest detail to be perfect.
Was his first son’s arrival anticipated with so much enthusiasm from both Kent and Wayne family, his heart swelled with a familiar warmth. Malik would be loved and probably spoiled by his siblings. Jason was already saying he would teach him shoot accurately without missing a single target, as soon he was able to hold a toy blaster, Dick kept mentioning Mar’i needed a playmate preferably Tamaranean-proof, Tim as usual didn’t show much excitement but the last time there had been a spark of interest in his dark blue eyes when they showed his family the 4K ultrasound video from the last obstetrician’s appointment. Stephanie hoped he liked waffles. Malik would have a very different life. Father...Bruce was still digesting the news of becoming a grandfather. Damian could swear for a second caught the glimpse of an emotional Alfred tearing up tears of joy, the British man promised to be around to help in any way the young couple requested. A new Wayne heir.
He can’t help wondering at times, even under different circumstances. Did someone personally build him a nursery? He knew the obvious answer no. Did his mother think to baby-proof the whole League of Assassins compound? He highly doubted it.
Perhaps this was what fatherhood was about: Staying up at night, thinking incessantly about his son’s life and future, worrying about which school he would attend, if he would practice a sport, maybe basketball like Dick, or take after him, take interest in martial arts and swordsmanship. There was no need to get worked up over numbers for a college fund. Eventually he would be in charge of Wayne Enterprises, thankfully Drake sticked around to manage the overall operations, assist the board meetings, whenever Damian was away from Gotham due to Titans or Batman’s business. Drake indeed proved to be quite clever and capable. His mind went back to his son. Will Malik feel loved? Have absolutely no doubts he was wanted. Damian would be by his side ensuring he did. Silently vowing.
Now if only he could finish assembling the convertible crib. He hasn't tried to throw any items of furniture yet, but he's fraying dangerously close to actually doing it. This fucking manual was useless. Damian was currently siting on the hardwood floor, eyes carefully scanning the sheet of instructions again for the fifth time.
“Don’t tell me you’re still in here.” Raven asked her husband with hands on hips as she entered the room. Her long hair in a loose braid, wearing an oversized shirt and comfortable shorts. His green eyes focused on her round belly. She looked so beautiful with a life growing inside her. Her beauty stabbed at his heart like a great knife The miracle of procreation. A new life. Damian had spend the last two hours in the baby’s nursery, claiming he didn’t need help doing a simple task as building a crib. Not Grayson or Jon. Specifically not Conner Kent.
“I’m not leaving this room until this damn crib is properly assembled!” Damian replied obviously annoyed and frustrated. She could perceive his increasing frustration miles away. A heavy sigh escaped her lips. Dealing with pregnancy hormones and an annoyed husband wasn’t easy.
“We could always ask Clark or Jon for help...” Raven suggested vaguely, violet eyes flickering around the room. It was unlikely that Batman had any experience when it comes to baby furniture. On second thought having two Kryptonians with superhuman strength, surrounded by fragile baby furniture...Idea dismissed.
“Over my dead body.” Damian muttered stubbornly, jaw set like the idea of asking for help is a personal insult.
Raven just shook her head and headed over the dresser and looked at several of the outfits that they already had for little Malik, who recently started kicking her with more force, at first it was just a tiny quiver, Raven admitted it was tremendously exciting when she felt it, like a flutter. Damian was there right next to her, wearing an amazed expression on his face, but then Malik began kicking more in the evening, recurrently, she noticed. He was also an early riser just like his father. She observed that some of the onesies were from some members of the Justice League. There’s was a Aquaman one, Flash, Superman, recalling it was a present from Clark and Jon. She smiled softly as she pulled out a black one with the Batman symbol on it with the words saying 'Future Batman' on it. She took it, turning around to show it to Damian with a raised eyebrow. “Whose ideas was this?”
“Don’t look at me. Grayson thought it would be an appropriate gift.” Damian muttered sulkily as he continued reading the manual of instructions for the crib he insisted assembling himself, studying it with knitted eyebrows. Was the manual in Swedish? What there anything this man couldn’t do? Except perhaps build this Swedish convertible crib which was clearly giving him a headache.
“Why am I not surprised?” She rolled her eyes as she caressed her swollen belly affectionately. She did it often, out of instinct. It felt so natural...yet strange. In less than three months she would become a mother.
Mother. She was about to be someone's mother. She had only ever pictured the idea in an abstract sort of way, never really picturing it clearly until Damian brought it up about four months after their engagement. Even after a Damian came into her life, she never imagined he would want to have a child with her, if she were being honest. She was not human. This child was not completely human and yet she was certain of risking her own life protecting from any harm. It’s the type of love that leaves you speechless at the end of the day. It’s a love so pure you almost think it can’t be real. Lois told her once all the forces on this planet will never beat that of a mother. Those words were probably a universal truth.
I am writing this oneshot but I’m not sure I can finish it. But here’s a fragment. I apologise if it isn’t that good but it’s 3am and I’m exhausted 😅😅😅
Malik belongs to @deep-in-mind67 💚💚💚💚
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dcubang · 5 years
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DCU Bang 2019 Summaries
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Claiming Form Now open!!!
Claiming Information and Instructions
Summaries after the read more!
1
Title: Fly With Me Word Count: About 14k Genre: Fantasy-Adventure Fandom/Universe: Green Lantern, Flash (comics) Characters/Pairings: Barry Allen/Hal Jordan/Guy Gardner/John Stewart/Alan Scott Warnings: Mild/implied body dysphoria Rating: PG-ish Summary: When Watchman Barry Allen arrives to a grisly murder scene, the last thing he expects is the enigmatic dragonlords of the realm to arrive and ask for him specifically. They are handsome and charming, but the existence of enormous fire-breathing flying lizards that seem to exert some kind of... Strange emotional aura is more than a little terrifying. He is introduced to the prince of these dragonlords, Hal, and steps up to be taken back to the towering natural fortress of Oa, a massive hollowed out mountain that sits on the edge of the continent. Called the 'weyr', Oa is home to the dragons and their riders, and Barry soon finds himself welcomed inside with all the honours that a prince might receive. In the morning after a restless night's sleep he is bathed and anointed, and taken down deep beneath the mountain to a holy underground sea, where he must confront the mysterious Lord of Oa and receive the prize for which he had been chosen: A dragon egg, rare and precious. The last third of the story will be hatching the dragon, and a montage of sorts with Barry further bonding with the dragon riders and forming a... Tentative proto-romantic relationship with them. He trains in arms with Guy, learns the histories and concepts of the weyr with John, is taught about the running and logistics of Oa from Alan, and finally Hal tutors him on bonding with his dragon, and eventually flying with it. The broad aesthetic of the fic is very much generic medieval fantasy, set mostly in the mountainous fortress/castle of Oa. Characters vary a little bit from canon appearances, mostly in regards to hairstyles and the like, but a few characters are trans, which is mostly going to be a background detail. There are no warnings except for a crime scene early on (which will be edited down) and brief discussions of trans characters being trans, so there's a bit of mild dysphoria but no explicit details or transphobia/homophobia. There is implied polyamory and age difference, but everyone is consenting adults and nothing is properly established in this fic. 
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2 Title: The Case of the Missing Son Word Count: 6,031 of 10k-ish Genre: Mystery, Romance Fandom/Universe: Batman (comics) Characters/Pairings: Bruce Wayne/Dick Grayson, Talia al Ghul, Damian Wayne Warnings: Minor violence Rating: NC-17 Summary: Bruce Wayne has come to PI Dick Grayson with a problem. His ex-wife, Talia al Ghul, has been sending him letters claiming they have a son. Bruce wants Dick to find the boy and bring him home. Dick gathers information from various sources before running into Talia herself, which only results in him getting beat up. He goes back to Bruce to convince him to confront Talia. Eventually, the son goes to Bruce, and Bruce and Dick get some private time together. The story takes place solely in Gotham, from Dick's office, to Wayne Manor, with one trip down into the caves of Gotham for the showdown.
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3 Title: Forth My Mimic Comes Word Count: 19k Genre: Mystery, Supernatural Fandom/Universe: Batman (mostly comics) Characters/Pairings: Gen; Jason Todd, Barbara Gordon, Tim Drake Warnings: past canon character death, non-consensual bodyswap, thoughts that could be construed as non-specific suicidal tendencies (i.e., "I was already dead, if I die again it's no big deal," etc.) Rating: PG/T Summary: Robin saves a boy from being hit by a car, only to discover that the victim is none other than a very alive (if comatose) Jason Todd. An already unusual situation turns even more bizarre when an unfortunate turn of phrase and an errant bit of magic cause Jason and the current Robin to end up in each other's bodies. Knowing it's only a matter of time before Bruce learns of the switch and locks him up in a fit of paranoia, Jason must seek the help of the enigmatic (and familiar) Oracle to fix the problem, all the while learning far more than he ever wanted to know about the boy who replaced him. Takes place immediately following Jason's resurrection in a slightly canon-divergent timeline, primary locations being the clock tower, manor, and cave (and all of Gotham, because patrol).
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4 Title: Pussycat, Pussycat, Where Have You Been? Word Count: 4,579 of 5k Genre: Mystery Fandom/Universe: Batman (comics) Characters/Pairings: Bruce Wayne/Selina Kyle, Tommy Elliot Warnings: Nonconsensual body modification, some torture Rating: PG-13 Summary: Selina Kyle is missing. Bruce finds mannequins and dummies of her around Gotham, each with a modified nursery rhyme about cats. Bruce follows these clues all across Gotham, growing more desperate to find her. Finally, he confronts the villains of Gotham and finds Selina, only to find Hush there as well. They battle and Bruce rescues Selina and takes her back to the Batcave. This takes place solely in Gotham, from the streets and graveyards of Gotham, to beneath Arkham Asylum, to the Batcave.
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5 Title: Daily Gab Word Count: 5776 Genre: Coming Out Fic Fandom/Universe: Batfam Characters/Pairings: Jon/Damian, Damian & Dick Warnings: Bullying Rating: PG-ish Summary: Damian finds a tabloid taped to his locker at school. The headline? "Wayne Kid... Gay?" He endures a day at school listening to the gossip from all the other kids. Dick does the brotherly thing and helps Damian sort through all he's feeling. Damian admits to Jon what the tabloid said and why he's been running scared all day, they talk about the reality of what they want together and Bruce manages to be a real father for once. Summary I'm posting when I post the fic: Damian swallowed against the bile in his throat and carefully took in his next breath, walking himself through the steps of emotional calm. Pretend this was only torture. Pretend it was only a gunshot wound. Pretend it was only his body in pain and not his heart and his mind. Remove himself from the situation and take a few steps backwards from the reality of it.
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6 Title: Stay My Tragedy Word Count: 16k Genre: Drama, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Romance Fandom/Universe: Batman, Deathstroke, Red Hood Characters/Pairings: Slade/Jason Warnings: explicit sex, angst, descriptions of violence, references to self harm, slight dubcon, problematic relationship Rating: NC-17 Summary:
Soul marks can appear at anytime in one’s life -- a mark of karmic destiny that most people take to mean they’ve met the person they’re meant to fall in love with. Jason knows that’s not true. He knows because his soul mark appeared in the very last moments before he died -- marking his destiny to be murdered by the hands of a madman.
It is a world in which fate is unbelievably cruel, when Jason’s soul mark is of none other than the man who murdered him. Slade has other ideas however, and he might just be the one man who can change Jason's tragic fate into something else.
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7 Title: New Horizons Word Count: 6091 Genre: Action/Adventure Fandom/Universe: Canon Divergence/AU Characters/Pairings: Jason Todd, Stephanie Brown, Tim Drake Warnings: Major Character Death, Abusive Parents, Child Trafficking Ring, Drugs Rating: PG Summary: Jason, Tim, and Stephanie meet while Jason still holds the Robin mantle. They band together to take down a child trafficking ring, all while each one is fighting their own personal battles. Stephanie's dad is a small-time crook who is major-times ruining her chances at a better life. Tim's parents are never home--he doubts they could pick him out of a lineup. Jason is suddenly thrust into life with a billionaire (and vigilante), but not everyone might want him there. Story is mostly set in Gotham and Wayne Manor, with a few scenes in Titans Tower. The Major Character Death is Jason, but it happens off screen and in the epilogue. The Abusive Parents is Tim's parents neglecting him. Drugs are a passing mention. The Child Trafficking Ring is a major plot point.
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8 Title: You’re saving Blüdhaven but who saves you? Word Count: 3457 Genre: Hurt/Comfort, Humor Fandom/Universe: Batman/Nightwing comics, Under the Red Hood Characters/Pairings: Dick Grayson, Jason Todd/JayDick – Jason Todd/Dick Grayson Warnings: child’s death, mentions of rape, canon typical violence, non consensual drug use, incest (pseudo-incest? Jason and Dick were adopted), self esteem issues Rating: T/Teen And Up Audiences /PG14+ Summary: After a kid got killed Dick, already in a bad place, decides that his only option to make a difference is to fight crime in a different way. He decides to partner up with a carefully chosen criminal and Red Hood caught his attention even if some of their morals are on the opposite sides of the scale. This somehow leads to Dick having an elusive roommate he developed an attraction to. It’s a shame no one told him Red Hood is in fact Jason. This story is canon divergence or alternate universe and takes place after the events with Blockbuster and Tarantula in Nightwing comics and intertwines with some happenings from Under the Red Hood. The action is placed mainly in Blüdhaven, but there are trips to Gotham and Wayne Manor. The story has a romantic relationship between adopted brothers. The rape is mentioned several times and one of the character is forcibly drugged. It also contains description of child’s death and violence.
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9 Title: A Bit(e) Wild Word Count: 5-6k total, 4k written Genre: mostly Angst/Fluff but some Action/Adventure Fandom/Universe: Losers/Batfamily, no particular series Characters/Pairings: established Jensen/Cougar, will be Jensen/Cougar/Jason Todd later in series. Background canonical Pooch/Jolene, mention of Clay/Aisha. Warnings: Graphic violence, swearing, maybe sex in the flashback Rating: Explicit. Even if no sex happens yet, it will later, and there's also the violence to consider. Summary: The Losers have just barely taken down Max and cleared their names; Jensen's still cleaning up post-mission but they're all back home. Jason Todd's preparing to move back to Gotham and butt heads with Batman when a bit of pest control ends with him bitten by a wolf shifter. He didn't think the Pit's aftereffects would allow him to be changed, or that he'd call the Losers for backup again, but of all the people Talia had him learning from, Cougar's the only shifter he knows he can trust if this IS the dreaded change coming on. Cue frantic phone call. The Losers load up and head out immediately, but Pooch brings his family just in case, Clay rides up with Roque, and Jensen and Cougar lead the charge because they've already got the shifter genes and being bitten again isn't going to do anything to them (Jake is a recent change; Cougar was born a shifter). By the time the others arrive, they've got Jason settled and all three are in their animal forms. Jensen is a wolf, Cougs is a cougar, Jason is a snow leopard. After the first few lessons, Jason gets impatient--maybe the Pit, maybe new instincts, partly the knowledge that the Losers aren't going to just let him leave until he's got enough control over his shifter side to satisfy Cougar. He tries to slip out in the night, half hoping they won't follow him, subconsciously aware this will be much easier with trusted backup. Every Loser was expecting this, though, and when Jason slinks off to Gotham, they're still mostly packed and ready to head out. It doesn't take them long to follow.
