You're Just Like Quicksand
Fandom: DC Comics, Batfam, Batman Beyond
Summary: Jason Todd is ready to go into semi-retirement after fifteen years working with troubled youth, but one case in particular forces him to confront the sins of his youth and painful memories from his past.
Chapters: 8/?
Characters: Jason Todd, Terry McGinnis, Warren McGinnis, Mary McGinnis, Matt McGinnis, Bruce Wayne, Original Character(s)
Relationship(s): TBA
Additional Tags: Protective Jason Todd, Good Sibling Jason Todd, Retired Jason Todd, Multiple POV, Hurt/Comfort, Parent-Child Relationships, Canon Divergent AU, Angst, Mourning Jason Todd
Chapter Eight: No Doubt About It (Terry McGinnis' POV)
I couldn’t fight my way out. My adrenaline wouldn’t let me give up, but my mind knew I was outnumbered. They managed to cage me in. I hit a few of them. I know I did, but it didn’t take long for them to overpower and beat me to a pulp. I thought it would never stop. And then it did. Once my ears stopped ringing, I heard a shout. It was deep and resounding. It was Jason. “No one moves!” Jason shouted.
“No one move,” one of the pumpkinheads mocked.
One of my eyes swelled shut, but I watched him with the other as he knocked kids unconscious left and right. It took him twenty seconds max to take them out, and then he carried me over his shoulder to his car. “You okay, Terry?” Jason asked.
“Jason?” I asked.
“I’m gonna take you to the hospital. The police are on their way, and your school’s cameras caught you running away. You’re not in any trouble,” Jason explained. His voice was softer and calmer than usual. I reached out and grabbed his wrist. “It’s okay. Focus on my voice. That’s all you need to do.”
He started rambling about a castle in a graveyard town and a king with ghosts for children. I couldn’t find any meaning in his words. It seemed like a dark fairytale. I must’ve passed out because I woke up in the hospital with my father holding my hand. “Jason never left your side,” Dad smiled. I looked to my other side, and Jason sat in a chair, fast asleep, holding a little girl.
“Who’s the kid?” I asked.
“He’s a grandfather,” Dad replied, “It’s a shock to me, too.”
Jason sniffed and sat up. “Sorry, I must’ve dozed. Terry, how’re you doing?” Jason muttered, still half-asleep.
“I’ve been better,” I replied, “Thanks for getting me… But—. Where’d you learn to fight like that?”
“It was mostly adrenaline,” Jason whispered, “Next weekend, I’d like to invite you both to dinner at my home. I insist.”
“Oh, Jason. We couldn’t possibly—.”
“It would be comforting for me. Besides, I’ve had an awful day, and it’d be nice to have my friend over for dinner,” Jason interrupted. My dad smiled.
“Well, when you put it that way… Jason, we’ll be there,” Dad replied. Jason groaned as he stood up, still holding his granddaughter.
“See you guys soon. I’ve gotta take my snuggah bug home to eat. Call me whenever,” Jason whispered. He smiled, but it seemed painful.
Jason left me with my dad, and we stared at each other. “Do you think he’s too cool to be my friend?” Dad asked. I smiled.
“It makes sense that you guys would be friends. It makes you cooler because he said it first,” I answered. Dad looked at my hand. “I don’t wanna change schools.”
“I know you don’t. How do we make this work?” Dad questioned. It was the first time he ever asked me to make a big decision. I didn’t know what to tell him.
“I have to be more careful… Dad, I—. Do you think there’s something wrong with me?” I asked. He let go of my hand and pushed my bangs out of my face.
“No, Terry… Why would you—? Why would you say that?” Dad questioned. His voice was soft as he failed to hide the concern in his voice. Dad could never hide when something bothered him.
“Dad, when I—. I thought I’d be scared, but I was—. I was so—. I had a rush, even though I knew it was a fight I couldn’t win. I—. You’re looking at me with that face... Something changed between you and me… And it was before I got into trouble. What is it, Dad? What do you see that I can’t?” I asked.
“It’s the opposite, Terry. I don’t know what I see sometimes… And that terrifies me,” Dad answered. He reached for Terry and touched his forehead. “Terry, I love you. That’s all I know for sure. I would do anything for you.”
“I love you too, Dad,” I replied. I didn’t say it enough. I know I didn’t. There used to be a time when I’d say it every time I saw him. Things were better then.
Dad looked at the machine behind my head and sighed. “Your mom’s gonna lose it when she sees your face…”
“Did you tell Mom I was in the hospital?” I asked.
“I had to. Mom’s stuck in traffic, but she’s on her way here,” Dad answered. Great…
“Dad—.”
“Do you remember when you broke your arm when you were six?” Dad interrupted.
“Huh? Yeah… I remember,” I answered.
