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avanalae · 10 months

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Athena and Ares

omg guys guess who came back months later to this in her drafts /cries

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Title: Athena and Ares Fandom: Batman (DCU)/Greek mythology Verse: Myth!verse Characters: Tim Drake, Athena, Ares Pairing: Ares/Tim, (forshadowed) Ares/Tim/Aphrodite Rating: 2052 Warnings: I have since played Hades and will never not be able to escape thinking about it when writing about Greek myth. Thus, Ares and Aphrodite are totally married and Hephaestus is with his Charity, Aglaea, who is not Athena. Wordcount: 2053

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It had been a typical day before this, but considering how things had been going the past few months, maybe this could be called typical as well?

“Since I couldn’t do anything about my fool of an uncle at the time, I made it so she could protect herself instead. When I ask her about it and gave her some options, she was most enthusiastic about that one. And so…” Mocha-toned fingers make a wiggling motion by her head.

“Huh. I had wondered about that, admittedly,” Tim hums and takes a sip of his coffee.

“Yes, many have and while I do not like to involve myself in such things unnecessarily, once the internet became more common it was easy enough to use to get the ball rolling.”

“Ah, were you involved in that, too?” he tilts his head consideringly, “Being the goddess of wisdom and all.”

The woman shakes her head, her curly grey hair swaying against her cheeks. Tucking a lock behind her ear, she explains, “While I was not directly involved, it’s reasonable to think so. Other gods of wisdom and invention were the first to trigger the process, but all of us with such things as our domain become involved in such monumental developments, even if indirectly.”

“Like an inherent collaboration thing?”

Athena squints at him over her frappuccino. “…I suppose you could think of it that way. All things are intrinsically connected, after all, and gods are not free from this principle. While I am a completely separate entity from, say, my dear Saraswati or Benzaiten, I have a deeper connection with them than I do others from their pantheons. We are not interchangeable, but it’s easy enough to help and cover for each other when needed.”

“Wow, neat,” Tim comments, “I wish I could have copies of myself to help out, like, all the time.”

She rolls her eyes, “That is because of your tendency to overwork yourself unnecessarily.”

Tim glowers, but she just looks down to the table at the three empty mugs left at the edge of the table. Two had been cleared earlier and one, mostly empty, was in his hands.

“…I just like coffee.”

“Uh-huh.”

“…”

Athena raises an eyebrow.

“Okay fine maybe I work a bit too much. But all of us are busy these days.”

“An interesting thing about wisdom is that there are many facets to it. It is wise to know your skills and how to utilize your abilities to benefit yourself and others. However, it is equally as wise to know when it is time to do nothing.” The goddess leans back in her seat, crossing her legs, “While I greatly admire your intelligence, strategic mind, and more… I find your wisdom often lacking.”

Resting a hand over his heart, Tim gasps, “Rude?!”

Rolling her eyes again, Athena picks up her frappuccino and loudly slurps the last of it through the bright pink straw.

Tim pouts.

“Anyway,” she sets the empty cup aside, licking her lips, “I should get going. I have a feeling that-“

The doors of the coffee shop burst open.

“Hey, ’Thena! Are you here?”

“-something annoying is about to happen.” She finishes, her deadpan expression only mostly obscuring her contempt.

The tall man in the doorway is dressed rather typically for an Olympian, unlike Athena’s casual jacket and jeans. His broad frame, dark skin, and stark white hair only making him more intimidating in the eyes of the regular customers. However, like true Gothamites, they just go on edge instead of panicking immediately.

Looking around, the man quickly spots the two of them and strides over.

Glancing between the two gods, Tim quickly concludes.

“Ares?” he mutters to Athena, and she grimaces. Ah.

The god slams his hand on the table, thankfully not causing any damage, “My dear sister, did you think I would stand still after realizing your trickery?”

Athena looks at him blandly, “To be honest, dear brother, I don’t expect much of anything from you. Ever.”

“Ha! Well, then I shan’t bother considering it. I will, however, gladly take my revenge for you running off and meeting with Timothy first.” Ares snaps out, and Tim feels his heart drop in sudden anxiety when the man turns and looks straight at him.

“Ah- I-ACK!!”

Tim is grabbed and hefted over a bulky shoulder so quickly that his head spins.

“I will be on my way, now,” Ares chuckles and turns around. Tim is disorientated but he manages to look up and he sees Athena grumbling while waving over their waitress.

These gods are all so rude.