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10 Title: where monsters lie (in dead men's dreams) Word Count: ~75k total, 47.7k written (including unfinished draft) Genre: Drama, Horror, Angst Fandom/Universe: Batman Arkham Games, and a lot of creative liberty taken with comic canon and the traditional Alpha/Beta/Omega AU Characters/Pairings: Jason Todd/Dick Grayson, Jason Todd/Bruce Wayne, Bruce Wayne/Dick Grayson Warnings: Non-con, Dub-con, Drugging, Non-traditional ABO Dynamics, Bondage, Descriptions of Torture, Pseudo Incest, Kinky/Rough Sex, Intersexed Characters, Background Polyamory, Angst, Murder Rating: R Summary: Oracle enlists Red Hood's reluctant help to find Batman and Nightwing, who have disappeared during an arms bust deal orchestrated by the Penguin. They've been captured and dosed with a perverted form of the Scarecrow's latest toxin, and the effects of the toxin force the three of them to face their feelings for each other. All Jason wants to do is run away, except Dick won't let him leave. Things grow more complicated when the Penguin re-emerges with a threat none of them had expected, and Jason takes it upon himself to teach the Penguin a permanent lesson. Meanwhile, Dick has been experiencing random bouts of mania and murderous intent, ever since getting dosed with the toxin. By the time he confronts Jason about the Penguin's vicious murder, Jason sees more of the Joker in Dick than he does in his nightmares. Fortunately for them both, there's no mystery in Gotham that Batman can't solve in time. The story is set in Gotham City, 1.5-2 years post the game Batman: Arkham Knight, but also features several flashbacks of bastardized canon scenes from the comics. If you're a stickler for canon, this will probably kill you dead so please bear that in mind. Besides that, there is a single instance of non-con and another instance of molestation. There are also two implied sex scenes which can be considered dub-con. There is pseudo-incest between Jason, Dick and Bruce. The Penguin gets tortured to death but the torture occurs off-screen and only the results are described in graphic detail. The polyamory is mentioned throughout but does not occur on-screen.
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11 Title: The Sacredness of Tears Word Count: 13k Genre: Romance, character study, elements of fantasy and drama/angst Fandom/Universe: Batman comics, set in the future and using events from New Earth and the current continuity Characters/Pairings: Tim Drake/Jason Todd, Tim Drake-centric Warnings: temporary character death, pseudo-incest, canon-typical violence, discussions of mental illness, parental abuse through neglect, swearing Rating: PG-13 (maybe R for swearing?) Summary: Tim Drake Wayne isn’t weak. He can’t be. And now that he can travel through time, he has the perfect tool to make sure he’ll never be vulnerable again. Gradually, Tim’s family, friends, and his slowly blossoming relationship to Jason teach him otherwise. The story is set in Gotham with scenes in Tim’s apartment, the Batcave, a diner and various rooftops. There are scenes with multiple members of the batfamily and Tim’s team. The romantic scenes are focused on cuddling and size difference. The plot spans several years. Tim is eighteen at its beginning and twenty-five at its end. There is one detailed description of a meltdown or anxiety/panic attack. There are discussions of mental illness; some symptoms of depression are shown, especially withdrawing from the world and diminished self-worth, but nothing too bad and absolutely no hint of self-harm or suicide. Jason dies in one scene (not the canonical temporary death), but that is quickly reversed. There are descriptions of injuries. The parental abuse refers to Tim’s and Jason’s canonical backstories, not Bruce (who tries to be a good parent in this).
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12 Title: The Nightingale Word Count: ~14k total, 8.5k written Genre: Hurt/Comfort, Alternate Universe, Drama, Healing Fic (kinda) Fandom/Universe: Batman - All Media Types, Red Hood and the Outlaws Characters/Pairings: Dick Grayson/Jason Todd Warnings: No Warnings Apply Rating: NC-17 Summary: Crushed by the guilt of Jason's death, Dick quits the vigilante life, gives up Nightwing, begs Bruce for a clean slate, and runs away to New York City. He takes shelter at the Nightingale, a nightclub where Dick works as an exotic dancer, a stripper named Richie. Dick uses the blinding stage lights, Bloody Marys, and a mysterious man named Jay to hide his past. However, Dick's rather painful former life is slowly uncovered by Jay through a series of one night stands. Meanwhile, Dick also has some unconventional run-ins with the Red Hood, a supposed antihero working in the tri-state area and associated with the family Dick has not had any relations with for over five years. Old wounds reappear, and Dick's new life slowly falls apart around him as the truth comes to light. Set primarily in NYC, in the Nightingale nightclub and at the different hotel rooms Jay books. Towards the end, Dick and Jason will eventually move back into Gotham City and Wayne Manor. Story takes place five years after Jason's death. Dick's "new" life is an emotional roller coaster of hurt/comfort, a path of healing, a life built on lies, and identity porn woven all throughout it, until it is all untangled in the end.
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13 Title: Between Flight Word Count: ~15k, 10.8k written Genre: Romance, Drama, Humor, Alternate Universe Fandom/Universe: Batman - All Media Types Characters/Pairings: Dick Grayson/Jason Todd Warnings: No Warnings Apply Rating: PG-13 Summary: Jason is a 15-year-old orphan, living at a crappy orphanage, going to school because it is the only fun in life, and dreaming of the day he becomes eighteen. After a little altercation with a pickpocket, Jason meets Robin, and from that night on, Jason could not get rid of the Boy Wonder. Coincidentally, Dick Grayson starts at Jason's school as well, and decides to befriend him of all people. Jason finds himself being tugged in two directions - towards a charming and talkative circus boy with a past similar to his, and towards Gotham's own hero in scaly panties. Over the course of a couple weeks, Jason is dumped at a school dance, kissed on rooftops, taken on dates a couple times a week, and even glared at by the Batman himself. Needless to say, Jason finds that his life is a lot more interesting after he met both Dick and Robin. But of course things smell fishy to Jason. Especially when Robin knows tricks that only Mr. Circus Boy can do. Or when Dick uses the same girly shampoo as the teen hero. Or when their identical disarming smiles send bursts of happiness straight through Jason's heart. Batman might be the World's Greatest Detective, but Jason Todd is not so shabby either. Set primarily at Jason and Dick's high school, the orphanage, the rooftops of Gotham City, the luxurious halls of Wayne Manor, with special appearances of "date" locations around the city. Jason is 15, while Dick is 17.
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14 Title: Moon Dust On Your Lips Word Count: ~6100 Genre: Romance, First Time, Mutual Pining Fandom/Universe: Batman and Green Lantern, no specific canon Characters/Pairings: Bruce Wayne/Hal Jordan Warnings: Mild sub/Dom, explicit sex, biting and bruising, praise kink Rating: NC-17 Summary: The Justice League is trying to expand their potential pool of allies in the known universe, and with the help of their Green Lanterns, they set off to personally negotiate with as many people as they can. Everyone is involved, but it mostly falls to Bruce/Batman and Hal Jordan. The longer Bruce and Hal work together, the more Bruce let's Hal see under the cowl, and the more Hal starts to like what he sees. Bruce even accepts advice from Hal on an issue dealing with his children. Then Hal, returning exhausted from a mission to Oa, loses his temper at the tail end of a League meeting. He says something stupid within Batman's hearing, and then goes off to get decidedly drunk with Barry. Hal confesses that he has a crush on Bruce, but there isn't anyway that he can see it ever happening, so he decides to just ignore it and move on with his life. Bruce doesn't exactly get the memo right away, but as soon as Hal starts physically distancing himself from Bruce as much as possible, their tentative friendship falls to the wayside. Soon, Bruce and Hal are back to being uneasy coworkers. It culminates with Bruce and Hal on the return trip of another successful negotiation, when their escorts decide to up and leave them in the Middle of Nowhere, Spaceville in a small, cramped, one man space pod. There's an argument, confessions, and then sex, before being rescued. The story takes place in a variety of locations, including Wayne Manor, the Watchtower, Barry's apartment, and the space pod. The sex will include Bruce manhandling a very willing Hal, with some rougher edges (biting and bruising, praise kink).
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15 Title: Happy Middles Word Count: ~4600 Genre: PWP Fandom/Universe: Batman and Green Lantern, no specific canon Characters/Pairings: Bruce Wayne/Hal Jordan Warnings: Somnophilia, Dirty Talk, Praise Kink, Noise Kink Rating: NC-17 Summary: Basically a slice of life PWP about the time Hal and Bruce make for each other, specifically how Bruce's ends his nights and how Hal starts his days. Bruce comes home early from a shortened patrol and joins Hal in bed a few hours before Hal has to go to work. Hal falls back asleep, and then wakes Bruce up when he starts exhibiting signs of a wet dream. Bruce pleasures Hal until he wakes up, and then gets Hal off. Hal turns the tide on Bruce, teasing him until Hal decides he's ready to ride Bruce to their mutual completion. This takes place solely in Bruce's and Hal's bedroom in the Manor, described as having a darker color scheme with blues, blacks, and grays. All kinks are negotiated prior to the story, as this is a well established, husbands!fic. No noncon here.
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16 Title: Hold Me Tight (or Don't) Word Count: 6055 Genre: Mystery, Angst, possible supernatural elements Fandom/Universe: Batman, no specific universe Characters/Pairings: Bruce Wayne, Talia al Ghul, Conner Kent, Jason Todd Warnings: Medical experiments, but non-graphic Rating: Teen Summary: Sometimes, a Family is you, your Beloved's dead kid in a coma, and your Beloved's best friend's "clone" who's other gene donor is sort-of kind-of your boss off to play at politics Or There’s been a rash of robberies in Gotham, leaving Batman puzzled as to what the villains are up to, all the while seeing Jason appear to him, even though he’s been dead for a few weeks. Meanwhile. Talia takes care of a comatose Jason, while discovering Lex’s secret project taking a form no one expected. On the other side of bay/river, Clark is investigating a mysterious Cadmus fire, under a building Lex Luthor (who is now the president) owns. Not to mention the mysterious new villain who may be more connected to the robberies in Gotham that it seems.
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17 Title: untitled as of yet! Word Count: 3039 Genre: 5+1 things, fluff, probably eventual smut Fandom/Universe: dc extended universe, films 2013-present Characters/Pairings: Clark Kent/Bruce Wayne Warnings: none Rating: T at the moment, will likely slide into M/E Summary: After a few months of working together side-by-side as a team while not actively trying to kill each other (even in their spare time), Clark realizes he’s developed Feelings for Bruce. He knows Bruce is stubborn and self-isolating, so he decides the best plan is to figure out a way to make things a little (incidentally) romantic without scaring off Bruce: little notes on rooftops, a dubiously agreed upon makeover by Lois, advice from Barry and Victor and Diana—even Alfred ends up in on the game. Unfortunately for Clark, Bruce is even more slippery (or oblivious) than he ever imagined. Maybe what Clark really needs is a little help from a Higher Authority… or, the five times Clark Kent tried (and failed) to seduce Bruce Wayne, and the one time Bruce Wayne allowed himself to be epically seduced.
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18 Title: the weight of eventuality Word Count: 24,000 Genre: Romance, /Action, Drama Fandom/Universe: CWTV Flash (2014) Characters/Pairings: Barry Allen/Leonard Snart, Team Flash Warnings: canon typical violence, graphic sex Rating: NC-17 Summary: Life was pretty great for Barry Allen, honestly. Team Flash successfully pulled him out of the Speed Force, he still had his job, and all of his friends and family where there to support him. Eddie and Iris were expecting their first child, and even with everything that happened between Caitlin and Julian, the team worked as well as ever together. Barry didn't want to tell them that he was still slipping backward and forward in time, or that every night the Speed Force made him witness the death of Leonard Snart. Rescuing Leonard was easy. Falling in love with him? not really part of the plan. With Captain Cold back in Central City, it was hard to remember that there were other people out there who wanted to do more than flirt and steal pretty jewelry. It was just a matter of time until they made their move. This story takes place mostly in Central City, with a detour into the Speed Force. There isn't really anything to warn for, I think. There's an explicit consensual sex scene near the end of the story, and canon typical violence and injury. There's some mention of minor medical procedures. There's technically some torture, but that happens off screen and Barry is in the speed force of the entirety of it, so there's no graphic detail.
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19 Title: your continental divides Word Count: 9k Genre: Hurt/Comfort Fandom/Universe: DCU. not set in a specific universe, borrows from several continuities. Characters/Pairings: Dick Grayson centric, Batfam and company, Gen Warnings: non-con Rating: PG-13 Summary: After Catalina Flores, Dick is dealing the way Bruce taught him: push it down and carry on. It's not working out very well, and people are starting to catch on. The story is set mostly in Gotham, and guests a few characters besides the batfam (mostly Wally and Roy). It's essentially just an exercise in letting Dick be comforted by the people who love him. This focuses on dealing with the sexual assault from Nightwing #93. The assault is not graphically depicted but is referenced and discussed, in addition to self-destructive behaviors and a variety of coping mechanisms.
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20 Title: Broken Wings and Notched Arrows. Word Count: Around 6-6.5k total. 4,280 written Genre: Action, Romance, Drama. Fandom/Universe: Young Justice, Batman. Characters/Pairings: Will Harper (Roy Harper's clone)/ Jason Todd Warnings: Temporary Character death, mild language, mild violence, small age gape, Rating: NC-17 Summary: The only thing Will Harper wanted to be doing that fine winter morning was to play dress up with his beautiful daughter Lian. What he got however was a surprise visit from the legendary Bruce "Batman" Wayne. And if that wasn't a big enough shock being hired by said legend was icing on the cake. So now instead of spending Christmas with Lian Will is kind of, maybe being held against his will on Infinity Island. Bright side he did find Jason Todd like he was hired to. This story takes place in multiple locations. The main set is in the Caribbeans, mostly Infinity Island and the League of Assassins HQ. It also show cases Will's home in Star City and a major fight screen in Gotham. There is no major warnings. Temporary Character death as Jason Todd doesn't stay dead for long. Some violence but nothing more then a few short details of fight scenes. No gore just a little blood.
