#like his plan is still gonna happen whether or not he knows what bruce is up to on any given day

[bet-on-me-13]

Ellie wasn't born a Halfa

So! Jason just found something weird. Or rather. Someone.

A little girl, no more than 6 or 7, crying behind a dumpster in an alleyway. Now, as unfortunate as it is, this isn't that strange a sight in Gotham. Kids are always running away from home, getting lost, being left homeless after a mugging gone wrong, but this time was different.

Because the kid was glowing.

When he found her hiding behind the Dumpster, a medical gown being the only thing she had to protect herself from thr frigid Gotham Winter, he didn't hesitate to give her his Jacket and take her to his nearest safe house.

(Actually it took a little while to convince her to accept the Jacket, and even longer to get her to agree to being taken to his safe house, but they got there in the end.)

When he had finally gotten her set up in a side room of the Warehouse, with the most comfortable bed and thickest Blankets he could find, he tried asking what had happened.

"Daddy lied." She said. "He said he loved me, but then he made another kid and said he didn't care about me."

And, once again, it was unfortunately not that uncommon to see runaway kids from neglectful homes, but the way she said it raised some flags in his head.

"...and, how did you end up in Gotham?"

"I ran. He said I was a spare, and that scared me."

Well, that was even more horrible than he had anticipated. What kind of monster tells their kid that they're a spare?!

"And, I'm sorry if this is a touchy subject but why are you glowing?"

She just buried her face in the Blankets and shook her head.

"Alright then, that's fine. You can tell me when you're ready, or even not tell me at all, I'll accept either or".

For the next few weeks, Jason juggled running his newly created criminal empire and raking care of the kid. He still hadn't gotten a name out of her, but she said to call her "Dp" instead. 'It's the best I'm gonna get', he thought.

It was only after a few more weeks, right before he was about to begin his Plan of confronting Bruce about the Joker still being alive, that she approached him and agreed to tell him everything. He was actually really glad that she finally seemed to trust him enough to tell him.

"Okay Dp, you can start wherever you want."

"...well, I guess I should start with my name..." She started, "...or rather, my lack of one..."

"What?" Asked Jason in a soft voice.

"I, I don't have a name." She explained, "Daddy never gave me one. He just called me DP-2."

"...what do you mean by two?" Asked Jason.

"It-It's my Experiment Number." She said, stuttering a little, "I'm not a normal person, I'm a Clone. I was made to be daddy's perfect child, but I was just the test run. He said that I wasn't needed after he made DP-3, and that all I was good for was spare parts."

Jason felt his throat dry up. Dp was a Clone? Of who? Who made her? What right did that guy have to reject her?! Who in their right mind would make a Clone and then reject the Clone?! How dare he!

The Pits perked up

He felt the Pits rising a little, but managed to push them down. Dp needed support, not the Pits.

"It's Okay kid." He said, holding her had reassuringly. "It's perfectly okay to be different. I accept you as you are, and I'm sure as hell not gonna abandon you that easily. Or, ever really. You're stuck with me, whether you like it or not."

She giggled, and hugged him. A thoughtful look crossed her face, and she pulled away.

"There is one other thing...you know how I glow sometimes?" She asked.

The Pits felt a sense of dread

Jason felt like he wasn't going to like this. "Yeah?"

"Well, when I said I was meant to be a Clone, I never mentioned who of." She explained slowly. "He's a kid named Danny, and when he was 14, he had an accident where he died and came back as a Half Undead."

No...

Jason really wasn't liking where this was going.

"When Da-Vlad tried to make me, he realized that those powers couldn't be cloned..." She paused here, seemingly gathering the courage to continue. "...they needed to be added afterwards."

NO.

He didn't. He had better not have, for his own Fucking Sake, he had better not have done what Jason thinks he did.

"So one day, he took he down to the Lab, and he put me in a big machine." He voice broke a little. "He locked me in there, and then I think...that I died..."

...

For once, Jason felt completely in tune with the Pits. He was going to Kill that guy.

...

Sorry if this feels a little rushed, I kept going back to add or change parts of it.

Basically, Vlad realized that you can't Clone a Halfa. So, he made a workaround. He just stuck his first Viable Clone into a Portal, and let the machine Kill her. When he realized that it worked, he knew he had no use for Ellie anymore aside from spare parts.

And he told her as much, Vlad is a fucking asshole.

Ellie, of course, got scared and ran away. She ended up in Gotham, and was adopted by Jason right at the start of his Criminal Career.

When Jason finally hears about the rest of his kids' Backstory, he decides that Batman can wait his turn. He needs to go Kill that Vlad Bastard.

[myerssimp21]

Batcave Meeting (YAN!Pt.3)

Romantic!Yandere!Batfam Part 3. Part 1, Part 2 here (context: Tim Drake purposefully got aphrodisiac'd when fighting Ivy and then went over to Darling's apartment to smash. This is a batfamily meeting about that and how to move forward.).

As you obliviously drifted to sleep, the live feed of you doing so was being projected onto a big screen in the BatCave while members joined together at a table, casually watching you as you yawned and readjusted against your pillow. The imposing man situated at the end of the table clasped his hands together, regarding the young men in front of him. Once everyone was seated, the imposing man began speaking to them, noticing how many of them had their eyes glued to the screen.

"We're going to discuss what happened the other day and plan for next week," he announced, and the pouty brunette who had had a frown on his face now crossed his arms.

"Allow me to explain it from my perspective first, Father," he said, sporting a moody expression, "You and Drake were unexpectedly out of commission during your patrol, which, while not typical, is understandable given our line of work."

His eyes flicker over to Tim and Jason, narrowing in contempt and disgust.

"Todd and Drake both know how important our duty to Gotham is," Damian continued while making eye contact with Jason, "But instead of prioritizing that, they let their impulses get the better of them. Drake especially for instigating the situation. Using Ivy's aphrodisiac to... indulge with our darling? It's selfish, reckless, and disrespectful."

"Damian, hold on a second," Jason interjected, "I had no idea about the aphrodisiac. It was my night off so I was sleeping in and missed Bruce's calls when he and Tim got doused in it. I only woke up because the audio feed from her apartment was turned up and I heard them together. I blew up Tim's phone and went over when he left because I was pissed, and I didn't realize that was why she couldn't get enough. I feel really bad about it now that I know."

Damian's expression softened subtly as he absorbed Jason's explanation. Despite his composed demeanor, the tension still lingered in his features.

"I appreciate your honesty, Todd," Damian conceded, his tone slightly softer, "It's still not acceptable that she was acting strangely and this was not analyzed, but I understand that the situation was...unconventional."

As Jason and Damian had a moment of newfound comradery, Tim finally spoke up, "I understand your frustrations, but you need to know that I researched Ivy's aphrodisiac extensively before I ever considered using it. I made sure it wouldn't have any adverse health effects on anybody and appropriately calculated the risks."

Damian's expression darkened further, his negative feelings towards Drake beginning to truly show. "This isn't just about general safety or the safety of some substance!" he exclaimed, "It's about respect and her consent. You had no right to manipulate her like that, whether or not it posed a physical risk."

"Come on, Damian," Tim retorted, a hint of defensiveness creeping into his voice. "She didn't find out about the aphrodisiac, did she? So what's the big deal? It's not like we hurt her or anything. She's fine, and she doesn't even know what happened. In fact, she likes us even more because I made a move for us. Why are you making a big deal out of nothing?"

Jason scoffed, his distaste in Tim at this point evident. "Seriously, Tim? You're gonna act like a douchebag just because she didn't find out? That's messed up, even for you."

"It's not just about the immediate consequences," Damian shot back, his voice angrier. "It's about the long-term impact on her. I bet you didn't even stop to consider how your actions could affect her, or how they could undermine the trust she has in us. And what about the ripple effect it could have on her relationships with all of us? He's playing with fire, Father, and he needs to be held accountable."

"Let's not overlook the bigger issue here," Tim said, his voice defensive, "What I did was perverted, I admit that. But let's not pretend that bugging and wiring her apartment is any less invasive. That's hardly consensual either."

"Don't you dare deflect the issue!" Damian's voice rose, and he was now yelling, "We implemented those measures for her safety, not for our own entertainment! It's a gross violation of her privacy, but at least we did it to protect her!"

"Oh? And having two separate cameras staring at her bed is going to what, protect her from bad dreams?"

"Dami, Tim, let's try to keep our cool here," Dick interjected gently, easing in to defuse the tension, "We're all on the same team, remember? We need to work together to figure this out."

Damian turned to Dick with a measured gaze, "I want to hear your perspective on this matter, Grayson."

Dick sighed, solemnly addressing Drake. “Tim, what you did wasn't just a mistake. It was a deliberate breach of trust. She relies on us to keep her safe and instead of focusing on that, you exploited her vulnerability.”

"Also," and Dick seemed more pained at this part, "You betrayed our trust. We all care about her and you influenced her desires for your own gain."

Tim sat in silence, his expression filled with shame as he began to realize the gravity of his actions. He knew he had acted irresponsibly, and the weight of their words hung heavy in the air. Jason and Dick exchanged silent glances, their disappointment evident in their expressions.

Damian took a deep centering breath before focusing his attention back on Tim.

"This isn't about whether she found out or not, Drake. If you still don't understand that, then we need to take more drastic measures to address and punish this behavior. Father, I appeal to you to implement anything you deem necessary to prevent such behavior in the future. We cannot allow such indecent actions against her to to be repeated."

Bruce, understanding the severity of the situation and having now heard everyone's perspective, nodded solemnly at Damian.

"Tim, in light of your actions, there are going to be some consequences," Bruce stated firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. "You need to schedule therapy with Dr. Thompkins to address the troubling attitude that led to this situation. While we have taken invasive measures to monitor her, as Damian pointed out, your actions went beyond that."

He paused, allowing the weight of his words to sink in before continuing. "Until you've attended and Dr. Thompkins deems it appropriate, you will be restricted from having any contact with _____."

Finally, Bruce's gaze softened slightly as he looked at both Damian and Tim. "And Tim, it's imperative that you and Damian eventually reconcile. We're a team, and we need to remain united in our goals and overall behavior. I expect both of you to work towards rebuilding your relationship for the sake of the team and our darling."

"Damian," Bruce addressed his son, "since Tim will no longer be able to have contact with her, I'm assigning you a new responsibility. You will substitute him as her school friend and be someone she can rely on for assistance with homework and company. I want you to pick a class of hers that sounds interesting to you and make sure you're there to support her. It's important that she has someone she can trust and rely on, especially now. It's an opportunity for you to show her that she can count on us."

As the meeting continued, Damian spoke up, "I'll join her art class. It will allow me to assist her with her assignments and ensure she receives the academic support she needs."

Bruce nodded in approval. "Good choice, Damian. Make sure to approach this responsibility with care and dedication."

Turning to Jason, Bruce's expression grew serious. "Jason, I need you to be especially understanding and supportive towards her. If she feels troubled or has any lingering negative thoughts about what happened, I expect you to be there for her."

"Of course, Bruce," Jason says, eyes fixated on the now-sleeping figure of their darling on the cameras, "I'll do whatever it takes."

Dick now spoke up, "Can we talk about introducing me as Jason's roommate?"

Bruce shook his head, "Not yet; I want to make sure Damian successfully integrates first. You can still frequent around her job but no more interactions than that."

"Except for as a vigilante?" Dick replies hopefully, and Bruce gives him a measured gaze similar to his son's.

"Yes, although I expect you to exercise patience and primarily work in Blüdhaven for now."

Damian cuts in, "And don't be like Drake and fabricate a reason for her to need you."

"Damian," Bruce says in a tired voice, "I've made myself clear."

Damian looks down with an expression like he's biting his tongue and contempt is bright in his eyes, "Sorry, Father."

With that, the meeting concluded, each member of the Batfamily knowing the roles they had to play in ensuring their darling's well-being and trust remained intact.

[pinkiemachine]

GOTHAM FILES: SEASON 8

The entire planet of Tamaran is getting ready to welcome the newest member of the royal family as Starfire draws closer and closer to her due date. Consequently, this means that Dick and Star are off-world currently, and the entire BatFam is planning to travel there in about a month for the celebration. In the meantime, however, Bruce has noticed how awfully lonely Damian has been recently. Dick’s been gone for a few months at this point, he’s not exactly the closest of close buddies with the rest of the BatFam, and he doesn’t have any friends at school. (And, up until now he’s been prevented from joining the Teen Titans because he’s not quite 14 yet, and because he has “being in a team” issues.) But then, just his luck, Superman calls saying that there’s been a development with his son, Jonathan. He’s suddenly showing signs of Kryptonian abilities and Clark has had to reveal his secret identity to him. Right now, they need to look him over to check out his physiology and see what’s going on with him. Bruce says to meet at the Watchtower… and he brings Damian with him. Thus, Damian Wayne is introduced to Jonathan Kent. (I should note, Damian is 13 and Jon is 11, though Jon is taller than him and Damian hates it, especially since it leads to people thinking that Jon’s older all the stinkin time, lol.)

After they check up on Jon, discussion turns toward what they’re gonna do next. Jon’s going to need training, not just in how to use his powers, but also in other aspects like combat and stealth. (Jon’s adamant that he really wants to become a superhero just like his dad.) But Clark wants to ease Jon into all of this—he’s still only eleven—and that’s when Bruce says, “What if Jon… potentially… came over from time to time and hung out with Damian? He could show him a few things.”

Clark is surprised. Damian is confused and alarmed. Jon is all for it (right now, anyway).

Damian protests. He says that he has no time to “hang out” right now, he’s very busy! Fighting crime (which he’s very good at and there’s been no major stuff going on lately), studying (this is a lie, he’s practically college-level already), and training to prove that he’s ready to join the Teen Titans when he turns 14. Bruce sighs and pinches the brim of his nose. All that training won’t mean a thing if he can’t learn how to get along with other supers his age. This will be a good opportunity for him. It’s happening whether he likes it or not.

…So their first hangout ends in total disaster. Yeah, Damian doesn’t really know how to have “friends” especially when they’re completely normal and like, oh, I don’t know, playing video games or baseball or riding bikes or rollerblading or playing scrabble. Damian’s idea of a “fun time” is sneaking out in the Batmobile and punching the snot out of Condiment King. So… how would you explain to your dad why you’re covered in ketchup and glass shards when you get home?

There is now a growing resentment. We all know Damian’s personality. It’s very easy to dislike him. For a multitude of reasons. And after the initial starstruck-ness of meeting Robin wears off, Jon’s getting kinda sick of his reckless, arrogant, danger-loving demeanour. And Damian, he gets real sick real quick of Jon’s meeker, kinder, pushovery-er personality. Jon gets mad at Damian for getting them into trouble, but Damian says that it wouldn’t have happened at all if Jon hadn’t gotten in the way! Bruce and Clark break them up before the fighting gets worse, but they still think it would be a good idea for them to learn from each other, and Damian’s not going to be allowed to join the Titans until he can learn to get along with Jon. (Which Damian finds totally unfair.) Cue the Super Sons storyline!

Damian doesn’t have the patience or the desire to do things the way Bruce wants him to, so he devises a plan. If he and Jon can manage to complete a high-level mission and take down a dangerous criminal together, Bruce and Clark would be sure to let up on this nonsense and the two of them would never have to hang out ever again. 🤝 Deal.

So, they go on the dangerous mission, naturally things go haywire, Bruce and Clark have to show up and save them, and they’re not happy.

It takes the boys a few more tries, a few more training courses that their dads came up with, and a whole lot of patience, but eventually they do start to get along, and they do end up completing a real mission together. Finally, Bruce says that Damian, after his 14th birthday, (which is coming up soon), can join the Titans. Right now, though, it’s time to go see Dick and Star.

Princess Markori (Nightstar) Grayson is born! (Mar’i for short.) It’s a happy episode.

We do our standard check up on everyone, and everything’s going pretty well. (Well, things ended up not working out with Bab’s boyfriend, so that’s sad, but other than that, there’s been nothing super horrible lately.) Tim’s feeling a little overwhelmed as he slowly but surely becomes the new, up and coming face of Wayne Enterprises, Jason and Artemis are officially a couple, Cass and Steph have their own apartment in Gotham and team up a lot to fight crime, and BRUCE… he and Selina continue to get closer and closer… she’s been brought around the cave and she’s met most of the BatFam members by now… and Bruce just might have a ring picked out. All the more reason for Damian to be hanging out with Jon instead of being all alone at home, stewing about the situation.

So, Damian’s 14 birthday happens, and he’s officially inaugurated into the Titans… and then, when he notices Jon being kinda left out, Damian proposes that maybe they could bring Jon on as a part-time trainee. Thus bringing Jon along with him as the Ultimate Teen Titans head out on their first mission.

Back in Gotham, it’s time for the next big story arc. Get excited for the Robin Wars! Bruce is gone again on another big Justice League mission, Nightwing’s still on Tamaran, Jason’s doing his own thing, Tim was never the best fighter in the group (he’s more of a detective), and Damian’s away with the Teen Titans. Security in Gotham is at an all-time low right now, and it’s because of this over confidence that the heroes have in this quiet and peace that a new threat has started to emerge. A faceless, nameless evil. It’s taking over Gotham, little by little, egging on gangs like the Jokerz, undoing so much of the work that Bruce and the others have done and causing chaos. We, the audience, don’t find out until the very end, but… it’s the Court of Owls.

Now, we see yet again just how much of an effect Batman has really had the people of Gotham, because not long after all of this starts to happen, there’s pushback. A teenager named Duke Thomas (who happens to be a low-level meta human with light-based powers) just lost his parents to an attack by the Jokerz. They got laughing gassed and are now hospitalised. So he’s getting real fed up with these criminals, and without Batman around, he decides to take matters into his own hands. He doesn’t have much to fight with… so he sends out a rally cry. He creates an app that people can download, giving directions to all willing participants on how to organise and fight back. He calls it, “We Are Robin.” Hundreds of young people join the movement, keeping Gotham safe until Batman gets back, with Duke at the helm, leading them. This gets the attention of one Alfred Pennyworth who pitches in as well, making the whole thing feel a little more official.

But, there’s only so long they can hold out against a professional criminal organization. Sooner or later, Batman and the real Robin need to come back and push this new threat back to the shadows, especially before Duke loses control of the mob he’s incited. But Bruce was impressed. He managed to do a lot on his own. But it was also very dangerous. Duke’s lucky things didn’t go much worse.

Now that that’s over… Duke’s parents are still in the hospital… and there’s currently no known cure for Joker’s laughing gas. So, Bruce agrees to take Duke in until they can find a cure.

Gotham is back in steady hands… though Bruce is eager to figure out who that mysterious group was, manipulating everything.

At the current moment, however… he’s more concerned with proposing to Selina. Which he does. Which shocks the entire BatFam. And the entire Justice League. And Everyone.

Part 9 👇

Part 7 👇

[princess-of-the-corner]

If they find out where Chloé is through Babs:

If they're in Gotham: momentary group debate on whether they immediately go to where Chloé is or use the horse miraculous to go back to Paris and hunt down Andre

If they're still in Paris: they're going to storm wherever Andre is at the moment and call him out on his bullshit (they're hoping he's at City Hall or somewhere incredibly public) then head to Gotham immediately.

Babs knows what's happening in both scenarios and she's probably gonna have to trick Chloé somehow so she doesn't get the chance to run away when the class & co. finally get to her

Wait no funniest version:

The class knows that Chloé is somewhere in Gotham, but not where. They plan to get a hotel and search during the day.

Sabrina calls her cousin like 'hey after I deal with this Important Thing™ I'm in town want to meet up?'. Babs wants to invite her to stay but when Sabrina says she has a real large group and they're fine with a hotel Babs is like 'Look. I'm friends with a guy who has a whole MANOR and also owes me a few favors I can talk him into letting us borrow the place for a sleepover. I spend a lot of time there and some of his actual kids are in your age range it'll be great."

So after Babs getting Bruce to agree to host her cousin's friends, Sabrina and the group spend the day trying to find Chloé only to miss as she 'disappears'.

Then they go to the manor and are in awe for about 5 seconds before they see Chloé casually with the rest of the batkids. They go all

before we get a comedic ass chase scene of Chloé trying to run for it and the class booking it after her. And as they're feral Heroes, they are climbing up walls and swinging across chandeliers(Dick is confused but proud) and making jumps that no /regular/ student should be able to make.

[theycallme-thejackal]

Continuation of Joel meeting “Midge’s boyfriend”!

Pairing: Lenny Bruce & Midge Maisel Rated T

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Lenny hasn't been to a proper seder in a years.

He's not a particularly religious person. He thinks there may be a god, but with the way things were going in his life before he met Midge, he figured either God hated him or didn't exist.

Right now he's leaning toward the God-hating-him conclusion. Because Joel Maisel is sitting a few seats down the table and staring daggers into Lenny's head.

Aside from Joel, Lenny actually likes everyone here tonight. Mei is nice - a little brusque, but she keeps up. Noah is pretty cool for a spook, and his wife, though a little high-strung, is sweet and interested in the people around her. As for Moishe and Shirley, they're loud, they're obnoxious, and Lenny is ridiculously entertained by both of them.

How these two very funny, very friendly people created the schmuck Joel Maisel is beyond understanding.

Lenny doesn't get it. The guy left Midge. He's supposedly happy with his doctor girlfriend (also very nice, and she keeps up with the banter), so why is he so bothered by Midge being in a new relationship?

Shirley spoons some more tzimmes onto Lenny's plate, and he laughs. "You're all skin and bones," she reasons loudly. "We need to fatten up your tuchus."

Midge laughs. "I like his skinny tuchus," she teases, squeezing his shoulder.

Joel throws his napkin onto his plate and leaves the table, storming out of the dining room. The table collectively goes silent, a pleasant dinner brought to a grinding halt, and next to him Midge sighs. "I should - "

"No," Rose says simply. "Astrid, will you please pass the kugel?"

Astrid's face lights up, and she does as she's asked, and a short while later, the table is back to talking as though everything is normal.

Lenny leans toward Midge. "I'll be right back," he whispers, kissing her on the cheek. She smiles at him, and he goes.

He finds Joel in Abe and Rose's room, sitting on the chair in the corner and staring off into space. Lenny puts his hands in his pockets and leans on the door frame. "So...you don't like me," he starts.

Joel scoffs and doesn't look at him. "Why didn't she tell me it was you?"

"Does it make a difference whether it's me or some other guy?"

"Yes, it makes a fucking difference," Joel insists, turning his head to meet Lenny's eyes. "Because if it weren't for me, she wouldn't have even known who you were!"

At the raising of Joel's voice, Lenny steps into the room and closes the door. "You left her," he reminds him. "Did you just expect her to sit around and pine for you for the rest of her life?"

"No, I just - " Joel sighs and leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "I used to idolize you, man. I had - still have all your records. I used to think I was gonna be the next Lenny Bruce."

Lenny moves further into the room, sitting on the end of the bed in front of the younger man. Joel looks up at him. "I gotta ask...when did it start?"

"We've been dating about a month," Lenny answers.

"That's not what I asked," Joel responds. "I see the way you two look at each other. You're in love with her." Lenny considers denying it for a moment, but then he just nods. "When did it start?"

Lenny rubs his hand over his mouth, wishing he had a cigarette. "I fell in love with her around the time she got the Baldwin gig," he answers, and Joel looks shocked at that. "But nothing happened until November. And then I went to rehab for a couple months, and when I got back, we sort of...picked up where we left off.:

"November," Joel repeats, and after a few seconds he groans, burying his face in his hands. "So...when Pop was in the hospital. And we didn't know if he was going to die, Midge was having sex with Lenny fucking Bruce?" His voice gets a little higher at the end.

"It wasn't planned," Lenny explains evenly. "The club where she was working - "

"The Wolford," Joel interjects.

"Yeah. The Wolf was raided. I happened to be there because the last time I saw her I was...I was an ass. So I went to apologize, the place was raided, and because there was a blizzard, I had to get us to shelter."

