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umbrellacam · 1 year

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Reading A Lonely Place of Dying is so interesting in so many ways, but the question I'm still rotating in my mind is about Dick, and specifically why he ends up smiling and soft-advocating for Tim to be Bruce's Robin, after he had his morality crisis over young heroes with Jason's death.

So when he finds out about Jason's death, Dick feels guilty over giving Jason his Robin costume and not being there when he died:

New Teen Titans #55

To the extent that, later in the same issue, he unilaterally fires 15-year-old Danny Chase from the Titans, over Donna and Kory's objections, citing what happened to Jason. He even expresses doubt over his own young age when he became Robin, wondering whether that was a mistake:

New Teen Titans #55

However, when Dick visits Bruce in Gotham to both express his condolences over Jason's death and also confront him over not telling Dick about it, he explicitly rejects Bruce's implication of blame:

New Teen Titans #55

And later, when the Gargoyle is mentally torturing him over his past failures to the Titans, to Bruce, and Jason, Dick breaks through his self-blame issues and firmly asserts that there was nothing he could have done to prevent Jason's death.

Secret Origins (Vol. 2) #3

But understanding his lack of blame logically isn't the same as being totally past it, as it's part of Dick's larger cycle of guilt, as he acknowledges to his therapist:

The New Titans #57

So how does Dick get from here, still wrestling with guilt and feeling ambivalent about the idea of young heroes as a whole, to the end of A Lonely Place of Dying, where he smiles and basically urges Bruce to give Tim a chance to become Robin?

Like, yes, Dick then spends the entirety of Batman: Year Three worried about Bruce's tenuous mental state after Jason's death, reaching out to him in the midst of Batman's reckless, violent spiral, trying to both express care and to call his mentor and hero back to his foundations of crime-fighting through careful detective work, not through brutality - and getting rejected by Bruce over and over. Even while being proud of Dick's methods and the hero he's grown into, Bruce just can't seem to pull himself out of his own morass of self-destruction. Dick eventually has to leave him to it, though he clearly hasn't stopped worrying about Bruce by the start of ALPoD.

Yes, Tim impresses Dick multiple times over the course of ALPoD. First at the circus with his reflexes and his quick thinking (apparently almost as much as he irritates and baffles Dick with his stubborn evasiveness and pushy presumption, lol this total gremlin). Then at Wayne Manor when Tim goes through his deduction of Batman's and Robin's identities, although this one is more an implication through Dick's decision to show Tim the Cave immediately afterward, and Alfred's words to Tim.

Batman #441

And yet Alfred's sentiment here is immediately contradicted when Tim insistently pushes the Robin costume at Dick, and Dick gets pissed off, saying that, "When Jason died, he took Robin with him. And no matter how much anybody may want it - you can't bring back the dead."

The New Titans #61

How does Dick go from this to accepting Tim as the new potential Robin all of two issues later!! This boy's emotions are so mixed up, lol.

I feel like while Dick is clearly angered by Tim's presumptions, kind of baffled and creeped-out by the sort of parasocial fixation Tim has on both Bruce/Batman and Dick/Robin, below the surface he's also genuinely absorbing Tim's driving love and care for them both. Like, he's way too ticked off to show it or even think of it consciously at the moment - and it's hard to process!! despite that day at Haly's Circus tying them together a decade ago, this kid is a rando, it's out of nowhere, it's wild to be confronted with!! - but on some level he has to be touched by Tim's care and passion for their legacy. He wouldn't make his heel-turn later and smile at Tim so approvingly otherwise.

Like, Dick wants Bruce to have a partner that cares for him that much, that forces him to care for himself in a way that he clearly hasn't been since Jason's death. And Dick is both afraid and aware that he can't fill that role anymore - that he can try to stand beside Batman as Nightwing and support him that way, but he can't stand behind Bruce in his protective shadow again, can't cramp himself back into Robin.

So even as Dick is making line-faces at this bizarre kid pushing himself at them, talking about Jason and Dick and Bruce and what Batman needs like he knows better than Dick, UGH… Dick is also considering… is maybe moved a bit by that star-bright conviction and overflowing love in the face of all the doubts that seem to plague both Bruce and Dick lately… is maybe hoping, seeing a possible light in the dark. Not on a conscious level, perhaps, but it's maybe churning below the surface with everything else Dick is thinking about.

Anyway, Dick still tracks Batman down and tries being a supportive partner as Nightwing, even going "I'm here. Always," when Batman finally brings himself to admit that he needs help. Only to IMMEDIATELY run face-first into Bruce's control issues and post-Jason-disregarding-orders trauma - "You're not with the Titans now. If you want to be with me, you follow my orders. Now do as I say." (The New Titans #61) Oof, instant I'm-NIGHTWING-not-ROBIN friction, but Dick swallows it for now.

Then Two-Face blows up a building on top of both of them, and Tim (and Alfred!) have to rescue them both. By the time that they've been dug out, Alfred and Dick are both praising Tim's potential to a very baffled and alarmed, verging on angry, Batman lol. Dick and Alfred then grin at each other while young Tim struggles against his intimidation and argues the tremendously (and understandably!) reluctant Batman to a standstill.

Batman #442

As they drive away afterward (Bruce, Dick and Tim in the Batmobile to track down Two-Face - using the tracker Tim planted on him, good job Timmy!! - and Alfred toward home in a separate car), we get the following thought-bubbles:

Bruce: Even if he's right, I don't want another partner. Dick: Bruce, for once, think with your heart, not with cold logic. Tim: He doesn't want me, but he hasn't said no. So just do your best… Alfred: …One way or another, the rest will take care of itself.

Batman #442

"Think with your heart, not with cold logic" - so does Dick's line here mean that this is what he himself is doing at this point? Setting aside his logic, his fears and reservations about young heroes, about Jason's death, about putting another young boy in the Robin costume - because Tim joining them, maybe becoming Bruce's new partner, feels right? Because everything that Tim has shown of himself so far means the kid deserves a chance, at least? Because Bruce's caution after Jason's death would mean that he'll make sure to 'do it right this time'? Because Tim's passion and conviction could be what Batman needs, and - maybe as much if not more than that - could be something that deserves to be nurtured into something great, despite Dick's own (and Bruce's) fears?

Because Dick has to be wrestling with and at least quelling (if not fully letting go of) his fears about the risks to young heroes in these issues, it doesn't make sense for him to be okay with Tim as Robin otherwise. And it can't all be about what use Tim could be to Bruce - the leash he could put on Batman's out of control behavior. That's far too selfish and manipulative as a sole motive for Dick Grayson; especially after Jason, he wouldn't encourage a kid to jump into the meat-grinder of vigilantism solely to save Bruce or preserve the legacy of Batman & Robin.

I feel like Dick has to also be seeing something in Tim here, his potential, his determination, the good that he can and wants desperately to do, that Dick has to respect, has to think deserves a shot. When Alfred goes, "The boy should be a politician!" and Dick replies, "He'd do more good with Bruce," (Batman #442; panels above), it does feel like he's thinking of the difference Tim himself could make in the world. Dick has to be remembering why he himself could not be put off from the vigilante life when he was even younger than Tim, why Jason also went out there and did his best every night. To help people, in a way that mattered.

Anyway, Tim also puts in a good showing when they confront Two-Face, despite giving Bruce a near heart-attack over this strange unfamiliar boy wearing his son's uniform when Tim briefly appears to have been crushed - only for him to have saved himself and warned Batman and Nightwing of danger through his quick thinking.

Afterward, Alfred and Dick both advocate for Tim, so Dick is clearly pulling for Tim to be given a chance. Dick's smile here, my heart.

Batman #442

I still wish they'd been a little more explicit with the turn of Dick's mindset here, but at the same time I guess it's pretty effective as show-not-tell!

All in all, I feel like ALPoD was very effective storytelling, well done Marv, hugely enjoyable read, and I can't wait to read more.

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hallowsden · 1 year

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@f4nd0m-fun here

So, I was on the ship Wiki, and I'm wondering what your Crane ships are?

I stumbled on Scriddler and TwoCrow, and I couldn't help but peek at TwoRiddle, so now I'm thinking about TwoScriddler, and oh no.

I barely know these chars and yet here I am.

Now combine this with John barely speaking with his fam and... you got Danny showing up on his doorstep one day, and Crane may have forgot to tell his buds about it, and you've got a small mess.

Personally, if I had to ship Harvey with someone, it's Gilda or Bruce (or both) (Unless it's Batman Forever version, then definitely TwoRiddle cause HAVE YOU SEEN THEM!?)

But honestly? This made me thinking... (Long ass rant ahead that may or may not make sense. This is written while being sleep deprived)

Jonny boy here ain't the only one who suffered abuse as a child. Both Harvey and Edward have as well. They both have Daddy Issues while Jonathan, depending on how you interpret him or which backstory you use, have granny issues + religious trauma or also Daddy Issues.

That being said, Harvey gives me the "this family ends with me" vibes, especially after he became Two-Face, and may be put off with Danny's presence for a while. He doesn't want to continue the cycle and become his dad. He'd likely would have liked, at the very least, to have been informed about the new addition to their family so he can... Prepare essentially/get used to the idea/plan how to avoid Danny. He's... For the lack of better words, cautious/careful around Danny, as to not accidentally trigger himself by accidentally hurting the kid. Does this make sense?

It'll take a while for Harvey to relax around Danny but for sure, he's gonna be very protective, if because he's Jonny's kid at first. He'll come to adore the kid and while not see him as a son but like... Oh, who's he and Harv kidding, that's his kid now and too hell with a coin, fuck with one of his then you'd get instant death penalty with him as the Executioner.

Harvey is gonna try and teach Danny law, specifically how to use loopholes against the system and evade arrests and such cause what else is gonna try to do to bond with Danny? Man's life had always revolved around law... Though... there are times where he'd go into this sort of story mode, recalling his experiences with Danny. He's soft and distant here but this is his way to fully open up, if that makes sense.

Harv, on the other hand? Teaching Danny how the criminal world works. Kid needs to learn how Gotham works. Can't have him die (er- turn fully ghosts? Yeah, he and Harvey don't understand Danny's halfa nature but they try and are supportive... They can't help but be reminded of themselves actually-) or Jonny's gonna be beyond pissed in a whole new level. Is actually rather strict, makes sure to put ground rules and boundaries with Danny compared to the rest of the parental unit that is Twoscriddler. Someone has to be the strict parent... How he and Harvey are considered the functional parent here is cause they actually practice self-care, well to an extent anyways, compared to his idiot lovers who would go days on end without eating, drinking, or sleeping, if the chance rises.

Harv, though rarely, would go into story mode as well to Danny, but in his perspective. There are many times he and Harvey hate each other but... They lived and went through the same life. Just differently. He mainly does this after something especially happened with Danny, like say, Danny nearly got shot...

