#just a very normal day in the wayne household

[wondersinwaynemanor]

how can Gothamites speculate that the Wayne kids are vigilantes when those kids can't even watch a horror movie properly without being scared and screaming and hiding under the covers, they even sleep together in the movie room because they're a bit creeped out from the movie they watched so they don't want to sleep in their individual rooms.

in the movie room:

Dick, clinging to Duke's arm: Everybody, wake up, I think I heard something.

Duke, tightly holding the blankets: I knew it wasn't all in my head. Heard something too.

Steph, moves closer to Damian's side: Shush. That's not funny. Why is the door suddenly open???

Damian, doesn't want to admit it but moves closer to Dick: Tt. That film was appalling. And I would never cower in fear.

Jason, groans, although adjusts the blankets so that it can cover him and his other siblings: Would you all shut up? If I don't get enough sleep, I'm blaming all of you. You already dragged me here to watch that film.

Tim, slightly more awake than before, adjusting the sleeves of the jacket he's wearing: Can someone turn on the lights? I think someone is right outside the door.

Duke: Hold up, maybe I can-

footsteps are heard just right outside the room.

Jason: What the fuck?

Steph: Someone go and check it out.

Damian: No one shall order me around.

Tim: Maybe Bruce is back?

Dick: You know B is out of town for another week, and Alfie - AAAAAA!

the rest of the Wayne kids: AAAAAAAAA!

they all get startled as Cass passes by the door in her Black Bat suit.

Cass snickers as she hears her family screaming, cursing and blaming each other for choosing the horror film.

she will never tell them it was just her by the door.

[unsolved-duvall]

𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞 - 𝐞.𝐦. (𝟏𝟖+)

eddie munson x fem!reader

summary you and eddie broke up because you were too scared to love him. so when you need someone and he's the only person you want to run to, what are you supposed to do? (4.8k)

warnings talk of a bad home situation, mentions of abuse, references to mental health, anxiety, crying, very subtle mention of a panic attack, angst i suppose?, fluff, smut, kissing, unprotected sex (don't do this!), lots of feelings. i have probably missed something i'm so sorry <3

The downpour of rain beat down against the windows of your car and was almost loud enough to drown out the myriad of thoughts that were swirling around your mind. 

You didn’t know why you were here. 

That was a lie, you knew exactly why you were there. It was because this was the only place you could think to go. And Eddie was the only person you felt safe with. Never mind the fact that you had broken up last month. You had been the one to break up with him. 

But tonight every emotion you were feeling felt too overwhelming. The sadness and anxiety that you could normally let go of seemed to consume your every thought, washing over you like a wave until they drowned you. Of course, it didn’t help that the only sounds around to drown out your thoughts were those of a not-so-calming nature. 

Your mom and her boyfriend had been fighting constantly. Screaming, shouting and harsh words became a sort of white noise in your household. You would listen with your door cracked open in case you needed to call for help. You felt an innate need to protect her, even from herself. 

The fighting was so common that it rarely bothered you anymore, but tonight everything had gotten to be too much. It was non-stop, pushing you to the edge and causing you to get in your car and drive over here without thinking twice about it. 

And now you were sitting in your car, fiddling with the necklace that hung delicately around your neck, before slipping it back underneath your jumper, letting the ring that hung from it hit your cold skin. And tried to figure out what the fuck you were thinking? What made you think he would even want to see you? You had broken his heart, he had told you that. And those words played on repeat in your head every day, like your own personal form of torture. 

Eddie knew you didn’t have a great home life. It was why you practically lived with him and Wayne when you were still together. You had your own drawer full of clothes and your belongings were always dotted through the trailer. A book you were reading thrown on the sofa, your blanket folded over the back of a chair, or your toiletries in the bathroom next to Eddie’s. 

You never spoke about the reason you were there so often. You didn’t need to. Eddie knew all too well what it felt like to live in that sort of environment, so you never needed to explain anything to him. When you would turn up at his door at midnight, tears streaming down your face and shaking hands clenched by your sides, he didn’t need you to tell him anything else. He pulled you into him and rested his head against yours and asked what you needed him to do. 

You just needed to be with him. 

So that became a sort of routine between the two of you. Eddie would wait for you each night, and when you would ultimately turn up in the early hours of the morning, almost no words would be exchanged between the two of you. Instead, you would walk to his bedroom and fall asleep next to him. He understood. He knew you were tired and didn’t feel safe falling asleep in your own home sometimes. 

If simply letting you fall asleep curled up next to him was all you needed, he would do it until the end of time. 

Until you let the guilt overwhelm you. Eddie deserved better, he didn’t deserve to be in a relationship where he felt like he had to protect you all the time. You could look after yourself, take care of yourself, you had done it for years until you met Eddie. But there was this nagging thought in the back of your mind that you were relying on Eddie too much, and would eventually hurt him in one way or another. The break-up was quick, you barely let him get a word in before you left him standing alone in his bedroom. Confused and heartbroken. 

You left so quickly because you didn’t trust yourself not to change your mind if you looked at him any longer. 

Which is exactly why you shouldn’t be knocking on his door right now. It was exactly why you should turn around and go home, instead of being in the one place you shouldn’t be. It was- 

“Oh- hey,” Eddie stood in front of you, his hair falling in loose curls around his shoulders. He looked tired, unsurprising considering it was almost midnight, but still, it was an unnerving sight. His usual honey-thick smile was nowhere to be seen. 

There was uncertainty flickering in his doe eyes. But he didn’t tear his gaze away from you for even a second. 

“Hey um- fuck, okay I’m sorry I should-” your voice trembled as you fought to get the words out. The truth was you weren’t entirely sure what you should even say to him. 

Do you apologise? Do you tell him what’s going on at home? Do you tell him that you feel like you haven't been able to breathe since you broke up? 

You hadn’t realised how long it had been since you’d said anything, but you see Eddie raise his eyebrows, almost hidden behind his hair, and you stumble on your own feet, taking in a shaky breath and opening your mouth to say…something. 

But nothing came out. So instead, Eddie said, “Look, why don’t you- shit, at least come inside, it’s too fucking cold to be standing out here.” 

You nodded your head and he moved to the side to let you step into the warmth. You felt something heavy settle over your chest, being back here it was… it felt like home. The soft orange hue of the lamps lit up the rooms. The aroma of home-cooked food hit you and you remembered how many times Wayne would make sure there was a spare plate of food set aside for you, in case you turned up. 

The TV was playing quietly with the soft murmurs of the dialogue, from the film he had clearly been watching, echoed through the trailer. You were pulled out of your thoughts by Eddie calling you over to the couch where he had already sat down again. 

You considered telling him you had made a mistake, but your feet carried you over to him like it was the most natural thing in the world. You sat down on the other end of the couch, pulling your legs up and sitting with them crossed in front of you. Eddie watched your every move, taking in all of your little mannerisms he had missed so much. 

“Are you…are you okay? I mean you used to come here if it got- you know if it got bad.” Eddie asked you, his eyes fixed back onto the TV the minute he started speaking to you again; almost as if he was afraid of what he would say if he kept looking at you. 

“Yeah, they uh- I don’t fuckin’ know why they do this shit to themselves. They fight all the time, they’ve gotta be miserable.” you tried to sound as casual as you could, but even you could hear the distress your voice carried. 

Eddie heard it too and it made his whole body tense up. He still wanted to fix everything for you. He still wanted to pull you into him and tell you everything would be okay. 

“Yeah I know sweet-” he cut himself off before he could finish the word, but it made you feel close to tears nonetheless. Even after what had happened, he still immediately wanted to call you that. Fuck. 

Eddie cleared his throat before he carried on speaking, clearly thinking over his choice of words. “I know but- you know they’re fully grown adults, you can’t…you have to let them sort their own shit out.” 

“That’s my mom, Eddie-” 

“I know, shit I know.” You swear you could almost see the way his eyes glazed over as his memories came flooding back to him. You didn’t know everything about his past, but he had told you enough. 

“I just worry about her. He’s not a good guy, you know? But I couldn’t stay there tonight, and I know that makes me the worst fucking daughter but-” 

“Hey, no. Don’t say shit like that.” his voice was harsher than it had been before, with a kind of authority to it that sent shivers running down your spine. 

He still cared about you. Of course, he did. -

“You are not responsible for protecting your parents, that is their job. You are not a bad daughter, you’re a- shit, we’re still kids. We shouldn’t have to deal with all of that, it’s not fair.” you knew he was talking more about himself now, and that made it hurt even more. You being here, the reason you were here, brought up a lot of trauma for Eddie. But he would never outright admit that.

You turned to face Eddie, moving closer to him so your knees scraped his, and leaned against the back of the couch, resting your head on your hand. “Yeah, you’re right.” Eddie fiddled with one of his rings as he listened to you speak. You had to resist the urge to lean over and hold his hand in yours. “It’s not fair. But there’s nothing we can do, so…” 

“So…here you are.” 

“Here I am.” 

There was a beat of silence, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. It was just…quiet, and relaxing. There was something unspoken exchanged between both of you. Some mutual understanding that right now wasn’t the time to talk about everything. Even though Eddie had a million questions for you, for now, he was happy enough to have you sit next to him again. Like you had done a million times before. 

You leant back again, sinking into the couch cushion beneath you and let your eyes drift back to the TV. Eddie copied you, relaxing into the couch and resting his head against the back of it as you both sat in silence. 

After ten minutes or so you couldn’t help but steal glances at Eddie every now and then. The light from the TV lit up his face, and from this close to him you could see the light freckles that dotted across his nose and underneath his eyes. His eyes were almost honey-brown in the orange hue of the room, and you could tell he had only washed his hair a few hours ago. His curls had a soft frizz to them and you missed how they felt between your fingers. 

Your gaze moved down to where his hands were resting. You didn’t realise how much you could miss someone's touch. He always used to have one of his hands on you. Whether he was holding your hand, resting it on your leg or letting it run up and down your back as you lay next to him. 

Soon enough the film ended and Eddie stood up to sort it out; you watched him and for a second you were sure he was going to ask you to leave. 

But then he stood up from where he had been kneeling down next to the TV and sighed before saying, “Come on.” 

“What- what are we doing?” you moved to sit up on the couch but didn’t stand up just yet. 

Eddie looked around the room for a second as if he was gathering his thoughts before he lifted and dropped his shoulders in contemplation and said, “What we used to do. I’m not letting you go home tonight.” 

You hesitated for a moment, “Well I can sleep on- on the couch.” 

“If that’s what you want to do then that’s okay. But you don’t have to, you can sleep in my room. No expectations, nothing. I promise.” A subtle rosy flush coloured his cheeks whilst he spoke, and you bit back a smile at how even the mention of it had him nervous. 

“No, yeah of course, um well thank- thank you.” You stood up and followed Eddie as he made his way to his room, turning off the lights as he went. 

Before you had time to ask Eddie for clothes to sleep in he was handing you one of his t-shirts and a pair of your pyjama shorts you must have left there. “You can get changed in here, I’ll go to the bathroom.” 

“Okay, thank you Eddie.” he smiled but it didn’t reach his eyes. With Eddie out of the room, you took a second to gather yourself. You felt your heart start to race and your hands shake, a tell-tale sign that you were getting overwhelmed. Only this time you knew it would all be okay because Eddie would be back soon. 

You changed into the clothes he had given you and you sat on top of his bed waiting for him to come back. Even though you knew you would be sleeping in his bed tonight it still felt somewhat presumptuous of you to get under the comforter already. 

You heard movement from outside his room and sure enough, Eddie walked back through his bedroom door a moment later. He had a pair of boxers on and the same t-shirt he was wearing earlier. 

You knew he always sleeps in just his boxers, but you also appreciated he probably left his t-shirt on out of respect. 

The truth was you wouldn’t have minded if he didn’t leave it on. Feeling his skin pressed against yours used to ground you when nothing else could. But you supposed things couldn’t be the same anymore. Of course, they couldn’t. 

Eddie’s eyes dipped down to your neckline, you weren’t sure what had caught his attention at first, “You still wear it?” 

What- 

Oh. 

The necklace. With his ring on it. He gave it to you after he had developed a habit of slipping his rings onto yours fingers whenever he got the chance. He gave you the necklace and his favourtie ring because then there would “always be a part of him with you.” Which was exactly why you still wore it. 

“Oh um- yeah, I do. I’m sorry if that’s strange or…” 

“No. No, it’s not weird.” you saw a pained expression paint his face before he smiled and turned around, facing away from you. 

“Are you gonna get into bed or?” You could hear his signature smirk even if you couldn’t see him, his back was turned to you as he finished taking his rings off. 

“Oh- yeah, okay. ‘M sorry-“

“You need to stop saying sorry, just act normal. This can be normal, right?” Eddie walked over to his bed and threw himself down under the covers, he was all long limbs and curly hair and for a second you didn’t know why the hell you had ever left him. 

You weren’t sure what you were supposed to say in response. It felt like he was giving you a chance to explain yourself. To tell him what was going on in your head. 

“Yeah this can be normal” was you all could say. Because you did want this to be normal, but you needed to know what Eddie was thinking, so as you lay down next to him and stared up at the ceiling you said, “Do you hate me?” 

“Do I- shit, why would I hate you?” you weren’t sure if the disbelief in his voice made you feel better or worse. 

“I was an asshole.”

“You broke up with me, that doesn’t make you an asshole, that makes you a person who has her own thoughts and feelings. And makes her own decisions” Eddie’s voice didn’t carry much emotion. It was flat and monotone, and you had never heard him sound like that before. 

“That doesn’t mean you aren’t allowed to be… I don’t know- annoyed with me for how I did it.” 

“What? You came over, you told me you didn’t want to be in a relationship anymore and you left. What else were you meant to do? A break up’s a break-up.” you couldn’t see his face, both of your expressions shrouded in the darkness of the room. 

“I shouldn’t have… I should have explained myself to you, but I was… I wasn’t doing good, you know? And I guess-” 

“You fell out of love with me, it’s okay. It happens.” 