"In your apartment. Where you had sex with my ex-wife."

Lenny considers correcting him, but decides saying his hotel room will probably sound much sleazier. "Yes," he answers instead. "Again, not planned."

"It feels like revenge," Joel admits after a long moment, and Lenny raises his brows. "Taking comedy wasn't enough, she had to pick you."

"Sorry, Joel, but you're really not my type."

Joel cracks a little bit of a grin at that. "So many of her choices feel like they're meant to take shots at me."

Lenny leans on his knees. "Okay, let's say she is taking revenge on you - hypothetically. Let's say you left, and she decided she was going to become a fantastic comic and make your comedy idol fall in love with her just so you'd have to suffer through holiday dinners with him. Could you blame her?"

"What?" Joel spits.

"You left her. And you didn't just leave, you fucking nuked your marriage. You had an affair for months before leaving a woman who took care of you and gave you two kids and made brisket to bribe Baz to give you better time slots. And you never apologized."

"I did!"

"Not according to Midge," Lenny says. "And you and I both know Midge has a mind like a steel trap." Joel deflates a little at that. "Now, if I stay here any longer, our girlfriends are gonna think you and I are having an affair, so I'm gonna just - " He jerks his thumb toward the door.

"'kay," Joel replies. "Just, uh...I just need a few more minutes."

Lenny nods. "Sure. I'm just gonna go back and try to stop your mother from fattening my ass up."

"I've seen your ass - it could use some fattening."

"Fuck you, Joel," Lenny retorts with a laugh.

"Fuck you too, Lenny."

[redjaybathood]

You know, saw a "Battle for the Cowl should have been between Cass and Jason" post and it's a cool idea. Def check that out.

What comes to my mind, though, is - there's no way Jason going in this fight. Like, he sees Cass? He's out. Task Force Z answered this question for us, you know.

And I sincerely don't think he would have been against Cass as Batman if Cass wasn't against him as Red Hood. Batlle for the Cowl was a mess, alright? Jason was there solely to be Dick's foil, push him into the place the writers - and the DC comics in general - wanted Dick to be pushed despite Dick previously not wanting to be Batman. Like, I - and many others - have extensive headcanons making this work, and some people just, dismisse it from their memories (as you should). But that's what it was. If Jason wanted to be Batman - a better Batman than Batman - he was doing it with his Red Hood persona already.

And the last thing: no way in hell would a confrontation between them be a fight. It should be challenging to Cass if this is her story, so it should strike at her weaknesses. Like, an overly complicated plan that a fight, a physical defeat, or even imprisoment of Red Hood won't change anything for Cass.

A funny way to do it would be Jason setting up a voting poll to democratically elect Batman. Make Gotham Safe Again! and all that. The vote can even be, like, the telephone vote as a less on the nose reference to the telephone vote that killed him than what happened in Batman and Robin. The vote is not rigged or anything, Jason also wants to prove to himself as much as to Cass that his way is right and Gothamites share that view. He does campaign though, in some way, and pulls public to his side in short term.

And at first, Cass is like... I don't care. I'm already Batman, you can't fight me for it. What are you gonna do, helmet boy? And yeah, true. But - the public opinion does get to her, or interfers with her work in some way, and maybe she loses confidence in doing what she does. Like, not in the way that makes her consider whether killing is an option (I think it's better suited to her vs Shiva conflict, or another, totally unrelated conflict with Red Hood where they're both against the same guy). But in a way... is she doing enough? Is there any point in what she's doing? And she's coming up with no, it's not enough; there's a point and she's not doing any worse than Bruce did but it is still. Not enough.

So she does something, some... community outreach? Direct action? Something to tackle the three behemots: affordable housing, available jobs, and both available and affordable healthcare. With community building activities like food gardens, food banks, parks instead of parking lots, helping kids stay in schools, childcare for working parents...

And maybe she does use Jason Todd Foundation to bankroll whatever she's doing. And that's what works best. And that's what solves problems. And, you know, people of Gotham do see these efforts but they're still choosing Red Hood as the new Batman over Batgirl. Not sure how they would side if they knew that Cass Cain-Wayne is the Batgirl/Batman. I wouldn't bet my money on it? Because, yeah, The Cult. But it's not the point. The point is, Jason seeing the results, and seeing how the crime rate drops, and people's life getting easier, and being like. This is something that really would have made my life and my parents and the guys I knew, and their families', lives easier. I should also do something about that.

And he's like, calls this election thing off. And promotes (ironically) not himself but Jason Todd Foundation and Cassandra Cain-Wayne Initiative. And - helps, now, with whatever Cass is doing.

But also, he still kills whoever needs killing, because something tells me that people who're into child trafficing, for example, are not in it for affordable housing.

And Red Hood and Batman would need some level of coordination, you know. If it's possible to build a case against the worst offenders, Jason needs to keep them alive. If it's not - when what are you doing killing people, Jason, you can't kill people on not enough evidence! But if there's a trial, and the scumbag gets away because corruption or threatening jury or something else... Cass, just, backs off. Her time is finite, too, you know. She's not letting Jason kill people. She's just... being productive and efficient and using time-management skills an d... It's not like Jason leaves evidence... And... Look. Between saving people in trouble who can't save themselves, or saving people who are after people who can't save themselves from Jason? A girl can't be in two places at once, even if the girl is the Batman.

But also, the next case they're both on is the corrupt judge or cop or DA etc. So the amount of mistrials is dropping, which means next to none people Jason needs to kill.

[onelastfic]

Been reading your Raza x Nenet. Are there any Lars x Nenet interactions?

Here’s some early ones I did

Though I just want to say this now that Lars x Nenet is basically finished. It isn’t very healthy and wouldn’t last in the long scheme of things. Other than nsfw (and that’s more a hate s3x dynamic), I ain’t really feeling the ship anymore and I guess that shows in the interactions. Cynical af.

—————

“Wow, kitten, you want to hold my hand? How awfully lewd of you.” Lars chided, teasing smirk on his face.

“We literally slept together yesterday.” Nenet blushed, already regretting asking him to do it.

“That's NOTHING compared to the lewdness of holding hands.”

“You are such a fucking asshole…”

——

“Look, last night was a mistake.” Nenet sighed, searching for her clothes.

“A sexy mistake.” Lars commented, not even to hide his nakedness as he cockily laid on the bed.

“No, just a regular mistake.” Nenet corrected. Looks like Cindy was right about her having impulse control issues.

——

After a night of crying and self-pity, Nenet woke up the next morning, her eyes red and puffy. She stumbled to her mirror and straightened herself up. She looked herself in the eyes, determined to rid any trace of vulnerability from her expression. Her gaze turned steely, her emotions buried deep beneath her usual, impenetrable facade. Her own voice echoing in room as she gave herself a pep talk over what happened with Lars.

"Alright, so ya let yourself fall in love a little bit, and you got your hearts broken," she muttered bitterly. "Serves you right for having feelings, dumbass! Starting now, ya are a hard, heartless goddess-in-training. Do your work, protect the world, be awesome at it, and don't waste time on shitty things like love and romance. Why hope for love when ya can have a perfectly fine and painless existence as a cynical loner? From now on, you're a robot. Beep bop boop blerp bleep."

Nenet's reflection stared back at her with an expression of manic determination. She might have let a few cracks happen but this time she’s going to fortify those walls around her heart even more, impenetrable to the vulnerabilities of love, sadness, doubt, and more. She was going to focus on her training, excel in her job, and become a supreme being impervious to stupid ass emotions. No more heartache, no more tears.

——

“Enough with the ghosting already, kitten. What did I even do to—”

“Are you fucking serious right now?! You were being the most egotistical, stubborn, arrogant person on the face of this earth, AND—” Nenet fired off quickly.

“Oh, get over it already! I just told you what you didn’t want to admit!” Lars yelled, getting more pissed. If she was still on about the Bruce thing, then he shouldn’t have even bothered coming over.

Nenet stood in the doorway thinking of whether she should just slam the door in Lars’ face. He obviously wasn’t gonna listen to what she had to say or try to understand, but she already knew how classic that was for Lars. Still, she had some stuff to get off her chest regarding him.

“Lars……” Nenet took a deep breath, feeling all prickly inside. She was damn well going to say this, but not for him, for herself. Uncomfortable and awkward feelings be damned. “I felt really upset when ya made that comment about my crush on Bruce. Even though I get that you were right, ya still took something that I told ya in private then just revealed in front of our friends, even after I told ya to knock it off. And ya didn’t even stop there. I felt so insulted and humiliated. Now the whole crew knows my private biz……What I’m saying is that you ruined my trust in you. I thought I could trust you with something super personal about me and you treated it like it was nothing. You weren’t even sorry despite knowing how upset I was. I can’t be in a friendship like that. I don’t WANT to be in a friendship like that. That’s just how I feel about it. I don’t plan to argue about this, and I don’t think we should be friends anymore.”

Lars just stared at Nenet wide eyed and at a loss for words. When he finally let the words sink in, he tried to say something. “Aw shit, Nenet, I didn’t—”

Nenet held her hand up. “I’m gonna stop ya right there. I don’t wanna hear it. Ya had plenty of time to mend things and ya didn’t. I don’t need your apology… especially if you’re only doing it to make yourself feel better. I’m too tired for that shit. I’m done, fucking done. Goodbye Lacerta Butterfly.” Nenet said, completely calm as she closed the front door. She let her head slump, pressing it against the cool wood of the door. She felt a lot lighter than when she first opened the door, like a big weight was finally off her shoulders.

—————

Lars belongs to @kururu418

[quotidian-oblivion]

FF ask: if a fic title was "New day, old problems" what would you write in it?

Just came up with that title on the spot and low-key not that bad

I love that title, Vibey. I think i'll call on you next time when i need to title something. Spare the readers from dad jokes for once.

Hmm, let's see. I would write about... ugh i cant think. I'm not in my writers mood rn. Which ask number is this? It's no. 13.

Hmm, i'd write about Tim going through A Day. He keeps being pelted with problems left and right. WE assignments. Overdue tasks. A new case opened up. A mugging that ended up with him getting stabbed. Jason's in the manor today and everyone is on edge as they always are with him. Just problems ad problems and he's getting stressed and stressed.

And then Damian's making a fuss cuz of course he does, he's a little brother and little brothers are legally obligated to get on their older brothers' nerves. So Damian's berating him about something, maybe his inattentiveness cuz he got stabbed in a mugging.

Dick is sending glances at him, unsure of whether or not to interrupt cuz Tim's been real cagey after the whole Bruce gets lost in time fiasco. Speaking of Bruce, they still haven't had that conversation after returning back.

So Tim gets up and walks away from Damian while the kid is still talking and then he trips, but manages to keep from falling, but it shakes his stitches and he's in pain and gets reminded of when he lost his spleen, he was bleeding in the desert and of how alone he felt and how he still feels lonely. He thought everything would be alright. He thought it would all be okay after saving Bruce. But it's not. It's still not okay. He's still alone.

He's always.

Fucking.

Alone.

So he crumples to his knees and his shoulders start shaking and tears start dripping and then the whole Cave freezes. Dick asks what happened and Tim... Tim doesn't have the strength to reply. He bursts into sobs. Openly. He doesn't care anymore.

The whole family gathers around him now, unsure as to how they can reassure him, but Tim throws himself to the person nearest to him. Which was coincidentally Bruce. He sobs into Bruce's arms and the delicate stitches rip and he's bleeding on him as well. But he doesn't care. He's given up now.

It seems that Bruce doesn't care either cuz he isn't showing any signs of letting go. Instead, he starts stroking Tim's hair. And Tim melts.

Snot and tears and drool are leaking everywhere. Tim hasn't cried in a long time. He's almost forgotten the experience.

"What's wrong, chum?" Bruce asks quietly, still running his fingers through his hair.

Tim is about to shake his head, but stops. He doesn't care now, does he? He doesn't care about what answer he gives.

"I feel alone," he whispers, so so quietly. And so so honestly. He's never been this honest before.

Anyway, so then the batfam comforts him blah blah. Damian was actually worried about his brother and didnt know how to express it. Dick too was worried and didnt know how to fix their relationship again. Jason was sorry and he still is cuz it was about time he accepted Tim as his brother. And Bruce... Bruce just wasn't sure if Tim still wanted to be his son.

And so, the batfamily and Tim learn an important lesson. Communication! Which, yk, is something they're sorely missing.

~

Idk if this is too long, but eh. I'm not gonna turn this into a proper fic though, dont really feel like it. If you or anyone else wants to, then thats fine! Give credit where its due and all, but yeah. Hope you like it cuz i literally made it on the spot and im still going through my burnout so idk if this is really that good.

Also, i dont usually write in present tense, i just plan plotlines in it. I mainly write with past tense cuz thats the only tense i feel is easy to be consistent with for me.

Thanks for this question, Vibes, I really liked it!

[laurenceslife]

Chapter 36

            Next day, he spent the whole visiting hours with Kristen, and during the rest of the time, he was with Bruce and his friends.

Next day, he went to see Mike one more time, for the last time. He thought this was probably the last time, so first, it felt bad to see him that way, and later, he wanted to have a closer look at him to remember him, but they didn’t let him between the premature babies so he could only see him from afar.

Larry asked the doctor every day about how Mike was but there hadn’t been any change. After that, he was terrified of anytime he would ask her next time, it could happen that the answer would be that Mike died or was in an even worse condition if it was possible at all that he would be in an even worse condition.

- What do you guys think, will Kristen’s parents call me when Mike dies or is better? – Larry asked when he was having lunch together with Dennis, Martin and Emilio.

- If he dies, Jacob surely calls you to give the rough edge of his tongue to you according to I know him – Emilio said.

- And when you go to Kristen, she tells you everything – Dennis continued.

- So you should already get ready for it in any case – Martin said – Have you thought about this too?

- You’re right. That’s terrific – Larry leaned on the table with his arms, and held his head.

              Larry started to keep asking Kristen to get to know it by degrees if Mike was in a better condition or there wasn’t hope anymore, but he didn’t keep asking her every day but only a couple of days. On the other hand, from Lauren, he also got to know that the reason why Kristen was still in hospital, was because she lost a lot of blood during the travail because the baby was born so fast, just the doctor didn’t dare to also tell it in the boy’s presence because he felt unwell, but she was a lot better already, and was going to be let home soon.

Some days later, Larry’s phone rang.

It was Lauren. She told him that the baby boy was already better.

- And if he will be in a worse condition again? – Larry asked, still frightened.

- In principle, Kristen’s going to be let home tomorrow, and she’s gonna tell you how he is – the woman said in a calming voice – But probably he’ll be only better than now already.

- He probably stays alive?! – the boy was rejoicing.

- Yes – the woman said cheerfully, too.

              After Kristen had been let out of the hospital, Mike was better and better, and then they could take him home, too. The guest room was furnished to be the children’s room in Kristen’s house, everything was light blue, and little Mike was lying in a beautiful, white bassinet which was already bought before the baby’s sex came out. Everything was like this baby wasn’t an undesirable burden but a planned child.

- It’s good to look after a baby again, and the three of us are enough to look after him – Lauren said cheerfully.

It seemed they had already gotten used to Kristen having a child too soon – the boy thought – But whether had Jacob gotten used to it, too?

- Will you grapple him? – the girl asked Larry joyously.

- I don’t know how to do it – the boy said perplexedly.

- Look, this way – Kristen showed him cheerfully, and handed him to the boy.

In terror, Larry tried to hold him the same way as his girlfriend. He didn’t remember if he had ever held a neonate baby.

After that, he curiously looked at his features to see who he resembled.

With the exception of his eyes that were like the boy’s ones, he resembled Kristen. He already started to like him, too.

- Can I get him, too? – Hattie asked.

Larry was watching her, startled. He didn’t know if it was only out of courtesy that she came into the children’s room and asked if she could get him, because till then, it seemed like this child only would have been a shame for her what could imperil his career she set up.

- Well, don’t you give him to her? – Kristen asked perplexedly.

The boy gave him to her – In the end, she surely wasn’t going to hurt him – he thought.

The woman was delightedly watching the baby, and Larry wonderingly looked at her.

- His eyes are like yours – his mother said joyously.

After that, all of them were talking in the living room, Kristen with Mike in her arms, and Larry was sometimes fondling the baby boy. It wasn’t visible on Jacob either that he would have been still angry with him, but the boy didn’t know if he was just pretending it.

When they had gone home, the girl went with them, too, and was also sleeping in their house in the boy's room.

When they were making love, it was queer that they had to use contraceptives again because one more baby already would have been too much for them, and they were really too young yet to have even one child.

Next day, when Kristen had still been there, Bruce and Zac came over, and they were talking in the room, the four of them.

- Imagine what happened, last night, a girl wanted to pick me up in the disco! – Zac said loosely and cheerfully – She was totally drunk, she almost kissed me! – he laughed.

Because of it, that party came into Bruce’s and Larry’s head when Emily made an offer to Larry who agreed to it in Bruce’s interest.

- Sorry, I didn’t tell you guys because of that! – Zac gave excuses by seeing their reaction, after some seconds of awkward silence.

- Since you’ve got such a ripped body, it’s little wonder that girls so much fall for you! – Bruce laughed on the wrong side of the face. But it was still visible on Larry that he lost his temper because he also only said that to divert the conversation to be cheerful because that old event happened because of him.

- Yeah, I also said to Laurence when we met that what a good body he had ‘cause he looked like an athlete; so that matters, too! – Kristen said, laughing, and kissed Larry so he would feel better.

- It’s the same, I have a girl already, and that girl was drunk, anyway, so I didn’t take advantage of the situation but drove her away, but I still liked her look – Zac laughed, too.

That came into Larry’s and Bruce’s head because of it, that Larry also had a girlfriend and that Emily was drunk, but then she was the one who took advantage of the situation.

- Won’t you guys see Mike? – Kristen salvaged the situation.

- OK, let’s go – Zac said cheerfully, too.

They went over to Kristen’s house, and the interesting situation that they saw Larry’s child, effaced the predicament to Bruce and Zac, and to Larry, seeing Mike again effaced it.

When Bruce and Zac had left, he was still staying there in the girl’s house to spend the day with her and with the baby boy, and he was sleeping at their house. Partly, the reason why he was staying there, was because he didn’t want to meet with his father who did that to Bruce. He was trying to think about his grandparents and father were going to come over to their house, and he could introduce Kristen to them at last, but it came into his head that he didn’t only have to meet with his father but it also would be difficult to at last behave correctly in his grandparents’ presence when the man was there, too.

              Next day, Hattie came over to see the baby boy again, and to speak to Larry to come home because his father and grandparents were coming.

The boy obeyed but only on the understanding that the girl could come, too.

At Larry’s house, after saying hello to one another with the grandparents and Laurence, he introduced Kristen, and sat down to table to have lunch together, it came into the boy’s head that his father surely came with his grandparents so he would behave correctly at least in their presence because he surely wanted to restore the last event, and Larry became even more furious at the man by it.

Because of his actor’s talent, he succeeded in behaving correctly, and felt terrible because he succeeded spending the time with them normally only by it. He was already also angry with his father for spoiling this special event which he looked forward to, that his girlfriend already could meet with his grandparents too.

Talking with one another was lasting till the evening, and it annoyed Larry that this pretending for many hours so much tired him like filming.

After the guests had left, he was only laying on his bed and reading comics. He was reading those comics which he got from Kristen.

              Next day, he also went over to her and Mike.  He went to Classie's place with her and his mother, where he and Kristen talked a lot with his local cousins, and then they went to the girl's friends.

              On the day after that, he went to meet with Kristen, too.

He was proceeding between the high, light green buildings, between pretty and less pretty girls and between a crowd of men, and then turned among the whitish-greenish huge skyscrapers together with a part of the crowd, connecting to another crowd on the busy street. These streets with buildings of concrete were ditch-water, and none of the girls weren’t distracting his attention, either, that he was going to meet with Kristen and Mike soon.

He took a taxi what by he went to Prospect Park; he got out between the much more beautiful buildings, and saw that the same man was coming behind him who had odd look with hood and sunglasses, who was also behind him till the end still in Park Slope – It’s funny that certain people are how amateur that it this easily strikes the followed person’s eye when they follow them, so this all was surely just chance – he thought.

He had found the house of one of Kristen’s cousins where their meeting was arranged to, so he would accompany her from there to home.

The adored girl was standing there, at the gate. She was wearing a simple, orange T-shirt and jeans but he saw her beautiful this way too.

They embraced and kissed each other, and were kissing long in the sunshine which made everything golden.

When he was only with Kristen, he forgot what Bruce suffered because of his father; he forgot all his problems.

The girl’s house wasn’t far away from there so they were going on foot, holding each other’s hand.

- Imagine what happened, a guy with hood and sunglasses was following me till the end on the way here! – he laughed - How can anyone be so lame that who he follows, immediately notices him?!

- It’s really not necessary to be afraid of these kinds of people. He can’t have a serious plan – Kristen laughed, too.

- Or maybe he’s really a criminal, just a beginner, and he’s this way trying first but his first business won’t work out, anyway.

- Or maybe he’s some crazy fan of yours! – the girl continued, laughing – But really! – she said proudly because she had such a famous boyfriend like him.

- A guy?! – the boy doubted – As an addition, mine?! I’ve hardly played in some movies, as an addition, they were so long ago! I was still pretty much a kid!

- That's right… – they had arrived at Kristen's house, and went into the children’s room where Larry took Mike, and the girl was playing with him.

- Now wasn’t the guy with the hood following us? – Kristen was amused at it when it came into her head that he could also be following them till there.

- I don’t know but anything he wants from me, he’s not clicking ‘cause both of us live in a freaking noisy place.

- Maybe he’s so lame that he wouldn’t succeed in doing it otherwise either – Kristen said in a derisory, and at the same time, in a cheerful voice, but there was anxiety in her eyes. She didn’t know if she was afraid that man would hurt him or she was afraid of soon, it would be hard for Larry to shake the fans off from himself who would be mostly teen girls who were the same age as them. She just had some bad anticipation, but she also tried to persuade herself with her words to think that all was nonsense.

Larry also realized once on the way home that the mysterious man was coming behind him, but he wasn’t seeing him any more times.

After he had arrived home, he took off his shoes in the golden hall, and went into the living room.

He considered that harassing issue so unremarkable what moreover, wasn’t even harassing as a sort, that he didn’t even tell his mother anything about it. He sat down on the sofa and was watching TV, and then was meeting with Zac.Nobody was following him on the way there, on the way home either.

After he had also arrived home from there, he was talking with Kristen on the phone.

              The old bloke continued following them in the future too, and the girl already started to worry about it. The boy was also considering what that guy could want from him. The question intrigued him, even if only by curiosity.

Later, it came into his head.

He threw himself to the armchair.

Kristen was the one who that man wanted. He only followed him when he was going to meet with the girl, and then when they were together. Maybe he still should call her and spoke to her - it came into his head, but he didn't want to scare her unnecessarily - And it was no big deal, anyway; they even laughed about this thing that how lame that guy was that he couldn't even hide from them - Although now, when he had already several times followed her, by thinking of it, it already also came into his head that maybe they still had something to be afraid of. But not because of him anymore but because of Kristen.

In the end, he decided to call the girl and tell her what was happening, at least that much what he knew about that all thing. But he decided to tell her funnily so she wouldn't get frightened, but after it, he would warn her to be careful.

But she didn't answer the phone, neither did her parents. Nobody. It became frightening - Kristen didn't tell him that she was going to have any joint engagement with the family. Maybe she only forgot to tell him - he thought - Or this all was just a spontaneous idea. It was also possible that it was only chance that any of them weren't at home. But it was also possible that her whole family was the target, or her parents went to the police station because something happened to Kristen.

He decided to call her again later, and not to be worrying unnecessarily till then.

He was reading one of his comics, then was talking on the phone with Martin and Emilio.

While he was going to the theater for an appearance, he was constantly worryingly considering what could happen to Kristen.