Now, Edward on the other hand... Really depends on the version but in my opinion, he'd be indifferent with Danny at first, if a bit surprised. Jonny, with a kid? Now, isn't that interesting. Would definitely grow very fond of Danny very quickly, and if he learns that Danny's good with inventing and such, he is, for sure, gonna nurture those skills.

Eddie boy is gonna drag Danny to his workshop so they can bond over building shit. Also, VIDEO GAMES CAUSE YOU CAN NOT TELL ME OTHERWISE THAT EDDIE'S NOT A GAMER! Gets too competitive, too loud, just overall chaotic fun with Eddie also rambling about shit in the process. Just, the two are fucking gremlins and fueling each other's chaotic streak somehow cause while Eddie is an adult very full of himself, he acts too much like a child when he's relaxed and not trying to maintain his dignified image even though everyone has at least witness his childish streak at least once (this including his tantrums/meltdowns...)

The fun uncle/dad that managed to help Danny feel like a normal kid he wasn't able to be exactly due to living with mad scientists (who wanted to kill him later on even if they didn't know it was him). Eddie boy would also definitely help tutor Danny. Just that he may get impatient or teaches things too fast. Best that Jonny's there helping with tutoring so it's better paced and not going overboard.

But uh- yeah, it's gonna be a bit of mess when Harvey/Harv entered the shared apartment and see a random kid in there (who both resembles Jonny in some ways and also has the right coloration to be considered Wayne bait AND OH BOY-) huddled in blankets. Eddie would likely just walk past Danny, and after a few moments, walks backwards and stare at Danny, processing, before getting Jonny or Harvey, before trying to maybe interrogate? Depends if he slept or was hyperfocused on a project in his workshop.

[Also, @f4nd0m-fun, I swear, you've been fueling my need to create more Uncle Scarecrow content- DO YOU KNOW HOW HYPER AND EXCITED YOU MADE WHEN YOU @ ME!? Well, I think you're gonna see it when I do the reblogs... Just- XD, I'm having too much fun today/last night/lately (wtf is time anymore)]

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havendance · 1 year

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A collection of Helena Bertinelli/Huntress panels that are important to me:

(Detective Comics #653)

Batman: That's not the way I work. I'm not a killer. Huntress: You sanctimonious... You're looking for fair play in Gotham? I got you all wrong, Batman. I thought we became what we are for the same reasons; because the streets took away everything we loved.

Detective Comics 652-653 were my first introduction to Helena's character and this was the panel that really stuck out to me about her and who she was. This is what I kept coming back and thinking about. The contrast between them. They way that they're almost similar. Just "I thought we were the same". That's the good stuff right there.

(Huntress (1989) #2)

Huntress: I'm not strong. On TV... those overgrown wrestlers wear show-off flashy costumes... symbols of how strong they are. But it's not strong people who need costumes... It's the weak ones. Weak people who have to hide behind spooky capes and masks... make themselves seem more fearsome... so no one will see them for the harmless creatures they are... harmless as a frightened little girl who's lost her parents.

One of the things that really compelled about Huntress '89 (and to an extent Huntress '94, though that one just wasn't as good) was the dichotomy between the Huntress and the scared little girl that Helena still felt like underneath it. The contrast between the front she puts up, the way she puts on the mask and lives in it, and just how part of her is still caught up in the tragedy that birthed the Huntress in the first place.

(Showcase '93 #10)

Helena (internal narration): Maybe's not the word for it. Monday morning: David Stone will never have a chance to turn savage, never know a child of his own...but I can't bring myself to think it's better this way. Survival is always better.

Helena throughout the entire two part story that this concludes has been reflecting on the cycle of violence. It's really fascinating to see the way that her cynicism interacts with the fact that she really does want to help this student of hers who's been abused by his father. And the way she reflects on it you can see also thinking about herself and the Huntress as a product of violence and you get this impression of self-loathing as well. It's all just a really interesting story and I definitely recommend checking it out if you get a chance.

(Nightwing #29)

Huntress: How can you do what you do? Nightwing: Meaning? H: Look at this town. How can you play the white knight? How long can you stick to your “code”? N: As long as it takes. H: And if you fail? And you will fail. N: Then I fail, Helena. N: But I won’t let them win by becoming one of them. H: You have to play by their rules to defeat the. N: It’s not broken. H: What? N: Your ankle.

I've talked about this page before in multiple contexts, but like, I just really like it. It's an interesting look at what separates Helena from the bats. Her cynicism of you have to play the game to beat them. And also the last exchange "it's not broken... you're ankle", I just really like it. It works for me.

(JLA #32)

Kid: Do you have super strength? Huntress: No K: Are you invulnerable? H: I'm afraid not. K: Then how are you going to save him? What are you gonna do? H: I'm going to do everything I'm capable of doing!

I think this one speaks for it's self. I just boils down what I find compelling about non-powered heroes.

(Huntress: Cry for Blood #6)

Question: There's still time. Helena: Blood cries for blood, Vic. H: Santo killed his sister. Q: Dammit, where does it end? Q: When is it enough?

I'm going to be totally honest, this one's here because it appeals to me personally. I am obsessed with the motif of "blood cries for blood" (and also the Santo killed his own sister thing, because I'm always this close to catching kindly ones brainrot). Anyway, vengeance. Very compelling.

#huntress #helena bertinelli #the cooler gotham antihero #laurie-juspeczyk I cleaned up this post for you #here's some good huntress content since it's huntress posting hours tonight #or afternoon i guess #comic panel hoard #carthago delenda est #dc #bats + birds + affiliated

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im-not-samantha-im-samanta · 11 months

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Hi, I loved your autistic Jervis hcs sm! It’s so hard to find stuff like that so it was a really nice read.

If it ain’t too much trouble would you be up for writing a BTAS Jonathan Crane or Harley with an s/o who’s got a chronic condition like arthritis?

I totally understand if not! Hope you’re well ❤️

Hello, Crash! ^^

Thank you so much for your appreciation of my work, it really makes me so happy to know people like the topics I choose write about! ^^

And it really is hard to find fanfics with Gotham rogues about such topics, so I just try to provide the content I crave in case someone out there is like me and needs this sort of stuff. ^^ <3

And of course, thank you for your request! The arthritis topic hits close to home since my mum suffers from it, so the moment I saw your request, I already had ideas on what to include, though I can't say I'm an expert on the condition. ^^"

And honestly, I'm really happy about your request because I've been dealing with massive understimulation thanks to having no ideas for what to write! But I'm feeling better now, thank you!

Hope you're well too, and I hope you'll enjoy reading these! <3 <3 ^3^

{BTAS: Jonathan Crane, Harley Quinn having a s/o suffering from rheumatism}

___________________________________________

Settings: Romantic focused,

Genre: Fluff with a bit of Hurt/Comfort feel,

!TRIGGER WARNING!: Talks about a loved one having chronic illness, mentions of feeling hopeless, a bit sad feels here and there, and I made one suggestive comment in Harley's part, Harley's part is a bit more emotional with harder hurt aspects, that should be all though ^^,

Sidenote: I am no expert on rheumatism, so this is mostly a mix of everything that came to mind, and the topic of rheumatism isn't addressed to detail,

That should be all,

Sidenote: Gender of reader is not specified, but if reader description might be leaning a little more into a feminine sense, then it's purely unintentional, and I genuinely apologize!

Feel free to read, muffincakes <3

________________________

~Jonathan Crane~

~Jonathan is a sadist to some extent,

~However he's not a complete asshole,

~so, finding enjoyment in a chronic illness (especially a physical one) is a hard no,

~especially if the one suffering is his loved one,

~He normally doesn't have much empathy for people,

~but since it's you- his lover- he really does sympathize with you,

~and he can't bring himself to be his grumpy self with you,

~Soft Jonny hours, <3

~Jonathan really wishes he could take away your pain, make the illness stop,

~but he can't do that, so he has to settle for making your state more endurable,

~And he really tries,

~If your arthritis is bad to the point you can't work,

~Jonny really tries to secure both of you financially,

~if we're talking about Jonny that still works at the university,

~then he thinks of how to get more income, mostly considering one on one tutoring,

~as well as asking for a raise or doing some scientific research on the side,

~If we're talking about post Scarecrow Jonathan, then he's finding different ways of getting the needed money or medication,

~mostly robberies and raiding hospitals for the medical treatment you require,

~And if you really can't work and you depend on other people,

~then Jon's really trying his best to balance out work and assisting you,

~again, if we're talking about Jonathan who still works for Gotham university,

~then he'd try to hire you an assistant if you really find it hard to work on your own,

~he's really worried about leaving you alone,

~and his mind constantly replays scenarios of what could possibly happen if you were to remain alone,

~However, if we're talking about Jonathan as a Scarecrow,

~then he's most likely assigning his men to be at your beck and call,

~and they better obey and assist well, otherwise heads are gonna roll,

~Still though, Jonathan tries to be home with you as much as possible to assist you,

~He doesn't really push you to do housechores either,

~So, if you're having a flare up one day, and you can't bring yourself to do any chores,

~Jonny is not angry,

~he's understanding, and considerate,

~And if you feel bad about being unable to work around your shared apartment, Jonny comforts you,

~he may be a bit rusty in the comfort department, but he does his best,

~Jonathan is also really supportive, trying his best to accommodate to your needs,

~but also be your hype man, and keep you happy,

~So, he fully supports you seeing a physiotherapist to ease up your pain,

~he even accompanies you to all appointments to know what specific exercises can help you,

~and he makes sure to help you proceed with them,

~But if you don't want to go to physiotherapy,

~then Jonathan is content on helping you find exercises or some easy sports that can help you with your rheumatism,

~And while Jonathan isn't that much of a sports guy, he'll gladly accompany you during said sports,

~Also, if you're having a flare up, an especially bad day,

~Jonny tries his best to help the pain be more tolerable,

~which means lots of massages,

~Jonathan buys some relieving creams and oils,

~and he gives you long massages,

~But if your flare up is really bad and you can't even stand being touched from how in much pain your joints are,

~then Jonathan runs you a warm bath in hopes of easing up your pain,

~and he also always makes sure you've got enough of medication and painkillers supplies,

~Also, if your pain gets so bad to the point you can't sleep at night,

~Jonathan stays up with you,

~and that goes even for when Jonny is a professor/psychologist,

~he stays up with you even if he's got work the next day,

~Jonny also gets the most frustrated at these times,

~because he can't really help you,

~and all he can do is sit in the living room with you, drink some coffee/tea, watch tv and hold you,

~he really just can keep you company and let you know you're not on your own in this,

~At times Jonny even thinks of creating some pain-relieving toxin,

~something to drug you a little and make you forget the pain,

~but he knows that'd be a bit too risky,

~and he doesn't want to risk your well-being, especially not when you're already suffering,

~And so, he sticks with the traditional ways of helping and supporting you,

~Also, if you have to use injections as means of treatment, and you don't have the guts to do it on your own,

~then you can definitely count on Jonathan giving you the shots,

~and he's really careful and gentle,

~not even once did you get bruises after the injections with Jonny,

~And he always caresses the skin after the shots, <3

~And I'm not sure if I should say it but...