“I’ve always hated—.” Dad gagged, and I sat up in bed, wincing as I clutched my ribs. “Sorry, I don’t know what I—.” He made cards come out of his mouth, and a nurse passing by chuckled. It was my favorite trick as a kid. I smiled. Afterward, he always took out a handkerchief and wiped his mouth. That was my favorite part.
“You got me,” I smiled.
**
Mom arrived at the hospital in tears. I hated it when she cried. “Mom… Mom, I’m alright,” I reassured her. She hugged me, and I winced.
“Terry, how did this happen?” Mom questioned.
“Dregs caught me off guard at school, and they jumped me… Jason showed up—.”
“Gangs, Terry?” Mom interrupted.
“I’m not in a gang anymore, Mom. You don’t have to worry about that. I promise… This happens sometimes when people leave gangs—.”
“So, when is this gonna end?” Mom questioned. “When they—. When they kill you? Oh god, Terry.” Mom covered her mouth, and Dad stared into space. He always did that when he was overwhelmed. I don’t think it occurred to him that someone could kill me for leaving the gang. Dad was a straight-laced guy… As far as I knew.
“Mom, that’s not gonna happen. Okay? Look at me… No one’s gonna kill me. And I’m not running away,” I replied. Mom couldn’t stop crying, and I wished it would stop.
“Terry, I don’t know—. I can’t—. I can’t calm down,” Mom wept. I squeezed her hand and smiled.
“I’m not going anywhere, Mom,” I replied.
“Jason was there? How did—?”
“I called him,” Dad interrupted. I was surprised to hear his voice. “And he—. He didn’t have a scratch on him.” Dad sounded far away. “Even with his adrenaline pumping—.”
“Yeah, he used to be a cage fighter,” I replied.
“A cage fighter turned mentor?” Mom questioned as she wiped her tears away.
Dad chuckled. “Gotham never changes… Does it?” Dad asked. Mom chewed her lip. “We shouldn’t be surprised.”
I grinned as I shut my eyes. “Jason’s so schway… You should’ve seen it,” I replied. My parents quieted, and I felt my mom’s hand sift through my hair. I knew it was her hand from how cautious she was. I missed seeing my mom. Maybe she missed me too. I hoped she did.
Despite my exhaustion, I couldn’t sleep. I lay still, trying to relax, but my mind kept playing over everything that had happened. Something about Jason made me feel normal. I used to think adults didn’t understand kids, but Jason was different. I believed he knew everything there was to know about me. He knew me —no doubt about it. Jason and I were the same. Or at least he remembered what it was like when he was like me.
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Lover. Fighter. - A Concept
Everybody says there's two kinds of hearts
Where one loves and one goes to war
I know, it's not easy or that simplified, no
But you and I are on each others side
I know, it's not easy or that simplified, no
But don't you know that I'd lay down my life
I will be your Lover. Fighter. Harder. Higher.
Lover. Fighter.
I wanna fight for Lover. Fighter. Under fire
Lover. Fighter.
I wanna fight for love
--- [Playlist] ---
Word Count: 1879
Concept: After being released into the world on the anniversary of Markus’ Hart Plaza march, the RK900 model is sent to Detroit PD. Said to be deviant proof, many want to test that theory... But there are more pressing matters, threats to lives in D.C. due to the ever increasing number of protests lead Nines to his first real test. And she doesn’t like him much, either...
Warnings: Mentions of violence and death threats.
A/N: This is only a prologue to the above ‘concept’ I have some more info for you in the tags though! 😊 Had to post this for the anniversary! It’s been in my drafts since May 9th 2022... 😅
---
In the just over 18 months since Markus’ march on Hart Plaza, plenty had already changed in the world. That was just in the immediate circle of the movement and their allies within Detroit Police Department. Connor hadn’t given up his role as a detective, and nowadays he had almost as many rights as his human counterparts – give or take a few, Markus and co. were in Washington D.C. seemingly every other weekend negotiating something or other.
Cyberlife had turned into something more of an android repair shop and upgrade centre. Those who chose to remain with their human families certainly needed such things – and those who didn’t could still drop by. Even with Jericho also open to welcome and service all commers. And – like it or not – certain androids still needed to return to Cyberlife for such tuning. Connor being a prime example – though these days he hardly ever went unaccompanied. And, Kamski was more or less back in the driver’s seat, so… it was unlikely anything untoward was going down.
With one notable exception. Nines.
The RK-900 model was released exactly a year after Markus’ revolution – that was no coincidence. Cyberlife had been working on an android that was impossible to turn Deviant for a long while. They weren’t just going to lock him away.
No, instead Nines (as he was now affectionately dubbed) was shipped out to the central precinct of the DPD to be the very last machine. Even if he was the first of his kind. The most advanced model cyberlife had ever created – and at least as far as the foreseeable future was concerned, the last model to ever be released.