In the end, he succeeded in doing the play till the end properly. He was concentrating on the work with all his vigor, even if only to divert his thoughts from the girl. And when he had arrived back home, he called her again.

She answered the phone at last.

- Laurence, I'm afraid! That man who you told about, now follows me - Kristen began to speak first about the subject - Now he knows where I live...

- I know. Have you called the police? – the boy asked.

- Yeah... Why, I shouldn’t have? How did you get to know that I am the one who he follows?! Did he tell you and threaten you with doing something if we speak?! - she threw the words out of herself hysterically.

- No, cool it, I only realized it. But you don't go anywhere for a while while the cuss can disappear away from the policemen, do you?

- No. One of them stands here, in our doorway, and I could go with him, but now, for a while, I’m gonna rather stay home. I'm still freaking shocked.

- Nobody knows yet what he can want?

- No. I'm dead snapped!

- I think so... It's very brutal.

              Days were passing but the detectives hadn't found anybody and anything. Larry sometimes went over to Kristen’s house who he tried to uphold, but he was broken down, too. The two youngsters spent almost every minute of the weekends together. When he took Kristen along to the house, they were talking with Hattie, the three of them for a while, and then Larry went into the room with the girl, the two of them, to relax, chatter and kiss in each other's embrace.

               One day, they were still kissing when the phone began ringing.

Larry edgily answered it.

It was Jack. He thought he would give the phone over to his mother because surely she was wanted, and he surely wanted to make peace with her, but the man said he was the one who he wanted to talk to. Kristen was languidly and impatiently sitting idly on the bed because she wanted Larry and herself to be able to deal with each other again, but Larry began being curious about what the man wanted from him.

- I'm sorry to tell you what I'm gonna tell you now. I tell you in advance that I changed my mind - Jack started - But I made, more exactly I would have made a big mistake if your father wouldn’t have stopped me.

- My father? - the boy was surprised at it. Until then, he didn't even know that they knew each other.

- We work together in the facility but now it's not important.

- And you are the one who harassed my girlfriend to take vengeance on me through her for Emily's death?

Kristen sprang up from the bed, and was paying close attention.

- Actually I didn't want to hurt her; I only wanted to take vengeance on you – the man said.

- And why was Kristen necessary for it??? – Larry asked.

- First, I didn't want anything bad to you either, although I promised Emily to take vengeance on who did that to her but I still loved your mom too much to want anything bad to her son, I mean to her through you, especially when she had still been snapped because of our break and because of what you did. But later, as soon as I started to recover from your mom, I wanted to tell your girlfriend what you did to my daughter so she would break with you, and I followed you to get to know if you’re having a girlfriend, who she is and where she lives, but when I let your father in on I wanted to take vengeance on you, when I hadn't known it about him yet that he's your father, he succeeded in talking me out of it. He also then got to know who I am when I told him the story. We have already been friends for a while but we didn't even suspect that we know you.

-  Aren't you even angry with me anymore??? - the boy was surprised at it.

- Doesn't matter what I feel, it doesn't make sense to show it ‘cause I don't get my daughter back by it.

- You wouldn't have reached anything by your plan, anyway. I’ve already told Kristen a long time ago, and nothing happened because of it. By the way, why did you follow her so many times when you already knew where she lives, anyway? - he already wanted to know everything. He wanted to discover at last what this all was.

- I wanted to be alone with her when I would tell her. Otherwise others would have spoken to the police. Kristen surely wouldn't have done it because she would have been afraid that if she would do it, an even bigger trouble would happen to her. But I hope you guys will already tell the police that I'm not a criminal, I didn't do any unlawful thing and didn't plan it, either, despite all appearances.

- OK. But then I also remark that it wasn't my aim even nearly that things degenerated to Emily killing herself.

- I thought about it. But it's still your fault. But already let’s stop talking about it...

- I think so, too. Goodbye - he said bluntly, and replaced the receiver - It's over - he looked at the girl, and both of them knew what it meant. The terror was over. They hugged each other, and the girl's tears were flowing for joy.

- We’ve got to speak to the police so that they can call the investigation off - Larry said.

- OK - the girl said, still holding on to him - But we must have a party - she laughed through her tears.

They threw the party in Larry’s house, not to bother Mike, and they threw a pretty good party. Hattie went to the theater and to have dinner with Maurice and Lindsay, and then was sleeping at their house, and to Larry’s house, his every cousin and Kristen's every pal came, and who also knew about the issue and also knew it was over already came, too. There was a real disco ball, rumbling, loud music, a lot of drinks, and everything that's necessary to a real, big party. Bruce already got over that Larry cheated on Jenny with Emily at that time because of him what by he so much hated Emily that the girl committed suicide, and Larry became a druggy because of it.

Next day, Larry met with his father, returned tanks to him for wanting to defend him from Jack, and made peace with him. The boy could also forgive the man inside already, because after the scary terror, it came out that he wanted to defend him.

             Hattie, thanks to her fellow educators, met a half-breed head teacher named Kevin Bell. He was a tall, handsome, rich and successful man. Maybe he was more attractive than who she had even dated.

They slowly fell in love with each other, and because Larry was constantly on auditions, theater rehearsals, appearances and at school or met with Kristen or the pals, the new loving couple often met at Hattie’s house, not that Larry would have been against the new beau. Until they met, sometimes he persuaded her to sometimes date someone. During that, he at least didn’t have to hear his mother’s lamentation because of the futile auditions on those rare occasions when both of them were home, and he didn’t need his mother too much anymore, anyway.

Larry walked through the golden entrance room, and hung his buff-coat up on the coat rack. He was coming home from Kristen.

The buff-coat fell off the coat rack. Maybe he didn’t even hang it up. He didn’t remember it, and didn’t even care about it. He didn’t care about anything anymore.

In the living room, his mother was waiting for him, with Kevin.

The grief that he didn’t have a partner anymore, stabbed the boy again. Or rather it was the grief that Kristen wasn’t anymore. In this moment, he was envious of his mother; this was the first time that it troubled him that she was with Kevin. Meanwhile he even became friends with the man, he even got along with him more than with his mother. But now he was also envious of Kevin because he made a happy loving couple with a woman. Moreover, he was envious of the whole world because he felt like for the moment, he was the least happy person in the world, and maybe never would be happy.

When Hattie and Kevin noticed that Larry stepped in the hall, they were staring at the boy, startled.

- We shouldn’t tell him yet – the woman whispered to her partner.

- Mom, what do you hide from me? – Larry noticed the whispering, even if he couldn’t hear what Hattie said. The boy even more broke down if it was possible.

What next?! - he thought - He came home completely wasted, and his mother was secretive before him. The sequence of today's horrors would never end?! And she surely also wanted to get it out of him why Kristen left him... He would have had to relive the moments when he lost the girl and Mike - Larry was thinking of these things for seconds that seemed to be infinite, while standing there in the doorway of the living room, and then, by seeing Hattie's helpless face, he gave securing the answer up, and went into his room - This much was plentifully enough for today - he thought.

He set down on his bed, and covered his head with his hands - He would only tell later what was going on - he thought. For the time being, he only could be thinking about Kristen and Mike, anyway. More exactly he could only think about their lack.

No, he couldn’t let it be – he thought. Even thinking about losing them for good, was unbearable – He needed to get them back – he thought – He had to figure out something – Any girl had never been this important for him; they weren’t this much close to each other with Jenny either, their relationship wasn’t this long either, and he couldn't lose his son forever, either.

Maybe he had already been thinking for hours there, sitting on the bed, when Hattie came into the room.

- I was considering. If you promise me something, I will tell you what happened – the woman began to speak, and sat down next to her son.

So Kevin had already left. Otherwise they still would have been together – Larry thought – Like they used to be with Kristen… - It was even like they hadn't met for weeks or months.

- Laurence, are you listening to me? – his mother brought him back from his thoughts, but she couldn’t ease the grief the boy felt because of the break up. Larry wasn’t even having too much interest in what his mother wanted to tell him. Both of them were caring about their own things.

- Yeah… - the boy blurted it out in a toneless voice, watching the carpet.

- This is a very serious thing. Do you promise me that doesn’t matter what I’ll say, you won’t turn to drugs again? – the woman took his hands, and sought his eyes – And I’m your mother; you have to keep what you promise me. You don’t want to lie to your mother, do you? – she tried to be harsh, but already weakly bitterly said the last sentence.

- No, I don’t – Larry said, still watching the ground.

Hattie changed the subject.

- OK, first tell me what happened to Kristen – the woman said gently.

- How do you know that? – the boy took his hands out of his mother’s hands fast and wonderingly by it.

- I saw in what mood you came home. And you grew so much together with that girl that almost only that could knock you out this much, even if a trifle happened between you two. So what happened?

- The detoxification has come to an end. Since you’re so smart, I think you suspected what’s gonna happen now – his son said furiously but bitterly.

- Kristen’s dad forbids her to meet with her – Hattie said in a low voice.

- So you can’t help me, anyway, nobody can talk him out of it – Larry stood up still furiously and bitterly.

Then the other subject came into his head, and he tried to flee into that, not to think of the break:

- By the way could you tell me at last what you hide from me?

- Exactly this is why I haven’t told you – the woman sighed – I’m afraid now it would be too much to you.

What? – Larry was reflecting. He couldn’t imagine that anything would have interested him now.

- Do you really wanna know about it? – his mother asked, timidly looking at him.

- It’s already the same to me, anyway – the boy stared ahead.

- So… we got engaged with Kevin.

There was startled silence in the room. It suddenly came into Larry’s head what even more tried him when he came home – Some other people were living happy people’s life who were in love, and his own life lied in ruins – he thought – And now they even got engaged… - he was even more overcome by the grief and by missing Kristen and Mike.

- I thought you wouldn’t be too happy about it now when you and Kristen… - his mother would have continued it, but Larry rushed out of his room.

This was what Hattie was afraid of. She only hoped her son wouldn’t resort to drugs again, but now she was rather only waiting for him to absorb the ironically grievous situation – Now he couldn’t come at drugs, he would have needed to look a dealer up to do it – she thought.

The woman even got frightened of her own thoughts that Larry could return to that dark case. She already mostly feared for him in her son’s interest that he would have to relive the difficulties and horrors of giving using drug up, and that drug would make lasting actions to his health, or it would be even worse – And this time he would have had to do the detoxification till the end without Kristen - The reason why that little girl didn’t succeed in doing it when she tried for the first time, was also because Larry still couldn’t be there next to her then – Hattie thought it probable that the love of the two of them considerably helped them to overcome the addiction – On the other hand, now, when drug wasn’t there, they felt the dependency for each other, and they so much loved each other and went through so many things together. And now this relationship has ceased. Now Larry had to learn to live without Kristen and their child, like they learned to live without drugs, and now he had to try it without returning to that dangerous addiction.

Hattie couldn’t have been born if something would have happened to her son. He was the closest to her.  True enough that she also loved Kevin as much as she loved Larry, and he was as close to her as him, but in a different way. He wasn’t the kind of person for her who she would have considered as someone who something could have happened to, and fortunately, he wasn’t even in such a situation that he would have been in danger.  And anyway, she saw him as a man who could defend himself against anything, who she looked up to, who she admired… She felt differently for Larry who was her son, and differently felt for her friends. She respected them too, but she saw them as one another’s helpers in trouble, being happy about one another’s joy; she didn’t see them as a strong man who defended her against anything… Maybe the color of Kevin's skin contributed to it, too. He was half-breed. He wasn't black, wasn't white either, he was still both of them. A lot of people still looked down on the woman because of the color of her skin, but the man was some kind of bond between the two races. In certain people's eyes, he was a "traitor" because he dared to exist as a mixture of white and black people at all, "staining white people", but any particularly big trouble hadn’t ever happened to him because of it. Deep inside, Hattie cherished the hope that every time people saw her together with Kevin, people perceived that this man radiated some kind of peace between the two colors of skin, and by it, they wouldn’t badger the woman either who was with him, at least not because of such a senseless trifle - Moreover, it's not only a trifle; both races are as much valuable persons as the other, doesn't matter if they are white or black people, with their little advantages and disadvantages. At least skin's defects aren't that visible on blacks, their veins aren't visible, either - Hattie reflected, smiling when she went into the bathroom which was tiled with nice shades of light bluish green and white, and looked at herself in the snow-white-framed mirror. Since she had been with Kevin, she felt much more like a woman than when she was a single woman. Moreover, she felt like this more than ever. The man gave real safety, manly defense to her, and next to him, he was a real woman from head to foot.

She combed her thick, black tonsure, tripped out in her high heel shoes through the garden to Kevin who was waiting at the gate, in the black car, and when Larry looked out of his window, he already only could see that they tooled along. Already days had passed since she told him that she was going to marry Kevin. Returning to use incurred to him, but he brushed this idea aside. It had still been plenty enough lesson to him that he had to suffer with Kristen during the detoxification. The question suddenly arose in him that if he could, he would do that all till the end with the girl, but as a couple, and then it came into his head that if they would start to use drug again, they endangered Kristen's and Mike’s life and health, too, not only his life and health.

The girl’s parents cut every connection between the two of them. They managed their working time so that either of them would always be at home when Kristen was, so this way they could also check it if they talked to each other on the phone. The youngsters thought about writing to each other but this way, that they couldn't meet, they felt even the thought was too grievous. They thought they should move forward in life. They thought they should forget each other.

One month later, Larry had absorbed his mother's engagement, but still terribly missed Kristen. They were together for one year and a half, and it was impossible to even almost absorb it during a month. On the weekdays, he studied hard, and on the weekends, he often only sat at his desk or on his bed, studying or considering if she was already dating with anyone else and if she was happy with him. The reason why he so much forced studying, was because he wanted to distract his attention from Kristen, and because his mother thought this art school helped in developing acting.

He also wanted to get more and better roles and to also play in movies, and since Kristen didn't tie him to there anymore, anyway, and in order to find a new joy in his life instead of being with his love, he decided to move to Los Angeles; there was more chance to get roles in movies there.

- I already wanted to say it to you that since you don’t get that much parts here and you don’t get any role in any movie, in any series either at all, you would have more chance there, but after that, I thought maybe you don’t have enough strength to work more because you haven’t gotten over the break up yet – his mother said when he told that to her – I would have said that working much would distract your thought from it, and also, you like to play, especially when you like the movie, the play, the series or the role, so it would also comfort you, but I knew that if I’m right, you would realize it by yourself, anyway. You’re intelligent but you are still immature, this is why you don’t get that many roles.

- How does my maturity relate?! In acting, what really matters is how talented we are, and if we are big actors who’ve played in big movies; and I'm a bigger actor than others ’cause I spent years filming a huge movie! – Larry said indignantly, knitting his brows.

- This also shows how immature you are.

- You’re even wrong that I’m immature! I was a kid when I went to the filming location of Apocalypse Now, and by the things I experienced there and by the years that passed, I came home as an adult!

- You’re also too immature to live alone on the other side of the country as a kid but you’ll see it, and then you will at least realize it – Hattie’s voice was already also irritated because she got tired of this conversation.

- Good enough you’re not gonna come with me; you would also only keep saying how immature I am!

After that, the boy stood up from the sofa, and went into his room. He was already packing up, and would have already started by the first plane; he only said goodbye to Zac, to G. G., to his cousins and father before it.

- I understand that you’re leaving. Here everything reminds you of Kristen – Erica, one of his cousins said.

- You’ll forget the girl when you’ll be such a big star that we won’t even come into your head, either anymore! – Zac began to speak in a tough and encouraging voice.

- How would I forget you guys?! And anyway, we’ll keep in touch, in person too! – Larry said.

- So that’s OK, at least we’ll have a star friend! – Ben played jokes on him, grinning.

- You’ll surely be pretty rich so you’ll be able to call us on the phone and to come often – Bruce said.

- But sometimes we’ll still also go to your place – Lar began to speak.

- It’s easy for you, you’ll be such a big star in swimming that you’ll have lots of money to travel! – Larry laughed.

- Yeah, and Bruce will be such a big star in basketball! - Lar was kidding, laughing.

- And we won’t be stars in anything! – G. G. whined in jest.

- How do you know? Maybe you guys are talented in something, just you guys haven’t tried your hand at it – Larry said.

- And if not, we’ll appear with a star when we meet! – Jocelyn, one of his cousins said proudly.

It was good to Larry to meet with them one more time before traveling away and they would meet more rarely, and due to them, he already felt like a star who could get any good roles in however good movies, so he traveled to Los Angeles in an even better mood.

When he had arrived, he rented a flat out, and registered in a local high school but as a private pupil to have as much time to deal with his career as much as possible.

Already on the first day, he started preparing for the audition for a role in a movie he liked. Every day, all day, he prepared for it or buried himself in studying for school, not to think about Kristen and Mike.

After the audition, when studying didn’t take enough time anymore, during the rest of the time, he talked with his friends and cousins on the phone, but never about Kristen and Mike. He thought that the new place, where he wasn’t with Kristen, would help him efface the girl but he shouldn’t speak about her for it.

              He didn’t get the first role he applied for. This alternative didn’t even come into his head.

He felt like without Kristen and their common child, the only thing what could make him happy, would be if he could play the best roles in the best movies, with the best actors and directors, and then it immediately came into his head that who knew how much time would pass until he would find such a movie with such actors, director and role what he also would like, and how much time would pass until he would really get such a movie role, and he despaired.

He threw his script against the wall, and then changed his mind, and rather threw it out through the window, and during it, yelled that they would regret not choosing him for the role when his latest movie would come out. Everybody thought he was drunk but he got sloshed only after it. He went to the closest shop, and bought a whisky that he drank alone, sitting in front of the TV, watching a good movie and taking it for granted that soon, he would also play in such a good movie like that.

Next day, he had such a big hangover that he didn't like any role in any movie or series or play, he was only suffering all day and nothing could cheer him up.

On the day after that, he started preparing for a role in a series he liked, and till the day of the audition, he constantly only rehearsed for the role to flee into somebody else's life who he played, whose love and child wasn't forbidden to ever meet with him.

After the audition, he every day and all day watched movies of his favorite actors and superhero movies that he borrowed, taking it for granted that he would play with such good actors and play in such good movies like them. He enjoyed it, and didn't even dare to think of anything else alternative because it was the only way for him to be happy without Kristen and their common child, so he didn't dare to lose touch with this feeling.

When it came out that he didn't get the role he wanted, this time either, he already threw his script against the director in person, and yelled to him that when his latest movie would come out, they would regret not choosing him.

After that, as soon as he had arrived in home, he was lost in the school's things to study, and was only filling the lots of lag for days, only concentrating on the syllabus, beating his brains out so Kristen and Mike wouldn't come into his head, neither that he didn't get such a role what he could have that much sympathized with that he would have done it well, because he already thought since he didn't get those roles in movies and series what he liked, then he didn't even have chance to get such roles which weren't interesting for him, because he less could have lived his parts of them.

When he had completed filling the things to study,  these all came into his head, and it also came into his head that this way he wouldn’t be able to make ends meet and to pay the rent.

He recalled that he only earned money during almost all of his life and hardly had childhood, and worked so hard for his career because his mother drove him so hard, but now he was the one who overworked himself, and his mother was the one who he could cool down with. He was fed up with this crazy life, and decided to move home and stop acting for a while, and during it, he needed to be supported by someone like every normal teenager boy, because he was too immature to live alone yet, or at least he couldn't work in such a state of mind like this.

When he called his mother on the phone and told this to her, the woman understood his situation that he couldn't work while he was mourning that long relationship, he tried to work in vain, and she let him home.

Larry packed up, paid the rant till then off, went home to New York, and enrolled in his local school again.

            One day, Larry stood up from his desk after finishing studying, he went up to his dark brown, almost black wardrobe which was on the other side of the room, opened its door, put his dark jumper on, and left the room. Through the living room which was furnished with red and purple colors, he went out to the entrance room, put on his training shoes, and by his mother's car, started to meet with Dennis in the bar which was two streets from there. He hadn't had an own car officially yet, he always could use Hattie's one, anyway, since Kevin took her everywhere, expect in the mornings when she went to teach, but Larry drove the car then too, she got out at the primary school, he went to the high school of performing arts, came home from there by it, and also took his mother home from work who accomplished working mostly when he came home from school. For the teenager boy, it was important that this trendy car seemed to be his own one, and practically it was really his one in the end.

He looked tired when walked into the bar after leaving the car in the parking lot in front of the building. He was tired of life since he didn't have Kristen and Mike, and he was also tired of studying what by he filled the void up what was inside him. Studying bore fruit very much: he portrayed well at school, but it didn't cheer him up, either.

In the bar, there were dark brown leather armchairs and such bar stools which had the same color, and there were dark blue glass tables. Everything was so dark inside that it well characterized Larry's mood and will to live life in the past period.

He cheerlessly sat down on one of the free bar stools, next to his friend who had arrived already.

- Hello - he said in a bored manner, and didn't even look at Dennis; he was only watching the bar counter in front of them.

- Hello. We've been meeting pretty rarely nowadays. What do you wanna drink?

- It's the same; some alcoholic drink. What you - the boy was like he wasn't even there.

- Two whiskies please - the other one spoke to the pretty, redhead waitress; Larry didn't even notice her either - But you won't be now an alcoholic after using drugs, will you? - Dennis asked partly as playing jokes on him, and partly meant it.

- That would put the lid on if I was that too. Like I wouldn't have plenty of problems without that too.

- It just came into my head: you can't even drink any alcohol at your age. It's just as well that I was the one who asked for it, and the girl couldn't hear when we talked about what you wanted. I'll screen you for a while, but I still won't let you get intoxicated while you're underage ‘cause then I've got to drag you home.

- It's a shame that that filming's over.

Dennis looked at him, startled.

- There everybody was an equal artist. Age didn't matter and older ones didn't consider me a preschooler – the boy said.

-  But you still don't mean it that you wanna live locked away from your family and friends for years, and that you wanna see it till the end again that everybody else almost goes crazy around you too - Dennis said, taking the drinks to a free table like he asked both of them for himself; and they sat down to the leather armchairs.

- Kristen's the most important person to me, and her parents don't let us meet, anyway, and nowadays I rarely meet with my pals.

- You should meet with us more often. Then you wouldn't think about Kristen so much.

- That's why I study so much, not to have time to think.

- Do you miss the girl very much?

Larry only nodded.

- You should go out on the pull – the man said.

- But I can't think about anyone else but Kristen. I miss nobody else but her – his friend said.

- You're a grievous matter... - Dennis reflected - Haven't you tried to meet with her since then either? Maybe her parents don't check her so much anymore.

- We were dating for one and a half years. They're not crazy that they would think that we get over it during this little time and don't look for each other.

- But you two really don't look for each other. Maybe they already take it for granted that you two are afraid that they will get to know it if you two meet so they don't even check it that much. And anyway, what should you two be afraid of? By what can they prevent you two being together?  

- It didn't even come into my head. In Los Angeles, I also always only tried to divert my thoughts from Kristen. That's why it didn't come into my head - he said, startled.

- You're sheer crazy. Go and meet her.

It convinced Larry.

            He was looking forward everything's being back to normal between them: to be able to be together again, in the future too; but he was afraid of it wouldn’t work itself out - Maybe Kristen was afraid of the reaction of her parents for reasons of her own, that what would be if they would meet in the future too, and they would get to know it - he thought - It must have some reason.

While thinking, he suddenly found himself standing there, in front of the girl's house. He was excited but frightened when he noticed that he had arrived.

Ringing even seemed to be a huge step, and it was hard for him to do it. He was so much trembling like when he had withdrawal symptoms at the time.

Kristen came out through the door who was only lingering in the doorway, speechless and paralyzed by being startled. And in the next second, her mother suddenly appeared, too, who sent the girl to her room.

Kristen was making no progress doubtfully, and her tears were flowing. She was trying to force herself to obey her mother but now, when the boy was there, in front of her, she couldn't put up resistance to the temptation.

