#HER BEING ACKNOWLEDGED AS BRUCE'S DAUGHTER | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

jpmarvel90 · 3 months

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Don't Belong pt 1

Masterlist Natasha Masterlist

Word Count: 8392

Relationship: Mother WandaNat x Daugher Reader

Summary: Y/n is the adopted daughter of Natasha Romanoff and Wanda Maximoff. However, when science enables her mother's to have twin boys who are biogloically both of their's, her relationship slowly changes. At 17 she's ready to move out and move on, is it too late for her moms to fix things?

Y/n's POV:

When I was 6, my life was saved by none other than the Black Widow. She came in like the hero she is and saved me from the hell that was Hydra. Whilst helping me to acclimatise to normal life, we grew close, and she was a mother figure I never had. I was so shocked when she told me that she wanted to adopt me.

It was everything that I could ever ask for. She was an amazing mom. Caring, loving and always there for me. She had this soft side that not many people got to see. To the world, and a lot of the team, she had this tough, steely exterior. But I never saw that. Not from the moment she found me. I always felt safe and loved around her.

A couple of years later, Wanda joined the team and soon enough, Mama fell in love. I never saw mama so happy. They had the perfect relationship and Wanda took me on without a second thought. When I was 9, she adopted me, and I had two loving parents.

We had quite a domestic life. Tony built us a separate suite at the compound so we could still be close by for when they were needed for missions. I loved having parents that were heroes. I was so proud of them. I ended up spending quite a bit of time with Pepper when they were on missions together, but when they came home, they always had a couple of days off to spend time with me to make up for being away. It was great.

Watching them make a difference in the world, was the reason I joined the SHIELD Young Initiative Programme. I wanted to be just like my moms. Steve became a huge support to me, and alongside him and mama, I was acing all my practicals and exams.

But before that, when I was 11, our family grew. With the help of Bruce and Tony, Mom got pregnant with twins, both biologically hers and mamas. Billy and Tommy made our family complete.

As soon as Mom got pregnant, Mama told Fury that she wouldn't be going on missions once mom got into her third trimester and that after the birth they both would be taking maternity leave. She also told him that they would only ever be sent on a mission together if it was to save the world. Otherwise, under no circumstances were they to go together. They wanted to be around for the twins as much as possible and didn't want them left on their own if they had to go on missions together.

For the first couple of years, everything was perfect. But when they became toddlers, they were a bit of a handful. It meant that mom's focus went to them and slowly I became less of a priority for them.

I found it hard as I was coming into my teenage years, and I felt like I needed my moms more than ever. But I understood at the start. I was old enough that I could look after myself and the twins needed more. But it got harder when every time I tried to talk to one of them, I was brushed off, or told to speak to them later. But later never came.

Once I hit 13, I was their personal babysitter whenever they needed it. Mama told me how they were trying to make sure that her and mom still had quality time together, so had a date night or day each week. Seems they forgot about quality time with their daughter. It got to the point I was expected to drop everything to be there for my brothers. Picking them up at school, taking them to soccer. It didn't matter what I had planned, I was expected to do my job for the family. I did it without complaining, because I thought if I could prove that I was a good sister, maybe they would start to acknowledge me more.

To try and prove myself worthy, I worked even harder for SHIELD. However, now I lost mama as my training partner. She was too busy with work or the twins to help me train. It hurt when she told me that but, thankfully, Steve stepped up more than he had. He became like a father to me. I could confide in him when my moms didn't have time. Though there were still things that I couldn't talk to him about.

Now I'm 17, working towards graduating the youth programme and into SHEILD as an official agent. We have our final exams coming up and I'm doing everything I can to be ready for them. The top two initiates will get fast tracked through the system and be able to go on missions sooner.

I want nothing more than getting that chance. I need to start making a name for myself and to stop being under my mothers' shadow. Once I wanted to be just like them, to make them proud. But now I know that's not possible. They have their perfect biological family. I was just the stray they took pity on.

"You know, you could take it easy today. You're more than capable of passing these exams even on a bad day. You'll be finishing top of the class and joining us for missions in no time." Steve tells me as he holds the punch bag for me. "I just want to be on top of my game." I tell him, hitting the bag as precisely as I could.

"Have you told your moms about the date for your final practical. I'm sure they'll want to be around when you get home." He asks, making me falter with my hits. "I did, but I don't think they were listening. Although they seemed to acknowledge it, Billy was showing them his Lego at the time." I share with him.

Steve knows what's been happening with my moms and the only reason he hasn't done anything is because I made him promise not to. All I need to do is graduate and then I can get moved into the SHIELD facility and start a new life without being a burden on my family.

"You know, you should talk to them. I know you've tried, but really sit them down and tell them how you're feeling." He tries once again. "It's been years now. If they really cared for me, they would notice that they barely see me anymore. I don't even remember the last time they said I love you." I respond, my hits getting harder.

"Ok, I'm calling this. You'll hurt yourself and then you won't even be able to complete your exams." Steve tells me, stepping between me and the bag. I sigh but know he's right. "Just try for me ok. Maybe after your exams. They'll be so proud of you." He pleads. "Ok, fine." I agree. "Now go shower kiddo. You stink!" He teases me before dodging a punch I try to land on his arm.

I smile as I head up to my room. As I walk into our apartment, I see the happy family sat together watching TV. "Hi moms." I call out when I enter. They don't even turn around, so I call out again, only to get the same response. I decide to go and join them but as soon as I sit down, I'm scolded by mom. "Y/n do you have to come in here like that. Go and shower will you." She tells me off. I look to mama who doesn't even glance in my direction. "Sorry, I was training for my final exam." I explain but once again, nothing. I let out a small humourless chuckle to myself as I leave the living room. Every day, I feel more and more like I don't belong here anymore.

__________

I did it! I actually passed! Not only did I pass, I topped the class. I think I even saw Fury smile. I'm so happy, nothing can burst my bubble right now. As a class, we all decide that we're going to celebrate tonight. We've been a tight group and it'll be nice to actually spend time together without having to study or practice.

I practically run back to the compound, smiling ear to ear. "Someone's happy." Steve calls out to me as I rush through the kitchen. "Someone might be your partner one day!" I call out as I keep on towards my destination of finding my parents. "Can't wait kiddo. Well done! Knew you could do it!" Steve shouts after me.

"Y/n, don't run!" Mama scolds me as I find them in the living room. "Sorry, but I have to tell you something that I know you'll want to hear." I apologise with a smile on my face. "Not now Y/n. We're about to head out. The boys just need dinner and don't let them stay up late." She tells me. That's when I notice that she's dressed up in her best jacket.

"I can't look after the twins tonight. Our class are going to celebrate." I explain, hoping she might ask why we're celebrating. But that would be wishful thinking. "Time with your friends can wait Y/n." She tells me without even looking up at me, too focused on her phone. "Can't one of the others watch them. Just for tonight. I've never asked before. But just this once. Please." I practically beg, but to no use. "Stop being selfish and just watch the boys." She snaps, making a lump form in my throat.

"Fine." I mumble, leaving the room and head out of our apartment. "Where are you going?" She calls after me. "To see Steve. Don't worry, I'll be back to watch your precious boys." I talk back whilst leaving, hearing her call after me.

I make my way to find Steve. I know he'll be excited with my results. I wipe at my eyes for the few traitorous tears that fell. "So, I hear someone will be an Avenger in no time." Tony says as I walk into the kitchen. "I think I'll stick with SHIELD." I respond. I have no desire to be a full time Avenger. I'll be around to see my moms live their perfect life without me.

"I'm proud of you kiddo." Steve smiles at me, pulling me into a hug. "Thanks, old man. I couldn't have done it without you." I tell him truthfully, squeezing him tighter. "Your mom's must be proud. Especially Nat. Now's the time for celebrating." Pepper says. "Oh, I'm babysitting the boys tonight." I respond, trying to hide my disappointment. I notice that all others share a look.

They have all noticed how my relationship has changed with my moms, but thankfully, never brought it up. "We could watch them. Let you go out with your class. I know how much you've been looking forward to it." Pepper offers kindly. "Thanks, but mama said it had to be me." I reply. "Sorry kiddo." Steve says, wrapping his arms around me. "It's ok. I better go back before I get into trouble. I just wanted to tell you all about the results." I tell them.

"Of course Y/n. We're so proud of you. I can't wait to work with you." Tony pats me on the shoulder, whilst the others all give me a hug. "We'll do something together tomorrow." Steve promises and I nod. "I'd like that." I reply, taking a deep breath before heading back home.

When I get back to the apartment, both mom and mama are waiting to go. "Good, you're back. We'll be home late." Mom tells me, turning to leave. "And we'll talk about your attitude in the morning." Mama adds on with a stern look before turning to leave. "I love you." I call out after them. No response. My head drops. I really have just become the live in nanny.

_________

The next day, I didn't have to face my moms in the morning. They had taken the boys to the park and out for breakfast. I didn't even get an invite. But thankfully, Steve is taking me for dinner tonight to celebrate the passing of my exams and my imminent graduation.

He's taken me to my favourite Italian restaurant. It's nice to have this time. Steve really has been the only parent I've had recently. I'm so grateful for him. "So your moms don't know?" Steve asks as I tell him that I've been told I can move into SHIELD accommodation in a few days. "I've tried, but as usual, I barely have a conversation with them anymore. They probably wouldn't even notice that I've gone." I admit the painful truth. "Do you think they even still love me?" I ask the question that has been haunting me for a long time now.

Steve looks at me with a sympathetic look. He reaches out and takes my hand. "Oh Y/n. I'm sure they do. They just got lost in the boys and have forgot, that even though you're a teenager, you still need them." He tries to defend them. "If you say so." I mumble, not believing him.

"Well, I have something that might cheer you up." Steve says, changing the subject. "Oh yeah, and what might that be Captain?" I ask with a smirk, making him roll his eyes. "I spoke with Fury, and he already has a mission for you. It's nothing too big, a simple in and out to get some data." Steve explains, making a smile grow on my face. "Really? Me on a mission already?" I question and he nods. "Fury would have had you on them earlier. You've been the best recruit the programme has seen. But he had to follow protocol. There is one downside though." He shares. "Oh God, don't tell me it's with my mother?" I ask making him laugh. "No, just this old man." He responds. "Really? I'm going with you?" I ask excitedly. "Yeah, you don't need me. But I wanted to see you in action on your first mission. I really am proud of you kiddo. I'm glad that I've had a front row seat to seeing you become the woman you have." He expresses honestly, taking me off guard.

The rest of dinner is lovely, and I have a really nice time. It's nice to actually have someone care about your achievements. However, that happiness soon disappears when I enter the apartment to two angry moms. "Where do you think you've been? You've not been answering your phone." Mama yells at me. I reach into my pocket and see that my phone is dead.

"Sorry, my cell died." I tell her, but that doesn't help. "So, are you going to share where you were without telling us? It's 10pm Y/n!" Mom now joins in. "I was having dinner with Steve." I share. "Until this late. Why would you be going out for dinner on a school night? Why didn't he ask us first?" Mama questions me.

"We went out to celebrate when I missed going with my class. And it's not a school night. The programme has finished now." I tell them, trying to keep my cool. "Is this about that party you couldn't go to last night?" Mom asks. "No, actually, it was having someone to celebrate with that I finished top of my class and am now officially a SHIELD agent!" I snap back, taking them both by surprise.

"You've had your final exams already?" Mom asks, stepping closer but I pull away. "Yeah, I have told you on a number of occasions. But apparently you don't listen to me anymore." I admit, feeling tears building. "You finished top?" Mama says proudly, but I just scoff. Her pride is too late. "Like you even care." I growl. "Don't talk to your mother like that." Mom tells me off.

"Like what? You haven't given me the time of day in years. Why do you suddenly care that I was out late. Was I not around to be your personal babysitter? Or were you just annoyed I wasn't there for the one time you noticed I wasn't around." I call them both out taking them by surprise.

"Y/n it was one night." Mom tries to deny more calmly. "No, it wasn't. It's always the twins this, the twins that. I have to make allowances for them in my life and stop what I'm doing to be there to babysit them. When was the last time that you spent any time with me? When did you last tell me you love me or even acknowledge me?" I shout, tears falling down my cheeks, as my parents stand staring at me in shock.

"I have worked my ass off with SHIELD so I can get in and earn my spot with them. Where I can have my own place and start a life for myself. Because I clearly haven't been a part of this family for a long time." I share how I've been feeling. I notice that both their eyes tear up. "Oh Y/n, sweetheart, that's not the case. Of course you belong." Mama tries to argue, moving closer with a shaky hand out in front of her. I don't reach out. In fact, I move away. "Well neither of your actions have shown it in the last few years." I point out, making mom cry harder. "Look it's fine. I get it. I'm not your biological child. Billy and Tommy are. I'll always be grateful for you saving me from Hydra, but you've got your family now. Don't worry, I'll be gone in a couple of days." I say sadly before heading to my room, my moms frozen in shock in their spot.

I slam the door shut behind me, locking it and falling onto my bed. I bury my head into the pillow and sob. All the emotions I've been bottling up come out. My whole body wracks with each sob as I realise, it's official. I really have lost my family now.

Nat's POV:

I feel the tears slowly falling down my cheeks as I realise that my daughter stood before me as a broken girl who thinks her moms don't love her anymore. By the time I come to my senses, Y/n is already gone, and I'm left facing my wife who is sobbing. "Have we really been putting the boys first so much she thinks that we don't want her anymore?" I say at a whisper, my voice getting caught in my throat.

"It's my fault. Things changed when I came into the picture, and we started trying for our own babies. We didn't even consider how that must have made her feel. We didn't even reassure her that we would still love her just as much, regardless of if the boys were ours biologically or not." Wanda responds.

I quickly move forward and wrap my arms around her. "It's not your fault my love. We both wanted that. Our lives are significantly better with you in them Wanda. But you're right. We should have tried harder to make sure we involved Y/n and showed her will still love her." I comfort her.

I can't believe that I've let Y/n get to this point. The day I found her in that cell, she changed my life for the better. She not only made me a mother, but she made me more human. She made me see there was more than being an Avenger. She is the reason that I who I am today. Yet I've neglected her. I got so focused on the twins that I didn't even notice how little I have seen Y/n.

"We should go and talk to her." I suggest whilst Wanda still clings to me. "She was angry. We should give her some space. Let's take her for breakfast in the morning. I'll ask Pepper to watch the boys and we can start to make this right." She counters. "But..." I start, not wanting to leave this longer than we have to. "This is our daughter we're talking about. She has your temper." Wanda tearily chuckles. "Hey!" I poorly defend. She's right though. She might not be biologically mine, but she is my mini me.

That night I don't sleep. All I can think of is every time that I blew Y/n off and decided to spend time with the twins instead. When did we stop doing things as a family? I try and think of the last time I trained with her or helped her prepare for her exams. God, how did I not even know she was taking them this week?! "Your thoughts are loud Detka." Wanda mumbles sleepily as she turns over to look at me. When she sees the distress on my face, she gives me a sympathetic smile. "She has worked so hard, and we didn't even know she was completing her final exams. She told us yet neither of us remembered or even heard her apparently. We are awful moms!" I sigh.