His words hit you like a punch to the chest and your breath got caught in his throat as you processed his words. Fallen out of love? No. No, you could never fall out of love with him. You loved him too much. You loved him so much it terrified you. A stillness took over the room, and all you could hear was the ruffling of the sheets as Eddie turned over, muttering a reluctant good night under his breath.

You didn’t want to push any boundaries he was clearly putting up between the two of you. You had hurt him and you knew he was only protecting himself. But it killed you nevertheless. You swallowed the lump forming in your throat and blinked back tears. Turning over to fall asleep, in the same bed you had done so many times, except this time you weren’t curled into his side with his arms wrapped around you. 

A few hours had passed and although you were trying, you couldn’t let yourself drift off to sleep. You lay in complete silence and let your thoughts ruin any chance of you getting a peaceful night. Eddie was asleep, you thought he was anyway. Just as you had decided to get out of bed and walk to the kitchen for a glass of water, you heard movement beside you. 

“Are you okay?” Eddie. His voice was thick with sleep, deeper and rougher than it usually sounded, but a voice you were all too familiar with. 

“Yeah ‘m fine.” 

“What’s wrong?” Eddie had turned onto his back now, waiting for an answer, and when you didn’ reply he simply said, “you only say you’re fine when you’re so far from it that it scares you.” 

“I just can’t sleep, that's all.” you lay back down and hesitated for a moment before whispering, “I never fell out of love with you.” 

You felt Eddie still next to you, and you could hear your own heartbeat in your ears and your cheeks heating up. 

“Oh.” 

“I didn’t want to hurt you. I was so scared that- that we would end up being exactly the same as everyone around us. I couldn’t do that to you, I couldn’t-”

“You still love me?” you could hear the pain that laced his voice as he breathed out the words. 

“Yes.” 

The words sat heavy between the two of you, the room was still dark, almost pitch black, but a lone streetlamp from outside allowed a slither of orange light to screep through the space between the blinds, allowing you to see Eddie’s face. His eyes cut to yours when he said, “Then why did you do it?” 

If your heart wasn’t already in pieces then Eddie had just made sure of it. His voice was soft, as if he was afraid of the answer. 

“Because what if we turn into our parents.” 

“Oh, sweetheart-” 

You were crying. Silent tears that fell down your face, pooled in the corner of your eyes and stained your cheeks with the reminder that you couldn’t trust yourself to love someone in fear of hurting them. Eddie didn’t cry, but that was because he had cried so much after you had ended things with him that he didn’t have the energy left to cry now; although hearing your breath hitch with every tear that fell threatened to send him over that edge with you. 

“Come here, it’s okay.” Eddie cooed, and you didn’t waste another second not being in his arms. You stretched out your arms to find his already waiting for you, pulling you into his chest and letting your head rest there, where it used to rest every night. 

You let him wrap you in his arms and you let yourself sink into him, throwing a leg over his and nuzzling your face into his chest. He whispered comforting words into the still air and you listened to him, truly believing him when he told you he loved you. 

You told him you loved him too. 

You lay like that and spoke about everything you needed to until you noticed the sun peeking in through the curtains, replacing the soft orange light of the streetlamps that had graced the room throughout the night. Eddie told you that you should both try and get some sleep, you nodded your head with the little energy you had left and let your eyes drift shut. 

You slept knowing you were back where you were always meant to be. 

By the time you woke up the room had gone dark again, and you felt a panic surge through you at just how long you must have been asleep for. Eddie was stil there, holding you. 

“What time is it?” your voice was raspy, the way it always was when you had just woken up. 

“It’s only the afternoon, you’re okay.” Eddie ran his hand over your back and pushed your hair out off your face to look at you. 

“Why is it so dark?” you aksed him, perplexed. 

“The sun got really bright, you know as the sun does,” you laughed at his words, more so you laughed at how he didn’t even realise what he said was funny. “And you started getting restless, I didn’t know if it was bothering you so I put a blanket over the window and drew the blinds again, so it would be darker.” 

He must have pulled you back against him when he got back into bed. “How did you… put a blanket… over the window?” 

“Don’t worry about it.” It scared you how sincere he could sound even when he was joking. “I’m magical what can I say.” 

“Yeah,” you agreed “you really are.” 

Eddie let out a sigh as you moved off of him, laying on your side and staring at him. Eddie mirrored your actions, moving to rest on his side so you were face to face. 

“I’m still so sorry about-” 

“What will it take to get you to stop apologizing to me?” Eddie asked you, faked annoyance in his voice. 

You smiled and your eyes flicked down to his lips. He noticed, the same way he noticed everything. “Can you kiss me?” 

“Yeah” he breathed out before he had his hand resting on your cheek and his soft lips pressing onto yours, your bottom lips between both of his. He kissed you like he had never stoped kissing you. He kissed you like it was the one thing he had been put on this earth to do. And you kissed him back like you had something to prove. But mostly you kissed as if you were kissing the life back into each other. 

The kiss stayed slow and gentle for as long as either of you could hold out for; but suddenly it all became too much and when Eddie’s tongue ran over your bottom lip you let the dam break and allowed it to consume your entire being. 

You kissed like the other could slip away at any moment. Somehow, in between desperate kisses and his tongue running over yours, Eddie had moved to rest above you, his arms caged around either side of your head, holding him up. You let your fingers get tangled in his hair and he let his lips move down to your neck, his head nustled there as he kissed over your most sensitive spot. You already knew your neck would be covered in small reminders of him by the end of this; red and purple love bites marking your neck. 

You let him kiss you and touch you and you were sure you would let him do whatever else he wanted. When his hand slipped under your pjyama shorts and you let him touch you, you knew you would have to let him do whatever he wanted later. Because right now you needed to feel him inside of you. You needed to be as close to him as the laws of the universe would grant you. 

“Eddie, fuck, please I need you to fuck me.” you had never been paticurally graceful with words, not being blessed with a way of words like Eddie was, but right now that didn’t matter because with Eddie’s lips on your neck and his hands roaming your body there wasn’t a chance in the world of you stringing together a coherent sentence, let alone sounding like Shakespeare. 

You felt Eddie‘s lips curl up into a smile against your neck before he pulled away from you, lifing his head to rest his forehead against yours. “You don’t want me to-” 

“No. No, please baby I just need you inside me” you didn’t like to beg but with the way his eyes bore into yours you knew you would beg until the end of time if you had to. Not that Eddie would let you do that. 

“Okay, okay angel. I’ve got you, gonna give you what you need, huh?” Eddie pressed a chaste kiss to your swollen lips before he pulled away from you again, pulling of his boxers whilst you desperately tried to get your shorts and panties off as quickly as you could, your shaky hands making the tast exponentially more difficult than it should have been. Eddie took over for you, pulling them down your legs and tossing them off somewhere into the darkness of the room. 

You pulled him back to you, your hand resting on the back of his neck and kissed him until you felt dizzy, and wrapping your legs around his waist.

“Sweets, I need to get a condom-” Eddie spoke between deep kisses. You knew he was right, but you were on the pill and you hadn’t slep with anyone else since Eddie so… 

“No. I need to feel all of you.” you knew your words had taken Eddie by surprise, but by the way his brows knitted together and his hips rolled against yours, you knew he was just as desperate for it as you were. 

“Are you sure?” Eddie looked right at you, watching your face for any uncertainty. But when all he was met with was a breathy yes and begging eyes he let himself do what you were asking of him. 

Shared okays and a bout of almost-nervous laughter was shared between the two of you, but was suddenly and brutally ripped away from you when Eddie sank into you and you felt the world re-align on its axis. Everything making sense again. 

“Fuck, you feel so fucking perfect sweetheart. I missed you so much, you have no idea-” 

“I missed you too.” 

Eddie let himself breathe for a minute or two before he eventually started rocking his hips gently into yours. He took it slow, wanting to savour every moment he got with you. He promised himself he would remember how your lips felt against his as he swallowed your whimpers and moans. He remembered how your nails felt scratching down his back whenever he hit that sweet spot inside of you that only he could reach. When your back arched off the back he let his arm slip underneath you, pulling you close to him and fucking you through everything you were both feeling. 

Not many words were exchanged, apart from the occasional whimper of one another’s name, because you didn’t need words to express what you were feeling right now. 

Once Eddie’s hand slipped between your bodies, you were coming undone underneath him like you had done so many times before. Only this time it felt like the start of something more. Eddie buried his head in the juncture between your neck and your shoulder as he came undone only a couple of seconds after you had. Both you of you held each other through the overwhelmingness of your highs, your hands running through his hair and his hands holding onto you like you were all he needed. 

You stayed like that for who knows how long. Sharing stolen kisses and whispered promises. Time didn’t matter when you were with Eddie. Nothing mattered when you were with him, that was the beauty of everything. You were the only people who could quieten each other’s minds.

.

.

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authors note hi loves. i wrote this tonight in just under two hours with a raging headache and the occasion cry. so, if there are spelling or grammar errors i can only apologise. it is 1am and i don't have the energy to reread it and check. i hope it wasn't too bad nonetheless <3

taglist @lunarzstarz @emmalee-01 @lma1986 @eddieshoneyy @harringtonfan4 @leelei1980 @joeschains @keirasreplies @niname92 (this means i tried to tag you but i couldn't!)

tumblr please don't delete any of this thank you love you

[g1rlken]

Hi hi! For the prompts can you do 10 and 14 with Christian bales Bruce Wayne?

Prompt: chaotic married life w kids + domestic fluff

Words: 2k

Thank you sm for this req it’s so cute

-

Marriage tends to change people is a superficial analysis of growing together but children sure do change routines. Especially morning routines where chaos is an understatement. Raising a child requires a village but for twins a whole army might just suffice. Vincent and William. A very pleasant blessing of two little boys in the Wayne household. However Bruce and y/n were subjected to consider just how much of peace was the cost of that blessing.

Their twins were such serene babies, toddler phase was a transition to literal devils during grade school. Getting them to do home work, go to school, eat the greens, not unleash hell…such difficult tasks.

Today like every other school morning, the parents had divided to bathe the twins in different bathrooms. When they were much younger and playful as babies bathing them in the giant bathtub where they’d just play with soap bubbles and those Amazon find bath toys was a cute activity. Nowadays, on Sundays sometimes they’d just hose them down in the garden and call it a day. It was so much more convenient for the parents and even the twins who absolutely despised bathing. Y/n bathed the older twin Vincent in the bathroom which was upstairs, Bruce downstairs with William who was a bad influence of his brother to not bathe and Alfred preparing breakfast and lunch boxes.

“Bruce!” Y/n voice shrieked from upstairs followed by a whiny cry from Vincent and he rushed to inquire, finding his wife looking for the sink holding her eyes shut.

“What happened here…?” Bruce asked as stepped inside and was immediately attacked by a plastic bottle Vincent could get his hands on as he moved frantically in the bathtub. Bruce dodged it with dad reflex thankfully.

“There’s shampoo in our eyes” Y/n briefed him and pointed at their son to go help him given she could assist herself with the sink water.

Vincent was just moving frantically in the shallow bath water shaking his head and hands splashing the water “Do something!” The boy demanded with a shrill cry.

“ Vin, calm down” Bruce urged as he bent on his knees to the bath level and held some of the running water in his hands to pour into his shampoo hurting eyes but he’d just squeezed them shut. “Open your eyes”

“I can’t! They hurt!” The boy whined and splashed the water very disruptively it went all over Bruce’s face.

“Breathe, you’re alright just breathe…open your eyes.” Bruce soothed anyways as he helped Vincent soothe the hurt by sprinkling cleaner water again, “why were you shampooing him anyways? We literally have school in an hour”

“I wasn’t but someone keeps on changing the bottles with soap and shampoo again and again” Y/n replied scoffing in obviousness as she air dried her eyes, it was Bruce who colour coded them like that in a different set of bottle at each refill. Washing hair of a seven year old who will fight a literal battle to resist it, will most definitely end up in a painful situation as such.

“It is literally so simple, white for soap and off white for shampoo” Bruce accounted for his way of arrangement as he dabbed his son’s eyes with towel, soothing his cries.

“We don’t have time to go into that discourse I’ll go pack lunch” Y/n said as she hurriedly wiped her own eyes.

“Oh Alfred’s on it…” Bruce informed her casually as Vincent’s eyes were normal again he opened them with a heavy sigh.

“Oh man I’m never using shampoo again.” The boy said dramatically and received a disapproving shake of head from his dad.

“Wait then who’s with Will?” Y/n asked about their younger twin William, whose morning crankiness were much worse.

“Uh” Bruce paused realising he’d not considered that as he’d rushed to his wife’s call for help “He was brushing his teeth”

“Alright he’s most definitely asleep again.” She sighed composing herself, leaving Vincent to get out of bath and dressed for his dad she rushed downstairs. As expected, William was fast asleep on the marble sink leaning against the wall with his legs dangling down the sink, ever since the kids learned to climb places no surface was unreachable. “Willy!” Y/n exclaimed as she carried him down the sink “William wake up come on we’ve to go to school!” She exclaimed and brushed his teeth for him hurriedly as he mumbled something about not wanting to go.

“I don’t want to…” will whined still half asleep not wanting to go because he still wanted to sleep. During vacations it was difficult to put him down to bed just absolute monkey activities all day long jumping here to there and during school days he couldn’t be bothered to brush his teeth even.

William tried to have a one sided debate about why he shouldn’t have to go to school and was eventually fully awake, much to y/n’s demise now she couldn’t manhandle and carry her son to brush his teeth and bath because now he was ready to have full sassy conversations. “You know I’m not getting in that right?” He said to his mum and gave the filling bathtub a disgusting look.

“We literally don’t have time for this please don’t bring-“ his mum started sighing as she foresaw the upcoming torment.

“What?” William said exaggerating his obviousness “I won’t be clean with gutter water”

“It’s not guttter water!” She tried to , despite being on the clock “Don’t believe everything you hear in school” she bent to her knees to match his eye level and try to convince him better “you know no ones want to sit with the kid who hasn’t bathed in 24 hours?”