- Your parents try to part us in vain, they can say anything, I think we are much more important for each other than how much your parents' opinion is important! - Larry shouted from the gateway - I can see that you can't obey them in the future too! At last do what you want; you're not a kid anymore after the things we went through.

The woman didn't even know what to say, she only suddenly noticed that the girl ran into the boy's arms.

Her mother's mind went completely blank. She was only watching these two youngsters while they were embracing each other, and it almost broke her heart to think it was necessary to part them.

Or maybe it wasn’t even necessary... - she thought – It was so evident how much they loved each other. It was only a sudden thought by what they forbade them to meet because that "accident" was quite a blow for them, and it was already a long-long time ago. But what would guarantee that it wouldn’t happen again? Although it could happen in any of her relationships with a boy... They hadn't experienced how to handle this thing, that it's how necessary to take care, but then they surely learned it for a living...

For the time being, she only sneaked back into the house, unnoticed, and closed the door after herself - She surely would be able to explain it to her husband... - she thought.

- I missed you so much - the girl said, wiping her tears away.

Larry only kissed her in answer, and they were kissing long in each other's arms.

- I won't let my parents part us anymore! - Kristen said decidedly but there was still fear in her eyes.

- What kept you back till now? – the boy asked.

The girl only turned her head away, tightening her lips.

- I need to know it so we can skirt this barrier from now - the boy said, fondling her hair.

- I can't tell you – Kristen said.

- While you have to tell me.

- In the end, it's already the same, anyway. Dad gets to know that I went back to you, anyway. It just came into my head: what has become of Mom?

The youngsters looked around, and they didn't see her anywhere.

- She's surely speaking to Dad now! - Kristen got frightened.

- OK, I won't let you go anymore. You'll come to my house and tell me what you're so afraid of – her boyfriend said.

They set off together, and Kristen told him everything. Larry was listening to her, startled.

The girl had never told anyone but him that her father beat her. At least he always beat her when he didn't like something his daughter did, and he threatened with beating her if she would meet with the boy, and he would do it again every time he would see them together.

- I’ve never seen any trace of hitting on you - the boy was surprised at it. They had arrived home already, at Larry's house, and they were sitting on the bed of his room.

- ‘Cause Dad keeps me in terror – his girlfriend said - When he tells me something to do, I will have to do it; that’s why I obey. And he said that every time someone got to know anything about what he did, he beat me.

- And what about when they wanted you to already start the detoxification during the filming?

- If I wouldn't have agreed to it immediately, Mom would have asked me how Dad could persuade me to do it... - Kristen's voice was furious. She was full of anger on her father but didn't dare to vent it on him. She didn't dare to contradict him even with a word anymore.

- We should figure out something. He can't manage your life forever. Even less so violently like this.

- I don't even dare to go home anymore. Mom surely told him that I left with you.

- Has he been beating you very much?

The girl only nodded, looking down, and Larry embraced her tight.

- Then you’ve got to stay here – the boy said.

- But what about Mike? And what will you say to your mom? – Kristen drew away from him but they were still holding each other's hand - And my mom will surely also look for me; I haven't even told her what Dad’s been doing to me. What should I say to her about why I don't dare to go home?

- Then you have to tell her the truth.

- She won't believe it, anyway.

- She won't really have anything else to choose. There aren't many different alternatives why you don't dare to go home.

- Maybe you're right...

Kristen called her mother on the phone so she would come there to Larry's house because she wasn't going to go home.

So Lauren came, but together with her husband.

The boy answered the door; the girl went with him to the golden entrance room.

- Kristen, you didn't need to come away from home... - the woman began to speak but the girl interrupted her. She decided to tell her everything, even in her father's presence.

- Maybe you don't know but I did need to come away! You have no idea about the way Dad treated me! - Kristen shouted with tearful eyes, and took Larry's hand.

The man was destroyed while standing in the doorway.

- You have no idea what a monster he was when you couldn't see it! - her daughter continued -  I haven’t even dared to tell it to you and to anybody 'cause he said if I would tell on him, he would beat me again!

Lauren looked at her daughter with huge, startled eyes.

- Yes, he constantly beat me when he didn't like something, when I didn't obey him like some slave! - the girl continued - I already dared to tell you ‘cause he would do it again, anyway, because I met Larry again; what does one more beating matter?! And anyway, I stay until you send this monster away from home.

- My girl, I don't know what you're talking about... - her father began to speak, embarrassed - Besides, I just wanted to tell you that your mother persuaded me to also agree to your dating this boy again. It was this way, wasn't it? - he looked at his wife.

- Yes... - Lauren was all abroad.

- It was still time to tell it to you - Kristen said in a more sober voice.

- I shouldn't have agreed to you meeting this boy again! First, he got you pregnant, and now surely he was the one who got you to start to lie to us rubbish. He’s never affected you the right way! - the man was trying.

- That wasn't only his mistake. Both of us were irresponsible. And he's not affecting me in a bad way now either, because everything I said is true! - the girl said resolutely.

- She also told me that till now, she didn't dare to speak to anyone because her father threatened to beat her for that too. He threatened her to beat her as many times as many people she speaks to - Larry began to speak furiously, too.

- OK, now you'll come home with us, and we'll talk it over at home - the woman looked at her daughter, still confused.

- I'm not gonna go home while Dad's home. Do you think I'm lying to you?! - Kristen was indignant.

- We won't talk it over here.

The girl reflected.

- If Dad isn’t coming, I go home. But as soon as he comes home, I’ll come back - she looked at her mother stubbornly.

- What to do? - Lauren asked her husband in a low, uneven voice. She didn't even know anymore who that man was.

- Don't look at me this way! - the man even got frightened of it - OK, I'll go over to one of my pals while our daughter's coming to her senses! - he agreed to it, giving excuses with his voice, but his voice was indignant, too.

            Kristen went home with Lauren, and her father kept his word.

The girl looked at her mother as soon as they stepped into the living room.

Lauren's look was strict when she looked back at her.

She sat down on the sofa that was decorated with many little flowers; her daughter followed her.

- Kristen, we need to talk that over. This is a very serious charge which you said about your father. You can only say something like that if it really happened – the woman said.

Kristen indignantly turned her head away.

- So now you have to tell the truth – her mother continued - Does Dad really hurt you?

The girl looked back at Lauren, and said:

- Do you remember that four years ago, during our holiday at the Adria, I badly got bumped? Dad did that to me! And also he did that to me when five years ago, I was full of bruises in the Bahamas! And he did it to me every time you saw a trace of hitting on me.

The woman was reflecting, startled.

- Why, what did you do? Why did Dad so much need to beat you? - she asked, frightened.

- I don't even remember anymore. Ask him, he surely remembers since I so much winded him up! Although he surely doesn't remember those many occurrences, either! - Kristen answered furiously.

Her mother mumbled something like she would also talk it over with her father, she could already go in her room; and she was ditsy, going into her own one. She decided to speak to the man to come home when their daughter wouldn't be home, or to meet somewhere else because she needed to talk that over with him in person. And then she was considering whether maybe there was even nothing to talk over about it. It was clear that he regularly hurt Kristen. The question was if she was still able to live together with that man, cherishing the hope that he would change and fighting for it, or she would rather even give this all up, and would get divorced.

Poor child had no choice; she couldn't choose her parents and with who to live together - she thought - Fortunately this boy was there now, who took her in his house where she could hide from him - Hattie and she became good friends during that one year and a half since their children had been dating, expect when they were forbidding Kristen to meet with Larry because he got their daughter pregnant; and now the chance and the necessity were there for making peace with each other - She had to persuade Hattie to agree to Kristen's and the baby’s living in their house until she would break up with that beast who it looked like she never knew.

She went to Hattie's house, and when she had arrived, she had already accomplished teaching. She timed the visit to the afternoon on purpose, so she would surely accomplish working in the school by that time.

Larry answered the door.

- Kristen has already told you that she was gonna move here immediately, as soon as her father would go home; and don't try to persuade me to not take her in! - the boy said bluntly.

- I didn't come to do it. Actually I'm here exactly to talk to your mom so she also agrees to your taking Kristen and Mike in your house until... - she suddenly felt the situation awkward, already almost humiliating. She hadn't talked to anyone about what her husband was like, that she also recognized that about him and about what her plan was about him - Until... the things are settled - for the time being, she was only able to say this much.

Larry only then let her in.

- And what do you mean the things are settled? Because you wait for your husband's change in vain – he said.

She had nothing else to choose – the woman thought - She had to tell him.

She took a breath, and began it.

- I decided to divorce from Jacob - she said in a low voice. She felt awkward because she first spoke about this serious decision to that teenager boy, as an addition, what decision she just made that day. But she didn't have any problem with Larry as a person anymore.

- So you trust Kristen at last – the boy said.

Lauren only nodded, casting down her eyes.

- Could you tell your mom that I'm here? - she asked, still awkwardly.

- She went shopping but she can always arrive home – Larry said.

 Kristen felt unusual because she could be at home alone, without checking for the first time. It was strange that she could meet with Larry whenever already, but she already wished someone would be at home in whose presence her father wouldn’t dare to hurt her - Now when she told Larry and her mother how he treated her, she could expect an especially big beating - she thought.

She was sitting on the sofa, in the living room, worrying and in terror; she looked around as soon as she came out of her room to see if her father had come home already.

She felt that Lauren believed her that with what like man they lived together; already before the woman realized inside that who she should believe; and the girl suspected what would follow it. She thought they would surely get divorced, but till then, she had to be living in terror that the man could always come home while he had the key to the house. She wasn’t sure, either of he would suit the action to the word of while his daughter hadn't quietened down, he wouldn’t come home. She only cherished the hope that he wouldn’t dare to beat her again because she would also tell that to someone, and even if her mother hadn't trusted her, she would already believe it, and then she would also believe the other beatings. On the other hand, she was sure that she and her father would never make peace with each other. She felt like she would never be able to forgive him that he beat her and kept her in terror - She didn't feel like getting along well with any such kind of man normally either, even if he would have done these all with someone else and even though he was her father - she thought - Moreover, it was a bigger disappointment by it...

Then she was also angry with Lauren because she left her alone in the house when the man could always come home; because already Lauren could also know that they shouldn't trust him. Kristen thought about going back to Larry's house and staying there until her mother would come home but they agreed that while her father wasn't at home, she wouldn’t be hiding at the boy's house.

After that, it came into her head that she was sitting there on the sofa in terror in vain; her father would or wouldn’t come home, anyway, she couldn't do anything.

To divert her attention, she began studying, but couldn't concentrate on it.

She went back from her room to the living room to divert her attention by watching TV, maybe she could be paying attention to such things more, which were more interesting for her; but this wasn't really working, either.

And then she realized something - Larry... He was the only one with whom she so much forgot about everything like all her problems were over. At least they could be talking on the phone - she thought.

She called him.

He answered the phone.

- Hi Laurence... I’d just like to be chatting with you about something; I'm totally done by being here, in the house alone ‘cause my father can be coming home whenever, and...

- You can already calm down, he won't hurt you anymore. Your mom just set off for home from our house, and by her request, mine agreed to your and Mike’s staying at our house until things are settled.

            Kristen received Lauren with gratitude when she had come home.

- And I was even angry with you because you left me alone at home! - she said, rejoicing, ran up to her, and hugged her.

- How do you know where I was and what I arranged? - she took her daughter's hands, laughing and wonderingly.

- I called Laurence, and he told me that you were at their house and arranged my and Mike’s living there while Dad's a threat to me at home. Thank you! - she rejoiced.

- It really didn't come into my head that I shouldn't have left you alone in the empty house - the other one said repentantly - I can't get used to we shouldn't believe in your father anymore. I just got to know till today with who we lived together with until now - she was watching above her daughter's head who had still been shorter than her, and they were still hugging each other, holding on to each other from the ordeals.

            Kristen, with little Mike, moved to the boy’s house already that day. On the way to the house, she already almost felt happy because she could leave with him.

- I feel freaking crazy! - she laughed, and looked at Larry with love in her look when she had arrived, and they were sitting on the boy's bed, in front of each other after pulled their legs up - I don't even know what I'm happier about: about we can be living together or about I'm at last out of danger with you - then she turned serious - My mom’s surely totally done because of what she got to know about my father, and I feel so relieved, and it's so good that I can be with you... What do you think, should I be next to her when she's so disappointed in my dad and they’ll divorce? Or should I at least sympathize with her?

- You know, too, that if you went home, you would be threatened every time you would be home alone. And anyway, we deserve some happiness after what happened – her boyfriend said.

- We could surely manage it that I wouldn't be at home when my mom’s not, either. True enough that I would be utterly depressed near Mom who's now completely done because of Dad and because of the divorce...

- Now when you're already here at last, I don't let you go, anyway! - Larry rejoiced at the girl's staying and agreement, and kissed her.

While Hattie was at Kevin's place, the youngsters were making love; later, they were dealing with Mike.

            Next day, they went to the cinema with Dennis. Larry, Kristen and Mike were inseparable, the couple looked after the baby together, enjoyed every minute, and Hattie also helped them in doing it.

            In the summer, they went to have pizza in a restaurant with one of the girl's friends and her partner.

- Since when have you two been together? - the black, half-long haired girl asked at the table, sitting next to her partner, in front of Larry and Kristen.

- Already for two years - Larry answered.

- That's already pretty much time - the other boy said.

- We'll never get bored with each other! - Kristen embraced Larry with adoration – It’s a shame that I and Mike have to move home.

- We’ve been together only for a half year but sometimes we already get on each other's nerves! - the other girl played jokes on him.

- We don't bicker! What kind of couple are we?! - Kristen laughed.

Larry was a bit bored with this couple-engagement. It was Kristen's idea; it was for only her sake.

Larry accompanied the girl home; her mother was waiting for them at the gateway.

After he had said goodbye to Kristen, and would have set off for home, Lauren stopped him.

- Thank you two for accommodating Kristen and Mike - she said. They had already divorced, and Lauren changed the lock so the girl could move home yet - I know she's very happy with you, and I'm sorry for judging you amiss. It's very important to her in this period that she has you - the woman said, and hugged the boy who was only lingering in embarrassment while the ripe woman's body was nestling to him.

- You also deserve Kristen's being next to you under such circumstances - the boy answered in a choking voice. The girl had already gone in the house a long time ago. Larry gathered all his strength not to kiss the woman who was his girlfriend's mother and son’s grandmother. This was the first time he was drawn to an older woman. It was like he gradually began to get bored with her daughter. Especially after this boring evening. But he knew that he shouldn't cheat on Kristen, especially with her mother, so he didn't yield to that new lust.

- Thank you... - the woman smiled in embarrassment because noticed that an attraction arose in the boy to her - So Kristen's gonna go to your house tomorrow morning. Bye...

- Bye... - Larry set off for home. His car was at home, they came by one of Kristen's friends' car, and they had gone home earlier already, and he accompanied the girl home after it.

Tomorrow, they were going to go to the beach.

What came into his head by it, this time, extraordinarily wasn't that Kristen how much liked to swim and that how nice her body was because of it in bathing suits. Now her mother was who he imagined in that clothing.

For a while, he was going on foot, not by taxi or by bus, to get some fresh air so these frighteningly improper thoughts would leave his head.

When he arrived home, he wasn't having any problems anymore. He sat down in front of the TV, saw a western movie, and then reviewed his script for tomorrow evening's play, took a shower, cleaned his teeth, and went to bed.

It came into his head again that who he was drawn to, wasn't Kristen anymore, and it scared him. He was afraid of it already stayed this way, that it wasn't only flash in the pan. He could hardly fall asleep because of the sense of guilt towards the girl. When he was sleepy enough at last, succeeded in falling asleep but dreaming of Lauren being his girlfriend, he lived together with her, talked his problems over with her, kissed with her, made love with  her and went partying with her. And these all were as good with her as with her daughter. And she had the same arched eyebrows, unchanged big eyes, unchanged full, well-shaped lips; only the shape of her eyes, her nose, the shape of her face and her chin were different, how he noticed these in reality, and her body was much more womanly, with finer figure and bigger breasts.

The same things were on Lauren which he loved on Kristen, and those things which were different, were attractive in different ways.

He woke up in alarm from that frighteningly pleasant dream, suddenly sat up, and then fell back to the bed, holding his head, and was considering about if the reason why he felt like that, was because he lost interest in Kristen - He wanted a girl, more exactly an accomplished woman with similar look but different personality??? - he thought.

He was puzzled for minutes, and then gave it up, got up from the bed, had a wash, changed clothes to his green T-shirt and white pants, and then it came into his head that Kristen was going to come soon, and he had to go to the beach with her.

He tucked away his black swimming trunks and dark blue towel, and went out to the kitchen to have breakfast.

- You were sleeping for a pretty long time - Hattie said, who was cooking lunch.

- Yeah, I fell asleep with difficulty - Larry answered, picking a toast.

- While you also went to bed pretty late at night.

- I also saw a movie after I came home.

- You know that you're gonna have an appearance tonight, too, don't you?

- I don't understand why you have to remind me every single time that I have it.

- You're so much grown together with Kristen that she completely crazed you. Someone has to remind you so you don’t forget about your duties.

This time what he would have given to constantly think of Kristen instead of Lauren... - the boy thought.

- On the other hand, now she already lives at home with her mother, so you could get off me! - Larry said passionately, rushed into his room and slammed the door.

In the next moment, Kristen had arrived.

The boy was sitting on his bed, his head was leaning on his arms, and he was trying to strengthen to go to the beach with her, which now he didn't like doing at all.

- There you are, she's already here! - Hattie opened the door of his room - Doesn't matter if she lives here or not, you two are together Shake and Bake, anyway! And now you’ll kindly answer the door! Don't want me to still assist in your changing your career to a girlfriend and your too early born kid, at least after you talked to me like that!

Larry flounced out to the entrance room, transmuted his face to be cheerful, and when opened the door, already felt fairly differently when he noticed Lauren next to the girl. The lingering effect because of his tension by his conflict with Hattie, made place to the feeling of the leaning he felt for the other woman, and then confusion - What was Kristen's mother doing here??? - he thought - Till now, the girl always came alone or with the baby, and anyway, now he was going to go to the beach with Kristen, the two of them. Or...

- Hi! - the girl interrupted the boy's thoughts that passed over his head for seconds, and she kissed him out of the blue.

Larry was only standing like a stick. Like she had never kissed him; like she was a stranger. This time he felt nothing but surprise.

- I know you're dead surprised ‘cause we were only gonna be going the two of us but I persuaded Mom to get around a bit ‘cause nowadays she's sheer depressed because of Dad - Kristen said - It's no problem, is it? My grandma and grandpa are looking after Mike during it.

- No, it's no problem... - the boy mumbled.

This put the lid on it - he thought - His thought would come true: he would see Lauren in bathing suits while he should be dealing with his real girlfriend! That was “good” timing! He had to be going to the beach with them exactly that day when he felt some odd thing for Kristen's mother since yesterday!

- We’ll still be having a good time with Mom too! - the girl tried to cheer him up because she noticed that the boy didn't rave about the situation too much.

- You'll see you two won't even notice me! - Lauren said shyly.

While exactly she was the one who he would notice the most - Larry thought nervously.

- OK, let's go - the boy said politely, and they set off towards Kristen's car through the garden; the youngsters were holding each other's hand, and the woman was going after them, smiling.

She was driving; the girl was sitting with Larry on the backseat, embracing the boy and leaning her head on his shoulder.

- Do you know what came into my head? - Kristen asked, when her mother had started the car.

- What? - Larry asked, pretending curiosity in his voice.

- I don't believe that it's not coming into your head! The beach in the Philippines where we started dating! - she said joyously.

- Oh, yes - the boy said briefly, and fondled his girlfriend's arm out of necessity.

- Your mom could be coming, too, since mine's coming; just she surely didn't prepare for it; that was why I didn't say it when we were already at your house.

Fortunately - Larry thought - That would have put the lid on it after they had such a big quarrel before setting off. Moreover, if she would notice that nowadays his own girlfriend's mother was the one who he felt drawn to, she would even more hit the roof.

- We've arrived - Lauren began to speak, and Larry didn't even have to answer to the girl's remark because everyone was busy carrying the clobbers to the beach.

For Kristen's sake, the two youngsters seated themselves in the sunshine because the girl wanted to enjoy the sunshine with her love when they would get tired of swimming. Her mother "fled in" a tree's shadow from the swelter but close enough to them to see their clobbers when they would be swimming and so they would see her ones when she would be swimming. She was too close to them so the boy noticed that her swimming suit was one-piece but quite womanly, showed her fine figure, and was decorated with big flowers. He was hardly looking at Kristen, he didn't even realize that now she was also wearing a red bikini like when they started dating.

- I put on such swimming suits like them on purpose, for the old memories’ sake; so you can forget at last that Mom's here, too! - the girl said cheerfully when set off towards the pool with Larry - And next time, we'll surely come with Mike or with pals or the two of us.

The boy had a guilty conscience because still Kristen was the one who tried to cheer him up while his only problem was that already Lauren was the one who he felt drawn to. The girl didn't even notice it, she had no idea why Larry wasn't that gleeful like her. He was also only pretending that little cheer that much was visible, and in such a bizarre situation like this, he wasn't succeeding in doing it better than this. Or maybe he was just fed up with his dishing people by his talent whenever he wanted, even though not with words. 

He was swimming so long like Kristen. He was swimming long to work the tension off, and Kristen was doing it by her hobby as usual.

When they had gone back to their clobbers tiredly, they were kissing and talking until gathering enough strength to the next "round".

- Sometimes we really should come with Mike and with pals too. Next time, I'll call Martin and Bruce - Larry remarked.

They may brighten him - he thought.

- You don't even wanna be with the two of us anymore? - the girl asked, pretending to be offended, and kissed him.

- We're the two of us a lot of times. Sometimes we could also meet with our friends; we still would be together – her boyfriend said.

- But we've met with them till now too.

- I mean with them and with each other at the same time.

- It just came into my head: if we met with them together, we could be together even more times!

- Yeah, it's a good idea.

- Super! But now I'm already going back to swimming. Are you coming? - Kristen stood up.

- Now I don't feel like doing that.

- Well, OK, then I'll come back earlier.

The girl went back in the water, and Larry was always on the go because Lauren came up to him.

- Why weren't you going with Kristen? - she asked.

- I don't like swimming as much as her. I was already swimming more than usual, anyway - the boy answered, and was trying his best not to be gazing at the body of the woman who was standing in front of him.

- Now somehow you don't feel that good with Kristen, do you? - she sat down next to him - Or is that bothering you that I'm here, too?

- No, at least I'm not bored while she's swimming, and also, somebody's keeping an eye on the clobbers when I'm swimming, too - the boy was trying not to think that the woman's body in the swimming suit was so close to him that he even could have touched it.

- Then is there some problem between you two? I’d like to know because I am Kristen's mother.

- I don't know - Larry sighed wearily, and was watching the pool - Maybe she deserves a better boyfriend than me.

- What do you mean? - the woman was surprised at it.

- Not that I’m untrustworthy or anything like that - Larry reassured her fast so she wouldn't think again that he was a bad boy - Just the fascination came to an end between us, at least for my part. I can't give her anymore what I gave her till now, but only if I con her.

- Don't you love her anymore?

- I don't know - the boy said, lowering his head - Maybe we’ve been together already for too long, and we’ve gotten bored with each other but we’re still too young to settle down for good, at least in such circumstances.

- As I can see, she hasn't gotten bored with you at all.

- Maybe, but I already... - he decided to tell her - I already like somebody else.

- Then it doesn't make sense to force this relationship. It doesn't make any sense to pretend that you still adore her. Kristen is only with you because she has no idea about what you feel, and if she knew that she's not the one anymore who you want, then she surely wouldn't want to bind you to herself by force. Both of you deserve a normal relationship based on mutual feelings; it's not necessary to be stuck if you don't want to, while you are this young. You can also meet with Mike in the future too; and Kristen will surely also find somebody who they will love each other with.