~if you're afraid of needles, Jonathan does kind of like how you tense up and your heart races when it's time for the injection...

~but he does shush you eventually, after getting his fill of fear,

~he then eases your mind, and he makes sure you're not as tense since getting shots is more painful if you're all tense,

~Also, a thing Jonathan started doing is kissing your aching parts,

~especially wrists and fingers,

~and those kisses happen especially when you're having a good day,

~For example your pain isn't as severe one day, so you make dinner for you and Jonathan?

~He comes home and is ecstatic!

~And he gently takes your dominant hand, and he kisses your fingers, knuckles and wrist,

~and he praises you so much,

~he praises you for how well you've handled that day, and how strong you are, and how happy you make him, <3

~He's really gentle with you, he doesn't have the heart to be grumpy with you,

~you're really bring so much light into his life, he's so soft for you, <3

______________________

~Harley Quinn~

~Now, Harley is a sensitive girl,

~and seeing her lover in never ending cycle of pain,

~that is the greatest torture imaginable for her,

~While she's a great supporter, sweet, positive and upbeat,

~your flare ups really are soul crushing for Harley,

~because she knows she can't really make the pain stop, not now, not ever,

~But! That makes her twice as set on bringing joy into your life!

~If you can't really work because of your rheumatism, no worries,

~Harley isn't really tight on money,

~I mean, she doesn't really need to spend money on medication and stuff cuz...

~she is a criminal... she... she can steal all that is needed,

~And since Harley isn't all that busy with work after abandoning her position as a psychiatrist,

~she's basically free to accommodate to your needs anytime!

~Though yes, Joker needs her here and there,

~but he no longer requires Harley as his 24/7 sidekick after Harley made it clear who's her main priority,

~and yes, Joker isn't too happy about it cuz he used to have Harley wrapped around his finger before she started dating you,

~but they still share a strong connection, and Joker is capable of understanding that you need Harley's assistance more than he does,

~Joker even sometimes sends his best regards when Harley's returning home to you,

~Also, whenever Harley is free to be home with you and is able to care for you,

~she takes her responsibilities very seriously and she goes all out,

~And I mean it,

~she's even gotten herself a nurse costume for whenever she's caring for you,

~and she kind of roleplays as a nurse from time to time,

~she wants to entertain you and make you smile, <3

~and if you're in the mood, you might get a bit spicier nurse treatment (⁠.⁠ ~ ⁠ᴗ⁠ ⁠❛⁠.⁠)

~And if you require to regularly take medication,

~Harley always makes sure you do take it,

~because on your better days you might feel like you don't need the meds,

~but Harley never lets you skip them,

~not unless the doctors do say that you're getting better and you might not need as much of said medication,

~Also, if you have to get shots as a mean of treatment but you can't do them on your own,

~Harley will gladly do those for you!

~She's really careful, and oh so sweet about it,

~she makes sure you're relaxed, she talks you through the whole process,

~and she praises you once the whole thing is over,

~and she also kisses the spot she injected, <3

~Also, Harley will gladly help you with physiotherapy,

~while still wearing her nurse costume, yes,

~she can't really accompany you to appointments,

~but she does make her research on what exercises are good for your arthritis,

~and her favourite exercises are those that require assistance,

~she likes feeling helpful and needed! :<

~Oh, and if you feel like it, Harley's up to trying changing your diet,

~Raw or lightly cooked vegetables, spices, including turmeric and ginger, fruit, yogurt,

~she'll get you or prepare you meals including these,

~and Harley's a really good cook!

~And speaking of cooking,

~if you're having a bad flare up and can't really cook or do any chores around the house,

~you don't have to worry, because Harley will gladly do those,

~she'll take care of everything if you need,

~But she won't hold you back if you really want to do something around the house,

~then she'll be your cheerleader, she'll hype you up and support you through the whole thing,

~she'll cheer for you, tell you how strong and amazing you are,

~she'll squeeze you in a hug, she'll shower your face in kisses while praising you,

~but she'll also remind you to take breaks to not overdo it,

~And even if you do the bare minimum during a bad day,

~Harley will celebrate your accomplishments with great joy,

~she wants you to know that you're not any less just because you can't do much because of your pain,

~and she really likes to assure you that you are enough and you're doing enough,

~just lots and lots of words of affirmation,

~especially when frustration eats away at you,

~Those moments really break Harley's heart,

~those moments when you feel bad not only physically but also emotionally,

~Harley really hates that she can't just kiss it all better...

~And the hardest it is during bad flare ups,

~Harley often feels like crying when seeing just in how much pain you are,

~especially when your flare ups are so bad you can't even sleep at night,

~but she tries her best to keep her head high up and be there for you,

~after all, her tears wouldn't help anything,

~During those nights when your pain is so bad to the point you can't sleep,

~Harley usually sits down on the couch in the living room, and has you lay your head in her lap while she plays with your hair,

~and she often just talks about anything that comes to mind,

~or if you don't feel like talking,

~then Harley lets you pick a show to watch,

~and you watch it together until you fall asleep or until morning comes,

~But if that's not enough, Harley also gladly gets into a warm bath with you,

~and she lets your body soak in the warmth while she massages your aching joints,

~Also about Harley wanting to keep you happy,

~she constantly comes up with silly ideas to get you to smile,

~especially during flare ups,

~and during your flare ups, Harley really is up for your every beck and call,

~you don't have to move an aching finger,

~she'll even spoon feed you if you so needed,

~and she'll always make sure you never run out of painkillers,

~She really just wants to make your condition more endurable,

~she really tries her best because she really adores you, <3

___________________________________________

#frenklinesamuelsworks #frenklinesamuelsask #frenklinesamuelsrequests #btas harley quinn #btas scarecrow #btas Jonathan Crane x reader #btas scarecrow x reader #btas harley quinn x reader #dc x reader #batman the animated series x reader #Jonathan Crane x reader #Harley Quinn x reader #Jonathan Crane imagines #harley quinn imagines #jonathan crane x you #harley quinn x you #x rheumatic reader

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ectonurites · 2 years

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I couldn’t find this anywhere else so I was wondering if you’d be up to answering—is Kon hearing Tim’s heartbeat/being able to find him wherever an actual thing in the comics or is it kinda overblown in fandom? And I know he used to not have superhearing I think, so…like, are there times he *couldn’t* do that but can at others? Idk i was just a bit confused/curious about the extent of Kon’s super hearing abilities and how they might relate to Tim in comics…if you have the time/energy/knowledge to answer!

OKAY so there's a few different things to address/discuss here- I'll try to do this in the most organized way I can. But the TLDR is the heartbeat aspect is more on the overblown side (but like, it's a case of 'this is actually a very plausible extrapolation based on canon, i just don't think it's been specifically stated on panel'), but it is for sure canon that all Tim needs to do is call for Kon from anywhere and he'll find him.

So yes, as you mentioned here, Kon did not always have super hearing! This is a power that he started to develop during the 2003 Teen Titans run (although it's something we learned he'd develop when he got older during Sins of Youth a few years earlier).

When this power was still new to him and developing, one of the first big instances we saw of it in action was actually him trying to find Tim in Gotham- because Bruce was of no help to Kon and told him to rely on his powers:

(Teen Titans Vol. 3 #13)

(Teen Titans Vol. 3 #14)

Now, as this was early in him having the power it takes him a hot sec- but he was still able to figure it out and find Tim this way! Fast forward several years, past Kon's death and resurrection and all sorts of other shit that happens, and we get to a point where Kon is confident enough in this ability (and his familiarity with Tim's voice) that he says this:

(Red Robin #9)

So yes, Kon can find Tim based on his voice if he calls for him. And even when he was less experienced with his powers, he was able to pick Tim's voice out of Gotham when he wasn't specifically calling for him- so presumably by later points in canon he could probably do that sort of thing a lot faster too (and likely within a wider range).

Alternatively if he needs/wants to find Tim and doesn't know where to start looking/listening (or any other reason he doesn't want to rely on his powers), he's also used the Krypto method:

(Adventure Comics (2009) #3)

Now, with the heartbeat thing specifically... The reason I said it's very plausible is because it is explicitly canon with Clark and Bruce- that Clark very specifically knows Bruce's heartbeat and can listen to the whole world to pick it out (or to find if it isn't there):

(Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne #1)

And I think people just kinda went with the 'well if Clark can do it so can Kon' logic, which I do think makes enough sense, because Kon does have all of Clark's powers by the end of pre-reboot continuity. I just don't believe there's ever been an instance with Kon that like... explicitly showed him picking Tim's heartbeat out, or explicitly had him search for/try to find anyone based on their heartbeat alone.

Though he has recognized someone by their heartbeat before- and it's someone he knows far less well than Tim (Lori)- so like, he'd logically also be familiar enough with Tim's to recognize it… just maybe not in the same 'pick it out of the whole world' extent like it is with Clark and Bruce. Like, due to a lack of canon example of it, my guess would be that as an adult he’d be able to do that sort of thing like Clark, but as a teen just isn’t quite experienced with the power enough to do so.

(Superboy Vol. 5 #7)

I hope that helps to clear things up a little bit at least?

#sam explains

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bombusbombus · 1 year

Text

Superman smashes capitalism and Batman smashes poverty. Clark solves systemic issues while Bruce alleviates the pain caused by them.

I don't think that's bad, though! Everyone keeps talking shit about Batman because he doesn't make immediate systemic change, but we need both! In a perfect world, we'd need no firefighters, but firefighters are still heroes. Gotham is a microcosm of that-- in real life, we have to offer palliative care in addition to systemic solutions. And the duality of Batman and Superman are an incredible example of that! One of them solves things decisively (punches the asteroid away, gets the billionaire arrested) and the other one comforts victims and offers convicts jobs and hosts soup kitchens.

To be honest, a lot of us could stand to be more like Batman. There are a lot of us who want theoretical systemic change but don't vote, don't volunteer, don't take a moment to talk to our fellow humans. Superman is a meaningful and important fantasy, but to some extent Batman is a reality.

'Why does it feel like he never gets anything done?' you ask, 'why does he even try? Doesn't he get tired? Is Sisyphus happy?'

He saves lives. And he makes the world a better place, even if it's just on a personal level. So of course he tries. Even if he gets tired, he has to try.

There's that post about how Western culture glorifies winning wars and going out in blazes of glory, but doesn't glorify nurses who go to work every day, or teachers who help failing kids. People who put in work over time to make things bearable are largely ignored.

That's why I love Batman. Because in a society obsessed with definitive solutions, he understands that entropy requires our love to be ongoing, it requires us to vote again and again and again and it requires our endless dissatisfaction to grind a better world out of tiny, exhausting moments of love.