“But didn’t you say people should like each other for who they are and their kindness and not what they dress and look like” Will responded smugly crossing his arms at his mum, well aware he was winning this debate so far.

Taking a deep breath to subside her annoyance of her own words biting her back, “No, that was for when you wanted to wear your ducky hat and those big kids made fun of you. Not for hygiene.”

“I don’t even know what that word means so…” he trailed off with a pout of correctness.

“Look, we’re going to be really late can you please cooperate.”

“I am awake, I brushed my teeth and I am talking to you that is enough operation on my part” William reasoned with his mom with a shrug.

“It’s cooperation.” She corrected him.

“It’s the same thing” William answered offering her mom a smile of encouragement, as if she did not know the word.

“No it’s not.” Y/n replied before she could continue Bruce’s knock on the open door averted their attention.

“He’s still not ready?” Bruce exclaimed in urgency.

“Vin?” Y/n asked about the status of the other twin as Bruce nodded and briefed her that he was with Alfred. Joint breakfast plus lunch box duties. Bruce stepped inside because clearly with his wife on his son’s eye level trying to convince him to shower seemed like she needed help.

“I literally don’t even have to go to school!” William exclaimed “I know each and every animal and I know that that water comes from sewage!” He said pointing to the bath water.

“For the hundredth time will, it doesn’t come from the sewage!” Bruce interjected with a sigh. “It’s very clean”

“So I can drink it?” William proposed raising brows at his parents.

“No” Y/n replied almost instantly, William was very fast to react she was worried he might actually try something “No you can’t drink it.”

“Why?” William demanded an answer with the hopes of his parents getting trapped in their own initial proponent that the water was not from sewage.

“Look I’m going to count to three if you don’t get in-“ Y/n began, as they were really on the clock she couldn’t reason ever so rationally.

“Hey hey no” Bruce interrupted his wife shaking his head, “We don’t do that, don’t threaten him. We have a civil conversation.”

“I’m not threatening him woah” she replied with a huff at his accusation.

“Count to three and what? Splash him?” Bruce asked somewhat wanting to have stern yet hostile approach to the kid.

“—Of course!”

“But I only have to bath if I have to go to school wight?” William enquired mispronouncing right for wight “what if I don’t? Can’t I just be homeschooled?! Dada was homeschooled.”

“Exactly, dada was homeschooled and he’s now a grown up who has no friends.” Y/n explained it to him rather unapologetically but not in a poking way to Bruce . “Do you want to be like that?”

“No that’s not true I have friends” Bruce jumped to his defence somewhat taken aback how casually his wife threw that one in, despite an apologetic smile she offered him.

“Name your two best friends then.” William investigated as he looked up at his dad with an anticipated look.

Bruce paused for a moment as he thought about it, he looked serious which made y/n wonder if he had any friends she hadn’t known of this entire time. His face seemed like he was trying to pick between his ever so large group of friends but he began, “Y/n and..” he trailed off thinking again but William had gotten his answer.

“Okay I understand now.” William said looking his mom, both of them shared a small laugh which Bruce didn’t exactly get on but at least William agreed to get in the bath.

-

Leaving Bruce to dress the boy y/n rushed outside to help Alfred with breakfast and lunch boxes, “hey hey hey” she rushed over to Alfred, where Vincent was clinging to the old man as piggy back. A very concerning sight given, not that he would fall but Alfred was rather old. “Get down from there!”

“It’s alright Miss Wayne.” Alfred said with a smile as Vincent just laughed getting favoured against his mum’s demand.

“No it’s not.” She shook her head carrying Vincent off of him and placed him on the dinning table chair, “They’re both getting way too heavy to carry.”

“I just can’t refuse them.” Alfred laughed a small laugh as he set the plates for breakfast.

“Well you should” Y/n said hurriedly as she rummaged through the cabinets to get the lunch boxes out, by then Bruce returned with a towel over will’s head. Once he sat him on the chair he rubbed his drenched hair hastily.

“No not my hair!” Vincent flinched with a scowl on his face when Bruce attempted to dry his hair as well.

“We’re late Vin, come on” Bruce refused to give into the whining at this point and dried Vincent’s hair anyways. He walked across the kitchen to help y/n reaching for the lunch box on the top shelf as she prepared one of those.

“Late?” Alfred asked as he registered the sentence “Late for what? It’s Sunday.”

“It’s Sunday today?!” Y/n asked as she turned around and her eyes winded.

“Yes.” Alfred nodded positively as he pointed to the calendar.

The parents just sighed relaxing their shoulders in regret, “wow” y/n chuckled softly as Bruce joined along comprehending his regret with the humour of it as he wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “I did not just bathe both of them on a Sunday.” She laughed as Bruce brought her into a side hug.

“You?” He raised a brow looking down at her.

“We” she corrected herself with a smile as she gave him with a soft peck on the lips.

[undreaming-fanfiction]

No Such Thing As Stupid Question

This one is for you, Anna! @unclewaynemunson! Congratulations on your academic progress, I'm so proud of you!

Also on Ao3 for your convenience :)

As someone who showed as little interest in romance as possible, Wayne Munson didn't really expect to be come a parental figure. Maybe he'd get a dog when he retired, some older mutt from a shelter, and they'd sit in front of the trailer in quiet company, perhaps a bark here and there as Wayne sipped his beer. Wayne could imagine that. But a kid, never.

But of course, life had a peculiar sense of humor and his younger brother hit a new low - sadly admirable, given that he was already at the very bottom, but someone brought a shovel with him. Grand theft auto, petty crimes all over, domestic disputes (to put it mildly)...Wayne breathed a sigh of relief when he found out he got locked up before he escalated even further. He didn't want to believe Danny had it in him to seriously hurt someone, but given the right or wrong circumstances, he couldn't guarantee there wouldn't be a casualty like a random witness, someone trying to protect their property...yeah, Danny was definitely better off where he ended up.

As for his son Eddie...Wayne couldn't guarantee the same, even though he vowed to try his damn hardest.

Eddie was a scrawny kid with an ugly buzz cut and dark eyes so large he seemed afraid of anything and everything. When Wayne met with the social worker and they talked over coffee, Wayne couldn't help but notice how Eddie grasped his milkshake, as if someone would take it from him the very next second. His twitchy fingers wrapped around the glass in a vice-like grip and even though Wayne was convinced he was listening to every word said, he kept stubbornly staring into the drink, refusing to meet anyone's eye. And even though the kid was barely in middle school, Wayne found the rigid focus all too familiar, painfully so. It was the first time he found himself truly and purely hating Danny, feeling a burning coal in his chest at what his so-called upbringing did to this boy.

In the end, Eddie was sent to live with him, only a bag with clothes too big, a few trinkets and a single book, worn from constant reading. The Hobbit.

The first day, the now joint Munson household was quiet. Eddie was chewing on an improvised pasta Wayne had made - on his own, thank you for asking, with all three ingredients - and looking anywhere but at his uncle. And Wayne was a quiet man himself so sure, they could stay in silence until Eddie graduated and moved somewhere else, but there was a part of Wayne that didn't want this for Eddie. He wanted at least one Munson to turn out alright.

"Hope it's edible. I...don't cook much," he tried, swallowing a lump of poorly mixed spices.

Eddie's eyes were fixed to his plate. He nodded, the movement almost indiscernible, and then returned to his pasta.

So Wayne tried again. "I saw that book you have," he mentioned and boy, was that a wrong move. Eddie almost curled into himself, his eyes darting to Wayne for the first time - but not with curiosity. With defiance and fear.

He didn't say anything, only stared at Wayne. As if he was daring him to say something, do something.

So Wayne did. "It looked interesting. The Hobbit? I've never heard of it. Is it any good?"

The slight relaxation in Eddie's shoulders seemed promising. "It's my favorite," he said, his eyes returning to the pasta, stabbing a few offending pieces with his fork. "It has an adventure in it. An unexpected one."

Wayne huffed a quiet laugh under his breath. "Ah. So somethin' like this?"

Eddie looked at him again with those large dark eyes. "...yeah."

And then it was quiet again, but this was less forced, less tense. Wayne thought that maybe this was how Eddie would be normally, a withdrawn soul just like himself, but just as he chewed on the last mouthful of less than ideally cooked pasta, Eddie broke the silence.

"Why'd you take me in?" Eddie blurted out and seemed to regret it immediately, biting in to his own lip. "It's...it's not like you knew me before and you could have refused, I...I would understand that. I think. But you agreed to let me stay and I'm grateful and all, but...I just don't get it. Why?" Pausing for a moment, he added "sorry if that's a stupid question. I just want to understand."

It might have taken Wayne a second longer than ideal to answer, but he didn't want to spit ketchup on the poor boy who already seemed flustered enough. He held his finger up and quickly washed down the food with a gulp of soda. "First rule of this house, son," he said and smiled at Eddie, actually smiled, although his facial muscles protested. "Ain't no such thing as stupid questions. Anything you want to ask, just ask. And if I know the answer, I will give it. Understood?"

Eddie was maintaining eye contact now and he nodded eagerly. Almost too eagerly. It made Wayne reconsider in that very second, because this wasn't a withdrawn soul like he'd suspected - this was a boy who wanted to open up to someone so, so badly. "Yes," he muttered and Wayne couldn't help himself, he reached out, slowly, and ruffled whatever hair remained on Eddie's head. And Eddie didn't move away, just watched his hand like a hawk and, when he ensured he wasn't in any danger, even leaned into it, giving Wayne a small smile.

Returning to his side of the table, Wayne leaned in. "Why'd I take you in? I could give you a bunch of reasons, none would fully cover it. Obligation, sure. You're family, that's another thing. But most of all, I just..." He trailed off, finding the correct words, the truthful words. Throughout all of it, Eddie was watching him, waiting. "I guess I just want to give you something better, Eddie. Danny and I, we didn't have the best family, not sure how much he told you. And there ain't much we can do to fix ourselves, but I look at you and I think...maybe I can make a difference right here. Because you seem like a bright kid to me and I just...I just want to do right by you. Even if I'm the only one."

Eddie swallowed thickly, fidgeting. "And...and if I turn out like him?" he mumbled, struggling to keep the eye contact. "What if you...you do that, but I still fail?"

Damn, Wayne Munson did not cry, but the fear, the insecurity in Eddie's voice tugged at something in his chest. He reached over again and grasped Eddie's bony shoulder. "Then you'll still have home here for as long as you want. All I want from you is to give it your best shot. That work for you?"

The boy smiled at him and nodded, wiping at his eyes. "Yeah."

"Good." They were grinning at each other over dirty plates, the smell of ketchup and cheap soda between them. "And I meant what I said. Anythin' you want to ask, go for it. No question is a stupid question."

Eddie smirked at him and Wayne might have detected a glint of mischief in his eyes. He thought he'd bend over backwards to keep it there, to give this frightened kid a bit of childhood back. "Anything, huh?" he asked.

"Yup. But count on me askin' a lot of stuff too. Like," he paused, rubbing his chin in deep thought.

It was ridiculous. But Wayne remembered what the doctors told him when he returned from Vietnam - sometimes to get moving, you need something unexpected, something to confuse the anxiety right out of your brain. So he dug deep and hard into his imaginative side and pointed at Eddie. "What is the single superior animal noise? No long thinking, go."

Eddie blinked at him, once, twice, and then he burst out laughing. He kicked his knee into the table and the dishes rattled around, but he couldn't stop himself. He was wheezing, grasping the side of the table and trying to breathe. And if that didn't make Wayne's heart swell. "You...you looked so serious!" gasped Eddie between snorts and giggles.

"It's a serious question. Now, Eddie, what's your answer?" Wayne tried to keep his face under control, but Eddie's grin was contagious.

The boy cleared his throat and leaned forwards, brow furrowing in concentration. "So many fine choices," he said in a contemplative voice that made Wayne nearly choke on his soda because it sounded like a poor imitation of a British TV celebrity. "I have to go with ribbit. Unique and well-balanced." Glancing at Wayne, he shot back. "The soup to beat all the soups!"

Wayne smirked and crossed his arms. "That's an easy one. Bean soup. And before you ask - not from a can."

"Knew it."

It gradually becomes their thing.

Whenever Eddie is lost in thought, when he comes back from school with a new bruise, Wayne shoots a ridiculous question at him, what is the best race in the Middle Earth for a basketball tournament, what is the ideal number of dried peas to have in your kitchen, and Eddie's smile is back, as radiant as ever.

When Wayne returns from the plant, grumbling about the stupid idiots from the previous shift making his job harder, he finds Eddie bouncing on his feet, waiting for him to come home to ask what is the ideal sole color for running shoes. "Not the shoe color, the sole, Wayne, what is the sole color that makes you just want to run? No thinking, go!"

Even years after Eddie's hair has grown into the thick wavy locks that Wayne isn't envious of, nope, not at all, they still randomly yell questions at each other across the trailer. Eddie hollers "WHAT'S THE FUNNIEST FRUIT IN THE WHOLE WORLD WAYNE?!" and Wayne shouts back "IT'S PEACH BECAUSE IT'S STUPIDLY HAIRY JUST LIKE A CERTAIN NEPHEW OF MINE AND STOP YELLING, BOY!". Wayne asks between quiet puffs of smoke outside "if you had to wear a hat for the rest of your life, what hat would that be?" and Eddie blows out a circle and snickers "a top hat." There's a joke there and Wayne smiles to himself, wondering if he should acknowledge it.

And eventually, when his boy is returned to him after the hell that was March of 1986, when Eddie slowly heals and the Harrington boy doesn't leave his side, Wayne has the perfect question but he bides his time, watching the two fools dance around each other like the foolish fools they are (has he mentioned they are fools? Because they absolutely are). He's hoping he won't need to ask the question, maybe it will be enough to just wait, but nope, he's had enough. Life is too short for people like him and Eddie. So he grabs a couple of beers, drags Eddie to the porch of their government-funded house and after a couple of cans, starts their favorite pasttime.