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21 Title: Masks Word Count: 7,783 Genre: Action/Adventure and Romance Fandom/Universe: Batman Comics, post-Infinite Crisis Characters/Pairings: Dick Grayson/Jason Todd, Alfred Pennyworth Warnings: Incest, canon typical violence, explicit sex Rating: NC-17 Summary: Continuation of pre-new 52 canon. Jason's back in Gotham. All he wants to do is figure out how he can successfully help fix his city, without falling foul of the rest of the Bats and the GCPD again. He's even hung up his red hood in an attempt to stay under the radar. When he discovers that Alfred is in danger from the gang he's investigating, he infiltrates a costume ball at Wayne Manor in disguise as a supervillain. He ends up flirting with Dick to stop him interfering with the rescue plan. Dick doesn't realise who he is and flirts back until they end up making out furiously in a closet. Afterwards neither of them can get the encounter out of their heads, and they start to get to know each other again. Featuring conversations with Alfred, Dick attending a party in a Superman costume, Jason spray painting his red hood grey, everyone rescuing each other and lots and lots of pining. Warning for pseudo-incest between the adopted brothers, Dick and Jason when they reach adulthood.
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22 Title: Sleeping Beauty Syndrome Word Count: 9k written. Genre: Romance, Angst, Fairytale Rewrite Fandom/Universe: Nightwing, Red Hood and the Outlaws Characters/Pairings: Dick Grayson/Jason Todd Warnings: Horror, gore Rating: PG-13 Summary: Dick Grayson and Jason Todd have been living the perfect life. Happily married for more than five years with two perfect sons, they have everything they could possibly need. Unfortunately, good things don't last forever. Struck by a spell during a mission, Jason's mind has been scattered, putting him into a deep sleep and the only way to wake him up is for Dick to put his pieces back together. The task won't be as easy because each part of Jason has been hidden within a fairy tale, a world tempting Dick to make one wrong move and doom his husband and himself forever. The story will take place over multiple locations, including rewrites of fairy tales like Snow White, Alice in Wonderland, Little Red Riding Hood, The Princess and the Pauper, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty.
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23 Title: we just now got the feeling that we're meeting (for the first time) Word Count: Around 36K (34K written) Genre: Drama, Romance, Fluff, Angst Fandom/Universe: Superman and Batman, DCEU canon/movie canon Characters/Pairings: Clark Kent/Bruce Wayne; Lex Luthor, Diana Prince, Barry Allen, Arthur Curry, Victor Stone Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Rating: Teen Summary: While fighting Lex Luthor for his latest weapon, a time weapon, Bruce Wayne gets hit and sent back twenty years into the past. Meeting Clark Kent on some snowy mountain side in Alaska was not exactly what Bruce thought would happen, but he’s here now and there’s nothing for him to do except wait for his team to pull him back to the future. Unfortunately, he doesn’t quite know when that will be, so sticking with Clark is his best option. Of course, it would be much easier if Bruce wasn’t already pining for Clark in the future. How long until Bruce is pulled back into the future, and will he be able to stop himself from falling in love with Clark Kent in the past and potentially creating a time paradox? This story is set in a couple of locations. Most of it is set in the past in Alaska during the beginning of Clark’s pilgrimage, specifically in the Denali National Park. Other locations include the Wayne-Turned-League Manor, Bruce’s Lake-House in Gotham city, and the lake itself! Primarily it involves young versions of Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne, although the very beginning section and at the last few parts of the end is focused on the present/older versions of them. There are no Archive Warnings that apply to this story. It is mainly an excuse to just write cute scenes of Bruce and Clark falling in love in the snow with the added bit of dealing with time travel, with a lot of focus on Bruce Wayne's character! The most rated this story goes is the occasional swear word.
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24 Title: Scarlet Tears Word Count: 12,914 Genre: Action Fandom/Universe: AU Characters/Pairings: Barry Allen/Leonard Snart Warnings: mention mpreg Rating: M+ Summary: Leonard and Mick take a mini vacation from the Legends and head back to Central City. It is there they find out things aren't as them left it. A certain speedster has the attention of Captain Cold when an accident happen will he be able to resist staying away from this particular speedster?
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25 Title: Absent Shadows Word Count: 3487 Genre: Action/Adventure, Hurt/Comfort Fandom/Universe: Justice League Animated/Teen Titans Characters/Pairings: Robstar & Superbat Warnings: None Rating: NC-17 Summary: Starfire can’t believe her eyes when Robin sends her his resignation from the team, in fact she doesn’t believe it all. As she investigates Robin’s disappearance, she considers his similarities with his father and in the chaos, she meets a fellow traveller to this strange planet she calls home. Whilst they learn about each other, she seeks his experience when falling in love with both Earth and more specifically men from a certain family.
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26 Title: Make an Ass of U and Me Word Count: probably 10k-12k (6k written) Genre: Romance, Comedy Fandom/Universe: DCEU Characters/Pairings: Clark/Bruce, Dick&Bruce Warnings: sort of assumed incest, but no actual incest Rating: Teen Summary: Bruce neglects to tell the newly formed Justice League that he has a son, because he and Dick aren't talking to each other . Until they suddenly are. Unfortunately, he doesn't clarify who exactly Dick is to him, so Clark gets the wrong impression. Or: Five times Clark thought Dick was Bruce's boyfriend, and the one time he found out the truth. Contains lots of unfounded jealousy, misunderstandings, Dick being delightful, and Clark being a mess. Lots of domestic settings, mostly around the lake house and the batcave, with the exception of one battle scene.
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27 Title: Honey Trap Word Count: 7.7k Genre: Porn-with-plot, crime/modern AU Fandom/Universe: DCU (Comics) Characters/Pairings: Slade Wilson/Jason Todd, Dick Grayson Warnings: Consent issues (consent is there on both sides, but dubious on one side due to situation), manipulation, some BDSM-style kink Rating: NC17 Summary: Slade's used to dealing with informants. Most get caught in the screening process before they ever get a hold of anything useful, but this one, 'Jason Todd,' gets as far as working in the lower ranks of his organization before Billy drops the file on his desk. Another attempt at an undercover CI from Detective Grayson, this time just some random arrested civilian, instead of a fellow officer. Billy would prefer that he throw him out now, but Todd's not bad looking, and Slade likes the idea of ruining this plant just like he ruined the last one. Modern AU, no-capes. Aside from sex scenes, one character is primarily in part/all of a suit throughout scenes. As Slade is aware from the start that Jason's a plant, the sex has some consent issues. Jason is doing it partly to ingratiate himself, and Slade absolutely manipulates him into it. However, Jason enjoys/consents to everything that happens, it's only the situation that's sketchy.
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28 Title: Don't Let Your Yearnings Get Ahead of Your Earnings Word Count: 7.2k Genre: Western, technically Romance Fandom/Universe: DCU (Comics) Characters/Pairings: Slade Wilson/Jason Todd Warnings: Some non-consensual touching, non-sexual Rating: PG-13 Summary: Slade Wilson is a bounty hunter, one of the best in the business. The contracts that specify 'alive and unharmed' are rarer, but usually worth the extra bonus that comes with. This one is definitely not. Jason Todd was supposed to be just another young outlaw with more balls than brains, not a slippery sharpshooter who Slade would have to chase halfway to the next town. And just to add to everything, he still has to get the damned boy all the way back. That's going to be fun. Western AU with bounty-hunter Slade and an outlaw-ish Jason. Most of the story is traveling, but there will be an inside-mansion scene near the end with Roman Sionis. No real warnings for this. There's some brief non-consensual touching of intimate bits, but it's entirely non-sexual.
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29 Title: [insert song lyric here] Word Count: 8084 Genre: It's a slowburn at its core, with action and drama mixed in Fandom/Universe: DCAU's Justice League/Unlimited Characters/Pairings: Bruce Wayne/Wally West, Shayera Hol, J'onn J'onzz, John Stewart, Diana, Clark Kent Warnings: human trafficking, threat of dub/non-con, language, sexual themes Rating: R Summary: Ever since their run in with the Justice Lords, Flash and Batman reached a new stage in their teammates-but-not-quite-friendship. The only problem is Flash is the only one who seems to think that, so he decides to see how far he can push at Batman's annoyance level before the Bat snaps at him. Unfortunately for Flash, their job keeps getting in the way, including but not limited to stumbling upon a human trafficking ring and a worldwide invasion. When the dust settles, Flash finds himself wanting more from the man under the cowl, and the harder Batman pulls away, the harder Flash is drawn to the man and his elusiveness. The Fastest Man Alive needs to rely on his patience if he wants to get anywhere in his quest. This story takes place throughout the entirety of DCAU's Justice League as well as the first two seasons of Justice League Unlimited, with the main locations being the Watchtower and Wayne Manor. The human trafficking and threat of dub/non-con are contained to two scenes in which a main character falls into trouble, but nothing too graphic occurs. Still, the subject matter isn't everyone's cup of tea. The R rating is just to be extra safe.
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30 Title: Anachronistic Crises Crossover Word Count: 8k Genre: Gen, Crossover, Fluff Fandom/Universe: Red Robin, Batman- All Media Types, DC Comics Characters/Pairings: Jason Todd (Post Crisis),Tim Drake, Jason "Jay" Todd (Pre-Crisis)/Rena(Pre- crisis), Jason "Jay" Todd (Pre-Crisis), Rena(Pre- crisis) Warnings: Period Typical homophobia, possible inclusions of bad mental health care later Rating: T (just to be safe) Summary: Coming off of the Search for Ray Palmer, Jason Todd reconciled with his family. Just in time for Batman's apparent death. After an international adventure that led them to finding the batman, said batman in his Hyper-Adapter crazed state seemingly vaporized them with Omega Energy. Jason and Tim wake up to find themselves stranded in Gotham, New Jersey where its somehow the April of 1986. Tim takes the lead and stalks a young person also named Jason Todd- who is very unlike the one he knows. The Alfred Pennyworth with him seems similar enough though. In there efforts to observe this world's Bat-family Tim ends up having to go to high school again- where the shear amount of brightly colored clothes that are either skin tight or falling off makes him want to claw his eyes out. Jason is comparatively having a much better time as a librarian in the Gotham Public Library to fund their tiny studio apartment with money that doesn't look fake for the time period. 
Night work continues as well, with Red Hood and the vigilante named by the media as "Shrike". Their quick and calculated moves on the Gotham drug trade lead them to colliding first with this world's Robin. Jason alone is confronted by the Batman, and nearly has a panic attack though Tim will never be privy to that information. 
Gotham is a not as insane back drop of retro-not-so-chic. Jason enjoys the small pleasures of being legally alive and having a job. Tim doesn't cope well without all his compact gadgetry and hates school- but likes the closeted lesbian couple he meets. A budding bat-detective trying to figure out who these new and weird people are, and who these new sci-fi like vigilantes are. Will the people back home in Tim and Jason's Gotham ever succeed in getting them home?
The entire fic takes place in either version of Gotham, with the exception of the Watchtower being there for like 5 minutes. Post-Crisis Gotham features locations like Oracle's clock-tower Jason is wearing his Under the Red Hood costume, Tim cosplays as knock off Midnighter (red robin), Bruce has blue accents and trunks, and Robin-Jay makes Jason re-live cold nights in hot-pants and pixie boots.
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31 Title: Batsons Be Crazy Word Count: 11,169 words Genre: Fluff With Plot Fandom/Universe: Batfam + Shazam basically DCU leaning towards the comics Characters/Pairings: Damian Wayne/Billy Batson Warnings: None Apply Rating: Teen Summary: The story takes place over a year, a year of Billy and Damian teaming up, falling in love, and meeting family. Damian has never liked anyone before, while Billy sees the best in everyone and will fall in love at the drop of a hat. Their romance isn't a crazy one, it's one built off of trust, comfort, and most importantly, a love of animals. Their romance brings them to many places, including Canada, Dick Grayson's apartment, and the dinner table in the manor. No warning apply except maybe underage because Damian is 17 when he begins to peruse Billy as a romantic interest, but doesn't start seeing him until he's 18.
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32 Title: The Past Still Ties You Down Word Count: 7k Genre: Angst, Romance Fandom/Universe: The Flash (TV) Characters/Pairings: Barry Allen/Leonard Snart Warnings: implied/referenced violence and abuse, alcohol abuse Rating: NC-17 Summary: On another earth, Barry falls in love with the most hated man in Central City - mob boss Leonard Snart. Only, Central doesn’t know Len like he does. They didn’t grow up with him like Barry did, sleeping in the bed above him, patching up his wounds and crawling under the covers with him when his bullies had been especially cruel. Even as the years go by - where Len is no longer a teenage boy forced into a life he didn't choose and Barry is no longer the child still grieving his mother while hating the father who killed her - they can't seem to let go of each other. Set in multiple locations in Central City, including a foster home, hospital, and the West house. The violence and abuse are not actually shown, but the aftermath is (ie. patching up wounds, some blood, some discussion of specific actions after the fact).
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33 Title: Unfortunate Souls Word Count: around 8-9k total, 4958 written Genre: Dark Fairy Tale Fandom/Universe: Batman, Batfamily Characters/Pairings: Dick Grayson/Jason Todd, Jason Todd/Slade Wilson, Dick Grayson/Slade Wilson, Dick Grayson/Jason Todd/Slade Wilson Warnings: dub con (may have a bad ending that pushes it into non con) Rating: Explicit, NC-17 Summary: Based off of The Little Mermaid (Disney film mixed with aspects of the original fairy tale) as well as fandom-type Mer AU’s. With red-headed Jason taking the part of Ariel, Dick as Prince Eric, and Slade as Ursula. Jason, adopted prince of King Bruce’s underwater kingdom, is fascinated by all things human. One night, while stargazing on the surface, he decides to follow a ship out of curiosity. On the ship is a handsome human prince who steals his heart. After an accident, Jason risks his life to save the human, which puts him at odds with Bruce. After inadvertently challenging Bruce during an argument about his ‘hobby’, Jason flees the realm and accepts the offer of octo-mer Deathstroke, a one-time rival of Bruce’s, to turn him human. But Slade’s intentions are murky and hidden. He wants Bruce’s throne, his son, and if he gets a human pet out of the deal, that’s just one more trophy to show that he is the stronger Mer. The story is set in the underwater mer kingdom ruled by Bruce; Slade’s underwater lair; and the idyllic land kingdom of Bludhaven, ruled by Price Richard. I haven’t decided whether I want a happy ending, like the film, where Jason and Dick ride off into the sunset or a bad ending where Slade gets everything he wants. If happy, there will be some dub con between Jason and Slade when they make the agreement and later when Slade is using magic to enthrall Dick. If I go with the bad ending, there will likely be some non con.