#superman #batman

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mr-voorhees-husband · 2 years

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Some two-face please, good sir. >w>

heheHEHEHEHAHHAHAH

YESSSS

okay you didn't specify.. so I'm going all out and writing for my top two (because my top three include my version). Probably gonna be a longer post but... two-face deserves it <3

These are going to my thoughts, headcannons, and just a bunch of stuff w/ them <3

Warnings: Cursing, mentions of

mental illness, burning, trauma, etc, penguin almost dies, penguin in this is overall written as a bad dude but its only cause he only likes his spouse

Reader: Genderneutral, villain

Arkhamverse!Harvey Dent + Two-face

Oh good lord is this dude interesting.

So, Harvey and Two-face are obviously two separate entities in this version. But to some extent, they seem almost copasetic with eachother.

While Two-face is in charge most of the time in game, there's moments where Harvey peaks out, and oddly enough, Two-face lets him speak, sometimes even agreeing with him.

What I'm getting to is simple, dating one means you date both. For some versions it might be different, where its just Harvey, scarred mentally and physically. But here its straight up a case of DID or major psychosis.

Despite his mood swings, Two-face is a surprisingly attentive partner. While he'll never admit it, it's mostly due to his fear of you leaving him and Harvy due to his side of the body.

He's not completely scarred, and he can't feel anything on his burns, so he can take kisses. (which he enjoys immensely, even if he doesn't actually feel them) but usually he'd pull away, muttering something about 'gonna get you all bloody' or 'all you're gonna taste is copper, doll'

His moods can swing drastically, though, which while mostly unsurprisingly, can ruin a day very quickly. Two-Face can be perfectly content in his office one minute, and be screaming and beating a lacky the next. Though, that should be said, that he never takes it out on you.

Two-Face would rather die than put his hands on you, even if he can lose his temper, he'll never let it be on you. If he does reach a peak, he tends to shove Harvey into the front and recluse into head space.

Harvey is a much easier man to date, maybe not love, but easier to put up with. He doesn't have mood swings like Two-face, nor does he really have a sadistic streak.

For the most part, he's the same, handsome, charismatic D.A that almost everyone had a crush on at some point (he's gotham's Ryan Reynolds) yet, there's a part of him that you know wasn't originally there

A part that despises the police, that despise the mobs, penguin, other villains. A side that wants to do nothing but tear this city down and rebuild it as he see fit. Its why he doesn't fight Two-face doing crime.

They of course wants you to be their partner in crime. They want a pretty little spouse to hold onto Harvey's arm, all dolled up while they lead the city like they're meant to. Someone to love and cherish, someone who doesn't mind the scars, who takes the good with the bad.

"Who's the eye candy?" You were leaned up against your boyfriend, holding his arm to your chest, good hand interlocked with you own. Two-face grumbled, turning to face the infamous villain, who's he'd begrudgingly agreed to work with. "Wait.. [V/N] is that you?"

"If it is?" Two-face barked out, instinctively sweeping you under his good arm. You didn't say anything yet, simply smiling as you leaned into his side. "Why do you want to know?"

Penguin laughed at that, making Two-face even angrier. Subconsciously, you squeezed his hand (which was technically Harvey's, though he wasn't fronting right now), doing your best to calm him. "Why do I want to know? The bats biggest threat next to that white face prick goes missing, just to turn out as your troph-"

Two-face shot before you could stop him, grabbing the shorter male by the collar of his shirt, resting his pistol at Penguin's chin in a silent threat. "Finsh that sentence, and I'll get my doll to flip my coin."

"Didn't expect [V/N] to be a throphy spouse." Penguin's shit eating grin didn't falter as you pulled the coin from Two-Face's pocket. Nor did he flinch when the metal was flipped, quite literally putting his life on the line. You caught it before it fell, laying it on the back of your palm.

"Good heads," you finally spoke up, grabbing the coin and resting it between your fingers, "he lives."

"Dammit." Harvey groaned alongside Two-face, and you decided it was best to not tell them you lied about the coin toss.

They just want you to love them like they love you!

JLA!Harvey Dent + Two-face

Listen. Hear me out.

He's funny.

Yeah I don't got much else to defend me, lets get to the headcannons.

So, I noticed this one doesn't really have a coin. Which is very, very interesting. Instead it seems like Harvey and Two-face are constantly fighting for control.

They are still separate beings in this though, but this makes me think they're both fronting together consistently. Maybe a bad case of being front-stuck together, or its due to both of them constantly fighting for control of the body.

Whatever it is, they don't get along, not nearly as much as Arkham!Two-face + Harvey

This Harvey is much more morally correct. He still has that 'crime is wrong' mentality, even while Two-face is committing it. Yet that isn't to say he's completely innocent. Specifically mentioning the scene where he and Two-face argue how to get out of the cuffs.

Harvey goes as far to offer another option, and even help Two-face escape, despite saying how he thought it was wrong when collecting the cash.

Harvey is the more respectful of the two (which is a bit obvious) and has a very big 'gentleman' mindset. He puts you on a bit of a pedestal, in his eyes you're the one good thing that happened too them since the accident.

In turn though, he is a bit... hesitant to let you and Two-face date. He doesn't believe you should be associated with such a villain, even if you used to be one, or currently are one.

He's a bit old-fashioned in the dating game, though. Heavily believes he (and in turn Two-face) should be the 'bread-winner' while you stay at home and be their pretty little spouse.

Two-face is. Heh. Good luck.

He's sleazy, he'll wolf whistle, he'll say some dirty pickup line that'd make the hardest guy go red. Not to say he'd do anything you don't like, he's a villain not a monster.

He's rude to Harvey at time, and has a pretty bad temper (read; anger issues to the max), but like Arkhamverse!Two-face, he'd never lay a hand on you. Again, he's a villain, not a monster.

Similar to Harvey, he's a bit of a gentleman. He likes to take you on lavish dates, with expensive food and delicious deserts. Only the best for you, which also means arguments with people who bother you is quite often.

Unlike Harvey though, Two-face wants to activity included in his work, he wants to bring you to Oswald's fancy party's and boast about the latest heist the two of you pulled. Even if you're their pretty little spouse, Two-face also wants you to be their badass partner-in-crime

Though, it isn't rare to find him and Harvey having a screaming match with eachother about if Two-face should be allowed to date you or not. The easiest way to deal with this is give them both a kiss on the cheek and assure Harvey you want to be with Two-face as much as you want to be with him.

"What have I told you before!? They're only with you because we share this body! Which, may I remind you, I don't exactly WANT!" Harvey's venom filled voice was a rare thing to behold. Often times, when a certain someone had crossed a line that Harvey thought you had.

"Oh yeah! Keep talking pretty boy, we both know they only got with you to get with me!" Sighing, you lowered your phone, slipping it in your pocket as you headed towards your screaming boyfriends. "Before you they were the baddest villain on the block, but oh no, the lawyer couldn't have that!"

You poked your head inside of your shared bedroom, Harvey and Two-face were standing at the foot of the bed, head swerving as one took over the body from the other. "It was for their own good! I can't have myself associated with two criminals, especially when you're trying to keep them doing crime!"

"Harvey," Their head swerved to face you, both looking equally surprised to see you, "Two-face."

"Darling-!"

"Dollface."

Ignoring the pet names, you walked closer, resting your hands on their shoulders. "Harvey," you repeated, leaning up to peck the side of his face, "I date Two-face because I love him as much as you."

Two-face's grin was wiped to a flustered smile as you kissed his cheek. "And Two-face, stop antagonizing Harvey."

"'Course Doll," Two-face smirked, "anything ya' want."

"As long as your happy." Harvey sighed, resting his hand on your side. "So am I."

"You two are lucky I love you."

For once, they agreed on something, both sharing a matching smile. "We know."

They have their quarrels, and arguments, but in the end they love you more than anything.

#harvey dent #two face #harvey dent x reader #two face x reader #justice league action #arkhamverse #arkham city #arkham knight

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katastrophic-n3vulaa · 7 months

Text

A collection of my Jason Todd headcanons/AUs

if you're here from a fic, all headcanons/aus/special power shit is in here.

if youre here for any other reason, you know what you're getting into.

That being said, warning for death and rape mentions

Here is a reminder that i have not touched canon, just been told that characterisation is bullshit, and i have attached myself via hyperfixation to jason todd.

When a headcanon is referred to being in all AUs, it means it fits in all of them. Not that they’ll be relevant, or that they have even happened yet.

This is present in all AUs. Jason was trafficked and raped when he was younger. This ties into the Siren AU, and Jason is really good at comforting victims. Mainly through music or song.

This can be adapted into any AU: for the genderbent version of Jason, her name could be Medea or Medéa. From the Greek Μήδεια Mēdeia, possibly meaning someone who is pondering or cunning. It is also the name of a sorceress in Greek mythology that took nobody’s shit.

This is present in all AUs. Fibromyalgia is a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues. Jason has chronic pain because he died, or if in Titans, because Trauma™. Sometimes it’s manageable, sometimes its crippling.

This is present in all AUs. When Jason was dead, he was in limbo. With him, was Death the Endless. She was actually very nice, and gave him the ankh, which shrinks down into a small but intricate tattoo on his left forearm, which allows him to shape his soul into anything, and when he does, the tattoo grows, spiralling out. Similar to the all-blades but far more versatile. He has hours until he needs to stop using it to stay alive. Death also talked with him and became an almost aunt or grandmother-like figure, which is true, considering her child is Gotham, and Gotham’s child is Jason.

There was a lady. With wild black hair, reaching her hand out, smiling at him. And a lot of red. And it was so quiet , oppressively quiet, the kind that traps you and drowns you and eats you from the inside out. Moonlight shines through the warehouse window. It reflects off the container, and his eyes glow green. (link)

This is present in all AUs. Gotham is sentient, and is the daughter of Death the Endless, and is Jason’s mother (technically). Jason is intertwined with Gotham, and the shadows show that. Jason has claimed the people of Crime Alley as his, so Gotham helps hide them: they can manipulate the shadows, disappear, and resist death, though not to the extent Jason can.

In any AU marked at the bottom with ‘Eldritch Gotham Shadow AU’, Jason is more eldritch than others. He manipulates the shadows and has a much larger well of power. He is the grandchild of Death the Endless, and here, both Gotham and him actually show the fact that they are eldritch cosmic entities, bound by breaking string into the husk of a city and a man respectively. However, the power is hard to control and is inaccessible most of the time. Major impacts are weird shapes in peripheral vision etc.

In any AU marked at the bottom with ‘Reflection AU’, the damage done to Gotham is reflected onto Jason. If there is a bomb, Jason will have a burn the same percentage of his body that the bomb destroyed of Gotham. When Gotham is heavily damaged, Jason is also extremely injured, but he can delay injuries reflecting onto him with the use of some runes. In some AUs, the reflection isn’t 1:1, and it doesn’t hurt Jason as much, but he is still injured. Being a mirror also grants him the ability to know almost everything happening in Gotham always.