"What's the best pink thing to ever exist?"

"Plastic flamingos," responds Eddie and sips his beer. "The one piece of clothing humanity should have never invented?"

"Ties, who's supposed to learn to tie that thing...the best cat name?"

"Household or wild?"

"Wild."

"Fluffles. Imagine being eaten by that in the woods. You'd never live it down, even after dying. The most humiliating job ever?"

"TV weather guy. Must suck to be wrong all the time." He doesn't even pause, just continues in the disinterested, flat tone they always use for their late night rounds of no-stupid-question. "The best place to take Steve for a date?"

"Somewhere calm, I think a picnic, he doesn't do well with a lot of loud noises or people," replies Eddie immediately. He sips his beer and freezes, mid-gulp, when his mind finally catches up with his mouth.

Wayne just pats his shoulder reassuringly. "Sounds like a great plan to me." When Eddie doesn't answer or move, he adds "swallow, boy."

Eddie pours the rest of his beer into his mouth and chuckles at Wayne, breathless. "That sounds more like a second date idea. Uh, shit. Sorry. I mean..."

"I'll pretend I stopped listening at the picnic," says Wayne, but the smile tugging at his lips betrays his sternness. "Just stay safe, Eddie. But if I have to keep watchin' you and that pretty boy dance around each other for a week longer, I swear I'll have you two sit down and talk it out, kindergarten style. So you'd better ask him out before I give him the talk."

With the corner of his eye, he sees Eddie nodding, grasping the can for support. "Will do. Just...are you..." He bites his lip, turns to Wayne. "Does this change anything?"

"I sure hope it does!" Wayne flicks the ash off his cigarette. "For one, I'd expect your room to be much cleaner when you get a boyfriend."

They're both chuckling now, clinking their empty beer cans together. "Smart ass," says Eddie but it has no bite, no venom. "Thank you, dad," he says quietly, and Wayne can't help himself, he throws his arm over Eddie's shoulders and pulls him into a very uncomfortable sideways hug. It's the best hug in his life.

When Eddie throws open the door the next Friday and hollers "WHAT IS THE BEST CHAPSTICK FLAVOR FOR KISSING?" and Wayne answers, he gets corrected for the first time. "Wrong," says Eddie and wipes at his mouth, still grinning wildly. "It's cherry."

And Wayne gets proven right once more when, not even a year later, after rebuilding of Hawkins, practically adopting Steve into their small weird family, Eddie proves to him that he's not just scarily observant, but he learns the worst tricks in the book.

Because sure, Wayne might have buried his own needs and desires so deep they're practically at the Earth's core, but then there was a sympathetic man close to his age, maybe a bit younger, who approached Wayne and told him he's so happy for him that Eddie is back, that he taught Eddie in middle school and he never believed a single word about his involvement because that boy is incapable of harming anyone, that's what he said. And he invited Wayne for a beer because some people were still treating the name Munson as the plague itself and Wayne might be finding himself looking at Eddie and Steve, wishing that he was younger, he had more courage...

So he's still mostly lost in those thoughts when Eddie starts pestering him during one of Steve's shifts, meaning they're home alone and bored. It's late July, they're both sitting on the porch, sipping beer again, and Wayne has already answered questions about the mug to end all mugs, whether soccer would be more fun to watch with human-sized insects and who is the single person from all Hawkins to be sent to Mars to never return. And then Eddie asks "what's the best movie to take Scott Clarke for the first date?" and Wayne's brain short circuits.

When he comes to, Eddie is smirking at him sympathetically, offering him a new can of beer because Wayne dropped the old one. "Come on, did you think I wouldn't notice?" he asks and nudges his shoulder. "I can sense the "desperately in love" Munson eyes from a mile away. I've got them patented, you know. So. Your answer?"

Wayne coughs and stammers out that it would have to be something smart because Scott is smart. And that he isn't smart enough to figure out what he'd like, so it's not really a good question...

But Eddie just shakes his head and reaches into his pocket, producing two tickets to the Hawkins movie theatre. "Wrong, Wayne. Or not completely. Mr. Clarke - Scott, shit, that's difficult to get used to, he loves smart things, but he's also a massive nerd, as our lady Applejack loves to call him and everyone within a certain interest group. And I happen to know there's something called RoboCop playing tomorrow. I also happen to have two tickets right here, to know that Scott is free and that he'll be waiting for you 15 minutes before the movie starts."

Wayne gapes at him, mouth hanging open and speechless for the first time in his life. His eyes are traveling between the tickets and Eddie's smile while he's desperately trying to stomp out the flames of hope in his heart. "But...but what if he doesn't see me like that?" he asks and he hates how small and insecure he sounds, but Eddie needs to understand that things are different for people like him, for his age, his...whole person.

His nephew - no, son - throws his head back and laughs into the setting sun. "Look at that," he grins and shoves the two tickets into Wayne's hand. "That has to be the first stupid question I've ever heard from you. Let's see..." he taps on his chin, pretending to think. "Ask me again tomorrow after the movie, okay? If you still need to ask."

The next evening, Eddie leans next to the door when Wayne returns from the movie. "So..." he drawls, raising his eyebrows. "Do you still need me to answer?"

And Wayne huffs out a laugh and shakes his head. "Nah, no more stupid questions in this household."

[manycoloureddays]

i was talking to a friend about eddie & steve bringing their first kid home from the hospital the other day & thought i’d put it here too:

neither of them had what you would call a traditional upbringing (”what does that even mean?” is a question that gets brought up a lot in their extended family. the wheeler household is as traditional as they come but none of them would say ted was a good example for parenting. the conclusion tends to be “as long as there’s love and support and we’re trying our hardest” but it’s a complicated question) 

anyway, neither of them had the picture perfect nuclear family growing up. steve dragged himself up into adulthood with inconsistent boundaries & very little emotional support, and eddie had all that good love and support from wayne but he was every bit as much of a latchkey kid as steve, what with wayne’s work hours. and while they have seven practice babies, the youngest they started with was a 10 year old, so when they get handed a baby and told “congrats dads” they maybe freak out a little bit. it’s not a big freak out, but it is both of them, which means there’s no level head in the car on the way home. eddie’s brain is going too fast for any of the worries to loom larger than the others, but steve is stuck in a loop of “dad was alright for the first few years of my life, what if i go bad the same way”. they get inside, put the baby carrier with their beautiful baby girl down on the coffee table and call, in this order, the buckley-wheeler apartment, joyce byers, uncle wayne, claudia henderson, and then the jargyle household. 

robin tells steve to calm his tits, she’s on her way over with nancy and a bag of parenting books they got from the library just in case there’s any in their pile that steve and eddie haven’t read yet, nancy yells out “you’ve got this, i promise!” and robin reminds him “you’ve saved the world multiple times and nancy would never lie to you!” which makes eddie feel a lot more sane (nancy is his barometer for normal reactions these days). 

wayne reminds eddie that even his biological parents managed to keep him alive for the first 10 or so years of his life and eddie’s a damn sight more cautious, kind, and prepared. “just hold her as gently as you held the strays at forest hills and feed her slightly more often and you’ll be fine, ed. i had no idea what i was getting myself into when i took you in, it’s okay to be scared, just as long as you love her.” 

joyce reminds steve that “no matter what your little girl is going to grow up so loved and cherished, and that’s more important than anything else. she won’t remember that it took you a few days to find the best way to calm her down, or if you couldn’t figure out the quickest way to change her diaper. she won’t remember when you gave her a too cold bottle, she’ll just remember the love.” and hop jumps on for a quick “we’ll be there this weekend kiddo” which is as good as a long distance shoulder squeeze. 

claudia is in the middle of packing a care package while she’s on the phone and tells steve and eddie all sorts of stories about trying to wrangle dustin on her own, “he was always too clever for his own good, but sometimes they need to learn things on their own. they just need you there to pick them up once they’ve fallen over, to kiss it better and remind them they’re never really alone.”

jonathan and argyle congratulate the dads and jonathan reminds steve that family is what you make it, “you’re nothing like you’re dad, man. none of us are. we made our own way and the fact that you’re worried you’ll fuck up is a pretty good sign that you’re going to keep on trying to do your best by her. but how about i promise you this. if you ever look like you’re heading down a path that leads back to him, i’ll pull you out. you’ve got all of us, an insane number of aunts and uncles who aren’t afraid to call you on your shit. but steve, you’re as much like dick as i’m like lonnie.” 

by the time nancy and robin let themselves in with their spare key, the boys have exhausted themselves emotionally, and all three of them are snuggled together on their bed. steve with his back to the headboard, eddie between his legs, and their daughter on his chest, steve’s finger clutched tight in her hand. robin takes a photo, and then she and nancy creep back down the hall to the kitchen to make dinner

[karmic-vibes]

If I Can Dream

2 - There Must Be Somewhere

cw: gender dysphoria

a/n: the chapters are short for now, but will get longer. just easing into everything. enjoy!

Year: 1984

“Hey, kiddo, how was school?” Wayne asked, gathering his belongings for work.

“It was good.” Eden kicked off her shoes and let her hair down from the dingy bun.

“No Hellfire today?” She shook her head and ran her fingers through her curls. “Okay, well, I’m off to work. Dinners in the freezer. You know the drill—call me if you need me.” She nodded, sighing. “Love you, kiddo.”

“Love you too.”

Once Wayne’s car left the driveway, Eden headed to her room, pulling her shirt off, tossing it on the bed. She turned her torso from side to side, twisting her face at her changing body. Her chest was larger, hips were wider, period annoyingly making itself known once a month.

She hated every last bit of it. She’d seen things on the news and read articles in her free time about people who felt like her. She couldn’t quite articulate how she felt, especially not to anyone in Hawkins, Indiana.

Eden felt as if she wasn’t herself. Like her body didn’t belong to her. As if she were living a lie. She was a ghost of herself—living the life everyone else expected of her. She couldn’t just be. The only thing that felt normal in her life was her attraction to boys—specifically, Steve Harrington.

What wasn’t there to love about Steve? He had eyes softer than clouds with long, thick lashes. He had a head of hair that would make nearly anyone, guys and girls alike, green with envy. He was one of the most athletic people in the school and still managed to get through (most of) his classes on the first go. He may have been a bit ditzy in some senses, but it only added to his charm.

But he would never date someone like Eden. Never, in a million years, would King Steve even look at a freak like her.

Eden’s hair was unkempt and ratty, given that she didn’t have enough money for the supplies to properly maintain it. She wasn’t smart, she didn’t consider herself very pretty, and she was a total nerd. She spent all her free time planning Dungeon and Dragons campaigns for Hellfire Club or writing music for her band. That’s one thing she considered herself good at: music—she poured her whole heart and soul into becoming a better musician.

However, even if he was willing to look past all that, he would run for the hills at the first mention of not being a girl (or at least not feeling like one). Steve very clearly liked to stay in the status quo. He was handsome, athletic, and an absolute womanizer. He was going to graduate on time, go to college, marry a nice girl, who would be a stay-at-home mom with their two kids (one boy, one girl).

Eden didn’t fit into that plan, and she accepted that, as much as it killed her.

Day in and day out she would think about the life she could live with Steve. He would go out and make the money, while she stayed home during the day, pretending to tend to the household chores. Steve would be her biggest fan, going to each and every show, cheering her on from the front row. They would have a few dogs, maybe a cat, to take care of that would consume their life (but they would be so worth it). Eden loved to daydream about her life with Steve. They would be happy. For the first time, in each of their lives, they would be happy.

Eden would be a liar if she said she didn’t think about completely changing herself to be more appealing to Steve. It was silly, sure, but if she could keep up her current charade everyday, what’s doing it for the rest of your life? Yes, she hated everything about herself, but if Steve could love her, that’s all she would ever need. Being with him would make up for it all.

Now, she wasn’t crazy or a stalker, so she never fed into her intrusive thoughts, leaving her pining from afar. But hey, a girl person, can dream, can’t she they?

[hellishere7980]

begin Again Chapter-4 (sequel to Marinette Wayne)

Days went by as normally as they could in the Wayne household. The sun cast a warm glow over the elegant dining room as Isabel, Damian and Alfred were gathered for lunch.

During a lull in the conversation, Isabel turned to Damian, her eyes filled with a glimmer of curiosity. "Would you like to accompany me for a walk outside after lunch?". Damian gave a stiff nod in response. "If you insist," he replied tersely.

Deep down, Damian tried to hide the seething resentment that churned within him. It seemed that everyone in the family, even Titus and Alfred the Cat, were open to Isabel. The fact that she had effortlessly integrated herself into their lives grated on him.

As they strolled around the well-cared-for gardens, a true masterpiece of Alfred's meticulous care, Damian couldn't help but finally turn to Lusicina, his gaze intense. "Is there something specific you wanted to talk about, Lusicina?"

Isabel paused for a moment, choosing her words carefully. "How about we sit?" she suggested, gesturing to a clean patch of grass well, every patch was a clean patch but yeah… they sat down. Isabel took a deep breath, her eyes fixed on Damian's. "Look, Damian," she began, her voice earnest. "I'll get straight to the point, just don't interrupt me. I have a reason to believe you are the potential successor to Wayne Enterprises. I want nothing to do with it. The only reason I'm even here is that Uncle J insisted that I had someone to look after me. Okay? I have my own business to look up to. I have my superhero persona to maintain and work on. I want absolutely nothing to do with Wayne Enterprises, the family's complicated history, or honestly anything else related to it. I would have been mad too if somebody tried to uproot my life."

Damian gave her a judgmental look, but Isabel continued, undeterred. "You know what?" she continued, "I'll even sign anything if that's what it takes. I would have disappeared off the face of the globe, but that would have Wayne, revealing everything. The only plus side to this... is that I get to meet you guys. After all, we share half the blood. So, truce?"

The demon's heir’s eyes showed his emotions but for a few blinks they were back to stone. "Very well Lusicina." He conceded, acknowledging the tentative truce.