After a few minutes of his stomach against the unforgiving surface of Ares’ shoulder, Tim’s had enough. As the god leaps up to the next highest roof, Tim grunts out in pain at another punch to the stomach. He stabs his elbow into the nearest weak points he can reach, “Ugh! Put me down!!” He doesn’t do much damage, but he doesn’t expect to. He just- “Augh!”

Ares lands on the roof and adjusts his hold, flipping Tim and sliding him down until his back rests against the crook of his left arm. Tim is left disorientated once more, his right hand on that troublesome shoulder and his left atop the large hand by his hip.

“Terribly sorry for the bumpy ride, dearest Tim.” Ares apologizes and leans over him, his large form nearly covering him completely. “Are you alright?”

“Ugh,” Tim opens one eye to glare at him, “Do I look alright to you?”

The god leans even closer and presses his lips to Tim’s temple, “Do accept my apologies, dear. I wished to remove you from there sooner rather than later.”

Tim stares at him once he pulls back, suddenly wondering if he’s going to have to fend off more advances. He then registers their position and startles, pushing on the god’s shoulder. “Uh, can you let go of me, please?” The gods he’s met have all been impressive, but this one in particular is possibly as big, if not bigger, than Bruce. It’s intimidating.

Ares hums and doesn’t move. “I’m not sure. Now that I’m finally holding you, I can’t seem to bring myself to let go.” He moves and pulls Tim closer so that their chests are against each other and braces the young man against him with one arm. The other runs up Tim’s side, getting a delightful shiver. “You are even more enticing in person, my dear. While I have admired the strength you bear in such a lithe body, I find myself appreciating it more upon closer examination.” His large hand runs down from his shoulder to caress his arm, prodding and manipulating to admire the musculature.

Tim isn’t normally so sensitive, but the position they’re in is not helping his heart calm down. “Lord Ares-“

“Just Ares, my dear,” he hums, Tim’s smaller hand in his as his thumb massages into the soft palm, digging into tension Tim hadn’t notice (or had been ignoring).

“A-Ares…” he fights against the urge to melt and let the massaging continue, or worse, like asking him to massage him elsewhere. Clearing his throat, he tries to compose himself, “Ares, please, um, let me down.”

The god hums and looks down, drawing Tim’s eyes to- to where his hand is clutching Ares’ chiton right against his pectoral. Choking, he lets go and tries to pull back, ignoring the pouting god. “I need- I have things I need to do, so please let me go.”

Still pouting, Ares tries to catch Tim’s gaze and fails, “Ah, alas. Alright, my dear, I will capitulate.”

Why is this man’s vocabulary so extravagant? Tim wonders, distracted once again. But the god does put him down, incredibly gently, to his surprise. He swats at the hand lingering on his hip and tries to ignore the god of war’s sad face. What is he now, a puppy?

“Are you really here to see me? Don’t you have something better to do?” He doesn’t mean to sound so accusing, but he’s flustered.

“I believe visiting a beloved hero such as yourself is a worthy cause on its own.” He chuckles at Tim’s flustering, “My dear Aphrodite has also been interested in meeting you.”

“Huh?”

“She originally intended to send me to kidnap you so we could spend some… time together more intimately.”

“WHA-?!”

“She made a bet with Athena, however, and it would seem that we lost. So, I will just have to enjoy this moment to share with her later.”

Tim gives up and just tries not to think too hard on the implications the war god is dropping like candy. He’s not unexperienced with such things, after all, and he can tell that if he tries anything, Ares will take the excuse to really kidnap him.

“Then I will ask you for one thing of you before I go, if I could.”

Hesitant, but desperately wishing to get out of this situation, Tim nods, “If it’s something I can do, sure.”

“Wonderful! Then, excuse me,” Ares gently grasps Tim’s chin and tilts it up. Leaning closer, the god grins at Tim’s wide eyes, “would you allow me a kiss?”

He asks, as their lips are already close enough that Tim can almost feel them already. But the much larger figure teases by keeping them millimeters apart, even nudging Tim’s nose with the point of his own. Finally realizing that he needed to respond, Tim releases his lower lip, not having noticed his nervous biting until then.

“I-“ he looks into sparkling ruby-red eyes and has to swallow. “Um, yes?” God, he’d meant to say no but he doesn’t regret it as the intimidating puppy before him beams and swoops down.

Again, Tim is pulled against the god of war by his waist and bent backwards as the god finally captures his lips. It’s an immediate and consuming heat that steals his breath away. The burning lips part for a heated tongue to stroke its way into Tim’s mouth, enticing, leaving him falling apart in Ares’ arms. All he can do is grip thick biceps weakly, trying not to melt.