Wanda moves and pulls me into her embrace. "I know. I feel awful too. I'm so proud of her though. She finished top. She's just like you." She shares. "She's moving out." I realise whilst Wanda just looks at me confused. "What do you mean?" She questions. "She said she would be gone in a few days. She must have been assigned a room at SHIELD. Our little girl was ready to leave the nest and we didn't even know." I respond, another wave of sadness washing over me.

"We'll talk to her and make her see that she is still very much wanted here. If she still wants to move out that's fine, but she has to know that we love her and always have. We can't change the past but we sure as hell can make sure we change the future and how see feels." She says determined.

Neither of us really sleep. I think we regret not talking to her last night. But our tiredness soon takes over and we get some much need kip. It definitely won't do any of us favours when we talk to Y/n in the morning. She won't make it easy on us and I don't want to snap because I'm too tired.

When we eventually get up, we check on the boys and I go to ask Pepper if she would mind watching the boys. "Is Y/n not available?" Pepper asks with a humourless chuckle. "What? No, we're going to take her to breakfast." I respond, surprised at the bite to her tone. She hums in surprise. "I'll take the boys. Make sure you treat that girl. She definitely deserves it." She tells me firmly. I nod and thank her before going to get the boys.

"Everything ok?" Wanda asks me when I take Billy from her. "Whilst we've been failing to notice Y/n, I think everyone else has noticed our behaviour. It's very frosty down there." I tell her and she nods sadly. I guess we can't expect anything less.

It makes me wonder what could have happened if we didn't have everyone else around. They have clearly been supportive to her and been there when Wanda and I should have. What if she didn't have that support, would she have even still been with us?

Shaking off the thought, Wanda and I take the boys to the compound living room, where we receive a number of glares from the team that were there. Thankfully, nothing is said, but my guilt keeps on growing.

With the boys sorted, I take Wanda's hand and we head to Y/n's room. I take a deep breath and knock on the door. We wait anxiously but get no response. I try again, calling out to her this time. "Y/n, honey. Can we come in?" I ask, but once again, we're met by silence.

I look to Wanda who's got a concerned look on her face. "Sweetheart, we're going to come in now." Wanda speaks up and pushes down on the door handle. I'm surprised when it opens but that is soon replaced by shock when I see her room practically empty. There are a couple of boxes with her stuff in, but most of her clothes have gone.

I let go of Wanda's hand and quickly move into the ensuite to see if she's in there, but I'm met by more empty cabinets. Panic builds within me to know that she's gone. "Where is she?" Wanda asks as stands by the chest of draws, picking up photos that had been turned upside. She lets out a muffled sob when she sees they're our family photos. What have we done to our daughter.

"She's probably asked Fury if she could move sooner. Considering how much he loves her, I'm sure he would have done anything to get her in as soon as possible." I respond, letting out a sigh. "But she's only 17. She's still a kid." Wanda argues. "I know babe. But when she signed up, it was part of the contract that I signed as her parent. Besides, she turns 18 next week and we'd have no say anyway." I admit.

"Shit, is it already her birthday? We've done nothing to prepare for that. In fact, I'm sure we both forgot." Wanda exhales, running her hands through her hair, whilst I made sure all the photos were back upright. Though, I notice our last family photo was back when Y/n was just 15. We've got hundreds of photos with the twins, but it's been over two years since we've had a complete family photo.

Wanting to know that Y/n is ok, I grab my phone out and hit Fury's number. It rings out and I let out a sigh before trying Maria. "Romanoff." She greets me. "Hill, I was wondering if you could tell me if Y/n has moved into her room yet and if so where she's been placed. Wanda and I want to surprise her." I try my luck.

"I'm sorry, Y/n has asked that we don't disclose her room location at the moment. She has been allowed early move in, so will be in a position to share once the other agents are moving." Hill responds. "Please, Maria, I'm asking you as a friend. We really need to see Y/n." I plead, hoping she'll have sympathy on me. "And I'm telling you as a friend that how you treated your own daughter is unacceptable. Do you know why she was the best cadet to come through?" She calls me out. "No." I respond in a whisper. "Initially it was because she was trying to be just like her hero mothers. But she got even better when she was fighting to make her own name for herself to start her life over. I watched her personality change to become guarded and her walls built high. That's what you did to her Nat." She scolds me through the phone.

"I know Maria. We have fucked up more than we thought possible and we're trying to make this right. We can't do that if we can't even speak with her." I counter. "This isn't something you can just fix with a talk and a hug. This is years of you slowly neglecting her. Pushing yourself onto her is not going to help with that." Maria warns me. I know she's right. We'll end up pushing Y/n away if we're not careful. But I also know that I can't wait to fix this. I want my baby girl to know how much I love her. Despite my inability to show her these last few years.

Wanda and I spend the day trying to get any information on where Y/n might be. We get a lot of cold shoulders, and our questions often go answered. I even spend time hanging around the Shield accommodation to see if I can catch a glimpse of her. My lucks not in and I return home deflated.

When I walk through the door, a smile forms on my face as I see Wanda giving the boys dinner. "Any luck?" She asks. I just shake my head. "We'll find her." She says confidently. "When was the last time we had dinner with Y/n?" I ask, looking to Wanda who's looking at me sympathetically. "Detka, you are punishing yourself by think that." She scolds me lightly. "It's true though. She asked when we last said I love you to her. I've been trying to think, and I don't remember. How can a mother not remember when they last said I love you to their child. Have we really subconsciously disregarded her because she isn't biologically ours?" I share my thoughts, tears falling freely down my face.

Wanda quickly moves from the table, leaving the boys to carry on talking about the latest Nintendo game they're playing. She wraps her arms around me and pulls me in close. "We let ourselves get lost in the boys. They were a handful and we were blessed with a daughter who was selfless and caring. Subconsciously, we took advantage of that. But that changes now ok." She responds as I nod in the crock of her neck. We really need to fix this.

__________

It's been a few days and we've still had no luck in seeing Y/n. Wanda and I decided to go to Shield to talk to Fury today, whilst the boys were in school. I head straight to his office, knocking twice before heading in, not caring if he's busy. "Romanoff, Maximoff. What can I do for you?" He asks, moving his gaze from the laptop in front of him.

"It's been long enough now Fury. The other agents have started moving in and Y/n is still only 17, so tell us where she is staying." I demand, my tone harsh. "I can give you her room allocation, but she's not there." Fury responds, just angering me more. "Then where the hell is she?!" I shout, only calming down when I feel Wanda squeeze my hand. "She's on a mission. She'll back tomorrow." He responds nonchalantly.

"A mission? She's 17 Fury! How is she already going on a mission?!" Wanda responds before I even manage to direct my own anger into words. "She is almost 18 and finished top of her class. You knew that was a possibility when you signed her up Romanoff. She has the potential to be the best agent we've seen. She is ready." Fury retorts, but I'm still not happy. "She's just a kid, she could get hurt." I growl, worry taking over me.

"Natasha, she is far from the kid you think she is. If you still trained with her, you'd see that she can almost beat Steve in hand to hand combat and her weapons skill matches your own, if not better in some instances." He points out and I realise how little I actually know my daughter right now. "Look, I'll keep you posted when she's back." Fury concedes after a moment silence.

"Thank you. Is she on her own?" I ask but he shakes his head. "Steve went to be on comms." He replies and that puts my mind at ease a little. He loves her like his own, he'll do everything that he can to protect her. "Ok. Thank you." I say, taking Wanda's hand a heading home.

"We've missed so much Nat. Y/n used to tell us everything about her training and classes. We've created an environment where she doesn't feel like she can share with us anymore. She was probably so excited to get a chance on her first mission. But instead of us being with her and making sure she's prepared, we didn't even know she had gone." Wanda agonises.

"I'm worried that we may not be able to fix this. If her walls have gone up, they'll be near impossible to knock them down." I sigh. "You had walls once. What helped you to let them down?" Wanda asks. "Y/n." I respond, my gaze dropping to my hands. "Then we find away to be the same for her." Wanda tries to comfort me. But how can the people that caused her this pain, be the ones to pull her through.

The next morning is quiet whilst we get the boys ready for school. They asked this morning where Y/n was and that they missed her. It broke my heart. Because of our actions, not only is Y/n feeling alone, isolated, and not part of this family, but her brother might lose the chance of having their sister in their lives.

When we get home, we end up just sat waiting for any news that Y/n is on her way home so we can greet her. I want to be able to hear all about how her first mission went and actually be apart of something so special to her. I may not have shown it, but I've always been proud of her. She is talented and I loved training with her. I had always planned to join her again once the twins were old enough. But I didn't and it seems that I have missed out on so much.

Whilst I'm preparing lunch, I hear Friday's alarm go off and my ears tune in. "Emergency medical team to the landing bay. Emergency medical team to the landing bay." I don't even think before I'm dropping the knife onto the countertop. I go to call for Wanda, but she rushes in from the bedroom. "Something's wrong with Jess. I can feel it." She says worriedly. "Let's go." I say, taking her hand and rushing through the compound to get to the landing bay.

Cho is waiting, along with a nursing staff. "Is it Y/n?" I ask as we come to a halt next to her. It feels like an age before she responds. A small nod of the head breaks my heart. "H-how bad?" Wanda asks, a tremble to her voice. "Steve confirmed a gunshot wound. She's lost a lot of blood." She responds. I run my hand through my hair, my stomach in knots.

It feels like the world around me has become muffled. I don't hear the orders that Cho is giving her team. Had I been able to, maybe I would have known more about her condition. My chest feels tight at the thought of her being hurt and the chance that she might not make it.

It's not until a pair of hands cup my face, that I zone back into the environment around me. "Breathe for me baby." Wanda's shaking voice tries to calm me. But the complete fear in her own eyes doesn't do much to help. We're facing losing our daughter and she doubts the depths of our love for her.

I do my best to bring myself out of this panic attack. I can't be a broken version of myself. My wife and family need me more than ever. If I can't pull through now, I'm not worthy to be a mother. "That's it detka. Deep breathes." Wanda guides me. I take one more deep breath and stand straighter. This isn't about me.

I can see a frown on Wanda's face form as she sees me put up my own walls. I know that she hates when I do this, but it's the only way I know how to get through what's about to happen without completely breaking down.

It's not long until the QuinJet comes into sight and slowly starts to descend on to the landing pad. I feel like I'm holding my breath as we wait for the ramp to lower, and we can see how bad this is. My heart is thumping against my chest as it begins to lower, and I see Steve's face first.

Cho and her team move forward, a bed waiting, whilst Wanda and I hold back. I want to be by her side straight away, but I also know that we'll just be a hinderance to her care if we insist on being with her.

When we get a full view of Steve, I hear Wanda let out a sob beside me. He's holding our unconscious daughter in his arms. His own suit is covered in blood and my eyes instantly land on the blooded dressing on her stomach. "I tried to staunch the bleeding as best I could. But it just kept coming." Steve explains. I've never seen him so shaken up before.

He places Y/n on the hospital bed and moves out the way, before staring at his bloodied hands. Cho doesn't wait before rushing Y/n off to the medical bay, the three of us closely following behind.

"Is she going to be ok?" I ask as they start to get to work. But before she has a chance to respond, the machines start to go crazy and they move even faster to help my daughter. "I can't answer that right now Agent Romanoff. I need to focus on Y/n, but I promise I'll keep you updated." Cho says, her polite way of telling us to leave. I'm reluctant, knowing that in this moment, Y/n is on the verge of life or death. But with a subtle tug of my hand from Wanda, I follow to watch through the window outside.

My gaze doesn't leave my daughter as I watch over as the team work to save her life. I don't notice that another person has joined us until I hear a bang from behind me. My head shoots around where I see Steve pinning Fury to the wall. "You told us it was empty! That all she needed was to get to the drive and out again." Steve growls at Fury who's holding his hand up in surrender. "I know." He responds, but Steve isn't happy when he slams him against the wall again.

"Then why the hell is she led in that hospital fighting for her life. There was a whole guard waiting for her!" Steve yells. This information makes the anger inside me grow. "You sent her into an ambush?!" I join in now, furious that he has put my daughter in danger.

"I didn't know! I'm as surprised as you are." Fury tries to explain, but Steve isn't letting up. "Talk!" Steve spits. "I had an agent scout the base for two weeks! Every report was how there was no activity. I would never have sent her had I know there was any more risk. It was supposed to be an easy mission for her first." Fury explains.

I can see the honesty in his eyes, and I know Steve does too. Fury has been like family to Y/n and I do trust he would never willingly put her in unnecessary danger. "So, either Hydra suddenly decided to man the base or..." Steve starts. "The agent tipped them off." I finish off as Fury nods. "I've detained the agent, and he broke within minutes. It was a perfect opportunity for them to fight you without back up." Fury shares as Steve lets him go. "Except I wasn't meant to go in. So, they were faced with Y/n." Steve concludes.

"I'm sorry Nat. I really am. I never would put Y/n in danger like that. I wanted her to have a successful first mission. One that would build her confidence." Fury apologises with a sincerity that he rarely shows. "I want to see him." I state firmly, to which Fury sighs. "Me too. It's because of him that our daughter is fighting for her life." Wanda steps beside me, her eyes glowing red. "Not now, not while you're both angry and worried." Fury refuses. "He could be the reason my daughter dies!" I shout at him, but he doesn't budge. "And he'll also be the reason I have to arrest you for killing him. If it's not you it'll be Wanda. I'm not letting either of you do that." Fury once again declines.

In a huff, I drop to the seat in the waiting room, my head falling into my hands. He's right. I will kill him if I get my hands on him. "Be here for Y/n. She needs you now more than ever. Leave the rest to me. I can promise that he will not get away with it." Fury orders, the formality coming back into his tone. We all reluctantly agree, and he leaves content that, for now, a homicide will not be occurring.

"What happened?" I ask Steve when the silence becomes almost unbearable. He takes the seat next to me and his gaze falls to his blooded hands. "It was meant to be a simple mission to test her hacking. I was in the QuinJet for support, and she was to go in, get to the mainframe computer and download as much data as possible." He starts and I nod along. "It was going fine, and she was doing everything by the book, clearing each room one by one. Part of me was sure she would be just like you and be impatient to get what she needed." He shares, with a small smile, making me chuckle. "Thankfully, she's a far better agent than I am." I respond, feeling Wanda's hand interlink with mine.

"It was as she got to the second floor, she said something felt off. It was warmer and it didn't smell as damp and musty. She said there were signs that this floor had been used recently. Knowing the risk that could entail, I told her to pull back and we'd get a team to help us clear the base. It wasn't something we should be doing on our own." He continues to explain, my anger towards the double agent increasing by the minute. But I also feel pride at how she was able to establish that something was wrong.

"She did as I ordered, but she was ambushed on her way out. I was already on my way in to meet her when I heard gunshots start. By the time I reached her, all the agents were down around her, but an alarm was blaring, and I knew others would be on their way. I grabbed at Y/n's arm, but she didn't move. As I moved in front of her, it was then I saw where her gaze was fixed. She's been hit. I got her out of there as quickly as I could and set the QuinJet to fly on autopilot. I tried everything that I could to stop the bleeding, but there was just so much. I-I...." Steve starts to crumble as he aggressively rubs at the blood on his hands.

I reach out and place my hands over his, stopping his actions. "I know you would have done everything you could Steve. We don't blame you. I'm so grateful that you were there to help our daughter." I try to reassure him. "I'm going to clean up. I can't sit here with...this on my hands any longer." Steve says, standing up holding his hands out in front of him.

