#yet i think about him being there and meeting fourteen and donna | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

whoslaurapalmer · 5 months

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still chewing on the star beast like the world's tastiest little gummy bear ⭐⭐⭐

-oh it was so much fun!!!!!! it was such a delight!!!!!!!! fun and exciting and dten's face doing Things. nice and tasty!!!!!! -rtd still does some of the most '?????????????????' plot resolution of all time but at least with him i go '.........alright sure fine, why the fuck not, i'll take it.' like, his season finales to me are always very 'i mean, i see where you're coming from, but, why........did you do that..........' -i'm glad i'm not the only person going ??? at the 'let it go' thing but. sure!!! okay!!!! -and even with that!!!! it was still a sweet resolution!!!!

-i mean it was pretty obvious there would be some resolution with donna being fine but i did actually feel real stakes there for a moment. real emotion. that was good -oh but the lingering metacrisis energy splitting into rose??? i dig it. i liked that a lot actually. better than the letting it go thing but. sure fine (-hold on. hold on i'm bringing this back. bc i think about this specific note i made about the end of time literally every fucking day the master: i made everyone into me! ten: yeah well i................oh, shit)

-god i have gotttttt to finish watching eleven and the rest!! how much can i power through in the next. week. or maybe i'll wait until after the specials are over...........

-i am so curious what fourteen has been up to.........bc he clearly hasn't JUST regenerated -i'm so excited to see more of fourteen!! if i had any complaints here it was that i thought it moved a little fast and i didn't feel like i got a really good sense of fourteen yet. also i literally saw one (1) episode of thirteen and it was her last one so i am unable to do my regular 'how the previous regeneration influences this one' shenanigans -although i did see an article title recently (i did not read it, my brain wandered away from it after i screenshot it) where rtd said fourteen will "be slightly more human than ten" and i was like, 'more human than ten?????? than my sad wet cat trashfire pile????? than the one who treated regeneration as actual legitimate death????????? the doctor that felt and hurt so deeply that it made eleven go 'the human experience is suffering :)' in his SECOND EPISODE??????? rtd don't tempt me. don't say this unless you mean it. and you follow through on it.' -hold on i should actually just read the damn article -it gave literally no other info about that. well. we'll just have to see, won't we -oh i have seen people say fourteen is kinder than ten and i will say. yes i do see it. and quieter, i think -but god just as silly as the doctor ever is. just WHIPS OUT THAT WIG AND STAGES A TRIAL IN A PARKING GARAGE

-shaun going 'so how do you know donna?' and fourteen going '........nerys' had me CACKLING -nerys!!!!!!!!!!!!! NERYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (shaun: oh, nerys!) (donna: oh n e r y s !!!!!!! 🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️🗡️) (-godddd and the doctor has lived like. millennia since donna, right?? and never for one moment forgot anything about her!!! or anyone at all, ever!!!!!!!!! 😭😭😭)

-donna missing the spaceship to stack the boxes. so fucking classic. i love that they continued that joke. and her just ranting the entire fucking time

-shirley anne is a delight and i want more of her toooooooo -i also love how she said "hey i get a bonus for meeting you :)" -the humor vs i do think unit should properly compensate their employees for the 50/50 fun adventure/RAMPANT DEATH possibility that comes with meeting the doctor

-'i love her. .......do i say that now?' -LITERALLY LOSING MY GODDAMN MIND -what a :) :( :) >:( :D :DDDD sort of moment. goodness. oh everything was such a treat. bunch of fun little callbacks........ -oh but that the doctor HAS grown where they can say that about their friends..................openly admit an emotion and how important someone was to him, without trying to.........talk around it, just legitimately saying the words straight out -ten WAS born out of love and i'll never stop saying it and loved so much and NEVER said it and fourteen is just like 'yep! sure thing :)' aaaa...........

-sylvia is still.......sylvia..........but her running herself in circles to try and protect donna at every single moment was actually. really touching?

-sylvia: isn't it hard (to not misgender your own granddaughter) donna: yeah :) so hard to not go WOW :) LOOK HOW FUCKING LUCKY I GOT :) WITH THIS PERFECT HUMAN BEING I BIRTHED :) ISN'T SHE JUST THE BEST :))))))))) RIGHT, MOM????????? :))))))))))))))))))

-donna noble says fuck, in my heart

-donna telling rose "i will burn down the world for you." 😭💖😭💖💖💖💖💖 -my whole entire goddamn heart!! -donna noble best parent best parent with her best daughter!!!!!!!!

-rose remembering all the villains and making them into plushies was so cute......!! -JUST BUYING A BAG OF EYES!!!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAA -sigh.......but keeping rose part-time lord would have been so fun........... -i hope we see more of rose!!!!!!!

-donna saying she shouldn't be upset bc she's got her family and what was it, FRANKLY THE BIGGEST SAUSAGE ROLL IN THE UNIVERSE -mmm........sausage...................

-donna: you should have friends this time!!!! fourteen: ...............................maybe me: :3c

-donna: who cares about me????? fourteen: i do!!!!!! me: 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 -aaaaa that donna gets to remember all the times she did beautiful wonderful things and helped people and built her confidence and she gets to be confident in herself and her abilities again!!!!!!! donna you are so important just bc you're YOU -"it seemed like the sort of thing he'd do." re: giving away the lottery money...........and it's the sort of thing YOU'D do, donna!!!

-oh but her shouting about the doctor being in her subconscious and still making her act like him was. oh i will be holding on to that one -i have GOT to stop calling doctor who tasty but it's literally every single time i make notes about doctor who that i start fucking calling things tasty again. it's just so!!!!!!! mmmmmmm. so many things to think

-"it killed me, it killed me, it killed me." how many timesssss can i just say 'my whole fucking heart though' -AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA -i'm just!!!!!!!!!! -the doctor and his best friend in the whole fucking world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-i want to see more of shaun!!! i hope we see more of shaun............ -love a good roll with the punches guy. never gets old.

-what a CHANGE to the tardis interior!!!! (/ten in day of the doctor saying 'i don't like it.' echoes.........) -it's just so BRIGHT............!! -oh but fourteen is so happy :') -just try and tell me that joy is not also dten's at getting to run around in the tardis again!!!!!!!!!!

-i'm gonna cry my eyes out when wilf shows up. i'm gonna cry the whole goddamn hour. i'm looking forward to it.

#lulu talks about doctor who #spoilers. like. many many spoilers #i will probably have moreeeeeeeeeeee thoughts there's just so many things to think but this is it for now. until i......watch it again.#which i will very likely do.#yeah i've already edited this with additional thoughts.

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kiragecko · 3 years

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DC Sidekick Age References

Here’s a dump of all the references I’ve found. Know I’m missing a lot, and quite a few were found on other sites that didn’t give me the most precise info.

If you know of anything else, can correct a mistake you see, or want to discuss comic book aging - please send me an ask, message, or reblog!

?? - means I don’t know where the info is from, “quotes” are direct copies of the wording in the comic

?? Parents died when Bruce was 8

Detective Comics #27 (May 1939) – Batman introduced

Detective Comics #38 (Apr 1940) – Dick is (8 when parents killed/9 when Robin) 12 when he becomes Robin, it's Bruce's 3rd year as Batman

More Fun Comics 73 (Nov 1941) – Green Arrow Introduced

1962 - JLA formed

1964 – Dick teams up with Wally and Garth

Teen Titans 1 (Jan-Feb 1966) – Teen Titans form, Donna is introduced (all 5 are 14ish?)

Detective 359 (Jan 1967) – Babs introduced, has PhD, has graduated

Batman #217 (Dec 1969) – Dick graduates high school, enrolls in University (starts 3 months later)

1971 - Roy discovered using drugs by Ollie and Hal in a drug den (he was trading arrows for drugs), retcon has Wally and Dick discovering him at tower and making him promise to get help

Justice League 116 (Mar-Apr 1975) Charley Parker is 16

Batman Family 10 (Mar-Apr 1977) – Dick is teenager, Babs is 25

Teen Titans 53 (Feb 1978) – Dick, Wally, Donna, Vic all started college at same time

DC Special Series: The Flash Spectacular (May 1978) – Wally graduates high school

New Teen Titans 1 (Nov 1980) – Raven forms New Titans, Gar is 16 during run

New Teen Titans 2 (Dec 1980) – Slade meets team, Grant dies

1981 - Dick drops out of university after 1 semester, he never really was interested

New Teen Titans 20 (June 1982) – Vic turns 19, Donna already is

Tales of the New Teen Titans 2 (July 1982) – Raven turned 18 just before forming Titans

Batman #357 (Mar 1983) – Jason’s first appearance

Detective Comics #526 (May 1983) – Bruce adopts Jason, Dick is there and approving

New Teen Titans 34 (Aug 1983) – Terra turns 16

Batman #368 (Feb 1984) – Dick gives Jason the Robin costume, Jason becomes Robin

Blue Devil(84) – Eddie is 11/12

Tales of the Teen Titans (May 1984) – Joey introduced, Author describes him as 17?

New Teen Titans #39 (Feb 1984) – Dick stops being Robin, Wally quits being a superhero/the team

Tales of the Teen Titans 50 (Feb 1985) – Terry and Donna's wedding (she got married while 19)

New Teen Titans 10 (July 1985) – Kole says she's at least 18

Crisis on Infinite Earths 7 (Oct 1985) – Supergirl dies in Superman’s arms after mostly destroying the Anti-Monitor, who has to flee reality

New Teen Titans 18 (Mar 1986) – Dick turns 20 (“Dick Grayson celebrates his birthday away from home with a traditional Tamaranean feast.” (While sulking because Kory got space-married))

New Teen Titans 20 (May 1986) – Roy locates baby Lian, Terry Long is 29

?? Roy is 22(when he gets Lian)

Batman #404 - Batman Year One (Feb 1987) – Bruce is 25, spent 12 years training, became Batman at 26, Barbara Gordon is pregnant, her and Jim move to Gotham

Detective Comics #571 (Feb 1987) – we see Bruce’s fear gas induced vision of Jason’s tombstone (birth: 1974 – death: 1986, so he’d be 12)

Secret Origins 13 (April 87) – 15 years ago, it was Dick’s 5th birthday. Soon after tenth birthday, parents are killed. [Set during New TT 18])

Batman #409 (July 1987) – Jason becomes Robin (In Detective Comics, Jason has been Robin the whole time, but is still being wwritten with Pre-Crisis personality)

Flash 1 (June 1987) – Wally turns 20

New Teen Titans Ann 3 (Nov 1987) – Danny Chase is 13 and introduced

Batman #416 (Feb 1988) – Dick in Gotham, meets the new Robin on patrol. Confronts Bruce later, says he was ‘fired’ less than a year ago (since then he was briefly in college), makes Bruce admit he missed him. Dick finds Jason again, expose the drug dealers, and Dick gives Jason his old costume (symbolically, since Jason already has one) and a phone number, Dick was Robin for 6 years

Batman #427 (Winter 1988) – Jason dies

Batman #436, Batman: Year Three (Aug 1989) – 2 years since Dick stopped being Bruce’s sidekick (When he became Nightwing? Or when he quit?), parents died 10 years earlier

Batman #441, A Lonely Place of Dying (Nov 1989) – Tim 13, was 7 when Dick’s parents died

Robin #1 (Jan 1991) – Tim debuts as Robin

New Titans 84 (March 1992) – Joey dies

Deathstroke, the Terminator #15 (Oct 1992) – Rose introduced

Team Titans 3 (Nov 1992) – Robert Long is born

Adventures of Superman 500 (June 1993) – Kon appears and escapes from Cadmus with Newboy Legion, John Henry Irons first appearance, Eradicator and Cyborg Superman also appear for first time

Batman: BTAS: Robin’s Reckoning (1993) - 'Richard 'Dick' Grayson: Age 10'

Detective Comics 668 (Nov 1993) – Tim gets license (because dad is disabled) even though he hasn’t turned 16 yet, gets beat up by Jean-Paul

Flash 92 (July 1994) – Bart aged to 14

?? Shortly after Knight’s End – Tim is 15 and in the 10th grade

Flash 0 (Oct 1994) – Wally is 23

Damage 1(94) – Grant is 16

Deathstroke, The Terminator Annual 4 (Aug 1995) – Rose is 14, “What would that do to a kid? A fourteen-year-old girl whose father is an assassin she’s never met?”

Wonder Woman 105(95) – Cassie is 14

Tempest 1(96) – Garth spends many months in other dimension

Aquaman 20 (May 1996) – Garth aged 3-4 years in other dimension, now older than other Titans

Teen Titans 1 (Oct 1996) – Argent, Risk, Joto, Prysm all turn 16(they were conceived by seed things on same day)

Superboy Annual 2 – to Kon: “Happy birthday, Kid - - number one in a long successful series, we hope.” “He will effectively remain sixteen years old - - forever!”

Green Lantern 82(97) – Robert Long is 3

Wonder Woman 121(97) – Terry and Robert die

Secret Origins Giant 1(98) – Bart is “Three. Fifteen. Depends.”, “you’re almost 15, Tim.”

Titans 5(99) – Donna is 23

Titans(99) – Lian is 4

Sins of Youth(99) – Kon 16, aging normally again

Aquaman 63 (Jan 2000) – Future Garth tells granddaughter Donna about Cerdian being born (think this is his weird birth issue)

Wonder Woman Secret Files (2002) – „Wonder Girl is a precocious outgoing 15-year-old named Cassandra „Cassie“ Sandsmark.“

Bruce Wayne: Murderer (2002) – Oracle says Tim is 15

Batgirl #37 (April 2003) – “Cain said ... today was ... my birthday.”

Batgirl #39 (June 2003) – “I see an eighteen-year-old girl, who’s out of her depth.” (Babs about Cass)

Robin #116 (Sept 2003) – Dana: “Oh, I’m so glad we’ll all be together on Thursday ... !” Tim: “Why? What’s Thursday?” Jack: “Yeah. What’s Thursday?” Dana: “Wait a minute – seriously? Tim: “Yeah. Tell. Us.” Dana: “It’s nothing – never mind. Just leave your schedules open for a nice family dinner.”| Jack: “Dana, what’s – “ Dana: “Shh! Thursday ... the 19th of July ... ?” Jack: “Um ... oh! Right!” | Steph: “So – Thursday!! Are you excited? Got any ideas for it, yet? ... Tim ... ?” [Tim is asleep.] | [Ives and Steph come over, with pizza that says “Happy B-Day Tim.”] Ives: “Sixteen spankings – get that boy up!!” | Dana says: “I remember when I was in 11th grade.” | he also gets the first ‘clue’ for Bruce’s ‘birthday present.’

Teen Titans 1 (Nov 2003) – Gar is 19, Is this Joey’s return?? (He’s puppeting Slade)

Teen Titans ½ (2004) – Rose’s early years, with a ‘6 years ago’ flashback, she was raised in a brothel her mom ran, tutored, never allowed the outside world, but had relationships with kids her age

Detective Comics #790 (Mar 2004) – Jason’s 18th birthday “he would have been 18 today”

Teen Titans 8 (April 2004) – Raven looks 'barely older' than Cassie

TEEN TITANS #1/2 [2004]: The flashback panels totally sync up with my age theories; Flash to 10 years ago: Dick Grayson’s parents die. Flash to 6 years ago: Rose Wilson is schooled at home by her mother, Lili. Flash to 5 years ago: Ravager I is killed. Flash to 3 years ago: Slade is forced to kill Jericho. Flash to 2 years ago: Cadmus attempts to clone Superman. Flash to 18 months ago: Rose deals with the death of her mother. Flash to one week ago: Bart Allen is shot by Slade.

Identity Crisis 4 (Dec 2004) –(Tim still 16)

Green Arrow 47(05) – Mia is 17

Return of Donna Troy 3(05) – Cassie barely 16

Nightwing: Year One(05) – Dick is 26

Batgirl #65 (Aug 2005) – Cass decides to figure out if Shiva is her mom, Jason and Cass roughly the same age

Flash(05/06) – Wally is 26

?? Robin #136 – Tim still 16 ???

Detective Comics #868 (Oct 2010)– Kate is 32 years old??

One Year Later(Mar 06)

Flash 1(06) – Bart 4 years older(20?)

Blue Beetle 2 (June 2006) – Find out Jaime was in space/a pocket dimension for One Year Later

?? Just prior to 52 (July 2006-July 2007)– told Tim is 17 (long before he’s also 17 in Red Robin, 52 is 1 year long)

Teen Titans 42 (Feb 2007) – Eddie is 17

Final Crisis: Legion of 3 Worlds 3-4 (Apr-June 2009) – Bart and Kon back, same as when died

Batman 677 (July 2008) – Batman over 30

Batman: Battle for the Cowl (May-July 2009) – Damian is 10, Ends with Dick and Damian becoming Batman and Robin

Brave & The Bold 2 (May 2007) – Kara is 17, “You have food in the refrigerator older than her, Hal. Who are you, Ollie? No bad thoughts. She’s seventeen.”

Batgirl #1 (Oct 2009) – Steph starting college

Batgirl #7 (Apr 2010) - Damian is "what happens when you work with a 10-year-old."

Red Robin #12 (July 2010) – Tim spent “a few months” looking for evidence before returning to Gotham, becomes emancipated minor

Detective Comics #871 (Jan 2011)– Mention that Dick and Babs went to prom together

Red Robin #25 (Sept 2011) – Tim “and you are only 17”

The Batman Files (Oct 2014) – Jason was 15 at death (seen on death certificate)

?? Rebirth Young Justice series – Cassie: “didn’t mean to end up back in high school feeling - - like I did back when I went to high school.” Later, she says she’s in Metropolis “Working. Going to school in the fall.” So she’s probably starting college.

?? Bart in some Rebirth comic: “Am I six? Am I nineteen? That’s a really freaky thing, right?”

?? At some point: Donna says shes a little older than Kyle

#gecko's lists #dc comics #teen titans #young justice #about 3/4 of these can be compiled into something that makes sence #*sense #but choosing which 3/4 is tricky

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greycappedjester · 3 years

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"If ATFO isn’t up by the end of the month, feel free to ask me for an already written scene from one-shot from that universe." is the offer still open?

Gotcha! Sorry this is late 😬

Here is young Jason's POV. It's from right after Year 4 so before Tim and right after Jason was formally adopted (still in training to be Robin)

Here's the first eight pages

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Year 4.5: The Vacation

Alright, so here’s the thing.

Jason is a city boy. He grew up in a city. It was Gotham so it was a shit city and the part that he lived in even shittier; but, it was, without question, a city. And one where he had lived the entire fourteen years of his somewhat depressing life. Jason was familiar with said city.

So, Jason is decidedly not familiar with the so-called “great” outdoors. Fuck, he’s pretty sure the closest he’s come to nature is fights with Poison Ivy.

All of which is just too fricking bad because Jason also happens to be the recently adopted brother of Dick Grayson, who has for some unimaginable reason decided camping is the best way to spend a vacation.

And Jason is coming along.

Why? Because apparently Dick’s first thought had been this was a great time for brotherly bonding. Okay, actually his first was that it was perfect for Jason’s birthday but Jason had flat out refused and Dick moved it to the week after.

So, now, the newly fourteen year old is watching as Dick somehow crams a tent, sleeping bags, and camping gear into one of the Wayne’s very fancy and very compact sports cars.

Jason looks back wistfully to the manor door.

It’s probably not too late to back out.

But, as lame as it most definitely sounds, this camping trip actually seems really important to Dick. Like important enough to give Donna his Titans duties for a few days and ask Roy to be back up for Barbara in Gotham if she needed it. Plus, more terrifying, getting Barbara to agree to that.