Is it due to being Aphrodite’s lover? The other Olympians who’d managed to steal a kiss weren’t quite as…. Skilled? Intense? It’s hard to think of the right word with his brain melting under Ares’ talented tongue.

He’s not sure how long they stay like that, but Tim is breathing heavily by the time the separate. He blinks a few times, eventually managing to focus on Ares a minute later. On Ares, whose smug grin is both aggravating but also well-deserved. Instead of smacking him upside the head, Tim submits to his skills and just sighs. He pushes at the broad chest, still catching his breath, “Alright, you got what you wanted, so let go.”

“Alas,” the giant puppy sighs sadly, “I suppose I shouldn’t be too greedy, for now.” Tim doesn’t feel great about that “for now.” “Many thanks for the kiss, my gracious one. I will treasure this memory for a long time.”

“Yes, yes,” Tim pushes again, flustered, “Glad to help. Or- Ugh, just, if there’s nothing else, please go now, like you said you would.”

Ares lets him go slowly, reluctantly, but eventually Tim can take several steps away from the potential threat. “Alright, my dear, I will go. Hopefully I will be able to see you not too far into the future. Perhaps with my lover in tow?” He seems to consider it for a moment, before moving on. “Then I shall depart. Do think of me tonight, won’t you?”

With a flash that has Tim shielding his eyes, Ares disappears.

“Ugh,” he rubs his face after making sure the god had really gone, “damn it. He really got me, didn’t he?” Tim licks his lips, then flushes when he realizes what he just did. “Ugh, why did he have to be such a good kisser? That’s not fair.” After burying his face in his hands until he’d calmed down, he sighs and tries to pull himself back together.

Looking around, though, Tim realizes something.

He was on the roof of a building that had no easily visible access point. He was in civvies. And it was still only the afternoon.

“That damn-!”

#Ava fics #Myth!verse #Batman #fanfiction #greek mythology #tim drake #athena #ares #greek myth au

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avanalae · 2 years

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Green (Just Leave Me)

I wonder how many of you remember this. I wonder if this will even be seen. 🤔 So if any of you happen to remember this ‘verse, I have a surprise for you! An update!! (I know, holy shit.) Was going through my fic folder(s) bc I’m trying to write more after dealing with a ton of health crap that put a lot of my creative endeavors on hold. Saw this one. Thought about it. Decided to give it a shot. And here we are! 😃 It’s not long (tho I made an effort to make it as long as I could), but hopefully more will follow. Before another few years pass, at least. We’ll see.

If you check this out on AO3, you’ll see that the whole fic was updated. I went back and touched things up (considering just how long ago I started this fic…) but I’m only gonna update the AO3 version. So, check it out there if you’re gonna read it from the beginning. ☆

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Title: Green Verse: Just Leave Me Fandom: DCU (Not DCnU! Turn your mind back in time with me) Character(s): Tim Drake, Ra’s al Ghul, Alfred, Jason, Bruce, Dick, Damian Pairing: None (for now 👀) Rating: G+ Wordcount: 2073 Warnings: Story-typical feels. Ra’s. 👀

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READ THIS ON AO3

Part 1 (AO3|T) ● Part 2 (AO3|T) ● Part 3 (AO3|T)

Ra’s rubs his thumb over the printed text on simple paper. “I see, so this was everything?” He glances over at the few things the ninjas brought with them, having taken them from the apartment under his instruction after they contacted him when they saw it dark. He’d been very curious after not hearing from his favorite menace for a while, and things seem to be much more interesting than he anticipated.

The paper simply says, “Goodbye.” It was left in the printer, seemingly just left there after having been printed. How unusual for the detective.

“There was evidence of something else, though. It was difficult to notice at first, but it seems the building was recently inhabited for a time by a…” his shadow hesitates, but quickly continues when Ra’s raises an eyebrow, “A cat, my lord.”

“A cat…”

The shadow nods, “After a thorough inspection, facts seem to line up in a way that makes it feasible that this cat might have been the one to shut down the building.”

Ra’s feels quite the spark of intrigue, “How fascinating. If this is the case, was my dear detective perhaps turned into a cat?”

“There shall be a report soon about recent villain attacks and altercations in Gotham very soon. I’ve sent several people to investigate.”

“Excellent,” Ra’s hums, “I will expect the Bats’ recent movements, as well.” The white shadow nods, and the ancient man can’t help but chuckle as he folds up the note. “I wonder what you’ve been up to, dear Timothy.”