He may not have been a prototype – but he was damn near as cold and efficient as Cyberlife had wanted Connor to be. And also eerily looked like him, which had caused many to steer clear for Nines’ first few months on the job.
Though, considering for some insane reason he’d been paired up with Gavin Reed, it was fairly understandable why anyone would want to steer clear. Try as Gavin might to protest it, no one budged and try as he might to insult his partner into giving up, Nines was unflappable. But, had a sense of sarcasm where it was never quite easy to tell if he was joking or just plain being mean. (When he was talking to Gavin it was nearly always the latter).
Markus and Connor – what with the power they had to deviate android models as prototypes - had always talked of doing something about it. Regarding testing if Cyberlife’s “incorruptible” android really was all that. But Ilyana – Jericho’s sole Human ‘member’, for relation purposes – was always adamant that if Nines were to turn, it would have to be on his own terms; his own realisation, just as it had been for them.
She had been the one to first call him “Nines” instead of his model number, and he’d duly adopted it. If he could show any form of affection and emotion, it was usually to her. Which is how this sudden change in plans had really come about.
Paige Carlin, CSI, was one of the people who had taken a long while to warm to the new presence in the precinct. She liked androids well enough, but… considering her situationship with Connor it was never going to be easy getting used to someone who looked almost identical. As she stepped into the office this morning however, having just about got used to his presence, she found Nines standing at his desk with a box – packing.
She raised an eyebrow, stuffing her hands into her pockets. This was unexpected, and sudden, he’d not said anything about moving.
Glancing to Connor and Hank, she found herself none the wiser, they were both working at their desks seemingly unbothered (though, Connor would probably like being the only android in Central again.)
She approached Nines slowly, not to seem nosy but only appropriately curious.
“Where are you off to!?”
He looked up, gave a slight nod to acknowledge her – his version of Good Morning she supposed, and then went right back to packing. “I’ve been reassigned.”
Paige almost couldn’t help but raise her eyebrows in shock, “T- To a new precinct?! Where are you going? We’ve only just got used to you being here and integrated, and they’re making you leave?! That doesn’t seem fair!” Although, she could assume with almost 99% positivity that Gavin probably had something to do with it – despise Androids as he still did. Paige had issues of her own with Nines’ partner. Ex-Partner. Even though the android seemed pretty unbothered by this change of plans, Paige couldn’t help but glare into Gavin’s back.
“We’re all gonna miss you! Especially Gavin but I’m sure he’ll get over it - after 2 weeks of uncontrollable crying.”
She was impressed with herself, less than five minutes in the office and already able to get digs in at her least favourite co-worker? Must have been a new record. The man in question turned around and shot her a look. Needless to say, she wasn’t his favourite person either.
This time Nines stood still, giving her his full attention, to address her question properly. Which she appreciated, even though his blue eyes were still unnerving. Did CyberLife really have to make them THAT blue!?
She thanked God sometimes that he at least didn’t have the same voice they’d given Connor. There was the same kind of tone, same rhythm, but it was a little deeper – and he pronounced words and letters ‘properly’- The ‘t’s and ‘g’s, in particular, were never dropped.
“I’m going to D.C.”
Paige stalled for a second - well, she hadn’t been expecting that. “Washington!? Wow. What!?”
Nines nodded, looked like he was about to hesitate telling her something and then decided to say it anyway, “More specifically, the White House.”
“The- the White House!?” She spluttered, eyes wide, before collecting herself. Actually, that seemed very logical. “Well, yeah, I… I guess with all you can do that makes sense! Security?”
He blinked once, straightening to his towering full height; “In a way.”
That was Nines’ way of politely asking her to drop the questions before he started telling her everything was classified. Paige merely nodded, understanding. “I guess they… didn’t really build you for…” She waved her hands at the station floor, “this! A lot of wasted potential in your design just being here!” That was true. Connor had been built for police work, for all intents and purposes, Nines had been built for war.
Speaking of her favourite android, from the other side of the precinct Connor couldn’t help but look up, a little hurt.
Paige didn’t even need to see him to know this had occurred and pointed back at him, “I knew you were gonna take offence to that!”
Connor looked from her to Nines and back, head tilted, “I didn’t even say anything!”
She looked back at him with a wink, “Babe, I know you!” Before turning back to Nines with a smile, “Congrats boy, you’re going places! You’ll have to remember your friends back in DPD central precinct when you’re up in the lofty heights of DC political society!”
What ghost of a smile emote she presumed CyberLife had coded him with for ‘happiness’, Nines gave her in return, “I’m sure I’ll be back visiting – it’s not like Detroit isn’t a political centre itself these days.” The ‘what with’ was left unsaid, but in unison they both managed:
“Markus.”
Before Paige nodded again, “Makes sense! You’ll have to let us know every time you’re in town! Does Ilyana know, she’ll be upset for sure!”