- Thank you for being this kind to me. While you don't even know what I'm afraid of, isn't only that if I break up with her, I can’t meet with Mike anymore or I cause grief to Kristen because she gets to know that I don't love her anymore and she loses me. I still could break up with her, I would pity her in vain. On the other hand, if it turns out that who that person is who replaced her inside me... - Larry shook his head.

- Why? Are they on bad terms with each other?

- You can't understand it. It's even better if you don't know it...

Kristen had come out of the pool so Lauren left the youngsters alone. She thought they might break up with each other now - True enough that it wasn't the most suitable place for anything like this, but it's better to get over it as soon as possible - she thought.

- Laurence, what were you talking about with Mom? I can see that you have some problem, and it's surely not only that Mom's here, too. What did she say to you? She doesn't wanna forbid us to meet with each other because of anything again, does she?! - the girl got frightened.

The boy wanted to reassure her, but Kristen wasn't very much wrong.

- My mother thinks our relationship sets back my career – her partner said.

- So what? Actors can't be in a relationship with anyone?!

- She thinks we spend too much time together. And your mom also said that... in the end, she said we'd better break up with each other.

- It doesn't make any sense! If I take too much time from you, why wouldn't that be enough if we met more rarely?! - Kristen asked hysterically. She was terrified that they would be parted from each other again - You don't agree with them, do you?! We still stay together, doesn't matter what they say, don't we? - she begged for it, crying.

- I don't think that it would be worth breaking up with each other only because of my career. That wouldn't make any sense. It really would be possible to solve it by meeting more rarely but I think it's not even necessary at all.

- So it's OK. I already got so frightened! - the girl embraced him tight and made his body wet with the pool's water and with her tears.

The boy slowly pushed her away from himself.

- But we still can't stay together - he said.

- Why?! - Kristen was sobbing.

Larry didn't know what to say. Hattie's quip and Lauren's corroboration didn't work.

- I can't tell you - he said.

- So you've got someone! - the girl said with alarm and reproachfully at the same time.

- You know that I would never cheat on you.

- Then tell me why! If you toss me aside, anyway, I’ve got the right to at least know why you do something like this! After this much time, you're even more obliged to do this much! - Kristen's voice was hysterical again, and there was infinite despair in her tearful eyes.

- I'm sorry, I can't.

- But you can you break up with me without explanation!!! - Kristen shouted furiously, almost howling the bathing children's cheerful noise down, then dressed hurriedly and without a word, and went away, who knew where. Maybe she went home or to one of her friends.

The boy was only mutely sitting, and considering if he did it well that he finked out on Kristen, and if the timing and what he said was appropriate. During it, Lauren had come back after swimming.

- Where is Kristen? - she was surprised.

- She left - Larry said, watching that the beach's water was flowing from the woman's body.

- You two had a quarrel with each other over the break up? - she sat down next to the boy, and squeezed the water from her half-long hair.

- I tried to be considerate of her but it was still a break up. Moreover, I couldn't tell her the reason. I didn't dare to tell her.

- I think this is why she  hit the roof so much - the woman said, wiping herself with her light blue towel. The boy couldn't take his eyes off her but still hadn't completely gotten over the conversation with Kristen.

- It very much looked like she wanted to know at all hazards why I decided this way - he said, putting up his T-shirt and pants.

- Well, yes, this way it's even harder for her - the woman sighed, and got into her yellow shirt and white shorts. She was very womanly.

They picked their clobbers up, and started towards the beach's way out.

- Maybe I shouldn't have broken up with her this way that I didn't justify it? - Larry asked.

- It would have been important to explain why you decided this way, but in the end, if you would have even more offended her if you would have told that to her, it's better that you didn't tell her.

- But shouldn't I have stayed with her?

- Still that's my opinion that it wouldn't have made sense to con her and to get stuck with this unrequited relationship. Even though you didn't give her justification.

They had arrived at the car.

- Come, I'll take you home - the woman put the beach clobbers in, and then the boy too, and they sat down in the front seats.

They were mutely sitting next to each other during all the ride; Larry with the memories of the experience of the break up.

When they had arrived, he noticed that the woman was crying.

- This break reminded me of my divorce. First, I thought it wouldn’t try me but I was wrong - she was wiping her tears - But I'm not angry with you. I know it's not your fault that you don't feel that way for my daughter anymore.

The boy was only awkwardly sitting and listening to her.

- I'm happy about getting to know you, and Kristen and you might be friends besides being Mike’s parents, and we're gonna meet in the future too - she hugged the boy she had known for one year and a half, and he found himself kissing Lauren, and they began kissing. The woman also felt like it only happened to her but both of them were kissing long, embracing each other. 

- Kristen can never get to know it - Lauren said tensely, adjusting her hair - She couldn't bear it. We’d better not meet for a while. It was only a rekindling. It shouldn't happen one more time.

- Kristen doesn't have to know it – Larry said.

- You don't mean to say that you want to start an affair with me! That I was the one who you broke with her for! - the woman's look was frightened, and her voice was startled. 

- I’ve been constantly thinking about you since yesterday and I don't even notice Kristen. I felt that you wanted it, too.

- I'm sorry if you got something wrong because of me. I have only been feeling very lonely since I broke up with Jake. And your feelings surely aren't serious, either; they are only since yesterday, after we’ve known each other for one year and a half! - she shouted restlessly.

- Don't I have any chance we could be together? - Larry asked, bagging for it with his look.

- Even if I felt something for you, the risk would be there that Kristen could get to know it. She hasn't even gotten over your break up yet; that would put the lid on it for her.

- You really don't feel anything for me?

- You're a handsome boy but I'm over these young lads. I really only miss a man in my life; I just divorced not long ago, so there's nobody yet, and you hit on me like that... 

Larry got out of the car in disappointment, and went in the house - He left Kristen for her mother, who rejected him - he thought - But at least he didn't have to pretend that Kristen was the one who he loved - He was already sure that he wasn't in love with her anymore, on the other hand, some similar thing was starting to form towards Lauren.

            It was still only half past two in the afternoon, and his appearance in the theater was going to be at seven in the evening.

He called Dennis to meet.

They arranged it that way that Larry would go over to his place.

- You've got pretty many engagements today. The beach, the theater, and even this - Hattie began to speak, sitting in the living room, when the boy passed through it to the entrance room to set off - Mind you don't forget your appearance!

- Calm down, I won't! You're only interested in this one thing, I can see! - Larry answered passionately, and was already out in the entrance room, put his shoes on, and left. He didn't even tell his mother that he was taking her car; practically it was mainly the boy's, anyway.

He went three streets, then turned the corner at his former school, and he was there.

Dennis had a huge, beautiful house with snow-white, square walls. Maybe it was even more beautiful than Larry's one, and it was also bigger.

The boy rang at the golden gate as usual. Now this luxurious sight wouldn't have been interesting to him even if this would have been the first time he saw it. He was still thinking about the break up with Kristen and about Lauren's rejection.

- Hello - Dennis appeared at the gate, and let him in.

- Hello - Larry said, too, and they set off for the living room.

- I believed now you would still be on the beach with Kristen - he hadn't known anything yet but only knew that he would already come over to him. He only said this much on the phone.

- It worked out pretty differently...

- Why, what happened? - Dennis was surprised at it.

They had arrived in the living room that was equipped with golden tiles, the beautiful carpet had the same color, and was furnished with dark blue sofa and armchairs; they sat down. The furniture reminded the boy of Kristen's living room but he had that odd feeling that he didn't miss the girl anymore but he missed that untroubled period when they still loved each other; when Lauren wasn't the one who he wanted yet.

- We broke up with each other, and she rushed away, who knows where - Larry answered - Her mother took me home.

- Wait. Her mother was with you two, too? It's the same, why did you two break up with each other?

- It's not the same... - Larry said, watching the ground.

- What?! What's not the same? - Dennis didn't understand anything.

- If her mother wouldn't have been there, maybe we would still be together. I talked to her, and she thought this was the solution. Although maybe her presence would have been enough, too...

- I don't understand. Her presence??? And for what was the break up the solution??? - he asked, puzzled.

- There was that bombshell woman in a swimming suit, and I've also been thinking of her since yesterday already... - this was the first time he told it to anyone besides Lauren – Since then, I'm not even interested in Kristen as a girl, I constantly think about her mother.

- I can't believe it! You ditched your two-year-old relationship because of a one-day-old rekindling? - Dennis was indignant and uncomprehending. He cared about what happened to his friend, and he hadn't even heard about anything like this, from anybody - As an addition, her mother, who’s your kid’s grandmother, assisted in it, too?!  ‘Cause you said she persuaded you to do it.

- She didn't even know anything about it all. She knew only that much that I already like someone else, but I didn't tell her who I like... and for how much time I’ve been liking her. I shouldn't have finked out on her after that much time, right? - Larry got frightened.

- I wouldn't have thought that you're so stupid like this, but I wouldn't have even thought it about anybody else. That woman really completely blinded you. Throwing a two-year-old relationship away for a one-day-old rekindling... Are you out of your mind?!

- Then what to do now? I don't feel like going back to Kristen at all, and who knows till when it lasts what I feel for her mother. I would only dupe Kristen if I pretended it to her that still she's the one who I love.

- OK, let's cherish the hope that you fell out of love with the girl for good since you left her, anyway. But maybe only these teenagers-feel-drawn-to-older-women divert your attention from her, which I know doesn't last long. Maybe already tomorrow, or already today, you become disenchanted with that feeling, and then you may realize that still Kristen’s the one who you want. What will be then?

- After what happened, I can't go back to Kristen by any means.

- What happened?! Just don't say that you seduced her mother! But Kristen doesn't know it, does she? - Dennis was scared.

- She doesn't know that, but I still can't stand in front of her and continue our relationship after it. By the way I didn't seduce her completely; nothing more happened between us than embrace and kissing, and also, she told me it wouldn't be taken further.

- If she has a bit of a mind, she doesn't tell Kristen ‘cause she would pretty much break down.

- She won't tell her. We agreed that we would keep even this one-time event a secret before her. But I would feel terribly this way too, if I started it again with her. Especially while I’m thinking about Lauren.

- If this attraction to her mother will be over and your feelings also return for her daughter, that will be the best to you, to Kristen and to Mike too, if you two start dating again. But if the reason why the woman now came is because you just got bored with the chick, it's really unnecessary to force it.

            When Larry was going home, thoughts were whirling in his head about if he should start it again with Kristen - Till when could he wait? - he thought - When would it come out that what he felt for Lauren, was real love or only a short rekindling? Because who he constantly thought about, was her mother, which meant he didn’t love the girl anymore, it was unnecessary to force the relationship with Kristen. It was also possible that she wouldn’t even re-engage him. Although since she was so desperate when he left her, it seemed like she would have done anything to get him back. On the other hand, she also seemed pretty furious.

            By the time he had arrived in home, he realized that now it was unnecessary to consider about it - Everything depended on if this feeling that arose towards Lauren, would come to an end or not - he thought - He only had to live his every day in the future too, and it would come out of itself.

When he had stepped in through the door, suddenly didn't know what to be doing. It was still only four in the afternoon, and still hours were left till the appearance, and Kristen was nowhere - She stepped off his life as his girlfriend, more exactly he threw the girl out - he thought.

As soon as he went into his room, he was happy about it when he thought that he did in his free time what he wanted to. He wasn't missing Kristen at all, and felt like it would also be this way when they would already spend more time far from each other.

He was excitedly thinking about what to be doing in his free time.

It came into his head that he would read a comic, and then he would meet with his pals.

As soon as he had read out the comic, Zac already called him like he presaged it.

They went to play basketball with some of their pals, and he only cheerfully thought about what her mother would have said to how many engagements he was having.

This wasn't even the point but that he didn't have to bargain with Kristen about what to do - it came into his head when he had arrived home, at the entrance room. He was surer and surer of his love he felt for the girl, was completely and definitely over.

He reviewed his script one more time for the evening play, and he was still having time.

Before it would have come into his head what to be doing in his one hour what was left till he had to set off, Hattie opened the door of his room.

- What are you doing this leisurely? Your appearance is starting one and a half hours later, and you're not even practicing? - she was indignant by seeing that his son was laying on his bed and watching the ceiling, considering what more to be doing. He looked completely untroubled, and he also felt that way.

- I was there at the rehearsals and at the dress rehearsal too; what do you still want? - he asked.

- Have you also reviewed your script?

- Even two times already - Larry said while sitting up on his bed - Don't you realize that you’re that woman again who completely drives her son hard towards the successful fame, who you were when I was a kid? - he said already in a completely calm voice. Nothing troubled him anymore. He didn't have to care for Kristen anymore, and this free life touched him with cheer. He was near to his mother's tyrannizing wasn't bothering him in this free, new world that started that day.

- So that's OK - Hattie cooled down, too.

It seems this sober talking works - her son thought.

- By the way, what I wanted to tell you was that Kevin and I set the date of the wedding - the woman continued.

- And when is it gonna be?

- Three months later, on the 23rd. I've already started sending the letters of invitation. You can also take Kristen along as your partner, you two are already old enough to that - she smiled.

- I don't think that she will come.

- Why? - Hattie was surprised at it.

- Today we broke up with each other - the boy answered easily.

- What???

- Cool it, it's not because of you, we only got bored with each other. At least I got bored with her.

- I was already afraid that after so much time like this, suddenly a big, dramatic break would come. But it came to an end so simply like this? Didn't it try you at all?

- I've already told you that I got bored with her. It seems like it goes this way - Larry left the room, smiling.

- But this is everything? You're hiding something from me! - the woman went after him to the kitchen, startled.

- I'm already an adult. You don't have to know about everything - the boy opened a bottle of beer on the counter.

- Don't drink before the play! You won't be able to concentrate on it!

- Cool it, I'm not drinking that much!

Suddenly that thought arose in the woman that Larry had already drunk pretty much because of the break, and that was why he was in that good mood - Or did he use drugs again???! - she thought.

- I won't let you go to the appearance until you tell me exactly what happened between you and Kristen. I don't think that this all is only that you got bored with her overnight - she said.

The boy was surprised at hearing such a thing from her mother that he couldn't go to his appearance. For a while, it looked like she only lived for his career again beside living for Kevin.

- While it happened that way - Larry sat down on a chair - I was more and more bored with everything with her, and then I started to like someone else.

- So it's about that. Another girl.

- Can go now? - Larry already got up to flee from the subject.

- Wait now! How old is she? And what's her name? Is she an actress or does she study to be that?

- No.

- So?

- Isn't that the same?  What will be your mania from now that I can only date actresses? And anyway, nothing's gonna be between us.

- How come...? - Hattie was surprised at it. Till then, any girl hadn't rejected her son.

- ‘Cause it would be ironic. I'm better not telling you anything more; you wanna intervene in my life enough without this too, and I don't need unnecessary debates - he went in his room, and closed the door.

On the other hand, Hattie didn't let it alone.

- What do you mean it would be ironic? - she rushed in his room again - Now I already really want to know!

- It's none of your business, and also, you could learn at last not to break in on the door to me whenever you wanna! At least let me have my own room since I can't have my own life! And anyway, I’m already considering moving. I don't need your regular warnings to memorize the script, go to this and that rehearsal, study for the classes, and go to this and that audition and appearance! I've grown up if you haven’t realized it, and I don't need you anymore! - the boy said passionately. The "other girl"-subject aroused his feeling he felt for Lauren what was bizarre because of the circumstances, and also aroused the tension because of the rejection again - Besides, you're the reason why I didn't have childhood, and because of that, you now wanna treat me like a kid, with intervening to everything!

- You haven’t grown up yet, you’ll only be seventeen years old now! And just don't say that it wasn't worth sacrificing that much of your childhood to play in movies!

- What movies?! Since Apocalypse Now, I haven’t even gotten any roles besides the theater. By the way, I even prefer playing in the theater. You want me to go to those movies' auditions, too! If I desire bigger fame or it will be necessary financially, I also accept movie-roles, and if it bothers you ‘cause I don't earn that much, then I move with pleasure! Moreover, it seems more and more that I do it, anyway!

- You repay me this way that I made you successful?! I know you like what you do, and you have me to thank for being an actor!

- Why, what will happen if I move?! You won't get any part of my pay?! There's Kevin to you, you can start a new life with him; you don't have to live together with your almost adult son anymore!

- If you had a partner who you moved in with, I would understand it; but exactly now when you don't have anyone?! You wanna live alone?!

- Isn't it dead the same where I live?! I'll meet with who I wanna, when I wanna, in the future too, moreover, mainly from then! And if you continue it this way, you won't be among them! And now I'm going to the appearance; uncommonly, you surely won't have an objection to this! - Larry left the house, and slammed the door after himself. By hurrying, he had time to arrive in the theater even on foot so he left the car there.

His mother could be happy with it! - he thought - If she would continue it this way, nobody else would remain to her; in the end, she was also going to drive Kevin away from herself!

He was furiously hurrying towards the theater; during it, Lauren was also coming into his head but Kristen wasn't. As serious their relationship was, as much they loved each other and as many things they experienced together, the girl as much vanished in his heart and thoughts. On the other hand, he missed Lauren and it was bad to him that nothing could be between them.

During the appearance, he realized that when he had to be playing that he was in love, he needed to be thinking of Lauren, not Kristen, and this already scared him.

What would be if he would fall in love with this unattainable woman? - he thought while taking off his costume and putting his other clothes on - What would people say to that if he still would start dating with the mother of his former girlfriend?!!! Especially by the time he would be really famous, and the whole country or world would know it?! He urgently had to get Lauren out of his head - he thought when he was leaving the theater. Just this once, he didn't even care about the way the audience received the play, while the reason why he preferred playing in the theater, was exactly because he didn't have to wait for the audience's reaction for more than a year. But this time it wasn't interesting to him, either.

On the way home, he took a taxi, and at home, he observed with calmness that his mother was in her room and wasn't coming out to continue the debate with him.

He saw a superhero movie, grabbed a pizza, then reviewed the things to study for the classes, and then took a shower, cleaned his teeth, and went to sleep.

           Next day, during going to school, and then at school, and then during going home, and then at home, during studying, he was constantly thinking about Lauren, too. He was almost scared to death by it. He constantly missed the woman; he missed that wonderful feeling repeating when they were kissing and embracing each other; and it seemed to be almost unbearable that nothing could be between them.

When he was putting his books away after studying, he was thinking that he should try again to persuade Lauren to have an affair in secret, but he had to realize that it was impossible. Then he would have had to go to the woman's house, and even if he would have gone there in school time, it could have happened that Kristen still would be home because of something. He couldn't call her on the phone either because Kristen may answer it. While if they somehow would have succeeded in meeting in secret, maybe they also would have succeeded in keeping their affair secret. If Lauren would have agreed to it at all, and there wasn't too much chance of it.

He went out to the kitchen to have dinner, and took his helping of food out. He had never felt any situation so hopeless like this. Giving up using drugs was also hard but not with so little chance like this; that was only bearable with difficulty. But every time he recalled how crummy he felt from the withdrawal symptoms, he almost felt the headache and the nausea again, and now he also almost lost his appetite from the memories during munching on the dinner. He didn't know where his mother could be but he was happy that they weren't having dinner together, because they only would have been quarreling again.

After he had finished eating off, he was reading some comics, and during it, Hattie arrived, with Lauren.

What was she doing here??? - Larry thought.

He was suddenly happy that they could meet at last, but it came into his head that he couldn't talk to her in his mother's presence.

The comics weren’t even interesting to him anymore. He got up from the bed, sneaked up to the door of his mother's room, and was eavesdropping.

It came into his head that the woman may complain to her about he had wanted to seduce her; and he was also waiting for his mother's letting the woman alone at least for a little time when he could talk to Lauren at last.

The two women were only talking about their children breaking up, and then chatting about something else.

- Till now, it was really bad to even think of him moving, but in the end, we also hardly meet normally, so it’s not gonna matter very much. If he gives enough of the money he earns in the theater in the future too, it's all clear sailing - Hattie said.

-  In the end, you were the one who got him to this stage where he became a successful actor.... - Lauren said.

- And educators don't get a big pay, either, so I'll need his financial help. He can get what he wants, that he moves, and I only expect him to do what he has done till now. And when he gets so wealthy that he doesn’t need any more money, I expect him to give me his whole pay while he can.

- Isn't it a little bit much? - Lauren asked, startled. Larry, who was standing in the doorway, would have flounced in by choice and would have called her mother to account because of the things she said.

- Why? - Hattie was indignant.

- Maybe you got him to this stage in his childhood, but already he’s the one who earns his money alone - the other woman explained.

- And also he is the one who gets the success and the honorable mention besides it. I'm only an ordinary educator, while I am the one who would deserve the prize.

- No offense but I think it's much bigger work to get ready for his appearances and shootings, and then performing well than taking a child to acting schools and riding him to study and to get ready for the appearances properly.

- I also studied a lot to be an educator, and I also work much for much less pay than how much he gets; and I still fought for my son's future so much.

- Well, you know the best... I'm just your friend, and I told you my opinion, but you have to decide about family-things. It just came into my head: didn't Kevin want to live together with Laurence and you after you two marry? He would have a family at last...

- Kevin can't have any children, and that was why his wife divorced from him, and I don't wanna have any more kids, and Kevin doesn't wanna, either anymore. Not long ago, he's said it wouldn’t disturb him at all if Laurence lived with us, too, and I know, too, that everything’s OK between them, so it's the same to him if he will live with us.

- It just came into my head now: what's his job?

- He's the head of the school where Laurence went to when he was a small child.

- Anyway, as a headmaster, he can earn more money than you. This way you two won't even have that little receipts. I think let the poor kid enjoy his money he earns or at least let him have more of it than you, but you know the best.

Larry was surprised that Lauren still stood up for him after he so much embarrassed her - Maybe she still felt something for him? - he thought.

           Hattie didn't let Lauren alone in the room even for a minute so Larry couldn't talk to her, so after going to sleep, he was considering for a long time about how he could meet with her in secret, and he couldn't fall asleep until it came into his head - Tomorrow, after school, he would walk in their house's neighborhood until they would run into each other - he thought - No, rather in school time so Kristen wouldn't notice him, but if she was still sick so was at home, Larry was still in less jeopardy relative to being collared than if he would go directly to her mother. Actually the girl was in jeopardy. In the end, she shouldn't get to know what they felt for each other in her interest - the boy already suspected that the woman felt drawn to him, too, moreover, maybe she even fell in love with him. He very much hoped that at least either of them were true.

           Next day, at school, sometimes he was excited about their meeting, and sometimes was afraid of the contingent rejection or of Kristen getting to know what he wanted from her mother. He hardly could be paying attention to the classes; many times, he was only sitting in the hall, watching his car through the window because he was looking forward to going to Lauren's house by his car. He didn't even think of that house as Kristen's one anymore but as Lauren's one. Almost like his two years of dating with the girl would have never even existed, while they just broke up with each other a few days ago - Maybe he was too young yet to be permanently in love with one person - he thought - That much time was already also much to be together because they were still teenagers.

When the classes had come to an end, and he had left the building, he got in the car, and was meteorically pushing it towards Lauren.

When he already only had to turn a corner, like he had some vision, the woman was suddenly there, in front of him.

As fast he just could, he broke. He almost hit him with the car.

He meteorically stopped on the edge of the way, and got out of the car, then rushed after the woman to catch her up. With his brain, he knew that there was the chance to meet, but he had still been under the influence of the accident which barely happened, and he was trembling at this experience. When he had caught Lauren up, he only said sorry and said goodbye to her.

He was still trembling when got back in his car. He suddenly realized that this all wasn't worth - He almost risked someone's life because of a rekindling - he thought. In a crack, Lauren became only "someone" for him, and he realized that he attached too much importance to that attraction to her. What just happened, sobered him from that feeling, and he didn't think of the woman like he was almost in love with her but he only thought about her as a seductive woman, and there are many of them in the world. He was already sure that it was only a rekindling, and was happy that he realized it at last.

He still hadn't dared to start the car yet because he was still frightened when it came into his head what was necessary for that realization, and he hadn't gotten rid of what happened some minutes ago - For a while, maybe he wouldn’t be this much confident while driving... - he thought.