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34 Title: You Will See Me Word Count: 6,146 Genre: Hurt/Comfort, Character Analysis, Canon-divergent Fandom/Universe: Young Justice Characters/Pairings: Arsenal (Roy Harper), Artemis Crock, Roy Harper (Will Harper), Oliver Queen, Dinah Lance, Lian Harper || Oliver/Dinah, Arsenal & Artemis Warnings: Trauma, PTSD, Realistic depictions of injury, Physical Disability, Recovery Rating: PG-13 Note: Arsenal, and thus Roy, are trans men in this fic. Summary: After being rescued from the clutches of Lexcorp, a cryochamber, and no future, Arsenal struggles to find his grip on life. Between the vast amounts of anger, fear, and loss, he fights to cling to autonomy. A mentor he feels betrayed him, a clone he isn't sure how to relate to, and a couple of badass women who may not have known him, but are here for him, Arsenal is just learning to live again. A heavy introspection fic on the nature of the trauma Arsenal has been through, and his road to healing. Exploring the relationships he has with Oliver, Dinah, Roy, and Artemis especially, but others as well. The two weeks between his rescue, and his first mission with the team are rife with trouble and struggle, but he has a fire and a determination in him that will get him through. The hell of the War World and the true recovery afterwards. Learning to forgive Oliver, learning to accept Roy for himself, a separate entity than himself, getting to know Artemis and the real and true bond they form. Forgiveness, healing, and his fair share of slips and bumps, Arsenal finds closure, acceptance, and comfort in his life.
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35 Title: Build Me A Place (we'll call it home) Word Count: 6,800 story (+outline of ending) Genre: Fluff, Minor Angst Fandom/Universe: Batman, Superman, Justice League Characters/Pairings: Bruce Wayne/Clark Kent, Bruce Wayne, Clark Kent, Louis Lane, Kara Danvers Warnings: None Rating: PG-13 Summary: Kryptonians are not human. It’s easy to forget, even for Clark. That being an alien means more than his powers. There are traits rooted into the DNA, coming out in the subconscious, until not even Clark notices. Kryptonians, among other things, build Bowers for their mates, beautiful homes to settle into. It’s more than a tradition, it’s a way of life. When Clark begins to redecorate, he doesn't know why it matters so much to him. And why it hurts so badly when Bruce doesn’t even care.
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36 Title: Little Scab Word Count: 6,246 words Genre: gen, family, found family, community Fandom/Universe: DCU, Batfam, Red Hood Characters/Pairings: Jason Todd, Damian Wayne, Cassandra Cain, OFC, Bruce Wayne, Batfam Warnings: violence, descriptions of abuse, non-graphic allusions to sex acts Rating: M for violence, adult themes Summary: Red Hood is not a hero to most. Outlaw, yes. Killer... yes. He and his estranged family all serve some role as self-described protectors, but only Jason Todd delivers his justice in blood. However, following one good deed and the start of a fledgling friendship, Jason finds the Red Hood tasked with leading a self defense class for some of Gotham's most vulnerable—homeless, prostitutes, and runaways. When the Batfamily members start catching on, will they approve? First appears Robin. Then Black Bat. Who next? What will Batman ultimately do about his wayward ward stirring up Crime Alley? Can Jason be trusted to keep Gotham safe? The story is set in Gotham, featuring set pieces like Crime Alley, warehouses, tall buildings, the Bat cave, and more. It features many Batfam characters as well as several OCs all taking part in self defense instruction, with a few action scenes thrown in. The story does contain graphic violence, including allusions to or descriptions of past physical, sexual, and/or psychological abuse. It deals with mature themes but is ultimately about forging friendships, building community, and becoming better stewards of Gotham.
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Pretend That We’re Okay - fic
Characters: Dick Grayson, Damian Wayne, Barbara Gordon, Wally West Summary: This was what was best for Damian. His own emotions had no place here. A/N: Based on ‘Happier’ by Bastille/Marshmallow. This hits me as a very Dick and Damian song, from both perspectives. 4k words of just emotional vomit, have fun kids. Just another instance of real poor communication and basically everyone around Dick saying/thinking ‘I told you so.’ 3/5s of this fic happen in front of a computer, sorry I’m really unoriginal haha.
~~
This was necessary, he told himself. This was the natural progression. This is what was best. This was how it should be.
…This was so fucking hard.
But he forced his own emotions down. Forced a smile to his face as he watched Damian suit up, become Robin for another night of saving the world.
Watched as Bruce suited up to be his partner. Watched the one true Batman return to his former glory. The protector of Gotham, with his bird right at his side.
For the first time.
He shushed the voice in his head. That greedy, selfish voice that said Damian was his partner, not Bruce’s. That he shouldn’t have to share, because Batman never shared his Robin, even to another Batman. That he should fuck his head injury, he doesn’t care he got shot. He can still suit up, still go with Damian himself.
He silenced that anxious voice too, that was churning his gut, telling him this wasn’t going to go well. Damian was too nervous, Bruce was too harsh. That they would clash and yell and scream at each other. That Damian was still too unstable about his place in the family, and might take that as a sign that he should leave. Be so convinced he should disappear that not even Dick would be able to reach him.
But this was for the best. This was what Damian wanted. This would make him happy. And Dick hated how much he would do for any of his brothers’ happiness.
“…You’re gonna do great.” Dick whispered, when he caught Damian’s nervous body language, his thousand-yard stare. “Bruce is way better than me. If Gotham’s criminals were scared of me and you, they won’t know what hit ‘em with you and Bruce.”
Damian didn’t respond, just continued putting on his uniform.
“Call me if you need help, okay?” Dick continued. Rambling, to fill the silence. He saw Damian glance at him in the mirror with a raised brow. “I’ll come if you need me. I promise.”
“…Richard, you’re still recovering.” Damian hummed. “You were shot in the head just a few weeks ago, in case you forgot.”
Dick chuckled, shook his head. There was a dull ache with each turn. “No, kiddo, I didn’t forget.”
“Loathe as I am to admit it, at this point, I’d rather call Drake first than you.” Damian said almost sheepishly. “You need your rest.”
“Yeah, well. I need you safe.” Dick grumbled grumpily. “And we still don’t know where Hurt went. What if he showed up tonight, distracted Bruce and left you all alone? He could try to manipulate you again. I don’t want that to happen.”
“Grayson, the chances of that happening are incredibly slim.” Damian offered, clicking the cape around his throat. “Besides. I can handle him.”
“…Yeah, of course you can.” Dick sighed. Damian stared at himself in the mirror for a moment more before turning away. Dick gave him an even brighter smile as Damian stepped towards him. “You ready?”
Damian stared at him, then smirked with a scoff. “I was born ready.”
Dick laughed, genuinely, as he ruffled Damian’s hair. Damian laughed too, such a far cry from the first time Dick did that and he tried to break his fingers, and pushed his hand away gently.
Silently, they walked side by side through the cave. Damian, his shoulders straight and head held high. Dick, feeling like he was walking in a funeral procession. Dick veered off as they passed the computers, coming to a stop next to Barbara, and watching as Damian continued towards the cars without him, to where Bruce was waiting.
He could feel Barbara glancing up at him between keystrokes on the computer, could feel her judgment and, worse, her pity.
“You don’t have to do this, you know.” She murmured, leaning her shoulder against his hip. “You don’t have to give him up.”
“Yes I do.” Dick returned just as quietly. “He…He deserves this.”
“Sure he does.”  Barbara shrugged. “…But maybe Bruce doesn’t.”
Dick didn’t answer.
“You did all the work, Dick. You trained him, you broke through his walls. You saved him from Talia and her god awful indoctrination.” They watched as Damian slowly made his way down the stairs. Stopped on the last one, watched Bruce make his final checks on the car. “Why does he get to swoop in and reap all the rewards of that?”
“Because he’s Batman.” Dick sighed. “And Batman needs his Robin.”
“Yeah.” She dug her elbow into his thigh. “He does.”
“Babs, come on. This isn’t about Bruce. This is about Damian. He’s always wanted to work with his Bruce. This is his reward, not anyone else’s.” Dick snapped. “It’s what he’s always wanted. I’d be a real prick to get in the way of that.” A hesitation. “Besides, I’m benched.”
“That’s never stopped you before.” Barbara reminded. “Besides, maybe this isn’t about what he wants. Maybe this should really be about what Damian needs.”
“Damian needs his dad.”
“Damian needs someone who loves him.” Barbara shot back.
“Are you saying Bruce doesn’t love his own son, Barbara?” Dick hissed, staring furiously down at her. She didn’t flinch from his stare.
“He needs someone who knows him.” She edited. “And that’s you.”
“That’s you too. And Stephanie. Are you saying he should go on patrol with Batgirl instead of Batman, then?” Dick drawled.
“No, I’m saying he should patrol with Batman. His Batman.” Barbara sighed. “…You know, I’m not saying any of this for Damian’s benefit.”
“But you just said-”
“You don’t want to let him go. I can see that.” Barbara tried, her voice gentle. “And I’m just trying to say: you don’t have to.”
Dick glanced back down at her, before watching Damian walk nervously towards the Batmobile.
“He deserves this, Babs. I have to let him do it.” Dick whispered sadly. “Is it…is it really that obvious?”
“What, that you love that kid an extraordinary amount? Honey, I don’t have to be Oracle to see that.” Barbara laughed.
If she or Dick were going to say anything else, they didn’t get the chance as they watched Damian walk up behind his father. The final checks were done. Damian looked over the car himself, before saying something with a tiny smirk on his face. A joke, no doubt, something he’d finally allow himself to do sometimes. Something he learned to do from Dick.
But if he was expecting a laugh, or even a smile, all he got in return was a short rebuke, sharp enough to wipe the smile off his face, and make him step back. He blinked once in surprise, then silently bowed his head in subordination as Bruce pointed to the other side of the car.
Dick’s temper flared, and he stepped forward, ready to scold Bruce himself. No one talks to Damian like that. No one talks to his partner like that-
But he stopped himself, even before Barbara grabbed hold of his wrist to hold him back.
…Because this was for the best. This was how it should be. This is what Damian wanted. This…this is what Damian needed.
“…You’re breaking your own heart, Dick.” Barbara whispered sadly as soon as the engine started. “And you don’t have to.”
“…He’ll be happier this way. And that’s all I want for him.” Dick said with an air of finality. He tugged his arm away from Barbara’s fingers, and turned towards the manor. Bruce had a liquor cabinet somewhere in that big spooky house – tonight seemed as good a night as any to go find it. “You’ll see.”
Barbara didn’t say anything else as he walked away from her. And he didn’t say anything either until he hit the stairs, and wiped the moisture from his eyes.
“…You’ll see.”
~~
He sat at the computer, knees curled up onto the chair, chin hooked over them, arms wrapped loosely around his shins. Words and numbers were sprawled across the screen, but he wasn’t reading them. Had stopped trying about thirty minutes ago.
He heard the voices in the other room. Titans, Teen Titans, Justice Leaguers, Outsiders, Lanterns. Tried to ignore them with a sigh.
Without warning, there was a harsh burst of wind, then a presence to his right.
“Stop pouting.”
Dick pursed his lips, kept his gaze on the monitor. “I’m not pouting.”
“You very clearly are.” Wally shot back, amusement clear in his voice. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“You fightin’ with Bats?”
Dick sighed again, sat back in the chair. “No, I’m not fighting with Batman.”
“Tim, then?”
“No.” Dick rubbed at his eyes. “I’m not fighting with anyone, Wally.”
“Then what’s you’re problem?”
“I don’t have…” And another sigh. He just sighs so much these days. “…I don’t know, man. I really don’t. I’m just…tired, I guess.”
Wally hummed, and Dick knew he looked away when there was a loud laugh from the other room of the Watchtower.
“…When was the last time you saw your kid?”
Dick hesitated, then snorted, glancing up at the speedster. “Wally, you know I don’t have any kids.”
Wally looked back down, raising his eyebrow just slightly. “You don’t want to admit it? Fine, then. I won’t call him your kid. I’ll let you stay in denial today. The kid.”
“The…?”
“Robin.”
Dick’s face dropped a little. There was another bout of laughter outside the room, and Dick turned the chair this time. It was Clark and Kory. Judging by Bruce’s annoyed look, Clark had teased him somehow, and Kory found it funny.
And between the two aliens stood Damian, an amused-but-trying-to-hide-it smirk playing on his face.
“When was the last time you saw him?” Wally repeated, but gentler this time. “Hung out with him?”
“I dunno.” Dick mumbled, watched as Damian said something to Superman, and the older laughed. Even Bruce cracked a smile, though hid it immediately, wouldn’t even let his son see it. “Few weeks?”
“Few weeks overdue, then.” Wally decided. “…Anyone tell you that you haven’t been the same since then?”
Dick kept staring out the door. Distractedly mumbled: “Since when?”
“Since you gave him up.” Wally said flatly. That, finally, made Dick turn and look back up at him in surprise. “Oh, quit with the face, Dick. I know the truth and so do you.”
“Since wha…”
“Since you broke up your partnership with him. Stopping being Batman.” Wally waved his hands in bored circles. “In some misguided idea that that was what was best for everyone.”
Dick blinked, and then frowned. “It was best for everyone.”
“Bullshit.” Wally returned plainly. “You’ve been miserable on your own since. Grumpy. Lonely.”
“But Damian is great.” Dick countered softly, so his voice wouldn’t accidentally carry out of the room. “He’s thriving. Learning. He’s with his dad, where he should be.”
“He’s with his father.” Wally pushed. “Not his dad.” A pause, to watch as Damian glanced into the room at them, tilted his head in curiosity, before Clark retook his attention. “It’s exactly how I was with Barry back in the day, remember?”
“Wally, don’t.” Dick warned. “None of that…metaphorical or figurative or whatever bullshit, okay? Yes, he’s my brother, yes I raised him for a little while, and yes I love him to the ends of the Earth. But I’m not what Barry was to you, okay? I’m not his dad. Bruce is, and that’s who he needs. Okay?”
“Fine. Say I – or anyone who knows you – believe that.” Wally drawled. “What about you?”
Dick opened his mouth, but no answer came out. He floundered for a moment, then found his head turning on its own, looking back out that door. Back at his partner. His former partner. His brother.
Wally whispered: “What do you need, Dick?”