In any AU marked at the bottom with ‘Shifting Inks AU’, Jason, when he was with the All-Caste or when he was dimension walking with magicks, he was tattooed with magic ink. The ink can change forms, but no matter what form the ink takes, it is vibrant and strong. Sometimes the ink takes the form of runes hidden inside art, or hints from Destiny and/or Dream the Endless.

This is present in all AUs. The people of Crime Alley call Jason’s gang the ‘Merry Men,’ after the group that Robin Hood led. This catches on, and now they’re unofficially called the Merry Men. To refer to multiple of them, they’re called Merries, and to refer to one, they’re called a Merry. They are all very close, and mostly consider each other family.

In any AU marked at the bottom with ‘Lazarus Pit Regeneration AU’, coming out of the Lazarus Pit would only heal injuries that are open(not scars, nor malnutrition)/ incapacitates them (makes movement impossible or extremely hard) so Jason is shorter, (maybe 5’5” maybe 5’6”, 5’7” at most - to the 5’4” he was at 15 and the 6’0” he was at 21), and has the build of a gymnast: compact muscle and packs a punch.

This build was inspired by my sister, who is only 5’4” but is an international medalist and can deadlift about three me’s at once. Also, I hate the fact that DC didn’t really have major diversity early, because, come on, be a little creative. Canon Jason is just Bruce but shorter and a little wider.

In any AU marked at the bottom with ‘Soul and Ghosts Sight AU’, Jason can always see ghosts and help them find peace and move on if they want to. He can also see people’s souls, and when he was young, he judged on instinct how safe they were. When he’s young, he’s brutally honest about what he sees and knows, which surprises a lot of people, but he can also get high off of positive emotions because he wasn’t exposed to them often when he was young. The soul reading (as he gets older) changes into seeing the presence of Death the Endless around someone, which – based on the shade - tells him how many people they’ve killed, how many people they know have died, how many people have died as a result of something they’ve done (not purposefully trying to kill), what deaths they blame themselves for, how close they are to dying, and their magic if they have any.

In any AU marked at the bottom with ‘Fire in His Veins AU’, Jason has fire in his veins. It makes him a heat pack. The Bats don’t know this, and when he gets really pissed off, it leaks out of his skin. Jason is involved in the magical community of Gotham. His ‘base power’ is the fire-lava veins thing, but it can be adapted into runes and constructs and shit. Anyways, he helps the magical community, and they all love him.

In any AU marked at the bottom with ‘Nonna Force AU’, the grandmothers, the aunties, the mothers, band together to make Crime Alley healthy. Heavily ties in with the Merry Men being family. All Nonnas are magical, all-powerful, omnipotent beings, and they are never called by their names, only variations of their title.

In any AU marked at the bottom with ‘Siren AU’, Jason has magic channelled through his voice, and he doesn’t sing a lot at all because of it. When he’s comfortable, he will, and some songs with memories attached/plot devices use golden magic to make constructs. He can also hear the songs of people’s souls, as well as those associated with memories. The Siren’s Blessing is something that was passed through Catherine’s maternal line, and when extremely desperate, those with the Blessing can call upon the Oceans, and this summons a few very pissed off Sirens. Because of the connection, Jason is friends with some Atlanteans, and he can also swim fast, breathe underwater, and heal quicker.

He loved singing as a kid, and Crime Alley knew Jason and Jeslyn as the Songbirds- not vigilantes, but if you get a good song, you get lucky. He learnt that singing could also get him in trouble and found out, so he only ever did it with Jeslyn or in private. They can also hear each other sing whenever they are singing, and when they sing the same song and aren’t near each other, golden constructs of them appear with each other, and when another person is sung to that also was Blessed/had a magical anchor, they could also project to them (as well as the Blessed who died, like Catherine), and any person who they have sung to. The Blessing is not designed to be hostile, but, because they have magic, they can cast spells and draw runes, even though it is hard to wield as an offensive power. However, when saying a vow (threatening, promising, being intimidating) their voice layers with others that stand by the vow as well.

In all AUs, Jason also has siblings, the oldest being Antonio, who was 10 years older than him and very dead, having been pulled into gangs by Willis. His closer siblings consist of Jasmine, a sister 4 years older, and then Jeslyn, his fraternal twin who is older than him by a few minutes. Jason is the tiny one of the family, as Jasmine is built a little like Willis and Jes is tall and willowy. Jes also has the Siren’s gift. But when they first got it, they were stuck in amber for like 2 years, and so Jes and Jay are 2 years younger than their birth certificates. In some AUs, Jay’s siblings are dead.

---

if i use these to write oneshots, the AU/s in them will be mentioned at the bottom!

if you wanna use one of my headcanons, please credit me and tell me bc i wanna read it.

#jason todd #jason todd angst #jason todd headcanons #jason todd headcanon #jason todd fic #maybe?#yeah #there will be #jason todd is the youngest child here #and mostly #robin!jason #i also managed to hyperfixate on the titans show version of jason within the last 48 hours #so #eeeeeeeeeee #many fics planned #so many #question is: motivation?

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aalghul · 2 years

Note

Honestly People who say Winick has the best interpretation of Jason and Jason should just be a villain are grossly misunderstanding something. Like Under the hood was a decent story but Winick did misunderstand a lost of Jason's character and shouldn't really be a Jason writer. What he needs is somebody who understands Robin!Jason and a good story of him attempting to move on. Cheer as a meh start but I think that it was good for his character.

I agree on Winick's writing and his lack of understanding when it comes to Robin Jason! I disgree that Cheer was any good for his character, though. It perpetuated the "Robin Jason was violent, reckless, and only wanted to punch people, not be a detective" thing that DC likes to push. And it also made Red Hood Jason just like that (like he would need Bruce fucking Wayne to remind him to be kind to addicts, hello?). I also viewed the theme of trust between Jason and Bruce being wrapped up as something that Jason was misunderstanding, since he was the one saying they didn't trust each other, which was then proven wrong in the flashback to Riddler trapping Batman. As a whole, I was not a fan of that garbage.

Back to Winick. The idea that Jason would go around shooting goons and killing people lower on the power scale will never sit right with me. Not to mention that Winick didn't feel the need to mention Jason's own experience with the Gotham underground? It's like he didn't get that Jason is a character outside of Bruce. To Bruce, all the entire East End boils down to is crime, dead parents, (dead? alive?) son. That part makes sense; it's made sense since Batman #408 brought it up! But that's not the extent of Jason's relation to it. Meeting Bruce is one night out of the entire life he lived there! All of which Winick just does not see fit to mention (along with Stephanie, considering Jason's takeover happened on the base of the results of War Games, but whatever, Winick. I already know you don't care about women).

Beyond just its misunderstanding of Jason's character, I think UTRH was always very surface level and lacking in several ways, as a story. The conclusion was so out of character for Bruce, we don't even need to debate it (or the many other ways Bruce was OOC that entire storyline). But it wasn't even a good conclusion because he was clearly just trying to achieve the goal of "dead/assumed dead" rather than writing a story that actually led up to it. One thing that I think Winick did fine with was including some details on Jason's part that showed emotional investment, but not enough and it really did go "I care only about Crime Alley, apparently for fun since I have no investment in anyone's safety" to "this was all about Batman". Jason's insistence that no one involved kids was like...the one good and consistent thing. It doesn't hold up if he doesn't care what happens if the goons he just shot dead have kids, though!

In conclusion, no one understands my blorbo like I do, but especially not Winick.

#turtle mail

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imagine--if · 2 years

Text

Riddler Year One #1: My Thoughts

I cannot actually say enough how much I loved this comic 😍 because we get to see the full backstory of Edward and what made him the Riddler, and understand him better! Also, it really links in with The Batman film, what with the mentions of Anikka and everything.

Feel free to comment your own thoughts or tag me in posts you make about the comic!! Aight, so here's my essay for you all - these are my thoughts, so they might not be accurate to other opinions and stuff... please don't come at me 😂:

In The Batman, Edward Nashton mentioned feeling "invisible" and being "nobody" to Batman when they talked in the asylum, but reading the comic, you can really see just how low he thinks of himself and his surroundings. I think the darkness that fills his mind and blurs the background perfectly shows what he's seeing and feeling, and how he panics through the day and night. That's how the comic starts; Edward is overwhelmed by his dark thoughts, and it's also how the comic ends. Gotham City "scares" and "disgusts" him, and it's clear that he wants the happiness and attention everyone else seems to get so easily. Being isolated socially, apart from when he does his puzzles online with his "only friends" takes a toll on his view of himself, since his pleas for such attention only leave him feeling "unwanted," "unnoticed" and even "repulsive."

So when Edward is seen by The Batman when Anikka is attacked, he chooses not to tell his followers "how he looked at him." Batman probably didn't even remember or take much notice of Edward's presence, but since Edward was finally seen, even to that extent, by someone else, especially a vigilante who was unafraid to show Gotham's horridness, it was really special to him. Therefore, he keeps that part of the experience to himself.

The only things that calm Nashton's mind are when he's focusing on work - the numbers - or solving riddles. He's shown listening to some kind of podcast that tells him to shift his focus, something he finds extremely difficult. This is shown through the slightly disturbing illustrations of his daydreams, like the one with the train, and seeing people on the train's faces morph into monstrous expressions. He tells himself repeatedly to "breathe," though his thoughts never really stop plaguing him. At one point, the thought of dying as an unwanted and abandoned orphan makes him physically throw up, and the tangled webs of darkness and monsters' eyes in the room disappear afterwards to be replaced with a sad, clear blue tint to the bathroom.

One thing that really stood out to me is Edward's obsessive, repeated rambles through the phrases he writes again and again in his workbook as if he's trying to convince himself, trying to clear his mind a little by letting as much as he can out on paper. This evidently does nothing, since after he fills a page with "I am enough," Edward ends up scrawling "No you are not," in large letters on the bottom. The same repeated writing style is shown in the movie, where The Batman notices the wall and the plans for the traps. The way they work is written, again and again, filling several pages, which displays his obsessive nature and "meticulousness" over his puzzles, as The Joker commented in the deleted scene. His thoughts of Batman ultimately lead him to slightly change his opinion and comfort himself when he writes over the ramble "You matter" as a speech bubble. This is the same quote Edward wrote on a newspaper featuring Thomas Wayne, though the words mean more coming from The Batman than the late Wayne.

At the KTMJ, when Edward sees a chance to prove himself to his boss after uncovering a money laundering scheme, no one there seems to care, and he is even threatened by his boss in terms of losing his job if he didn't let the subject go. This sign of corruption must have been one of many things that got to Edward and inspired him to become The Riddler. This ultimate rejection from his respected peer also leads Edward to harm himself by burning his hand in boiling soup, wishing that he'd just approached the boss in his office instead of following him to the diner and "creeping him out."