Silence falls again when it's just Wanda and me. I want to look through the window again, but I don't think I can see them working on her. If she dies, I can't watch that. She looked so small as Steve laid her on the bed. "I had always hoped I'd be with her on her first mission." I speak up, guilt building once again. "Hmm" Wanda responds, turning to look at me. "When we used to train together, I always knew she would be one of the best the agency we would see. I couldn't wait to work along side her. My pride was overwhelming." I share as Wanda smiles softly at me.

"What happened? Why did I let myself lose sight of her. I have no excuse for treating her how I did. When I adopted her, I promised that she would always be loved and safe. Look at her now. I wouldn't blame her if she never forgives me." I lament, tears stinging my eyes. "It wasn't just you babe. We both have done wrong by Y/n and it's not forgivable. But we can work to earn her trust back and be the mothers that she deserves." She tries to comfort me.

"What if she doesn't make it and we don't have a chance to make things right? Or she does make it through, but she wants nothing to do with us?" I question in a panic. "I think she always hoped you'd eventually pull your heads out your asses." Steves voice takes us both by surprise as he rejoins us in a pair of sweats and a hoody. "What do you mean?" I ask, confused.

"Fury loves that kid. If she had asked to move out sooner, he would have allowed her too. I think part of her didn't want to go just in case you started being the loving and caring mothers you once were. Ultimately, she was still a kid and desperate to still have you in her life." He clarifies. "But she had already gone. We blew our last shot." Wanda speaks up. "Maybe you're right. But if anyone is worth fighting for. It's her." Steve points out and I couldn't agree more. I know that I'll do anything in my power to make things right and hopefully prove to my daughter that I love her more than I can express.

After hours of waiting, too scared to even glance through the window, Cho comes out of the medical room with a solemn look, and it feels like all the air has been sucked out of the room. I feel my breathing pick up once again, the thought of not being able to fix everything with Y/n becomes suffocating. It's not until Wanda grasps my hand that I find myself zoning back in.

"H-how is s-she?" I find myself asking in a quiet, unsure voice. Cho sighs and takes the seat opposite us, her hands interlocked. "Y/n suffered a gunshot wound to her abdomen. The bullet went straight through her liver. We were required to remove part of her liver, to ensure we saved her life. This was harder with the amount of blood that she lost. However, we were able to stabilise her before repairing the damage done to her liver." She explains.

"So, she's going to be, ok?" Wanda asks to clarify. "It's going to be touch and go. She's extremely weak right now and the next couple of days are going to be critical to her recovery. If she can pull through these next few days, I believe she'll make a full recovery. Though it'll take a lot of rehab to adjust to the changes to her body." Cho confirms.

I let out a small sob, knowing that she can pull through this. I have to believe that she will make it through these next few days, and we can be there to support her through her recovery. "Will she be able to return to full field duties?" Steve asks, clearly agitating Wanda. "Really Steve. That's what you're concerned about right now?" She snaps.

He turns to look at us and I know exactly why he's asking. "The SHIELD programme is everything to Y/n. To lose it after only just achieving it, that will crush her." Steve defends. "I think she would rather be alive right now." Wanda snaps back. "You just don't want to face that the honest truth is that without this programme, Y/n will feel like she has nothing, and I hate to say it, but she won't be too happy about being alive." Steve shares, an angry, yet sad look on his face.

Wanda goes to argue back, a look of hurt washing over her face. But I hold my hand up to stop her. "He's right my love." I interrupt her, making her snap her head to me. "SHIELD was the only family she thought that she had after she believed that she didn't belong in this family anymore. It will break her if she can't carry on what she worked so hard to achieve." I admit sadly.

I lock eyes with Wanda, and I see her heartbreak even further, if that's possible. "It'll take time and a lot of hard work, but I believe that Y/n would be able to return to full duties within SHIELD." Cho chips in, reminding us all that she was still in the room. "But first, she needs to get through the next few days." She reiterates, making all of us nod.

"Can we see her?" I ask, desperate to be with her and to hold her hand. "Of course. I'll be in my office, but the nursing staff will monitor her hourly." She smiles at us and leaves us to it. I take Wanda's hand and lead her towards the door and slowly push the door open. I let out a gasp when I see my little girl led in bed. She has a tube down her throat and wires attached to so many machines.

I've seen many people in this situation. But when it's your own daughter, there aren't words to describe the pain you feel. How helpless you are to make them better. All you can do is sit and watch as you wait for fate to take its course. Praying that you get your daughter back.

I instantly move to take a seat next to her bed, taking her hand in mine and holding it tightly. I notice the bruising to her knuckles, showing she fought. It brings a small smile of pride to my face.

Wanda goes to the opposite side of the bed and gently places her hand on Y/n's head. "I'm so sorry moya Lyubov." She whispers, leaning in to press a kiss to her forehead. "We promise we're going to make things right. We are so sorry that you ever felt like you didn't belong in this family. You'll never doubt this again!" I make promise to her now, one that I will repeat when she wakes up. Because she will wake up.

Part 2

#marvel fanfiction #natasha romanoff #natasha romanoff x reader #natasha romanoff x y/n #avengers fanfiction #marvel #avengers #wanda maximoff x y/n #wanda maximoff x reader #wanda maximoff fanfiction #wanda maximoff #wandanat #wandanat x reader

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scintillyyy · 4 months

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the steph brown conundrum aka the problem with steph being a character with hugely divergent doylist and watsonian readings

okay, so like. there is always a part of me that feels that to this day, didio kind of won when it came to the destruction of steph's character. like she wasn't a toxic character like he thought before he got his hands on her, but since he did & there was fallout from it, it has completely destroyed dc's desire to do anything potentially interesting with her, even as they've brought her back. like. she will always just kind of be a shell of her former self, doomed to stay uncontroversial and in the background. because when it comes to steph, and the problem with utilizing steph as a character now, you have to acknowledge two things

steph from an editorial and out of universe perspective was treated horrifically. the nonsensical and terrible things they made her do to move along the plot of post-crisis are awful and excessively reckless to the point of intentional character assassination & it was all done to justify her fridging for bruce's (and tim's) manpain which is awful

but the things that steph did as a result of the above are extremely load-bearing and important on plot and character dynamics and motivations from war games all the way to reborn era & to try and remove or minimize things that happened as a result of those actions just because they were arguably out of character from her has the unfortunate result of completely and intentionally warping the characterization of everyone who interacts with her to the point where it negatively affects almost every single other character instead.

so in order to show this we need to start at war games, talk about what happened, & go into how this affects things & why her character assassination is not as easy to fix as cass's or leslie's

so war games. ah war games. you know, having recently reread it, war games is frustrating because it's arguably a semi good event for most everyone except steph and leslie (especially leslie--now that was character assassination.). so let's get into the bare bones of what exactly happens in war games (war games being the three main events of this time: war drums (the prequal), war games proper, & war crimes (the follow up & worst part of the event)) (and i'm not saying i necessarily agree with this, just. this is what we have to consider.)

war drums:

this event has two main stories - the bruce & leslie story and the steph becomes robin story

in the bruce & leslie story (which is definitely racist), we have a young teenage pregnant girl who shows up at leslie's clinic having been shot. leslie attempts to save the girl and baby, but is left in a precarious situation where only one can be saved. she reluctantly calls bruce for help finding the girl's family, who finds out that the girl in question is popstar l'shea's sister--the popstar and her entourage in question kidnap leslie & the girl & bruce finds them, where it's revealed the girl is actually l'shea's daughter (like i said. racist.). l'shea makes the decision to save the baby, which kills the girl. leslie tries to get bruce to see that he can't save everyone, and ultimately gets upset about the cycle of violence she feels he perpetuates when he goes to take mr. freeze back in. she later comes to talk to bruce & it ends on a positive note fairly consistent with the bruce & leslie relationship--one in which leslie wishes he could devote himself to saving lives nonviolently & hoping he could see her as an example. my only quibble is that bruce responds as "ha-ha" leslie when if you compare to the batman chronicles #18, bruce absolutely counts on her to challenge his worldview & be a shining example of what he cannot be.

we do start to see the seeds of character assassination for leslie here imo, though this part is the best understanding of her by far--she's always been a foil to bruce as far as her pacifism and her determination to try and show him that there are other ways than his crusade, but traditionally she's always been defined as well by her immense love for him & he for her. she fundamentally disagrees with his crusade, but she's going to be there for him because she knows there's good in him that's worth saving--because to leslie, every life, including bruce's, is worth saving. anyways, read the batman chronicles #18, where she's determined to use O- blood on zsasz because of her firm commitment to the belief that every life is precious & she and bruce talk about their differences in opinion but how she's determined to keep showing him there's another way & he wants her to do so. this leslie who has, up until this event, been troubled by his crusade--but has decided it's tireless, but worth it to show him the good in people, suddenly seems a lot more, hm. overtly hateful of how batman operates & the fact that he puts criminals back in prison just for them to break out and the cycle to continue & has a sudden desire to not work with him if at all possible because of her total disagreement with his methods. which is. hm. somewhat but not entirely consistent with leslie's motivation. leslie would have no problem asking bruce for help if it meant saving an innocent & the fact that he believes in the redemption of criminals is something she inherently believes in. anyways i digress-

the other main story is, as we all know, the steph becomes robin story. and while you do not have to agree with how it is written wrt stephanie, the barebones of what exactly transpires is thus: tim has quit robin for his dad. he is attempting to live a normal life--go to school, hang out with friends, & not do the vigilante thing even when he sees people in need. he meets up with steph, who tells him of her determination to return to spoiler now that her broken leg has healed & he tells her that it's very hard for him to leave the house on account of jack always being suspicious that he's going out to be robin & be involved in anything vigilante again (it is implied that this is the first time he had been able to get out in a while because of his dad, as he didn't know she got her cast off). one day, when tim is at school, darla aquista, who has a crush on him, kisses him out of the blue. this happens to be seen by steph, who is now officially active again & chooses to be active during the day as a result of wanting to avoid batman as she doesn't have his approval, has gone over to tim's school to check on him because she's suspicious he's hiding something from her other than he's basically under house arrest from his dad atm since it had been so long since she had seen him. it, of course, looks terrible to her and she flounces off--deciding that she's going to become robin. bruce agrees, which everyone--alfred, barbara, eventually tim, etc completely understands to be a scheme to lure tim back. steph proceeds to completely ghost tim for the next two months--he calls and leaves messages, and she never calls back or comes to see him at all--she is completely radio silent & avoiding him and he doesn't know why but he is worried. bruce tells stephanie that she will not be privy to any secrets & the minute she disobeys an order she's out (a double standard, yes, but completely consistent in that he, again, is using her basically only to lure tim back). meanwhile, scarab is hunting tim, killing boys in his age range with dark hair and their families in an attempt to kill robin as there is a contract out for his life. tim then finds out through the newspaper that the reason steph has been avoiding him is because she became robin & calls the batcave to finally talk to steph & ask her to meet so they can finally talk in perso. about what exactly happened and how on earth steph became robin. cassandra comes instead--steph doesn't show up because batman and robin are busy hunting scarab who is trying to kill tim/previous robin & tim needs to be put under protection. steph gets a tracking device on scarab. day 49, bruce and steph go to get scarab, bruce goes in while steph is let behind for support in the batplane, bruce gets blinded, steph disobeys bruce and comes in to help, steph gets caught by scarab, scarab gets away in the batplane because steph forgot to arm the security system. steph officially gets fired 3 weeks later for disobeying an order on day 71.

yea, it's something. but it is what it is.

war games:

so we get to war games proper. overnight, a gang war has erupted & set the city ablaze and into chaos after a letter was sent out calling all the crime bosses to the harbor where a firefight breaks out on account of the main player who was supposed to be there if those letters were sent out, matches malone, not showing up. since tensions are high, it's easy for then to start shooting and killing each other & in doing so creates an immediate and widespread vacuum of power in the criminal underworld of gotham that people leap to try to fill & wipe out their competition in the meantime. innocent people are caught in the crosshairs.

nightwing (who is already having a terrible time) shows up to help (with tarantula) & is personally dealing with the emotional fallout of letting tarantula kill blockbuster amongst other things.

barbara is doing her best to help out and triage people to help, but there's really only batman, batgirl, nightwing, tarantula, & orpheus against a whole city. and at this point, tarantula has taken over a gang under batman's command to try and control things and can't overtly help & orpheus was already in control of a gang under batman's command in an attempt to protect women & children and exert some control over the criminal underbelly of gotham and also cannot overtly help out.

stuff with hush is happening in gotham knights but i don't care aj lieberman, by god, i do not care.

tim is doing his best to go about his day and keep his promise to his dad and not go out to help despite the fact that the city is falling apart. this becomes harder when a rival gang comes to kill his friend darla aquista at their high school, on account of her father being a mob boss. the kids are panicked and run into the school for sanctuary and safety, but are followed in and darla is shot.

what happens next is that tim's school is taken over by gangsters--the ones who came to kill darla, and the ones who see the opportunity to kill the ones who are trying to kill darla--and the kids are trapped in there with them, doing their best to hide, but some are taken hostage & are at the mercy of their captives (kids are killed). tim shelters in the nurses's office & does his best to go out and help who he can bring to safety, alone with getting a lay of the school (which gang is where).

meanwhile, bruce, cass, & dick have been informed that tim's school is taken over and kids are dying. along with all their other current trauma, they have to go find tim in an active shooter zone where he could very well be dead. dick gets to be the one who finds him (such a traumatic time for dick btw), and he's thankfully okay. they get control back of the school and free the kids. batman comes out on live television holding darla's body--she's not dead yet, but she's close.

we find out where steph is. selina finds her and we finally find out why this happened: upset at getting fired and frustrated that she's never been able to truly land their approval, steph lashed out & stole a plan designed to unite the crime families in gotham under batman's control hoping that if she was able to set off a plan for batman & it worked he would take her back and she'd finally have his approval. however, the main man didn't show up and it fell to pieces--doomed to fail. and the reason that this all happened is because steph was never told that batman is matches malone. there's actually a ton of 'bruce what have you done' here. catwoman shelters steph & tells her to stay put. steph does not do so, she leaves so she can try to find orpheus & help get the situation under control because she knows he's key to the plan.

tim, unable to stand by any longer despite his promise to his dad after the thing at the school, returns to the manor where he is greeted by alfred & returns to being robin.

batman finally also realizes that what happened is his war game contigency plan/hypothetical/thought experiment just as a citywide blackout hits--a plan he never intended to implement, it was one of his hypotheticals. & they also start looking for orpheus, as he's the key because they need to keep him alive as the plan was for the criminal underworld to reform united under his, and therefore batman's, rule.. steph finds him first, just in time to see his throat slit--by black mask.

steph gets into a one v one altercation with black mask and is overpowered and at his mercy. he tortures her. it's gross, we all know.

tim tells his dad he's returned to being robin. we get what is probably some of the best jack drake charactetization. tim meets jack and dana so they can go help out at leslie's clinic to help the injured.

steph, eventually, after being tortured, finally tells black mask that the plan required orpheus and is now obsolete because orpheus is dead.