Damian laughed, and turned as Diana walked up to their group. Stared politely up at her as he excitedly began to tell her something. Leaned into the comfortable and safe shadow that was Bruce. Spoke freely, openly, passionately without worry or care. Was safe and…happy.
Damian was happy.
“Dick?” Wally asked again, a hand on his shoulder.
Dick turned his chair back around, pushing Wally’s fingers away.
“I need to finish this report.” He mumbled quietly, ignoring the lump in his throat. “That’s what I need.”
~~
He wanted to die. He wanted to scream.
He couldn’t stop crying.
Damian was gone. Damian was dead.
It was all Talia’s fault. No, it was all Bruce’s, he put him in this situation.
No. No.
It was his own fault.
Because he let him go. He gave Damian away. He gave him back to Bruce, practically threw him back into the war between his parents.
And what if he hadn’t? What if Barbara and Wally were right? What if he’d kept Damian? Stayed his guardian? Fought for their partnership? Put Bruce in his place when he saw him ignoring his son, or treating him poorly? Made it his personal mission to keep Talia away from him at all times?
What if he was around more often? Answered when the kid called? Hung out with him?
What if he told him he loved him more? Showed it?
He slid to the floor of Damian’s room, tears leaking through the fingers he hid his face behind. The hindsight hurt, the what-ifs were ripping his heart out, but nothing hurt as much as reality.
The reality that Damian was dead. That he’d never see his little brother again, or hold him, or hear him laugh, or watch him grow.
Damian. Was. Dead.
And even beyond the actual fight. Beyond the fact that Damian died protecting him.
Dick left him behind. Dick left him with people he knew would hurt him, purposely or not.
It was all. His. Fault.
~~
He stood on the porch, clutching the bottle of beer Lois had handed him. Bruce, Clark and Diana were standing over by the barn, probably talking business. Tim and Conner were sitting on the tractor, complaining about school – or rather, Conner nodding politely as Tim complained about Wayne Enterprises.
Damian was off near the fields with his dog. With Titus and Clark’s dog Krypto and…
…and his friends.
Jon Kent. Maya Ducard. Kathy Branden.
They were laughing, Damian included. Running around as the dogs chased them, as Kathy and Jon rose and fell above them with their flying powers. As Maya stuck close to Damian, teasing and ruffling his hair. As Damian accepted it, accepted her affections and presence.
His heart hurt a little, thinking about how Damian used to let him do that.
And it’s not like Damian stopped allowing that – but Dick never saw him. Dick was never home. Apparently neither was Damian. Apparently something happened between him and Bruce – again – and Damian made it clear that the only person he’d come home for was Alfred.
Dick didn’t know that. Dick didn’t know what happened between Bruce and Damian this time, because Damian stopped calling him. Damian stopped telling him. Damian stopped asking him for advice, or help, or comfort.
Just like Dick didn’t know Damian had friends his age for the same reason.
And since when did Damian get taller? When did Damian lose that baby fat in his face? When did he get so mellow?
When did he grow up?
(And why did Dick miss all of it?)
And it wasn’t jealousy pinging in his soul when he watched Damian lean into Maya’s side as he teased her. Wasn’t bitterness when he watched Jon swoop Damian up into the sky, and instead of being angry, Damian laughed harder than Dick had ever seen.
It was sadness, because he missed it. Because these were all things Damian used to do with him – only him – but no longer. Regret, because he still wondered if it was the right thing to do, all these years later, distancing himself from his little brother. Leaving him to live with and be loved by Bruce. Because he couldn’t help but wonder how this all translated in Damian’s poor, traumatized, little head. Did he feel abandoned? Unloved? Alone, again? Or was he jumping for joy? Thrilled to be living the life he always imagined as a child?
And resignation, because he was right, despite what Barbara and Wally and everyone else said. Because he wanted Damian to be happier, and get everything he dreamed of. And he did. He worked with his father, he gained friends and allies. He was loved, and listened to and protected.
Dick’s own feelings were never part of the equation. Were never supposed to be.
Damian grew up. Damian was happy. It was all Dick wanted.
It didn’t matter that Dick never had another partner after that. Didn’t matter that he’d more or less been alone himself since they parted ways. Didn’t matter that Dick missed him like crazy, worried about him every second of every day. Didn’t matter that Dick was miserable more often than not these days, these years, without that shadow, that little tie to reality when everything was a mess and he felt like he was drowning.
Damian hugged Maya. Allowed Kathy to hug him.
Dick took a drink out of his bottle.
It didn’t matter.
It didn’t.
~~
It’d been years. Ten, maybe eleven, or twelve. Could have even been twenty. Dick didn’t know, wasn’t thinking about it as he stumbled into the bunker, pulling his mask away from his eyes and rubbing tiredly at his eyes. Wasn’t thinking about it when he glanced up and saw Batman at the computer.
The new Batman. Or newer.
(Not that Bruce had given up the cowl. He never would, they all knew that. Knew he’d die for real in it, even if he was 105 years old.
But two Batmans in one cave was too much, especially when there was a nice unused bunker in the tower downtown.)
There was no cowl on. Just a cat curling into the obnoxiously large collar of the trench coat, rubbing at his owner’s hair until Dick was close enough. Then peeked over that collar and greeted him with a pleasant chirp.
“Hey Damian.” He called boredly. Damian perked and glanced over his shoulder.
“Grayson.”
“Just leaving or just getting in?”
“Getting in.” Damian mumbled, turning back to the screen. “Just…ah…working on a case.”
Dick leaned against the desk, looking at the monitor. “Really?” He asked, taking in the images and article clippings. They were old. A few Batmans and Robins old. “Because last I checked, Pyg was in Arkham, and Simon Hurt hasn’t been seen in a good decade or so.”
Damian didn’t respond.
“Unless I missed something?” Dick poked. Looked back to the screen and found himself smiling at one of the photos up. He and Damian as Batman and Robin, leading Pyg out of the fairgrounds they’d fought him in. Their first case.
Damian hesitated, seemed to be purposely avoiding Dick’s gaze. Then he huffed, and began shutting the files, one by one.
“No, it was…” Damian cleared his throat as Alfred the cat hopped down to his lap. “Sorry, I fell down a bit of a rabbit hole in our files…”
“No, no. It’s okay.” Dick reached out, touched the hand that was frantically closing all the windows. “It’s cool to reminisce sometimes.”
Damian hummed, but gently pulled his hands away from the computer, and out of Dick’s grasp, instead opting to pet gently at Alfred’s back.
And it was a comfortable enough quiet, but despite the years, Dick prided himself in being one of the few who could ever read Damian. A skill he refused to let go of, no matter what.
“…Something on your mind?” Dick murmured, crossing his ankles. Damian shrugged silently, and Dick couldn’t help but chuckle lightly. Even as a twenty-something, he could still be so childish sometimes. “Come on, Damian. You know you can tell me.”
“…Back then. When we were partners. When I was Robin.” Damian whispered, after another moment of silence. He glanced up, but still couldn’t hold Dick’s stare. “Was I…not good enough?”
Dick’s easy smile dropped instantly. “What?”
“Was I a burden?” Damian asked. “Is that why…you left?”
“Left, I…” Dick was floored. “What…what brought this on all of the sudden?”
“Not sudden.” Damian shook his head, leaned his head back against his chair like he was exhausted. “I’ve always wondered.”
Dick could only stare.
“And then you stopped coming back to Gotham, stopped really working with anyone in the family, kept moving from city to city…” Damian listed. “And you leaving or being gone while I stayed always seemed to correlate with Father’s mood being particularly sour so I just…figured out one day that it was something I’d done. Or somehow I’d been the cause.”
“No. God, no, Damian, you didn’t do anything, I just…” Dick ran his hands through his hair, then dragged them back down his face. “Jesus, why didn’t you ever talk to me about this?!”
“I tried. Subtly.” Damian admitted. Shrugged nervously again. “I guess too subtly.” He looked back up at the screen, at one of the photos of the old days. The good old days. “I eventually stopped trying, assuming I was bothering you. So I…I tried to move on instead. Tried creating teams and partnering up with other heroes…”
“Jon. The Titans.” Dick remembered out loud, behind the hand he kept clasped over his mouth.
Damian nodded. “And while Jon did become someone I grew…very close with, it still didn’t – doesn’t – compare to what you and I had.”
Dick could only close his eyes. “God, Damian…”
“And I missed you.” Damian admitted finally. “I missed you terribly, but…but you seemed happier so I knew I had to let you live your own life, whether I was part of that or not.”
“No, I wasn’t!” Dick suddenly burst, pushing off the desk and practically stomping his foot. “God, fuck, Damian, I was miserable! I’ve been miserable!”
Damian seemed surprised to hear that.
“I missed you like crazy! I hated leaving you with Bruce! I didn’t even fucking want to!” Dick ranted, beginning to pace in the small space. Damian just silently turned his chair to watch him.
Alfred just meowed judgmentally. Knowingly.
“I hated not working with you anymore! I hated missing you grow up!” He let out a growl. “I’ve hated everything since working with you!”
Silence, to let that echo.
“…Then why did you?” Damian whispered.
Dick huffed, turning to him. “What?”
“Why did you leave me with Father then, if you didn’t want to?”
“Because.” Dick practically whined. “It’s what you wanted. You’d always wanted to work with Bruce and be with your dad and I…I just.” He stared at Damian. At the man he became. “I just wanted you to be happy. I just wanted you to be the happiest you could be, and I knew that wasn’t with me.”
Damian stared at him. Blinked a few times. Then looked down at his cat.
“…Oh.”
“Oh.” Dick mocked with a bitter laugh, turning away to hide the tears building in his eyes. “Yeah. Oh.”
“And I…I hate to kick you while you are down, but you were wrong.” Damian mumbled. “I know I was just a…a snobby child, but I wish you would have talked to me about this before you’d made your decision.”
Dick sniffed. Crossed his arms. “Why.”
“Because I was happiest when I was with you. Working with you, being raised by you. Your friendship.” Damian admitted softly. “And even all these years later, that sentiment has not changed.”
Dick looked at him, and he watched Damian’s face morph as the tears spilled over from his eyes. “Really?”
“Really.” Damian gently shooed Alfred from his lap and stood. “Oh, Grayson. Please don’t cry.”
Dick crossed the space before the words were even out of his mouth and wrapped him in his arms. He didn’t care that Damian was Bruce’s height now, that he was forcibly pulling Damian down and probably hurting his shoulders.
“I’m sorry.” He sobbed, lifting one hand to hold the back of Damian’s head. “I am so sorry, kiddo. God, I’m an idiot.”
“Well, I won’t argue that.” Damian laughed, carefully patting Dick’s back.
But Dick immediately leaned back, taking Damian’s face in his hands. “You were perfect, okay? You never did anything wrong. I didn’t leave because you were a burden or annoyance or anything like that, okay?” He squeezed Damian’s cheeks slightly. “Okay?”
“Okay.” Damian laughed, trying to pull away, but Dick was having none of it. Just tugged Damian back in, holding him like he was still that ten year old he left behind.
And Damian would never admit it, but deep down, somewhere, he probably was.
Dick held him for a few more minutes, until he could control his tears just a little better. He glanced over to the computer, stared at a blurry image of he and Damian flying over the city, as the bat and the bird.
“Hey.” He sniffed again, wiped the remaining moisture from his eyes. “How about a patrol. Just you and me, like old times?”
“We’ve both already patrolled tonight.” Damian offered, backing away. “Besides, Grayson, you’re tired and emotionally compromised.” He blushed a little in embarrassment. “My apologies.” But then continued. “Not to mention…you’re old. Do you think your body can handle another?”
“Not that old.” Dick scolded, tapping Damian’s nose. “And another patrol with you? Not only can I handle it, I can still beat you across the rooftops in a race, just like I used to.”
Damian scoffed. “Oh, you can not.”
“Prove it.” Dick smirked, backing to the table where he’d dropped his mask, right next to Damian’s cowl. He picked up the cowl too, tossing it to Damian. “Let’s go, Robin.”
Damian let out a laugh, a happy, joyous, excited one, as he tugged his cowl back on and quickly followed Dick to their bikes.
“Right behind you, Batman.”
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dickie-gayson · 7 years
Text
SHENANIGANS
DUKE VS THE SUN AND DICK’S HAREM OF OLDER MEN
Summary: After a rough night on patrol, Duke just wants the sun to go away. In trying to do so, he manages to drive Dick up the wall about his harem of older men.
Otherwise known as: In which Duke is too stubborn to just move his seat and Dick is in serious denial.
Characters: Duke Thomas, Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Damian Wayne, Tim Drake, Cassandra Cain, Luke Fox, Stephanie Brown, Harper Row
Genre: Family, Humor
Length: 4k+
Other: Just a funny, nonsense fic (that was only supposed to be like 1k wtf) i tried to give everyone speaking parts w./o making it too confusing. Dialogue Heavy.
Find It On: Ao3 Fanfiction 
All was quiet in Wayne Manor as the sun sat high in the sky. Such a thing was not odd for the mostly nocturnal family. Today, however, was a special occasion. The previous night's patrol had been somewhat strenuous for the patrolling bats and birds, and as such, they were given a day to unwind and recover from the fatigue. Naturally, after crashing for a few hours, the members started to slowly rise and shuffle about, none-too-happy about being conscious, but alas, they were never known to maintain a healthy sleep schedule. There was always something more important to be done, even on a 'day off'. A day off in the Batfamily was really just another way of saying 'paperwork and investigation day'.
Duke slumped at the absurdly long dinner table with a loud, beleaguered groan, as if the sheer act of being conscious was a great torment of some form. Slowly, deep brown eyes rose and squinted at the window that let sunshine wash across the room. It almost looked as if the force of his glare alone could close the curtains. There was a soul-deep hatred one could only get after being put through hell and having to stave off the sweet embrace of slumber for more work. That, or being so incredibly hung-over and being forced to attend a third-graders school concert. It was almost impressive, really, how much it seemed that the sun itself personally offended him.
Another person walked into the dining room, loudly munching on their choice of breakfast (and wouldn't you know that's the only sound they made?). Duke was still getting used to living in a house full of goddamn ninjas. He purposefully ignored the person as they drew closer, in no mood to converse. Really, all he wanted to do was curl up and sleep off the rough night he had. That, and throw the sun in the fucking trash because nothing had the right to be that bright and cheery when he felt like he went twenty rounds with Troia.
His attempts to ignore the person were rendered useless as yet another person entered the room and he just knew shit was going to go down. No more than two (2) Bats can be in a room together without some sort of catastrophe going on. It's like a scientific law at this point. He let out another melodramatic sigh and let his head drop to the table with a 'thud'. Then, he winced and groaned again as his headache increased just a bit from the unnecessary abuse.