... 😅

So, this is my weird analysis of the comic 😂 I hope you liked it and enjoy reading the comic just as much as I am! It's great to uncover more of his character, since it really helps me write more accurately for him, and I like sticking as close to character as possible for my readers to get into it. If I've got anything wrong (I might have lol) feel free to comment with your views and stuff! I'm always interested and open to new perspectives and ideas. I haven't covered absolutely everything, mostly the thing that stood out to me the most and things I think I understand the best, so if there is anything specific in the comic you want me to talk about or anything, let me know in my inbox!! I'm really into Riddler Year One right now and think everything about it is spot on 💚

Hope you enjoyed reading my rambling attempt at a essay review 🥰️

#riddler year one #edward nashton #paul dano #danonation #the riddler 2022 #riddler comic #dano riddler #riddler #batman riddler #the riddler #edward nygma #dano!riddler #paul dano riddler #paul dano movies #paul dano nation #paul dano characters #comic review #dc comics #dc riddler

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mangoisms · 8 months

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there is something so incredibly interesting about this conversation and alfred’s view of bruce wayne and batman… i typed out the entire convo so its all under the cut because it's a Lot (that way no one has to read through the panels themselves. but also after this There are my Thoughts. which there are many)

Alfred: Perhaps it is less than a tragedy that Bruce Wayne’s affairs, for once, have displaced the Batman’s obsession. Bruce: What do you mean, Alfred? Alfred: Sir, forgive me for saying this, and understand in advance that I have had the pleasure of knowing no man more admirable than yourself… Bruce: But—? Alfred: But… Well, sir… As much as Gotham could not survive without the Batman… I doubt the Batman could survive without Bruce Wayne. Bruce: Have I been neglecting my personal relationships that much, Alfred? Alfred: Certainly not with me, sir, and not really with young Jason—but insofar as the Batman must take up much of your time, it is inevitable that Bruce Wayne’s affairs should suffer to a certain extent. You relationship with Miss Vale in particular— Bruce: Yes, I know I’ve been neglecting Vicki—but ever since taking on Jason, my time has been— Alfred: I fully understand, sir, and with luck, so does Miss Vale… But my meaning goes beyond such details, however important they may be. Bruce: And in the larger sense…? Alfred: By his very nature, sir, and necessarily to ensure his success, the Batman is a… a creature of but one overrriding emotion… Supreme outrage. Alfred: His consuming need for justice and retribution is the very factor which encourages his success. Therefore Bruce Wayne represents your positive side… The full spectrum of all your other emotions. Bruce: And I should pay more attention to those other emotions—even when I’m not forced to, as in the current crisis involving Jason? Alfred: It may be selfish of me, sir… Alfred: But I was never more proud of you than when you momentarily ignored the Bat-Signal to concentrate on Jason’s plight. Bruce: And as an ironic result, both Jason and Bullock were almost killed. Alfred: I admit there is that lesson to be learned as well, sir… But the Batman truly is a creature to be feared—even by yourself in the dark corners of your own soul. Without Bruce Wayne’s compassion to balance the Batman’s obsession… I fear the night-creature would devour your very heart. — Batman (1940) #377

that last part especially is just so interesting. just because i feel it’s so different now?? like how bruce views himself, how everyone else views himself, where we are at the point in which batman is the true persona and bruce wayne is the fake one. like that one panel of diana, clark, and bruce with diana's lasso of truth where they introduce themselves and give out their real names but bruce's answer remains 'batman,' clearly implying that is how he truly sees himself

which i know, i think it was from the new-52 reboot of the league, so whether it was even any good is another question but i do think on the whole, dc has really pushed the whole bruce wayne is the fake side, the batman is the real one and it's not... bad, i guess. but i really like this interpretation so much more? where they are two sides of the same coin? you can't have one without the other and as alfred is saying, you shouldn't

in a way, i think what we have of bruce right now kind of proves alfred's point in how bruce would be consumed by his mission as batman if he neglected the other side of himself. i'm SURE it was not intentional on dc's part and they were trying to lean more into a grittier version of him and emphasize the batman side of him more for the audience but i also think it's what led to the deteroriation to him as a father? like a child - like jason here - doesn't need batman, he needs bruce. and i feel like we do see what happens when they get batman instead of that (like tim and cass; though it is received very differently since tim needs something else but takes it anyway and cass truly doesn't know any better and idk its that post about how bruce enabled her and saw himself in her and YEAH)

and i mean yeah, keeping in mind this is pre-crisis but still. did all of this happen because of jason's death??? maybe so. maybe so. i wanted to say no initially but it really is so impactful for him because like... that was his son. so i do kind of feel like it's safe to say that when jason died, this bruce wayne died alongside him too. idk if any of this makes sense but. yeah. yeah. yeah

#it's been a hot minute since i've had this much thought on bruce #but there is a MARKED difference in the bruce wayne we see with jason #and the bruce wayne who is really batman with tim #but most of all i just think it is SO interesting that alfred sees bruce wayne and batman this way #not two separate entities but two parts of the whole. the dark and the light. literally #rather than the whole 'bruce wayne is the fake batman is the real'#its just. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA #this does make me considerably more sympathetic to bruce too LMAO like he was good. he really really really was #anyway. this is going into my meta tags #it just has to. it has to #dc meta: bruce

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the-hopeless-haze · 2 years

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He’ll reject my actions, but He will know my heart (Justified Sin Chapter 11)

PREVIOUS CHAPTER

Warnings: talks of domestic violence, talks of the lost baby, talks of Dave's murder... suicidal ideation, slut-shaming, and derogatory names (not from Bruce obviously; he's my sweet babygirl and would never speak like that... but from a special surprise guest). also idk I love this chapter so much. love to go off about Catholicism like a nerd okay

Taglist: @pop-rocks-and-skittles @yesshewrites1 @deadflowerd @burninggracesandbridges @reggxe-a @ventila98 @grayce427 @leastlikelytoachieve @that-girl-named-alex @yuki235171 @cluelessnitwhit @thebruemanbatwayne @y-napotat @acatwriteshere

Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous.

Sure. But what if it was the opposite? Would Abel have been justified in killing Cain? Cain was evil and needed to be cast out by a righteous man to do God’s work for him. God left the building. It’s just a free-for-all, free will, free lives, no consequences. A cesspool. Gotham. Hit your wife. Kill the mayor. Nothing happens unless a vigilante takes you out.

Who’d be coming for Bruce’s neck in retaliation?

Corrupt. Opaque. Concealed. Never thought he was like one of those men, skeletons in his closet and his real face hidden behind a mask. Becoming what he hates in the name of being what the city “needs”.

He used to fool himself, that he was truly Vengeance and Bruce didn’t exist. But he does. Vengeance killed Dave but Bruce had the personal motivations to drive him to do so. He is both people and they are the same and he only wears the mask to rid himself of his wealth and his identity for the night. To be hidden. To be reckless, ruthless, and restless in his pursuits without people knowing who to tie them to.

It’s not about being a good person. Maybe it never was. It’s about being something bigger than himself, making Gotham habitable. Reducing fear in children’s eyes, children like him. Reducing harm. Not obliterating it. But a reduction.

If he had to harm others to do so… what was he really doing?

It’s not often Bruce seeks solace in the walls and painted glass windows of a church. It’s not ever, actually; the only times he can remember coming here is when his father was alive. Growing up briefly in a dual-religion household led to confusion only exacerbated by their premature deaths. Would a gracious, benevolent God let them be ripped from him, with no consequences for the murderers?

Alfred never saw it his place to educate Bruce on religious matters, so he grew up for better or for worse without much of an influence, though he did spend quite a bit of time in his father’s old study. Bibles were highlighted and annotated, and different theories that were postulated by Thomas. Bruce read through them in an attempt to understand the man he barely knew, but none of it made sense in the end, given what happened to him. What did he do that he deserved to meet that end? He married a Jewish woman. Perhaps he hoarded wealth to a selfish extent. But to die like that?

God had left Gotham. And Bruce feels like a shitty replacement. Just a man. Not a hero. Just a boy who had to sing this song of death and misery and revenge.

Bruce knew even less about his mother’s religion; she adapted more to Catholicism than Thomas was willing to concede to Judaism, although he vaguely remembers a menorah lit their last holiday season all alive. Her, though, she’d done even less to deserve it. Always giving, always kind, always in pain. Life was agony and never healing from trauma and mental illness and then it was over. Her identity was erased in death and one with the man she was married to.

Did it have to be that way? Why reduce a life to its negatives? Every news anchor seems to lament the deaths of the innocent and never focuses on the lives they had before it was taken.

They would do the same to Dave, not knowing that maybe, just maybe, he deserved the end he got. A sadistic motherfucker killed instead of enacting the killing. Turn it all on its head. Make a righteous man evil to make sure this evil man ceased breathing.

The church is quiet and reeks of incense, the woody smell piercing his nostrils as he walks in.

He half-expects the cross to fall off the wall at his presence.

Hail Mary. Full of Grace. Ave Maria. Everyone’s a sinner. Begging for forgiveness at the altar. Symbols for symbols for symbols to the point it doesn’t seem to stand for anything anymore.

Pray for us now. Pray for us at the hour of our death.

A-fucking-men.

He blesses himself with the holy water. The liquid doesn’t burn his flesh, it runneth over, off his skin. He still remembers how to do this, how he did it at his parents’ funeral. Right hand to god to the forehead. Bless the mind. In Nomine Patris. To the chest. Cleanse the heart. Et Filii. Left shoulder, the devil’s shoulder, brush him off but his influence still lingers. Et Spiritus. Right shoulder. One with God and Jesus now, but it doesn’t feel like it. Sancti. Nothing felt sanctified or holy when he did this decades ago. There’s no sanctity here now, either.

Nothing changes. Everything stays the same.

Hands come together now in prayer. A-fucking-men.

Pray for what? No one was listening.

But he came here to be heard.

He walks through the church, velvet carpeting beneath his feet, so much splendor and wealth here, but God said “make no idols of me” and yet statues and figurines of Jesus in his most vulnerable moments, nailed to the cross, are fixed to the walls.

He would be Risen again soon, in a month or so. Or at least symbolically. They’d have the kids making First Communion enact the Stations of the Cross, they’d sugarcoat it all and make it less violent than the story actually was.

Bruce would feel nothing like he always did and struggle to understand why.

Jesus wasn’t solving any problems. The weight of this city is on Bruce’s shoulders instead. Died for your sins and left the earth for good, checked out.

If Bruce was Jesus, he wouldn’t let himself die. He would stay.

You accused him of having a complex multiple times, especially in the suit, before you knew his identity. You always knew his delusions, though, regardless. Perhaps Jesus wouldn’t debase himself like Bruce did, give into the sins of the flesh, kill for love. But at least Bruce was staying and pushing himself and fighting the battles with the people he pledged to save.