cass is looking for steph because she's probably the only one aware that steph is out as spoiler & she knows that the last time she saw steph steph was lying to her about something

leslie is currently acting extremely out of character. and she's kind of a jerk to cass when cass comes looking for steph & is downright hateful about his mission. (which. is ooc for leslie--while she's never agreed with bruce's mission she's always, always, loved and respected them all--consider her in NML vs here. she wants to end his crusade and him to do something better, but she's always looking to be a beacon of hope that there is another way. every disagreement should be steeped in her love for them).

hush is still here for some reason and will tell black mask where the batcave is

catwoman is concerned about steph--who has passed out from the torture--calling her "the kid you messed up so badly she started this whole mess"

batman takes over oracle's & the police's system by force. we're really in it now. steph wakes up, determined to get to batman to tell him about orpheus's death.

black mask, however, has taken over orpheus's identity and is contacting batman, ostensibly to continue the "plan". and darla officially dies, meaning her father is out for revenge and wants everyone killed.

batman meets up with black mask as orpheus & figures out spoiler was there, but he assumes she fought zeiss. he leaves, black mask is planning...something as orpheus.

batman has barbara take over the police waves once more. barbara is getting really sick if this shit.

gotham city is starting to rail against vigilantes as a result of the widespread chaos of war games, calling for them to turn themselves in.

batman has orpheus call a grand meeting. ostensibly to end things and ensure peace in gotham with everything unified under orpheus's commands. orpheus is, however, dead. black mask uses the meeting to set everything ablaze again & barbaba has to call off the vigilantes from helping to protect the gcpd to go help batman--this is the straw that breaks the camel's back of this causes an official break in the uneasy alliance between vigilante & gcpd and comissioner akins gives the order to shoot to kill vigilantes on sight (as also, as a result of the plan failing due to orpheus's murder it seems as if batman et al are on the side of the villains causing mayhem)

at this point the game it out of control & they have to focus on stopping it. cass finally has a chance to talk to batman and tell him her suspicions that steph was the one who set the entire thing into motion, which he has now figured out (on account of him finding traces of spoilers's at orpheus's)

dick gets shot in the leg by the police while fighting firefly

tim meanwhile is happy to return to robin, and actually has bunch of nice things to say about steph's time as robin--that she kept things light for bruce, that he's not too proud to learn from her--even if he did admittedly resent her a little bit for how it all went down. he's also currently in the middle of a breakdown over darla's death and is pretending everything's okay by just go go going.

steph has freed herself from her bonds and gets into it with black mask, finally overpowering him when she realizes "this isn't a game". she gets a gun to his head & wants to pull the trigger and end him for good, but can't--as that would mean betraying everything she's been taught. the hesitation costs her and black mask gets the gun and shoots her in the shoulder & kicks her down the stairs & leaves

she manages to get herself up despite her extensive injuries and escapes by rooftop, where she's finally found by batman, who brings her to leslie and begs her to save steph. he then tells her she did good & that she did everything she could & that the city owes her after everything she went through.

and black mask is still causing trouble--hush supposedly told him the location of the batcave & he plans to solidify his reign as the undisputed crime lord of gotham by sending everyone there--it's not the batcave, however--it's the clocktower. all the criminals are now converging on and headed for directly for barbara. they get in and make it past all her defenses and invade her safe space, black mask making it to her control room & taking her hostage. the gcpd also descend upon the clocktower.

batman goes ham and almost kills black mask, saying it'd be worth it to end everything that's transpired. tim creates a diversion by lying saying they'll turn themselves into the police. barbara blows up her clocktower so that bruce has to make the decision between saving her & killing black mask. bruce chooses to save her & it's over. bruce gets called to leslie's clinic, where it turns out steph had too much internal damage to save her. steph tells him that she started it all, and bruce says he knows but that they took care of it. he tells her that tim isn't mad at her and that the baby she had won't want for anything ever. he lies and says that taking her on as robin wasn't just to bring tim back, that she was really robin & that he'll be watching over her. she dies. black mask takes over as the new criminal overlord of gotham city.

as a result of all of the above, we get the following: gotham is no longer safe for vigilantes to operate. tim has been set in motion on the path of loss from darla to steph to his dad in another event that will eventually lead him to the mental space he needs to be in to become red robin and leaves for bludhaven. cass follows in her grief of all that transpired. dick is out of commission due to his gunshot wound & dealing with the fallout of working with bruce while feeling like he doesn't deserve to, but is also the only one left to work with bruce. barbara, whose safe haven was trampled upon and destroyed, feels gotham to go be with the birds of prey in another city. bruce is operating all but alone, save for a couple of other distant vigilantes.

we find out that bruce didn't--couldn't--tell tim steph had died until hours after the fact, and that's when tim was finally able to hear the whole story as to how steph became robin all the way to how the gang war got started. this is also when dick finds out the whole story as well.

and thus, war games ends

war crimes:

so we make our way to the epilogue of this storyline. the very aptly named war crimes

the public is still railing against vigilantes. it comes out publicly that stephanie brown was spoiler, then robin, and that her injuries were not thus that should have killed her. batman finds out and goes to leslie's to find out who leaked stephanie's information, only to find out leslie has resigned and her chief resident left with her. batman finds the resident, murdered in a clear attempt to set batman up. (it's black mask setting him up). a man named aaron black is railing against black mask, batman, & the gcpd for the gang war

we find out that treatment was deliberately withheld from stephanie and she was purposely left to die. we find out aaron black is the not so dead arthur brown. & we find out that crystal knows something and is prepared to spill it all. black mask comes dressed as batman to attack crystal brown on live tv. we find out the joker is after black mask for killing robin. the joker gets arrested, black mask gets arrested (and escapes), a tv reporter gets indicted, the leader of the odessa mob gets indicted, commissioner akins and athur brown don't get indicted, and batman has finally figured out who killed stephanie and goes to africa where she fled to.

in, quite possibly, the greatest moment of character assassination in this entire gd event we find out it was leslie who let stephanie die because she was tired of batman's crusade, destroying everything she once stood for just to prove a point to bruce about the senselessness of it all and to try and put an end to it. congrats to dc for this horrific epilogue.

so there it is--the entire event. it certainly is a thing that happened. and that's the problem--it happened. and it was very, very much intended as a personal fuck you and goodbye to the characters of stephanie brown and leslie thompkins. and that's terrible on so many levels. but unfortunately the fact of the matter is, despite that and regardless of any personal feelings about it, war games became a load-bearing event to batman canon.

because war games had so much influence on fundamentally upheaving and changing the status quo of the characters involved and storylines following this could not happen without war ganes existing. without war games, tim does not become the tim that will eventually become red robin. without war games, dick is not injured and out of commission and does not flee to new york and the mob, leaving bludhaven for tim and cass and on his passively suicidal mission that will eventually lead to infinite crisis and the one year boat ride. without war games, barbara does not leave gotham because she needs to leave it behind, only to return during the reborn era & all the tension that entails. without war games, bruce doesn't end up alone & isolated as needed for the red hood storyline. without war games, stephanie is not killed and thus can't be evolved into batgirl as an apology for the way she was treated. the dynamics caused by war games are essential to the stories that come after it. and then you're left with two very, very uncomfortable truths:

one, war games was a horrific fuck you and. fridging to a female character solely because of the evil sexism present at dc editorial at the time and of course you want to delete anything that had such awful intentions behind it

two, war games happening is essential to the trajectory of every single bat characters' story that comes after it including hers. and so it had to happen. and the thing with war games is that steph, while not completely to blame for it transpiring, was humongous part of it transpiring no matter what. because we end up with what it seems to me, the grand circle of blame. it goes as follows: war games never would have happened if bruce hadn't made his contingency plan to begin with -> yes, but. even if it is one of bruce's toxic traits to do that, he never intended for the contingency to go into effect and it was more of a hypothetical than anything and the only reason it ever saw the light of day was because steph stole it and put it into action -> yes, but. if bruce had been less of an asshole and told steph the basic information of matches malone is batman she wouldn't have made the mistake -> yes, but. to completely blame bruce is to remove any and all agency from steph, because nobody put a gun to her head and forced her to implement the plan, that was entirely her decision. and as much as we would have liked her to have decided she no longer needed batman's approval, the fact of the matter is she did want it and she did make the decision to send those letters -> yes but, if bruce hadn't had a contigency to begin with she wouldn't have had such an awful plan to steal -> yes, but having contigencies for plans that will never come to fruition is honestly a normal thing for them and bruce planning out a hypothetical is just another tuesday, and it was steph who set it into motion -> yes, but... and so on and so forth endlessly until the end of time. like, whether things were out of character or whatnot is a valid discussion (though all comics characters are doomed for stories where they're out of character), but putting that aside: the fact is, for every character's trajectory into the reborn era, war games had to happen. and for war games to have ever seen the light of day and happened, steph had to make the decision to send those letters.

and so we're left with this. steph made those decisions because of horrificly sexist behind the scenes decisions. if steph didn't make those decisions, then no other character trajectory makes sense. and that's how we end up with a steph conundrum that is so much harder to fix than any other character assasination of the time. because cass's was easy to retcon as brainwashing, it makes sense for slade being involved. leslie was easy to retcon as faking steph's death, that removes her intent to kill a child and restores her original characterization of every life is sacrosanct. but war games? war games does not and can not happen unless stephanie decides to send those letters. things with tim and barbara and cass and even through steph becoming batgirl don't happen unless steph sends those letters. and when she sends those letters, hundreds of innocent people die and even though bruce is largely to blame (and is blamed, by the narrative), there is a culpability of steph's active decision in the entire mess that exists.

and if that culpability exists, if she sent those letters and war games happened, and innocent people died and barbara had to blow up her home and tim had to do cpr with darla's blood pouring over his hands and dick got shot in the knee and had to find tim in an active massacre, and cass lost herself to grief, then from an in-universe perspective while it's easy to for them to blame bruce for the majority of it, it also is true that every single one of those people has the right to question whether she is capable of making good judgements because of the extremely bad one she made that had so many in-universe consequences & they were all victims of it. from an out of universe perspective, it is so, so, so hard to put that kind of culpability on her, though, because of the sexism involved in deciding to make her make those decisions.

(as an aside. you also get this same issue that occurs as a part of the last arc of the robin series--wherein in order to justify steph no longer being spoiler and graduate her to batgirl, they need her to make a mistake so bad it would justify the idea that spoiler is a tainted mantle & she can't go back to it--so they decide that she needs to hire assassins to try and kill tim under batman's orders. now this is stupid & nonsensical, and she makes a mistake like that due to writer sexism thinking that that was the way to go. but her making that mistake and hiring those assassins is essential to the overall self isolation of tim & him being unable to trust her amongst everyone else that he needs to be in the headspace to kick of red robin & steph needs to have made a mistake that taints the spoiler mantle & makes people not want her to be it otherwise why would she become batgirl... it's messy. very messy.)

but because of all the horrific sexism out of universe behind the decision to write her to do these things, you're left with. hm. it is hard to want to make her have any culpability because that would just be entrenching the sexist writing she's had & she was the biggest victim, but to just completely throw it out is to make every other character appear completely irrational and unreasonable when it comes to dealing with steph. and that's truly hard for dc--who, once they make her a headlining character in her own right as batgirl, now has to be a lot more careful when dealing with steph. because if any other character does have reasonable concerns about steph continuing to exist as a vigilante after the decisions she made that sparked off war games, or hire assassins for tim, or etc etc etc then you risk people being like "no, maybe these people have a point. maybe these people shouldn't have to work with her if they feel at all uncomfortable by decisions she made that resulted in truly terrible times for them."

so you end up. dc finally has to do something grand, something triumphant for stephanie's character to make up for the completely atrocious way she was treated before. and you get batgirl 2009, which is a triumph for her character, it's the approval she's always deserved but never given, she finally gets to show all her naysayers that she's worth it--that they were all wrong about her and she deserves to be there just as much as them. and she does deserve a big doylist apology--she was treated terribly & cruelly & it wasn't right for dc editorial to do so. but you run into. hm. this problem of in order to make this big doylist apology work, you need everything that came before it to have happened. because it's a big doylist apology you can't actually have it that those things to have happened because if steph has to prove herself to the naysayers, the naysayers have to be completely wrong about her.

and that's hard given we're in reborn era and bruce is "dead". because in that case, steph's naysayers have to be barbara, tim, & dick. and while steph shouldn't have to prostrate herself for forgiveness & they shouldn't blame her for everything ever (they've all had their own issues where they've made mistakes, some with tragic consequences, and therefore can't call the kettle black), the problem with having to make them her naysayers is that you have to make them unreasonable about her & that's hard to do when they were all victims of something that occurred in part due to a decision she made. you have barbara, who should be able to have reasonable concerns about whether steph is fit for the job because she had to blow up her own sace space because steph sent those letters. but you can't acknowledge that because that would be entrenching the sexism behind that decision. so you make it so barbara is the one in the wrong about her. you have dick, who should not be able to look at stephanie without remembering his little brother calling him, wanting to commit suicide over everything that's happened, without remembering the tim at the edge of the pit, without remembering getting the call-code 619-and realizing that tim's at the site of a massacre occurring at his school and could be dead, and he gets to realize he was completely wrong about her with no consideration to what complicated personal feelings he may have about her on account of his own most precious relationships. you have tim, who does have things to apologize to her about, to be sure, but has to be cast as completely in the wrong despite the things she did having to have happened such as hire assassins & everything he had to endure as a result of her sending those letters. and that's not to say that any of this means that she shouldn't be a vigilante of course, you can't have a double standard where male characters are allowed to make mistakes and continue on regardless of mistakes made and not afford that same grace to female characters. but at the same time, it's uncomfortable to cast barbaba, dick, and tim in the role of naysayers to be overcome because that erases their victimization by the events that had to have happened in order to make it to this point. and again, they don't have to blame her to feel like it's her fault to have reasonable discomfort because discomfort =/= blame, necessarily.

and you get into this entire mess solely because of the decisions didio made because he hated her character and was determined to destroy it. and it's gross! we hate didio! but like. way back to my original thought, in a way, he did succeed a little. because of the horrific things that happened to her due to cruel and gross out of universe editorial decisions, you do have to be extra delicate with the character. you've lost the ability to show steph making any sort of mistake that has significant ramifications because to do so is to go back to war games & all the baggage that that entails. you need to play it incredibly safe with her. she can't be shown to be in the wrong because of the horrific way she was treated. at the same time, you need things to have happened, but you need things to not have happened. it's just a lot of baggage for a character, and there's probably a reason why they still play it safe by sticking her with tim (until they broke up) and now cass. it's uncontroversial after everything she's been put through. idk. i think current continuity is the best chance to finally really do something interesting with her again given that the mistakes of the past are so softened and don't need to be forefront to the character anymore because we are in an era ripe for things happened but they didn't happen, but will they? i don't know.

#anywho this is probably super incoherent #but this is also the thing i rotate in my mind when i think about steph #this is why i like to envision steph as an unreliable narrator of bg #because then you have more space for the fact that others were also victims and they're not necessarily unreasonable #but since steph is also extremely traumatized and a victim of horrific things she has to not thing about the ramifications of her decisions #or something idk

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fandom-whores-world · 5 months

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Remarkable

Batfam x Neglected! Reader

Prologue

Part 2, Part 3

I know I usually post twisted wonderland works, but the idea of this story made me really excited, so please be kind.

You had spent your whole life trying to please your family.