Isabel shrugged, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips. "Thank you. And don't you dare let Wayne get to your head. He is no shining example of maintaining relationships that have always been clear as crystal.” She said with a humorless laugh. “Well, on a lighter note, do update me on the stuff that has been happening around here while I was away. I need to catch up on everything. I mean, the number of Twitter sorry X wars you have started, both in and out of the mask, is astounding."

As evening approached, bRuce, Dick and Tim got back from Wayne Enterprises and well Jason?... best not ask.They entered the grand Wayne Manor, a sprawling estate were greeted by Alfred then at the doorstep, his impeccable demeanor in stark contrast to the chaos that often surrounded the household.

As they shed their coats, Dick couldn't help but ask about Damian and Isabel. "Alfred, where's Damian and Isabel?" he asked.

Alfred's response was curt and to the point. "I believe they went for a stroll in the Manor Gardens."

The mention of Damian and Isabel together had everyone stopping in their tracks, a single thought racing through their heads: "Oh God, was Damian going to try and kill Isabel?" As they bolted towards the garden, they finally came across the two figures. To their surprise, there was no immediate danger in sight. They approached cautiously, their curiosity piqued. Jason couldn't help but whisper. "Holy Shit, what is the demon spawn doing?"

Dick chimed in with a tentative suggestion, "He's smiling...?"

Tim shook his head. "Nah can't be." but squinted his eyes to get a closer look anyway. Bruce, their father, felt a faint grin tugging at his lips, his heart warmed by the sight of his children bonding together. He moved forward silently to listen to their conversation.

Isabel's laughter rang out through the garden. "Really?" she chimed in, her eyes sparkling with mirth.

"Indeed," Damian replied, a hint of a smile on his usually stoic face. "And he proceeded to stare, trying to comprehend and process the information that he had an heir."

Isabel's laughter continued. "So," continued Damian, "what happened in your case?"

"Oh," she began. "My biological mother just dropped me off at the hospital, gave Wayne’s name, rushed out of the gate, when he got there, he took a DNA test, and took me home."

The fact that they were exchanging stories about how they met him was a questionable sign. It was good, Bruce thought, maybe as long as they were bonding and building some semblance of a connection.

Isabel, however, seemed to have sensed their presence. "Anyway," she said with a playful smirk, "Wayne and the gang are here, so I gotta fly. Side note: Keep your phone ready tomorrow at breakfast. I foresee blackmail material in your path." With that, she got up and shouted, "Bye!" as she speed-walked away, leaving them behind.

Slowly, Damian got up and looked Bruce in the eye. "You look quite foolish to send her away, Father." he remarked.

Jason couldn't help but chime in, "That's what I’VE had been screaming." The rest of them shared a collective sigh, and Bruce simply gazed at his daughter's retreating figure, his heart heavy.

The new day dawned over Gotham and the Wayne Manor, a place known for its chaotic and eventful mornings. Isabel strolled into the kitchen, where Tim was busy brewing a cup of coffee. However, it was clear that he wasn't satisfied with the brew. His brow furrowed in frustration as he worked on the coffee maker.

Isabel peered in a bit closer and offered a suggestion, her voice filled with a mischievous twinkle. "Try adding a different, preferably sweet energy drink in it," she suggested casually.

Tim looked up in shock, his eyes widening. "What?"

Isabel pointed at the coffee. "In the coffee," she clarified.

"Okay, let's give it a shot," Tim said with a grin, pun intended.

Isabel couldn't help but roll her eyes playfully. "Oh God, puns are awesome, but only in moderation."

"Of course," Tim replied as he added the energy drink and stirred the concoction. He took a cautious sip and then his eyes went wide with surprise. "This is the nectar of the gods!"

Isabel took the mug from his hands and sampled it herself. "Damn right, this is good!"

Jason, who had been observing this experiment with growing horror, was ready to pop his eyes out. "holy fucki** Chri---"

"Language master Jason, " Alfred chided.

Isabel and Tim turned to him in unison. "What?"

Damian, who had been quietly observing the scene, proceeded to bang his head on the table. "Not another Drake."

Bruce directed his questioning glare at Tim. "When was the last time you slept, Tim?"

Tim nonchalantly shrugged his shoulders. "Don't know and don't care."

Bruce sighed, clearly concerned, but before he could say anything, Isabel chimed in with empathy. "I remember that stage. I once went for six days without crashing, based solely on coffee and sheer willpower."

Tim turned to her, a glimmer of hope shining in his eyes. "Really? How do you do it?"

Isabel gave him a cryptic smile. "Charmed coffee."

Taking a page from the lessons he'd learned from Dick and Isabel, Tim turned on the cute puppy eyes. "Can you give me the recipe—"

Before he could finish his sentence, Dick placed his hand over Tim's mouth, muffling him.

Damian sighed from the side. "Don't encourage him, Isabel."

Isabel tilted her head and asked, "Why not? Just because you can't handle it doesn't mean we can't."

Jason pleaded, "His self-care habits are going to get worse, Pixie."

Tim, who had finally freed himself of Dick's grasp. "I DON'T CARE!" He sided with Isabel in his quest for the secret coffee recipe.

Alfred walked into the kitchen, his ever-watchful eye taking in the scene. "Young masters and miss, what exactly is going on here?"

In a chorus of frustration, Dick, Jason, and Damian blurted out, "Isa/Pixie/Isabel i's just like Tim/Replacement/Drake!"

Taking a total 180-degree turn on the topic of the conversation, Isabel turned to Bruce. "Doesn't matter right now. Wayne, I have a few questions for you. What are your current policies on metahumans and magical users in Gotham?"

[snowangeldotmp3]

im having literally so much holiday brainrot so. do you have any headcanons your brainrot has provided when it comes to stranger things?

(can you tell i just went through the holiday tags on ao3)

omg same. happy holidays anon!!

ok, so i’m actually a HUGE fan of the jewish eddie munson headcanon. genuinely one of my favorite things i’ve seen recently of him and wayne celebrating chanukah together <3 AGH i love it

i also love the idea of like, everyone gathers at the byers-hopper household for the holidays. like joyce’s house is always warm and inviting they can’t help but all gather at her house for the holidays. (they do all of the traditional stuff with El too, since she’s never really had a normal life, so.) i’m super fond of the jewish byers headcanons too, but they released that christmas comic a few years ago so </3 but the jewish byers are real to ME.

murray i feel would either make the trip down to hawkins and bring the alcohol or he would call joyce and joyce would have him on speaker so the kids can all wish him a happy holiday. alternatively, he comes down to help joyce with the christmas dinner because dammit, that man can cook. he’s amazing in the kitchen. he and jonathan and joyce are the cooks (hopper and robin and steve offer to help, but hopper can’t cook much of anything that doesn’t have to be microwaved. robins an excellent cook, but is shooed out of the kitchen—she’ll come back later though to wash dishes. and joyce is still upset with steve for the demo-dog in her fridge and is immediately banished from the kitchen. eddie’s allowed to help though, when he’s not talking to will.)

the wheelers are a very Traditional Christmas, as we’ve seen, but again, i think both mike and nancy would sneak away to the byers later in the day. i think lucas would have a special gift or two that he saved up all year to give to max, and he’d want it to be special so he’d go over as soon as he was able to to give it to her.

dustin gets erica the newest dnd book (not totally sure how dnd works but y’all know those books they have? idk) and they immediately get to work on a campaign, a small one shot that they’re gonna force everyone to play. eddie helps, but only if he gets to DM.

robin brings them the traditions of hippie christmas, which is mostly storytelling and eggnog, but her mother insisted on bringing the byers a traditional “hippie” gift, so she brings whatever her mother made for them.

steve and robin wear matching outfits at the byers house (to which eddie and nancy do NOT go crazy over. nancy will get drunk later and be all over robin. eddie will be completely sober and be all over steve.) and have a little gift for everyone, thanks to extra hours at family video. they also supply the christmas movies, which everyone will be gathered around the tv watching like, It’s a Wonderful Life (steve and robin re-enact) and Miracle on 34th Street, Charlie Brown Christmas and (it’s my headcanons i get to pick the movies) The Muppets Christmas Carol, which does NOT have everyone in tears by the very end. (including hopper, who swears up and down that he’s not crying, his eyes are just watery.)

i think they’d do a similar thing for new years too, tbh. all gather around the tv to watch the ball drop in times square, just because it’s nice and cozy and they can all be together, bc that’s what it’s all about. they’ve been through hell for the last couple of years, and all they really care about is being together and safe and able to see another year come and go, and that they’re all here.

[veryredd]

Irony

Tim drake x insecure reader

A/n: hello I'm finally back from work stuff. I can actually write more hc??

Another a/n: I wrote more than I expected hahahaa my brain go brrrrr

You were always very insecure

Being raised in a normal, safe and secured household especially for Gotham made you wonder when did your insecurities started to manifest

You never questioned it but just kind of accepted that it is just something you are

It was a huge surprise when Timothy Drake ask you out

The Timothy Drake

It was hard for everyone to believe

Even you yourself is doubtful of it

But you just kind of let it happen

You knew his ex girlfriend Stephanie

She the complete opposite of you

She was more outgoing, you were more soft-spoken

She was more athletic, you preferred the indoors

I made you question many time why did Tim choose you

I mean Stephanie is like the perfect girl

Plus his sibling, the Wayne family are known for being the perfect

Not to mention, he is a Drake

Your insecurities often get in the way of your relationship

Which led to many friendships crumbling

So it was difficult for you to hide your ever growing insecurities

Not to mention, he was fairly observant

So you had to be extra careful

Not it was any use

"hey Tim"

"yes?"

"you love me right?"

" yeah why?"

" no just wondering"

" if you are upset about something you can always tell me"

" don't worry Tim. I'm finee", you plastered on a smile before returning back to your school work

You felt Tim staring at the back of your head

"I feel like Tim does love me anymore"

"(n/n), Tim loves you to death trust me"

"I know I know but I can't help it Steph, some part of me feels that Tim will get tired of me and leave me"

"look you gotta talk to Tim at some point"

"…"

*sigh* " it's going to destroy you and your relationship with Tim at some point. You could either try and make an effort now or not do anything and risk your relationship going up in flames. Your choice"

You noticed recently Tim has been canceling your dates

Not to mention with the recent Arkham breakouts, you really don't know when will be your last day

Plus Timothy Drake is an ideal boyfriend that everyone wants

Surely he could find someone better than you if he really wanted to

You had a feeling that he was going out to meet someone but not sure who it was

You suspect that it was another partner

You know deep inside that Tim is one of the most loyal person you have ever met

But part of you believes that just like everyone else, he will leave after getting tired

"Timmy, you need to tell her at some point"

" I know dick but Arkham rogues can't wait"

"as much as I detest your romantic life, I agree with Richard. (L/n) is a decent partner"

"wow if demon child is saying that then you need to man up replacement"

"Tim, go take a break. We can handle it from here"

"see even B agrees with me. Look if Steph trust her then I think you can trust her with this"

"If you fail at courting (L/n), perhaps we could use other methods to officiate them into the family"

"NO! we are not NOT going to let her get involved in this. It's too dangerous"

"are you doubting your own romantic partner drake? I do not think they are that useless to not be able to defend themselves"

"they tried to lodge a knife in the head once because because I had the keys to your apartment"

"fine fine I'll talk to them"

"Timothy you don't have to sneak around me anymore, I understand. I'll leave first thing in the morning"

" wait wait wait (n/n) what are you talking about"

"I know I'm holding you down but you don't have to worry anymore"

"wait where did you ever get that idea from"

"…"

"you think I'm cheating on you?!"

"…"

"why, how, who "

"you are not ?"

"No never"

" you are always canceling our plans"

"look whatever you are thinking is not true. You are perfect and I love that about you. Heck even Damian likes you"

"bu-"

"no you are the only one I want and will ever want"

"hahaha it's kind of cheesy". The corner of their mouth tucked up into a grin

"I'm being serious here!". Tim's face contorted from a disbelief expression to an exasperated expression. His eyes had a glimpse of mischief

"no but seriously, who would I be with if not you"

Your smile flattered slightly

"I don't know? Everyone else?"

"look I want to tell you honestly what I've been doing but I can't be sure that you will still want me"

You thought about it for moment

You totally forgot why you and Tim got along in the first place

It was your insecurities that brought you two together

Weird but hey, it worked

"you can't scare me that easily"

Tim grabbed your wrist and tucked it

"follow me"

You recognise the drive to the Wayne manor

Having been there a few times, it was a sight you were used to

Upon reaching the manor, he led you towards a grandfather clock

You were busy admiring the room before you heard a click

"(n/n) come on"

You peered down the descending staircase

As you strolled down it hit you

"holy shit"

You glanced at Tim's face hoping you see some sort of reaction

As usual, he remained a poker face

"Todd I will maim you"

"try me demon child"

"jay! Dami!"

"hmmmm hello?"

Both Jason and damian freezed

Damian straighten himself out before walking towards you

"(L/n)"

" hello Damian"

" holy shit replacement yo-"

A knife came flying towards Jason's face

Jason ducked to avoid it

"what was that"

You smiled with malicious intent behind your eyes

"(n/n) calm"

The tension was so thick if felt suffocating even compared to Gotham's air

"so the bat fam Huh?"

" oi don't lump me with them"

" you literally have a bat symbol across your chest plate "

"i-"

"come on jaybirddd"

"don't call me that"

"wait wait that would explain so much"

All heads snapped towards (y/n)

"no wonder why if felt so off putting"

"batman is your true identity not Bruce Wayne"

"when I first met Bruce Wayne, not going to lie I was actually disappointed because mister Bruce Wayne felt so fake"

Bruce narrowed his eyes

"now that I see this, I don't think I'm worried about loyalty"

"I sense there is an underlying but there"

"well I'm worried about your workaholic tendencies. I mean without knowing about this I'm already worried "

" I'll look after myself don't worry"

" Ew (L/n), drake, your displays of public affection disgust me"

" hahahhaaha"

Both of you smiled knowing things will only get better

[bluebellhairpin]

In the Life of

Batfam X Batmom!Reader

A/N: Behold, my latest Batmom braindump. - Nemo

Summary: A collection of goings-on’s of Wayne Manor, some dating back to... a while ago. 