Sacrilegious. Better than Jesus. Certainly not. That narcissism alone would earn him a spot right at Satan’s feet.

But maybe it wasn’t narcissism. It was a duty. A calling. To be better than Jesus? To do good even at the expense of doing evil to get there. Damning his own soul to save the pure.

The incense alone was going to give him a headache, never mind the thoughts racing through his mind.

Taking a deep breath, he walks behind the curtain.

“Vengeance. What do you have to say about it?” Bruce asks, sitting down in the confessional booth.

“‘Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord,” the priest quotes.

“Sure,” Bruce responds. “Sure. But he’s not avenging Gotham. Where’s his wrath when he we need it?”

Unless he is an agent for God and free will is an illusion and to rid the earth of Dave’s influence, to make a good man kill in his will, he had to learn to love first. Bruce. Batman. Vengeance. Acting out His wrath, doling it out so He doesn’t have to.

“Mm. Maybe it doesn’t appear to be as if he’s doing anything to you. But God works in mysterious ways. What have you done, child, that you believe requires forgiveness?”

“I hurt somebody because they hurt somebody I love,” he says simply, his sweaty hand burning a hole on his knee. He talks like he was explaining his actions to a child, mind-numbingly plain and vague.

“So you enacted revenge.”

“Yes.”

“What did you do, exactly?”

“Doesn’t matter,” he mutters. “I hurt them.”

“Hm. I can’t quite absolve of your sins if I don’t know what they are.”

“That’s what you do? Absolve me?”

“Are you sorry for the sins you’ve committed against another?”

Bruce hesitates for a moment, then says, “I wish it hadn’t come to that. But no. It was premeditated. It had to happen.”

"Sorrow is half the battle, my child."

"So I'm damned," Bruce says, letting out a mirthless chuckle.

"Why don't you tell me what you've done? It weighs on you heavily. I can sense it," the priest says.

"It was a crime."

"The state is not higher than God. Whatever you tell me... I cannot repeat to the authorities. It stays between you, myself, and God."

"Oh, well, that's bullshit," he mutters, leaning back against the wall. "Someone comes in here and tells you they hit their wife. What are you going to do? Send them on their way? Not tell the police? Anybody?"

"I pray."

"Lot of good that does."

"You have a lot of anger in your heart-"

"What you're telling me is bullshit."

"Did you hit your wife?"

"No," Bruce growls, ice running through his veins. "No. I would never fucking do that. I killed a man who did."

Again. No crosses fall from the walls. God was inactive and so were his perpetrators.

"Mm... my child. Vengeance has no place in our hearts," the priest says. "And you're not sorry for this?"

"No. But you can't fucking tell anybody, right?"

"No. I can't. I am bound by my sacraments. God already knows and he is the highest authority."

"God watched that man hit his wife day in and day out. Watched him push her, break her wrists, and give her black eyes. Watched him yell at her, scream at her. Watched him hold money over her head so she couldn't leave. Watched him take the baby out of her womb with a fucking coat hanger," he seethes, heart pounding. "He did nothing. No divine intervention."

"God granted us free will. He will atone for his sins in his death, as will you, unless you atone for them now."

"I'll never be sorry," Bruce snarls. "It wasn't something I wanted to do. It was something I needed to do. I took no joy in it. But it was necessary to buy her freedom."

"Do you think you can find it in yourself to want to do better?"

"Of course. I want to do better. I never... I never want that feeling again. That's why I'm here."

"Maybe in time, you will come to see the errors of your ways."

"I killed a bad man."

"You killed a man," the priest corrects.

"I think I'm... I think I'm done here," Bruce says, shaking his head. "I... I don't think I'm going to get anything out of this."

"Go to the altar. Pray the rosary at least one time. And please return when you are ready to feel sorrow."

Wordlessly, Bruce exits the booth, taking a rosary at the exit. Unsure why he does it, he steps up to the altar, the garish lights shining down nearly blinding him. He takes the rosary, blesses himself again. The sign of the cross. He needs the prayer book to remember them, I believe in God, the Father almighty ... lies. Bruce doesn't believe in anything but himself. And you.

Our Father. forgive the one who trespasses against you, for he is the one who’d risk eternal damnation for you, with you, even without you. Bruce's own words, twisting the sanctity of the prayer, making it fit his own crimes. Hail Mary, full of grace. Ave Maria. He feels nothing. Ave Maria. He feels nothing. Ave Maria.

A-fucking-men.

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

“My husband, Dave Matteson, has been missing for over a month.”

Now, Bruce is sitting at the press conference, as far in the back as he could get. Stark contrast to the church he was in days earlier. It’s a sign of solidarity to you, and maybe he’s paying his respects to the dead here, too. It’s only fair, since he’s the reason you’re here at all, giving a eulogy to a man who beat the shit out of you for years. Being exorbitantly wealthy and well-known got him access to everything without any real questions, and sitting in this seat amongst journalists and politicians alike makes him feel beyond cheap.

You’re solemn and respectful, playing this role well like you played all of your roles for this man prior. Black knee-length dress, minimal makeup, gloved hands, you seem to be going for a Jackie O vibe. Fitting you should channel her now.

“I was in the hospital when I received the news he was missing after a brief illness. I wish I knew what had happened to him within those hours, but I was very ill. I just wish… I wish he reached out to me. It’s been weeks and I haven’t heard a word. I… I… this isn’t like him. I feel as though we should fear the worst. If he was out there, breathing, I feel as though I would feel him… and I… I don’t feel anything, anymore,” you say, wiping tears with your tissue. Your father is behind you, and he squeezes your shoulder comfortingly. It’s the first time Bruce has seen him, and he looks as harrowed and shaken as you do, if not more so. The familial resemblance is clear, here, not just in looks but somewhat in the way you hold yourself as well. He wonders vaguely how much he inherited from Alfred himself, how much isn’t inherited but learned.

“While I still have hope he might return and the case is far from closed,” you continue, swallowing thickly, “I do support the change in the office of mayorship to Don Mitchell Jr. While my husband’s shoes are not easy to fill, I feel as though Mr. Mitchell will do his utmost in the interim. Gotham is in good hands. Thank you.”

You step away from the podium and hug your father, tears streaming down your face as the cameras flash away. The paparazzi were definitely getting their money’s worth for the show you were putting on today.

Not that it was a show, entirely. You are grieving. Just not for the reasons they thought.

The “interim” mayor you introduced gets up to the podium next and speaks, but Bruce tunes him out. Just another run-of-the-mill, corrupt candidate. One out of a million.

Instead, he watches you.

You still didn’t look quite like yourself, but then again, maybe he never knew you, never knew who you were when you weren’t in constant fight or flight mode. He wonders if you told your father everything, or what you decided to tell him instead of the truth. He wonders if your father knows about your entanglement with himself.

The conference ends, and Bruce knows he shouldn’t linger and that you don’t want him here, but he can’t help but stay. For the refreshments, he rationalizes to himself, but there wasn’t alcohol here in the middle of the day and he knows he’s only staying to watch. Steady on the outskirts of your life.

So, he gets a cup of water and stands next to the wall, becoming one with it, ignoring questions and comments and keeping a stoic expression whenever the cameras flashed in his face. The paparazzi gave him a hard time getting in here. Maybe it’d be best to leave last.

You’re a couple feet away, now, separated from your father, receiving condolences from others with teary eyes. But then… Carmine Falcone comes up next to you and Bruce is on high alert. Ever since this man showed up bloody on his father’s doorstep, he didn’t like him. From what little he knew, he had ties to your husband as well. Whatever he had to say couldn’t be pleasant.

Crossing the room in a few strides, he steps closer to the two of you, hoping not to be seen by either of you. You notice him immediately, eyes widening at first and then setting into a glare. Falcone has his back turned to him, and you don’t say anything to alert him of his presence, so he stays close.

“Nice show you’re putting on, girl,” Falcone says. “Hm? Who taught you how to act so well?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” you say, setting your shoulders back.

“Oh, but I think you do. No point acting with me, sweetheart. Where is he, really? In the floorboards?”

“I genuinely have no idea what you’re talking about, Mr. Falcone,” you respond, trying to keep your voice level. “Please allow me to grieve in peace.”

“Grieve? I don’t believe he’s been pronounced dead. You seem to have given up all hope he’ll return though, eh? What did you do to him?”

“I was in the hospital when he went missing,” you mutter, looking down at your heels.

“You know how easy it is to get medical records forged, sweetheart? I could get them like that,” he says, snapping his fingers in front of your eyes, causing you to flinch. Bruce lunges forward but you recover quickly and set your eyes on him again, a piercing gaze that says “let me handle this” without the words. Fair enough. Although he fights against every cell on his body to do so, he grants you this. For now.

“Please. Let me be,” you say, meeting Falcone’s eyes again. “This is hard enough on me as it is.”

“Yeah. The guilt must eat at you, sweetheart. Since you don’t have access to his money yet, I might have a job for you. Pimps are hiring big for pretty whores like you—“

That’s enough. That's e-fucking-nough, Bruce decides. He knows you’ll hate him for it, hate him for causing a scene but he can’t in good faith listen to this man berate you for things he didn’t know fuck all about.

“Is there a problem here?” Bruce interjects, placing a not-so-friendly hand on Falcone’s shoulder.

“Well, look who’s coming to your defense, the prince of Gotham himself, eh?“

“I don’t need the help,” you say, pridefully.

“I don’t know. Big city for a little girl like you. Might need another rich man to pay your way for you or you really will end up a street girl,” Falcone snickers. “We know your father can’t afford your lifestyle, and that little diner won’t cut it.”

“I suggest you go somewhere else,” Bruce says through gritted teeth.

“Really, Bruce, I can handle myself,” you hiss.

“Oh, you two are on first name basis? Maybe Dave was right to be suspicious of you two. I always said, you know, no way poor little recluse Bruce could score you, but maybe you are just a slut for the money, hm?” Falcone sneers.

What Bruce does next he isn’t entirely sure if he’s proud of, but his fingers are tightening around the older man’s shoulder before he can stop himself, and he’s forcing him to walk backwards until his back is against the wall. The crowd dispersed to let them through, but they were quick to follow and hear what was said, tittering and gossiping - “I wonder if he’ll hit him” and “oh, am I glad I showed up today”.

“Hey, hey, easy, boy,” Falcone chuckles. “Remember. Your father wanted me to live.”

“Leave her alone,” he says softly but sternly, staring him down.

Falcone leans against him, his breath reeking of smoke and burnt coffee, and he whispers in his ear, “Yeah? Was her pussy worth it?”

Bruce can’t feel his fingers anymore with the strength at which he’s digging them into Falcone’s suit-clad shoulder. It’s worth it, though, worth putting the fear of god into these assholes. “I’m going to say it one more time. Leave. Her. Alone.”