Tim has been feeling uneasy, recently. He spends more time napping in the cave in the hopes of hearing anything that might explain this feeling, but nothing comes of it. There seems to be an increase in villain activity, but it’s not an unusual thing. Crime always picks up after the holidays, after all.

He considers taking a look himself, but he can’t talk himself into dealing with the sheer trouble it would be to even try.

So, Tim continues to enjoy his time with his family. He lets Dick hold him more often and listens as he complains about being so busy, dealing with both Gotham and Bludhaven. Damian isn’t one to complain, but Tim is more often allowed to stay with him when he spends time drawing in his room or tucked in different corners and windowsills. Alfred and Bruce don’t act much differently, but the one who stands out is Jason.

Right now, it’s another of his and Alfred’s tea-times. The rest of the family is out on patrol, which is what Jason prefers. They seem to be getting along alright these days, or at least seem to be tolerating each other, but Jason doesn’t seem very interested in mending bridges beyond that. Tim doesn’t blame him, even if he hopes they eventually can make amends.

Alfred is off making the tea while Jason makes himself comfortable in the little nook next to the kitchen. Tim is curled up on the table, even if he knows Alfred will be shooing him off when he comes back with the snacks. He’s too interested in enjoying the full-handed head rubs that Jason gives him. The older man chuckles and squishes his face, but it doesn’t hurt and isn’t too uncomfortable, so he just makes a grumpy noise. After another laugh, Jason releases him and returns to his gentler pets.

“You’re such an odd one, Sammers.” The only person he could imagine butchering the name “Salem” like this would be Jason. It’s ridiculous but Tim can’t bring himself to dislike it. “You’re almost as fun to tease as…” Tim is suddenly alert when Jason trails off, his face falling.

After a moment of Jason looking kind of dazed, Tim rubs his head against the unmoving hand. This gets his attention again, and he scratches behind soft ears. “Sorry, Sale. Lost it for a second there, didn’t I?” Tim licks his palm, hoping to encourage him to continue. “Just thinking about a brat that you haven’t met. Something was up and for some reason, I haven’t seen him in ages. I’m definitely not worried, but I am hella curious about what might have happened.”

Startled, Tim doesn’t know how to react to that. Unfortunately, Alfred appears before he can think it through, and he’s shooed off the table. Instead of sticking around, he wanders off in a daze.

Could Jason have been talking about Tim?

He wanders the house with no destination in mind. His mind won’t quiet down, and he does his best to sort it out as he pads down the halls. He wonders and thinks, but in the end he lets it go.

Perhaps if Jason had been more upfront about it, it would linger in his mind more. But the offhanded way he mentioned it and lack of information, he can’t hold onto it long. If it comes up again, maybe it’ll be something to think about.

But Tim is still tired, and he doesn’t want to deal with it. Doesn’t want to deal with any implication that might make his decision waver. He wants to avoid anything he can pass of as insubstantial or inconsequential so he can continue his life here.

He doesn’t want to doubt.

He just wants to live like this, now.

So, he lets the thought go, making his way down to the cave to nap on the computer until someone comes back from patrol.

Tim is sure he had been in the kitchen waiting for Alfred to come home with groceries. The man had promised him some salmon if he was patient and Tim was definitely willing to wait for such a treat. He’d never been very interested in fish before turning into a cat, preferring chicken or pork, but becoming a cat changes your priorities in more ways than you’d think.

For some reason, however, he seems to be waking up in an unfamiliar place. It’s colder, for one thing, and the surface he’s on is very soft, when he’s sure he’d dozed off on the table in a comfortable sunbeam.

Then he realizes an odder sensation, when he tries to open his eyes. He feels… flow. Drowsy. IF he’d been human, he’d wonder if he’d been… drugged…?

His eyes open wide at the realization, but the rest of his body is slow to respond. His vision is blurry and he can’t make out anything when he turns to where he hears a soft noise. After blinking and rubbing at his eyes as best he can when feeling so weak, his eyes eventually clear.

Where…?

It’s a simple room, but lavishly decorated in odd ways. The walls are painted bright red and several tapestries are hung around. He looks up and sees colorful fabrics draped along and hanging from a frame above him, encircling a large, round… bed? He reaches a paw out and presses on the surface he lies on. It’s definitely a mattress, though far softer than ones he’s familiar with. The bedding and fabrics are in shades of red, green, silver, and gold. Beyond them, he sees a sparse room, with little else in the way of furniture.

With his inhibited mind, it takes until he looks out the large windows to realise where he is.