You were a Wayne child, and although you knew certain things would always be expected of you, having your accomplishments ignored broke you.

You had lived almost your whole life with out your mother. She was a sweet kind woman with a troubled past. While you knew you had a father, you never knew who he was until her passing. When the state came to collect you they informed you that you’d be placed with your father, Bruce Wayne. Even though you lived outside of Gotham, you still knew who tech mogul and billionaire, Bruce Wayne, was. While you were quite shocked at who your father was, you still tried to comfort yourself with the idea of a warm and loving home, like your mother had always tried so hard to provide for you. Unfortunately once you arrived at the manor your hopes were dashed. While all your physical needs had been met your emotional ones were left completely ignored.

When you first arrived at the manor you tried your best to stay hopeful. You smiled and played the dutiful daughter hoping your father would notice you, and give you some sign of affection. Every test you took you received an A, every competition you entered you won a gold medal, but it still wasn’t enough. Your father would never acknowledge you, and your brothers gave you a cursory nod at best, or completely ignored your existence at worst. You just wanted to be loved, was that really too much to ask?

Apparently it was, because no matter how hard you tried everyone was always busy. Damian would sneer at you when you tried to start conversation, Tim would just walk by you, too sleep deprived to take time out of his day for you. Jason seemed to hold your relation to Bruce against you, and never showed you much good will. Your last hope was Dick. You thought for sure the golden boy of the family would care for you, but unfortunately you were wrong. Dick didn’t mean to ignore you, really, it’s just…you’re so…unremarkable. He honestly forgot you existed most days.

Your father wasn’t much of a difference either. He acknowledged your presence and would pay for any and all of your needs, but whenever you would ask for his attention he would never even look up from his papers. You were left alone to deal with your emptiness and grief even though you lived in a house full of people.

So that’s how your life went at Wayne manor for a very long time. You became content with your solitude and decided you rather enjoyed being a wall flower in the family. Even without their recognition or connections you still achieved a lot on your own through the power of networking and the natural charisma you had been blessed with. Everything would have continued that way if you hadn’t crossed paths with a man by the name of Harvey Dent .

#dc comics #dc universe #batman #batfam #dick grayson #jason todd #damian wayne #tim drake #harvey dent #two face #neglect #x reader #fanfiction #fanfic

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the-daydreaming-show · 11 months

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𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐬.

𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐔𝐬: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - Epilogue (you are there).

English is not my first language, please be patient.

𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞: Like post credits scenes in movies, this epilogue is short, but I hope you like what it reveals. To all who are on the Tag List, I will use the same list for when I post things about this universe, if someone is there and does not want to know if I post any other ideas about this or updates let me know, and if anyone wants to be added please do not hesitate in asking. There's still a lot more of Batmom!ScarletWitch to see, so see you on the next adventure.

Sequel: 𝐒𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐌𝐲 𝐍𝐚𝐦𝐞

𝐓𝐚𝐠 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭: @some-lovely-day @simonsbluee @yuki-chan23 @miyakana @myst3batz @otchae @d3m0n8ch1ld @marsenbie @mynameisnotlaura @igotmessymind @andieperrie18 @randomboostsofmotivation @totallynotme420 @igotmessymind @amarawayne @calsjack

It was after midnight when you woke up with a cold sweat running down your back. Frightened, you quickly used your magic to check on your children: Dick was in his room, sleeping with his bags ready for his trip back to Blüdhaven the next day. You found it fascinating that, before you woke up, both Bruce and you, Alfred and Dick, were all asleep, which is the higher number of family members sleeping together in the mansion at the same time. And then there was Tim. You almost jumped in place when you noticed he wasn't in his room, then you felt his mind under the house.

“It's fine, I'm fine” you quickly assured, squeezing Bruces hand, who woke up instinctively “I freaked out for a second, but it's okay, go back to sleep” you assured him before leave the room.

Tim was in the bat-cave, sitting on the catwalk that was displaying the costumes of the three Robins that had ever existed, a steaming cup of straight coffee in his hand. But he hadn't touched it yet, which worried you when you appeared at his side. The boy showed no sign of acknowledging your presence, just staring straight ahead, staring blankly at a point behind Jason's tattered suit. He was still wearing the pants from the suit he'd worn to the funeral that afternoon, but with the pajama top and his robe.

You sat silently next to him on the cold metal of the platform, staring at the suit for a few seconds before looking back at your youngest son. Janet Drake's funeral had gone well until one of the woman's prestigious friends decided to comment that Tim's speech would surely be beautiful, wincing when your son told her he wouldn't do the part of her speech. The woman proceeded to make sure the whole room knew about it, as if it were some outrageous gossip about the neighbor's daughter. Most of the people in the room understood why, they weren't judgmental, and you saw it in their minds, but that didn't stop Tim's seething anxiety. That feeling consumed him at the end and on the way back home, then the boy had locked himself in his room for the rest of the day. He didn't cry, but he didn't talk at all, he hardly even made a sound to breathe for the rest of the day. Alfred cooked for him, and you made the tray of food appear on his nightstand, but you never got in. You gave him his space

“I was also at my own mother's funeral” you began to relate softly, seeing how your child processed that information in a second and turned to look at you in surprise, the first expression on his face since that afternoon. Curiosity winning as usual.

You didn't talk much about your origins, not even Bruce had much idea about your family life before the events that led you to travel through the multiverse until you reached the world that is now your home. It was a mysterious subject for your children. Being that you were such a wonderful mother in his eyes, the idea that you had seen your own mother die shattered the idea he had assumed of your childhood. You knew that, so you smiled sadly at him while you nodded slowly while you let him process what he said.

“She wasn't the best.” you continued to explain to him “When she was fifteen, my grandfather to whom she was very close died, and she ended up running away from the small town where she lived with my grandparents to the city. She disappeared and returned almost two years later, fresh out of rehab and pregnant. My grandmother was just happy to get her back and excited about the idea of a grandchild, so I arranged for him to stay there with her again, finish school and get a quick job to take care of me. But the thing is, my mom never liked the idea of staying in a small farming town, she dreamed of big cities. That was the reason she ran away in the first place, and when my grandmother tried to help her stay, she only got more scared. So once I was born, she went away again, leaving me with my grandmother.” Tim blinked in surprise, his head processing the reality that you had lived through, setting the coffee cup aside, “She ended up going back to drugs, having no support system outside my grandmother. She appeared every once in a while, I have memories of her visiting me and I knew she was my mother. But she was never my mother in the way that other people see a mother, what a mother supposed to be was fulfilled by my grandmother. She took care of me and raised me. Mom died of an overdose when I was six” you looked again at the suit in front of both of you.

“How did it go?” Tim asked, genuinely curious how you had handled the situation and eager to get some guidance on how to move forward, those were the first words he had said since the funeral.

“It was weird, at the moment I remember crying inconsolably and not knowing why. The woman was almost a stranger to me, but she was my mom, even if she didn't fulfill the role” you looked at him sympathetically “Later I understood that sometimes mourning a loss isn't about the sorrow for what you had, Timmy.” you stroked his hair, arranging it on his head, and the boy lowered his head. “But about what you didn't have.”

After that, it only took a few seconds before the hold broke and Tim began to cry, his shoulders shaking as you pulled him close to your chest.

"She was your mom" you whispered affectionately.

“You're my mom,” Tim replied between sobs “It's not fair.” He burrowed deeper into your chest, tightening his arms around you as if afraid you'd run away soon.

No, it wasn't fair that a boy as wonderful as Tim had been born to parents who didn't take the time to notice his greatness. Janet and Jack didn't notice when he disappeared almost every night when he was out on patrol with your husband. They didn't appreciate that their neglect didn't lead him in a wrong pat, but it made him want to do better. As if he wasn't just a kid. They didn't care how mature his little baby was, they didn't care that his child wasn't a child, but a mini adult. It wasn't fair at all.

“I know, I know, my love” you pat his back while hugging him, trying not to curse the dead because you knew they felt it. “But it's okay to feel it, even when you don't know what you feel, because at the end of the day there was something there even when it was hard. It only remains to let it go“

Tim cried for a long time, he ended up with his head resting on your lap snoring softly, and you didn't have the heart to wake him up, looking at him fascinated by how calm he looked. Eventually, your own head fell back against the platform railing, and you fell fitfully to sleep.

MOM. MOM, HELP ME. MOM. MOM, GET ME OUT OF HERE. MOM.

You woke up suddenly, covered in a cold sweat. You've had the same dream for a while now, Jason's voice screaming for your help, but you knew it wasn't real. Don't make that mistake again. You looked at you and used your magic to take him to bed-

MOM, HELP ME. MOM.

It wasn't real. It wasn't real. It wasn't-

MOM.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: I want to thank all of you who read this story. The story of the loss of Batmom coincided with a time of mourning in my personal life, it has helped me to continue with everything despite the pain, to process it and to move on. You with your interactions and comments have helped me to continue as well, even when it takes me a long time to update because of the university, for which I apologized and I thank you a thousand times more. Finally, I hope that if anyone has suffered a recent loss and feels like ScarletWitch!Batmom and I have felt throughout this story, know that you can do it and I hope this story will at least give you the ease to distract yourself a little for a moment, while you keep resisting.

With love, Ella.

#batfamily x reader #all for us #jason todd x batmom #batmom #tim drake x batmom #batfam x reader #batmom!reader #scarletwitch!reader #batman x scarletwitch #scarletwitch!batmom!reader #Spotify

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strangeshoepatrolbandit · 8 months

Text

Sunshine follows with Sunfall. Pt. 6

Warnings: Cat?, Jason having a tiny mood swing, mentions of death and bounties.

You guys have no idea how bad I feel for disappearing. Writers block is a bitch. (Short chapter)

Series Masterlist

~☆~

"She's sleeping." You sigh as you hear a window slide open.

Jason climbed through, "I'm sorry..." He apologized before closing the window. "I just had to come see her, even if she's sleeping."

You nod in acknowledgment as you pick up one of Judith's toys.

Jason and you had been talking more and more lately, just trying to become civil and fix the rift in your relationship with each other. But he had mostly been coming around for Judith.

He reached up and took off his helmet, setting it on the couch, keeping his domino mask on. His hands ran through his damp hair, pushing it back from his face as he revels in the feeling of your cool apartment.

"You know I don't like you coming in with all of your gear on." You look at him. "You're a wanted man, Jason. What you're doing right now is dangerous. If a bounty gets put on our daughters head, I will personally kill you again."

Jason knows your paranoia is justified, which is why he nods and looks directly at you as he apologizes again. "I know, Y/N. I'm sorry."

You give him a lingering stare before you turn around, picking up more toys. "Just... stop..." You hesitate as you speak, causing Jason to nod yet again.

He gazes at your back for a few seconds before he decides to go see Judith now. Jason keeps his footsteps quiet, a perk from being an anti-hero who once worked alongside Batman. He approaches the white door to her room, slowly turning the silver handle, for he does not wish to wake her.

The room is dark, illuminated by a small projector nightlight, making artificial stars show on the ceiling. Her room is surprisingly clean for a child, yet still full from the amount of gifts she gets from her family.

Jason cautiously steps closer to Judith's small bed, seeing how she's facing away from him, dark hair sprawled all over her pillow, and her orange sheets up close to her chin.

He crouched down next to her bed, petting her hair. Not running his fingers through it since he does not wish to tug on a hidden tangle and wake her up from the pull. A black cat that is snuggled up next to her stretches, letting out a small meow as he looks up at Jason. A small, soft smile grows on Jason's face as he scratches the cat with his free hand.

~☆~

You hear Judith's door open again, signaling that Jason was walking out.

"I didn't know you guys had a cat." He speaks, voice low and laced his Gothamite accent, something him and Judith share.

"Yep," You sigh, finally done tidying up the living room. "Judith is obsessed with Blues Clues. Specifically, the version with Steve. So when we got him, she immediately named him 'Periwinkle'." You smile at the fond memory.

"Bruce offered to get her a lilac tabby, but she just loved her Periwinkle too much. She didn't want one of the correct breed."

Jason also smiles as he watches you stand in front of your couch, hands on your hips. "She's loyal, loving." He says.

You let out another deep breath and look at him. "So... you going back on patrol?"

He takes a few steps forward. "Actually, I wanted to talk about something."

Your eyebrow raises as you look up at him. "Okay...?"

Jason takes in a breath and closes his eyes for a few seconds. "Look, I've been getting help, and... I can be better now." He tells you. "I can be better for you. I think you and I... should try again..."

You let out an abrupt laugh. "You're kidding?"

There's something about him that just doesn't seem like your Jason anymore. He's so civil and in touch with his emotions.

"I'm not." He shakes his head.

You scoff and look away. "You have some nerve, you know?"

"I know, I know-"

"Jason." Your voice is firm. "You did something that I dont think I can ever forgive you for. What if I allow myself to love you and you end up leaving again, hm?"

Jason looks down at the floor, then the wall behind you. "I'm getting better." He mumbles.

"All you're going to do is fix your relationship with your daughter, don't even think about me like that." You snap.

Jason goes and grabs his helmet, putting it on, his shoulders tense, a way for you to understand that he's annoyed.

The audacity.

You know him well enough to know that his jaw is clenched underneath his mask. You hear a loud breath from underneath the red material he wears on his head.

"Don't even start right now, J-"

You're cut off by a small familiar voice.

"Red Hood?" Judith beams, standing in the entrance of the living room, grinning up at her father, even though she doesn't know it's him.

Jason Red Hood turns to face her. "Hey, kid." His voice is thankfully warped by the voice modulator in his helmet.

"Let me go get my action figure!" She squeals before running off into her room, leaving you and Jason to exchange some tense stares.

~☆~

Taglist: @keira324 @dakotali @22nranjan @skepvids @harpy-space @godknows-shetried @mirrorball-6 @macncheese69420666 @parkjammys @yyxy27 @burningkidanchor @elleclairez @amecchii @chickennugghon @marvelworldlover @oakexists @p0tterhead934 @makhaia @cassini-among-the-stars @tsukishimarawr @flowestallen @attackonnat @90s-belladonna @sucker4seresin @riahpickle-blog

#jason todd x reader #jason todd x fem!reader #jason todd #jason todd x you #reader x jason todd #x reader #batboys #batbros #batsiblings #batkids #batfamily #batfamily x reader #batfam x reader

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sgm616 · 20 days

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A Whole Year!

Wanda Maximoff x Fem!reader

BlackHill x Daughter

A/n -> I have a learning disability so if there are some misspelled or a sentence that doesn't make sense that's why.

________________________________________

Mila and Wanda, we're sent on a mission to retrieve Hydra files. Unfortunately, things went downhill. During their mission, they were caught stealing their secret information. Many hydra goons were attacking them left and right. There were too many of them. Without their acknowledge some kind of gas was seeping threw the vents. The next thing they see is darkness.

Natasha POV- I was about to take off my wife's shirt when we both got a message from FRIDAY.

Miss Romanoff-Hill. Both of you are being summoned by Captain Rogers.

MEETING ROOM 1

"What is it now Rogers? We- I mean I was about to 'relax'."

"Wanda and Mia have gone MIA.(Missing in action) here is their mission file. Completing this mission is crucial into getting ahold of Hydra's secret weapon. Find it and you may be able to find Mia and Wanda. You both have 10 minutes to get ready. Dismiss."