Warnings: Kidnappings. Jason’s death mentioned. It’s mostly a crack fic though ngl there. 

Listening to: ‘You Might Think’ by The Cars - ‘You might think I'm delirious, the way I run you down. But somewhere sometimes, when you're curious, I'll be back around.’

Series Masterlist 

Masterlist  

Damian only calls Batmom ‘Mother’ when something is wrong, otherwise it’s Ummi and Ummi only. 

Mind you, ‘something wrong’ can range from ‘this gala is boring, Jason’s getting on my nerves, and I seek your comfort until we go home’ or ‘I’m on a livestream ‘cause I got kidnapped and I’m worried about my wellbeing and the wellbeing of the other with me’. 

Reading the context is often rather useful. 

- 

Dick has a cereal box collection hidden in his wardrobe. He likes trying new brands and flavors, but only his favorites get saved into his stash so he remembers that he thought they were ‘exceptional grains’. 

Only Alfred and Batmom know about it. 

- 

One of Jason’s favorite games to play when he visits is seeing how long it takes Tim to realize he isn’t re-topping his coffee mug himself and that it’s actually Jason. 

The record was gained with the help of Damian (duelly noted in the whole household as the longest one time they got along), and it took him almost twelve days to realize. 

Bruce was happy Jason stayed for so long at once. 

Batmom wasn’t happy at how much coffee Tim drank. 

Tim doesn’t actually like coffee. 

-

Batmom gives Alfred nights off cooking. She cooks dinner and Alfred doesn’t know what to do with himself for a few hours ‘cause she banned him from stepping or loitering near the kitchen. 

Jason often helps. It’s prime mother/son bonding time and Jason is very pleased that Damian hasn’t figured that out yet. 

Tim often sits near the door on guard duty on these nights just to make sure. Alfred is one sneaky butler.

-

Most family members have rather normal names for each other in their phone contacts. Not Jason. Jason is different. Here’s some of them;

Trust Fund Middle-Aged Man - Bruce

The Exorcist - Dick (’cause of a unmentionable reenactment the spider walk scene)

Megamind Kinnie - Tim

Demon Spawn - Damian (duh)

Angel on Earth - Cass

Ma (with five heart emojis on either side) - Batmom

My Dream Father - Alfred

-

When Cass joined the household, everyone took it differently. Like there were thoughts about how things changed, and then how they actually were. 

Dick thought he’d get someone to gossip with. He did not. 

Jason and Cass made a book club. It mostly consists of Jason babbling about plot holes and Cass pointing out her favorite lines. 

Tim got someone to keep him company when he stays up late. It makes him feel guilty and he hasn’t gone to bed later than 2 am ever since. 

Damian got a ‘worthy’ sparring partner. He was quite surprised the first time he landed on his back. 

Bruce got a ‘daddy’s girl’. A nice fifth shadow to add to his collection, and just to prove it she is very good at sneaking up on people. 

Batmom finally got a girl. 

Alfred was also shocked at Bruce bringing home a girl. He thought Batmam only had boys, but he was much too happy to be proven wrong. Even if he is a little protective. 

-

Batmom used to be very close the the Gotham City Sirens, and the Birds of Prey. They still go out of ‘Ladies Nights’. 

It was only until after Damian showed up, and he asked when she went that they actually found out about them. 

Bruce had never asked, and the others never knew. 

Except for Alfred. 

Alfred always knows. 

Jason was very jealous when he found out about it. Getting to spend time with more than one badass woman at once? He can only dream. 

-

Duke and Steph - they’re not a permanent member of the household, even though Batmom literally offers every time either comes and visits.

Bruce wonders why, mainly because he’s the one who adpots the children in this family, not Batmom. 

‘Up you game Wayne, I’m just getting in before you for once.’ - Batmom

Steph says no cause of ‘independence’ when really she just kinda doesn’t want to be around Tim. For reasons. 

Duke doesn’t know why he says no. Some underlying fear of becoming a Robin like all the other Wayne kids maybe? 

-

Batmom and Selina Kyle have unresolved and unspoken tension. 

It’s common knowledge that Batman and Catwoman had a thing going for a while, but Batmom always had a thing with Bruce Wayne. Still does and that the difference. 

Either way, they don’t let something as trivial as a man get in the way too much. They know their strengths, and if push comes to shove they work together. 

They make an eerily good team, and it scares Bruce to think about what they might’ve done to him if they were closer friends and he treated them any less than he did. 

-

It’s obvious by now that each member of the Batfamily have a corresponding 'super’ best friend.  

Bruce and Clark Kent. Tim and Kon El. Damian and Jon Kent. Dick and Wally West. Jason and Bizaro? 

Batmom had to resist mothering Bizaro the first time she saw him. 

Alfred also has one, he gets along rather well with Martian Manhunter and no one knows why. 

Birds of the feather flock together, and Batmom and Diana Prince are also rather close. Batmom often jokes to Bruce that if the offer came she’d leave him for her. 

-

Jason’s death has been - to date - the cause of the biggest rift between Bruce and Batmom. 

After Bruce came home that night, Batmom suck around for a little while, long eough for the funeral, before she went MIA. 

It took weeks for Bruce to track her down, and months before he was able to coax her back. 

And then that was only per Dick and Alfred’s added request.

The time she was gone, Bruce was worried, since before she left she expressed her newfound rage towards the Joker. Even though her time away was spent tracking down the Joker in an effort of vengeance, she was unsuccessful and ended up coming home. 

It was almost her Batman Villain story. 

Only once Tim entered the picture did things start to go back to normal between them both again. But they ended up coming back stronger than ever. (Aw) 

-

Tim has a list of which people are most useful in a tough situation. There are multiple lists, for a number of these kind of situations. The general list - the list for ‘we don’t know what’s happening but this person is who I want with me’ - goes as follows. 

It only has the batfamily members that are usually on-hand. 

Batman is first. 

Rather obvious, but Bruce is an all-rounder. He taught them all most of what they know. 

Red Hood is second. 

Jason spent a while on his own hence can handle himself very well, he’s still got connections, and compared to everyone else he’s built like a tank. 

Red Robin is second. 

This is out of Tim’s thoughts, but he’s smaller, got the glider wings, and he’s the smartest out of everyone. 

Nightwing is fourth. 

Flexible. Experienced. Team player. But he’s not as brutal as Bruce or Jason can act and that can be a drawback. 

Valentine (Batmom) is sixth. 

She hasn’t worked in the field in a long time, but she’s kept up the training. Lack of field work is the only downside seen, except for ‘that’s my mom’. 

Robin is always second last.

Tim and Damian do not get along in day-today life, and even if they do put that aside in the field, it’s still not good for tight spots. 

Alfred is last. 

Not because he isn’t useful. Alfred has no alter-ego and Tim hasn’t confronted the butler about it yet. 

-

Bruce got Alfred flowers on Fathers day once. 

Not only did Alfred tear up, but so did Bruce. And Dick. 

Dick ran outside and grabbed a handful of daises and brought them in for Alfred too and they all defiantly cried after that. 

Series Taglist; @natatawa-ako @marvelous-glims @padfoot-siriusly-approves​ @princesscornbread​ @eternalharry​ @mysticchopshop​ 

Taglist is Open! 

[stxleslyds]

WHAT IF...? BUT IT IS JASON TODD.

Oh man, this one is a complicated one, but I will try my best to put my thoughts together!

I will be building this “what if” scenario from the Jason origin and background that was presented to us in Batman (1940) #408.

So, this Jason would still be living alone after his mother overdosed and his father was sent to prison (maybe he was dead already, I am not sure). Everything Jason tells Batman in these panels are the things I am taking for context. Obviously, in this post, we will just pretend that Batman was never there and Jason is just monologuing.

So, what we are left with is a boy that has been caring for himself for an undisclosed amount of time, but in that time, he has certainly learned to live that way. He also mentioned that he took care of his mom while she was sick, so I will take that too and I will say that he knew how to cook, clean, and do basic household things.

He didn’t have money so he would eat what he was able to steal or whatever he was given by store owners when they finished their shifts.

I think that Jason would have done everything in his power to read books and continue learning. He would definitely avoid coming across cops and social workers. So, he would continue surviving that way.

And here is where the story could go two different ways, one of them involves Jason living alone in Gotham city up until one of the librarians in the public library (where Jason liked to read) started noticing just how much time Jason spent in the library and how skinny he was, they also noticed that the boy probably didn’t go to school because he was there during school hours every day.

The librarian would slowly approach him and after many days of them leaving a muffin or a hot chocolate at the table where Jason was reading, they finally sat with him to ask him about why he spent so much time at the library.

I guess that from there Jason would form a bond with that person and he would slowly understand that he couldn’t keep living the way that he did, that he needed to go to school because he wanted to do so much in life, he wanted to help people just like he helped his mom.

He would have come to an understanding with the librarian and together they would make sure that if Jason was put in the system he would end up in the librarian’s care. And luckily after a little while, he did. From then on Jason would live a normal life, his only contact with Batman or Robin would be when he got a glimpse of Robin outside his window just after he finished his homework.

In this story, Jason would grow up to become the best in all his classes and then he would study to become a paramedic. He would also be deeply interested in helping kids stay away from drugs, he will give talks at schools, orphanages, and other places. He would be very involved with his city and community.

A normal man with a loving and caring parental figure that he will forever appreciate. Maybe he would even try to present some projects in Wayne Enterprises that could help street kids get an education and give people in Gotham’s streets a safe place to live so Gotham’s baddies didn’t use their vulnerability to participate in drug dealing and other illegal stuff.

The other idea that I have is that instead of Batman finding Jason, the one that finds him is Dick. Dick would already be Nightwing at this time, but he was in Gotham after he had gone for some tea with Alfred. Before leaving Gotham, he decided to walk for a while, he didn’t realize that he was heading to Crime Alley up until he was there.

Let’s say that Jason was running away from someone that he had just tried to steal from and there is where they meet. Dick saves Jason from that person but asks why was he alone and why he was stealing. Jason wouldn’t want to talk much but maybe he just didn’t want to be hungry that day so he tells Dick that he will tell him all about him if Dick pays for his meal.

Dick obviously does so and lets Jason run before Jason says anything to him.

Nightwing will be the one that tracks Jason and finds more about him, when Dick has all the information, he makes the decision to talk to Jason and offer him housing. I don’t think Jason would do it, he would think it is too weird and way too generous, he would simply not trust Dick, but Dick would have been prepared and he knows that the people of Gotham knew that Nightwing used to be Robin. So, he takes a leap of faith and shows Jason his Nightwing costume.

Dick tells Jason that he would spend two more days in Gotham before he had to go back to the Titans in San Francisco, that Jason could come to him or he would have to take Jason to somebody else because he refused to let Jason live that way anymore.

Jason would choose to go with Dick but first Dick had to make it official, so in this story, Dick would be the one taking Jason in.

I strongly believe that Dick as well as Jason would love it if Jason were to be a normal boy, so from this moment on, the story would be the same as the first one. Jason goes to school, works hard and then he moves back to Gotham to become a hero to Gotham’s people in his own way.

These are the best two ideas that I could come up with, I am not a good writer, and writing my thoughts in English keeps proving itself a little too difficult. The second idea is one that I have been thinking about for a long time but in a different context. @hood-ex , I believe was the one that showed some panels from Pre-Crisis where Dick wanted to adopt Jason so that’s where the second idea came from.

These two ideas would probably be better written by anybody else but I tried my best!

Thank you so much for the question @leoruby-draws , and sorry that it took me so long to answer it! I hope you enjoyed my ideas as to what would have happened!

[wondersinwaynemanor]

Duke's few weeks in the Manor

Damian: So, Thomas, how's the stay in the Manor? Staying with the rest of those juveniles - *sighs* with the rest of the family?

Duke, smiles brightly: It's been great. I like the training sessions and patrols, the movie nights -

Damian: So no regrets, nor second thoughts?

Duke: Of course not-

Tim passes by the room where Damian and Duke are talking.

Tim, furious: I swear to God, Jason!!! I'm burning all your books. Where the fu- where's my bo staff???

Jason: Aren't you supposed to be the smartest among us, Timbers? Find it yourself!!! And why the fuck do people keep blaming me in this house???

in a few seconds, Jason passes by also, one of his guns on his hand. he gives a peace sign to the direction of his youngest brothers, before disappearing from their sights.

Babs: No shouting in the house!!! And put that weapon away, Jason.

Babs passes by next, giving them a sweet smile, before she looks down on the tablet on her lap, loud sounds erupting from it.

Damian, raises his brow: You were saying, Thomas?

Duke: Oh yes. I said I'm not having any-

Steph enters the room with a bag of chips on her hand and some skincare cream on her face.

Steph: WHERE'S MY- Hey, kiddos! Don't mind me just *munches on a chip* 'inding for my lipstick- Oh, there it is!! And no, I'm not giving you any chips. Byeee!!

she leaves the room, loudly munching on her chips.

Damian, the corner of his mouth twitching to a smile: Yes, Thomas?

before Duke could respond, there was a light tap behind him.

Duke: What was that- OH MY GOSH! *touches his chest* Cass....

Cass, giggles, patting Duke's head lightly: Cute. Little brother.

before they know it, she's out the room.

Damian: As you can see-

Dick enters the room, smiling brightly when he sees his little brothers. he stands with his hands on the ground, landing infront of them.

Dick: Aww, what you youngsters up to huh? Up to no good, I bet?

Dick aims for Damian's cheeks. Damian lightly pushes his hands away, so Dick goes for Duke's cheeks, pinching them.

Dick, laughs: I guess I'll do it to the other Little D then.

before Duke can respond, there is a sound of breaking glass and Tim's more shouting.