And, as much as he refused to say it aloud, Jason could privately admit that Dick Grayson may have a very large part in why his recently somewhat depressing life is a now a lot less depressing.

Whatever. So, Jason might not actually think it’s too terrible to spend a few days with his older brother. Even with the camping.

That still doesn’t explain the other part.

“Why can’t we bring our uniforms again,” Jason complains, crossing his arms.

Dick doesn’t stop in his work to get the trunk shut. “Because that would mean we’re working and I’ve been informed by both Raquel and Zatanna that working vacations don’t actually count as vacations.” The trunk pops back open and Dick’s head disappears inside. “Besides, we won’t need them where we’re going.”

“Yeah, cause that doesn’t sound ominous,” Jason mutters under his breath.

“What was that?”

“Nothing!”

Dick emerges and the trunk finally closes with only a slight creak of protest. “Ha, there! What did I tell you? Circus performers always know the best packing tips.”

Jason is reluctantly somewhat impressed.

“Come on, get in! We’ve gotta get to the grounds while there’s still light to set up the tent.”

Jason slumps into the passenger seat. “Are you sure this isn’t like you stealthily training me in advanced wilderness survival or something?”

“It’s a vacation, Jason,” Dick insists, starting the car and backing down the drive way. “Believe me, if it was training, I’d pick a lot trickier place than twenty minutes out of Gotham city limits.”

Crap, if it was training, Jason would at least know it sucked for a reason. Doing it for fun makes it even worse.

“You know you’re an heir to like billions of dollars, right?”

“We’re the heirs,” Dick corrects because of course, he does.

Jason rolls his eyes. “I’m just saying if you wanted nature, we could go to like the Bahamas or the Galapagos or even just buy an island if that’s what you really wanted.”

“We don’t need an island.”

“Sure, we do. We could even use it as a secret prison for supervillains when we’re done. It would be great!”

Dick’s grinning, checking briefly before pulling into Gotham traffic. “Secret island prison bases definitely fall a bit too far into the supervillian category, Jay. They'll sue us for trademark infringement.”

“Still beats camping.”

“Camping’s fun!” Dick laughs. “Trust me. Millions of people do it every year. They can’t all be wrong.”

Per usual, Jason is far less trusting of the populace’s intelligence than Dick is.

As if to spite his skepticism, the hour or so drive out to the woods doesn’t go so bad. Jason commandeers the radio so they’re listening to a good classic rock station instead of being subjected to the weird mix of folk songs and pop music that Dick likes. The dark buildings and usual smog of Gotham starts to fade out around the forty minute mark, somewhere between one of Dick’s Titans stories and Jason complaining about a plot thread in the last book he read.

The drive is nice. Peaceful, even.

You know like most horror movies start.

“We’re here!”

Jason eyes the stretch of trees for any kind of sign or even a distinguishing feature. There’s nothing.

“Dick, this is definitely not a campsite.”

“It’s a few miles off,” Dick explains, dropping a bag in Jason’s arms. “I wanted to avoid the usual campgrounds in case the tabloid reporters found us. Don’t worry, I checked with the owner. No one’s used this stretch in years.”

Jason thinks there’s probably a reason for that since there’s not one hint of a trail in sight.

“Where are we even going to set up a tent?”

“Not sure,” Dick says way too cheerfully. “Finding a spot’s part of the fun!”

Jason gives him a look.

Dick rolls his eyes. “Relax, Jay. The owner told me there’s a stream about half a mile in. We’ll set up camp there.”

Jason still gives a token grumble just because.

By the time night rolls around, they do manage to find a camping spot, set up the tent, and Dick even starts up a small fire right in the middle of the campsite.

If pushed, Jason would admit the entire thing is a bit picturesque.

He bites down on his hot dog as Dick digs through the rest of their stuff.

“Oh! I almost forgot to tell you!” Dick pulls something out of the bag. “Look, I brought stuff to make s'mores!”

“Cool, hand them over” Jason grabs for the bag of marshmallows only for Dick to pull them away.

“Not yet, they’re for our last day. Gotta ration out the food.”

Jason rolls his eyes. “You’re ridiculous. Why not bring enough for every night?”

“Cause then it’s less special,” Dick answers sagely. “Think about it like a prize for surviving camping.”

Because Jason is the generous sort, he doesn’t even make a crack about “surviving”.

“So, okay, let’s say I buy that camping is a vacation,” he says instead between bites.

“It is a vacation.”

“Yeah, fine, sure. Real question though, why are we taking a vacation?” He waves a hand. “What ever happened to ‘crime never sleeps’ and everything?”

“I’ve never said that!”

“You said it to Babs last week!”

“That was so she’d help me run the Poison Ivy samples! That doesn’t count! She didn’t even believe me!”

“Definitely counts!”

Dick rolls his eyes. “You know most kids don’t need a reason to go on vacation before school starts.”

“So, that’s what this is,” Jason accuses. “This is for you! You wanted a vacation before college!”

Dick turns his face down to poke at the fire. “I’m not going to college...not this year anyway.”

Jason frowns. “I thought you got accepted to Gotham U. Shit, I know you did. Alfred still has the letter hanging on the fridge.”

Dick shrugs. “I’m going to turn it down. There’s too much going on right now. Gotham. The Titans. I’ve gotta start sitting in at the Wayne Enterprise meetings soon, too. I don’t have time for classes.”

“Pretty sure, the classes would help with the Wayne Enterprise crap,” Jason says. “And you know Roy and Donna can help with the Titans and Babs and I can cover more in Gotham if--”

“Jay, it’s fine,” Dick cuts him off. “I need to choose what to focus on and it just can’t be college right now. It’s okay.”

Jason wants to argue more but then Dick’s continuing

“And, hey, I know camping’s not exactly your thing; but, I’m glad you decided to come anyway.” Dick gives him a blinding grin. “You deserve to do some normal summer stuff after all the Robin training. And I’m glad I get to spend some time with my favorite little brother.

Jason glares, ignoring the way his cheeks have gone warm. “Shut up, I’m your only brother. And you know I hate it when you say stuff like that.”

“No, you don’t,” Dick says, shit eating grin in place.

Jason flings the bag of hot dog buns at him.

He catches it, still grinning. The asshole.

-----

Something that’s always jarring but becomes really fucking obvious once he thinks about it is the fact that Dick gets nightmares.

Of course, he does. How could he not? Jason’s doesn’t know why he never expects it.

It’s not even loud nightmares with like screaming and flailing arms and shit. It’s just these short, sharp little gasps as his body goes entirely too stiff and face twists in pain. Sometimes, Jason thinks that’s worse than screaming.

Jason shifts in his sleeping bag, turning to face the top of the tent. He briefly contemplates waking Dick up; but, he knows from experience, it won’t help much. Better to let him get some rest until the nightmare goes away on its own.

Only problem is that Jason still can’t fall asleep. It’s kind of funny. He’s never really thought of himself as a picky sleeper before. Fuck knows he’s slept on way too many of Gotham’s mold infested roofs back when his dad was on parole. But, there’s something about the cold feeling of hard dirt that he swears he can feel even under the layers of sleeping bag and tent.

Camping sucks.

Screw it. Jason’s not just going to lay here all night. Least he can do is get up and explore around the campsite so he can have a better idea of whatever “fun” activities he’s sure Dick has planned for tomorrow.

He slips out of the tent without waking up Dick--which actually does serve as a fairly good challenge for his new Robin training--and heads into the woods, careful to keep note of how far away he goes from camp. He feels ridiculously like he should have bread crumbs or some other kind of fairy tale stuff to track his way through the forest.

He swears if he survived living in Crime Alley, Black Mask, and a freaking explosion just to get lost and die in the woods, he’s going to haunt Dick forever. Jason the Unfriendly Ghost.

He gets to the stream that he and Dick found earlier so at least he’s not that lost.

SNAP!

Jason’s head whips around in the direction of the noise.

Nothing.

He lets out a long breath. Dumb, of course, it’s nothing. It’s the forest. Forests make weird noises. It’s reason #357 why they’re terrible.

SNAP!

Okay...that definitely sounded like something big….but, maybe it’s something normal like a tree branch snapping or--

Snap!...Snap!...Snap!

That’s footsteps.

Jason moves back into the tree line, crouching down until he’s covered in the darkness of the bushes. His hands run over the ground, trying to find anything even remotely useful other than a slightly pointy stick.

Snap!...Snap!

Shit, he really is going to die here, isn’t he? In this stupid forest before he even gets to go out as Robin. Of all the dumb fucking--

Snap!...snap!...snap...snap.

The footsteps are getting further away. Echoing deeper and deeper into the forest on the other side of the stream.

snap...snap...snap…

Jason listens, in slight amazement, as the sounds slowly fade off into the distance until they finally disappear. Slowly, Jason counts in his mind to sixty, then a hundred and twenty, then two hundred.

On three hundred, he bolts--tearing through the forest in the direction of the camp until he finally catches sight of the obnoxiously bright yellow of the tent Dick bought, shining in front of him like a heavenly beacon.

He tears through the opening, breathing heavily, just a half a second before there’s an arm jammed hard against his neck.

“Jay?”

The pressure disappears and then Dick’s looking down at him with wide eyes and a slight blush. “Sorry about that. Was surprised. What’s wrong?”

Jason’s heart rate’s finally slowing down. And here in the safety of the tent, in the face of Dick’s patented concerned face, admitting to getting freaked out by noises in the woods seems beyond stupid.

“Nothing,” he mutters. “Just thought I heard something?”

“Heard something?”

“Yeah, like footsteps.”

Dick frowns. “We’re on private camp land. There shouldn’t be anyone around here. You sure?”

Jason shakes his head, face feeling hot, as he sits back down on his sleeping bag. “No. Don’t worry about it. Like I said, it was probably nothing. Maybe it’s just a mountain lion that’s gonna eat us in our sleep.”

Dick pats his shoulder. “Mountain lions don’t really live in this region, Jay.”

Jason rolls his eyes before turning over pointedly to try to get some more sleep.

“It’s bears you need to worry about.”

#atfo

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riversofmars · 3 years

Photo

December 1st December 2nd December 3rd

December 4th December 5th December 6th

“Doctor, how is she here? We literally just saw her in the Library and…“ Donna stared at River, struggling to comprehend.

“Younger version? Surely. She said she was a time traveller from my future, remember?“ The young Doctor said slowly, trying to get to grips with it as well. The older Doctors looked on with a sense of sorrow, remember what he - they - had just been through.

“No… older actually… Hello, Doctor.“ River smiled softly. This time, she kept a reserved distance, knowing full well this Doctor didn’t know her in the way the others did.

“Seriously?“ Yaz shook her head in disbelief. “Another one of you?!“

“This is getting really unnerving…“ The Doctor huffed and pulled them along to take cover behind a large bauble display so they could listen in without being noticed.

“You don’t have to tell us…“ Graham shook his head.

“But you just, we just…“ Sandshoes looked at River, he didn't understand what was going on.

“You’ve just been to the Library.“ River deduced from their shocked expressions. River couldn’t deny how much the knowledge that the Doctor had always known how she would die pained her. Not for herself. He had given her the maddest adventures, his heartfelt devotion and the most incredible life… but for him. He had done all those things, loved her so much, despite all the while knowing how things would end, unable to stop it.

“I feel like I’m missing a trick here, what happened at the Library?“ Amy asked, looking around, everybody else seemed to know apart from her and Rory, who looked just as confused. River took a deep breath trying to keep her emotions at bay. Amy looked around at everyone else. Eyebrows and Bowtie shared a sorrowful glance. Bill, despite not knowing much about them, found herself at a lack for words. Donna and Sandshoes picked up on the uneasiness of the others and, having the least knowledge of future events, chose to remain quiet. “River?“ Amy placed her hand on her daughter’s shoulder, needing an explanation.

“The Library is where I die.“ River answered turning to face her at last.

“What?“ Amy and Rory looked back at their daughter in shock. “The day the Doctor first meets me in the day I die, our timelines run in opposite directions for the most part, remember…“ She gave them a sad smile.

“But she managed to get out.“ Eyebrows interjected quickly, he couldn’t bare the devastation on the Ponds’ faces. “She’s alive now.“

“I saved her, her consciousness, to the Library’s data base.“ Sandshoes spoke up, hoping to give them some assurance. He didn’t know who these people were but it was obvious they had a strong connection to River.

“I’m okay, I’m here.“ River assured her parents, hoping to ease the shock of it all, she pulled Amy close, wrapping her arms around her mother.

“Well, you better be, Melody, else I would have been very cross!“ Amy tried to blink away her tears but didn’t quite manage it. River kissed the top of her head and caught Rory’s eyes, full of heartbreak. She grabbed his hand while still holding on to Amy.

“Was this it then?“ Rory asked slowly, trying not to get chocked up. “That terrible day you were talking about…“

“And I made it through.“ River gave him a reassuring smile and squeezed his hand.

“And you, you knew this whole time and never said anything?!“ Rory turned to Bowtie, anger sweeping through him like he hadn’t known before. “You knew, this whole time, how and when my daughter - your wife - was going to die and you never said? Didn’t even try to save her?!“

“Rory, I…“ Bowtie didn’t know what to say, taken aback by gentle Rory’s fierce reaction.

“It had already happened, it was fixed time, there was nothing any of us could do, and believe me, in the thousands of years since, not a day has gone by that I didn’t try and work out that impossible problem.“ Eyebrows interrupted.

“And apparently, at some point we will work it out.“ Bowtie added gently.

“What makes you think it was you, you can’t even remember, I wouldn't take credit just yet.“ River chuckled, trying to lighten the atmosphere and succeeding.

“You. Count your blessings that she’s alive now, else you would have been in big trouble!“ Amy let go of her daughter and jabbed her finger at Bowtie who held his hands up defensively.

“I am, actually... counting my blessings.“ Bowtie smiled looking to River with nothing but relief and love in his eyes.

“Right, sorry to interrupt.“ Sandshoes spoke up, now that the situation seemed to be less volatile. He felt a weird sort of jealousy at he couldn’t quite explain, seeing how the other men were looking at River. “Who are you people.“ He looked around the group utterly bewildered. From what he had heard he had some suspicions, but they couldn’t possibly be true could they.

“Well, Doctor, you never mentioned you used to be so handsome…“ Amy looked from her Doctor to Sandshoes, giving him a once over, distracted from her emotional upheaval, by a handsome young man.

“No, no, that’s enough, one is enough to compete with, thank you.“ Rory pulled his wife back.

“Doctor?“ Sandshoes looked to Bowtie in disbelief.

“Well, that is going to be a bit more complicated to explain…“ River scratched the back of her head.

“You can say that again…“ Bill looked in between the three Doctors utterly confused. It was hard to believe that they were all the same person, but somehow, oddly, it was obvious that they were.

“Okay, now, that’s one coincidence too many.“ Eyebrows interrupted.

“Coincidence?“ Sandshoes retorted. “Never ignore coincidence.“

“Unless you’re busy, we know.“ Eyebrows huffed.

“Right okay… struggling with this but just going with it…“ Sandshoes shook his head to himself before looking to River, who appeared the more immediate concern. “How did you manage to escape?“

“Well, that seems to be a pivotal question, does it not.“ River huffed, annoyed that she didn't have an answer. “I don’t remember anything… and you’re sure you don’t remember either?“ She looked to Eyebrows who shook his head.

“I should remember if it was me, I’m the oldest here…“

“That you certainly are…“ Bowtie chuckled. “And I don’t know what happened either, the last time I saw her was on…“

“Shhh spoilers!“ Sandshoes interrupted and Eyebrows rolled his eyes at him.

“We’re not going to remember this anyway.“ He pointed out.

“What if there is another one?“ Amy asked suddenly.

“What?“ The three Doctors retorted in unison.

“Another Doctor?“ River asked to confirm and Amy nodded.

In their hiding place, the Doctor winced. Clever Amy. But she did't have those answers about River either.

“If none of them remember how they saved you, maybe it hasn’t happened for them yet?“ Amy suggested. “Maybe there is another, older version.“

“Older than me?“ Eyebrows frowned.

“Hardly seems possible but yeah…“ Bowtie had to agree.

“If you don’t stop the age jokes already…“

“Stop bickering, you two.“ River interrupted her husbands.

“So she really is your wife then, is she?“ Donna grinned to her Doctor as she watched the others interact with great amusement. Sandshoes just gave her a huff and diverted attention back to the facts:

“Well, if there is another Doctor, there should be another TARDIS?“

“Or another person with two hearts?“ Eyebrows agreed.

“Let’s have a scan.“ Bowtie suggested and all three Doctors pulled their sonic screwdrivers out simultaneously.

“Trying really hard to not see this as a euphemism.“ Amy mumbled to her daughter who smirked in turn:

“The mind races, does it not.“

“No, nope, nooo. He’s still my son-in-law… all of them are… sort of takes the fun out of it.“ Amy looked to Sandshoes in disappointment.

“I’m really going to need a flowchart for this…“ Sandshoes huffed shaking his head, trying to wrap his head around what was going on. “Hang on… that can’t be possible…“ He looked up to the other Doctors, all of them with the same shocked expression at their findings.

“Fourteen?!“ They chanted in unison and the Doctor went very pale behind the bauble display.

“Oh no, that’s even worse than I thought.“ She whispered, pulling out her own sonic to confirm.

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anotheronechicagobog · 4 years

Text

So Long Part 2 Brian Zvonecek x Boden!reader

written by @anotheronechicagobog

It had been six months since your visit home. You and Brian had been keeping in contact via texting and writing letters. It was a bit difficult to know what to write in the letters, you wanted the information, and little drawings you added on the side margins, to be a surprise. So your phone calls tended to be about movies, books, and bad puns. You’d come up with a game where you would tell each other bad puns, trying to find the worst one.

“Thanks for explaining the word ‘many’ to me Y/N, it means a lot.”

“Why did Adele cross the road? To say hello from the other side.”

“What concert only costs 45 cents? A 50 cent concert featuring Nickleback.”

“Hey! Don’t slam on my favourite band! It’s not my fault you have bad taste!”

“Ha! I win! That means that we have to read ‘The Tattooist of Auschwitz’! Better luck next time, loser.”

“No need to rub it in Bri, next time we’ll be reading ‘Son of a Trickster’ and I will get you to like Eden Robinson.”

“Yeah, yeah. Better go get a copy of the book that you actually have to read in the by two weeks.”

“Fine, fine. I should get going. Gotta get to work and then the bookstore.”

“Okay, I’ll talk to you tomorrow?”

“Of course.”

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TWO AND A HALF YEARS LATER

You were practically vibrating as you disembarked the plane. While you’d been home on a few visits since the one where you’d met Brian it wasn’t the same as being home. So, after twelve years of schooling and training, you were coming home. You’d managed to keep it a secret from everyone but Brian, wanting to surprise everyone. Brian met you outside the arrivals door, smiling ear to ear.

“Brian! It’s so good to see you!” You met halfway and wrapped yourselves up in a bear hug. “Does my dad suspect anything?”

“No, but Cruz does. I’ve been smiling too much this week apparently.”

“How does he have time to notice you when he just started dating that Chloe chick?”

“He knows how to multitask.”

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Two hours later you had just finished setting up Otis’ apartment for your unofficial welcome home party. Those invited were under the impression that Otis was hosting the party for the Cubs game and you couldn’t wait to shock all of them.