"Aww, what's wrong baby bird? Long night?"
That soul-penetrating glare was leveled to the owner of the teasing, baby voice. An amused smirk is what met his eyes. Of course, it'd be Jason ready to fuck with him. He was pretty sure the oldest Batkids didn't sleep. Ever. And that they had some unnatural ability to bounce back from the worst situations like goddamn bouncy balls. Duke wasn't fully convinced they weren't secret metahumans. Just last week he caught Tim trying hang-glide with one broken arm so he could meet up with Kon at four in the morning for waffles or some equally dumb shit. And then there was the time Dick walked out of an exploding building while he was on fire and just laughed about it. Duke was almost positive there was some amount of mental trauma at the very least, given all their head and non-physical injuries.
"What is wrong with all of you?"
There was no true venom behind the words; just the understandable irritation of a kid who got clotheslined by some ugly dude in an even uglier suit at two in the morning. Jason just laughed and Dick chuckled around his spoon of probably overly sugary cereal. Great, he had the two oldest to deal with. He could already feel his desire to leap out the window rising. At least he wasn't going to get beat up by a thirteen-year-old again, that's a plus.
"Before or after the Crowbar Incident? You want a list? I bet I have more problems than Dickhead."
At that, Dick gave a derogative snort and flicked some of his cereal at Jason, who dodged it. The bit managed to hit Duke in the forehead and his glare just narrowed just a bit more at the older vigilantes. Jason pointed and laughed as the piece slowly slid and plopped onto Duke's lap.
"I'm going to go out and spit on your grave."
The oldest hero laughed loudly at Duke's irritation. He had to put his bowl on the table and steady himself at the affronted look plastered on the formerly dead man's face.
"Wow, Duke, tell me how you really feel."
It was still odd, adjusting to joking about some of them having died before. But, as he learned over time, they loved bringing it up in every situation. Mostly Jason, if he were being honest. Duke was still too scared to bring it up to Cass and Damian. Cass was too nice and also fucking scary, and Damian already beat the ever-loving hell out of him once. He did not want a repeat, thanks.
The cloud formerly hiding the sun for just a bit finally passed and Duke was, once more, hit full force with the rays of the sun. His look of intense hatred was once more turned to the offending light. Without turning his angered stare from the window, he spoke up.
"Dick, call your leather daddy."
He didn't need to turn to know the eldest just choked on his food and was trying to hack it up from the wrong tube. Jason, meanwhile, was absolutely dying. Duke shifted to glance at the two. The younger of the two ex-Robins had one hand on his knee and was pointing at Dick with his free hand, laughing obnoxiously. Meanwhile, the older was glaring, face red from just having choked on Crocky Crunch.
"Shut up, Jason. And what do you mean 'leather daddy'. I don't have a leather daddy."
Just to irritate him, Jason laughed louder. The laughter seemed to have drawn others in, because Tim slipped in, looking just shy of actually dead. Behind him was Cass, looking graceful as ever. How she did it, he'd never know. Tim looked at the scene with mild suspicion, not that Duke could blame him. There was always a fifty-fifty shot that someone laughing at another member was bad. Cass just looked entertained. Her ability to read a situation so quickly was as unnerving as it was awesome.
"Why does Jason look like he's about to pass out? Did they break out the mullet pictures again?"
Dick turned his glare to Tim.
"Not you too! There were no mullet pictures this time! Jason's laughing because he's dumb."
Jason wiped a pretend tear as he straightened up slightly.
"Wrong, Dickface. I'm laughing because Duke is my new favorite brother."
Duke just looked at him with mild confusion. Tim seemed to mirror his look, though there was a bit more skepticism. Sometimes Duke still marveled at just how much like Bruce the other was. Did they teach 'paranoia' classes here or something? Was it like a required trait when being adopted by the big bad Bat? You had to be at least level 5 in either Paranoia, Nerd, or Athlete to join their cosplay group. Dick was staring at Jason as if just said the Riddler was the new fashion icon.
"That makes no sense Jason, but no surprise here. Also, why is he your favorite? He threatened to spit on your grave!"
Jason just raises an eyebrow in response. Duke wished he could do that.
"Yeah? And he didn't wear a rainbow polka-dot shirt with high-waisted jeans and dad loafers. Not to mention you had The Mullet at the time."
Duke couldn't help but let out the disgusted sound at the mental imagery. Tim visibly shuttered and even Cass looked at Dick with something akin to mild horror. Dick just put his head in his hands.
"Why? Why am I stuck with you all? Where's Damian, I need someone in my corner."
The words basically fell on deaf ears as Duke was still marveling over the atrocious mess that was Dick Grayson's fashion choices. How the man got voted the Most Eligible Bachelor and posted up as a part-time model when he was strapped for cash, Duke would never know. You could tell he grew up in a circus from the way he dressed. Not that Duke would ever say that because it felt like a really douche thing to say and he didn't want to get suplexed by the eldest. If he didn't stand a chance against Damian, he would get demolished by Dick. The guy had more fighting experience than most heroes in the business. So, for that, he could forgive his fashion crimes. But that didn't mean he forgot what he's been trying to get Dick to do before everyone derailed the conversation. Duke snapped his fingers for attention.
"Hello? Leather daddy? Call him."
Jason started to chuckle all over again, and Tim let out a startled sort of laugh, caught off-guard by the words. Dick let out an aggravated breath. Duke could see Cass laughing silently behind her hand as she watched the idiocy unfold.
"For the last time Duke, I do NOT have a leather daddy! And why do you need Midnighter, anyway?'
Everyone went dead quiet for a moment before Jason roared with laughter, almost on the floor at this point. Even Tim was having trouble remaining standing. He needed to lean on Cass to stay upright. He wheezed out between laughs.
"Oh my god, Dick. You just- He never said it was Midnighter."
Dick's face turned an interesting deep crimson, which was still frustratingly handsome. Duke didn't think it was fair, really. When he got embarrassed, he looked something like a frightened chipmunk.
"I...Uh...He's the only one I hang out with that wears leather and you guys tease me about."
Now, Duke was no expert or anything, but he was pretty sure if Jason didn't start breathing soon, he was going to pass out from lack of oxygen. Being that he was too indisposed to speak, Tim had the honors of filling in for him in the 'irritate Dick Grayson' category.
"Bullshit, we keep a list."
Somewhere between the stunned look on the veteran hero's face and the surprising snort of laughter that came from Cass, Luke entered the fray. He looked around the group warily. Good instincts. While Luke was busy eating his apple and surveying the scene, Dick managed to recompose himself. He narrowed his bright eyes in distrust.
"A list?"
After a noisy bite, Luke spoke up, not content with being left out of the loop.
"A list of what?"
From somewhere near the floor, Jason managed to choke out between panting breaths.
"Dick's sugar daddies."
"Ahh, that list. You add Raptor to it yet?"
Duke slammed his hands down on the table, catching their undivided attention. The sun was hitting him just right and it was annoying as all hell. He wondered if he could convince Superman to move the sun. Or the manor. He wasn't picky.
"Focus! I'm the one with the issue here! Call up your scary leather boyfriend and tell him to bring his boyfriend here."
Dick's gaze only grew more suspicious as he eyed up Duke.
"Why do you need Apollo?"
Tim snorted and faux-whispered to Steph, who had shown up with Harper and Barbara in the time that Duke was ranting.
"He didn't even try to deny being Midnighter's other boyfriend."
If one looked closely, they could almost see a vein in Dick's head throbbing like some sort of cartoon.
"Shut. up."
Duke, in a show of almost supernatural willpower, managed to ignore them and press on with his own devastating issues. Really, they should be paying full attention to his issue. He was the new kid and this was serious.
"I need Apollo here...so I can punch him."
His voice had been so calm and serious that it actually garnered incredulous stares. Dick had to take a moment to himself out of surprise. Luke just looked at Duke with something close to disbelief.
"Wha- Why do you want to punch Apollo? You've never met him. Also, he's super-powered, my dude."
Duke gave a flat, dead-serious stare.
"I know, I don't care. I want to punch him."
This time, it was Harper who piped up.
"But why?"
"Well, I can't feasibly go outside and punch the sun, now can I?"
Dick finally seemed to recollect himself, because he took back the reigns of the conversation.
"You...want me to call Midnighter."
"Yes."
"So he can bring Apollo."
"Yep."
"So you can punch Apollo."
"Correct."
"Because you can't punch the sun?"
"You got it."
There was another beat of silence. Then, Dick decided to break it with possibly the most somber voice Duke's ever heard come from the man.
"...Duke, what, and I mean this as nicely as possible, the fuck?"
"Listen, it makes perfect sense. Back me up, Tim. You're the smart one here. I can't fight the sun, but I can fight the guy who is based on the Sun God."
It looked as if Tim was actually debating the merits of the plan when Damian spoke up. The newest addition to the batclan nearly had a goddamn heart attack because he had not seen or heard Damian come in. He eyed up the smaller boy warily.
"Wrong. You can get decimated by the guy who is based on a Sun God. Because that is exactly what will happen if you attempt to fight him, Thomas."
"Hey, all I need is one hit and I'll feel better."
At the disparaging scoff that came from Luke, Duke shot him a Look. It wasn't quite to the Bat-level yet, but he was working on it. Hey, he was pretty proud of his Look so far. It scared a few of the baddies. He'll get there one day. At the moment, however, Luke just gave him a smirk back and spoke.
"Man, you'll feel a helluva lot worse, I bet. Not only would you be fighting a superhuman, but the superhuman's angry superhuman boyfriend."
Steph piped in with a look of exaggerated and obviously fake confusion on her face.
"Dick isn't a superhuman, though."
Dick let out a frustrated growl, clearly having fallen for the bait. Steph just smiled in satisfaction.
"He meant Midnighter! I am not dating Apollo!"
"Right, you're just dating M. Who's dating Apollo."
"For fuck's sake. I'm not dating either of them!"
If Dick got any more aggravated, Duke was betting his hair would either start turning white or just fall right out. He was mentally betting on falling out. A Luthor-style Dick would be hilarious. Meanwhile, Harper figured now would be a good time to join in on the 'irritate the oldest' bonding moment they were having.
"Yeah, he's clearly dating that one angry dude who worked with him when he was a super spy or some shit."
Babs gave an entertained look to Harper at the words. She seemed to be having the time of her life messing with her ex. The look in her eyes made Duke mentally remind himself not to piss her off anytime soon.
"You mean Tiger?"
"Yeah, that's the one."
"NO I'M NOT!"
He had to idly wonder where Bruce and Alfred were. They were being obnoxiously loud for being bats. Dick looked like his head was going to pop, either from aggravation or embarrassment, and the rest were having a blast. 'Nothing like family bonding over dragging a sibling.' Jason finally seemed to come out of his laughter-induced coma.
"Duh, if Dickie were smashing anyone, it'd be Constantine."
The look of sheer incredulity on Dick's face was priceless. Duke would admit this one threw him for a loop. He's heard of the tricky magic-user who sold his soul however many times. But, he's never heard of the Brit liking Dick. Not that it'd be a surprise. Duke could probably throw a rock in any direction and hit someone who wanted to bone the original Robin.
"What the hell? John Constantine? Where did that even come from?!"
Jason just gave him a serious, flat look.
"He totally has the hots for you."
Babs gave a sage nod, as if nothing truer had ever been spoken. Even Luke gave a sound of agreement. Dick couldn't help but look at them in surprise.
"No, he does not. Where did you hear that?"
"I heard it from Kyle who heard it from Simon. Apparently, during a meeting of some form where he was with John, John wouldn't stop talking 'bout how much of a beefcake you are."
"Oh my God, just end my life already. For real this time."
Tim snapped his fingers, as if remembering something.
"Oh yeah! I heard about that! It was the talk of the Watchtower for a bit there."
At this point, Dick had his head in his hands once more and looked ready to resign from life in general.
"I hate you. I hate you all."
Duke cleared his throat and waved his arms to garner their attention.
"Guys, we're getting off track. We can talk about Dick's Harem of Older Men later. I have a sun to punch."
"I do NOT have a Harem of Older Men! Where do you guys get this information?!"
The joined 'siblings' shared a look. The fact that this might have been discussed before left a look of true horror on the first Boy Wonder's face. Duke apparently hadn't been around long enough to enjoy these sessions. He wasn't sure whether he should be pleased or disappointed about that fact. Cass started ticking off sources, much to Dick's shock.
"Other heroes. Villains. Oracle. Watching you and enemies. Very obvious."
Babs looked from her successor to Dick with a growing look of amusement.
"They're not wrong. We're keeping a tally on who's in the Dick Grayson Older Men Fan Club. Fifty bucks say you get a new member in the next two months."
"There is no fan club."
Tim shook his head, as if saddened that Dick couldn't accept the obvious. Steph was having a ball needling Dick.
"There totally is. Slade's the president, M's the treasurer, Thomas Wayne Jr. is the VP, Constan-'
At that, Duke shot the blonde a look of confusion. He was still going through the list of criminal profiles and hadn't made it to that name yet. It was the fact that he recognized the name Thomas Wayne as Bruce's father that caught his attention.
"Wait, Thomas Wayne Jr.? Who the hell is that?"
Steph, as if realizing that not everyone gathered witnessed whatever fuckery brought the man around, took pity on Duke and explained just a little.
"Oh, Bruce's older brother from an alternate universe or some shit. Evil. Totally has a hard on for Dick, anyway-'
"That's so fucked up, man."
He marveled yet again over the sheer level of absurdity this family went through on a near daily basis. And he willingly submerged himself into it. Great.
"GUYS! SHUT UP! THERE IS NO HAREM OR FAN CLUB.-'
"I think we established that there is."
'-SLADE IS DEFINITELY NOT THE PRESIDENT-'
"Oh, please, he liked invented your fan club."
'-AND BRUCE'S BROTHER DOESN'T HAVE THE HOTS FOR ME."
"Yeah, cus just anyone goes to an alternate universe to stalk the alternate version of their old partner and kidnap them to keep them."
"That is NOT what went down."
"Suuuuure."
Duke really didn't want to think about ANY of that for more than three seconds, because honestly, what the in the fresh hell. How is Dick alive with that many crazy creeps after him? If it were Duke, he probably would have just hung up the tights and called it a day. He does not need whacked out assassins after his ass, no thanks. Shaking his head, as if it'd rid him of disturbing images of way-too-tight suits and creepy old men, he spoke up. Duke still hasn't gotten to punch the overly cheerful ball in the sky or its metahuman counterpart. This is unbelievable. Bats got shit done except when he needed to beat someone up.