Nines – as Paige predicted – managed to make his smile a little more genuine at the mention of said woman. It almost reached his eyes. “Yes. I was discussing things with her recently, in fact she is where this comes from.”
Paige’s eyebrows raised again, this time she leaned forward onto his desk, “From Il- no, I changed my mind I shouldn’t be concerned if she’s upset! I should be blaming her!” She took a breath, and chuckled, “I’m kidding, this will be great for you! I hope you enjoy it!”
If he even knew what that meant. Still, Nines responded as expected. “I’ll do my best.”
There were a few seconds silence that followed, but the intent stare that Paige was giving him told Nines all he needed to know. Exactly what she was asking when she wasn’t even asking it. Nines could read her like a book.
“I can’t tell you what I’m doing there, Ms. Carlin - it’s classified!”
There was the word she expected, but it disappointed her all the same. Couldn’t he make an exception for the group of people here he might be able to call friends? Ilyana would probably know – but getting anything out of her would be just as hard, Paige would reckon.
Connor quirked an eyebrow, still listening into the conversation. Eyes flicking to his computer. Classified? Yeah right - he could have that file cracked in two seconds and Nines probably knew it. Paige would likely know the information she was after before he even got the chance to leave the building.
Still, as far as Nines was concerned it would remain classified if he hadn’t told her.
Truth was it wasn’t just any normal type of security Nines would be heading to the White House for – and it wasn’t really government work either.
With Androids gaining their own rights there were obviously a lot of people who, having previously had problems with Androids when they were viewed as ‘machines’, had even more problems with them now. Anti-Android protests and groups sparked up across the country and whenever they were on the news, they were a great point of contention. Usually this was the point that Nines would hear Hank and Paige swear most and turn off the news so as not to get so mad they’d put their fists through the screen.
On the other side of things there were the pro-android groups; those supporting the android movement, who felt like the government weren’t doing enough, even when they were working in collaboration with Markus.
Mostly the protesting was non-violent but, that didn’t mean they all were. And, during all of this the president had received a number of death threats. Warren wasn’t so concerned about herself – she had the best of the best in the secret service guarding her.
What she was worried about was the number of credible threats against her daughter’s life. In the hope that they could sway her decisions one way or another. Having offhandedly mentioned this to Ilyana one day on a visit, Markus’ young, quick thinking, human relations partner had the perfect solution. The most advanced model CyberLife had ever created? Virtually indestructible? Not a deviant? (In fact, Nines was programmed to patch any potential source of deviancy – hence unconvertable.). Paige was right, his talents fit him in the DPD fine, but they were wasted.
A few weeks and negotiations later Nines found himself assigned to be the personal bodyguard to one Ms. Rie Warren.
And he believed he was looking forward to it.
---
Thank you for reading! Happy Anniversary DBH! 💙
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Progressive U.S. lawmakers on Monday took House Republicans to task after the Congressional Budget Office said the erstwhile deficit hawks' first bill before the 118th Congress—a measure critics say is meant to "protect wealthy and corporate tax cheats"—will swell the federal deficit by more than $100 billion.
"They all run on reducing the deficit and now the House GOP's first... bill will increase the deficit by $114 billion," tweeted Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.). "Make it make sense."
Increasing the federal deficit can help people and the economy. Republicans have been criticized for hypocritically pushing cuts to social safety net programs in the name of fiscal responsibility while being willing to raise the deficit to help corporations and the rich.
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that the euphemistically named Family and Small Business Taxpayer Protection Act—which faces a vote as soon as Monday evening—would "decrease outlays by $71 billion and decrease receipts by $186 billion over the 2023-2032 period."
That's because the legislation would rescind $72 billion of $80 billion worth of new Internal Revenue Service (IRS) funding authorized under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) passed by the Democrat-controlled 117th Congress and signed into law last year by President Joe Biden.
In a December 30 letter to colleagues, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) said the proposed bill "rescinds tens of billions of dollars allocated to the IRS for 87,000 new IRS agents" under the IRA, a GOP talking point that has been widely debunked.
"Today, Republicans in Congress demonstrated their commitment to 'fiscal responsibility,'" Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) sardonically tweeted. "The first bill advanced by the GOP adds $114 billion to the deficit—by allowing the super-wealthy to cheat their taxes while everyone else pays. Corporate lobbyists are popping champagne."
Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) lamented that the "first order of business in the GOP House of Representatives" will be to "vote to increase the deficit $114 BILLION by letting tax cheats dodge paying what they owe."
"Once again," she added, "they're putting politics over poor and working people."
Advocacy groups also questioned GOP lawmakers' motives for introducing the bill, with Americans for Tax Fairness tweeting that "House Republicans are using their new majority to try and repeal IRS funding that will make rich and corporate tax cheats pay what they owe."
"The GOP wants to let their rich friends keep cheating the rest of us," the group added.
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