You had just finished putting out all the food, while leaving some room for the dishes others were bringing when there was a knock on the door. You darted into Brian’s room before he opened the door. Judging from the voices Kelly Severide and Matt Casey had arrived first.

It took a half-hour for everyone to arrive, you could hear the laughter and comradery and couldn’t wait to join it. Brian silenced the commotion and got the children to sit down and you knew that that was your queue.

“Everyone, I have been a little misleading. I didn’t really invite you here to watch the game. I invited you here for Y/N’s welcome home party!” You walked to the living room and stood beside Brian while he pulled a string that release red paper confetti and a roll-down sign with ‘Welcome Home’ painted in large red letters. “Eep! Brian! When did you set that up?”

“Let’s talk about that later, now... Hide me from your dad!” He hid behind you just as your dad reached you and wrapped you in a burly hug. The scent of smoke and old spice tickled your nostrils, causing you to tear up at the feeling of nostalgia. “I missed you dad.”

“When did you fly in?”

“I got here three hours ago.”

“How long are you staying?” The unease in his eyes brought a soft smile to your face. You placed your hands on his shoulders and you could feel him tense and wait for bad news under your fingers.”

“Forever. I’m moving home.” Cheers and the clinking of glasses surrounded you, enveloping you in the knowledge that you were making the right decision. Meeting the mirthy eyes of Brian made your heart swell with love and excitement.

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TWO MONTHS LATER

“Doctor Boden, Doctor Manning has requested a consult. One of your younger patients has been admitted into the ED.”

“Which patient?”

“Samirah Arian.”

“Damn, her last tests were so good.”

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Natalie?”

“Y/N, this way. She came in ten minutes ago and she’s only been getting worse.” The young girl looked minuscule in her bed, so tiny and frail. “Mr. and Mrs. Arian, what happened?”

“She didn’t look well this morning, and then her fever spiked.”

“When she’s stable I’d like to move her up to the isolation unit, for now, we need to start scans and blood tests. Maggie, order a CAT scan and an MRI, and we need to run a blood test to find the number of her white blood cell count. You’ve already got her on antibiotics right?”

“Of course.”

“Good, let’s get moving. Maggie, can radiology squeeze us in?”

“Go on up, they’re waiting for you.”

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The couch heaved under you as you all but collapsed on top of it. You’d just spent 24 hours at the hospital, pulling an extra shift to stay with the Arian family and treat their daughter. Thankfully you’d been able to switch shifts with a co-worker making that possible. The timing of this meant that you got home 30 seconds before your roommates. Brian, Sylvie, and Emily sludged through the door. “Why do you look so tired Y/N? You didn’t pull a 24-hour shift.” Emily whined as she tried to make you move off the couch, so she could lie on it instead. “Actually I did, I had to work another twelve hours because one of my kid patients who finally got to go home took a turn for the worst and ended up in the ED, then a few of my other patients went downhill as well, and we discovered that the old crotchety nurse I hate hasn’t been washing or sanitizing her hands because she felt those of us her were are too coddled and weak, which is of course what caused a bunch of kids with cancer to get worse.”

“Ouch.” You’d moved into a sitting position so that Sylvie and Emily could cuddle into you, the three of you just about to fall asleep across from Bian in his favourite chair, your stomach snarled. “When was the last time you ate?”

“...”

“Y/N?”

“I’m trying to think of a way to say it that won’t make you upset.”

“Oh no...”

“Yeah, that’s not possible. A granola bar fourteen hours ago.”

“Y/N!”

“Oh come on Brian, I was busy! It was absolute chaos!”

“I’m going to order some deep-dish pizzas, cause we haven’t eaten in a while either, but don’t think this conversation is done.”

“Yeah, yeah...” Despite her exhaustion, Emily gathered the energy to wiggle her eyebrows at you. “Cut it ouuuuut.”

“Emily has a point Y/N...” You bit your lip and shook your head. You and Brian had been dating secretly for the past eight months. While it had been difficult starting a relationship when you were so far away from each other, it had been worth it. To come home and be with Brian was a heavenly feeling, though it would be easier once you got some privacy or told everyone about your relationship. Chloe and Cruz had moved in together, causing Brian and Sylvie to move out. Sylvie had initially been crashing on Emily’s couch while she found a place, but even with Sylvie’s help the rent got too high, so they moved into the house you and Brian were renting at your dad’s insistence. You were annoyed, honestly, at your father’s gall, but mostly at the realization that he thought he could prevent you from dating who you wanted to. It was ridiculous, and a little high school if you were honest with yourself.

“Pizza has been ordered, and... I call dibs on the shower first!” Your drained laughter mixed with the shouts of protest coming from the other women as your boyfriend locked the bathroom door. Their tangled limbs had knocked you onto the floor in their haste to prevent your moustache man from getting to the shower first, so when the returned to the couch defeated, you were laughing weakly as tears dripped from your and hugging your chest.

“It’s not funny Y/N.”

Queue laughter picking up its pace.

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“Are you sure that this is a good idea?”

“No, but I don’t want to hide our relationship from your dad anymore, we both know he suspects something.”

“True. Alright, just remember not to get too flustered. He’ll probably want to punch you but I’ll make sure that you’re holding Terrance when we tell him so that he can’t. Just don’t blurt out details from our sex life or something. Or insult his painted birds, he’s very proud of those.”

“Alright, hold Terrance, don’t get punched, don’t talk about sex, or his... His painted what?”

“He started carving and painting bird after grandad died, it was something they used to do together.”

“Okay, don’t insult his painted birds-”

“And don’t tell the firehouse about them!” His eyes widened in realization. “Ooh, good point! He’d definitely string me alive for that. Okay, I’m not ready, but I want to do this, let’s get going.”

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You’d co-ordinated with Donna, so while she didn’t know who you were dating she knew you were bringing your boyfriend and you didn’t want your dad to kill him. So she insisted on answering the door with Terrance on her hip so that she could hand Brian his shield for the night.

“Wallace, here they are.”

“They?”

“Hi dad.”

“Hi chief.”

“Otis... What are you doing here? With your arm around my daughter’s waist? Holding my son?”

“Uh... Well.. It... It- It’s re-really-”

“Dad, Brian is my boyfriend. We have been dating for eight months, and we live together. Together and alone now that our two temporary roommates have found their own place.” The complete and utter rage displayed on his face yanked a squeak out of Brian and a shutter out of you. It had been well over a decade since you’d seen that face and you’d wished you’d never have to see it again, yet here you were. “Using Terrance as a shield was smart. Clearly Y/N or Donna’s idea. Y/N, can I see you in the dining room please?”

“Okay,” you turned to Brian, “I’ll be back in a minute, keep holding Terrance.” A kiss in the cheek and you were gone, having willingly entered the lions’ den.

“Dad-”

“No. I will speak. Y/N you are my greatest accomplishment, being your father has been the best thing I’ve done with my life. I love you with all of my soul, and that’s why I can’t let you stay with Otis any longer. Being with a firefighter takes strain on relationships, it is challenging to keep them alive. Donna, Cindy, Trudy, every one of the wives of my men worries in ways I never want you to suffer through. One day, Otis might not come home. He might die. In a house, a factory, or a hospital room. You will live with this fear, the fear that you will lose him, day after day for the rest of your life. It will never end. And the loss you will feel will be like no other, it will rip you apart and grind you into bits. And if he doesn’t die on the job, which no matter how much I want to maim him right now I don’t wish for him, the worry will fry your nerves until you breakdown.”

“Are you done?”

“Yes.” He growled at your indifferent response. “I will not live my life afraid of pain. If I did, I would have chosen to live with my mother instead, so that I wouldn’t ‘fry my nerves’ with worry. But I still did. Because I loved you and wanted to live with you. I have spent every day of my life worrying and fretting about your safety. And uncle Hermann’s, and uncle Mouch’s. Adding Brian to that list won’t be much of a feat, and you’re insulting my ability to find healthy outlets for my emotions. If I get hurt, then I’ll get hurt. But the time I’ve spent with Brian is something that I will cherish and hold dear to me, and as long as he lets me, loves me, I’ll spend the rest of my time, my life with him. I love him.”

“You really do, huh?”

“Yes.”

Teary sobs came from the living room, “can you hug already? Please?”

“And can we join?” All you could do was smile through the happy tears as your dad, your hero, embraced you and gestured for Brian and Donna to join you. Love, happiness, and relief radiated from all five of you, even though Terrance had no clue what was going on.

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“... I still want to punch you Otis.”

“Dad!”

“Wallace!”

“I said that I want to not that I will. Sheesh.”

#One Chicago #one chicago imagines #Chicago Fire #chicago fire imagine #brian zvonecek #brian zvonecek x reader #wallace boden #wallace boden x daughter!reader #Natalie Manning #maggie lockwood #donna boden

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those70scomics · 4 years

Photo

I’ve never written a story where Jackie and Hyde have any children, and I still haven’t. But I have written partial outlines for a few. Today (as a gift to you on my birthday), I present what I have of a story called Fourteen Autumns.

Animation Tutorial - Falling Leaves by SadfaceRL

Summary: On the fourteenth autumn of her daughter’s life, Jackie is finally ready to be a mother to her -- and reconcile with Hyde. But after many years of disappointments, neither Hyde nor their daughter, Sparrow, are sure they’re ready to accept Jackie fully into their family. Or heart.

Fourteenth Autumn. October 25, 1993.

Jackie, Hyde, and thirteen-year-old Sparrow meet up at the Point Place Harvest Festival with Eric and Donna's family (they have two sons) and Red and Kitty. Jackie and Hyde need to have a serious talk. Eric and Donna take Sparrow away with them to facilitate this talk. Jackie's a soap opera actress in NYC. She pretends to be in love all the time on her show. Her character's been married five times. But her life is unfulfilling. She's emotionally cut-off. Acting in a soap opera means memorizing thirty pages on a good day. But she can be given up to eighty pages if production demands recording four episodes in one day. Soap opera acting is not where she imagined she'd still be by now. She'd hoped to transition to a prime-time show, comedy or drama. It just hasn't happened for her. She's switched soaps a few times and returned to her first one. Her agent keeps encouraging her to audition, but her career is not enough. She misses her connections to her friends and family. Hyde believes Jackie wants to fill her emotional void with Sparrow, and he won't let Jackie use her. Jackie says she still has feelings for Hyde, too. They've slept together on and off over the years. Jackie tried one-night stands and even dated a few people “seriously,” and the sex meant nothing. She needs the emotional connection. Hyde made Sparrow his focus once she was born. He slept around, but he never fell in love. He didn't want any relationship to pull his attention from raising Sparrow. Jackie wants to try dating Hyde again, and she wants to be in Sparrow's life. She'll quit acting. Hyde says she's too ambitious to give up on her passion / career. Jackie says unless she writes something herself, like an independent movie, and gets it funded, she won't be living her passion anyway. Hyde says Sparrow's turning fourteen soon. She'll enter high school next year. Jackie asks if that means Jackie can't be mom to her daughter if her daughter's a teenager. Hyde says Jackie hasn't been a mom to Sparrow for thirteen years. Jackie is hurt by this. Hyde understands why.

First Autumn. Late September, 1979.

Jackie is a month away from giving birth. She and Hyde are in the same park as in 1993. Leaf colors are just barely starting to change. Hyde tells Jackie, “I'm not so sure about this adoption thing.” Jackie tells Hyde that she has to give the baby up for adoption. He says its our baby, not the. Jackie says it won't be. She's already had to defer college a semester. She wants her future. Raising a baby isn't right. She has no parental support with her dad in prison and mom off in Mexico or wherever again. Jackie says keeping the child would be selfish. Hyde's thought about that a lot since learning Jackie was pregnant. And he's tried to convince himself that letting his child be raised by other people is the right thing to do. But he feels connected to their kid. He'll always wonder, “What if?”

He loves Jackie, and he thinks they can handle it. He knows that this all sounds weird coming from him. But they don't need Jackie's parents. Hyde's got two sets of his own: W.B. and the Formans. Money's not going to be a problem, and neither is daycare. Hyde's got Grooves. Jackie can still go to college. She'll just have to put it off for a year instead of months and transfer to one she can commute to. Jackie got into NYU's acting program. She can't—and won't—give that up.

Hyde says but she can give up their kid?

Jackie says, again, it won't be theirs. She's—they're—giving it up for adoption. She's been looking through the portfolios of potential parents, and she's come up with three choices. She wants Hyde to look at them with her. Hyde says he doesn't have to. He already knows who their kid's dad is. Jackie [desperate]: “Steven, please!” Hyde says, “I'm raising our kid, Jackie. With or without you. I want it to be with, but I won't force you, all right? I won't. But I got this--” he presents an engagement ring--“a month ago. That's when I realized I didn't want to give up our kid, but I had no clue how to talk to you about it.” Jackie says he can't use marriage as a trap, just like he used to tell her she couldn’t against him.

Hyde says he doesn't mean it as a trap but as a promise they'll be partners in this, in everything. Jackie: “I need you to be my partner in letting the—our child go.” Hyde: “I can't.” Jackie, devastated, knows she's lost. She can't deny Hyde the right to be their child's father. “Then you'll lose me.” Hyde: “Jackie—” Jackie: “Because I can't be in this child's life. I'm going to be in debt for half my life to pay for school. I don't … I'm not capable of raising a child right now. Maybe if I'd gotten pregnant ten years from now, but not today.” She says his mom always resented his birth, his existence, because it meant the end of all the hopes and dreams she had for her life. His mom was only nineteen. Jackie's only eighteen, and she doesn't want to resent her child.

If she could somehow freeze the baby and thaw it once Jackie was ready to be a mother … but that's not possible, and she's not ready. And no matter how much she might love their child, part of her will probably resent it. And it won't be their child's fault. Just like his mom's resentment wasn't Steven's fault. But she won't be able to help how she feels. She'd rather let two loving people, who are absolutely ready and willing and wanting to raise a baby have their child than risk making their child feel unloved in any way. Hyde is quite emotional over this comparison. He says, “I don't want our kid ever feeling the way I did, either. I'm not exactly ready to be a dad, okay? I get it. But I already...” Jackie takes his hand and places it on her stomach. She understands. Steven loves their child. Jackie: “You also already have a career you're happy with. Three parents who adore and support you. We were both afraid of the future for different reasons, and in different ways, but you're not anymore because your present is settled. You trust it. But without this baby, my future is full of possibilities. With it, my destiny is written, and it's not the one I want.” Hyde can't argue. Grief is written on his face. She sees it. Jackie: “I know I sound selfish, and maybe I am being selfish. But I truly believe giving this baby up for adoption is the kindest, least selfish option for all of us.” Hyde: “Not for me.”

First Autumn. October 25, 1979.

Hyde and Mrs. Forman are taking a walk on a leaf-strewn path. Hyde's been taking Kitty's baby-care class all month. He's read baby-care books the month before that and asked Kitty all kinds of questions. Kitty asks if Hyde's excited about becoming a father. Jackie's due date is so soon.

Hyde says he's scared but relieved Jackie agreed to let him raise the kid … and that the Formans agreed to help as much as they can. Kitty says this is her first grandchild. She's honored and so happy Hyde decided to raise the child. She's worried about Jackie, though. Kitty tried to convince Jackie to hold the baby after birth, just so she wouldn't have any questions. Just to have a moment of bonding. Jackie is adamant she has no contact with the baby.

This hurts Hyde's heart. Hyde says Jackie's got to do what she's got to do. Kitty questions him and asks if that statement represents how he actually feels.

Hyde: “It’s reality.”

Kitty: “I’m so terribly sorry -- and incredibly sad -- that your baby broke you and Jackie up.”

Hyde: “Me, too.” Kitty changes the subject (for herself and him). She asks if Hyde's thought of a name yet.

Hyde: “If it's a boy, Zeppelin. If it's a girl, Zeppelin.”

Kitty [horrified]: “You can't name your child after a blimp.”

Hyde says Led Zeppelin is his favorite band.

Kitty doesn't care. He has to think of a proper name for his child.

Hyde remembers when Jackie used to talk about boy and girl names she'd want to name their future kids. He used to get so uncomfortable with these conversations that he'd come up with the most ridiculous names to shut her up. But he doesn't want to pick one of the names Jackie wanted since their kid might resent Jackie for choosing not to be in her life. Kitty asks if he looked through the baby name book she gave him.

He says he has, but none of the names stuck out at him. He was named after his stepdad, who was named after his dad. A SPARROW lands near them on a fence. It draws Hyde's focus. In this moment, he emotionally connects to how his life is going to change completely in a few days. He won't be responsible only for himself but another life: physically, mentally, and emotionally. Kitty sees that Hyde is getting emotional. His face is flushing. Kitty hugs him, like she knows what he needs. He doesn't hug her back immediately.

She says, “You won't be doing this alone. I promise, Steven. Red and I consider you our son, and we won't let you do this alone.” Hyde's arms wrap around Kitty in this moment, and he says, “Thanks. ... I--” He takes a deep breath and laughs to release tension. “Fuck it. I love you.” Kitty hugs him tighter. That's the first time he's ever said the words aloud without her prompting him.

Kitty: “I love you, too—and watch your language. You're about to have a baby!” She lets go of Hyde, and they laugh. He wipes his wet eyes, and they continue walking.

First Autumn. October 28, 1979.

Hospital delivery room. Jackie gives one final push, and out comes her and Hyde’s daughter. Hyde has his shirt unbuttoned. He sits in a chair, and the doctor puts the baby in Hyde's arms, against his chest for warmth. The doctor and nurses dry off and clean up the baby while she's in Hyde's arms. They also evaluate baby. She's fine. They cut the umbilical cord. Hyde: “Jackie, you've got to see her—just see her. She's beautiful.” No answer. Nurse says low, “We've got a room all set up for you down the hall. It's probably best we go.” Hyde: “Jackie's still breathing?” Nurse, “Yes. She's all right, but we need to respect her wishes.” Hyde stands with the baby. The nurse guides Hyde toward the door, but Jackie says, “Wait!” Hyde does. He turns around. Jackie says, “Let me hold her.” Hyde brings the baby to Jackie and places her on Jackie's bare chest. Jackie, with tears in her eyes, has a moment of connection with her child. She kisses the top of the baby's head then lets her go. Hyde, holding the baby against his own bare chest, says, “Do you want to know her name?” Jackie [crying]: “Yes.” Hyde: “Sparrow Katherine.” Jackie doesn't remark on whether or not she likes the name. She just nods weakly, as if she's accepted the baby's not hers to name. She willingly gave up that right.

First Autumn. November 1, 1979.

Hyde's in what used to be Laurie's room. It's now Hyde's room and decorated like it, too. Inside is also Sparrow's crib -- which Red made -- a changing table, and a rocking chair that Mrs. Forman insisted on. Shelves are filled with parenting books as well as books to read to Sparrow. By the crib, on Hyde's nightstand, is a baby monitor; a gift from Angie. Hyde's sitting in the rocking chair. No sunglasses. Sparrow is five-days-old, and Hyde is bottle-feeding her while Eric and Donna visit from Madison college. They wanted to see their goddaughter. Eric and Donna couldn't be there during the week, or birth, because of school. They drove down Friday night, arriving too late to see the baby in the hospital. But now they're talking with Hyde and amazed at Sparrow. Hyde finishes the feeding and burps her. He hopes she keeps down the formula, but Mrs. Forman taught him how to feed her so she doesn't swallow too much air. Eric: “I can't believe you're a dad.” Donna: “I can't believe Sparrow is so quiet. Can I hold her … if she doesn't throw up?” Hyde: “Yeah, I think it's safe. But just in case...”