He noticed that he stopped exactly next to a phone box.

He got out of the car again, and called Dennis who he was telling everything to, to talk about what happened, and then much more calmly got back in the car, and went home.

           In the forthcoming period, Larry only lived for acting, for his friends and Mike. On the weekdays, after school, he studied, and on the weekends, he went to play basketball or to party with his cousins, Zac and Emilio or to talk or to the cinema with Martin or Dennis or visited Mike.

When the summer holiday started, he spent more time playing in the theater, and when there were auditions for such movies which were interesting to him, he went to them, but for the time being, he only got parts on the stage.

           In July, he moved from home and rented a house still in Park Slope where nobody could buy any house for that much salary what actors get in the theater. He didn’t give any money to Hattie, anyway, according to the law, she mustn’t spend his money on herself, when he lived with her, either, and he couldn’t have even given her too much money because he also paid Mike’s maintenance.

Larry turned seventeen on July 30th; on August 3rd, Martin was thirty-eight years old, and in September, Hattie had her wedding with Kevin, so nowadays, partying wasn't left out from Larry's life but he hadn't had a new girlfriend.

- Aren't you missing a girl at least now when you're here at our wedding and who are the same age as you, took their partners along? - Hattie asked, sitting at one of the festive boards, when those who were around them went to dance.

- Not too much. I was with Kristen for lots of time, and now I enjoy the freedom. I have more time to be with my pals, to study and to play in the theater.

- By your age, you really have time yet to marry fgor a while, but at least there would be someone besides Mike for whom you could spend that lots of money you earn.

- You said it the right way. I am the one who earns it so I am the one who decides what I spend it on, and while my mother envies me for the money that I work for and she wants it for herself, I won't even give her any of it - Larry said, and stood up from the table.

He went out to the garden, and was rather talking to his relatives than with his mother - Just like she even wanted to spoil her own wedding - he thought - She only could constantly fight with him. She should be happy that he came to her wedding at all - He was there almost only because of Kevin, because he didn't want to offend him. He got along better with his mother's husband than with his mother, while he didn't even live together with him. As an addition, he hated that old music that his mother chose for the wedding party. He didn't feel good at all, but because of his actor's talent, out of courtesy, he was forced to pretend before the guests that he was happy about his mother's happiness.

- This is Laura, a daughter aof one of my cousins - Kevin brought there to him a long, brown-haired girl who was wearing a blue dress and was shyly smiling.

- Hello, I'm Laurence - the boy said in a bored manner.

It was already almost dawn and he was too tired to be acting; and anyway, what did it matter if he wasn’t pretending to be cheerful before one person? - he thought.  He drank in vain, this time he wasn't in a better mood from it but he became even sleepier by it.

- Hi... - the girl said, too, and the man left them alone.

- As I can see, you're only here out of courtesy, too - Larry said. Under the influence of the drinks, he wasn't caring too much about speaking justly anymore, and also, it caused pleasure to him to be talking sincerely with someone at last. He thought that they surely wouldn't meet again, anyway, so he wasn't very much minding what Laura thought about him because he was this way speaking about his own mother's wedding. He thought maybe she hadn't even known that he was the bride's son.

- Cool it, I'm dead bored in this worthless senior citizens' party, too! - he continued.

They laughed. Hattie was still only forty-four years old, and Kevin was fifty-one, but teenagers didn't like these numbers which were trendy when their parents were twenty-year-old.

- We hope the bride couldn't hear it! - Laura laughed, embarrassed, looking around.

- You mean my mother? - Larry wasn't caring about anything about this wedding anymore; he thought nothing could be even worse to him, anyway.

- You're Hattie's son?! - the girl was surprised at it.

- Yeah - the boy said loosely.

- Then you're that famous actor who’s even played in movies!

- Nowadays I'm only the theater's "star" - he informed Laura funnily about his "famous" career.

- Why don't you also accept movie-roles?

- I prefer the theater. When I still like a movie which I'd love to play in, I will go to the auditions, but people don't like niggers.

- Well, yeah. I should have thought. Some people also avoid me in school because of the color of my skin - Laura said in an indignant voice.

- Like we’re worse than them even about anything. Are we uglier with this color or what? - Larry frowned, opening his arms. Then he looked very young - Anyway, which class do you go to? - Larry changed the subject. He had enough of that subject.

- I'm in tenth-grade in high school. And you?

- I'm gonna be graduating from the High School of Performing Arts.

- Is your whole life about this? About this acting-thing? - Laura was already also relaxed, partly by drinking the champagne that she was holding in her hand till the end. She wasn't used to drinking but needed something that made her feel better in this place that was boring for her.

- When I was a kid, it was even more about it. My mother wanted it - he rather didn't even tell anything more. He didn't want to detail the way Hattie drove him hard towards the successful career by her own volition, taking almost his whole childhood.

- But you still like to do it, don't you? Appearing for TV and in the theater like a star.

- I like its acting part instead. I like playing characters. On the stage, in movies and series, I'm never myself but somebody who I play, and it's interesting. I think movies and series, not only theaters need such actors like me, who don’t play for fame but who also likes doing it.

- They can regret not choosing you to movie-roles. But there might be a black director whose movie you'll like, and to him or her, it surely won't be up.

- And anyway, not everyone’s racist. I've played in a huge movie already, and the director was white. Moreover, Francis Coppola also became my favorite since I've played in one of his movies; I learned from him so much, and also, I have him to thank for I could also make friends with much older ones than me in a circle of actors. I also met three of my friends during filming Apocalypse Now; one of them just turned thirty-eight.

- What is that movie about?

- It's about the Vietnamese war but it's not even the point. The filming was much more interesting than the movie. Poor Francis totally snapped and almost psyched out because so many things put off our work, so the filming lasted for two years and a half. The sandstorm butchered the film set, one of the main characters didn't know even a word of his part of the script, he put on dead much weight, wasn't ready to stay in the filming location till the end, he really didn't stay but only for some weeks, then Martin had a heart attack so was taken to hospital for a while, but after that, he came back to continue the work; and Francis and the screenwriter couldn't agree about something for lots of time; so the filming totally dragged on.

           One year later, Larry was watching TV, sitting on the sofa when the phone rang. It was the director whose movie he applied for to play in it.

He got a movie-role!

Now his mother could have been happy about it, too – the boy thought for a moment, then brushed thinking about that “irritating twist” aside, to concentrate on his friend Laura.

As soon as he had replaced the receiver, he already called her to tell the news.

- I said that I would be right. Not every director is racist, and that's also possible that not all of them rejected me because of the color of my skin but I just wasn't the suitable actor for the role happened to be then - Larry said.

- Maybe. I'm still happy about it, even though I wasn't right but you - the girl laughed - My pal's gonna be a real movie star! - she was kidding - And what's gonna be your role?

- I'm not a co-star but I was even surprised that I can play in it at all ‘cause as I've said, nowadays I'm not chosen to play in any kind of movie. And nowadays it doesn't interest me too much who I play, I'm interested in the movie itself where I take part in instead.

- I don't even know yet what to do after high school.  I mean I don't know what thesis to get or if I should start to work.

- Good for you that your parents don't intervene in your life.

- Not so much how your mom drove you hard. Well, will we celebrate that you were chosen for a role in a movie again after four years?

- Well, OK, I’ll tell you.  I barely have a small role in the movie, I was only curious about what you would say after I was right that a white guy can feature me in a movie, too. And anyway, haven’t you seen niggers in white directors’ movies?! – he laughed.

- Now you well succeeded in playing a trick on me! I already believed that you have a good part in the movie! – Laura said furiously but Larry could hear in her voice that she only pretended to be angry with him in jest.

- This is how a loser can beat somebody – the boy said proudly, playing jokes on her. Both of them knew that he could always be chosen to play bigger roles too. Even though then he got such a little part like that, he has had more important parts too.

[roseworth]

what is the name of the issue that has jason using a punching bag w a cape and a cowl?

its Batman: Arkham Knight #24!! :')

[uncharted-constellations]

Batwoman Beyond

Was originally gonna be a genderbent terry but dana was calling to me so~

Theres obviously a few ways you could go about it but personally my interpretation would be that Rebirth goes the Same until Powers and Mr. Fixx track down Terry on his way to the police station, and Terry ends up badly hurt, maybe in a temporary coma, (i refuse to kill my boy lmao). Since Dana was the one to drop off Terry at Mr. Waynes right before this, she ends up going to confront him after she gets the call about Terry, however Wayne passes her on the road, going to the police with his information after finding out what happened on the news. Dana sneaks into the manor, and just like Terry, finds the cave, articles still pulled up about Powers and the affects of the nerve gas.

I can’t imagine her first instinct would be to steal the suit, at least not until she hears Wayne come back, complaining upstairs about the police being unable to do anything without the actual evidence. In a moment of determination she grabs the suit and sneaks out. Bruce shuts down the suit the second he notices it missing this time, as theres no obvious culprit, but when Dana pleads just wanting to get the evidence to put powers behind bars, Bruce relents, telling her the rest of the story on the way. The rest of the episode obviously goes differently, but Dana obviously gets more involved than planned, stopping the operation and creating blight.

Wayne ends up recruiting Dana, acknowledging that while gotham might not need a batman, it does need a hero. I imagine logistically he probably has to make her an entirely new costume because while terry was smaller than bruce dana is probably tiny in comparison lmao, thing would be baggy and probably not as effective as it should be. Pretty much the same exact design tho. She would also probably cut her hair shorter because full cowls are not long hair friendly. Bruce doesnt care if you like your hair, he’s not risking head wounds.

Dana’s career probably starts with more spying than action seeing as while she might know some stuff from her brother (hes from the comics, and was involved in jokerz shit but ill keep him) shes not as physically ready to be Batwoman, but then again we didnt get a lot of background on Dana. Maybe she plays the future equivalent of softball or something... Terry recovers probably in time for the Willie Watt/Golem episode, although he probably has some lingering physical issues that prevent him from being quite as active as he had been before, at least for a while if not permanently.

I imagine he takes a minute to figure it out but takes it in stride, forcing Wayne to hire him as well. He doesnt ask for a costume, instead helping Wayne more with the mechanical stuff which we know he’s fairly capable in based on his original observations of the suit, alongside occasionally helping with backup or undercover work, and probably as a starting sparring buddy for Dana. He might very occasionally put on the other batsuit when needed (like when inque captures batwoman, taking the place of bruce in that instance), but he’s probably more likely to throw on the nightwing mask, run in and help or deliver a necessary gadget, and then bust ass back to the batmobile, i don’t want him too too involved but more so than Max was originally.

Im undecided on whether or not Max still figures it out, but shes still a close friend for both of them. I imagine the relationship with Batwoman and 10 is also very different, partially because Dana and Terry wouldn’t have most of their relationship issues. Maybe 10 is more involved with her families schemes in this au, becoming more of a rival than a kindred spirit.

[soulmate-game]

New fic *test*

New Bio!dad Bruce story? I’m testing out this first chapter, and if I like where it’s going I might add it to my growing pile of WIPs. If I have inspiration, I might as well use it. Because of life events stressing me the hell out, I’m throwing any writing plans out the window and I’m purely gonna write to destress right now. Whether that means updating THG or not, or continuing Maribat March, we’ll just have to see how this all pans out. Things are subject to day-to-day change.

I got inspiration from this from rereading my day 1 story for Bio!dad Bruce Wayne month from last year. I’m just gonna change a few things.

—*—*—*—*—*

For once, an unfamiliar face attracted the attention of everyone who caught even a glimpse of them. It wasn’t even because of the person themselves at first, but their dress. The skirt like the most fantastical of storybook ball gowns, fluffy layers of satin over a luxurious petticoat, with a stunning pink floral pattern whose busy appearance was tastefully offset by a shorter, sheer layer of leaf green tulle artistically weaved and somehow sculpted over the floral in order to tame it. The effect turned what should be a grandmotherly pattern into something softer, sophisticated and youthful and yet also reminiscent of fairytale princesses. Over top the short layer of green tulle was an even shorter later of white tulle, almost invisible except for the elegant embroidery of crystal-white vines that twined all over it, connecting the green below it to the bottom-most floral pattern and oddly adding a layer of childishness instead of maturity. At the waist of the dress was a dark plum pink satin ribbon, to separate the elaborate ballgown skirt from the bodice. Attached to the simple ribbon was a large brooch of fabric flowers, with a single plastic ladybug in the center.

The bodice of the dress came up into a cheongsam neckline, but was sleeveless. It was a simple design, of half green and half dark pink, with a white border separating the two. The white border had expertly done embroideries in a soft silver thread that would only be visible close up, the images the thread made being that of fairies and ladybugs dancing around one another.

It was, all in all, a stunning display that made the small eurasian woman wearing them look like absolute royalty. Perhaps a long lost fairy princess. Her black-blue hair was even done up in elaborate looping braids and a braided bun, with silver and green pins that further completed the regal ensemble. And yes, while the expertly done dress was what initially captivated her current audience, it was not what kept them from leaving her alone. That was all her personality, bubbly and bright as her blinding smile. It was a sunny disposition that very few people present had any exposure to at all, and it drew them like a sunflower to the daylight. They could not help but flock closer, or even just stand back and keep themselves turned to her presence. Already she had been at the gala for two hours, but there was no issue. She just kept proving her generosity, admitting she had donated both a dress and a suit of her own making to the charity auction that would begin soon, one of the main attractions of the gala. She skillfully charmed the more snooty of the attendants, and artfully twisted her words so that they felt compelled to donate more money that they truly had no use for. Later, they would remember their donation and wonder what compelled it, but come up with no satisfying answer.

And yet she was entirely unaware of her more silent audience, who stood back and observed. Truth be told, every one of them was glad to not be the center of that attention for a change, to have room to breathe for so long at an event where usually that commodity was so scarce that it demanded a fierce competition for. Compared to her garden of color, they were all shadows in shades of blacks and blues and whites, with a touch of red here and there that was entirely too thematic for their home city. The one who sported a royal blue suit tilted his head at the scene they were all calmly witnessing, his bright azure eyes glittering.

“She’s like magic,” he mused, clearly enchanted despite having not said a single word to the woman. “Perfect socialite. She’s kind, generous, she made that dress and the ones she donated to the auction herself so she’s obviously got an intimidating amount of skill for her age. She even tricks those old fuddy-duddies into spending money. It’s like a dream come true!”

“I don't trust it,” the one to his right said, a man just a few inches shorter in a classic black suit with a red dress shirt underneath. He absently swept his bangs away from his face as he narrowed his eyes at the woman. “It seems too perfect. She doesn’t have any identifiable character flaw, except maybe being a little clumsy and too energetic. She does babble a little… but nothing that actually suggests any depth besides her just being— good. That’s impossible, and I don’t trust it.”

“Tt. I agree with Drake for once. She seems entirely too comfortable with this setting, despite her blushes and rambles,” the one who spoke this like was taller, clearly a teen in the middle of his growth spurt. He, too, wore a plain black suit but his had subtle charcoal embroidery and he wore an emerald-green dress shirt under it that made his matching eyes gleam dangerously. “It seems almost playacted. Expertly so, but nonetheless not entirely genuine.”

“Wow, not many pick up on that. I’m gonna give your observations a solid eight out of ten. They’re all perfectly sound, but not quite complete,” a new voice made all of the silent group stiffen— somehow they had been snuck up on. The newcomer smirked at them as if having fully expected their reaction but still being pleased at being able to evoke it. This was yet another stunner; far too much color in her outfit to be a Gotham native, and far too much skill in the construction for it to signify anything less than extreme influence. She had bright golden-blond hair that was coiled into a low bun, with her bangs artfully curled and arranged to display her crystal blue eyes.

In contrast to the garden-themed dress of the Eurasian woman who had garnered their attention at first, this newcomer was wearing a pantsuit. It was all in a dark honey-gold, in a stiff fabric with construction that made it lay entirely in perfect, straight lines and hug her form in the right places. Black embroidery decorated the long, flared sleeves and pant legs and dripped around the square neckline like a faux necklace. A cape made out of the same material as the rest of the pantsuit was draped on one shoulder. It started out as the same honey-gold color, but it became a gradient as it faded to a solid black at the ends. Gold thread embroidery decorated the solid black bottom of the cape in delicate, deceptively simplistic swirls. The top half of the pantsuit was clearly inspired by military garb, simultaneously rigidly constructed yet fitted, with circular onyx buttons going down the center of the chest and a thick metal belt, all in swirling silver and black, sat perfectly clasped around her waist. It was far more solid-colored and simplistic compared to the fairytale dress in the center, but no less show stopping and luxurious. It simply showcased an entirely different attitude, almost as if the two women could never get along if their personalities matched their outfits.

“And who are you?” The man who had been the center of the group of shadow-like adults spoke up, back straightening to milk every speck of his generous six-feet-and-three-inches of height. This was none other than Bruce Wayne, the host of this annual charity gala. And normally, his current stance would either intimidate or utterly charm whoever it was directed at— but not this pantsuit-clad blond warrior. Her smirk merely widened, and her blue eyes took on a slight shade of teal as if trying to mimic the dangerous ocean depths.

“I am Chloe Bourgeois, the daughter of Andre Bourgeois, the mayor of Paris, and Audrey Bourgeois, the Style Queen. It’s nice to meet you again, Monsieur Wayne,” she introduced herself imperiously. “I also happen to be the best friend of the girl you were just staring at.”

Bruce nodded, but had trouble reconciling this clear powerhouse of a woman with the bratty and entitled preteen he had met years ago, at the last gala she had attended with her mother. “Of course, I didn’t recognize you at first Chloe. You’ve grown a lot since the last Gala I saw you at.”

Chloe wrinkled her nose, clearly not appreciating the reminder. “I was a bitch,” she admitted easily, seemingly not at all bothered by the confession. It caused not only Bruce but also the oldest three of his sons, who had all also met her in the past, to blink in silent shock. “Things have changed. Paris is apparently the perfect chaotic environment right now to promote emotional growth and smack spoiled kids over the head with reality,” she shrugged. Part of the reason her and her whole class had even been able to come to the Gala in the first place was the fact that Bruce wanted to offer the most attacked group of Parisians a respite and some support from their crazy lives. The fact that even Gotham seemed sane in comparison to Paris was a bit of a hard hit for both involved parties, but in the end everyone understood that “more sane” didn’t always equate with “less dangerous.” Considering all that, Chloe had no reason to sugarcoat the situation in her home city. “But it wasn’t easy at all, and Marinette was largely responsible for my improvement too.”

“Marinette?” The heathen who somehow got away with attending a gala in a black leather jacket over a dress shirt and suit pants asked, raising a brow. Chloe nodded.

“The girl you were just goggling at. Marinette Dupain-Cheng, the class president and resident workaholic. Does she ever sleep? Nobody knows,” Chloe shrugged.

The blue-suited man, Dick Grayson, shot a suspicious glance at Tim, who was standing to his right, as if he was worried his brother had made a female clone of himself just so he could continue to work hard and never rest. Tim ignored him and sipped from the thermos of coffee he had somehow snuck in.

Bruce cleared his throat to bring the focus back onto himself, and shot his most charming smile at Chloe. “They would have known who she was, if they had read the brief information I gave them about your class. But they never do listen to me,” he complained with good humor. “But back to the original topic, Miss Bourgeois, do you care to correct us on how our observations are lacking?”

Chloe laughed easily, smiling and nodding to indicate Marinette, still stuck in a circle of socialites and not seeming the least bit worn out.

“Of course. First; She is not completely acting. She really is like magic sometimes— disgustingly kind, generous, far too willing to help just about anyone for just about any reason. She’s one of the best people I’ve ever met, as much as it pains me to admit it. But she is exaggerating her personality a bit and hiding the parts she doesn’t want anyone to see, so there is a little acting involved. Just not as much as you seem to think,” Chloe then waved her arm in a flourish as if she were presenting Marinette to them. “In short; behold Mari Dupain-Cheng, the ridiculously likeable, disgustingly cute, extremely philanthropic mask that she shows everyone at public events like this. You don’t see any of the insomnia, or the anxiety, or the self doubt. Just the parts she wants you to see, accompanied with a smile to blind you to everything else,” her all-too-deep blue eyes settled back on Bruce then, a knowing glint shining in them. “Don’t you think that’s ridiculously similar to Brucie Wayne for you, Monsieur? Utterly, ridiculously, similar?”

Bruce grit his teeth. He hadn’t expected anyone else to know about his exceptionally well hidden secret, not even his kids had caught on or found his buried evidence yet. Yet his heiress comes up, nearly flaunting her knowledge in his face with all too many unspoken questions and criticisms.

And her cryptic words had succeeded in making all of his kids look at him with extreme suspicion. Shit.

“What are you saying, Miss Bourgeois?” he cautiously prodded. She hummed noncommittally before dropping the bomb all too casually;

“I’m saying I’ve seen her adoption papers, and you won’t be able to run from her for long Monsieur Wayne. As soon as she gets an opening, she’s going to pounce,” Chloe’s eyes glittered dangerously again. “And nowadays, Marinette doesn’t ever let people escape her. Your problem with adoption has created a rather unique problem, you know. You’re at fault for a large majority of her self confidence issues, and I want you to know that I am not going to forget or forgive that anytime soon.”

“Bruce,” Jason’s voice was dark and threatening. “What is she talking about?”

“Something we don’t want getting in the tabloids,” Yet another new voice popped up, allowing Chloe to smugly sink back into the background.

Somewhere during their discussion, Marinette had ambushed them.

“Chloe and I are very good at locating all the reporters in a room and distracting them, but we’re not infallible and this event has far too much coverage,” Her smile reeked confidence and charm, but this close all the Waynes could see the doubt hiding in her bluebell eyes. “Since I’m about to turn eighteen, I figured this would be as good a time as any to finally confront you. I want to make it clear that I seek nothing from you, except the occasional contact. I would like to keep in touch, if nothing else. But if you are adverse to that… then at least answer my questions after the gala,” her eyes developed a hint of carefully controlled desperation. “Please.”

Bruce met her eyes evenly, trying to read her. But she was difficult, simultaneously too many emotions to sort through in her demeanor and much too little. After an extremely tense moment of silence, his voice came out barely above a whisper:

“You do not want anybody to know?”

And hell, if she didn’t recognize the hidden vulnerability in his voice as the very same she heard in her own far too often. In a much tamer version of her own rambling, he went on:

“I can keep it silent if that is what you want. But I want you to know that I will not be adverse to you admitting it anywhere. I don’t expect you to change your name, but I would not be ashamed of the truth getting out. I am not ashamed of it, of you.”

Marinette’s smile grew a little watery. She had to clear her throat to keep herself from tearing up. “Maybe eventually, but not yet. I… I want to stay a little more anonymous for now. It’s one thing to be a well known designer with good connections. It’s an entirely different thing to be…”

“A Wayne?” Bruce finished, ignoring the daggers that were being stared into his back. “I understand completely.

“Father,” Damian’s voice was all sharp edges and rapidly suppressed panic. “What. Is going. On?”

Marinette shot him an apologetic smile. “Apparently, eighteen years ago, his prerogative was to put the child he actually knew about up for adoption when the mother died in childbirth,” her voice was once again only barely loud enough for them to hear, since she didn’t want any eavesdroppers. “Imagine my surprise when I find out he completely flipped sides only months later.”

--*--*--*--*--*

Hey, so please share your feedback on this. This is just to test out a possible new bio dad, multichapter fic and this is the opening scene I'm trying out. If you like it, please tell me what you like about it and please suggest titles for the story! I love you guys' feedback so much!

[invisibleanonymousmonsters]

All Men Have Limits - X

Character: Dick Grayson x Reader x Bruce Wayne

Summary: A certain bat believes that Y/N is in way over her head, that she’s too naive to act in her best interest. So, whether she wants it or not, the vigilante family is going to help and protect her before she gets herself killed.