"DICK. Bring your boyfriend's boyfriend here! I need to hit him! This shit is too bright. Gotham ain't ever this bright, what the fuck."
"Oh, for the love of- Duke, if you want to hit someone, go punch Jason."
At that moment, Damian shoved his way to the front and center of Dick's view. There was a look of disgust and irritation scrunched up on his otherwise adorable features. Duke subtly (or tried to be subtle) scooted back from the duo. That look meant he was unhappy. And if it was involving his precious oldest brother/father-figure, Duke was not getting in the middle of that. He wasn't suicidal, despite what his late-night activities might suggest.
"Grayson, we need to discuss this harem of older men dedicated to you."
Dick took a deep breath and tried to appear calm for the youngest of the family. He gave the boy a patient look that only came with years of practice.
"Damian, there is no harem, they're being dumb."
Clearly, that wasn't the answer the young hero was looking for. He gave one of his infamous little tongue clicks and rolled his eyes.
"That isn't new knowledge. However, I have seen and heard things that would coincide with their stories. I do not approve."
Just like that, Dick's calm facade shattered. Honestly, he was impressed it held for even half of the sentence.
"I swear to god, there is no harem. There isn't even a fan club. None that I've heard of, at any rate."
Damian merely gave a contemplative hum. There was that look in his eyes. You know, the look of a Bat who just became obsessed with a case. It was almost worrying because Duke was positive the kid was going to take this way too seriously.
"I need find this 'fan club' and dismantle it before they attempt anything."
Jason was practically vibrating in his seat in an attempt to hold in his raucous laughter. This was clearly the best day he's had in a while.
"That's right, baby bat! Go get 'em! They're out to steal our precious big bird."
Dick shot him the patented 'Batglare', though years of exposure lessened the effects to the smartass vigilante.
"Do NOT encourage him, Jason."
It was obvious Jason heard him, but he pretended not to and merely kept his attention solely on the youngest Robin. Tim, seeing this as a wondrous and golden opportunity to fuck with Damian, pitched in his two-cents.
"In fact, I think you should join the fan club. Work your way up the ranks, like a sort of double agent, and then bring them all down."
"Hmm...this plan has merit, even if it's coming from Drake."
"Thanks, Dami."
Jason scoffed from his position against the table.
"He only wants to join for the t-shirt."
"Tt, no. If I wanted any Grayson merchandise, I could simply go to the dollar store and buy something. I need to ensure that these...miscreants have nothing nefarious planned. Grayson often leaves himself open in such stupid ways around them."
"Excuse me? I do not. And for the last damn time...you know what? Never mind, have fun trying to find this imaginary club. And you,-'
He pointed directly at Duke, the one who started this whole thing. Duke just gave him a squinted look, still waiting for him to call Midnighter for him.
'have fun trying to fist fight something that would destroy your ass. I'm out."
With that, the eldest stalked out of the room, having hit his quota for irritation and insults for the day. Though, Luke managed to slip one more in before he was out of hearing range.
"Try not to pick up any more older men while you're out!"
"FUCK OFF!"
There was a moment of silence in which they all just kind of reveled in the shared amusement. Then, Duke turned his squint to Tim as the sun still burned his retinas.
"Hey Tim, you think you can call Superboy?"
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academla · 7 years
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Update
I thought I’d also update you guys! Those who have me on Snapchat (edye327) probably know all of this because my life is documented on there, but for those of you who don’t, I’ll give a lil halfway-through-summer (more than halfway) update.
Money situation
That’s been covered here. I have to go to school and figure out a payment plan for my $4k+ bill, hahahahaha, I might actually cry. And also I’ve applied to a crapton of scholarships and probably won’t get any but hey, it’s worth a shot!
Job situation
So what I’m trying to do now is to see if I can get a part-time job at my dad’s work, because someone just quit, and do part-time at the preschool. This week, my schedule for the preschool was literally “as needed” and I will be working a whopping 12 hours. Not sure what’s up with next week. Also, I’ve been working with the @buymeacoffee blog, which is pretty neat. It’s not really a job maker but I’ve been with it for over a year now (with a loooong hiatus) and the owner gives me a few coffees if I do a lot of work.
I also have zero details on the other job thing. And what sucks is because I’m waiting for new glasses lenses, I can’t drive. Ha. jiafp9e84hgak;lsdjf now was a better time than during school, when I need to drive myself, but this makes working difficult as well. 
Anyway, everything is ambiguous and I’m trying to be super chill about it but inside I’m screaming GIVE ME MONEY!!!
School situation
I finished my summer chem class with an A! *happy dance* It was a slightly close call, because that final was a little bit rough, but I love love LOVED my teacher and she was super supportive of me, so overall it was a good experience. She also said that she saw my anxiety decrease over the course of the class and that really meant a lot due to my struggles (as you all have painfully observed) with academic anxiety.
Mental health situation (TW eating)
I’ve been doing great! My anxiety is down (probably because school is over, but in general I’ve found my academic anxiety decrease over the past year), and my depression is virtually gone. I mean, let’s be real, some days you just want to lie around and watch TV and write fanfiction. My mom freaked out and contacted my therapist thinking I was depressed or something, but later apologized when I let her have it. She just worries a lot.
Eating has been a bit off because of my appetite being like, not wanting to work with me here. The problem is, that can 1. bring up ED thoughts and 2. be caused by my Wellbutrin, but I don’t want to risk going off of the Wellbutrin because maybe it’s helping my depression a lot. I don’t want to find out by having a breakdown if I titrate off of it.
Social situation
It was a bit hard to make friends because I didn’t have a lot in common with my peers, and the ones I did were pretty young. Even though I tend to view everyone as equals because we’re in the same situation, I have learned the very rough lesson that age differences can seriously make or break a “friendship” (both online and in real life) and I’ve served my time in the trenches of adolescence/high school. I don’t want to get caught up in drama. And then if I try to avoid drama, I create more drama.
But honestly, it’s life. People will make mountains out of mole hills and talk shit behind your back and with time it becomes easier to shake off. *shrug* I’ve been particularly close with Mary, Bella, and Ally (I don’t know their current URLs sorry I’m lazy) which has been awesome. Mary and Ally are a breath of fresh air for me because they’re my age, and Bella is younger but awesome and lowkey. Ain’t no drama there.
More importantly, my beloved Stephanie (my English professor), who is snap story famous, and I have stayed in touch. She’s THE SWEETEST, and I even got to babysit her kids. She makes me v happy despite her busy schedule. I’m also trying to hang out with people irl, it’s just like, you know... money and effort when I could just have 8-hour Skype calls with Bella.
So, that’s pretty much it, or at least everything I can think of off the top of my head. Reply to this with your favorite color if you’ve read the whole thing ;)
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227's™ Facebook Fries!¡' (aka YouTube Chili' NBA) #Nike'Spicy'Tunes Trending News! #Nike'Spicy' NBA Mix! 15 other Spicy' presidents who were caught up in #salacious'liciously' Spicy' sex Chili' scandals before Chili' Trump's Spicy' Stormy Chili' Daniel
Porn star Stormy Daniels' allegations of an affair with President Donald Trump are some of the most salacious to be made against a president. Daniels, an adult film star whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, says she had an affair with Trump at a Lake Tahoe celebrity golf tournament in 2006. Former Playboy playmate Karen McDougal recently made similar allegations against the president, who prior to taking office was accused of sexual misconduct by more than a dozen women. Trump denies all of the allegations against him. While those allegations have garnered much media attention, and have followed the president throughout his first term, they are far from the only such allegations made against an occupant of the Oval Office. Trump is no stranger to such scandals, and neither is the presidency. More than a third of the men who've occupied the Oval Office have been either accused of sexual misconduct, alleged to have had an affair, fathered a child out of wedlock with someone they were conducting such an affair with, or boasted of their extramarital sexual escapades. http://www.businessinsider.com/president-sex-scandal-history-2018-3
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  Submit music: https://submithub.com/blog/la-belle-musique Submit photos: https://flickr.com/groups/labellemusique • Follow Lil Dicky
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KFC Comfort Zone | Space, Time, Pot Pie
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The entire history of the universe has led up to the moment you saw this ad for a Pot Pie–based meditation system. The Secret Behind Sauce Packets | What The Bell Happened? | Taco Bell
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227's™ Facebook Fries!¡' (aka YouTube Chili' NBA) #Nike'Spicy'Tunes Trending News! #Nike'Spicy' NBA Mix! 15 other Spicy' presidents who were caught up in #salacious'liciously' Spicy' sex Chili' scandals before Chili' Trump's Spicy' Stormy Chili' Daniels saga #Walmart'Spicy'Tunes #Nike'Spicy'Tunes Spicy' NBA Mix!
from Jamaal Al-Din's blog 227's™ YouTube Chili' NBA Mix! http://hoops227.typepad.com/blog/2018/04/227s-facebook-fries-aka-youtube-chili-nba-nikespicytunes-trending-news-nikespicy-nba-mix-15-other-spicy-p.html via http://hoops227.typepad.com/blog/
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demitgibbs · 5 years
Text
Screen Queens
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
youtube
You don’t need to see Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again more than once. That’s still one more time than you needed to see the original Mamma Mia! when Meryl Streep bopped and pranced around the streets of Greece’s dreamy Kalokairi island. One very famous woman’s infectious buoyancy, however, couldn’t entirely save the jukebox musical’s no-fun drudgery, nor could she cleanse Pierce Brosnan’s croak of a “voice.” For good reason, then, Streep bowed out of Here We Go Again – almost, anyway (her single scene is literally otherworldly and more tearfully tender than it ought to be; also, I’m a crybaby). But no matter: Your mom’s favorite movie of 2018 is a brand of stupid-fun I support, probably best viewed after eating an edible. It tells the story of Streep’s Donna without Streep (played in her youth circa the 1970s, through flashbacks, by a very alive Lily James), as she journeys to matriarchal womanhood with the man triad who swept her off her feet, naturally set to deeper-catalog ABBA bops/ballads not in its predecessor. Like an amusement park ride you promised yourself you’d never go on again but then you just couldn’t help yourself, Here We Go Again is just that, with the gratuitous and appropriately dramatic and well-lit addition of a mini Cher concert. Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, after all, isn’t really a movie anyway; it’s a gay reason for gay sons and their gay-adoring moms to bond together and want to plan a trip to Greece together and emphatically say “OMG, don’t you just love Christine Baranski?!” together. So just surrender to its dumb charms and then gaily skip to the special features to see Meryl do a drag-worthy vocal impression of Cher.
A Simple Favor
youtube
Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick making out in A Simple Favor was the lesbian kiss 2018 needed, so thanks a million for that, Paul Feig. The comedy writer-director who we love because he loves putting women first in his films (particularly his muse Melissa McCarthy, in both Spy and Bridesmaids) has his finger on the pulse of so many gay things in his latest flick, merging dark, twisted comedy with his signature farce. Beyond the Lively-Kendrick hookup that rocked our world, Feig somehow knew exactly what was missing from queer cinema: a frothy Hitchcockian crime soap opera about a bisexual mom (Lively) and a straight mom (Kendrick) that also features a Mr. Mom (Andrew Rannells, gay). Kendrick’s cat-sock-wearing Stephanie meets the sophisticated, wouldn’t-be-caught-in-cat-socks Emily, deliciously played by Lively, at their kids’ school. They are night and day, and their mom differences (Stephanie would never hang a giant painting of her bushy vag in her home!) makes for some genius comedic awkwardness. But things get weird and twisty and gayer when Stephanie disappears after asking Emily to pick up her son from school. Emily goes into Nancy Drew search mode: “We are soldiering on with cookies and origami,” she bravely shares with the moms who watch her dorky domestic vlog. Come for the kiss and Blake Lively in men’s suits; stay for the bonkers shift into “Murder, She Vlogged.”
Shampoo
youtube
Before we knew straight men could look as good as gay men and not even identify as gay, there was Warren Beatty as George, whose sexuality was the subject of speculation in 1975’s raunchy sex dramedy Shampoo. During a business meeting, George explains to aging private investor Lester (Jack Warden) that beauty school led him to his profession as a hairdresser, leaving Lester looking as stumped as any old white guy who can’t conceive of breaking gender norms. Little does Lester know that George’s bedhead poof of a Mick Jagger mane is the result of the lady carousel he’s riding hard. One of those women is Jackie (Julie Christie), Lester’s mistress. Lester is blind to their affair: “You think George is a fairy?” he asks Jackie. (Later, when the two are caught in an intimate hair-styling moment, George feigns gay.) Then there’s Goldie Hawn and Lee Grant, as Jill and Felicia, respectively; George keeps both women around for different reasons, though role-wise Hawn got the feebler of the female parts while Grant got an Oscar. Set against the 1968 presidential election, Shampoo is a sign of the times with regard to evolving homosexuality and big-picture politics, marked by an intimate love story that’s messy, bittersweet and holds up timelessly in 2019. During one of many supplemental features on Criterion Collection’s new restoration, critics Mark Harris and Frank Rich discuss Carrie Fisher’s use of the word “faggity” and the film’s striking gay implications.
Also Out
Halloween
youtube
The new Halloween is not great. If you’ve never seen a horror movie before or lived through America in 2018, there are some scares, and one particularly effective and artfully shot sequence is thrilling: a long, strolling shot of the franchise’s masked terror, Michael Myers, on Halloween night amid trick-or-treaters going about his usual knife-bludgeoning business. It’s the perfect throwback to John Carpenter’s 1978 classic, his legendary score still bone-chilling 40 years on. The big sell here is Jamie Lee Curtis returning as Grandma Laurie Strode, even though she fell to her death in 2002’s Resurrection, a movie that doesn’t matter (and never mattered; it’s bad) because director David Gordon Green’s Trump-era Halloween asks you to forget that Curtis was even in a movie with Busta Rhymes and Tyra Banks. This contemporary pseudo-feminist take featuring generations of women standing up to an evil man (sound familiar?) serves as a direct sequel – and, occasionally, slick homage – to Carpenter’s classic. Curtis’ Laurie is one-note frayed and fierce, but at least watching her kick major ass is more inspirational than anything the other Grandma Lauries watch on the Hallmark Channel.
Philadelphia
youtube
For just under five minutes, Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington and Mary Steenburgen, along with openly gay screenwriter Ron Nyswaner, reflect on the intent and legacy of their landmark AIDS-centric drama Philadelphia. These new interviews featured on the 25th Anniversary 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Edition of the 1993 film, renowned for giving a human face to AIDS and gay discrimination, are slight. Perhaps that’s because viewing this historical snapshot all these years later – post same-sex marriage, post PrEP – does most of the speaking on its own. It speaks to a time. It speaks to a community. It speaks to those outside of the community: “I don’t think Philadelphia was made for gay people,” Hanks says. “It was made for straight people who didn’t understand how you could be gay or why you were gay.”