HYDRA BASE LOCATION: CANADA

I made my way through the hallways making sure it was all clear. Once I made sure everything was clear I let everyone understand that there was no one left in the building but that's when I heard, crying. How can there be someone here? I checked all the rooms in this building.

For some reason, I felt this urge to follow the cries. I walked through three rooms when I heard another cry. That's when I started running through all the rooms. Till I reach the second to last room. The crying was much, much louder. I searched the draws when I encountered a baby it was wrapped in a Hydra coat. I carefully pick up the small child to try my best to soothe the poor babe. After a few minutes, I calmed them down. But I can still hear the other child crying. The other baby's cry was echoing throughout the room. It sounded like it was coming through the vents. Immediately I got down to the vent gate and found another baby. It was only wearing a thin adult shirt.

I carefully readjusted the child I was currently holding so I could pick up the other baby. Immediately the baby stopped crying and looked into my eyes. Strangely enough, their eyes looked exactly like Mila's.

Once they were safely secure in my arms I bolted toward the Quinjet.

Location: Avengers Compound

Who are these kids? And where are Wanda and Mila? As we waited for the results on who these girls were, Maria and I were holding them. It's just another reason for how much I missed my daughter's growth. Sure she was born out of science when I was twelve but still, I would have loved to have taken care of her when she was a baby.

(She didn't give birth to her, science used her blood and her father's blood to create Mila.)

After waiting for the results to come back, Tony and Bruce come into the conference room. "Good news and bad news. The good news is that know where Mila and Wanda are located."

"That's fantastic! Where are they?" Said Maria.

Bruce looks down and fixes his glasses. "You're holding them." We looked down at the babies. I knew this child looked familiar, it was Mila. Maria spoke up. "What the bad news?"

"The bad news is that it looks like Hydra injected them with some kind of serum that turned them into babies and well, it looks like it's going to take a year for the serum to wear off" A WHOLE YEAR!!

Meeting room

"All right teams looks like we are on baby duty for the next year till both Wanda and Mila are back to normal. So who's going to be the main guardian for Wanda?" Steve raised his hand. "I'll take her." That's when Clint speaks to Steve. "Do you even know how to take care of a baby?"

With his head down Steve said. "No."

"Laura and I can take care of her. Stark is that alright if my family can come over till this whole thing is over?"

"Yeah, sure whatever. Just keep them away from the lab."

No One's POV-

Day One Age 7 Weeks Old

The first night with baby Mila was hard on Natasha and Maria. They never had any experience in taking care of a baby. She had been crying for the past 4 hours. They tried feeding her...she was not hungry, they tried rocking her to sleep...that failed, and don't even get started on how terrible they were when it came to changing her diaper. Clint had to show them how to do it the right way.

Know matter how hard they try to calm down she just won't stop crying. "She has been crying for 4 hours now how is she still awake?" Maria said tiredly. That's when she thought of something. She goes into the closet to grab something that might help calm Mila down.

She grabbed her old ukulele and started playing it. Natasha slowly joins in.

"I'm lying on the moon My dear, I'll be there soon"

Mila's crying was slowly calming down

"It's a quiet starry place Time's we're swallowed up"

Maira walks over to Nat and Mila and places a binky into Mila's mouth. Mila surprisingly accepted the binky.

"in space We're here a million miles away"

Mila finally falls asleep. When Natasha sees this she stops but the minute she stops Mila starts to steer awake, so Natasha continues on finishing up the song.

"There's things I wish I knew There's no thing I'd keep from you"

Natasha carefully places a sleeping Mila into her bassinet. She slowly and carefully pulls a blanket over Mila so she doesn't get cold.

"It's a dark and shiny place But with you my dear, I'm safe we're a million miles away"

The moment Mila fell asleep both women were too tired to lay under the covers.

The Barton's had no trouble with getting Wanda to bed. After all, they had plenty of practice with their two other children. Plus Wanda was easy to put sleep. That girl loves to sleep.

Four Hours Later (Feeding) Mila cries wakes up both women

"Why isn't she talking the bottle!"

"I don't know Nat. I don't fucking know!" Mila continues screaming.

"I know Mila I know. If you just take the bottle you will feel better." Natasha continues to try feed her but after some time she finally takes it.

Day 150 Age 5 months Old

Today was going to be a hard day for Tony. He was on babysitting duty for both Wanda and Mila. Both Mila's moms had a mission they couldn't get out of. Clint and Laura both had a teachers' conference for their other kids and couldn't take Wanda with them.

So both families had no choice but to leave the two girls with Tony since he was the only one available. Since Tony was not babysitter material both families would call any chance they could get.

Tony had both babies lying on both sides of the couch while he was in the middle.

*RING* *RING*

"We're fine, just like we were 30 minutes ago and 30 minutes before that. Are you going to keep this up all day? Wait aren't you and Maria on a mission right now?.....well stop calling because now it's getting old. First you and now the Barton's?......"

He looks away from the girls to turn on the TV

"Yeah they had some teacher thing so I'm watching both."

He turns to look at Wanda.

"OH NO."

Wanda was not there.

"OH GOD."

He turned to face Mila, but she wasn't there either. This made Tony drop his phone. He's looking behind the couch under the blankets, the pillows, he looked EVERYWHERE! He knows if he doesn't find them soon he's going to not live to see them the next day.

Nat on the other hand was freaking out. Tony didn't answer what was happening. She kept yelling at the phone in hopes that he could tell her what was going on.

After a few minutes, Tony looked under the table only to find Mila and Wanda. Mila was rolling around while Wanda was staring at Tony with a huge smile on her face.

Tony grabs the phone and puts it on speaker. "Everything good here." Natasha doesn't believe him. "Guess who just rolled over for the first time."

Let's just say after this event, Tony will never babysit a child ever again or in this case children.

Day 161 Age 6 Months Old

The Barton family

Laura walks into Wanda's nursery room quietly. She knows Wanda isn't a morning person even if she's a baby. So figured out a way to wake up and girl without having her get all cranky. She knew from Wanda's past that her mother would always sing this song that would help Wanda wake up.

She gently rubs the back of the wands back. Slowly Wanda starts waking up but not enough to have her open her eyes. "Rise and shine and give god your glory, glory. Rise and shine and give god your glory, glory. one two three four give god your glory, glory children of the lord." Wanda opens her eyes and lets out a big yawn before giving her the grabby hands, letting Laura know she wants to be held. "Good morning my sweet angel. You ready for breakfast." Wanda responded with a nod and tucked her head into Laura's neck.

Kitchen

Once in the kitchen, Laura hands Wanda off the Clint so he can feed her. For breakfast, Wanda was having her favorite mango banana. "Here comes the Quinjet." he makes noises that sound somewhat like the Quinjet.

The Romanoff-Hill family

For waking up Mila was a bit different from Wanda's morning routine. Every morning Nat or Maria has to play the song Pink by Lizzo. How she found out that song, that's something both mothers would most likely never find out.

But let's just say Kate, her new babysitter, was watching the movie Barbie on her laptop and thought Mila was sound asleep.

Once the song was over and Mila waved to all her stuffed animals a good morning, it was time for her to get her morning started.

Kitchen

For breakfast, Mila had apple zucchini peach. It wasn't her favorite but it also wasn't something she hated. All Nat had to do was distract her daughter and boom she'll eat anything that's in front of her. "Here comes the Chitauri chariot." Natasha scoops some baby food into Mila's mouth. "Did you know Mama flew in one once?" Mila smiled at her mama and was making cute baby noises. "Yes, I did." She then realized what time it was. "Shit. Hey babe can you finish feeding Mila for me? I'm going to be late for work."

"Sure thing." She kissed her beloved wife on the lips before Nat had to leave. "Mommy's going to feed you now. How does that sound?" Mila let out a confused expression and sound. If she was saying why? "Mama has a meeting with Grandpa Fury. But that's okay because you get to spend time with me. Would you like to go to the animal shelter and buy Mama that kitten she's been dying to have?" Mila responded with a happy squeal. "Yeah? But first, we need to finish eating your food." She scoops a bit of the baby food. "Here come the helicarrier." She flies the spoon around the air before putting it in her mouth.

Day 284 Age 1 years old

The Romanoff-Hill family

Mila faced Natasha trying her best to speak to her "M-ma...m-ma... mama, mama" "That's right baby it's mama! Can you tell me who she is" She pointed to Maria. Mila looked at Maria with a smile "Mama!"

Maria scopes her up and spins her around. "Good job Mila!" Nat then hugs both of them. Mila was in the middle. "Mama and Mommy are super-duper proud of you!!" Both women kissed Mila's chubby cheeks. Mila graciously gave both of them a slobbery kiss on their cheeks while making giggling noises.

The Barton family

"mm...mm..." Wanda was struggling and getting frustrated. She let out a screech. Laura picks her up calming her down. "Shh, it's okay baby take your time." "Mma-mma. Mama" "Good job Wanda! Good job! Clint come here!" He bolts out of the bathroom, his face is half-shaven. "What happened? What's wrong?" Wanda gave clint grabby hands for him to take her into his arms. "Pa-pa!" Clint's mouth was wide open with shock. "Did-did you say, papa?"

Later that day when the kids got home they told them about Wanda's 'first' words. "Wanda who's that?" Laura points towards Cooper. "Ooper" the four of them laughing. "That's right I'm Ooper. Your brother" Wanda clapped her hands as if she was showing how proud she was of herself. Clint then speaks. "Can you tell who she is?" Wanda looks at Lilia. "ia"

Luckily both families had FRIDAY to videotape the whole conversation.

Days Later...

Family Room

Today was a very boring Friday for the Avengers. No meetings, no missions, nothing. Nat, Clint, and the babies were in the family room. Both adults were reading their books. While the babies were doing their own thing.

Mila was on the floor playing with her blocks. While Wanda was watching The Wiggles. [The OG, not the new version] They were singing about fruit salad. This got an idea for the little baby witch. She was hungry and since the wiggles were singing about fruit salad maybe she can make some for herself and maybe she can share it with Mila.

She slowly stands up from her spot. Nat and Clint notice this and dropped everything they were reading. "FRIDAY are you documenting this?"

Yes Sir.

Wanda takes one step forward only to fall. They were waiting to see if she'll give up and cry. But to their surprise, she didn't. She got right back up on her feet and tried again. This kept happening for a while till she finally made it to the kitchen without any trouble.

Mila sees this and gets jealous of Wanda getting all the attention. So she too tries to stand up and walk but falls down the minute her foot took one step. She burst into an angry scream. This got Nat's attention. "Oh baby. there is no reason for that." She tries to calm down Mila but to no avail. Thank goodness Maria heard this. The moment Maria come into Mila view she imminently wanted to be in her mommy arm and not her mamas.

Once Maria gets ahold of her baby girl she gently pats her back and bounces her. "Aww what happened my love? Hmm?" She looked over to her wife seeing if she knew what's wrong with their daughter. "Someone got a little jealous of Wanda and wasn't happy that mama wasn't forcing on her."

Maria turned Mila around so she can see her face. "Is this true baby girl. Did you get jealous of Wanda?" Mila nods her head. "And did you not like when mama was giving Wanda attention and not you?" She nods again. "Oh I'm sorry to hear that."

Natasha explained what Wanda did and how Mila wanted to walk too but kept failing and was getting frustrated with herself. "Why don't we go on our room and we can pass/walk her to each other?"

And that's what they did. After many falls and crying, Mila finally walked. Now they kinda regret teaching her how to walk cause now she won't stop chasing Liho.

Day 334 Age 1 3/4 years old

Maria and Natasha were relaxing on top of their bed when all of a sudden they heard a horrible stretching noise and then crying. Liho bolted out of the room. Both mothers turn to see Mila running towards them crying. Maria bent down to Mila's level. "What's wrong why are you crying, baby?" Mila was choking on her air so Nat and Maria helped her calm down so they could understand what was going on. "детка can you blow on my face?" Mila eventually listened to her mama and blew on her face just enough for her to talk. "Good girl. Can you tell Mommy and me what's going on?" Mila yelled, "She said she wants to marwy me!"

"Who детка? Who wants to marry you, baby girl? Could it is Wanda?" knowing those two were together before this crisis happened. "mhm" Natasha was good at hiding her smile since this whole conversation was hilarious. "You're crying 'cause you don't want to marry her?" Maria said while trying her best to hold in her laughter. "Yeah!"

Wanda comes running in our room "I WILL MARWY YOU!!"

"NOOOOOOO!!!"

Mila runs away again with Wanda hot on her tail.

Day 364-365 Age 22 years old

That night the parents lay the children on their adult beds. They quickly changed them from toddler clothes to adult-only shirts.

The Next Day...

Mila wakes up only to find her room all childish. "What the?" she slowly gets out of bed only to notice she's only in a shirt. At first, she was a bit wobbly but got it together. She takes a nice long shower. Flashes of what happened came into her mind. She was so confused. Was this all dream? If not how the hell did she turn into a baby? And how long?

2 months later...

Lactation: Paris

"Mila Romanoff, will you do me the honor and becoming your wife?"

"YES!! Absolutely Yes!!!"

#mama nat #natasha romanoff #black widow #maria hill #clint barton #wanda maximoff #wanda x you #wanda x reader #wanda x fem!reader #marvel #avengers #marvel mcu

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1970sgothfreak · 1 year

Text

The Forgotten Twin’s birthday part 4

Y/n/n- your nickname

Jon’s pov:

“I’ll see you later babe love you too” I said before hanging up the call, I smiled and blushed at the thought of me and y/n/n hanging out again!. I keep thinking about how the others had treated her, she mentioned how she didn’t know if she should accept their apology but I told her to stand her ground as it would be a better idea.

I got up and decided to get some food before heading out so I went downstairs seeing my dad and Conner there, he waved to me before going back on his phone and my dad was reading the paper…for some odd reason. I grabbed a glass of water and started to make a sandwich when I heard my dad place down the paper and clear his throat.

“So how are you and Y/n doing?”

“Oh we’re doing great actually! I can’t wait for her to come over and you meet her as my girlfriend this time”

“Well I’m glad your happy John”

“Yea…but she’s not..stupid Bruce…”

I froze after saying that hoping my father didn’t hear me say that but I looked over my shoulder and saw him looking at me with confusion, oh no…I messed up!.

“John what are you talking about..?”

“Well…”

~meanwhile~

Your pov:

Bruce has been nonstop trying to apologies to me, I’m on my breaking point and am shocked that he’s actually trying and was about to accept it until I heard him talking to a reporter and he mentioned how the family would be back to perfect soon… heh guess I was right.

I looked up from my book seeing him walk into the living room and rolled my eyes, he approached me and sat next to me.

“Y/n..”

“Bruce” I saw him pause when he heard me call him his name, good he deserves this pain. I placed my book down and looked up at him.

“What do you want this time”

“To apologise…I’m trying to make things right for us..”

“ no you’re trying to make things right for you so you look good in the press, I heard what you said to the reporter earlier, you aren’t genuine with this apology!” I stated slamming my hand down onto the table and stood up.

“ y/-“

“NO, YOU ARE NOT A GENUINE PERSON UNLESS IT BENEFITS YOU!..I DON’T DO THAT AND LETS NOT FORGET THE THAT THAT YOU AND YOUR SONS NEVER ACKNOWLEDGED ME!…. I have every right to not have you in my life when you never considered me apart of yours and I can promise you that when I graduate you and the boys will never… EVER see me again!”