Word Count: 4,100+

Previously on…

The next three days were one of the darkest periods of Dick Grayson’s life. 

He was thrown back into the past to the moments after his parents were murdered. This felt the same but somehow worse. Because he was convinced he had the power to stop it, to keep Y/N safe.

Why did everyone he love have to die?

Was he cursed?

Was he responsible for their deaths?

He hadn’t even been able to tell Y/N how he really felt. He’d been holding back all this time, terrified that his truth would just push her away and make her decide to close off from him.

Now Dick wished he could go back in time and confess everything to her. If she had pushed him away, he would found his way back to her somehow. He sees that now – now that it’s too late.

He looked at Y/N sleeping peacefully in her bed at the manor.

Is it a miracle if conjuring was used to fight back at fate?

Dick doesn’t even remember what he said when he contacted Zatanna. He must’ve sounded hysterical and utterly desperate. His vision had been blurred from the tears he couldn’t control. 

He already blacked the whole thing out.

Zatanna told them that Y/N would sleep for a few days. Even if her magic saved her life and Y/N wouldn’t even have a scar to prove she had died, her body was still exhausted from the trauma of it all.

But even with Zatanna’s reassurance, Dick hadn’t left Y/N’s side, absolutely terrified that she was still in danger, that she could still leave them forever.

When Y/N started to shift, Dick sat up straighter in the chair that he’d pulled close to her bed.

Y/N winced before her eyes fluttered open.

Dick didn’t want to overwhelm her, so he just waited for her to fully wake up.

Y/N seemed confused when she realized that she was back in her room at the manor.

Then her gaze moved to Dick.

“Bruce, is he–”

“He’s fine,” Dick cut her off before she could get herself into a panic.

Her entire body relaxed and she let out the breath she was holding in without realizing it.

“He has a concussion and he’s a little beat up. But he’s had worse,” Dick elaborated.

She raised a brow. “You tend to say that a lot.”

Dick shrugged.

But it was true: Bruce had been in much worse condition.

“You saved his life, Y/N.”

She seemed uncomfortable hearing that and didn’t meet his gaze.

“I did what anyone would’ve done,” Y/N mumbled.

“Not everyone would be that brave.”

A silence settled between them for a few moments.

“How am I here?” Y/N finally asked Dick quietly.

But they both knew she was really asking, ‘How am I alive?’

“I’m not sure you really want to know all the details…” Dick had been dreading this conversation.

“I’m assuming you called in another favor with your magic friend,” Y/N thought aloud.

“Zatanna,” Dick confirmed. “And, yes. Something like that.”

Y/N gave him a look that told him she wasn’t going to let it go so easily.

“She used a spell that reversed your injuries. She…” Dick had to pause and clear his throat and get rid of his emotions that were threatening to spill. “She used your blood to write a spell, making it far stronger than most she’s cast. It saved your life.”

Y/N watched him for a moment.

“That must’ve been scary,” she whispered, truly understanding what she had put him through.

She simply could not imagine had it been the other way around. The idea of watching Dick die was something she hoped to never live through.

“He hadn’t left your side until Alfred basically secretly drugged him and scared him to get his own bedroom.”

Y/N moved to get out of bed.

“Hey, hey, hey,” Dick panicked as she stood up to stop her.

“I feel…” she thought about it for a moment.

“Like you were stabbed to death?” Dick offered darkly.

“No. I feel…I feel fine.”

He could tell she was telling the truth.

“Perks of magically being healed?” She offered innocently.

“Guess so.”

She moved out of the bed and realized she was wearing cotton shorts and a baggy t-shirt that she most definitely didn’t die in.

What had happened while she was asleep? How long was she dead?

Y/N went to the window and looked out at the grounds of Wayne Manor.

“What happened when the cops showed up?” She asked quietly, almost in a daze.

“You’d have to ask Tim for details. I was preoccupied with…” Dick’s words died out.

Y/N turned away from the window to look at him.

She may have survived, but that was never going to make talking about that night any easier for him.

Luckily, she understood what Dick couldn’t put into words.

Dick took in a deep breath and crossed his arms, “We got them, Y/N.”

It almost seemed to good to be true. They’d been at this for months. It took them weeks just to plan their final blow.

Y/N didn’t realize how hard it would be to believe that it was truly over.

It didn’t help that there was no returning to her old life. Too much had changed.

“With the evidence you gave the FBI, there’s not a lawyer in the world that can save them. Even if a member’s hands aren’t dirty, the public shame will be enough to neutralize them for good,” Dick added with a bit of optimism.

But he could tell by Y/N’s face that she was having trouble accepting the truth.

He took a step toward her. 

“If there’s members of The Court that slipped out from underneath us, if any of them try to come after you, it’ll just prove to the world that The Court of Owls is still operating. And exposing that will be the last thing they’ll want.”

She tried to force a small smile and nod, but it was unconvincing.

Dick closed the space between them and grabbed her hands.

“Y/N, you did it.”

“It’s really over,” she whispered, staring into his deep blue eyes.

He gave her a reassuring smile and nodded.

Then Dick’s focus shifted. He looked her up and down. “Y/N, you should really get some rest. You’ve been through a lot.”

Y/N sighed. “I think I’m gonna take a shower.” She smirked, “Get all that death off me.”

Dick frowned. “Not funny.”

“Jason would think it’s funny,” Y/N teased as she walked to the bathroom.

He playfully glared at her. “I’ll give you some space. But I’ll be down in the cave if you need me.”

Dick only got a few steps before Y/N called his name as if she’d forgotten something and rushed to him.

He looked at her expectantly.

Y/N stepped forward and locked her arms around Dick and buried her face into his shoulder. She closed her eyes and tried to control her breathing.

“Thank you,” she mumbled as his hands rubbed her back soothingly and he pulled her closer.

Dick wanted to tell Y/N that she didn’t have to thank him. He saved her life and he would do it again and again and again, and he would never expect gratitude for it. Because Dick knew that it was just as much for him as it was for her.

So instead he just held her in silence and felt the warmth from her body – the same body that had been ice cold and lifeless just days before.

When they finally pulled away, Dick was studying her face to make sure she was alright to be left alone.

He gave her one last look before leaving her.

Y/N took her time in the shower, making the water as hot as her skin would allow without giving it burns. There wasn’t a single bruise or cut on her. Her fingers traced over the place on her abdomen where the katana had been shoved through. 

There was nothing.

She wondered if there was a price to pay for such magic. Would she be held accountable? Or would it be Dick’s friend who faced the consequences?

Y/N didn’t know how long she’d been showering, but when she finally walked out, the bathroom was filled with too much steam.

She quickly put on sweatpants and a t-shirt when her stomach started growling. She couldn’t even remember when her last meal had been.

Y/N moved to her door after deciding that going straight to the kitchen was quite necessary.

But she stopped as she heard footsteps walking past her room in the hall.

She froze, thinking it was Bruce.

What would she say to him? Would he be angry with her? Would he not react at all to her resurrection? What would hurt her more between the two?

But it wasn’t Bruce. 

Tim and Damian were walking down the hallway.

“How much longer do you think he’ll stay?” She heard Damian ask.

“I don’t know. I heard the Titans have been bugging him to come back,” Tim answered. “I’m sure Kori misses him and has been texting.”

Damian just hummed in acknowledgment.

Y/N realized her hand was suspended over the doorknob.

And she had a realization: she was safe to leave.

But more importantly, she wasn’t the only one that could return to their “normal” life: so could Dick, so could everyone else in the family.

Soon, Tim would go back to his condo in the city. Jason would stop working so closely with the family he tried to disown and he’d probably stop coming around manor so often – if ever. And Bruce…Bruce would move on to new cases and return to the usual patrolling.  

Y/N turned and looked at the bedroom that had become her new home in the past few months. Her personality was nowhere to be found inside. It wasn't actually hers. She was just one of its many visitors. 

Y/N grabbed her duffle bag from underneath the queen-sized bed and started throwing her belongings into it.

Ten minutes later, Y/N had her jacket and shows on, and all of her belongings were packed in her bag. 

She still had to deal with all her equipment that was sitting in the cave. But that was a problem for another day. Right now, she didn’t have the bandwidth to deal with it. She needed to leave – before she changed her mind.

-

Y/N was just yards from the front door when she heard his voice.

“Y/N?” Dick asked just loud enough to catch her.

She froze in place.

While her back was still to him, she closed her eyes in grievance from the failure of being spotted.

She slowly turned around.

“You trying to sneak out of here?” Dick asked.

It was meant to sound teasing, but she heard his disappointment loud and clear.

“It’s about time I get out of your hair.” 

“We’re not exactly kicking you out…” Dick tried to joke.

“You said so yourself: it’s safe for me now.” She sighed and walked closer to him. “Look, I just…I need some time alone.”

Dick took it a bit too personally. Were they really that exhausting to be around? He thought she had started to see them as her own family. He thought things were OK.

“At least let me drive you,” he offered quietly.

“I called a cab. It’s waiting for me outside.”

Before Dick could say anything else, she quickly turned and made her escape.

Y/N knew what she was scared of. She was scared he’d tell her he was leaving Gotham now that the case had been solved. But she was even more scared that he’d tell her he was staying. 

She wasn’t ready to deal with either scenario.

So, Y/N did what she did best: she ran.

————————

Y/N stared at the wall of her safe house.

The silence that she had once grown used to long ago was now irritating.

Y/N hadn’t realized how accustomed she had become to the chaos of Wayne Manor until she had torn herself away from it. Even when it was quiet there, she could feel the presence of everyone.

Now she was left only to her thoughts.

And just she was about to escape the silence and go grab food at a nearby diner, there was a knock on the door.

Y/N knew for a fact that this safe-house hadn’t be blown yet – and that included with the Wayne family. It was exactly why she chose to come here instead of the one where Bruce first found her and dragged her to Wayne Manor for her own safety.

Which was why Y/N grabbed one of her guns and checked to make sure it was loaded and the safety was off before she tiptoed to the door.

She looked through the peep hole and her stomach twisted when she saw Bruce Wayne was on the other side.

She knew he could sense her presence on the other side, and there was no hiding. So she opened the door quickly.

Bruce eyed the gun in her hand. “This has become a habit of yours.”

Y/N ignored his comment, uncocked the gun, and carefully placed it on a table near the door.

When she was finally able to take Bruce in, she noted that his face was covered in bruises and small cuts. To be honest, Y/N expected more damage after being a witness to his near-death beating. 

“May I come in?” Bruce asked softly.

She blinked rapidly, realizing she had yet to invite him inside.

This was all reminiscent of that night.

And Y/N didn’t appreciate the memories and feelings Bruce was stirring up.

An awkward silence settled between them. The silence of her apartment was doing nothing to help.

“Are you okay?”

Y/N knew the question was sincere, but Bruce still managed to ask it without showing any ounce of emotion – as if he wasn’t personally invested in the matter. 

“I’m fine,” she answered quickly. Her eyes softened. “Are you okay?”

He simply nodded.

Silence again.

“You can never do that again,” Bruce declared.

“Do what?”

“You risked your life to save mine. The boys refused to tell me what happened, but I saw the footage. You threw yourself in front of me.”

Y/N remained calm as she said, “You did the same for me.”

Bruce shook his head. Because they both knew it wasn’t the same thing.

The truth was that Bruce woke up to find Dick crying over Y/N’s dead body. And then a few minutes he had watched as Dick begged Zatanna to help him.

And Bruce? Bruce had been unconscious when Y/N had needed him the most.

He had protected her all these months – with his own family and his own home – just to be useless in her final moment of need.

When Bruce finally woke up recovered to find out that Y/N had fled the manor, he knew he needed to go to her. He needed to make sure she never did something so stupid as risking her life to save him.

But now Bruce stood before her and he knew he needed to tell her so much more than just that.

“What are you doing here, Bruce? Did you just plan on lecturing me again?”

But Bruce wasn’t realized he couldn’t use any words tonight.

Ever so slowly, he stepped into her space, putting less and less space between their bodies. Y/N could feel the heat coming from him. And she sucked in a gasp from his proximity. She breathed in his cologne that she’d grown to love so much that it instantly relaxed her.

Her heart beat faster and faster as his eyes shifted down to her lips, hesitating in a way that was excruciating to Y/N. But it gave her time to resist, to allow her to shut this down before it could continue.

But Y/N didn’t want to do that.

Bruce brushed her hair away from her face, then his hands shifted slightly to cup her face. His touch wasn’t soft, but insistent.

He pressed his lips to Y/Ns. Brisk and determined. 

The tension finally snapped and pushed them to a passionate kiss that was long overdo.

Was this only going to cause them both more pain in the future?

Or was this what they should’ve done long ago?

Bruce pushed Y/N against a wall.

And then everything became a blur.

Bruce picked Y/N up and wrapped her legs around his waist for her, silently instructing her. 

Clothes were unzipped and unbuttoned, and thrown around the apartment without thought.

Their breathing was heavy and reactive to the way their hands raced across each other’s now naked skin. 

For never being at this particular safe house, Bruce found his way to the bed with ease.

From the movement of their bodies and obvious desire for one another, one thing became clear: they were never meant to only share one night together.

————

Y/N had tried with all her might to stay awake – even if that meant pulling an all-nighter.

She was trying to break the pattern. And even though Bruce had exhausted her body to no end, she didn’t want to wake up to find his side of the bed empty.

But she was shocked to open her eyes and find not only that Bruce was still in her bed, but that she had been sleeping on his bare chest with his arms wrapped tightly around her.

Y/N could feel that he was awake. Apparently he was much more disciplined than her.

Little did she know Bruce hadn’t slept at all, not wanting to miss the feeling of her against him. 

Y/N slowly lifted her head, “Hi.”

He smirked at the sleepiness in her voice.

“Hi."

“Didn’t expect you to be here still,” she admitted quietly.

“I can leave if you want.” And he meant it, even though it would hurt.

“No,” she scolded him in a breathy gasp.

The tension in his body released. 

Y/N shifted off of his chest

“And where do you think you’re going?” Bruce questioned.

She shifted so she was no longer resting on his chest, but laying on her side beside him so she could see his face.

“I just wanted to look at you,” she whispered innocently.

Bruce smirked at her answer.

Y/N made sure the bed sheet was successfully covering her nudity.

Bruce seemed amused with her sudden modesty, but said nothing of it.

“How did you find me here?” Y/N asked him.

It had been the first thing she’d wanted to ask when he showed up to her door last night. But Bruce hadn’t exactly given her a lot of space to speak last night.

Bruce’s jaw tightened, which was a message in its own. 

“Bruceeeee,” Y/N pushed back with irritation.

“You aren’t going to like the answer.”

She glared at him. “Did you put a fucking tracker on me, Bruce Wayne?”

“Your phone.”

“When?” She asked.

“After you tried to turn yourself in to the Talons.”

Y/N sighed, clearly annoyed by the answer.

They both knew she could easily disable it now that she knew about it. Even if he hadn’t confessed it, she would’ve figured it out on her own eventually.

“You’re upset,” Bruce observed.  

“How would you feel if I did the same to you? But it’s…you. And I shouldn’t be surprised.”

“Need I remind you that we only met because you blackmailed me and threatened to expose my identity to the world?”

“You know that wasn’t the same,” she shot back as she rolled her eyes. 

“You’re right.” Bruce sighed. “I promise I will deactivate it.”

“No,” Y/N surprised him by saying. “But I will make you a deal…you can always know where I am if I can know the same for you.”

Bruce knew this was a test. Because Y/N expected him to immediately shoot down such an offer. Couldn’t such information be used against Batman?

“Deal,” he agreed.

Y/N was so shocked by his compliance that her overwhelming emotions forced her to lean into him and capture his lips in a kiss.

“Should I make us breakfast?” She whispered to him after barely pulling away from his lips. 

She lightly bumped her nose against his. 

Bruce nodded with a grin.

But before Y/N could ask what he wanted, a knock at the door interrupted them.

Her heart raced at the thought of another intrusion – and a less welcomed one.  

Bruce frowned, but remained calm.

“Stay here,” he warned before placing a light kiss on her bare shoulder.

Before she could argue, he slipped out of bed.

He put his boxer briefs on, but didn’t bother with a shirt or pants.

Even though Bruce told Y/N to stay put, she still figured a mysterious knock on the door was a sign to put clothes on.

She practically threw on her underwear, but couldn’t find a single piece of clothing she had on yesterday. Yet somehow she found Bruce’s white button down and quickly buttoned on to give herself some semblance of decency.

Bruce looked through the peephole. 

He held his breath.

Bruce would’ve rather it been an attempted attack on Y/N than…this.

“Y/N, I know you’re there,” Dick called from the other side of the door.

Bruce knew she couldn’t hear him. But he knew there was no other choice than to open the door.

Bruce looked apathetic as he faced his first protégé.

But Dick knew Bruce well enough to see that there was guilt hidden underneath.

He took in Bruce’s attire – or really, the lack there of.

Dick huffed out a laugh, “Of course. I should’ve known better.”

He shook his head and turned to leave.

Bruce slammed the door shut and rubbed his face in distress.

Before he could even think of something to say to Y/N, she rushed past him and threw the door open again.

“Dick! Wait!” Y/N called to him and caught him in the hallway.

By some miracle, Dick stopped and turned to her.

He looked her up and down, lingering far too long on the white button down she was wearing that so clearly belonged to Bruce.

“Needed some time alone, huh?” 

Throwing Y/N’s own words back at her was meant to come out harsh and cold. But it ended up sounding heartbroken and betrayed.

And, honestly, that was worse to Y/N.

She have any idea what to say to him.

What would even make him feel better?

So, Y/N just watched Dick slowly walk away.

She stepped back into the safe house with tears in her eyes.

Bruce immediately moved to her. 

“Y/N–”

But Y/N shook her head, stopping him from saying anything more.

“I should go,” Bruce told her. 

He couldn’t help himself as he reached to wipe her tears away.

“I should probably give you your shirt back,” she said between sniffles.

Had the situation been different, it would’ve sounded funny. 

But there was no humor here. 

Bruce’s innocent touch of wiping her tears away made it hard for Y/N to concentrate.

So she escaped into the bedroom and quickly changed into her own clothes.

When she walked back out, she had all of Bruce’s stuff in her arms.

Once Bruce was in his clothes again, he didn’t know what to do or say next.

It was hard for Bruce to leave Y/N when she was so visibly upset. Dick wasn’t here to make Y/N feel better this time...and that was all Bruce’s fault.

“I’m not used to saying bye to you,” Y/N finally broke the tension.

Bruce’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”

A sad look flashed across her face as she processed her thoughts. “Usually I wake up…and you’re gone. You don’t even give me a chance to.”

Bruce bowed his head in shame. “I shouldn’t have done that to you,” he finally admitted to her.

Y/N nodded slowly, agreeing with him.

“But you did,” she whispered. 

Her voice sounded congested from all the tears she just shed. 

“And all this time, I let myself think it was OK or even that I was the one who had messed it all up.”

Bruce quickly shook his head. “You didn’t do anything wrong, Y/N.”

Her eyes darkened. “Why did you have to make it so hard to stay away from you, Bruce?”

An he knew he deserved that. “I’ve been selfish,” he confessed.

Bruce hesitated before giving her a slow kiss on the cheek.

It was the first time Y/N had ever seen him unsure of himself.

Without saying anything more, he turned and left.

“Goodbye, Bruce.” Y/N whispered long after he could still hear her.

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

Part XI

Did I ruin your life? Let me know 😂

[marauderundercover]

Taking Chances Ch. 11: Blast from the Past (Siblings)

AO3

Prev

Swinging side by side with her father was an amazing experience. Marinette tried hard to stifle her laughter, figuring Batman wouldn’t appreciate it if word got around that the newest vigilante was a giggler. He swings to the next roof and pauses, Marinette frowning as he listens to something on his comm.

“Alright. All hands on deck. Robin, you’ll stay on the roof with Ladybird.” He instructs, Marinette frowns. Was he really sticking her younger brother on babysitting duty? And why couldn’t she go wherever it is he’s going?

“What’s happening?” She asks, crossing her arms.

“There are several crates of weapons and a few dozen armed men in a warehouse a mile out from here. You and Robin are going to stay on the roof to make sure no one leaves before the police arrive.” He instructs before turning and grappling away. Marinette frowns, but follows behind him. Does he really not think that she can handle herself? And she knows this is going to cause problems with Damian. He already doesn’t like her and now he has to stay with her. She watches as he swoops down into the warehouse and she lands silently on the roof.

“I do not appreciate this.” Robin says, stepping out of the shadows with crossed arms. Although she can’t see his eyes behind his mask, Marinette knows he’s glaring at her. She just rolls her eyes.

“I don’t either. I don’t need someone watching me 24/7. I can take care of myself.” She says, and with a sudden jolt, she realizes this is the first time he’s willingly speaking to her. The first time they’re talking and it’s to argue. Lovely.

“If you had simply stayed away, then I would have been allowed to follow Father. Instead, I am being punished for your insolence.” He adds. Is he going to lecture her the entire time Batman and the others are fighting in the warehouse, she thinks, raising an eyebrow. She starts to snark back, but a shadow moving behind him pulls her attention instead. Narrowing her eyes, she watches as a figure steps out of the shadow, a gun raised at her.

“Well well well. What do we have here?” The man asks, a smirk on his face. Marinette glances at Robin, trying to see if he recognizes the voice. She doesn’t see any recognition, so she immediately catalogues the man as an unknown threat. Chances were that he was involved with the group currently fighting in the warehouse and not an actual Batman level villain. But he still had a gun, so she wouldn’t underestimate him. Robin turns to face the man and he immediately takes the gun off Marinette, pointing it instead at Robin’s head. Marinette narrows her eyes. She may not know him very well, but he was still her little brother. And she wasn’t about to let some stupid goon threaten him. Flicking her wrist, she aims her yoyo at the man’s gun, smirking as she manages to yank it from his grasp. She catches the gun as it flies back with her yoyo, holding it carefully and trying to ignore the internal panic. She’d never held a gun before, never wanted to or had a reason to. And she really didn’t want to hold it now, but she didn’t want the man to know that she was scared of the gun, because that would give him an advantage. She just grins at the dumbfounded look on the man’s face, his shock enough so that Robin was able to knock him down without a fight. He pulls a zip tie out of his utility belt and ties the man’s hands together.

“Well that was disappointing. I was hoping for more of a fight.” Marinette teases, hoping that the tension between her and Robin would break. She watches as his lips purse slightly, not sure what the expression meant.

“I hardly think one buffoon with a gun would be much of a fight for either of us.” He finally says, and her eyes light up. Success!

“But if it was the right foe, they could surely take you down.” A new voice says, and this time Marinette can practically feel the tension rolling off of Robin.

“Slade.” He says, obviously tensing for a fight.

“Damian. I wasn’t aware you were in possession of a Miraculous.” The man, Slade, says, turning towards her. Marinette stiffens, uncomfortable by both his words and the fact that she can’t see the man’s face because of his costume.

“I’m not in possession of anything.” He says, his jaw clenched. Marinette shifts into a defensive position, desperately wishing that she had a comm. Surely the rest of the family had heard this man’s intrusion through Robin. But she wished she could hear them. Whether it was giving information about the man or reassurance that the rest of them would be there soon, she wanted to hear them.

“Tell me, little girl, how did you stumble upon one of the most powerful pieces of magic in the universe? And why haven’t I met you before?” He asks, stepping towards them. Glaring at the man, Marinette steps forward so that she’s standing in line with Robin, unwilling to cower behind her brother.

“I don’t think we run in the same circles. And I assure you, I didn’t stumble across anything. I was chosen to wield this Miraculous.” She says, shoving false confidence in her tone when all she wanted was to grab Robin and run. Slade oozed a sense of wrongness and danger. Not a combination she wanted anywhere near her or her family.

“Mmm. Perhaps not. But we’ll never know, will we. I’m going to have to ask you for that Miraculous now, dear.” He says, her eyes narrow.