He indicates a soft towel on the changing station. Eric gets it. Donna places it over her shirt, and Hyde hands her the baby. Donna holds Sparrow properly. Hyde gets nervous when new people hold his kid, but he trusts Donna. Donna is totally enamored with Sparrow. She says, “Her eyes are so blue!” Hyde: “Mrs. Forman says that could change in six months. Maybe she's got Jackie's eyes.” Donna [smiling / close to nuzzling Sparrow's face]: “Well, she doesn't seem to have Jackie's temper.” Eric: “So, Hyde, how are you doing with all this?” Hyde: “Great, man. Red and Mrs. Forman are in love with the kid. Angie's in town, taking care of the store while I'm on paternity leave, but she's been over here every night to get Sparrow-time—and Mrs. Forman's cooking. W.B. was here when Sparrow was born and helped out the first few days, too. Hell, I'm lucky if I get to parent Sparrow at all.” Donna [laughing]: “Come on. That's not true.” It isn't, but his family has really taken to Sparrow. Hyde knows how fortunate he is. He's got all the support he told Jackie they would get. Eric: “What about Jackie? I mean, she's not starting college until next semester. Has she … will she ..?” Hyde gets uncomfortable, and Sparrow starts to fuss in Donna's arms, as if she senses Hyde's discomfort. Donna passes Sparrow back to Hyde, and Hyde feels better with Sparrow in his arms. He sits in the rocking chair again. Hyde: “Jackie held her in the hospital room. Then she let her go.” Let both of them go. “Not gonna say it doesn't kill me 'cause it does. But I didn't know I could feel like this...” He gazes at Sparrow, who grabs Hyde's finger. “It's freakin' unreal how much I love her.” Donna is touched. She lays her hand on Eric's knee and says, “You almost make me want to have kids.” Eric [nervous]: “You don't want kids?” Donna [who still has Sparrow's towel, which fell to her lap]: “I do. We've talked about that. Just not now.” Eric [relieved]: “Right. Right. Hey, Hyde, think I could hold her sometime?” Hyde: “After her nap, sure.” He begins to rock her in the chair. Donna: “Aw, you're such a softy.” “Should we tell Aunt Donna to get bent?” Hyde says to Sparrow -- with a voice he'd never heard come out of him until she was born. It should disturb him, how sickeningly sweet it is, but it doesn't. He looks up at Donna and says with his normal tone, “Sparrow says I should give you a break.” Donna: “Thanks, Sparrow.” Eric: “Speaking of Sparrow, how'd you come up with that name? I thought for sure you'd name her Clapton or Hendrix.” Hyde: “A sparrow showed up at the right time.”

So did Forman and his folks. And Donna. W.B. and Angie … and Jackie. All the people he's ever needed in his life showed up when he needed them, and Sparrow's the latest one in that list.

Sparrow yawns, and Hyde kisses Sparrow's forehead. He's going to be there for Sparrow no matter what happens in her life or where she chooses to go. She'll always have him to come back to.

Tenth Autumn. October 5, 1989.

SPARROW'S DIARY. October 5. Jackie sent Sparrow her first diary. It has a purple cover, her favorite, and Jackie glued a picture of a sparrow to the cover. SPARROW writes about this in her first diary entry. October 5, 1989. Hello, diary. How are you? I know you can't answer, but I'm happy Mom bought you for me. You're my favorite color, purple, and Mom glued a pretty picture of a sparrow on the front. She said in her note that you're one of her any-time presents. She sends those to me a lot. I wish she was here. I almost never see her—except on TV. Farmor lets me watch her on Nights of Our Days sometimes. Dad doesn't like it, but I want to know my mom. I mean, Dad's told me a lot about her. He answers all my questions, but it's not the same as talking to her. She doesn't love me. Dad says she does, but he also says presents don't mean love, and I think the same thing. But people who do love me give me presents a lot, too, like Dad and Farmor, Farfar, and Grandpa. But they also spend time with me and take me to places like the zoo and Funland and play games with me, and I know they love me, and I love them. I don't know if I love Mom. Dad says that's okay. He doesn't love his mom, either. His mom hurt him really bad, but he won't tell me how. He says she's like Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty, and that's scary. I've seen that movie about a hundred times. Farmor reminds me of Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather. She's my grandma, and she's so funny. We laugh all the time, but she's also like my mom. Not Mom but an actual mom. I love her so much, and I love my dad more than anything. I wish he was happier. … I mean, he is happy. I'm happy, too, but sometimes we're both sad. He loves Mom, and maybe I should, too? Maybe I do. I'm just so MAD at her. Anyway, diary, I better go. Talk to you again soon!

That’s all I wrote. But had I finished this story, we would’ve gotten glimpses of Hyde, Sparrow, and Jackie's lives throughout autumns two through thirteen -- with Jackie and Hyde’s (and eventually Sparrow’s) conversation during the fourteenth autumn interspersed among the chapters.

The epilogue would’ve been the fifteenth autumn, a year after Jackie asks to be part of Sparrow and Hyde’s lives. We see that the family is together and happy, although still working through things. But everything is moving in the right direction.

#That 70s Show #That '70s Show #Jackie x Hyde #Jackie Burkhart #Steven Hyde #Fanfic #Fourteen Autumns #Jackie and Hyde #Jackie #Hyde #Fanfic that Never Was

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caspers-chibs-imagines · 4 years

Text

Redemption

Summary

Riley Teller and her son move back to Charming. When Riley returns however, she is faced with the fact that she had to take on her responsibilities as a mom better than before when they are apart of The Sons. Allies are made and maybe a little something more with a certain Scotsman.

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Chapter Fourteen

I stood with Sack as Tig, Jax, Clay, Chibs and Juice all fired rounds into targets from the guns supplied by the Irish. I jokingly threaten to staple Sack's kutte to the wooden crate behind us and he shoved me away from him and I shoved him back as we laughed at one another.

Over the last three months, myself and him had gotten closer due to us both being in the same position as prospects and being made to do all kinds of random shit for the club. He was like having another kid. Tommy liked he too and would always want him to teach him how to fight - sometimes I wondered what the others would be saying to my son to make him want to learn from Sack.

Another thing that had been happening over the last few months was Chibs and I kept on whatever it was that we are. But around the club, I was simply a prospect and we wouldn't make any advances towards one another. He would come over the house a lot of the nights, sometimes Tommy would be awake and be happy that he was having a sleepover. Other times he was either with Mary and the kids or asleep and that left Chibs and me up to do whatever we wanted to one another.

As far as I was aware, mom was the only one that had caught onto me to and Chibs and she kept giving me knowing looks whenever he and I were alone in the clubhouse. But we knew better than to do anything in the clubhouse or we risked being caught by one of the other members. If anyone asked why he was spending so much time at the house, we would put it down to Tommy wanting to see his favourite member of mommy's club. Juice had taken offence to that when Chibs told him and whenever Tommy was around, Juice would be trying to win him over with sweets and allowing him to be used a personal pony.

I had also started reading the book that my father had written and seeing some of the things that he said about the club made me wonder what Jax and I were going to do about it all.

"Prospects!" Tig shouted and Sack and I stopped goofing around as we turned towards him. "New targets, let's go!" I shoved Sack one more time and moved to take down the ripped-up targets and replaced them with new ones. I finished stapling the last target while Sack struggled with his own as gun shots rushed past my head.

"Hey, hey!" I shouted as I ran out of the way to avoid being shot by Tig's sudden antics. Once I was out of the way, Chibs started to join in on winding Sack up as he shot his stapler gun back at them.

"Yeah, great job. You'll shoot off my one last nut. Great sponsor." He calls over to them as Chibs and Tig laugh. I shake my head at the pair before they all walk into the warehouse and leave me and Sack outside while they are talking to the Irish.

Before long, the deal had been made and Sack and I were helping to move the crates of guns into a black van. As I was helping Sack load one of the crates, I noticed the tension between Clay and Jax as they spoke to one another. Jax moved away from him and he nodded to me before he mounted his bike.

"What was that about?" Sack asks me as I turn back to him.

"Not a clue." I slap him on the shoulder before loading up the last of the crates.

Once they were loaded up, I walked over to my bike as Sack got onto his own.

"Wanna come and get my son with me?" I ask as I clip the strap to my helmet under my chin. When he agrees, we both reeve our engines and drive off to Tommy's school to pick him up. I told Sack to wait by the bikes as I went into the grounds to pick my son up. As I stood waiting, I noticed all the usual parents that stood on their own or with their babies - a couple of the parents stared at me with my prospect kutte on with dirty looks. I continued to wait as the children started to come out of their classrooms. But what caught my eye was the hooded man that stood by the school gates. I frowned as I look at him and tried to see who it was but with no luck due to how far he was.

"Mommy!" I turn around to see Tommy coming over to me and I open my arms for him. He hugs me and I ruffle up his hair before turning to walk back to Sack. I look over to see that the hooded man had left, and my panic didn't settle.

Once we got to the bikes, I gave Sack a look and he instantly knew it meant trouble. I got Tommy in front of me on my bike and put his helmet on and we drove very quickly - as quick as I was willing to go with my son on the bike - back to the clubhouse.

Pulling up alongside the other bikes that were parked, I looked over to the gate to see a silver car had pulled up on the other side of the road.

"Baby, go with Eddie into the clubhouse." I tell Tommy as I continue to look at this car after getting off the bike. "Sack, get Chibs for me." He nods his head before he and Tommy race each other to the clubhouse. I lean against my bike and light a cigarette as I continue to watch the car. There was two men inside, one was hooded and the other had a hat pulled over his eyes. I couldn't make out who they were, and it was beginning to really worry me.

Chibs emerged from the clubhouse and he walked over to me with a concerned frowned on his face.

"What's wrong, love?" He asks and I point to the car outside the gate.

"They've just followed me from Tommy's school." I reply and he curses under his breath as I take another drag. "If it's who I think it is, then I need to pull Tommy out of school until it sorted."

We both stood and watched as the car pulled off after a few moments and then I let the panic that was rushing through me release. I walked over near the boxing ring where the punching bag was and started letting out my frustrations on it. Hit after hit, I felt my body shaking with the adrenaline and I kept going until I was out of breath and Tommy had ran back outside to me.

***

"I haven't been able to say this yet on a club level." Clay started as everyone settled in their seats and looked up to him. Either smoking or drinking a beer - I decided to do neither for the time being. "We're all broken up about what happened to Donna. She was a great girl. I know how much you loved her. She sure loved you."

I started to tune out the conversation as my mind wondered over to the men that had followed me and my son from his school today. The men who had killed George knew where I was; they knew where to find my son when he wasn't with me.

"I want Jax and Riley." I snapped out of my thoughts to see Opie looking over to me. A pleading look in his eyes and I knew what he needed me and my brother for. Clay was pinning the murder of Donna on another man while the one who did it was sat in this room.

I nod my head to him, and a faint smile pulled his lips before it disappeared again. Clay called the meeting to an end and I went to get up and looked to Jax who gestured for me to leave. I walked out of the chapel and closed the doors behind me - leaving Jax and Clay inside.

Opie turned to me and I walked up to him before we hugged one another.

"You sure, you want me there?" I ask.

"Of course." He pats my back and then leaves to go outside. I watch him leave and then walk over to where Tommy sat with Sack at the bar. Tommy had his fists up and was blocking Sack's playfully punches. I quickly played Sack's arms behind him and he struggled against me.

"Quick Tommy, get him!" I cheered for my son and he started his little punches onto Sack. I knew he was okay because Tommy wasn't a fighter at heart, he was too gentle to be one. I let Sack go after a moment and he shoved me - earning a shove back in return.

Jax came over to me and tapped me on my elbow, giving me the signal that it was time to go. I turn back to Tommy and smile.

"Baby, mommy has to go do something." I start as I put my hands on his shoulders. "You are going to stay here with Eddie, and he will play all afternoon with you." When he hears this, Tommy nods his head and I pull him into my arms and kiss his head. I let him go and turned to Sack and pointed my finger at him.

"Do not, and I repeat not! Let him out of your sight." Sack nods his head and then I clap his shoulder and follow Jax after taking my kutte off - leaving me in my black hoodie - out to the truck and van.

***

I sat between Jax and Opie as we pulled up across the street of the man that Donna's murder was being pinned on.

"That's him." I say as I look at the photo on the report and hand it over to Jax. "Restocking his dealers."

"Elian Perez." Jax says he looks over the report. "Out of Corcoran three months ago, manslaughter. A Chinese menu of drug and assault charges." I kept a watchful eye on Opie as he glared at the man that sat on his bike. Tig and Chibs pull up next to us in the van.

"How do we do this?" Tig asks and Jax and I look around.

"Too many eyes here." Jax replies. Opie taps me and I see that the Mayan was on the move. I hit Jax and he starts to follow him. We followed around for a minute and that's when he pulled onto an empty street.

"This street is empty." Opie says. I look at the Mayan and then get an idea.

"Pull up beside him." I tell Jax and then climb out the back window and onto the bed of the truck. I look back at Tig and Chibs and wave for them to get ready. Jax does as I told him and drives up beside him. I take a deep breath before running and leaping off the truck to tackle the Mayan off his bike.

We both come crashing down onto the road as his bike falls. I roll on the road before I stop and get up with a groan. I run over to the Mayan and tackle him again before he can get his gun out and start firing. Jax and Opie come over and drag him to his feet as I get off him.

"What the hell, ese!" He shouts as Tig opens the back of the van and pulls him into it.

I take a step towards the truck and groan as I wrap my arm around midsection as a pain shoots through my ribs.

"The hell were ya thinkin', lass?!" Chibs snaps as he walks over to me.

"I was thinking of getting the bastard that killed Donna." I snap back and groan again at the pain. Jax comes over to me and stares at my arm with concern.

"You alright?" He asks and I nod my head. Chibs shoots me a look before going over to the van and I limp over to the truck.

We drive off to a more isolated spot so that Opie could do what he wanted to the man. I stood next to Jax as Chibs and Tig pulled the Mayan out of the van. They threw him to the ground and Opie went straight over to him with a gun pointed at his head.

"Tell me you did it." He growls.

"What are you talking about?" The Mayan panics as he looks up at Opie.

"Tell me you killed my wife." Opie snapped and cocked the gun.

"I swear! I don't know what you're talking about man!" The Mayan tries to reason. But there wouldn't be any reasoning here, he had to die for something he didn't do.

"Ope!" I shout and move forward to pull him away the man. Jax came to my aid and we pulled him away from the situation to let him breathe for a moment. Chibs followed us over and I stood in front of Opie as he shook with rage.

"The hell you doing man?" Jax questions him and Ope shakes his hand off his arm, along with mine.

"I'm not leaving here with any doubt." He replies and I take this time to step in.

"The longer this takes, the greater the risk." I tell him and he looks down at me. "Ope, just do the guy and let's get the hell out of here." Opie looks between Jax and I.

"You guys can go. I've got to do this my way." I shake my head at him.

"Opie listen-"

"If this guy hurt Tommy, you'd be ripping every last bone from his body." Opie snapped at me and then realised his words before taking a deep breath and then looked back at me. "I have to know."

I nod my head in response and I pat his shoulder. We hear a gunshot and instantly back over to where Tig and a now very bloody Mayan lay gurgling on his own blood.

"Broke loose and reached for my gun, had to blow him up man." Tig explains and I narrow my eyes at him. I knew he was lying; the Mayan knew he hadn't done anything but Tig didn't want him speaking anymore.

Opie looked back at Jax and I.

"No doubt, this guy killed Donna." Jax says and that was all it took before Opie shot the Mayan through the skull. He pulled out his knife and bent down to the Mayan. I looked away as he started cutting into the guys chest. I felt my stomach do flips and knew I was going to be sick if I watched.

"That's so Alvarez knows who and why." Opie says and I turn to see a giant 'A' in the corpse's chest. I shake my head and look to Jax.

"Get rid of those guns. You guys take the van, head back. I'll dump the body." He says and I instantly knew what he wanted to do.

"You're dropping him on Mayan turf. Ya can't do it on your own, Jackie boy." Chibs says and Jax tells him that he'll be fine. Tig, Chibs and Opie walk back over to the truck and van. I look at Jax as I turn to leave with them.

"We need to make sure this doesn't end up at our back door." I tell him and he nods his head. I walk back to the truck and hop in next to Opie. I grab my ribs again as they flare up in pain.

"Thank you." I look up to Opie as he drove us back to the clubhouse.

"No need to thank me, Ope." I tell him. "You would've done the same for me."

***

Tommy had wanted to stay with Kenny and Ellie again tonight and I wasn't going to stop him from going. I dropped him off and thanked Mary again for taking care of him. I returned back to the clubhouse to join the party for Bobby's return. There were loads of people drinking, smoking and laughing. I head inside to the bar and grab myself a beer from one of the croweaters working behind there tonight.

I then made my way back outside as I lit a cigarette. I sat on top of one empty benches and watched on over party.

"Ya took a risky move today." I smile as I hear the familiar Scotsman. He sits next to me and takes my cigarette to smoke.

"Just doing right by the club." I reply before taking a swig of my beer.

"Aye," Chibs sighs, exhaling the smoke from my cigarette. "But ya could've gotten yaself killed."

"But I didn't, so there's that." I reply and smirk. He knew I wouldn't let him win this argument and he just smirked back at me, throwing his arm around my shoulders.

We both looked up as a car pulled up into the lot.

"The hell?" I frown before getting up and following Clay over to the car. Four men get out and one walks right up to Clay.

"Garage is closed." He says to the man in his fancy suit.

"We're not here for, uh, car repairs. I understand you're a Camacho fan." The man speaks as he holds up a small box towards Clay, who doesn't even look at it.

"Who are you?"

"Just dropping by to give you a little friendly advice." The man in the white shirt spoke up. He looked from Clay to where I stood beside him. The look he gave slightly unsettled me, but I didn't let my face show that - keeping my jaw locked and my eyes narrowed.

"And what advice would that be?" Clay asked.

"We feel it would be best for all concerned if you stop dealing arms to the One Niners and the Mayans." At this most of the club starting chuckling and I joined them in the façade.

"We're just mechanics and Harley lovers, man. Got something against bikers?" I speak up and the guy in the suit looked down at me and smiled.

"Such a small girl like you?" He teases and I give him a sarcastic smile. I also feel Chibs step a little closer behind me as his hand touches the bottom of my back.

"That's one of Darby's guys back there." Tig tells Clay and I notice that the two men behind this prick were in fact part of the racist group among Charming.

"Mr. Darby is one of our supporters."

"Expensive car. Hell of a suit. All of your teeth. Must be the top of the Aryan food chain, huh?" Clay asked the man.

"What you do for a living is between you and your maker. I'm not here to adjust your moral compass. This is just a reality check. You're a criminal and you're done selling guns to colour." I heard Tig cock his gun then and Clay stopped him. "Are you gonna shoot me, Mr. Trager? With all these witnesses?"

"Look, uh, I don't know what Darby told you and, uh, I don't know what your angle is, but let me be real clear. Nobody threatens SAMCRO. And nobody tells us what we can and can't do. Black, brown or white. So, why don't you just climb back into your little German clown car and drive back to Nazi town? 'Cause the next time you piss all over my shoes, he will kill you. I don't give a shit how many witnesses there are." Clay threatens the man. I find my smirking at them and knew that everyone else would be too.

"My shop opens in a few weeks. Until then... enjoy." The man then puts the box down at Clay's feet before moving to get back into his car. I move with the others to circle the car and the one in the white bumps into me.