I yelled while trying to control my emotions but I knew it wasn’t working when I felt my eyes water. I shoved past him and decided to go on a walk hoping it would calm me.

Bruce pov:

I winced as the manors doors slammed shut, I really messed up didn’t I. I stared at my hands not realising that someone was coming up behind me, I looked up and saw Clark looking at me with disappointment and maybe a hint of disgust.

“Clark? What are you doing here?”

“Wondering why the hell I found out from John that you were being a shit father! Bruce cmon… IGNORING YOUR KID?!?”

“You weren’t exactly a good dad either!” I stated back

“ you’re right but I learned and now I love those boys more than anything, you just didn’t care enough and that caused your relationship to fail” he said and that’s when reality finally set in… I lost my daughter all because I couldn’t…No I didn’t care enough about her.

…fuck

~a couple hours later~

No one’s pov:

You were sitting in an alleyway trying to finish your food without any interruption when your phone started to ring. You saw it was an unknown number but decided to pick it up.

“Hello? Who is this?”

“ hello my dear.. how are you?”

“M-mother…”

“ Yes it’s me… I-.. I heard what your father and brother did and my dear I want you to know you are always welcome back at the league”

“…Mother I…I know I am…please may I just think it over?”

“Of course take all the time you need I love you”

“I…I love you too mother”

The call ended and you stared at the phone, at least now you had two people who actually cared about you. The boys and Bruce were only sorry because they were called out but John and your mother loved you no matter what.

Ah shit…now you had a choice to make…

Join your mother and leave the boys or forgive them and see what happens?

What will you pick?

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#platonic #batfam angst #batfam x batsis #batsis reader #jon kent x reader #bruce wayne x daughter!reader #damian wayne x batsis #dick grayson x sister reader #jason todd x sister!reader #The forgotten Twin’s birthday

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pinkcherryblossom18 · 1 year

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I’ve watched the movie Constantine and have been having Batsis thoughts so this was born. Also so that this is better, in canon John is like 20 years older than Bruce so I changed it so that in this he’s like five years older than Batsis.

Tw: Murder, Drugging, and Demons

18+, not my responsibility for your actions, minors.

Batsis, the daughter of a True North and being expected to follow in her mother's footsteps after her death.

Batsis who doesn’t know who her father is, she stopped asking when she was four because her mom gets annoyed or deflects her questions.

Batsis who witnessed her mother murder a man at six, her saying that his blood was needed for a spell. Batsis not saying anything and going with it, not expecting her mother to bring home a kid, a little boy, and kill him right in front of her. She tries to convince herself that despite what her teacher told her this wasn’t bad, her mother wasn’t a bad woman right?

Batsis who hides to the best of her ability when Batman storms her house, taking her mother away. She tries to stay quiet, hoping that he wouldn’t find her but it was the small sniffles of her crying that drove him to her.

Batsis being brought to her grandparents, them taking her in for the night but doing a spell the next night because she needs to be raised by a parent at least. They end up finding who it is a few hours later.

Batsis going into Bruce’s care when she was six after her mom got sent to jail, not knowing who her father really was and even after finding out it’s Bruce still isn’t really sure who he actually is.

Batsis who likes to sneak away and hide in the manor, Bruce barely ever being able to find her unless she wanted him to, Alfred always seems to know where she is but never telling Bruce if he asks because she needs to warm up to Bruce in her own time and it’s slightly funny.

Batsis who doesn’t actually talk to Bruce, only nods or the shaking of her head being the only acknowledgment that he gets or small sarcastic quips from her from occasion but he doesn’t care because it’s something.

Batsis who finds out that Bruce is Batman when she’s eight, this is the first time that she talks in full sentences even when it’s yelling at him. But this time as she’s yelling her magic is getting out of control, accidentally sending a knife toward Bruce’s head that he barely dodged. She’s mortified, scared by herself and still pissed off at Bruce so she leaves him in the kitchen, standing shock still at what just happened.

Batsis who locks herself away for almost an entire month, Bruce sees her less in that month than he did those first two years that she had been hiding from him, a small ghost in his manor.

Batsis who starts repressing her magic, taking small doses of mistletoe in the morning unknowingly to Bruce and Alfred. She fights it off at night, finally getting her magic repressed enough at ten that she doesn’t have to take the mistletoe anymore.

Batsis who at eleven years old finally tries to have a relationship with her father, trying to go from silent and sarcastic quips to actual conversations. Bruce deciding to take her to the circus that was in Gotham for a few nights, wanting to bond with the only blood family that he has left.

Batsis first meeting Dick before his parents died, the boy having time to roam around before the show started. A nine year old Dick and a eleven year old Batsis meeting behind a tent because she has a tendency to wander away from her father, meaning to or just when something distracts her or catches her attention. They hit it off and start becoming mildly friends before Dick had to leave because the show was about to start.

Batsis coming home one day from visiting her mom who’s in jail and finding that nine year old Dick sitting in a chair at her fathers house. Finding out from Alfred, not Bruce, that Dick is going to be living with them.

Batsis who is slightly rude and very distant from Dick, watching as he runs away and not stopping or saying anything to Bruce about it. She was once caught by Dick who asked her if she was going to tell her father and all she did was shake her head and leave, unknowingly gaining some of Dicks respect.

Batsis who kind of warms up to Dick but is still distant from him, helping him with homework or bully’s at school but never having a total and meaning conversation with the boy.

Batsis who is actually really smart and getting good grades but making sure that Bruce never knows because she feels like he hasn’t deserved to actually be her father. She gets all A’s on her freshman report card at the end of the year and doesn’t tell Bruce but comes to the manor and finds a cupcake and a congratulations from Alfred laying on her bed.

Batsis having a small grudge against Bruce because she always feels left behind. With Dick first and now with Jason coming in.

Batsis first met Jason when she was sixteen, finding out and silently praising the twelve-year-old boy for taking the tires off of the batmobile. Unlike her first interactions with Dick, Batsis just keeps her distance, small talk, and helping with homework and bullys.

At sixteen Batsis starts having issues with her magic, starting to come out of the repression that she put it in for six years. Starting to consume mistletoe in her morning tea once again and this time around consuming it at night.

One night Jason catches Batsis, watching her choke down the tea and add more mistletoe in it. Halfway through the torture that she’s putting herself through she catches him watching. Jason almost leaves, expecting to be yelled at or for the girl to start stuttering and explain herself but all she does is invite Jason in her room, something that she never did with Dick and Jason still holds it over his head, and with the small doses of magic that she has summons Jason his own cup of tea.

No stuttering, stumbling or mumbling of explanations that Jason expected, they just sat there in silence drinking their tea. After that night Jason comes back, sitting down on Batsis’s bed and waiting for his cup tea, never getting an explanation and never expecting one.

She loves the boys but is usually putting a lot of distance between them. And it doesn’t help that she decided to not become another Robin or something beside her dad.

Batsis leaving after she graduates from college, going wherever she feels like trying to find herself before she starts looking for jobs in her department of study, and doing to her feelings like she does everything else, pushing her feelings or thoughts back until she can’t handle them anymore.

Batsis finding herself in Los Angeles, roaming around in alleyways and trying to avoid trouble but almost being hit by a mirror that flies out of one of the apartments, backing away when the demon in it pops out for a few moments before going back to hell.

Batsis who looks up and makes eye contact with the man who she assumes did this. She expects him to ask if she’s okay but instead she just gets a nod of acknowledgment before he goes back in.

Batsis who isn't aware of how much this simple meeting will change everything.

#batsis #batfamily #john constantine x reader #bruce wayne x reader #dick grayson x reader #jason todd x reader #john constantine #dick grayson #bruce wayne #jason todd

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introvertllux · 2 months

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Meet the Wayne’s Chapter 3: Maternal Ties and the Shadow of Gotham

I DON’T claim the rights to batman only the black!OC. Also this is pure fiction and NOT my thoughts on marriage at all.

Scarlett P.O.V.

Despite living a life without a mother and engaging in activities far removed from what a traditional mother might do, I've always felt a profound pull towards motherhood. It was as if I was inherently maternal, destined to embrace the role with open arms. Yet, under the shadow of Ra's al Ghul, such dreams seemed distant, almost forbidden. Isolated within the confines of his domain, my world was restricted, my interactions limited. Discussing and acknowledging the natural teenage yearnings felt dangerous—punishable, even. Among the few women there, Talia—Ra al Ghul's daughter—was the only one close to my age yet far from being a confidante. I was an intruder to her, not for stealing her father's affection but because I was there at all. She saw me as a rival, though I never viewed Ra's in the paternal light she did. My mind was often elsewhere, lost in daydreams of everyday life outside these walls—friendships, romance, and the simple act of holding someone's hand.

Those dreams seemed like fantasies, unreachable and fanciful. Yet, here I am, years later, a mother to five incredible boys. My sons, each unique in their strength, humor, and brilliance, are the anchors that keep me grounded amidst the turmoil of my life with Bruce. They are my priority, the driving force behind every decision I make, including my disputes with Bruce over his relentless pursuit of justice as Batman. His obsession with patrolling Gotham has strained our relationship, but more importantly, it has impacted our boys. They witness our conflicts, absorbing the tension and reflecting on their individual bonds with their father. Bruce has his flaws; he can be overly strict and sometimes distant. Yet, when he's present, he's an inspiring figure—empowering, affectionate, and constantly pushing them toward greatness. He may not be perfect, but he's constantly evolving, striving to be a better father.

Our home, a nexus of love, conflict, and unspoken fears, bears witness to the struggles and triumphs of a family not quite like any other. For all his strength and resolve, Bruce grapples with the dualities of his existence—between the man and the mask, the father and the vigilante. His physical and emotional absences leave a void that I strive to fill, weaving the fragile threads of family unity with each day that passes.

In their resilience, the boys adapt and grow, each carving their own path under the weight of the Wayne legacy. Their struggles and triumphs are a daily reminder of the complexities of our lives—a life built on the foundations of sacrifice, secrets, and an unwavering commitment to each other.

In the quiet moments, when the chaos of our lives settles into a rare peace, I reflect on the journey that has brought me here. From the confines of the League's domain to the expansive heart of the Wayne family, my life has been a testament to fate's unpredictable, winding paths.

Motherhood, with all its challenges and joys, has been my redemption, my salvation from a past marred by darkness. It has taught me about the power of love, the strength of family, and the endless possibilities of embracing one's true self. Standing at the precipice of this life I have built, I am grateful for the unexpected gift of motherhood and the five remarkable boys who call me Mom.

_________________________

Third Person P.O.V.

The Wayne Manor kitchen was a flurry of activity, its usual solemnity replaced by the chaotic energy of the Wayne sons preparing for the day's event. Amidst the sizzle of breakfast on the stove, Scarlett found herself not only as the orchestrator of the morning meal but also as the mediator of an unfolding debate among her boys.

"I don't see why I have to wear a suit. It's not like the orphans are going to care what I'm wearing," Jason grumbled, tugging at the collar of his shirt with a scowl that seemed permanently etched on his face whenever formal attire was mentioned.

"It's about showing respect, Jason. We represent the Wayne family; we should look the part," Dick interjected, ever the voice of reason, his own suit fitting him like a second skin—a testament to his comfort in their world of galas and public appearances.

"Yeah, but why can't we show respect in jeans and a tee? At least we'd be comfortable," Tim chimed in, pushing his glasses up his nose as he eyed the suit laid out for him with undisguised disdain.

Duke, the newest addition to the brood, seemed less bothered by the dress code, though he couldn't resist joining in the banter. A little color wouldn't hurt. These suits make us look like we're attending a funeral, not celebrating an opening."

Damian, the youngest and often the most vocal about his dislikes, was surprisingly quiet, his usual complaints about 'draconian dress codes' absent as he meticulously adjusted his tie—a more miniature replica of the one Bruce often wore. It was a rare moment of conformity from the boy, who was usually anything but.

Scarlett, flipping pancakes with one hand and managing to look entirely at ease amidst the morning chaos, couldn't help but smile at her son's antics. "Gentlemen, you all look handsome, and wearing a suit won't kill you. It's one afternoon, and then you can come home and change into whatever you'd like."

"But Mom, it's not just the suits. It's the ties, the shoes—it's like being strangled by your own clothes," Jason argued, his dramatics earning a chuckle from his brothers.

"Jason's right," Damian finally spoke up, his voice betraying a hint of solidarity with his brother. "It's archaic, and it's uncomfortable. Father insists on these traditions without considering practicality."

Scarlett turned, offering a plate of pancakes to her sons as a peace offering. "Bruce wants this day to be special for the orphanage's family and children. Wearing a suit is a small part to play in making today memorable. And Damian, your father considers many things, including how the Wayne family presents itself. It's part of our responsibility."

The boys exchanged looks, their arguments deflating under the weight of their mother's logic and the allure of breakfast. As they gathered around the table, their banter continued, lighter now, interspersed with plans for the day and the roles they each would play at the reopening.

Scarlett watched them, her heart full. These moments were what she cherished most—her family united not just by blood or name but by the shared experiences that bound them closer with each passing day. She knew the importance of today's event extended beyond the orphanage; it was a testament to their resilience, their unity, and the legacy they were building, one day, one suit at a time.

As breakfast concluded and they prepared to leave, Scarlett felt a surge of pride looking at her sons. Despite their grumbling, they were ready, each embodying the strength and grace of the Wayne legacy. Today was more than an event; it was a reaffirmation of their commitment to Gotham, each other, and the ideals Bruce and Scarlett worked so hard to instill in them.

As the Wayne family convoy wound its way towards the heart of Gotham, the tension that had bubbled over breakfast seemed to dissipate, replaced by a shared sense of purpose. The sleek black cars blended seamlessly with the city's rhythm, a silent testament to the Wayne legacy that extended far beyond the corporate skyscrapers and into the very fabric of Gotham's community. Inside the lead car, Scarlett found herself sandwiched between Bruce and Alfred, the latter having taken on the role of driver for the day. The boys, divided between the vehicles, continued their debate over the necessity of formal wear, their voices a distant murmur over the car's communication system.

Bruce, catching Scarlett's eye, offered a small, appreciative smile. "They'll understand one day," he said, his voice a blend of resignation and hope. "The importance of today… it's more than just an appearance. It's about setting an example, showing Gotham that the Wayne family stands with them."

Scarlett nodded, her hand finding Bruce's. "They will. They're more like you than they'd care to admit. Strong, determined, and with a heart for Gotham's people. Today will be a good day." Their arrival at the orphanage was met with fanfare, with the community turning out in force to celebrate the reopening. The Wayne family, stepping out of their cars, were immediately swarmed by reporters, city officials, and excited children, all eager to glimpse Gotham's most prominent family.

Despite their earlier complaints, the boys moved with a grace and poise that belied their years. Dick took the lead, his natural charisma making him an easy favorite among the attendees. With his characteristic scowl softened for the day, Jason was surrounded by a group of older kids, his tales of motorcycle escapades drawing awed whispers. Ever the strategist, Tim conversed with city planners and philanthropists, discussing future projects and investments. Duke became an instant hit with the younger children with his infectious smile, leading games, and laughter. Maintaining a stoic facade, Damian nonetheless found himself drawn to a quiet corner where a few shy orphans observed the festivities from a distance.