“I’m not sure if that’s worked for you in the past, but it’s not going to work today. You’re not the first creep in a mask asking for my Miraculous.” She snarks, hand twitching as she analyzes him and tries to come up with a plan. Without any warning, he lunges towards them, a sword suddenly in his grasp. Marinette jumps back, going on the defense as Robin lunges forward with his own katana. Marinette flits around both of them, throwing her yoyo at Slade every time he got too close to Robin. It was obvious the man was well trained, and it was also obvious that he had little patience for the two.

“You’ve improved, but you’re still not good enough.” He hisses, lunging towards Robin, his sword aimed at the boy’s chest. Marinette lunges towards them, shoving Robin out of the way. She shrieks in pain as Slade slides his sword into her shoulder. She can’t see the man’s face, but she can just imagine his smirk. He puts his other hand on his sword, and she just knows he’s going to twist. She can’t let that happen. So instead, she jerks back, screaming as she pulls herself off the sword. Robin launches himself at Slade once again, furiously slashing at the man. Slade lifts his sword up and Marinette flicks out her yoyo, grunting in pain as she irritates her shoulder. But she’s able to wrap her yoyo around the man’s wrist. Smirking, she tugs roughly, pulling the man off balance enough so that Robin can disarm him. Just as she lets her shoulders relax, Slade yanks his arm, tugging her to him. She yelps in pain as he wraps her into a chokehold. Staring at Robin, she tries not to panic. They’re gonna come for them, right? The rest of her family? Surely they’ve beaten those goons by now. They definitely heard the problem on the roof through Robin’s comm, right?

“Unhand her.” Robin says, shifting his position now that he has two swords.

“I don’t think I will. Not for free, anyway. You want her alive for some reason.” Slade says, tightening his hold. Marinette lets out a choked breath, desperately trying to pull in enough oxygen.

“What do you want?” Robin asks, Marinette tries to shake her head, already guessing what the man wants. She’d rather die than give some psycho the power of Tikki. Not only could he destroy the world, but Paris would also be lost without the Miraculous Cure.

“Her earrings. Let me take them, and I’ll let her live….this time.” He says.

“No….don’t...not..worth it.” Marinette manages to say, just barely able to shake her head. She gags as Slade tightens his grip again, black spots dotting her vision.

“Ladybird-” Robin says, and Marinette is certain she’s hallucinating now. Because he almost sounds pained.

“Don’t.” She begs, fighting to stay conscious. As she watches him, she sees a smirk make its way onto his face. That’s good. Good. Smirking brother means….what does it mean? She’s not sure. All she knows is that suddenly, the pressure on her neck is gone. She falls to her knees, gasping for breath and wincing at the burning in her shoulder. Too much. Too much all at once. A hand on her good shoulder shakes her from her thoughts and she weakly hits at it.

“Ladybird, it’s me.” A voice says. She blinks, opening her eyes, wincing at the pain enveloping her. Looking closer at the figure, she sighs in relief, letting herself slump down. She’s safe. Arms pick her up gently and she smiles softly, tiredness hitting her as the adrenaline finally fades. Curling in closer, she mumbles into Batman’s chest.

“Thanks dad.”

---

Bruce Wayne was pissed. And the only person who could piss him off so much was himself. He’d left Damian and Marinette on the roof alone because he thought they’d be safer. He didn’t think the two would be able to get into any trouble up there. Of course he would be wrong. Of course Slade Wilson would choose tonight to come after Damian. And of course the man just had to know about the Miraculous.

Hearing his daughter’s pained screams over his son’s comm would haunt his nightmares. It’d likely become the unholy symphony over the images of Jason’s broken body and Damian’s limp form. Images that’d haunted him for years and would continue to do so until he dies. When he was young, his nightmares were just of his parents. But he had seen things much worse since becoming a father. And now he’d heard much worse. Shaking his head, he tries hard to hold onto the one bright part of the evening.

Marinette had called him dad.

It was the first time she’d called him anything other than ‘Mr. Wayne’. His heart warmed at the thought, but everything came crashing down again when he remembered. Slade Wilson was gone. He’d managed to get away while his focus was on Marinette’s wellbeing. Which means his daughter was now in even more danger. Damian had informed him of the man’s obsession with the Miraculous. It was something they’d need to talk about, but not tonight. After she passed out in his arms, he brought her back to the manor. Alfred stitched her shoulder, and Bruce brought her to her room. It wasn’t decorated yet, but he’d made sure to pick out a room for her after finding out about her. Even if she didn’t want anything to do with them after this, she’d always have a room here.

Sighing, Bruce sticks his head into Marinette’s room, just to reassure himself that she was there. That she was safe. It was something he did with each of his kids, every time they were injured. Every time he was afraid that he would lose them. The sight in front of him makes him pause and pull out his phone to take a picture. They might be mad at him for it later, but he’d curse himself forever if he let this moment slip away. All of his children were piled in Marinette’s room. The girl herself was on the bed, curled into a ball despite her injured shoulder. At the foot of her bed was Damian, his face peaceful for once. Jason, Dick and Tim were all in a pile on the floor, pillows and blankets scattered both beneath them and on top of them. They were an impossibly tangled pile of limbs, guarding their youngest sister. He smiles softly, eyes finally falling on Cass curled up in an armchair that she must’ve pulled next to Marinette’s bed. Satisfied that all were well, Bruce shuts the door gently, not wanting to risk waking any of them.

His children were together, and safe. For now.

Next

Tag list: @maribat-bdbwm @vixen-uchiha @stainedglassm @liquid-luck-00 @jayjayspixiepop @jjmjjktth @mizzy-pop @trippingovermyfeet @queenz-z @thepaceperson @iloontjeboontje @waiting247 @laurcad123 @toodaloo-kangaroo @ritacrow-blog @deathssilentapproach-blog @kittenmywaythrulife @nerd-nowandforever @tazanna-blythe @when-no-wings-do-broomsticks @imarivers8

[awhitehead17]

Batfam Alphabet: L - Language 

Summary: Jason doesn’t hesitate to drag his brothers down with him when Bruce starts reprimanding him about the type of language he uses on a daily basis. 

Enjoy! :D 

“Well this is just a load of bullshit! Why do they have to intervene? We’re perfectly capable of handling this.” Jason huffs and crosses his arms over his chest as he leans back in his chair. He can’t believe what he's hearing.

On the opposite side of the table Bruce levels him with a hard look. “Watch your language Jason.”

Jason blinks before sitting up straight. “What, it’s not like the kid is currently around to overhear."

“Jason!”

Glaring at the man, Jason scowls. This seems to be a regular topic of conversation between them recently because according to Bruce Jason swears too much, especially when he’s around Damian. The man, for whatever reason, wants Jason to be a good role model for the kid and apparently that includes him not swearing.

So now anytime he swears, Bruce points it out with a matching scolding tone and expression.

It’s a ridiculous notion because Jason being who he is was brought up with swearing, living on the streets for so many years exposed him to all kinds of things, one of which being the language people use. Swearing is just part of his vocabulary, half of the time he isn’t even aware he is doing it. As long as he’s not swearing at someone, then surely there should be some leniency.

“Oh come on!” He exclaims with a wave of his hands. “He’s been raised as an assassin, he was already tainted before we even met. Me saying a few words isn’t doing any harm.”

Before Bruce could respond a new voice joins the conversation. “To be fair you do swear a lot. Maybe you should try and tone it down.”

Jason turns to his right to glare at his older brother who’s lounging comfortably next to him. “Oh fuck off, Dick, no one asked for your opinion.”

Dick stares back unimpressed, he raises both eyebrows as if to say, “really?”

Jason recalls what he said and grits his teeth.

He points menacingly at Dick. “That doesn’t prove anything. Quite frankly I grew up in Crime Alley, of course I’m gonna swear, you hear it every minute in that place and typically as a kid you’re gonna pick up the habit. You know what they say old habits die hard.”

“Just like you did?” A different voice retorts with a snort.

Jason switches his gaze to Tim, who is opposite him next to Bruce currently playing with his phone, and blinks at him in surprise. “Uh, excuse me? I don’t know whether to be insulted or proud by that.”

It’s usually only him who makes death jokes so it’s come as a surprise to find Tim making one, a well-timed one too. Jason shakes his head, he’ll deal with those emotions at another time.

“Anyway, if we’re talking about who swears too much then why aren’t you giving Tim a lecture? He swears like a bloody sailor. If anyone needs reprimanding on his language it’s him!”

Tim abruptly stops fiddling with his phone and looks up, he rolls his eyes and glowers at him. “Jesus Christ that’s so immature Jason. How old are you, 10? I’m no way near as bad as you.”

His response gets a gleeful chuckle out of Jason. He knows exactly how the next few minutes are about to play out and he can’t wait. While the focus of the conversation had been on him, he’s glad for the opportunity to move it onto someone else and Tim happens to be perfect for the new spotlight.

Without any hesitation Jason digs into his pocket and grabs his phone. Once he has the device in hand he starts searching for the video he has saved for this very purpose. Call him petty, but he knew it would be good blackmail material one day.

“Oh really?” He drawls out, finally finding the video he had been looking for, “then what do I have here…” Jason clicks play and puts it on speaker so everyone in the room would be able to hear the audio.

After a second the sound of Tim’s voice could be heard. The teenager was clearly angry about something and certainly wasn’t holding back from letting his anger be known through his choice of words.

“You bloody bastard, why won’t you work you piece of shit. By god this is pissing me off now, I’ve been at this all fucking day and you’re still not fucking working. I am going to kill…”

The recording lasts for about a minute and is filled with Tim swearing his head off, cursing at everything and everyone and making empty threats. Once it’s finished Jason turns his phone off, puts it back in his pocket and leans back in his chair feeling smug about the situation.

“I rest my case.”

His words are met with a stunned silence in the room. Tim is blushing hard with his head buried in his hands. Next to him Bruce looks concerned, probably for Tim’s mental health and wellbeing. Dick’s staring at Tim with shock spread across his features.

After a few beats Tim lifts his head from his hands but keeps his eyes down staring at the table so he could avoid everyone’s eyes. “Okay in my defence the technology was really piss–annoying me. It wouldn’t work and I couldn’t work out why so I got frustrated and that happened.”

His response makes Jason snort and causes Dick to shake his head in disbelief. He knew Tim could be feisty but until that moment he never realised how bad his temper could get. Jason’s honestly impressed. However that doesn’t mean he’s letting Tim get away with it, especially when he’s getting blamed for something Tim does just as much of as him.

If he's going down then he’s dragging Tim down with him. It’s just unfortunate that he doesn’t have anything on Dick.

Jason’s broken out of his thoughts on ways he could get blackmail material on Dick when Tim speaks up again. He’s finally looking up at everyone though his still flushed face shows his prior embarrassment.

“Let’s be honest, is swearing really all that bad? As long as we’re not swearing at people then I think it’s fine. We’re not harming anyone. Who cares if we swear a little too much. And anyway, doesn’t everyone swear at some point?”

“Clark doesn’t.” Dick pipes up next to him.

Jason snorts. “That’s because big blue is a boy scout, of course he isn’t going to swear. He doesn’t count. Plus we’re from Gotham after all, it’s not like this is the most impeccable place in the world.”

Dick becomes thoughtful, humming his response. “Yeah that’s true I guess.”

“Boys.”

The three brother’s all turn and look at Bruce who had called for their attention. Jason had forgotten the man was even there, he had surprisingly been quiet until now. Maybe it’s because Clark was brought into the conversation, it must have peaked his interest. Jason files that information away for later.

“It doesn’t matter how much any of you swear, you shouldn’t do it at all. Damian is still young, he doesn’t need to grow up listening to that sort of language despite his initial upbringing.” Bruce firmly says, looking at each of them in turn. “You all know better and have good manners, going forward I expect you to use them.”

As Bruce rattles on about proper manners and the importance of them, Jason finds himself resisting the urge to smile. With every second that passes, it threatens to break out on his face. What makes matters worse is that he knows he shouldn’t smile, this isn’t a smiling matter considering how serious Bruce is being but the man is making it difficult to concentrate and to take the topic seriously.

Jason glances to the right to find Dick staring at Bruce with a hand covering the lower part of his face and Jason can tell that his brother is in the exact same boat as he is.

Apparently all it takes for him to break is Dick to glance at him and for them to make eye contact.

After that Jason couldn’t help himself but to burst out laughing, next to him Dick also breaks out into a fit of giggles. They laugh for a good while until they’re able to start calming down, by that point Jason’s cheeks are hurting and he even had tears forming in his eyes. As he takes a deep breath to compose himself he makes the mistake of looking over at Dick again, Dick looks back at him too and just like that they fall into another uncontrollable laughing fit.

While laughing Jason gets a glimpse of a confused looking Tim and a disappointed Bruce, but it’s Bruce’s scowling expression that triggers off another wave of giggles.

It takes even longer for the two of them to calm down. As he sits there Jason repeatedly takes deep breaths in order to collect himself. Once he’s calmed down a little, now able to breathe somewhat normally, he could feel how his sides are aching, how his cheeks hurt from the wide smiling and the tears coming from his eyes. He can’t remember the last time he laughed so hard that it hurt, and over something so trivial nonetheless.

When it feels like he’s finally composed himself he risks a glance at Dick to find his brother also in the state of calming down though there’s still a wide grin on face. He then looks at Bruce who is still staring at the two of them with his disappointed look. That’s almost enough to set himself off again. Almost.

“If you’re both quite done, we have important business to discuss, may I remind you that being the reason we’re meeting to begin with.”

“Hey, you’re the one who started on the whole language topic that derailed us in the beginning.” Jason defends himself and his brother’s. All Bruce does is huff at that, knowing Jason is right and can’t defend himself against it otherwise. Jason smirks victoriously.

Opposite him, Tim sighs loudly and makes a show to sitting up straight and sorting out some of the paperwork between them all on table. “Enough already, can we just go over the details and the police reports again and get to the end of this. I have better things to do than hear everyone bicker about language and manners.”

Dick gives the youngest a side look. “What you got planned? Is that who you were messaging just now? Is it your boyfriend?”

“What? No. Just friends. I ain’t telling you.” Tim snaps glaring at Dick.

Jason whistles. “Timmy’s getting some tonight then eh? Make sure to stay safe and use protection.”

“Jason!”

“Well he’s not wrong Tim, but where are you going? We need to know so if something happens we know where to look first.” Dick’s looking more concerned by the minute and Jason could see the flip switch from carefree older brother to over-bearing mother hen.

Tim blinks at them before turning his gaze to Bruce. In a whining voice he pleads the man, “Bruce, get them to stop!”

To begin with all Bruce does is run a hand over his face like he’s regretting every life choice he’s made and how he would rather be anywhere else but here. After a moment he sends exasperated looks at his eldest sons.

“Not much more to go, then we should be all caught up and ready to proceed with the case further tomorrow. Is it too much to ask for your full attention for the remaining hour?”

Jason sighs and sits up straighter, knowing play time is over and it’s time to be serious. One more hour won’t hurt, then afterwards there’s nothing stopping him from having a little fun is there. He nods at Bruce and picks up the piece of paper closet to him to examine the page. Dick does the same and finally Bruce proceeds with their meeting.

[bumblesimagines]

Green Thumb

Part 15

Request: Yes or No

Nebula and Tonys friendship was v cute and we deserved to see Tony be a dad to her. This feels v short so I'm sorry

~

"Maybe some company will do you good, (Y/N)." Natasha said softly, rubbing your arm. You stayed silent, staring at the table. Rhodes had offered you your old room back but you couldn't give him an answer. Your gaze shifted to the glass of water, brows furrowing when the water in the glass began to move. Natasha followed your gaze.

"I'm not doing that." You said softly, glancing at her. Steve entered the room, heading towards the exit.

"Something's coming." He called. Rhodes and Bruce quickly followed him out. You stood up, doing the same. You walked out onto the field, seeing Pepper staring up at a ship. You watched the woman set it down, looking back at you all. Steve ran forward, helping Tony off the ship. Pepper sobbed, running forward as well. You turned, walking back towards the facility.

"Great, the douchebag survived." You muttered, opening the door and sitting back down. You knew loss would come with trying to save the world but you didn't expect to lose everyone you loved. Clint and Natasha were still around but they were grieving as well.

"(Y/N), this is Carol Danvers, a friend of Fury." Natasha said as she entered the room. You turned to look at the blonde, giving a small nod. You watched as Rhodes pulled up images of everyone who had been lost to catch Tony up. Your gaze dropped onto the table when you saw your friends images appear.

"World governments are in pieces. He did.. He did exactly what he was planning to do. He wiped out.. 50 percent of all living creatures." Natasha explained, voices getting softer. You took in a shakey breath, sitting up and glancing at everyone. You made eye contact with Tony. He was skinny and weak but he held sadness in his eyes.

"Is Barton..?" Tony trailed off.

"Clint survived... Laura and the kids are gone." You told him, voice threatening to crack. Tony inhaled deeply, nodding.

"Where is Thanos? Where is he now?" Tony asked, looking at Steve. Steve frowned.

"We don't know. He just.. Opened a portal and walked through." Steve said, staring down at the floor. Tony hummed, turning to look at Thor.

"What's wrong with him?"

"He's pissed. He thinks he failed. Which, yeah he did but so did the rest of us." The talking raccoon, Rocket, said. You didn't have enough energy to question how a raccoon ended up in space, much less question how it could talk.

"Honestly, until this exact last second, I thought you were a build-a-bear." Tony said, looking at him.

"Maybe I am." Rocket muttered in a tired and defeated tone.

"Thanos has been missing for three weeks now. We've got nothing. Tony, you fought him."

"Who told you that? No, he wiped my face with a planet while the magician gave away the stone. That's what happened. There was no fight-"

"Okay, okay.. Did he give you any clues?" Steve asked. Tony blew some raspberries, shrugging. You sighed at his childish response.

"I had a vision. I didn't want to believe it.. Thought I was dreaming-"

"Tony, I need you to focus."

"-And I needed you. As in past tense. That trumps what you need. You know what I need?" Tony knocked over some glasses, standing up from his wheelchair. "I need to shave."

"Tony, Tony, stop." Rhodes approached him as Tony ripped off his IV needle.

"What we needed was a suit of armour around the world! Remember that? Whether it impacted our precious freedoms or not." Tony looked over everyone.

"Your project got Sokovia destroyed and ruined." You reminded him, finger running over the rim of the glass cup. Tony began stumbling as he argued with Steve, stumbling towards him. He ripped off the Arc reactor, putting it in Steve's hand before falling to the ground. He fainted afterwards so Rhodes and Steve got him to the medical unit.

"This is such a shitshow. I'm going home." You said, standing up and picking up the glass. Natasha turned towards you.

"Stay for a little longer-"

"For what? So I can be told nothing's gonna bring back by family? My best friends? I had nothing then I had something and now I have nothing again." You flinched when the cup shattered, pieces of glass and water landing on the ground. You sighed softly, taking the shards stuck in your skin out.

"Sorry. I'll clean this up." You mumbled, using your other hand to get the water off the floor. Carol blinked, watching in surprise. You opened one of the cabinets, pulling out the first aid kit. You turned your head when Carol stood beside you.

"Hey." You breathed out, running your hand under water to wash away some of the blood. Carol picked up the antibiotic cream, using a cotton ball to dab it onto your cuts. You didn't really feel like healing yourself.

"I'm sorry you lost so many people." She said quietly, picking up the bandages and wrapping them around your hand.

"Well, shit happens." You looked at your bandaged palm, sighing softly.

"I lost two best friends." Carol said, leaning against the counter.

"Nick and Monica, the daughter of a good friend." Carol looked at you, arms crossing.

"Sams' sister calls nonstop and I don't know what to tell her. She has two toddlers, both parents passed away, and she's a widow. How can I tell her that her older brother turned into dust and I couldn't do anything to save him? Dad and I can't even look at each other without noticing how empty the house feels. I wake up everyday hoping it was all a nightmare but then I don't hear Laura telling the kids to get up or Clint going on about teaching Lila archery." You looked away from her, eyes watering. Carol placed a gentle hand on your arm, giving it a light squeeze.

"You did what you could. What you have to do now is be there for the people who are still here. Your friends sister needs you. She needs someone familiar. Someone close to Sam and someone who was there in his last moments." Carol said, watching you.

"You'll never get back up if you keep knocking yourself down." She said softly. You let out a shakey sigh, nodding and sniffling. Carol offered you a napkin, patting your back before she walked away. You wiped away your tears and splashed some water on your face, patting your face dry. You turned and grabbed the broom and collector, taking care of the glass. You put the first aid kit away as Carol re-entered the room with Natasha and Steve following.

"Hey, we usually do things as a team here." Natasha said as Carol spun around to look at her.

"We realize up there is your territory but this is our fight too." Steve added.

"Do you even know where he is?" Rhodes asked, head tilting. Carol shrugged lightly.

"I know people who might."

"Don't bother." You looked at the blue android girl, Nebula.

"I can tell you where Thanos is." She revealed. The humans glanced at each other before gathering in the office to hear what she had to say. You leaned against the doorway, semi interested.

"Thanos spent a long time trying to perfect me. When he worked he talked about his great plan. Even disassembled I wanted to please him.. I'd ask where we would go once his plan was complete. His answer was always the same." Nebula turned her head to look at everyone. "To the garden."

"That's cute. Thanos has a retirement plan." Rhodes mumbled as Rocket climbed onto the table, making a hologram of Earth appear.

"When Thanos snapped his fingers, Earth became ground zero for ridiculously high cosmic proportions. Nobody's ever seen anything like it." Rocket said, making the hologram change to a different planet.

"Until two days ago on this planet." Rocket motioned to the planet shown. Nebula nodded, leaning forward.

"He used the stones again." Natasha whispered. Everyones attention shifted onto the planet.

"You can count me out. I have a therapy session soon." You called, turning around and walking down the steps.

"You go to therapy?" Rhodes asked, brows furrowing as he turned to face you.

"Yeah, it's called napping."

~~~~~~~~~~

You entered the house, taking in a deep breath. Neither you or Clint dared clean up the place. Everything was left exactly how it had been left after Thanos snapped his fingers. You entered the livingroom, gaze landing on the metal on the ground. You sighed softly, picking up the monitor. Clint had broken it. Clint not following the rules of his house arrest was probably the least of the governments problems. You tossed it onto the couch, walking to the kitchen and opening the fridge.

"Beer, beer, beer, leftovers, beer." You mumbled as you sorted through the fridge. You shut the fridge, looking at the drawings and pictures pinned to it with magnets. You swallowed, leaving the kitchen. You stepped over the Legos on the ground, going to the front door. You watched as Clint drew an arrow, shooting it at a target in the distance. All Clint did was practice. Probably to get his mind off things.

"Should I head into town for food?" You called out. Clint stayed silent so you took it as a no. You took out your phone, looking at the contact.

Sarah Wilson

You watched it ring, guilt creeping into your heart. You sighed, licking your lips and answering.

"Hello?"

"Oh, thank god! I've been trying to reach you for the past few weeks. I haven't heard anything yet about Sam and the others. How is Sam? Is he with you?"

"Sam.." You started, biting down on your lip as you shut your eyes. You let out a heavy sigh, taking a seat on the stairs.

"I should explain everything in person, Sarah. I'm not gonna make you wait until I get to Louisiana. Sam.. He, uh.. He didn't make it. I'm s-sorry." You sniffled, hearing a soft gasp leave Sarah.

"Oh, God.." She whispered.

"I-I'll stop by. I tell you everything but.. Sam.. Sam was a hero until the end." You said softly, hearing the kids in the background. You were relieved she wasn't completely alone.

"C-Could you just stay with me on the phone?" Sarah asked softly.

"Yeah, of course." You replied, answering her softly cry.

"What the hell am I gonna do now? Half the folks in town are gone and.." Sarah sniffled. You listened to her soft sniffles and sobs, sighing softly.

"I'm not gonna leave you, Sarah. Sam would have my head if I did." You smiled softly, hearing her chuckle.

"Thank you."