"Sorry." He says and I glare at him as he gets into the car. I turn back around to Clay and the others as Chibs picks up the box and passes it back to Clay. I walk back over to the bench that I had been sitting on and go back to drinking and Chibs joins me.

Not long after, another car pulls up into the lot, but we all know who it is and start cheering as Bobby steps out. Everyone starts hugging him and welcoming him back before Chibs helps him put his kutte back on and then I walk up to him.

"See you got some leather." He smiles and I laugh before hugging him and I welcome him home. I see Agent Stahyl and decide to go over and have some fun as Clay thanks her for bringing home Bobby.

"Why don't you stay for a while. Bet you could do some serious damage to a striper pole." I offer and she glares at the kutte that sat on my shoulders.

"Like you wouldn't know." She says before getting back into the car.

The party continues to rage on now that Bobby was back, and I kept drinking. After being around Juice, Chibs and some of the other charters, I felt like it was time to go home. I walk over to the bikes as I finish my cigarette and flick it away. I sit on my bike and grab my helmet.

"Leavin' love?" I look up to see Chibs had followed me to the bikes.

"I've welcomed the princess home." I tell him and sit still on my bike with my helmet in my hands. Chibs leans down and holds onto my bike after checking over his shoulder to make sure no one was looking our way.

"How 'bout I join ya." He offers as he leans down and presses his lips to mine. I smile into the kiss and bite my lip when he pulls away.

"Better get on that bike." I tell him and he smiles before moving to his own bike.

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bigskydreaming · 4 years

Note

Ok, but how would you writte a court of owls and a dick grayson fanfic, focusing on the abduction too, after all the traumas that being destained to be a talon could carry with?, just imagine dick noticing his family could have known this, and then boom, someway the court makes his way to dick core, bat fam have to fighthim, but focusing in all those conflicts and not only the fights

LOL I have a few different Court of Owls’ ideas running through my head at any given time, but for various reasons, some of which I can’t even identify, they almost always tend to be AUs of some kind, where I also play around with different takes on the family dynamics or how the family comes together in the first place. I have no clue why that particular plot point, the Court, tends to pair itself with unorthodox Batfam takes in my head, tbh. It just does.

As an example, the one I’ve come back to the most often and most recently when fiddling around with various WIPs when the chaos of my life these days allows for it, lol.....its called “Where Last We Left Off” and it goes AU from general pre Flashpoint comic book continuity when Dick is still Robin, around fourteen or so. Long enough into his time living with Bruce that they’ve reached a point of considering each other father and son, even if neither is saying as such yet, and past the point where the Titans first formed and and even after Kory first came to Earth, so Dick has well established friendships with Garth, Roy, Wally, Donna, Lilith and Kory at least.

So in it, I set up an initial prelude and then there’s a time skip to five years later, where all the actual fic takes place. My premise is basically that Batman has been operating in Gotham for about seven years by the prelude, Batman and Robin about four or five, and its only in the last couple of years that Batman’s started coordinating more consistently and officially with other heroes as a member of the Justice League. And the point of departure happens when the Court uncovers Batman and Robin’s secret identities while trying to rid themselves of Batman’s interference in their operations even though he’s not aware of them just yet. When they realize that Robin is none other than their intended Gray Son, they decide to try and kill two birds with one stone.

Cue Dick’s abduction, but with a twist. Rather than make him a Talon and subject him to the Talonization process or whatever that’s called, and employ brainwashing or mind control techniques to control him, they make themselves known to Bruce as the ones who took Dick, give him a taste of what the Talons are capable of and make sure he gets a good look at the changes to their physiologies and mental states, and then they make their demands. They won’t subject Dick to any of that.....so long as Bruce agrees to hang up his cape and cowl, and cease all vigilantism and contact with other heroes. They give him forty eight hours to make his decision, and leave him with the body of one of their Talons to ‘study’...in essence, making both an example of how little they care for their tools and think nothing of disposing of one, and to give Bruce more information than he really wants at the moment of all the kinds of things that Talon was subjected to in the ‘making’ of him.

Unable to find a hint of where they took Dick before the deadline, even when Bruce calls in Clark, Barry and a few others for help searching, Bruce ultimately agrees to their demands and ceases all activity as Batman in exchange for the occasional proof of life demonstrating that the Court are holding up their end of the bargain. If they see even a hint of vigilantism or working with other heroes, they warn, they’ll have no further use for Dick except as just another of their Talons.

Heartsick and with no real idea how to spend his days at first, or inclination to put much thought into coming up with ideas for that, as well as refusing to even speak with Clark and the others, let alone Dick’s friends, at the risk of that being overseen or heard and deemed ‘working with other heroes,’ Bruce ultimately funnels most of his time and energy into charity works and projects mostly born of idle ideas he remembers Dick mentioning every now and then, when complaining about how stupid the way certain things worked or skewering various flaws in the typical upper class reasonings of people he was expected to converse with at various galas....and then venting to Bruce all the way home.

Eventually, Bruce meets Jason in a different way than in canon, but still takes him in. Not to replace Dick of course, or because he’s given up on him (if he ever did that, after all, there’d be no reason for him not to go back out as Batman). But rather just because he has to do something, and the thought of caring for Jason and trying to be for him what he was for Dick, or at least hoped he’d been, it sparks the first real motivation he’s had since the abduction. The one thing he can’t bring himself to regret is taking Dick in, even as he blames himself for thinking so selfishly, since if he hadn’t done that, this would never have happened to Dick (not knowing yet that the Court was always intent on getting their hooks into Dick whether he was in the equation or not). But the point is, he can’t honestly say he wishes he’d never taken Dick in, even as selfish as he feels for that, so he doesn’t let his misgivings keep him from following his instincts with Jason, telling himself it’ll be different since he’s not Batman anymore. (Bottom line being his choice with Jason is still about Jason, not just as a proxy for Dick or anything).

Not all that long after, different events than canon result in him taking Tim in as well (with Tim not aware of his past as Batman at this point in this AU, since I’m positing that Dick was abducted before Tim happened to see Robin doing the flip that let him connect the necessary dots there). And not long after that, Bruce takes in Duke as well, and then finally, about a year before the five year time skip to present day, he takes in Cassandra, due to Barbara’s influence.

Babs has one of the bigger divergences in this AU, as I’m switching things around a little specifically to set Dick’s abduction at just before Babs becomes Batgirl. So she’s not really one of his friends at this point in life, and she sets out to become Batgirl pretty much right after Bruce hangs up the cape. Unable to even confront Batgirl as himself, lest the Court see that as an attempted return to vigilantism, but paranoid that they might view Batgirl as his attempt to work via a proxy, Bruce does a most un-Brucely thing....he anonymously tips off the Commissioner about his daughter’s vigilantism, and Jim Gordon puts a stop to that by unapologetically even playing the guilt trip card to keep his daughter from risking her life night after night. So Batgirl retires almost as soon as she begins, but that doesn’t mean Babs is out of the game by a longshot.

A big part of the reason for that divergence is I’ve always felt that Babs was going to become Oracle one way or another, no matter what road she took there, and although I love her as Batgirl, I don’t view it as fundamentally essential to her overall character as other early personas of other superheroes are. And despite the Bat theme, Barbara has never been dependent on Bruce either for guidance or resources, let alone validation......so I wanted to play around with what happens if you cut the Batgirl portion of Barbara’s life out of the picture completely.

So basically, she just starts becoming Oracle even earlier. She promised her dad she wouldn’t risk her life on the streets in a cape and a mask. She made no such promises about putting her computer skills to use for the greater good, in whatever ways she deems most efficient. Which ultimately leads to her working as a superhero information broker for a growing number of vigilantes who have no idea their cyber eyes and ears isn’t even quite of legal drinking age just yet, and from there, forming the Birds of Prey as satellite agents for missions she directs them towards in a Charlie’s Angels kind of way, where she’s just the voice on the radio so to speak. One of those missions results in Dinah, Helena and a couple others crossing paths with Cassandra, who returns with them to the States. She’s still just a teenager though, younger than when she first crossed paths with the Batfam in canon, only about thirteen here. And the Birds don’t think any of them themselves have the kind of home and stability they all agree she deserves, so they ask the ever mysterious Oracle if she knows of anyone....not realizing just yet that said Oracle is barely a decade older than Cassandra herself at this point. But the Oracle knows all...so she has an idea.

Bruce, being the Walking Guilt Complex that he is, felt shitty about interfering in her attempts at vigilantism even as much as he believes he made the right choice there. So after he adopts Jason, he contrived an excuse to hire Barbara in specific to be Jason’s tutor and catch him up to speed before he went back to school, so he’d have reason to allow Babs to become a regular presence at the Manor, and an excuse for him to help her out any way she might need or want. Not that she ever took him up on this, which frustrates him to no end, cuz can’t a billionaire just assuage his guilt complex in peace already, damn. But regardless, between Jason, Tim and Duke, she’s become a regular fixture at Wayne Manor over the years, even though for the opposite reasons as Bruce initially ‘hired’ her. After all, all three boys are basically geniuses in their own respective fashions, so its not like they need tutoring in the conventional sense once they caught up to speed in whatever ways they needed.

Rather, Babs is their tutor specifically in the areas of ‘making sure they don’t get so bored with their schooling, they turn to blowing things up and/or world domination as a hobby’. Basically, an overachieving perfectionist know-it-all hired to help three overachieving perfectionist know-it-all kids reach their full academic potential unhindered by their conventional schooling, which at this point is basically just something that Bruce insists on so the boys get regular social interaction, while Babs concocts their actual curriculums that actually interest them and they do on their own time.

Anyway, so while seeking a placement for Cass that Babs thinks is deserving of her, she ultimately thinks of Bruce, and calls in that favor, albeit in a most unconventional sense. Babs doesn’t know Bruce was Batman at this point either, given how effectively he covered his tracks when he hung up the cape and how pointedly he’s kept away from all vigilantism since....but she knows each of his three boys have very different backgrounds and had trouble adjusting at first because of various issues...all of which Bruce spared no expense in addressing, more in terms of his own direct focus and parenting rather than fiscally. He’s a good dad, here, a great dad, since he’s basically poured all the energy and drive he once devoted to vigilantism to what he now feels he should have focused it on instead....being the father he wished he’d been to Dick and wasn’t going to make the mistake of not being now.

All of which makes Babs think that he might not only be willing to take in Cassandra, but that he might be the best one for her. And so after a lot of cloak and dagger obscurity that would be completely unnecessary if all the parties in question knew all the relevant information about each other, Cassandra ends up at Wayne Manor too.

All of this is essentially backstory for the in between time between the prelude and the actual fic, unveiled and doled out via information conveyed in the present day. But where the actual fic begins, Bruce is committed to being Superdad to Jason, Tim, Duke and Cass, none of whom know he was Batman or the true nature of what happened to their mysterious elder brother who according to the news and what little Bruce and Alfred are willing to say, was abducted years ago with no attempt made to seek a ransom and no idea who did it or why.

Meanwhile, the kids have their own secrets, as Cass has been sneaking out into the city at night and stopping petty crimes and running into some girl in a purple hoodie who calls herself Spoiler. Tim’s preoccupied with a longtime personal quest of his....figure out who the elusive Oracle, all-knowing master of the cyberways is, and in doing so perhaps win their approval and mentorship. And Duke’s metahuman abilities have recently begun manifesting, and Jason ends up helping him test them and figure out what all he can do (after Jason catches Duke in the act of practicing his ghost vision and Duke has to convince him he’s not crazy and nobody needs to tell Bruce).

And that in turn leads to Duke exploring the house with aid of his powers, trying to learn more about the mysterious missing eldest, and Jason distracting him every five seconds by whispering “what do you see now,” because Jason has also long been endlessly entranced by the mystery of Dick Grayson, and also, Jason has no chill.

With all of the above being the dynamic in existence in ‘present day’....when Dick escapes the Court and returns home.

So the story itself is all about Dick trying to deal with the aftermath of everything that happened to him while the Court’s hostage, and everything that didn’t happen to him and that he missed out on, coming in at the eleventh hour to a family that’s now almost fully formed all in his absence....with a seat at the table that’s been reserved for him the whole time, but with him uncertain as to where and how he fits in all of this.

All while being as cryptic about things as possible, because the one and only thing he and Bruce seem able to agree on, after their bittersweet reunion that doesn’t go how either of them ever imagined it....is to keep the other kids out of all this by any means necessary. Upon learning that Bruce hasn’t been Batman in years and the others know nothing about any of this, Dick’s firm on believing they should keep it that way as he doesn’t even know them yet, but he does know he isn’t willing to risk anything like what happened to him happening to any other child, related to him or not. And Bruce is perhaps too willing to accommodate Dick on this because he still feels this is all his fault, and telling the others everything would mean admitting to them what a terrible father he once was.

Which, he wasn’t, is the thing. One of the many things Dick’s struggling to reconcile now, because just like in the comics, Dick’s early years with Bruce were good more often than they were bad. He realizes upon seeing how easily the other kids interact with Bruce in a parent and child way that this is something he’s envious of, and in hindsight wanted even before he was kidnapped, but now he doesn’t know how to voice that or his fear that that Bruce would only be willing to offer that to him now out of guilt, that if he’d really wanted that kind of relationship with Dick, they would have had it before he disappeared.

Add to that the fact that Dick can’t make up his mind whether he’s grateful and touched that Bruce gave up being Batman just for the chance it might keep him safe from the fate of the Court’s Talons.....because sometimes, Dick resents it deeply...or not resents, per se, but more that he didn’t know the specifics of what was going on in the outside world beyond where the Court kept him, or that they’d made Bruce give up being Batman....so finding that out upon escaping is messing with his head more than he expected, and now he can’t help but feel aware of all the people over the years that could have been helped by Batman but weren’t, because of Dick. Basically, the Son of the Walking Guilt Complex, aka Walking Guilt Complex Jr., is blaming himself and his getting kidnapped, for being the reason Bruce isn’t a superhero anymore.

Meanwhile, it was not a good idea to keep all of this hush hush, if for no other reason than that its impossible to recover from a life-changing ordeal like this at home, when that home is filled with four other people you and two others are all committed to keeping the full details of what happened a secret from. Its not at all the homecoming Dick was picturing and had dreamed of, and he catches himself at times feeling resentful of the others for being there at all, before feeling guilty because the truth is he really is glad that Bruce took them all in and has been good for them, that he still found a way to help people and be true to himself even without being Batman.

There’s other stuff involved too, like the fact that Dick is still keeping things from even Bruce, like everything that happened to him in the Court, because a) he doesn’t want to talk about it, b) he’s afraid of the guilt spiral it’ll send Bruce into, to know that all this time he’d done everything he could to keep Dick safe by giving the Court no reason to break their word....when they never actually made any promise not to try and break Dick by methods not part of their usual Talon process, and c) he doesn’t want to talk about it.

And of course, all his old friends and teammates desperately want to see him and reconnect with him, which he fluctuates between wishing it was easier to explain who they were and have them around without risking their own identities with his new siblings.....and being grateful that keeping the Big Secret from said siblings meant they could only be around so much (like Clark and Diana, etc, who now simply would not be kept away period)....because like with Bruce, Dick is having trouble coming to terms with how much they’ve all changed while he was gone and how much he’s changed, and what this means for them all and how they even FIT now, if they even do at all.

All of which ultimately builds to Dick sneaking out at night to return to vigilantism himself, which makes Bruce throw an epic freakout when he finds out because he only just got Dick back and is not about to risk losing him again. And with Dick trying to convey that he NEEDS this, now perhaps even more than he ever did before, because its the only thing he knows, the only thing that feels familiar, feels right at this point, while everything else is confusing as hell. And even more than that, he needs it in order to feel like the last five years haven’t cost him everything, that they haven’t...’ruined’ him, because what’s the point of him even being home if he’s just as lost and confused as ever and he can’t even save people, do the one thing that’s always made all the shit he’s ever been through feel worthwhile, like it means something?

He needs it, he can’t give this up forever just because something terrible happened one time, that probably would have happened in some form even if he hadn’t been a hero, given what he found out from the Court about his family line. And he’s not wrong to feel that way, is the problem, much like its a problem that Bruce isn’t wrong to feel that if nothing else, its too soon for Dick to be doing this again, and he hasn’t remotely handled any of the many issues weighing on him and the trauma he’s still unwilling to address.

And it doesn’t help that all the while, Bruce has been wrestling with his own uncertainty as to whether to go back to being Batman now that Dick’s safe again and the combined might of the Justice League and Titans have followed his escape route back to the Court and come down on it with extreme zeal. Or whether he even wants to, anymore, if he can justify the risks it includes while now a father in truth not just to Dick but four other kids too (and yes, Damian exists in this AU, he’s just not here yet). He doesn’t want to leave any of his kids without a father, and even more than that, he doesn’t want any of the others following in his and Dick’s footsteps, which also plays a factor in freaking out at Dick’s quick return to a mask.

But he can’t deny that he does miss it too, and more importantly, he misses the way he and Dick used to understand each other without a word, in perfect sync as they swung over the city together. He can’t help but feel like it would be so much easier for him and Dick to understand each other, communicate with each other, if they were back on the same page even if just for one night for old time’s sake. And also he worries about Dick maybe growing to resent his siblings if he feels like they’re the only reason he won’t go back to being Batman, he won’t let there ever be a Batman and Robin again....which then startles him into worrying that on some level he’s afraid of growing to resent his other kids for being the reason not to do that. And around and around and around it goes.

And then the other kids figure it out in their own ways and everything really blows up.

And its hard and messy and painful and nothing short or easily fixed. And there are no good choices or easy choices or right choices. Just a lot of good people trying to make the most good come out of the most bad, and not a clue what that actually means or looks like, let alone how to go about it.

Ultimately, its Dick at age 19, coming of age in the most unconventional of ways, trying to figure out who he is and who he wants to be after everything that’s happened, and dragging his whole family along for the ride as they’re all forced to ask the same question and then compare notes and hope that even if they’re not all on the same page, they’re all at least somewhere to be found in the same book.

Its about how you can’t go home again....even when home is exactly where you left it, and everything looks exactly the same but everything is different and nothing and no one will ever be the same ever again.

But that doesn’t mean the trek isn’t worth making, because sometimes the only way to make it forward to who you want to be now....is to first go back to where you last were when last you trusted who you were and what you wanted. So you can make your peace with leaving that road untraveled before finding your new direction and setting forth on that road instead.

*Shrugs* So yeah, that’s my ideal Court of Owls related fic. “Where Last We Left Off.”

Not quite the kind of fic you were describing, lol, but I do seem to insist on being unconventional with my takes, lmao.

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freddiesaysalright · 5 years

Text

My Man

A BenHardy!Roger Taylor x Reader Fic Part I

Summary: Reader is a Broadway actress currently starring in a West End production of Funny Girl. She’s a widow, thanks to the Vietnam War, but it’s a well-kept secret. She also wants everyone to think she doesn’t care for rock music. She meets Roger Taylor when he brings his date backstage.

Word Count: 2.7k

Tag List: @bohemian-war (Thanks for beta reading!) If you’d like to be added, let me know!

Also, I apologize! Somehow the original post got deleted! I’m re-doing it now and hopefully Tumblr won’t be stupid.

Here’s Part I again!

You ran your brush through your hair just once more. The wig cap always left it flat but frizzy in a way that you had to carefully tame it before twisting it up into your usual bun. You swept your bangs behind your ear and then heard a knock at the door.

“Y/N, ma’am?” the security guard called from the other side. “The VIP guests are here.”