The large windows are sealed with thick looking but incredibly clear glass, and show a finely landscaped garden that he’d only seen once before. Unwillingly.

It spurs him into action, but the lack of energy works against him. Not just that, but the bed is so soft that he struggles to get his feet under him. This- Is this intentional? He can’t put it past the man, and his heart rate starts to pick up, his situation suddenly crashing down on him.

At that moment, the only door in the room, hidden partially by one of the tapestries, opens.

“Detective.”

Any steadiness leaves him, and he unwillingly settles back down onto soft blankets.

Footsteps slowly approach, “You do get into the most interesting situations, don’t you?”

He feels faint. His stomach is churning.

Green and gold walks into his line of sight, the familiar green cape open to show more casual attire. His eyes are pulled up by something unknown, and his first thought is the rather banal curiosity of just how recently he went to the pit.

“I was never very interested in animals, but I’ll admit – only to you, my dear – that I think I could now be called a… Ah, yes, a ‘cat person.’”

Ra’s.

He was in the hands of Ra’s al Ghul.

“Alfred, what’s wrong?” Bruce asks after patrol. Damian had gone to bed and Dick returned to Bludhaven, so it was quiet for the time being. But his dear butler had a troubled look on his face.

“Nothing, I hope, Master Bruce.” Alfred takes the suit from him for mending, Bruce having gotten slightly nicked by a lucky thug with a knife. “Or dear Salem has disappeared again. It is odd, because I believe he was aware I would be returning with something for him.”

Bruce can’t help his own frown, “That’s unusual. He’s very well behaved when it comes to food.” He pauses in thought, “Almost worryingly so.”

“Hm, I believe whoever cared for him before us did a lackluster job,” Alfred comments with a deeper frown. Bruce sighs and nods in agreement. “Regardless, that is why I’m a bit concerned. He is a free spirit, however, so I will try not to worry too much.”

“Yeah, sounds good, Alfred.” Bruce rests a hand on a thin shoulder, “Keep me updated. We’ll keep an eye out tomorrow and hopefully he’ll be back by then.”

Alfred nods, folding the costume into an easier bundle to carry, “Of course, Master Bruce.”

Three days pass and now every Bat is worried. Salem hasn’t returned and after a day of searching, no clues have been found. Not even a single pawprint that could lead anywhere. It was if he had disappeared into thin air.

This is a great cause of concern for them, as after months of living with the creature, they’re aware of Salem’s habits and quirks. The cat is far too attached to them to leave, and he’s never done something like hiding his tracks. Granted, if he disappears into the city on one of his excursions, it’s easy to lose him, but that’s not unusual.

He’s also returned within a day every time up until now.

Dick rushed back from Bludhaven the evening after he disappeared, when Bruce had sent him a notice about the situation. Currently he’s pacing back and forth on the mats in the Batcave, mumbling to himself. Damian, when he looks over, looks about 30 seconds away from impaling Dick with the blade he’s sharpening. A firm look makes sure he won’t, but he understands that Dick’s pacing isn’t helping anyone.

“Dick,” Bruce calls, “if you need to work out that energy, get on the bars.”

“No! I want to go out and look for him!” Dick protests, crossing his arms as he turns to Bruce.

“It’s too dark, you wouldn’t be able to find him.”

“How do you know?” Bruce looks over his shoulder, away from the screen he’s been staring at for too long, and gives Dick a look. The man sinks in on himself and sighs, upset, “Yeah, okay. Sorry. I’m just worried.”

“I know,” he consoles, leaning back in his chair and rubbing at his eyes, “None of us are unconcerned, but panicking and rushing things won’t do us any good.”

Dick plops himself down on the mats with another, deeper sigh. Damian stops holding his very sharp blade so tightly, now that the man has stopped.

Just when Bruce is contemplating between going back to the computer or going out on an actual patrol, there’s a notice from the garage and soon they hear the rumbling of a motorcycle. Standing, he allows himself a moment to stretch before heading over. “Computer says Jay,” he comments, and Dick springs up to follow.

Jason is parked by the time they reach him, and he quick to take of his helmet. There’s no time for pleasantries, however, as he looks over to the two of them with a dark look on his face that stops them in their tracks.

“I have some bad news, and I’m almost positive it’s related to Salem.”

#ava fics #fanfiction #batman #red robin #Tim Drake #Just Leave Me verse #DCU #Pre-DCnU #cat!Tim #jason todd #alfred pennyworth #bruce wayne #dick grayson #damian wayne

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