Dick: Oops. Gotta check that out. You both stay out of trouble.

then Dick leaves them.

Damian, smiles lightly: What do you say Thomas, you want to visit the barn in the backyard?

Duke, grins: I would love that!

Damian: At least you have a normal sibling. I just saved you.

and Duke thinks that Damian is not quite normal, rather unique, with his pet dragon. they're all unique really.

but he wouldn't trade any of his sisters and brothers for anything or anybody in the world.

[alienguts]

Lazy Sundays (Clark Kent, Bruce Wayne x GN!reader HCs)

Warnings: 95% fluff, mentions of sex

Request?: No

Clark Kent

Sunday is Clark’s favourite day of the week because there is very little chance that Perry is going to call him into work.

That doesn't mean that people won't need Superman, however.

If he does need to leave to help someone, he’ll promise to be back as soon as he can.

You understand because such is the nature of dating a superhero.

Clark’s ideal Sunday involves lounging around on the couch either reading or watching sports on the TV, or whatever you want to watch together (he can always record the football game and watch it later if you're not into sports).

Clark has a pretty normal sex drive so the two of you are more likely to have spontaneous sex instead of planning to get down and dirty on a specific day of the week.

You just hope that someone doesn't need Superman’s help while the two of you are in bed because you’ll be tempted to go and knock some sense into them.

Bruce Wayne

Day off? Ha, that’s a good one.

Bruce Wayne has not had a day off in a very long time.

Before you came alone the only spare time he had was the extra five minutes of sleep he somehow managed to convince Alfred to let him have in the morning.

But now that he has someone in his life, he’s a little more likely to stay home to spend time with you.

Unlike Clark, Bruce is a lot more likely to spend as much of his free time in the bedroom as he can because his emotional repression eats into his sex drive a lot.

He finally has you so of course he’s going to spend as much time with you unclothed as he can.

Crime never sleeps but the Batman unfortunately has to.

Sundays spent with Bruce involve a lot of sleeping because who knows when the two of you are going to get this much sleep ever again?

Between public events, Wayne Enterprises work, looking after five boys, and vigilante work, the Wayne household doesn't rest very often.

[artxyra]

Hi, could you please write a miraculous ladybug salt with Damianette where Marinette and Damian have been dating since before the show starts. Alya believes Marinette has a crush on Adrian even though Marinette is in a relationship with Damian. Alya then tries to break Damianette up in order to get adrianette together. Also Marinette and Adrian met when they were younger due to the dupain-cheng and Wayne's being friends and the Argeste and Wayne's being business friends. Maybe make it Class salt

Pretending to like Adrien may have been the worst decision of her life. Of course, Adrien agreed to it wanting to pretend to be the oblivious just a friend kind of guy. Marinette and Adrien shared laughs at the thought of their classmates trying to get them together not knowing the extent of their relationship prior to meet them.

Let’s rewind a bit.

It started with Sabine and Emilie went to University to together. They were roommates and the bests of friends. From there, Sabine went into dating the baker’s son while Emilie touch interest in a fashion mogul. Everything was perfect for their little group until business started to grow on international levels. Sabine and Tom jumped to stardom after participating in a baking contest in English and became one of Europe’s celebrities in the food industry. Emilie had grown to be loved on the big screen as Gabriel expanded on the family business taking on building the biggest fashion empire in Paris.

Soon the family of twos welcomes new members: Adrien and Marinette.

The children would send the day at each other’s home when their parents were on business trips. They grew to love each other as brothers and sisters. It was Marinette who asked her parents to send her to big brother's house to show him something she had made. Sabine and Emilie cried together when they realize that their children had taken to calling each other siblings.

When Adrien and Marinette were five, the family was welcomed to a Wayne Gala. Sabine and Tom were quick to become friends with a certain Mr. Wayne. Marinette had expanded who siblings to include Dickie and Tim Tam. Adrien was jealous of the competition regarding Mari’s favorite brother.

All was perfect until Mari meet the latest addition to the Wayne family around the age of ten.  Damian Wayne.

He wasn’t like the others, and she had met plenty of the adopted and non-adopted Wayne over the years. He was rude, always looking like he was out to get the world. She at the utmost pleasure in breaking through to the older boy. Her challenge every time she visits was to get him to laugh. She didn’t exceed.

 When Adrien went the young Wayne, he screamed and hid behind Marinette, who at the time was taller than the two boys. Adrien hugged Mr. Kitten, his stuff black cat, like a lifeline until Alfred had called the three kids for lunch.

As they have gotten older, Damian took a liking to Marinette and had developed a crush on her. His older siblings found it hilarious when they found the demon lightly brushing at any mention of the Parisian girl.

Unfortunately, a loss entered the Agreste household. Emilie had fallen sick and had disappeared from the face of the earth. Gabriel didn’t know how to deal with the loss, he ended up giving the Dupain-Cheng temporary custody of his son until he figures out his next move. That was the last time anyone had seen M. Agreste in public. Adrien plenty of surrogate siblings to help him through the loss of his mother, but he also ended up losing his father in the process.

Months before they were to enter college, Damian had asked Marinette on a date. Marinette smiles and wrapped her arms the taller boy’s neck. Her boys had grown to be taller than the girl even if it was by a couple of centimeters. Everyone around them suspects that they’ll be at least 5’9” to 6” while Marinette would grow to be Sabine’s height at best.

Celebrations were made at the announcement of the Dupain-Cheng heiress and Wayne heir becoming a couple. Their parents promise their kids a normal relationship despite media interference. The Dupain-Cheng moved into their smaller bakery as it had an apartment upstairs. The perfect front and it was close to the school that they were sending Marinette to for college.

It was all fine and dandy until Marinette and Adrien received their miraculous. Not even a day after they started college. Marinette had taken a liking to the reporter, but she quickly realizes that she is determined, and that kind of determination can last for a long time.

“I’m fine, Dami,” Marinette says to Damian over video chat. She was working on a commission for a client and Adrien was being no help despite being in the same room with her. Damian raises an eyebrow. “I’m serious, they cannot bring me down.”

“She’s lying.” Adrien sings from his position on the chaise. Marinette turns to the blonde model and glares at him.

“Stay sane, Angel. I’m sure she’ll come to her senses.”

“I doubt it, we’re about to graduate lycée and she's still headset of getting Adrien and me together. I’m pretty sure Luka would hate that.” Marinette begins to stitch together the pieces of fabric in front of her.   

“In that case, I will gladly put a sword through her if she doesn’t stop.” Marinette smiles and laughs at the thought of Damian putting a sword through Alya.

“Well your lunch is ending soon, we’ll talk later?” Marinette says pulling her focus away from the outfit and to the clock.

“Father will understand if I ditch the other half a day.”

“Dami…”

“I’ll go Angel.” Damian folded. “Are you still on for date night tomorrow?”

“I would be crazy if I said it wasn’t.” Marinette waves goodbye to the small screen. The screen goes black signaling the end of the call.

“So, what are we going to do about Alya?” Adrien asks and before Marinette could reply, both of their phones go off. “It’s Nino. Asking if I want to hang out with him and Alya.”

Marinette sighs and sends a quick reply. “Alya texted me about wanting to hang out with her rather than Nino.”

A beat past. “She’s setting us up again.” Groans follow through.

With Alya, she is determined, to get Adrienette together by the end of the school year. This was their final year and Marinette never once managed to work up the confidence to ask the blonde model out.

Today, she was staging an “Operation Adrienette” at the Place des Vosges. Everyone that is a part of the akuma class was there. Alya, standing front and center with Lila, points to the easel with a large poster board.

“Here’s the plan. We all know that graduation is coming up soon, and I tend to make it my legacy to ensure Adrienette becomes canon. They have ditched us for the last time and I planned to end that this week.” Alya states pretending to be heartbroken.

Lila couldn’t help but notice how Chloe and Juleka were missing from the meeting. She doesn’t want Adrienette to happen but when she tried to get Marinette expelled in college, during a photoshoot Adrien had to threaten for her to back off and stop messing with his sister. Their other brothers wouldn’t like that. Since that encounter, she made a deal with the duo and learned very quickly how there was no romantic attraction between them, just mischief. The reason for Lila being her is because Alya and the rest of them are still her puppets and she has to play the supportive friend.

“I’m still salty about the last plan. They were supposed to have a romantic time at the ice rink, and nothing came of it. This time I’m planning a romantic dinner where Nino and I would ditch the two for another booth. That way they are forced to interact with each other.”

“What are we going to do if that backfires?” Rose raised her hand inputting her concerns.

“We don’t expect it to.” Alya confidently states.

It was Friday night when the plan went into fruition. Adrien had agreed to meet up with Nino and Alya for whatever they have planned. He ended up dressing up at the request Alya of blowing up his phone under Nino’s contact name.

Alya was hanging off Nino’s arms smiling at the model. It was creeping him out.

“So why am I here?” He finally asks even though he knew the answer already.

“We’re waiting for Marinette; she’d promised that she’ll be here in a moment.” Alya deflects the question, she looks elsewhere, no doubt to find Marinette. “There she is.”

Marinette walks over to the group. Adrien gasps causing Alya and Nino to smugly smile at each other. Marinette was wearing a red and black T-shirt dress with the icon of Robin in the center.

“Hey gurl, glad you can join us.” Alya pulls away from Nino, giving the poor teen his arm back and formerly greets Adrien.

“Not like a had a choice, Alya.” Marinette murmurs under her breath.

“Of course, you did, look you’re already here and let’s go get to our seats.” Alya pushes Marinette towards the door and gestures for Adrien and Nino to follow.

Before they were event seated, Marinette notices the two-seat table. Like that didn’t raise any red flags about this evening. Adrien and Marinette took to the table first while Alya made up an excuse for her and Nino. They took the seats on the opposite side of the restaurant to spy on the couple.

Marinette stares down at Adrien both looking very comfortable with one another. The waiter came to their table asking if they need anything to which Marinette orders water and Adrien saying that he’s just a stand-in. The waiter didn’t question it.

Alya and Nino had ordered their meals and she was getting fed up with the lack of communication between the two. She would have stalked over there if it hadn’t been for Nino holding her back.

Just then, a tall, sleek dark hair, gentlemen walk over to the table. Adrien immediately gives up his seat to the gentlemen, but Marinette got out from her seat to hug the man. Alya was in shock. Marinette even gave the male a kiss on the lips before wishing Adrien out.

Adrien had the nerve to turn to Alya and smirk before walking back to the entrance and out of the restaurant. Marinette and the male happy hold hands across the table and chatted. When the waiter had returned with Marinette’s glass of water, he doesn’t seem surprised to see the new face. Instead, he takes their order and doesn’t return until the order is ready.

Alya watch as the couple happily eat. Anger could not describe what she was feeling. Who was this gut and how dare he hijacks a date she had been planning for weeks? When Nino finally gave his okay, it was after Marinette and her mystery date disappeared out of the restaurant. Alya wanted to scream and shout. Scream to the heavens to let out all the anguish she was suffering from Adrienette and shout at Marinette for daring to bring another dude in while she has a crush on Adrien.

She must break them up. If that is the last thing she does.

Alya didn’t see Marinette nor Adrien for the rest of the weekend. She tried to go to the bakery, but the girl’s parents informed her that Marinette was not home. Everything was a mess.

When she returned to the classroom that following Monday, the class was all wondering how the date went. Did they finally get together? Alya was near a breakdown.

“You, how could you. Do you have any idea what I had to go through?” Alya shouts at the teen at fault for all her problems.

“Look Alya, I didn’t ask to be set up with Adrien. At first, it was hilarious but now it’s affecting both our love life.” Marinette counters taking her seat in the back. Adrien enters the classroom not long after she sat down.

“Excuse you, but you are destined to be with Adrien.” Alya screeches but her cries go unheard by the two siblings.

The teacher walks in and demands the class to sit down. Alya turns to Marinette and mouths, “This is not over” to which Marinette raises an eyebrow.

Another meeting in the Place des Vosges.

“I have called you all here to take incriminated photos of Marinette. I need to gather as much evidence to break up Mari and this supposed boyfriend of hers. Any suggestions?” Alya asks standing in front of the remains of the class that supports her.

“Oh, I’ve been seeing Marinette a lot lately with these two boys. They’re clearly more than a thing.” Lila lies through her teeth. She already knows that wasn’t the truth but Alya didn’t know that.

“Someone that wasn’t her boyfriend?” Alya raises an eyebrow. Lila nods. “Good, that is excellent news.”

It wasn’t excellent news.

The first attempt was a fail. Marinette was hanging out with Nathaniel and they all knew he was in a relationship with Marc. Apparently, the artist was commissioning a scarf as an anniversary gift.

The second attempt was also a fail. Marinette was with this boyfriend of hers getting ice cream together. They were having a romantic evening.

The third attempt was nearly a success until Juleka rained on their parade saying that Luka was in a happy relationship with some dude and Marinette and he was just friends.

It wasn’t until they were on the fourth attempt that they struck gold. Marinette was spending time with two unknown boys. The designer was out and about in the park throwing frisbees. One of the guys picked her up and spun her around before placing a kiss on her cheek. The class cheered at the thought of finally getting Marinette and Adrien together.

Alya was waiting for the opportunity. She didn’t have to wait long. Marinette and the dude were sitting underneath the tree at Place des Vosges.

“Your girlfriend here is a cheating bitch.” Alya states confidently.

Marinette turns to her boyfriend then back to Alya.

“What makes you think that of my beloved.” The guy asks raising an eyebrow. Marinette was still in his lap.

“I got evidence.”

“Pray tell.”

Alya pulls out a stack of photos. She gave them to the boy who examines the photos. He hid his smirk in Marinette’s neck who was hiding her laughter.

“So that’s why they were here. I really need to place boundaries on those idiots.” He says thoughtfully.

“Don’t you dare.” Marinette counters playfully hitting the male’s chest.

“It seems that you have caught my beloved with my imbecile’s brothers. Those photos that you have of them are without consent. I could press charges against you on their behalf.”