You sighed. Your director told you there was going to be a “special guest” at the show tonight who would be visiting the dressing rooms with their date. He didn’t say who it was, only that “you’ll know him when you see him.”

“Show them in,” you said, getting to your feet and facing the door.

The security guard pushed it open and you sucked in a quiet breath. The last person you ever thought would come to Funny Girl on West End was Roger Taylor, drummer for Queen. You didn’t recognize his date, though. When you saw his expression, you narrowed your eyes. He was clearly bored. He looked at your dressing room the way school children looked at a history museum.

“You did wonderful tonight!” the date squealed, breaking your thoughts. “I’m such a fan! I’m Jackie,” she added, offering her hand.

You smiled warmly as you shook it. “Y/N Y/L/N,” you said. “I’m glad you enjoyed the show.”

“It was amazing,” Jackie insisted. “Wasn’t it, Rog?”

At last he looked at you. Something shifted in his eyes as you met his gaze. You knew that look. Men like him had been looking at you like that since you were fourteen.

“Yeah, it was brilliant,” he said with disinterest. “You’ve got a helluva voice.”

“Thank you,” you returned. “And you are?”

He blinked in surprise. You held back a smirk as you watched him struggle with not being recognized. You certainly had his attention now.

“You don’t know?” Jackie questioned with a gasp. “This is Roger Taylor!”

“I’m afraid I’m not familiar with that name,” you lied. “What do you do, Mr. Taylor, that makes you a name I should know?”

“I’m a musician,” he said, irritation furrowing his brow. “In a band. Queen, actually.”

“You must have heard of Queen,” Jackie pressed.

You shook your head and smiled innocently. “I haven’t.”

“We’re on the radio,” he said, almost incredulous.

“They’ve been on television too,” Jackie added.

“I must have missed you,” you said with a shrug. “Although I’m sure you’re very talented.”

You knew you were being condescending but you couldn’t stop. His attitude and his looking had rubbed you completely the wrong way and you wanted to punish him for it. He glared and you and you tried not to look smug.

“They’re great,” Jackie said, oblivious to the growing tension. “I mean, they can’t do what you just did, but they’re a great band.”

He glowered at her and you turned away so he wouldn’t see you laugh.

“Right, we’ll be going now,” he spat, taking her hand and leading her out of the room.

“It was wonderful to meet you!” she called, and you waved, before Roger slammed the door behind them.

“Thank God that’s over,” you huffed, returning to your seat in front of your mirror.

You carefully opened the vanity drawer and retrieved your two most cherished items - your wedding ring, which you slipped onto your finger, and the wallet-sized picture of your husband, George. You always thought he looked so handsome in his uniform. The eagle, globe, and anchor of the US Marine Corps suited him so well. You ran a shaky finger across the portrait and felt your heart ache.

“I met your idol tonight,” you said softly as your throat got tight. “I was kind of a bitch to him, too.” You let out a small laugh. “I wish you could have seen it.”

You gazed at his frozen smile and wiped a tear threatening to leak from your eye. Finally you stood and retrieved your coat. You slid the photo in your pocket. Donning your performance smile, you left and headed for the stage door to sign programs and greet the audience. Your show was not quite over yet.

*****

The incident of Roger Taylor had bothered you for a few days. You wondered if you were being needlessly petty, but you quickly dismissed the idea. If he hadn’t acted the way he did, you wouldn’t have felt so defensive. Just when you were starting to forget about it, it happened again. Only this time, you had no warning until moments before he entered your dressing room. He seemed in a hurry.

“Well, Mr. Taylor, I can’t say I was expecting - ” you began, but he cut you off.

“Listen,” he said. “I need you to pretend last week never happened.”

“Why?” you demanded.

“I don’t need this date to know I had another date here,” he explained. “Trying to be romantic and all that. I did not realize musicals made women so...willing.”

You frowned at him. “Why on Earth should I do this for you?”

He shrugged. “Just to do a guy a solid? Sure, last time, you kind of pissed me off, but I got a great shag.”

“Mr. Taylor, I want you to know that as of now there is no one in the world who has a lower opinion of you than I do.”

“I can live with that,” he returned, smirking. “The feeling’s mutual since you’ve got no taste in music.”

“Excuse me?!”

“You don’t even know who Queen is!”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” you said, sarcasm dripping from your voice. “I didn’t realize Queen was the pinnacle of musical achievement! How silly of me! What is Mozart or Irving Berlin compared to the likes of Queen?! After all, they’ve been on television!”

“There’s no need to have a go at Jackie, she’s a sweet girl,” he said, laughter spreading across his lips.

“Not sweet enough to have for more than one night, apparently,” you spat. “I can’t believe you’re not taking these dates seriously. A West End ticket is a rather expensive way to just get laid.”

“It’s worth every penny,” he said.

You opened your mouth to retort, but an interruption appeared in the shape of a woman who must have been his date.

“Sorry!” she cried. “I got lost on the way back from the loo.”

“No worries,” Roger assured her. “Donna, this is Y/N Y/L/N.”

Donna took your hand before you could offer it and shook it with such enthusiasm you nearly lost your balance.

“It’s wonderful to meet you,” you said kindly. “Did you enjoy the show?”

“Oh, yes!” she sighed. “You sang so beautifully. Especially ‘My Man.’”

You looked down and smoothed your skirt. “It is a very emotional song.”

“How do you manage it?” she asked.

You smiled at her. “It’s a simple trick, really. I sing it to my husband.”

“You’re married?” Roger asked, genuinely stunned.

“I am, Mr. Taylor,” you said and felt the hot tears pricking your eyes. “I see that shocks you.”

“It does, a bit, yeah,” he admitted.

“Is he here?” she wondered.

You shook your head and blinked back the emotions. “Not tonight, I’m afraid.” You waited a beat and then took a deep breath. “Would you like me to sign your program?”

“If you don’t mind!” she accepted, and handed it to you gratefully.

You scribbled your name across the front and returned it to her.

“Thank you for coming,” you said.

“Thank you for the private meet and greet,” she replied.

“You ready to go, sweetheart?” Roger asked her. “She’s only got a few minutes before she’s got to be at the stage door.”

“Oh, sure, yeah,” Donna agreed. “Thanks again!” she said to you.

“Absolutely, Jackie,” you said, shooting a glance at Roger. “Oh, pardon me, Donna. So sorry.”

If looks could kill, Roger’s glare would have made you drop dead.

“No worries,” Donna said politely. “I know you meet loads of people.”

“You’re very kind,” you said. “Have a lovely rest of your evening, you two.”

She said one last goodbye, and Roger said nothing before storming out of your dressing room once again. You snickered, hoping you’d finally seen the last of him.

*****

The following week, you were just finishing your nightly talk with George when your director barged into your dressing room. You placed your picture on the vanity and whipped around.

“Gary, what the hell?!” you cried.

“It’s not just Roger Taylor tonight,” he said, breathless. “It’s the whole band! They want to meet you!”

You gaped at him. “Wh-but I don’t have time! What about everyone waiting outside?”

“Y/N, it’s Queen,” he insisted. “You go out the stage door with them, this show will get more publicity than we could even hope for. Especially if they liked it!”

“Funny Girl doesn’t need the approval of a stupid rock band,” you said.

“I do hope that stupid rock band you’re referring to isn’t Queen, darling,” came a voice from the doorway. Its source was none other than Freddie Mercury. He was trailed by Roger, Brian May, and John Deacon.

You felt heat rush to your cheeks in shame. “I didn’t mean - ”

“Don’t take it personal, Fred,” Roger interrupted. “She hasn’t even heard our music.”

“Now that I do take personally,” Freddie teased, looking at you. “Why not?”

“It’s just not really my style,” you explained sheepishly.

It was one thing to lie to Roger to embarrass him in front of a date. It was another to say those things to Freddie Mercury, a person whose respect you’d like to have. You squirmed a little with discomfort.

You made proper introductions at last and they all complimented your performance. You told them how grateful you were for their attendance. Really, they were all very kind, but throughout the meeting, you felt Roger’s eyes on you. It took a lot of your resolve not to stare back and demand what he wanted from you.

“Well, darling, I don’t want to take up too much of your time,” Freddie said, looking at the clock. “But Roger just wouldn’t shut up about you, so we had to see what all the fuss was about.”

Brian and John chuckled as Roger looked away. The color drained from your face and you pretended to be suddenly interested in your nails.

“Would you like an escort to the stage door?” Brian asked.

“She’d love it,” Gary interjected before you could speak.

You shot him a glare, but complied. Then you noticed Gary and Freddie making hungry eyes at one another. You reached for your coat but Roger beat you to it.

“Allow me,” he offered, opening it for you to slide your arms in.

“Thanks,” you said stiffly as you shrugged it on with his assistance.

You turned back to grab George’s photo. After placing it in your usual pocket, you allowed the band to lead the way out the door.

“Oh, by the way,” Freddie said as you walked. “I’m having a fabulous party at my place tomorrow night. You simply must come, Y/N.”

“Oh, I couldn’t,” you returned.

“She’s a married woman, Fred,” said Roger.

“So what?” Freddie returned. “Bring him along if you like.”

You didn’t answer. How you wished you could bring George. You wanted it so bad your chest tightened.

When you emerged from the stage door, all thoughts of your husband were erased by the onslaught of flashing lights and shouts of excitement.

“Is that Queen?!” “Oh my God!” “We love you, Freddie!” and more all blurred together in an amount of noise that could have knocked you off your feet.

A reporter you were familiar with caught your eye and you walked over. She was beaming as she kept looking past you at the band.

“Y/N, you know Queen?” she wondered.

“Not well,” you replied, yelling over the din. “We just met tonight actually! They liked the show!”

Freddie appeared seemingly out of thin air and spoke to the reporter.

“This girl is bloody brilliant, darling, and you may quote me on that,” he said with a cheeky grin. “One of the best on West End, and she’s not even English!”

You couldn’t help but laugh at his enthusiasm. He was infectiously charming. He kissed your hand before going to sign some autographs. A crowd began to form around the building as onlookers noticed who was there. The small crowd was becoming a swarm. Your heart rate picked up at the sight. You bid your reporter friend goodbye and started down the street. You slipped away unnoticed by the Queen fans.

Four or five people followed behind you. When you faced them, you saw they were people who had come to your show for you. You sighed with relief and approached them.

“Sorry,” you said as you signed the programs. “I don’t make a habit of running off, but it’s not about Funny Girl over there anymore, huh?”

They agreed and thanked you for stopping to talk to them. You loved your theater community. The masses of rock fans could never be your life. As you made your way back to your flat, the noise of the Queen frenzy dying behind you, you heard someone call your name.

“Y/N! Wait up!”

You turned and saw it was Roger.

“Mr. Taylor,” you said. “I’m surprised you made it out alive. Have your bandmates been devoured?”

“They’re big boys, they can handle it,” he replied, smiling. “Hope you’re not offended by the crowd. But you see now why I was surprised you didn’t know me - I mean, us.”

“Was that what all this was? To prove to me how popular you are?”

He shrugged. “Maybe. So, how come you were so much nicer with my friends around?”

You took a moment before you answered. With a wicked grin, you met his eyes. “Well, they’re just all so good looking, it would be impossible to be rude.”

He snorted. “Oh! I see how it is!”

“I hope you do,” you said with a laugh. “The truth is, you’re a lot nicer with your friends around, too.”

“Let me walk you home,” he offered. “As a truce.”

“If I say yes, will you stop bringing your dates to my dressing room?”

“I promise.”

“Very well, Mr. Taylor. You may walk me home.”

As you walked beside him, you felt a new easiness. Perhaps there was more to him than the womanizer you met before. Perhaps that was the show he put on.

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compo67 · 5 years

Photo

Photo Op Edit: Chapter 23 (new content)

Old Chapter 23:

Mrs. Donna Ackles dotes on her youngest son.

What is, understatement of the century, Alex?

Around Jensen, she oozes love and affection.

Around Jared, she brings out standoffish Southern hospitality and doesn't hold back.

Of course, upon meeting Jared, she hugs him, welcomes him to Richardson, asks about his family and such. Minutes into their interaction with each other, Jared doesn’t need a book to tell him she does not care for him. Her response to him showing up on Jensen's arm is somewhat amusing, yet terrifying, as they’ve been invited to stay the night.

The Ackles family brings out Jared, the shy film nerd with no friends and nothing to say.

Each member of Jensen's family looks like they too belong in commercials, movies, and magazines. Donna's carefully decorated, extremely organized house serves as the reunion location. A break in Jensen's filming schedule means both his sister and brother decided to attend.

Jared's anxiety urges him to run away and never look back. Take Jensen with. Or maybe this is the slap to the face he needs from reality. Jensen is way out of his league. What is he even doing here? He doesn't fit into their lived experiences or tax brackets. Donna shows them to the modest--modest being a subjective word--living room. Jared listens and nods and smiles, but he visualizes the back room at work.

It’s soothing to think about the boxes of books waiting to be unpacked and sorted.

What brings him back to reality is Mr. Ackles’ booming voice and slap on Jared’s shoulder. He asks about Jared’s education, whether or not he intends to pursue college.

“I… yes sir,” Jared answers, fidgeting in his seat. “Eventually.”

“Jay’s working at a book store in town,” Jensen announces with pride but the fact still makes Jared feel small. “Owner really trusts him.”

“That’s… interesting,” Mrs. Ackles says with a nod but changes the subject to Jensen’s latest film. “Do you have to be shirtless so often, Jensen? You know I can never take the ladies from bridge to see any of your pictures.”

The idea of a world without a shirtless Jensen Ackles makes Jared sad. He brightens up when Jensen’s hand is on his knee again. “Mom, you better just thank your stars I passed on that Fifty Shades crap.”

“You would never do such a role!” she gasps and shakily pours everyone more lemonade. It’s Jensen’s older brother and his wife, plus his little sister and her husband in the room with Mr. and Mrs. Ackles entertaining. “I raised you better Jensen Ross.”

Of course Jensen takes great delight in teasing his family about the role, which Jared hadn’t even known was offered to him. “The money was pretty sweet. The studio’s desperate for a lead—can’t find anyone who’ll touch it. I told Sandy it’ll probably go to someone hungry and new.” He talks about Los Angeles a little more, until his mother wants to show him the garden out back. Jensen and Jared get up but Mrs. Ackles sweetly insists that Jared stay sitting down, that he doesn’t need to hear her boring talk about flowers but that won’t save her son.

Jared gets the hint. He sits down and ignores the look Jensen gives him before he leaves.

Everyone is very nice but it’s very awkward. Josh’s wife brings up the fact that Jared is seven years younger than Jensen’s little sister, which makes the age difference fourteen years. Josh politely glosses over that and changes the conversation to football, which Jared chimes in on occasionally but he’s on auto pilot. It’s easy enough to make vague statements about the Cowboys.

They don’t get a moment alone until they’re in the car, on the way to dinner at an exclusive restaurant Jensen wants to treat everyone to.

“So…” Jensen murmurs and clears his throat. They’re pulling up to the valet. “My mother uh…. Well, she didn’t take too kindly to my insistence that we stay in the same room.”

“I can sleep on the couch,” Jared mutters. He’s not in the best of moods. Everything about today was too overwhelming.

Jensen opens his door and flips on his sunglasses. He squeezes Jared’s thigh once.

“Fuck that, Jay. We’re staying in a hotel tonight. Now c’mon, just a little longer.”

That makes the evening much better.

NEW Chapter 23:

Mrs. Donna Ackles proudly takes every single opportunity to dote upon her youngest son.

Her obvious affection for him is in line with the grand tradition of Southern Mommas. She, however, takes it to an unprecedented level.

In Jensen's presence, she oozes love and affection.

Elsewhere, she maintains a cool, standoffish facade in the name of gracious hospitality. She is never rude, simply because being rude means being classless. But she ain't exactly welcoming, either.

Upon meeting Jared, she politely acknowledges him, welcomes him to Richardson, then casually asks about his family and such. She pretends to listen, more interested in inspecting her perfectly manicured nails. For all she cares, Jared might as well be talking about how he was born with two heads and horns.

Mere minutes into their acquaintance, it is crystal clear she does not care for him.

Her negative response is somewhat amusing, and it’s nothing he hasn't dealt with before from customers who think they're god's gift to humanity and therefore deserve a discount.

Donna clearly enjoys her life as a privileged, wealthy, white woman living in an affluent suburb, surrounded by Dallas’ social elite.

Jared can tell that his people are not her people.

Thankfully, he's not dating Donna.

Glossing over anything Jared has to say, Donna latches onto Jensen, launching a game of twenty questions. Why does he look so thin? Don't they feed him on set? Did he get the new razor she sent him a few weeks ago? Doesn't the studio ever give him time off to visit with his loved ones while they're still alive? Would it kill him to call a little more often and assure her that he's doing well?

Jensen smiles as he skillfully fields every question, refraining from specific answers, but the smiles don't reach his eyes. That’s a first.

Not ten minutes into their visit and Jensen looks exhausted. He insists that production has been difficult on his latest project, and that the studio understands his need for time off, but everyone's working on a budget and a schedule. While he may be the lead actor, he's not the only one on set sacrificing time and energy to be there.

Their housekeeper, Loretta, makes a brief appearance and brings in a tray of lemonade and shortbread cookies. She hugs Jensen, ignores Jared, leaves the sitting room, and that’s that.

Donna drones on about family values.

She then springs the inevitable question upon her son.

“Sweetie,” she practically sings, “Loretta set up your room for you to stay the night.”

Jared just barely stops himself from spitting out lemonade.

Stay the night? Good god.

Jensen forces a jovial laugh and pats Jared on the knee, while speaking directly to Donna. “Mom, Jared and I can’t stay the night. I promised his momma I’d have him home tonight.”

Unphased, Donna persists. She smooths out her skirt. “Well, I meant after you dropped him off at home.”

“That’s three hours away,” Jensen replies, tension in his voice. “He’s from Smithville outside of Austin, remember? He just told you that.”

“Oh. I’m sure John wouldn’t mind escorting him back?”

Mercifully, the rest of the Ackles family joins them in the sitting room.

Every member of Jensen's family looks like they belong in commercials, movies, and magazines. Jensen and his father share many of the same facial features. Jensen's older brother Josh and younger sister Mackenzie, take a little more after Donna.

Jared's anxiety amps up from Donna's dismissal, pulling at him to clam up and fade into the background. What is he doing here? Jensen is way out of his league. He doesn't fit into their life experiences or tax brackets.

Donna shows off what she calls a “modest” floral arrangement or several dozen roses and hydrangeas carefully displayed on the coffee table. Jared nods and smiles--the best defense mechanism he can think of at the moment.

Mr. Ackles brings Jared back to reality by introducing himself with a firm handshake and a clap to Jared's shoulder.

"Nice to meet you, Jared. Pleased you could join us." Alan speaks in the same subtle drawl as Jensen. "Hope the drive wasn't terrible. I know folks in LA say their traffic is the worst, but Dallas gives 'em a run for their money."

"Thank you, sir," Jared replies, hoping his handshake communicated that he is confident and not a serial killer. "It was just fine. We made good time."

"Good, good." Alan pulls Jensen in for a hug. "Nice to have you home for a minute, son."

Jensen shares an authentic smile with Alan. "Y'all act like I still live in Texas."

"You should," Donna quips from her place on the large sofa across from them. "I don't see why you can't keep a home here."

Mac and Josh introduce themselves, with Mac telling her mother to quit harassing Jensen about his address. She shakes Jared's hand and says the usual pleasantries, obviously a peacemaker within the Ackles family. Josh offers a hug and Jared gratefully accepts it.