Some Like It Hot
youtube
American cinema will tell you that if you’re a man in peril – running from criminals? looking for a way to see your kids after losing custody of them? – slipping into a dress, plopping on a wig and powdering your face can free you from your troubles. Beloved crime-comedy caper Some Like It Hot, to which Mrs. Doubtfire and those White Chicks owe their thanks, would become the definitive landmark crossdressing farce, and the 1959 film is preserved as beautifully as Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis (and, of course, Marilyn Monroe) in lace and lipstick with this new 4K digital restoration Blu-ray from Criterion. Special features are plentiful: a 1988 talk between Curtis and critic Leonard Maltin, a new costume-centric featurette, and a wonderful essay written by author Sam Wasson.
from Hotspots! Magazine https://hotspotsmagazine.com/2019/02/21/screen-queens/ from Hot Spots Magazine https://hotspotsmagazine.tumblr.com/post/182960416805
0 notes
cynthiajayusa · 5 years
Text
Screen Queens
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
youtube
You don’t need to see Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again more than once. That’s still one more time than you needed to see the original Mamma Mia! when Meryl Streep bopped and pranced around the streets of Greece’s dreamy Kalokairi island. One very famous woman’s infectious buoyancy, however, couldn’t entirely save the jukebox musical’s no-fun drudgery, nor could she cleanse Pierce Brosnan’s croak of a “voice.” For good reason, then, Streep bowed out of Here We Go Again – almost, anyway (her single scene is literally otherworldly and more tearfully tender than it ought to be; also, I’m a crybaby). But no matter: Your mom’s favorite movie of 2018 is a brand of stupid-fun I support, probably best viewed after eating an edible. It tells the story of Streep’s Donna without Streep (played in her youth circa the 1970s, through flashbacks, by a very alive Lily James), as she journeys to matriarchal womanhood with the man triad who swept her off her feet, naturally set to deeper-catalog ABBA bops/ballads not in its predecessor. Like an amusement park ride you promised yourself you’d never go on again but then you just couldn’t help yourself, Here We Go Again is just that, with the gratuitous and appropriately dramatic and well-lit addition of a mini Cher concert. Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, after all, isn’t really a movie anyway; it’s a gay reason for gay sons and their gay-adoring moms to bond together and want to plan a trip to Greece together and emphatically say “OMG, don’t you just love Christine Baranski?!” together. So just surrender to its dumb charms and then gaily skip to the special features to see Meryl do a drag-worthy vocal impression of Cher.
A Simple Favor
youtube
Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick making out in A Simple Favor was the lesbian kiss 2018 needed, so thanks a million for that, Paul Feig. The comedy writer-director who we love because he loves putting women first in his films (particularly his muse Melissa McCarthy, in both Spy and Bridesmaids) has his finger on the pulse of so many gay things in his latest flick, merging dark, twisted comedy with his signature farce. Beyond the Lively-Kendrick hookup that rocked our world, Feig somehow knew exactly what was missing from queer cinema: a frothy Hitchcockian crime soap opera about a bisexual mom (Lively) and a straight mom (Kendrick) that also features a Mr. Mom (Andrew Rannells, gay). Kendrick’s cat-sock-wearing Stephanie meets the sophisticated, wouldn’t-be-caught-in-cat-socks Emily, deliciously played by Lively, at their kids’ school. They are night and day, and their mom differences (Stephanie would never hang a giant painting of her bushy vag in her home!) makes for some genius comedic awkwardness. But things get weird and twisty and gayer when Stephanie disappears after asking Emily to pick up her son from school. Emily goes into Nancy Drew search mode: “We are soldiering on with cookies and origami,” she bravely shares with the moms who watch her dorky domestic vlog. Come for the kiss and Blake Lively in men’s suits; stay for the bonkers shift into “Murder, She Vlogged.”
Shampoo
youtube
Before we knew straight men could look as good as gay men and not even identify as gay, there was Warren Beatty as George, whose sexuality was the subject of speculation in 1975’s raunchy sex dramedy Shampoo. During a business meeting, George explains to aging private investor Lester (Jack Warden) that beauty school led him to his profession as a hairdresser, leaving Lester looking as stumped as any old white guy who can’t conceive of breaking gender norms. Little does Lester know that George’s bedhead poof of a Mick Jagger mane is the result of the lady carousel he’s riding hard. One of those women is Jackie (Julie Christie), Lester’s mistress. Lester is blind to their affair: “You think George is a fairy?” he asks Jackie. (Later, when the two are caught in an intimate hair-styling moment, George feigns gay.) Then there’s Goldie Hawn and Lee Grant, as Jill and Felicia, respectively; George keeps both women around for different reasons, though role-wise Hawn got the feebler of the female parts while Grant got an Oscar. Set against the 1968 presidential election, Shampoo is a sign of the times with regard to evolving homosexuality and big-picture politics, marked by an intimate love story that’s messy, bittersweet and holds up timelessly in 2019. During one of many supplemental features on Criterion Collection’s new restoration, critics Mark Harris and Frank Rich discuss Carrie Fisher’s use of the word “faggity” and the film’s striking gay implications.
Also Out
Halloween
youtube
The new Halloween is not great. If you’ve never seen a horror movie before or lived through America in 2018, there are some scares, and one particularly effective and artfully shot sequence is thrilling: a long, strolling shot of the franchise’s masked terror, Michael Myers, on Halloween night amid trick-or-treaters going about his usual knife-bludgeoning business. It’s the perfect throwback to John Carpenter’s 1978 classic, his legendary score still bone-chilling 40 years on. The big sell here is Jamie Lee Curtis returning as Grandma Laurie Strode, even though she fell to her death in 2002’s Resurrection, a movie that doesn’t matter (and never mattered; it’s bad) because director David Gordon Green’s Trump-era Halloween asks you to forget that Curtis was even in a movie with Busta Rhymes and Tyra Banks. This contemporary pseudo-feminist take featuring generations of women standing up to an evil man (sound familiar?) serves as a direct sequel – and, occasionally, slick homage – to Carpenter’s classic. Curtis’ Laurie is one-note frayed and fierce, but at least watching her kick major ass is more inspirational than anything the other Grandma Lauries watch on the Hallmark Channel.
Philadelphia
youtube
For just under five minutes, Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington and Mary Steenburgen, along with openly gay screenwriter Ron Nyswaner, reflect on the intent and legacy of their landmark AIDS-centric drama Philadelphia. These new interviews featured on the 25th Anniversary 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Edition of the 1993 film, renowned for giving a human face to AIDS and gay discrimination, are slight. Perhaps that’s because viewing this historical snapshot all these years later – post same-sex marriage, post PrEP – does most of the speaking on its own. It speaks to a time. It speaks to a community. It speaks to those outside of the community: “I don’t think Philadelphia was made for gay people,” Hanks says. “It was made for straight people who didn’t understand how you could be gay or why you were gay.”
Some Like It Hot
youtube
American cinema will tell you that if you’re a man in peril – running from criminals? looking for a way to see your kids after losing custody of them? – slipping into a dress, plopping on a wig and powdering your face can free you from your troubles. Beloved crime-comedy caper Some Like It Hot, to which Mrs. Doubtfire and those White Chicks owe their thanks, would become the definitive landmark crossdressing farce, and the 1959 film is preserved as beautifully as Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis (and, of course, Marilyn Monroe) in lace and lipstick with this new 4K digital restoration Blu-ray from Criterion. Special features are plentiful: a 1988 talk between Curtis and critic Leonard Maltin, a new costume-centric featurette, and a wonderful essay written by author Sam Wasson.
source https://hotspotsmagazine.com/2019/02/21/screen-queens/ from Hot Spots Magazine https://hotspotsmagazin.blogspot.com/2019/02/screen-queens.html
0 notes
hotspotsmagazine · 5 years
Text
Screen Queens
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again
youtube
You don’t need to see Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again more than once. That’s still one more time than you needed to see the original Mamma Mia! when Meryl Streep bopped and pranced around the streets of Greece’s dreamy Kalokairi island. One very famous woman’s infectious buoyancy, however, couldn’t entirely save the jukebox musical’s no-fun drudgery, nor could she cleanse Pierce Brosnan’s croak of a “voice.” For good reason, then, Streep bowed out of Here We Go Again – almost, anyway (her single scene is literally otherworldly and more tearfully tender than it ought to be; also, I’m a crybaby). But no matter: Your mom’s favorite movie of 2018 is a brand of stupid-fun I support, probably best viewed after eating an edible. It tells the story of Streep’s Donna without Streep (played in her youth circa the 1970s, through flashbacks, by a very alive Lily James), as she journeys to matriarchal womanhood with the man triad who swept her off her feet, naturally set to deeper-catalog ABBA bops/ballads not in its predecessor. Like an amusement park ride you promised yourself you’d never go on again but then you just couldn’t help yourself, Here We Go Again is just that, with the gratuitous and appropriately dramatic and well-lit addition of a mini Cher concert. Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, after all, isn’t really a movie anyway; it’s a gay reason for gay sons and their gay-adoring moms to bond together and want to plan a trip to Greece together and emphatically say “OMG, don’t you just love Christine Baranski?!” together. So just surrender to its dumb charms and then gaily skip to the special features to see Meryl do a drag-worthy vocal impression of Cher.
A Simple Favor
youtube
Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick making out in A Simple Favor was the lesbian kiss 2018 needed, so thanks a million for that, Paul Feig. The comedy writer-director who we love because he loves putting women first in his films (particularly his muse Melissa McCarthy, in both Spy and Bridesmaids) has his finger on the pulse of so many gay things in his latest flick, merging dark, twisted comedy with his signature farce. Beyond the Lively-Kendrick hookup that rocked our world, Feig somehow knew exactly what was missing from queer cinema: a frothy Hitchcockian crime soap opera about a bisexual mom (Lively) and a straight mom (Kendrick) that also features a Mr. Mom (Andrew Rannells, gay). Kendrick’s cat-sock-wearing Stephanie meets the sophisticated, wouldn’t-be-caught-in-cat-socks Emily, deliciously played by Lively, at their kids’ school. They are night and day, and their mom differences (Stephanie would never hang a giant painting of her bushy vag in her home!) makes for some genius comedic awkwardness. But things get weird and twisty and gayer when Stephanie disappears after asking Emily to pick up her son from school. Emily goes into Nancy Drew search mode: “We are soldiering on with cookies and origami,” she bravely shares with the moms who watch her dorky domestic vlog. Come for the kiss and Blake Lively in men’s suits; stay for the bonkers shift into “Murder, She Vlogged.”
Shampoo
youtube
Before we knew straight men could look as good as gay men and not even identify as gay, there was Warren Beatty as George, whose sexuality was the subject of speculation in 1975’s raunchy sex dramedy Shampoo. During a business meeting, George explains to aging private investor Lester (Jack Warden) that beauty school led him to his profession as a hairdresser, leaving Lester looking as stumped as any old white guy who can’t conceive of breaking gender norms. Little does Lester know that George’s bedhead poof of a Mick Jagger mane is the result of the lady carousel he’s riding hard. One of those women is Jackie (Julie Christie), Lester’s mistress. Lester is blind to their affair: “You think George is a fairy?” he asks Jackie. (Later, when the two are caught in an intimate hair-styling moment, George feigns gay.) Then there’s Goldie Hawn and Lee Grant, as Jill and Felicia, respectively; George keeps both women around for different reasons, though role-wise Hawn got the feebler of the female parts while Grant got an Oscar. Set against the 1968 presidential election, Shampoo is a sign of the times with regard to evolving homosexuality and big-picture politics, marked by an intimate love story that’s messy, bittersweet and holds up timelessly in 2019. During one of many supplemental features on Criterion Collection’s new restoration, critics Mark Harris and Frank Rich discuss Carrie Fisher’s use of the word “faggity” and the film’s striking gay implications.
Also Out
Halloween
youtube
The new Halloween is not great. If you’ve never seen a horror movie before or lived through America in 2018, there are some scares, and one particularly effective and artfully shot sequence is thrilling: a long, strolling shot of the franchise’s masked terror, Michael Myers, on Halloween night amid trick-or-treaters going about his usual knife-bludgeoning business. It’s the perfect throwback to John Carpenter’s 1978 classic, his legendary score still bone-chilling 40 years on. The big sell here is Jamie Lee Curtis returning as Grandma Laurie Strode, even though she fell to her death in 2002’s Resurrection, a movie that doesn’t matter (and never mattered; it’s bad) because director David Gordon Green’s Trump-era Halloween asks you to forget that Curtis was even in a movie with Busta Rhymes and Tyra Banks. This contemporary pseudo-feminist take featuring generations of women standing up to an evil man (sound familiar?) serves as a direct sequel – and, occasionally, slick homage – to Carpenter’s classic. Curtis’ Laurie is one-note frayed and fierce, but at least watching her kick major ass is more inspirational than anything the other Grandma Lauries watch on the Hallmark Channel.
Philadelphia
youtube
For just under five minutes, Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington and Mary Steenburgen, along with openly gay screenwriter Ron Nyswaner, reflect on the intent and legacy of their landmark AIDS-centric drama Philadelphia. These new interviews featured on the 25th Anniversary 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray Edition of the 1993 film, renowned for giving a human face to AIDS and gay discrimination, are slight. Perhaps that’s because viewing this historical snapshot all these years later – post same-sex marriage, post PrEP – does most of the speaking on its own. It speaks to a time. It speaks to a community. It speaks to those outside of the community: “I don’t think Philadelphia was made for gay people,” Hanks says. “It was made for straight people who didn’t understand how you could be gay or why you were gay.”
Some Like It Hot
youtube
American cinema will tell you that if you’re a man in peril – running from criminals? looking for a way to see your kids after losing custody of them? – slipping into a dress, plopping on a wig and powdering your face can free you from your troubles. Beloved crime-comedy caper Some Like It Hot, to which Mrs. Doubtfire and those White Chicks owe their thanks, would become the definitive landmark crossdressing farce, and the 1959 film is preserved as beautifully as Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis (and, of course, Marilyn Monroe) in lace and lipstick with this new 4K digital restoration Blu-ray from Criterion. Special features are plentiful: a 1988 talk between Curtis and critic Leonard Maltin, a new costume-centric featurette, and a wonderful essay written by author Sam Wasson.
from Hotspots! Magazine https://hotspotsmagazine.com/2019/02/21/screen-queens/
0 notes