Alya was losing every ounce of confidence she had.

Adding oil to the fuel, Adrien walks over to them hand-in-hand with Luka. He greets them and kisses Luka’s lips. Alya wanted to scream. How could all this go so wrong?

“If you need any indication as to how long I’ve been with Marinette, we have been together since she turned thirteen.” He states kissing Marinette’s cheek in the process.

“But…but,” Alya stutters her brain could not comprehend the situation.

“Alya, dating Adrien would be like dating my brother. We’ve been friends since we were in diapers.” Marinette then adds more fuel to the fire, “You and the class would have noticed had you not been set on this Adrienette ship.”

“Yeah, a simple search online and you would see photos of Mari and me at galas, movie premieres, fashion shows. She and Damian have been in news coverage from the first time they announce their relationship to the recent engagement announcement.” Marinette blush at the thought of the giant ring on her ring finger.

“Alya, in a different universe I would proudly be Adrien’s girlfriend but it’s not this universe.”

“Let’s go, future Mrs. Wayne.”

“I couldn’t agree more, Mr. Wayne.”

Marinette and Damian walk out of the park and head to the bakery.

“Better luck next time Alya,” Adrien smiles before he and Luka follows the two.

Alya was lost for words, she would never get her ship canon. She fell on the green pastures and contemplate life decisions.   

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[miraculouspenta]

Your Name, My Name

...I wrote this fic to bribe @nyx-in-line to sleep... (I mean, it did work)

Masterlist

What would you do if one day instead of writing your name on your exam paper you write someone else's? Erase it, rewrite, right? The thing is, no matter how many times you try to change it, it always ends up the same. It's not your name written, but a random person's. You would probably freak out. Could you have forgotten how to write your name? Or was someone unknowingly controlling your body? Well, you wouldn't if you were in this universe. In this universe, it is very much normal if you write someone's name unconsciously thinking it's your own you are jotting down. But why? Simplest answer? Soulmates. The name you would've written down, would be your soulmate's. Of course, this only happens after you turn 16 but it won't stop until you meet your soulmate… or your soulmate dies... Yeah, let's hope for the first option. With that information in your head, let me tell you the story of how this power couple met. 

6 years, it's been six years since his mother dropped him at his father's doorstep. And in those six years Damian Wayne couldn't believe how much he's changed. Physically, he is much taller, he has a broader chest, and a deeper voice. Mentally, he no longer has the urge to kill, he does whatever he can do to avoid it. Emotionally, he feels love, happiness even though he doesn't show it. And now on his sixteenth birthday he is actually excited to be dragged around by Grayson. Apparently Dick had other plans. 

"Happy birthday, Damian!" Dick shouted as the younger boy descended down the stairs to the dining room. "Thank you, Grayson," Damian replied. Breakfast went on as normal, added by a couple of hugs and birthday wishes. But normalcy can only last so long in the Wayne household. "So…’Dick dragged out, "You excited to figure out your soulmate's name?" Damian blinked. "What is a 'soulmate'," he said, putting quotations around the word. Everyone at the table stared. 'You don't know what a soulmate is?' Their looks screamed. Finally, Bruce answered, "A soulmate would be someone who is destined to be by your side. It could be a platonic bond or a romantic bond." Damian nodded as a sign that he understood then continued, "And how do you discover your soulmate's name?" The whole family gave him the basic rundown even though they were still reeling in from the shock that Damian didn't know about soulmates. 

After breakfast, they all gathered in the living room. There was a pile of gifts all wrapped up and addressed to Damian. After opening them one by one and making notes on who he needs to thank later, someone shoved a pen and paper into his hands. "So? What are you waiting for? Write your name!" Steph said enthusiastically. (Alfred was recording, shh, it's a secret) Damian did just so and on the paper was soon written in neat handwriting the words Marinette Dupain-Cheng. 'Ms. Dupain-Cheng, you must be an angel if the universe decided to pair you with me.'

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

A couple of days later, across the ocean, a Marinette Dupain-Cheng had just also turned 16. As soon as she woke up, she rushed down to find her parents who wished her a happy birthday as soon as they saw her. "Maman, Papa, do you have paper? I want to know who my soulmate is," the girl asked her parents. Marinette's been waiting for this day her entire life! Well, except that year she had her first crush. That year she was worried. 'What if her crush isn't her soulmate?' But it fizzled out after a year, aside from that year she had been ecstatic. 

Instead of plain white paper like she was expecting, her parents gave her a pink card decorated with ladybugs, since she had been obsessing over them for a good while, along with a glitter pen and a frame. "It's the first time you're writing their name sweetheart, it needs to be special," her mother Sabine said. Marinette hugged her parents and took the items out of their grips. She set them on the table and began writing in faux calligraphy. Damian Wayne was written on the card. 'Well, Damian, I'm excited to meet you."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Two years later, Marinette had applied for an exchange student program wanting to travel the world now that Hawkmoth isn't tying her to Paris. She ended up in Gotham, New Jersey and she had never been more grateful that she had taken up self defence when Hawkmoth showed up. Thanks to Jagged, she had a very comfortable place to live. And as for where, she would be living with her 'uncle'. Jagged, as a native Gothamite, had a mansion on the safe side of the city and it was by no means small. When Jagged mentioned his old friend Bruce Wayne, Marinette was intrigued. "Is he related to someone named Damian Wayne by any chance?" she asked. 

"Damian Wayne? Of course, Damian is ol' Brucie's son!" Jagged answered her. She then proceeded to tell her self proclaimed uncle that her soulmate's name is in fact, Damian Wayne. The next thing you know Marinette is being dragged out to Jagged's car, well it was more of a limousine rather than a car, and he asked the driver to drive them to the Wayne Mansion as he dialed Bruce.

"Hello?" the voice from the other line came in. "Rock 'n Roll Brucie! I'm heading off to your place! And I've got my niece with me," Jagged said. "I'm not your niece Jagged!" Marinette said. As soon as she said that, a faint "It's contagious!" could be heard from the other side followed by a "Boys!" "Sure Jagged, I'll tell Alfred," Bruce said to his friend. "Thanks Bruce! See ya in a bit!" 

Not even thirty minutes later, they pull up at the big mansion. An old gentleman introduced himself as Alfred before letting them enter. "Brucie!" Jagged raced to him and gave him a hug, "Ya look older than the last time I saw you. Anyway, this is my niece!" "I'm still not your niece, Jagged," the girl mumbled as she rolled her eyes, "Pleasure to meet you." The eldest Wayne child smiled brightly and introduced himself, "Hi! I'm Dick! This is Jason, Steph, Barbara, Tim, Cass, Duke, and that is-" "Damian, Damian Wayne," the youngest cut off. Marinette smiled and stuck her hand out to initiate a handshake. 

"Why hello, Damian. My name is Marinette, Marinette Dupain-Cheng."

1087 words

I'm surprised that I wrote 1087 words tbh, my stories usually end with around 500 words. Oh, and I made this into an audiofic (it's my very first so don't expect it to be good). If the hyperlink doesn't work try this; 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZI2S7_mU5o--CviVAi0-Ky3TUWcX1laJ/view?usp=sharing

XOXO ~𝓔𝓲𝓵𝓮𝓮𝓷

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[avaritia-apotheosis]

Phantom Children Ch. 7

Massive thanks to my awesome betas for this chapter!

In Which: A Story is Given to the Locked Room

AO3 | Prologue | 6 | [ 7 ] | 8

DICK DOESN’T REALLY KNOW WHAT TO FEEL. Surprised, maybe? Though he really isn’t all that shocked. Not that the revelation of another Wayne kid isn’t surprising, it’s just that—well…

Bruce has a tendency to attract foolhardy kids with a strong sense of justice and a willingness to harp on Batman until he gives them wings and teaches them how to fly. It’s the way of the world. The sky is blue, the sun sets in the west, and little Robin-hopefuls flock to Batman like ducklings to their big, brooding, mother duck. (That most of them are black haired and blue-eyed with some sort of traumatic backstory is a coincidence. Probably. The universe is just weird that way.)

And Bruce, bleeding heart that he is despite all the steel walls and nuclear spike fields he placed around it, always had a soft spot for children. It’s what people don’t get when they call Robins and Batgirls, former or current, child soldiers. They think that Batman picks these children up from gutter alleys and unfortunate homes, breaking and reshaping them into crusaders for his war against crime.

(What most don’t get is that the easiest way to gain ‘favorite child’ status in the Wayne household is to just stay home and live the most normal life possible. All of them—with the exception of Damian and Cass—chose this life. And even those two chose to stick with it, even when Bruce was more than happy to give them a way out.)

Dick was one of the first to stand at Batman’s side. The original. The ‘golden boy’ as Jason always put it. He’d been there so early in Batman’s career that, years later, it’s nearly inconceivable to imagine Batman without his Robin. He’s been there for Bruce’s soaring highs, his crushing lows, his mundane middles, just as Bruce has been there for him. Sure, they’ve had their fights, but Dick had always settled himself with the knowledge that he was one of the few people that knew everything about Bruce Wayne.

But this . This nursery—no, this memorial . This monument that spoke of a life that could have, should have, would have been, is something that predates Robin’s existence. A story, a memory that had hurt Bruce so badly that he would rather hide it away than breathe even a word of its existence.

Until now. Until Bruce had no choice but to rip the wound open once more.

“Bruce. I—what’s going on?”

“Perhaps,” Alfred interjected. “Perhaps it may be best to take this to the cave. Such a story should be told once.”

Bruce laughed, a broken, shuddering thing. “What is there to tell? I was naive with a heart too open and full of longing. I let myself hope, and I let myself get crushed . I picked myself up, moved on, end of story.”

Alfred raised an imperious brow. “As you are the one who always insisted on detailed reports, I do hope your summary to the boys downstairs would have a little more detail.” His face softened as he placed a comforting hand on Bruce’s shoulder. “What recent information that has been passed to us paints a worrisome picture, given what little you have shared, but know that this time you are not alone to deal with this matter. Regardless of what you do, the rest of the family is involved by proxy."

Bruce seemed to release some of the tension in his shoulders at that. “Yes. Of course. Dick, why don’t you see if Tim is back yet. I don’t want to explain this more than once, if possible. I’ll be down in a few minutes.”

“Yeah. Yeah, sure, I’ll get right on that.”

“And, Dick?”

“Yeah?”

Bruce’s gaze was intense. “How is Damian doing?”

He remembered the way Damian sunk deeper into the chair, hands clasping and unclasping at air. The white of his cast hanging limply as Damian’s legs could just barely brush against the cave floor. Dick swallowed a lump in his throat. “I don’t know. But I do know that he could really use his father right about now.”

Bruce gave a shaky nod and Dick left.

_______

Everyone has heard this tale before.

His boys have learned about the birth of Batman, of how a boy lost his parents in an alley at the age of eight. How at 14 he took to the study of criminology to an almost religious fervor. He took and aced every AP test, graduated high school at 16, headed off to get a college degree, then disappeared off the face of the earth.

Batman may have been born kneeling in the shadows of a dirty alley, but it was on the streets abroad where Batman grew up. Learning and studying and fighting until he knew what made the criminal underworld tick, how to escape almost every type of restraints, how to solve a murder with only the smallest of clues. He trained under a demon and met his daughter. When their ideas of justice clashed with each other, he tried to leave, they tried to stop him, and he set their base on ablaze.

He returned to Gotham the prodigal son, the favored prince, the charming socialite. Bruce Wayne took his place at the center of Gotham’s solar system, shining and bright and unbelievably foolish. Batman put on a cowl and learned the shadows of Gotham’s streets, and built himself up to be a symbol of fear and justice. Soon, he acquired a Robin to temper that darkness. To bring a light of hope, to instill a sense of peace— something more than vengeance and the night.

The rest is history.

Here is the part of the story that Bruce had omitted:

Early in his career as Batman, a man named Quayin had plans to steal a weather modifying US satellite. This, and certain other events, led to Bruce and Ra’s al Ghul crossing paths—and working on the same side. The details of that mission, in the long run. do not matter. Not anymore. What’s important is that accompanying him is his daughter, Talia al Ghul. She was as deadly as she was beautiful—and Talia was very, very beautiful.

It was a whirlwind romance. A storm of passion. Gotham’s Bruce Wayne and socialite Miranda Tate. * Batman and the Daughter of the Demon. The tempest reached its peak on that fateful day in the gardens of Wayne Manor. The hot summer sun and buzzing insects fading away as she pulled him aside and said “Beloved, I am with child. I am pregnant.” **

Bruce was caught unawares by the news. Stared dumbfounded at her until his brain caught up with his ears and he felt such unbridled joy bubbling in his chest. He laughed, clear and bright. He held her tight against him as if she held the world in her hands—because she did . Talia held his world within her and Bruce vowed to protect it with every fiber of his being. He called Alfred immediately to tell him the news and started arranging for discreet interior decorators and shipments for everything they needed for a nursery.

Thomas, for a boy. Martha for a girl. He swore that very day that it would be the happiest baby in the world. **

And then—

And then…

As Ra’s and Bruce planned their next move to stop Quayin from initiating a war between America and the USSR, Talia collapsed.

Talia collapsed and the baby was just…

Gone.

And suddenly Talia wanted nothing to do with him. Told Bruce to leave her alone, that their relationship would never be the same.

His child was gone .

By the time the rogue satellite was recovered, Quayin defeated, and all loose ends tied up, the nursery was fully furnished. Bruce took one look at it and then turned away. Locked the door and hid the key god-knows-where.

His child was gone.

Batman continued to work.

There was no use for an empty nursery.

--------

End Notes:

The story I'm using for the circumstances surrounding Danny's birth is basically a modified version of what happens in Batman: Son of the Demon. Modified so that people knew that Bruce Wayne and Miranda Tate were a couple and to give enough time for a nursery to be built along with the rest of the events of that comic.

*Miranda Tate is the name Tahlia al Ghul went by in 'The Dark Knight Rises'

**These lines are taken from Batman: Son of the Demon