Josh serves himself and Mac a glass of lemonade. He takes the trouble to refill Jared’s glass. "You going to college at UT?"

“Yes,” Jared answers, fidgeting in his seat. “Eventually.”

“Jay’s the assistant manager at an independent bookstore in town,” Jensen announces with pride. “The owner’s lucky to have him.”

“That’s… interesting,” Donna says, with the same enthusiasm she reserves for speaking to commoners working in the retail sector. “How nice that you’ve hung onto your after school job.”

On a dime, she changes the subject and turns her attention to Jensen.

“Do you have to be shirtless so often in your movies, sweetie? You know I can’t take the ladies from the Woman’s Club to see any of your pictures because of that.”

Jared contemplates a world without a shirtless Jensen Ackles. It would be desolate wasteland, completely devoid of beauty. He doesn’t want to give it more than a second’s thought.

Jensen places his hand on Jared’s knee. He gives a squeeze before dramatically flexing his bicep.

“And deny the world the full view of these guns?” Everyone but Donna laughs. Jensen shakes his head. “Mom, I can’t control that kind of stuff. Just thank your lucky stars I passed on Fifty Shades.”

Horrified by his answer, Donna actually clutches at her pearls and gasps, “Jensen Ross, you would never.”

“I mean…” Jensen snorts, his shoulders shaking with laughter. “Maybe if they had offered me fifty million.”

“I can’t believe people pay to see that trash,” Donna scoffs. “Frankly, it’s embarrassing. What do you think that actor’s mother goes through? It’s hardly material your father and I want to see you in. What would your grandmother think?”

Mac chimes in, hoisting up her glass of lemonade. “Grams would probably like it!”

Jensen and his siblings take great delight in teasing his family about the role, cracking jokes, praising Julian Dornan’s fortitude, and eventually agreeing with Alan that money talks. Alan then proposes that they all start gearing up to head out to the restaurant. Everyone stands up.

“Son, you make whatever kind of movie you want,” Alan says, clapping Jensen on the back. “As long as they pay you what you’re worth and I get a discount on the ticket.”

Josh ribs Alan about walking up to the theater and demanding discounts, imitating his voice, “I get ten percent off because that’s my son, Jensen Ackles.”

The actual Jensen Ackles slips his arm around Jared’s waist while speaking, as if it’s second nature.

“Okay, I’ll level with y’all. But only because you’re family.” He gives Jared’s waist a quick squeeze. “The studio was desperate for a lead. They couldn’t find anyone to touch it and they were willing to pay, plus fork over residuals and merch.” He holds his hands up. “It was tempting, gotta admit. The money was pretty sweet.”

Whenever Jensen talks about work, his tone turns a touch serious.

He continues, leaning against Jared. “But it’s the kind of role that’ll follow you. There’s no escaping it. I told Sandy it’ll probably go to someone hungry and relatively new, which it did. Did you see Fifty Shades, Jay?”

Jared bumps Jensen off of him, pretending to be deeply marred by the question. “I’m offended that you would ask.” He waits a beat, grinning at Jensen. “And yes, yes I did. I went with my friends. Anza Mystery Science Theater’ed the whole thing. Made it ten times better.”

Josh and Mac admit to seeing it too, which starts an incredibly important debate: would Jensen have been an adequate Christian Gray?

Thinking about their activities from the past few days, Jared’s mind goes nowhere good. He tries not to think about the things Jensen could do to him with a belt and blindfold.

Focus. Think unsexy thoughts.

Donna makes a comment to Alan about their dining arrangements. Something about making sure he confirmed the reservations under Jensen’s name, so the chef and staff will know who they’re serving.

That brings Jared right back down to earth.

He’s not sure what bothers him about Donna. Or maybe he is sure what bothers him and it’s overwhelming to be face to face with it all in one coiffed package.

Thankfully, their group has to take two cars. Donna and Alan drive separately in their own car, while Josh drives Mac, Jensen, and Jared in his SUV. Away from Donna, and finally at ease, Jared adds in his own jokes, observations, and opinions in ongoing conversation. Jared relaxes and rolls with their shared sense of humor. It’s clear that the three siblings are close, despite distance and schedules.

“Why’d you pick this place?” Mac sighs, extremely put upon when they arrive. “I had to put a bra on because you wanted to be Mr. Fancy Pants.”

“Gee, what a terrible burden,” Josh snickers. “I like this place. Especially when Jensen’s paying.”

“Bitch, bitch, bitch,” Jensen snaps back. He offers Jared a hand when exiting the car. “This was the only place mom had anything nice to say about--in the entire Richardson area.”

They don’t get a moment alone until Josh and Mac drop Jared and Jensen off at the entrance, then go to park. Josh doesn’t trust anyone with his SUV, even if he has to walk fifty miles. Mac goes with him to keep him company on the walk back.

“So…” Jensen murmurs and clears his throat. They stand a little away from the valet. “My mother uh…. Well, she didn’t take too kindly to my insistence that we stay in the same room.”

“I can sleep on the couch,” Jared offers, rolling his eyes. Everything about Donna is high maintenance. “Or on the roof. But I do not like to sleep in a box. I do not like to sleep with a fox.”

Jensen smiles wide and holds Jared’s hand. “I would not like you here or there. I would not like you anywhere… but with me. And all that green eggs and ham shit.”

“Romantic,” Jared laughs. “Look, I’ll sleep wherever it pleases your momma’s delicate sensibilities. I didn’t mean to offend anyone.”

“Fuck that, Jay. We’re staying in a hotel tonight. Now c’mon, just a little longer.”

That makes the evening much better.

#compo67 #j2 #j2 au #they met at the photo op booth #2019 edits #jared/jensen #look at the difference 4 years and an A+ beta makes #i'm so happy with this chapter #swing and a hit #thank you deb

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duskgathers · 5 years

Text

more comics timeline shit i’ve been working on and thinking of that is a mix of canon and my own headcanons bc comics timeline sucks but even so fucking more so after the rebirth jesus fucking christ:

disclaimer: aka this is a mess and it’s not really coherent. i’m also ignoring the huge and loving shit out of rebirth because the timeline in that is just fucking messy, like, holy hell batman, they literally had tim never be robin what????

bruce has been batman for a year when the murder of the flying graysons happened. dick is ten when the murder occurs and is out on the streets of gotham as robin a little before he turns eleven. the league does not exist yet, nor has batman met superman.

yes, that does mean that tim is four when he meets dick for the first time and witnesses the flying graysons’ death. it’s probably one of his first memories, like, holy fuck.

batman and superman meet and learn of each other’s secret identities not too long after dick comes into the picture as robin. it also tends to be one of their earlier points of contention until superman meets robin himself and gets absolutely charmed by him. well, both of them charm the other and they maintain a long friendship that lasts for years.

am i talking about bruce and clark or dick and clark? both, really.

personally, i also prefer justice league of america #144′s creation of the justice league since that’s the version i grew up with, but i can work with the new 52 version of the justice league’s creation all the same, it would just have to be after dick becomes robin but before the titans are created when dick is fourteen.

the titans still retain their original ages from before the reboot, so they’re all ( dick, garth, wally, roy, and donna ) fourteen when the titans are founded. the original five titans remain to be one of dick’s best friendships that have managed to be retained over the years, even after everything that’s happened between them and to them, together and individually.

jason is approximately 13-14 when he becomes robin and is adopted by bruce. since he dies at age, what, 15-16, that means he had roughly two-three years as robin in comparison to dick’s eight, ouch.

tim is two years younger than jason in my timeline, which means that tim is 13-14 when he becomes robin, and then gets fired by dickbats when he’s 17, so... he gets almost three years on the job as robin ( if you subtract the time that he was fired and steph was subbed in as robin until her “death” ), which is also ouch.

........ i fucking had damian die at eleven i fucking forgot, oh, man, ow. at least he’s revived and back as robin, right? hahahahahahaha.

i also just realised... timeline wise... i have jason’s death... then the blockbuster / tarantula arc... then the renegade arc... and blüdhaven being destroyed.... all in the same year.... oh god that’s really dick’s year from hell.

wait didn’t jason come back right before blüdhaven was destroyed or something bc we had that weird jason monster storyline or something? god, i had hoped i hallucinated that, but i don’t think i did... damn, when did that happen in the canon timeline, i honestly forgot.

god i fucking hate comics timelines.

the three biggest romantic relationships that dick has in his comics verse are dickbabs, dickori, and dickroy. no, i will not take criticism.

he had a huge “will they or won’t they” with wally in a lot of people’s eyes before wally met linda and fell in love with her. whether or not dick has ever had romantic feelings for wally is not something he would ever admit to being true, even if it was. for the sake of me just loving the shit out of platonic!wallydick, dick thought he was loved wally in that way once, but nothing came of it because he never made a move and wally never did either. they don’t hold any bad feelings about never trying.

dick and donna are platonic soulmates for life. she’s the only one from the original titans that he’s never had any sort of a romantic inkling for ( and, yes, that does mean that i’m hinting that dick had a bit of a crush on garth once or twice throughout the years ).

#long post //#mentions of murder //#listen i'm trying to condense like what almost eighty years of comics history into a small verse #sb: why are you stopping your thoughts there that seems like an awkward place to stop #me: if you ignore everything before the disclaimer the actual post itself has 666 words and i can't help it #( grayson: headcanons. )#( grayson: meta. )

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theguineapig3 · 6 years

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Tales Whump Week Day 1: Wounds

“Silent Treatment”

Tales of Symphonia Words: 1786 Characters: Kratos Aurion, Dirk, Lloyd Irving (mentioned)

Kratos didn't know which hurt worse- the wounds he sustained in his fight with Lloyd, or the suffocating silence he endured as Lloyd’s real father patched him up.

“You don't have to do this. As an angel, my body will heal quickly, even without treatment.”

Kratos’ words had been spoken almost as a plea when Dirk appeared with a first aid kit. Lloyd and his companions had left to confront Mithos, and Kratos’ attempt to leave and recover somewhere solitary was thwarted by his inability to stand without pain. It shot through his abdomen like receiving a punch, and he’d doubled over onto the table. The next thing he knew, he had been carried upstairs and laid out on Lloyd’s bed. Dirk was shuffling through his medical supplies, the smell of medicinal herbs filling the room and clouding Kratos’ thoughts. Dirk was saying something about internal hemorrhage and types of poultices that could help with the bruising. The scientific name Arnica unalaschensis was thrown around, and if Kratos’ thoughts hadn't been so muddled, he might have been able to identify exactly what the plant was. But with the pain, the thick haze of herbal smells, and the burning humiliation of being in such a vulnerable position, it was all he could do just to protest.

Dirk considered Kratos’ words for only a moment before he shook his head.

“Aye, that mebbe true, but Dwarven Vow 2 says ne’er abandon someain in need. Sae you’re stuck here wi’ me until yer wounds are healed.”

And for an entire week, that was it.

Besides a few single words here and there as instructions, Dirk didn't say a thing. At the beginning, Kratos didn't feel like making conversation, so he didn't mind the silence. But as the week continued, it became clear that Dirk wasn't staying quiet out of respect toward his patient. Kratos tried to catch his eyes, but Dirk was avoiding eye contact, and when their eyes did meet, the look Dirk gave him held none of the friendliness he usually expressed in his oft-quoted Dwarven Vows. It felt more along the lines of a lesser-known vow- 29, beware the anger of a patient man. Kratos didn't know Dirk well enough to assess his usual patience levels, but anyone could see right now that the Dwarf was angry.

Kratos could only think of one reason for that anger.

Lloyd.

But what was it about Lloyd? Was Dirk angry about Kratos’ initial betrayal of Lloyd and his friends? About his connection with Cruxis and the Desians? About his lies and secrecy to prevent his son from learning the truth about their relationship?

Or… was Dirk afraid of losing Lloyd now that his birth-father was in the picture?

The thought was chilling, and Kratos didn't want to dwell on it. But left with no other human interaction, the thought ran through his mind over and over until eventually he couldn't take it anymore.

“Dirk, I know you don't want to talk to me, but there’s something I need to say.”

No longer bedridden at that point, Kratos came downstairs for meals, usually eating in silence at the same table where he knew Lloyd had grown up eating. That day’s dinner was waiting for him as usual, and Dirk was at the hearth cleaning up the soiled dishes. At the sound of Kratos’ voice, he turned and looked up.

“Eat yer supper first. Ye donnae want yer food tae get cold.”

“I don't mind. This is important.”

Still holding a plate in one hand and a sponge in the other, Dirk stopped scrubbing to consider the statement. After a moment’s pause, he sighed and returned the plate to the pot of sudsy water. “Alrecht, what dae ye want?”

Kratos took a deep breath and plunged forward. “I can tell that you're angry with me. I don't begrudge you that; you have plenty of perfectly justified reasons to feel that way. If it's because of my involvement with Cruxis- with the Desians- I understand. If it’s for my betrayal of Lloyd and his friends, I understand. If it’s for my absence most of Lloyd’s life, I understand that too. But I want you to understand, I'm not here to take your job. You are Lloyd’s father. You have been for the past fourteen years and you always will be. I don't intend to come between you and Lloyd. He already has a father, and a good one at that. He doesn't need me.” Kratos stopped to catch his breath, lowering his gaze to the floor. “Once I’m fully healed, I'm going to leave you and Lloyd to live your lives without my interference. So if the thought of losing Lloyd is what’s troubling you, I want you to know that he’s yours. You have nothing to be angry about.”

There was a pause. Kratos felt his nervousness pricking against his skin, keeping his eyes glued to the floor. He had to force his head back up when Dirk spoke again, and immediately regretted it once he saw the fierceness in the Dwarf’s glare.

“Nothin’ tae be angry about? Nothin’?! This is exactly why I’m sae angry with ye! Ye donnae get it at all!”

“Wha-?”

Dirk approached Kratos, pointing an accusatory finger up at him. “I know I've nae been a perfect father tae him, but I believe Lloyd has grown intae a fine lad and I'm proud ay him. What is it about him that bothers ye sae much? Dae ye ‘hink he’s nae smart enough? That he’s tae reckless? Is he tae much of a goody-two-shoes fer yer likin’?”

Kratos took a step back, his brow furrowing in confusion. “What are you talking about? I adore Lloyd-”

“Then why are ye sae keen tae be rid ay him?”

The words cut like a knife. “Rid of him?” Kratos repeated. “I don't understand.”

Dirk stared for another tense moment before turning away and releasing a long sigh, his shoulders relaxing as if he were breathing out his anger and frustration.

“Ye… keep abandonin’ him. Ye left him behind, ye betrayed him, ye appeared only tae gie cryptic clues an’ then disappear again like it ne’er happened… ye were ready tae up an’ die on him. An’ now that he’s forgiven ye for all that ye’ve dain tae him, ye’re jist gonnae leave him?”

Kratos’ mouth hung open as he processed Dirk’s accusations. Lloyd had evidently told his dad more about his journey than Kratos realized. None of what Dirk had said was false, at least in terms of what had happened. But…

“Giving up my life was the only way to ensure that Lloyd’s group could make a pact with Origin,” Kratos explained. “I was trying to protect Lloyd, to aid him in his quest to create the kind of world he’s striving for. He’s worked so hard. He deserves that. I'm proud of him.”

“Bit nae proud enough tae stay with him?”

Once again, the room filled with tense silence. In contrast to the past few days of little to no eye contact from Dirk, Kratos now found himself under the full force of the Dwarf’s stare. It was scathing enough, but what really got to him was the realization that this had been the source of Dirk’s behavior the whole time. He hadn't been worried that Kratos would take Lloyd away from him- in fact, the opposite was true. Dirk wanted Kratos to be part of Lloyd’s life.

The fact that he had assumed otherwise sent a pang of guilt through Kratos’ chest.

“Dirk, I… I'm so sorry.”

“Sorry fer what?” Dirk asked, and Kratos realized he should have clarified.

“I'm sorry for… for thinking so poorly of you as to imagine you were jealous. You brought me into your home, took care of me even though I can heal on my own, fed me even though I don’t need to eat… I knew you were angry, but instead of asking you what was wrong, I let my wild fantasies take over.”

“I’m sorry tae. I let my anger an’ frustration gie th’ better ay me, an’ I treated ye poorly. I should hae been honest frae th’ start, scolded ye properly once ye were awake enough tae understand.” Dirk looked away. “I ken that Lloyd is a strong lad. I donnae want tae gie in th’ way ay his quest to save th’ worlds. I’m nae a fighter, I can’t gang wi’ him an’ his group. Stayin’ here an’ supportin’ him at my forge is the best thing I can dae fer him. Bit I’ve grown sae used tae his presence around th’ house these past fourteen years, I wake up every mornin’ an’ th’ realization that I willnae see his smilin’ face o’ hear his voice makes me want tae turn back o’er an’ gang back tae sleep. I miss him, an’ it’s like an awful weight on my chest ‘at makes it hard tae breathe, hard tae move, hard tae dae anythin’. Ev’ry time he comes home, I hope an’ pray ‘at he’s back fer good. It’s a selfish, unrealistic fantasy, an’ I would ne’er say it out loud tae him. Bit you…”

Kratos took a step forward to close the gap between them. “...I had the chance to be with him,” he finished, “and I didn’t. I squandered opportunities that Lloyd’s real father would’ve done anything to have. It’s no wonder he’s so angry with me.”

There was a pause, and Dirk finally allowed himself to look at Kratos again. “Ye’re nae less his ‘real father’ than I am. Dwarven Vow 162,” he began, “th’ best time tae plant a tree was twenty years ago; th’ second-best time is now.”

He didn’t need to interpret the proverb for Kratos’ to understand what he was getting at. With a smile, Kratos turned back toward the table and took a seat in front of his plate. Dirk sat across from him, motioning toward the food.

“I told ye earlier, supper’ll get cold if ye donnae eat it now.”

Kratos looked down at the meal- a simple plate of potatoes and minced meat. He’d made it clear to Dirk early on that he didn't need the food, yet Dirk had cooked proper meals for him every day despite the animosity between them. Maybe it was because of his adherence to the Dwarven vows, or maybe it was because he missed cooking for Lloyd, or… maybe…

“You know,” Kratos began as he picked up his fork, “earlier I said that my angel abilities help me heal quickly, but these wounds seem particularly severe. I may not be fully healed for a while- until Lloyd gets back at the very least.”

For the first time that evening, Dirk cracked a smile.

“That’s tae bad. I guess ye’ll be stuck here ‘till then, huh?”

“I guess I will.”

#taleswhumpweek #tales of symphonia #my fanfiction #theguineapig3

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darveyfics · 6 years

Text

Halloween is Darvey’s one year dating anniversary.

Darvey’s one year anniversary :)

“On the First Day of Halloween…”

“You look happy.” Her voice is soft, cradling his cheek in her hand, her eyes raking over his features in the dim light of their room as they lay side by side.

The corner of his eyes crinkle even more, the grin he’s been sporting for the last couple of hours now a permanent feature. He uses the hand that’s draped over her body to pull her closer to him. “That’s because I am.”

Donna mirrors his smile, a warmth settling low in her stomach, tears threatening to spill out. “I was a little nervous.” She confesses quietly.

He creases his brow. “Why?”

Shrugging, she lets out a sigh. “Just- it’s only been a year since this started and I wasn’t sure if it was the right time…” Her voice trails off, suddenly appearing shy.

“Donna,” he begins, inching closer to her, “this has been fourteen years in the making.” He searches her eyes, trying to gauge every emotion that’s currently pulling at her seams.