“Yeah. Yeah. I hear you. I’ll make sure you’re not around the next time,” he laughs.

Letting go, he makes sure to shove him back against the wall a little more forcefully than necessary, and then he pushes past the reporters, the cameras, looking for you, but you were gone, you were nowhere within his line of vision.

Your father comes over to him, putting an arm around his shoulder and walking him over to a corner. “Some scene you caused,” he says after shoving a paparazzi away that followed the two of them.

“Yeah,” Bruce mutters. “I couldn’t listen to the vile shit coming out of his mouth. Just… just tell her I’m sorry. Okay? Can you do that? I’ll see myself out now. Don’t worry.”

“She went out around the back if you want to catch her.”

Bruce raises an eyebrow. “She wants to talk to me?”

“Well, no,” he answers, smiling wryly. “But I think you should try. I… I want to say. Thank you. Thank you for loving my daughter through… all of that. I had no idea things were that bad. I… I loved Dave and it breaks my heart to think my daughter thought I loved him more than her. To think… to think she wouldn’t come to me? All this time… I…”

“She told you?”

“Everything.”

“Everything?” Bruce asks, anxiety running through his veins.

“She didn’t tell me what happened to him, but from the scene you just pulled, I think I can put it together,” he whispers. “Good for you. I would’ve done the same thing if I’d known.”

“I’m going… I’m going to go talk to her now,” Bruce says awkwardly, feeling sick and needing the fresh air regardless. He didn’t know what felt worse, the people justifying it to him or the fact that you still didn’t forgive him for it. So many people complicit in this crime, or in favor of it and yet the person he did it for… left him. And he knows why. He knows. You need the time alone and he should grant it to you and going to talk to you right now is on the list of stupid shit he’s done, for sure, but he does need to apologize at the very least.

Once he’s sure he’s slithered along the wall enough that he’s lost the cameras, he heads out of the building, the frigid February air cooling his skin down some. Walking along the perimeter of the building, he sees you, pacing in your heels, headphones blasting music so loud he could hear it when he got close enough to you.

“Hey,” he says gently, reaching out for your shoulder, a soft, feather light touch. Proof that he is, in fact, capable of restraint.

You startle, and turn to face him, shutting your music off and furrowing your brow at him. “I cannot fucking believe you. You just had to make a scene, didn’t you? Jesus Christ,” you snap. “We aren’t together, Bruce. We aren’t fucking together. And even if we were you can’t… you can’t fucking do that. You can’t. You can’t kill every single person who wrongs me, Bruce. I can’t fucking live like that.”

“I wasn’t… I wasn’t going to kill him, Christ. He shouldn’t be talking to you like that. He wasn’t going to leave you alone—“

“I know him, Bruce, fuck off. I’ve dealt with him the entire fucking time I was married to Dave and let me tell you, he’s the least of everyone’s problems. He’s just a fucking asshole. That’s it. He’s all talk but he’s harmless.”

“I don’t know if I can agree with that.”

“No, right, because every man who talks to me now, this is the shit you’re going to pull? I can’t… how fucking dumb are you? You killed him. You. And you’re making a scene at this fucking thing?”

“Shh.”

“What? You worried fucking Falcone will hear you through the walls? Jesus Christ, Bruce. Fuck off. Seriously. I cannot believe you made a fucking scene like that. Now Falcone’s going to go and tell fucking everybody who will listen that I’m fucking Bruce Wayne and—“

“You were. It’s not like he’s fucking lying.”

“Right. Well, maybe I didn’t want everybody to know. Jesus.”

“Why? Are you embarrassed of me? Huh?”

“Shut the fuck up, Bruce, and stop thinking with your dick for two seconds,” you growl, walking closer to him. “Seriously. Fuck you. I was fucking married to the most conservative man in this fucking city and you think it’s a fucking good look for me if the whole fucking city thinks I fucked you while I was married to him, and then he fucking died on top of it? Jesus fucking Christ. Why don’t I just suck you off in public? Right? Give them another show. Yeah?”

“Listen. Your feelings are justified—“

“That’s the other fucking thing, too, I keep going over in my head, right? Are you going to kill every fucking man who beats their wife? Are you? I fucking don’t think so and I… I can’t handle that. I can’t handle being… I can’t handle being loved that much. Fuck. I can’t. It’s… it’s too much,” you say, backing away from him.

“But I do. I do love you that much,” he says quietly, reaching out for your hand. “I’d do it again. I’d die for you—“

“Bruce. Love me less, then. Love me less,” you say, looking up at him pleadingly.

“I can’t,” he whispers, rubbing his thumb over your hand, aching for more contact, aching to reach out and hug you and press you to his chest and breathe in your perfume and kiss you and make you feel good again, press his body into yours, make you remember how you loved him, too.

“I… I can’t. I can’t do this. Fuck. I can’t. I need to… I need to leave Gotham. I thought I could do this, I thought… but I… I… fuck. I can’t do this.”

“You can. And you will. This is your city. His memory shouldn’t drive you out of your home.”

“It’s not him, Bruce, it’s you,” you say, blinking tears out of your eyes. “I told you I needed space and you pull this shit?”

“It’s almost been a month. You haven’t even called me. It’s like you cut me off, like you don’t want anything to do with me,” he says, his voice cracking, breaking like glass shattering on the pavement.

“I told you I needed space, Bruce.”

“Okay,” he says, letting go of your hand, keeping his hand out by his waist. “Okay. I’ll leave.”

Leaving was the last thing he wanted to do. He’s never known what it was like to miss people who are still alive; grieving for the living. It’s a different kind of ache, a gnawing pain every time he reaches for the phone and doesn’t call you, every time he sees articles about you in the newspaper, every time he reminisces about the good times the two of you have had, every time he drives by the diner. Still out there but so unattainable.

“You’re not leaving,” you say, drawing him out of his reverie, and he had stayed, staring at you, at your face in the sun, at the way you changed, at the way you held yourself now, shoulders straight back instead of cowered down.

You aren’t terrified of being alive anymore.

He did the right thing.

“I’m sorry,” he says softly. “I just… I don’t know when I’ll see you again. I’m trying to make this last.”

“Bruce….”

“I’m sorry.”

“Yeah. Me too,” you say, looking up at him, your eyes squinting a little in the sunlight. “I don’t expect you to wait for me to be ready. I don’t.”

“What are you… what are you talking about?”

“I still need more time.”

“Okay. And I said I would be here.”

“I don’t expect you to wait, Bruce.”

“Why? Why wouldn’t you?”

“Because. I’m a mess, Bruce. I… I was inpatient," you say, frazzled. "My therapist committed me. I was… I had a plan. I was going to… never mind. It doesn’t matter what I was going to do. That’s why I didn’t call you. I… I didn’t want you to worry or try to visit me or… whatever. I just got out. Two days ago. And then they dragged me to this shit.”

“I’m glad you got help. But you can always talk to me.”

“But I can’t… I’m still not stable, Bruce.”

“Then… okay. I can wait.”

“But you want a family. You want a wife and kids and I can’t do that. Not now, maybe not ever.”

“I only wanted that with you,” he says gently. “I only wanted that because it was you. I never thought I would get any of these things before I met you.”

“I took them away.”

“You didn’t get rid of the baby. He did.”

“I should have told you. I should have been more careful,” you say, looking down.

Testing out boundaries, he brings his hand to your cheek, brushing hair behind your ear. You raise your head and you don’t push him away, in fact, you lean into his hand. The two of you stay like that for a few moments until Bruce whispers, “You can’t blame yourself for this. Okay? You can’t keep carrying around this guilt. I’m upset just like you are that we didn’t get to know this baby and raise them and love them. But it wasn’t your fault.”

“I knew it wasn’t wasn’t safe. I knew that,” you say, lip trembling. “I knew trying to get out would be hard enough without being pregnant, too.”

“Okay. But you did what you did. It’s over. I forgive you. I was never going to hold it against you,” Bruce tells you.

“Every time I look at you I just… I feel like I killed part of you. What if they looked like you and—“

“Shh. Shh,” he says, cutting you off. Taking his hand from your cheek, he wraps his arms around you, pulling you into his chest. “It’s not your fault. It’s not your fault. It’s over. He’s gone.”

“Yeah. But you… to do that, to kill him, to end his life? What goes through your head, Bruce? I just don’t get it.”

“To protect the woman I love and my future family. Maybe it’s selfish. Maybe it’s antithetical to whatever I’m trying to do as Batman. It was because I love you.”

“Right,” you say, pulling away from his embrace. You cross your arms over your chest. “Murder out of love, justified, because you love me more than you hate him? I don’t know.”

“Aren’t you happy he’s gone? Aren’t you happy you don’t have to go home and be afraid of what mood he’ll be in? Aren’t you better off?”

“Yes. Yes. Yes. But not at this price.”

“You’re not paying anything.”

“I… I corrupted you. I made you like this, like me. You were so… innocent, before. Pure. And I… I fucked you and made a child with you that I got killed and you killed somebody for me. I damned you to hell with me.”

“Well, we better make the most of this, then,” he says, shrugging. “We’ve got a long eternity of hellfire ahead of us.”

You laugh in spite of yourself, always in favor of dark humor. “Right. Live it up before the eons-long barbecue.”

“That’s the spirit.”

“Do you believe in any of that anyway?” you ask.

“I don’t know. But I’m not basing my decisions on the place I might go after I die. I’m basing my decisions based on the consequences they’ll have on the people and the city I care about. What I know exists.”

“How logical."

"I went to confessional," he admits. "I felt nothing."

You roll your eyes. "Maybe actual therapy?"

"A therapist could report me to the authorities, though," he points out. "But I see your point."

"You don't have to tell them everything, obviously. But I think you should go."

"Okay. Whatever you want. I just... I just want you back. I'm trying so hard not to be pushy about this because I know what you asked for but I miss you and-"

Your lips are on his and your hand is in his hair and you are so close to him and he forgets everything - the words that were going to come out of his mouth, what he was doing here at this building - all mush. He kisses you back, pulling your body closer to his than you already were, relishing in the feel of your mouth on his again, remembering the first time you kissed when you took him by surprise and how you were doing it again and you'd do it again and again.

God be damned.

"You still love me?" he asks quietly, holding on to your healed wrist after you pull away from his mouth.

"Who said I stopped?" you respond. "But fuck. That's why I said I needed space. I can't be around you."

"We can... we can heal from this together. We don't need to be separated."

"I need to live alone, Bruce. I do. We're not starting this cohabited. My dad is taking me to look at apartments tomorrow."

"Can we still... can we still talk, then? Can I call you?" he asks.

"I'll call you. Okay? Just... I still need time."

"Okay."

"I love you, Bruce," you say, and it's the first time he's heard those words in over a month, enough to bring the prickles of tears to his eyes. "You just have to let me do this."

"I killed to let you do this. I'm okay," he says. "I love you, too."

Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

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