“I know,” she whispers, “still, I half expected you to freak.”

Harvey chuckles. “Well, I almost did, but- I’ve wanted this for so long, whether or not I could admit it to myself at first.”

She hums in response, fingers softly tracing over his face, slightly aged with a few crease lines. “You think we’re up for it?”

He takes a moment to gaze at her for a while longer, noticing for the first time that night how her skin is glowing- her skin flushed from their recent love-making and status.

Suddenly he’s moving, looming over her and inching his way down her naked body, lips trailing every inch of skin he meets.

A giggle overtakes her then, joy bubbling up from within when she feels him making his way south, his slight stubble tickling her in the process. “Harvey, what the hell are you doing?”

He pauses when he reaches her stomach, brown eyes gazing up to meet hers. Goosebumps align her skin when he begins a soft caress on either side of her waist line.

She notices his eyes shining, the light protruding into their room from the full moon outside giving her the perfect vantage point.

Holding her gaze for a second longer, Harvey leans down to press a gentle kiss to her abdomen, immediately resulting in the tears she had been trying to keep at bay to fall.

“We’re going to be parents, Donna.” His voice is all awe and disbelief, even hours after that knowledge had fallen on his lap.

She gives him a watery smile, eyes clouded over as she quietly replies. “I know.”

“We’re going to have a baby.” That boyish glee is back and she can’t help let her own Cheshire Cat-like smile overtake her.

“We are.” She laughs, unable to not let all of the emotions spill out of her at once.

Donna had left work first that night, leaving Harvey to finish making a deal with a new client. He had given her an apologetic smile, hating that they had spent the majority of their one year anniversary hard at work, trying to keep the firm afloat.

It hadn’t been all work and no play, however. He had woken her up that morning with his hands and lips roaming, bringing about a string of sighs and moans from her, until she was quivering in his arms.

They had shared one final kiss before they left for work that morning, the promise of a romantic dinner and a special surprise on his lips as soon as they had parted.

Except, if there was anything either of them were too familiar with by now was that nothing ever came easily or expected at Specter Litt. So when a client they had recently lost came all but crawling back to make a deal in their favor, their hands were tied and they had no choice but to spend hours grinding out the perfect deal, or as close to it as possible.

Normally, she wouldn’t have minded that their plans had been shot, had seen it happen too many times in the months that they had been together. It bothered her, but she wouldn’t mind, seeing as how they would still spend the night and morning together. And after years of being apart, denial and fear and exes standing in their way, it was enough to simply have him by her side in the comfort of what they could now call their home.

But tonight was different. Not only was it their anniversary, which just so happened to fall on Halloween- her favorite holiday- but she couldn’t wait to just tell him already.

The news had come to her just a few days before. She had had an inkling feeling- she felt different- physically and emotionally, and so she had called up and set an appointment with her doctor, nerves and anxiety pulling at her at every waking moment.

She had tried her best to mask it from Harvey, knowing if he had pressed too much she would’ve told him and she didn’t want to tell him until she knew for sure.

When the doctor had confirmed the news, she had all but passed out in his office.

“Congratulations, Ms. Paulsen. You’re pregnant.”

She had expected it, she’s Donna, she knows. Still, the news had nearly knocked her over- the confirmation of this new reality overwhelming her.

And she had almost told Harvey that same day, the words on the tip of her tongue when she got home and he greeted her with a smile and a kiss.

“Where were you earlier today?”

“Oh, I met up with Rachel for lunch. Sorry, I forgot to tell you.”

She had lied through her teeth, hating every second of it. But the more she pictured telling him on their anniversary, the more she could justify her little white lie.

She hadn’t even had a present in mind beforehand, deciding to wait it out and let the idea come to her when it did. But when she found out she was pregnant… well, everything changed.

Donna had found herself waltzing into a baby store the following day, located on the corner of a street she frequented to shop for herself. But now, wandering about in this tiny baby boutique, heart in her throat as she surveyed the array of little onesies and minuscule booties, she realized she would now be shopping for someone else- for her child.

One particular item had caught her eye, a low watery chuckle leaving her lips as she tentatively picked it up, deciding it would the perfect choice for her plan.

She was anxious, impatient, to tell Harvey already. The nervous gitters started to eat her up inside the second she stepped into the apartment, the reality of what she was about to do, tell him, coming to fruition.

They hadn’t planned this, on getting pregnant, not now, not before they were married. They weren’t even engaged yet. She knew they were it for each other, knew he knew that too, but still, they had only touched on the subject of marriage and kids once, briefly in a passing conversation when Mike and Rachel had announced that they were expecting their first child.

A comforting sense filled her in that moment. Rachel was now four months pregnant and according to her own doctor, she was a mere three to four weeks along. The idea that their children would probably grow up together brought a warmth to her chest, and she couldn’t wait to share the news with her best friend.

Donna went to grab Harvey’s gift from the inside of the closet, hidden just behind a row of her heels. She sighed as she stared down at the simple white box, an orange ribbon tying it together for a nice touch. She was tempted to peak inside, just to catch another glimpse of the soft cotton that gave weight to the reminder that she was currently expecting her best friend’s baby.

The sound of keys and the door being unlocked shook her out of her thoughts, and she heaved out a breath, momentarily collecting herself before she headed out to greet him, the small square box hidden behind her.

“Hey, sorry that took so long, Geller wanted to make sure we went over every detail of the deal before we closed. Twice.” He rolled his eyes, walking the short steps to meet her in the living room. “I know we’d be cutting it short, but we can still try to make our reservation?” He raised his eyebrows at her in question, face ridden with guilt for having taken so long.

She smiled at him. “That’s okay, I uh, I actually wanted to… give you something.” She brought her hand forward, his eyes immediately landing on the small white box she held.

Harvey grinned, taking the present from her tentatively. “What is this?”

“Your anniversary gift.” She breathed out, suddenly finding herself getting dizzy, the temperature around her seeming to rise ten-fold.

He eyed her for a moment, an amused and intrigued smile on his lips. His gaze dropped to the small box in his hands, studying it at every angle.

“How’s that x-ray vision working for you?” She quirked an eyebrow at him, trying to tamper down some of her impatience.

Harvey chuckled, finally making quick work of the ribbon, settling it down on the coffee table before opening the box.

His forehead creased, confusion written in his face when he reached inside, taking hold of the small item.

“Um, Donna?” He set the box on the table now, holding up the tiny onesie in front of him. “I don’t think this fits me…” He joked.

His eyes scanned over the white onesie, a couple of jack-o-lanterns adorning it.

Donna resisted to the urge to roll her eyes, lips turned thin as she tilted her head. Her boyfriend couldn’t be that dense, could he?

“Harvey, turn it around.”

He gave her a quizzical look before obeying, turning the small material in his hands, immediately reading the words that stared at him.

Baby’s first Halloween.

His head immediately shot up, eyes wide.

“For next year.” She told him softly, a shy smile on her face.

He swallowed. “You’re…?”

Donna nodded, her eyes stinging with the tears she felt coming.

“And we’re…?”

Again, she nodded, letting a wider smile take over. “I’m pregnant, Harvey.”

He let out a breath then, the air rushing out of him all at once, eyes glancing between his girlfriend and the small material he now held in a firm grip.

His mouth opened and closed a few times, trying and failing to find the proper words, his heart caught in his throat, feeling it constricting with every breath he took.

“Harvey? Say something.” She felt herself growing worried then, any usual quip lost in the sea of the concern now filtering through her mind.

“We’re- we’re having a baby?” His voice was low, etched in disbelief and awe.

“I’m about four weeks along.” She confirmed softly.

His eyes clouded over then, shining with tears as her words sunk in.

He took a step toward her, hands holding onto her waist, thumbs subconsciously running circles on her stomach. “I-” He swallowed back his words once more, emotions drowning him from the inside out.

She tried to gauge his reaction carefully, eyes studying his features, trying to ascertain what he was thinking. For as much as she always seemed to know what he was feeling, she found herself completely uncertain in that moment.

Before she could dwell on it any longer, his lips were on her in a flash, catching her by surprise. It took her a mere second to catch up, her arms winding around him as he held her close to him, his mouth hot yet gentle against her. She felt more tears prickling behind her eyes, a near sob catching in her throat at his lips moved against her own.

He parted from her then. “We’re having a baby?” He chuckled, eyes still gleaming with tears as he questioned her again.

Donna nodded. “You managed to knock me up, Specter.”

His smile widened even more, leaning in to meet her in a kiss again, their teeth nearly clashing in the process.

“I- can’t believe it.” He breathed out, forehead meeting hers.

“Believe it, mister.” She murmured against him.

“When did you find out?”

“A few days ago, um, remember when I said I went to have lunch with Rachel?” He nodded. “I actually went to the doctors.” She bit her lip, waiting for his reply.

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” He inquired.

She shrugged. “I thought I’d wait to tell you on our anniversary.”

His expression grew softer, swallowing back more emotions that kept bubbling in him then. “That was one hell of a present, Paulsen.”

Donna shook her head. “I just can’t believe you didn’t get the message as soon as you opened the box.”

“I thought it was a joke,” he playfully defended, “You did call me a man-child last week.”

She lets a small chuckle leave her then. “So, I take it you’re okay with this?” Donna raised her eyebrows, her earlier nerves seeping into her again despite his reactions thus far.

“I don’t think it could be possible for me to feel happier than I do right now.”

They had spent the better part of their night celebrating, thoroughly, continuously. He had taken his time, making sure he was gentle with her, much to her appreciation and annoyance.

“I’m pregnant, Harvey, not a porcelain doll. I get that you want to be careful, but you need to hurry up and fuck me already.”

That was when he realized there was little chance of surviving with a pregnant Donna by his side. He briefly mulled over the idea of calling Mike later to ask him if there was a husband-of-pregnant-women support group he could join.

Still, he wasn’t about to complain.

“You know, I just realized I never gave you my anniversary gift.” Harvey teases, inching his way back up, resting his head on his elbow as he gazed at her, hand automatically resting on her stomach.

Donna raised her eyebrow at him. “Oh, don’t think I forgot. Cough it over, mister.”

He chuckles. “Well, I think it’ll pale in comparison to yours.”

She lets out a loud laugh. “Don’t think that’s going to get you out of giving it to me. Come on, don’t keep your pregnant girlfriend waiting.” She makes a gesture with her hand, signaling him to get up and retrieve her present.

A dramatic sigh escapes him, leaning down to her stomach again. “Your mommy is so bossy.” He whispers the words, making it seem like it was a secret between him and their unborn child. He kisses her stomach then, before standing up and heading over to his dresser, opening up his bottom drawer.

She snorts, sitting up straighter in bed. “Funny, considering you’re my boss.”

“And do you always listen to what I say?” He lifts an eyebrow, hands behind his back as he approaches her again.

She smirks. “Touché.”

He shifts in place when he reaches the bed again, a sigh escaping him as small nerves begin to rise within him. “Okay, so, keep in mind that I had no idea you were pregnant when I planned this, obviously, but uh, yeah, happy anniversary.” He gives her a sheepish smile, handing over the large envelope he held in his hands.

She took the white paper in her hands, her forehead knit as curiosity and intrigue seeped into her. Carefully, she poured the contents out onto her lap.

“Harvey…” She gasps.

“I know, it’s- probably not all feasible now, but…” His voice trails off, watching her mouth slightly open, eyes staring at the two tickets she held in her hands.

“You bought us tickets to Paris?” Donna squealed, disbelief dripping with each word. He had seemed coy about his present, vague and insufferable as he teased her for days, telling her she wouldn’t expect it. She had rolled her eyes, a list of possibilities already forming in her mind. But this- she never saw coming.

“Yeah,” Harvey sighed, giving her a soft smile before settling next to her in bed again. “They’re for next month, I thought we’d leave right after Thanksgiving. Though… now that you’re pregnant,” he pauses to give her hand a squeeze, his smile widening as the realization hits him all over again, “I’m not sure if we can still go…”

“Why the hell not?” She challenges him, an edge to her voice.

“I- well- because you’re pregnant.” He fumbles with his words, knowing full well he had to tread lightly.

She raises her eyebrows, waiting for him to continue, hoping he had another excuse in him.

“…and we don’t know if you’re going to have morning sickness, and if it’ll be bad, or if you’ll be feeling uncomfortable, so… maybe we should postpone?” He suggests, slightly wincing at the daggers she was sending his way.

“What, you think we should wait until after I have the baby? Schlep on over to the most romantic city with a child?”

“Well-”

“And I am not leaving our baby with someone while we’re in another, continent, Harvey, it’s not happening.” Her words were final, a motherly instinct already starting to sink into her.

His lips turn thin then, defeat covering his features. “So, what do you suggest?”

“I say we go next month, celebrate our anniversary and,” she places their hands on her stomach, “this little one, before I get ready to pop.”

Harvey chuckles, eyes bright as he watches her fierce determination set it. “Okay,” he agrees softly, “we’ll go next month, but if you’re sure…”

“You know, it’s bad luck to argue with your pregnant girlfriend.”

He smirks. “Is it now?”

She nods. “More so on Halloween.”

“Well, it’s already past midnight, so that doesn’t count.”

She raises her eyebrow at him. “Is that you arguing with me?”

“You’re something else, you know that?” He shakes his head, a dumbstruck smile on his lips.

Donna shrugs nonchalantly. “I am the mother of your child now, so…”

And just like that, reality washes over him again, a tsunami of emotions hitting him at once.

“Have I mentioned how happy I am?” The soft timbre in his voice runs through her like honey, warming her from the inside out.

She bites her lip, trying for some semblance of control. “You have.” She tells him softly.

He leans over then, his lips meeting hers in a delicate kiss, a groan escaping him when she tries to deepen the kiss.

“Wait,” he parts from her suddenly, watching as she gives him an exasperated look.

“Harvey…” She warns him, voice low and dangerous. Again, he doesn’t think he’s going to survive this pregnancy.

“Just- I wanted to say I love you. And happy anniversary, Donna.”

Her features soften, her hazel eyes threatening to spill with tears again. Was it too early for pregnancy hormones?

“Right back you,” she grins, pulling him down for another kiss, the need to be closer to him again increasing by the second, “and for the record?” she notes between kisses, “Best. Halloween. Ever.”

#darvey #darvey fic #donna x harvey #author: ali #prompt #rated t #halloween #holiday

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riversofmars · 3 years

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December 1st December 2nd December 3rd December 4th

December 5th December 6th December 7th

The Doctor breathed a little easier as they exited the shop, leaving the other Doctors to make their own deductions. “Right okay, this is bad, this is real bad…“

“Does that mean there are other Timelords here?“ Yaz asked as they walked to the centre of the square, away from the shop. They stopped by the huge Christmas tree, the most central point from which they could easily look up and down the streets.

“It means there are other MEs here. There are no more Timelords, they all died, except me.“ The Doctor retorted pacing a little as her mind raced, working through different scenarios, just as she expected her former selves were.

“Damn…“ Ryan mumbled. The Doctor rarely spoke of what happened on Gallifrey after she had sent them back to Earth. They had always presumed it was a sort of catastrophic event after what the Master had done, but that was even worse than they had imagined. All the nicknames they had heard used for her over the years were beginning to ring more true. The lonely God… she really was, wasn’t she.

“But why? What made us come here?“ The Doctor huffed, searching for possible explanations as she looked around.

“You suggested it.“ Graham pointed out. “I mean, it’s a lovely place.“

“Yeah, I could really go for some gingerbread right about now…“ The Doctor mused as the smell took over her senses for a moment. She shook her head, clearing it, she couldn’t get distracted. “Something must be pulling us all here. Not just the same place but the same time.“ She said, gesturing around herself. “I’m usually very careful not to cross my own timeline, lots of wibbly wobbly timey wimey stuff, it gets really complicated. I don’t have the memories from my other selves of this though, it’s all a blur, that really should have been a clue… I just remember that I used to come here with the others, there is like this draw… why didn’t I see that before?“ She was at a loss. She should have noticed her memories of these trips were faulty, shouldn’t she? And what if she did and something made her ignore it anyway?

“Then we must find out what it is.“ Yaz said firmly.

“Yes, because if we don’t, if even one of my past selves gets stuck here or dragged into whatever this is, gets themselves killed or… it would create a paradox that could rip all of space and time apart.“ The Doctor mused, placing her hands on her hips.

“That would be a very 2020 thing to happen.“ Yaz sighed.

“Checks out…“ Ryan agreed.

“It might as well happen.“ Graham shrugged.

“No, it may not, let’s go.“ The Doctor clapped her hands together.

“Let’s go!“ Eyebrows, Bowtie and Sandshoes clapped their hands together in unison.

“They really are the same person, aren’t they…“ Bill mumbled to the other companions.

“Terrifying isn’t it. Here I was thinking one is a handful.“ Donna had to agree.

“Donna!“ The three Doctors snapped glaring at her.

“This is going to be a lot of fun…“ Rory sighed sarcastically.

“Are you okay?“ Amy noticed that River had gone very quiet.

“Yeah, fine…“ She waved it off quickly, drawing herself from her own thoughts.

“What is it?“ Amy could tell when her daughter wasn’t okay and this was one of those times.

“It’s just… I thought he’d know… I thought it was him that brought me back…“ River forced a smile. “But he doesn’t know, none of them do…“

“You know with all the time travel and stuff… maybe it really just hasn’t happened yet. One problem at a time, yeah? You’re here now, that’s what matters.“ Amy tried not to think too much about the fact that her daughter had been dead for a time, that the Doctor had known of her death and never said anything, not to anyone. She looked to Sandshoes, the youngest Doctor here, the one to see her die and keep that secret henceforth. It pained her so much to think that in the end, River had been with a Doctor that didn’t even know her, didn’t know how much he would grow to love her, and couldn’t be the comfort she had needed at the time. She pushed the thoughts away and focused on the fact that her daughter was alive and well. She grabbed her hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. “You’re okay. And you can work out the how later. Let’s solve one mystery at a time.“

“It must be something about this time and place.“ River mused, trying to focus her attention to something more productive. “It’s almost like a black hole in time, and they’re all being dragged into it.“

“Sounds a lot more menacing when you put it like that.“ Amy huffed.

“Well, it is… Fourteen Timelords in one place… If they’re all the Doctor, and they might be… that’s a lot of time streams with the potential to create a lot of havoc.“

“I suggest we best split up, look for anything suspicious and meet back here in an hour?“ Sandshoes suggested as they stepped outside the ornament store and looked around. Around them, people were getting on with their Christmas shopping, oblivious to the uneasiness the Timelords were feeling.

“Before we go, can we get some burned almonds cause they smell amazing…“ Bill pointed to the stand that was a little to their right. “Like I get this is turning into another adventure or whatever but we did come here for the Christmas cheer, right?“

“I’d like to go with her!“ Bowtie announced, sharing her excitement for Christmas treats.

“Everyone take their own companions with you, no need to strain the time streams any more than necessary.“ River interrupted sternly before anymore confusion could set in and all the Doctors were quick to nod.

“She’s got a good grip on you, hasn’t she.“ Donna smirked elbowing her Doctor who rolled his eyes.

“Right then, get your nuts so we can be on our way.“ Eyebrows sighed gesturing for Bill to go to the almond stand.

“I don’t usually go for nuts so it’s a nice treat.“ Bill grinned waiting for a response to her joke to which Eyebrows just covered his face with his hand in resignation.

“Right then, come along Ponds!“ Bowtie waved his companions along.

“Come on, River.“ All three Doctors said in absolute unison and looked back at each other in confusion, each one assuming she would come with them.

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