Scarlett felt pride as she watched her family mingle and engage with the community. Today was a reminder of their collective strength, their ability to transcend the challenges and scrutiny that often accompanied their public lives. It reaffirmed their commitment to making Gotham a better place, one child, one family at a time. The jubilation of the day, palpable in the air filled with laughter and celebratory voices, was abruptly shattered. Moments before the chaos, Bruce stood at the podium, the crowd hushed in anticipation of his speech. The Wayne family stood to the side, representing unity and support.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us on this momentous day," Bruce began, his voice carrying over the assembled crowd. "Today is not just about reopening the doors of the orphanage; it's about reopening our hearts and extending our hands to those in need."

He paused, glancing towards Scarlett and their sons with a tender smile. "My family stands with me today as witnesses and pillars of our commitment towards this cause. Each of them, in their own way, contributes to the mission we've embarked on — to ensure that no child in Gotham feels abandoned."

Bruce's gaze swept over the crowd, his presence commanding yet warm. "This orphanage is more than a building; it's a beacon of hope, a promise of a better tomorrow. We dedicate ourselves to this promise, not just with words but with action. With support, care, and love, we can change lives."

As he spoke of future initiatives and the importance of community involvement, the atmosphere was charged with a sense of purpose and optimism. The Wayne family, listening intently, couldn't help but feel proud of their legacy, a legacy beyond the capes and the headlines, grounded in real, tangible change.

"And so," Bruce concluded, "we look forward to a future where every child knows they have a place to call home, a family to belong to, and a community that cares. Together, we can make Gotham a beacon of hope for all."

Applause erupted, echoing off the walls of the newly renovated building, symbolizing the new beginnings Bruce had articulated so passionately. The Wayne family joined in the applause, their hearts full, unaware of the looming shadow about to descend upon their moment of triumph.

When it came, the explosion was sudden and deafening, a brutal punctuation to Bruce's message of hope. Her instincts overriding her shock, Scarlett reacted with a speed born of necessity. Her powers, long kept hidden, flared to life, weaving a protective cocoon around her sons as debris and chaos reigned around them. The force of the blast sent her tumbling, darkness claiming her as she fought to stay conscious.

______________

Awakening in the infirmary wing, the sterile white of the room starkly contrasting with the vivid nightmare of the explosion, Scarlett's first thought was of her family. Alfred's presence, a steady constant, brought a measure of comfort, but his news did little to ease the dread coiling in her stomach.

"The boys are safe, thanks to you," he reassured, though the worry in his eyes spoke volumes. "But, Miss Scarlett, the symbols... they've spread."

As consciousness slowly crept back to Scarlett, her first coherent thought was a piercing fear for her sons. Panic clawed at her chest, her breaths coming in short, rapid gasps as she attempted to rise, only to be met with the firm, steadying hands of Alfred.

"Where are they? Are they safe?" The urgency in her voice was palpable, her eyes wild with maternal fear. With his ever-calm demeanor, Alfred reassured her, "They're safe, Miss Scarlett. I personally saw to their safety. They're with Master Bruce."

Her mind, however, couldn't find peace until she saw them with her own eyes. Then, the memories began to flood, memories of how Alfred first discovered her secret.

It was a late evening, months ago, when Alfred had walked in on her tending to a wound on her shoulder — a wound that should have been fatal yet was healing at an unnatural pace, the skin around it glowing faintly with intricate symbols. She remembered the shock on Alfred's face, the way he froze, a tray of tea in his hands, now forgotten.

"Miss Scarlett, what on earth...?" he'd begun, his voice a mix of concern and disbelief.

She had no choice then but to confide in him, to reveal the origins of her powers and her past with Ra's al Ghul. "Alfred, what you see... it's a part of me I've hoped to keep hidden. These symbols are not just scars but a map to a barely understood power. A power Ra's al Ghul sought to control."

The conversation that followed was long and fraught with revelations. Scarlett explained her fear of Bruce's reaction, knowing his distrust of anything related to magic or the supernatural. Alfred, for his part, listened with a growing sense of foreboding, understanding the weight of the secret Scarlett bore.

The fear for her sons momentarily subsided in the infirmary, replaced by a new wave of panic. "Bruce... is he okay? He wasn't near the explosion, was he?" Her voice cracked with the question, the thought of Bruce injured — or worse — reigniting the terror within her.

"Master Bruce is unharmed," Alfred assured her, but the comfort his words were meant to provide was overshadowed by Scarlett's growing dread over the spreading symbols. "But we must keep him from seeing these symbols, Alfred. He cannot know of this magic within me."

The decision to keep Bruce in the dark had been mutual between Scarlett and Alfred, but the secrecy now felt like a chasm widening between her and her husband. Alfred's worry was evident, knowing the strain such secrets could inflict on a family already navigating the complexities of their dual lives.

Bruce's confusion turned to anger when he was barred from entering the infirmary, Alfred standing firm at the door. "Why can't I see her? What are you hiding from me?" His voice, usually calm and commanding, was now laced with betrayal and concern.

The situation escalated quickly, with Bruce's demands to see Scarlett met with Alfred's unwavering refusal, guided by his promise to protect her secret. The tension reached a boiling point, the air charged with unspoken accusations and the weight of untold truths.

Scarlett could hear the muffled exchange from her bed, her heart aching with each of Bruce's angered pleas. The fear of losing Bruce, of fracturing their family with her secrets, was a specter looming more significant than any physical threat she had faced. In that moment, she realized the actual cost of her powers — not the danger they posed to her, but the potential they had to unravel the very fabric of her family.

As Alfred finally returned to her side, their heavy silence spoke volumes. The path ahead was fraught with uncertainty and the inevitable confrontation with Bruce. But for now, Scarlett focused on regaining her strength, preparing for difficult conversations, and bracing for the impact of her secrets on her family's future.

__________________________________________________________

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alixinwwonderland · 1 year

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(I had a TMMM-themed dream the other night, and the bit of dialogue in it stuck in my head until it turned into this. Enjoy?)

Despite that rather sweet apology from Sylvio, Midge still looks over her shoulder a little too often when she walks through Riverside Park. So, from time to time, when she wants to be completely and totally assured that a peaceful walk won’t be disrupted by a handsome former lover, she heads down to Washington Square Park instead.

It’s been working great, until today.

At first, Midge doesn’t quite believe what she’s seeing. The man on the bench just a few steps away looks tired, to be sure, but not in the way he looked that awful, awful night at that awful, awful club, with a stool covered in court documents and a set spiraling rapidly out of control. He still looks too thin, but not as frighteningly so. His hair is endearingly rumpled, curls outlined in the midday sun, and his jacket is discarded on the bench beside him, revealed rolled-up, also-rumpled white shirtsleeves — a particular brand of casual, relaxed intimacy that takes her back to a humid stroll on a Miami boardwalk.

But it can’t be him.

She’s read the headlines. She’s heard the gossip. She knows what’s been happening. She saw it firsthand. And besides, even if he were back in the city, what are the odds he’d be out in the middle of the day, sitting on a bench in the very same park where she is?

But they’ve always had an instinct for finding each other, haven’t they? No matter how big the place, the city, or the country, they wind up in the same rooms, as if someone secretly placed magnets beneath their skin so that they’d always be drawn to each other across any distance.

But it can’t be him.

But it is him. Lenny Bruce, back in New York, slouched on a bench in Washington Square Park, and Midge has a decision to make. And yet it’s not really a choice at all, is it?

As Midge approaches, she stops in her tracks as a small, blonde girl, who looks perhaps a year or so younger than Ethan, runs up to Lenny. He looks down from the book he’s reading, says something to her, then smoothes back her ponytail with a smile and sends her back off to where she’s playing with a few other children.

Midge debates turning back now, not wanting to intrude on a part of Lenny’s life that he has clearly worked very hard to keep away from everyone, her included. But she remembers the sheepish pride in his voice when he mentioned his daughter in that long, lonely terminal, and the glisten in his eyes. She realizes, then, what she hadn’t in that moment, having been so focused on her own shame from their last conversation (and so flustered from the way his gaze had flicked up and down her body when she approached, just like it had when he’d peeled a dress from her shoulders and gazed at her in her show corset and garters before following the path of his eyes with nimble, strong hands).

He’d been trying to show her that this was different. That she was different — someone he could talk to his daughter about, not rant defensively about being creatures of the night. And she’d just… brushed it off, tried to reset them to a casual place, without even acknowledging that the ship had sailed.

Besides, she’s still not convinced he’s real and not a figment of her exhausted imagination.

Faster than her brain can weigh the pros and cons, her feet are carrying her over to stand in front of him. He looks up from his book, and she can see the flicker of surprise cross his face. Before he can open his mouth to say anything, she’s reaching out, brushing her fingers against crisp, wrinkled cotton and feeling the solid warmth of his upper arm beneath it.

Lenny looks at her hand on his arm, then back at her.

“New form of greeting take hold since I was last here?” he asks.

“Well, you have been gone a while, you might have missed a few trends,” she replies, letting go now that she can be sure.

“You wanna sit?” He picks up his jacket and moves it into his lap. Midge hesitates for only a moment before sitting in the empty spot beside him. She folds her hands on her lap, the better to resist the urge to touch him again.

“So. Back in New York, I see,” she says.

“For a few weeks. I got a couple meetings. Couple of gigs that haven’t been canceled yet.” He shrugs. “Nothing like you, Mrs. Maisel. I see the TV bigwigs have finally picked up on what the rest of us knew years ago.”

“That hiring me could singlehandedly send their entire costuming department into overtime?” she quips. A half-smile plays at Lenny’s lips.

“That. And, that you’re too funny to be away from the spotlight too long.” He smiles for real at her, softly, in that way that Midge has learned over the years seems to be mostly reserved for her.

“Are we really doing this?” she asks. Lenny’s brow creases.

“Doing what, exactly?”

“This.” She waves her hands. “Small talk. How’s work, what’s new—”

“Who’s got gout?” Lenny offers, smirking behind his hand.

“Stop that.” Midge can’t help the smile that spreads across her own face, but she does her best to stay focused.

“I’ve heard about—”

“Ah, don’t believe everything you read in the papers,” Lenny quips, fumbling for a cigarette and lighting it. He offers Midge one, but she shakes her head. “Besides, you’ve got more important things to worry about.”

“Do I?” Midge asks, and there’s that look on his face again, the one that means she’s touched on something real and that big, beautiful, fast-paced brain of his is whirring like crazy to decide whether or not to brush her off.

He sighs, running his free hand over his face with a groan.

“Fine. What you are to the NBC costume department, I am to the entire legal industry. Prosecution and defense alike,” he says.

“Not the judges, too?”

“A little out of my price range,” he quips back, but there’s an exhaustion beneath it that worries her, as he takes another drag off his cigarette. “I hate California,” he admits, more quietly. “Too much sun, too warm, everyone is just sunshiney all the time. And the sand gets in your fucking shoes and it never gets out! Never! How the fuck is that possible?”

“Let it all out, honey,” Midge says, bridging the space between them to pat his shoulder sympathetically while stifling a giggle. He looks back up at her with a glare.

“This isn’t funny. I have found sand in places I cannot mention in polite company.”

Midge looks around dramatically.

“I don’t see any polite company here, do you?”

That earns a short, bursting, “ha!” out of Lenny, and a very bad smile.

“My mistake. Only the rabble-rousers and delinquents here,” he replies. Midge realizes she still has her hand resting on his shoulder, but neither of them seem to mind much.

“Seriously, Lenny,” she says, ducking her head to force him to meet her gaze. “What’s really going on? Are things better… or worse… or?”

Lenny takes one more drag off his cigarette before stubbing it out in the ashtray by his side of the bench. He can’t quite meet her eyes.

“Some things are worse,” he admits, thinking of the growing line of court cases with his name involved. “Some things got worse, but… might be getting better.” And that’s a memory he’d rather not share with her: the aches and the sweats and the roiling stomach and the sheer force of will to not seek out the very thing that would bring an end to the misery, but would also make all of that exact same misery be in vain.

(He would know — he’s been down this path before, and he’s always wound up right back at the starting line eventually).

Midge nods as if she understands. She doesn’t, not deeply, but she cares so much, and he adores her for it.

“And some things… some things are a little better,” he admits. His gaze pings away from his lap, and she follows his gaze to where the little blonde girl is playing, oblivious to anything except the toys and her new playmates.

“Is that—?”

Lenny grins, and oh the proud papa look suits him, Midge thinks.

“Yeah. Hey, Kit! C’mere!” he calls out. The girl — Kit — looks up and bounds over. Up close, Midge can see the resemblance. She might be fair and blonde, and her eye color is lighter than his, but there’s a spark of lively mischief there that she knows all too well, and a lilt to the way she carries herself that echoes her father’s lanky gait.

“Kitty, I want you to meet my friend. This is Midge,” he says. “Midge, meet Kitty.”

“Your name is pretty. And so’s your dress,” Kitty says, sticking her hand out to shake. Midge takes it with an amused smile.

“Thank you. It’s short for Miriam. My name, not my dress,” she jokes, and Kitty grins.

“My name is short for something too. Brandy Kathleen,” she declares proudly, and Midge bites back a grin as she sees Lenny squirm out of the corner of her eye.

“I think that’s very pretty too,” is all she says, solemn to this twinkly, wise little girl.

“Do we have to go now?” Kitty asks Lenny, who looks at his watch and grimaces.

“Actually … we do. Uh… where’s your sweater?” Lenny asks, looking around. Kitty points to a spot over where she was playing. “Well then, go get it.”

As Kitty bounds off, Lenny speaks quietly to Midge.

“It’s been a good day,” he says without taking his eyes off Kitty. “Lot of times, the kids aren’t allowed to play with her. They say her daddy says bad things and their parents won’t let them.” He places a humorous emphasis in the sentence, but the smile twisting his lips is far from genuine good humor. Midge’s heart just about cracks open.

“Lenny—” she starts, but Kitty’s reappearance cuts any conversation short. The little girl looks up at Midge.

“Do you want to come over for dinner? Daddy cooks!” she says enthusiastically.

Midge grins.

“Oh, does he?” she asks. “Let me guess … does he wear an apron while he does it?”

Kitty nods, beaming.

“It’s too short for him so it looks silly,” she confides, judgmental in that way only a child can be, and it takes all of Midge’s experience with her own children’s oddities to keep a straight face. “But it’s such a pretty blue.”

Midge looks up to meet Lenny’s gaze.

“A pretty blue, huh?” she says. “So that really is your favorite color, then?”

Lenny shrugs. “It is now.”

—

Dinner is, well. It’s strange. Not in a bad way, necessarily. Lenny’s apartment in the Village is simple and lived-in. He’s no Zelda in the kitchen, but who is, and frankly, he’s the only man of her acquaintance who can acquit himself around a stove and actually turn out something not just edible, but very tasty. She would have thought the presence of his daughter would make things more awkward, but, it turns out, Kitty is just the ticket to keeping things light and pleasant, smoothing over the lingering tensions with non-stop chatter and questions.

When Kitty is finally sent to her room for the night, Lenny gets up and wanders over to the sink to do the dishes. Wordlessly, Midge gets up, finds a dishtowel, and dries.

“What is this, Lenny?” she asks softly. “You leave — almost without saying goodbye. You get yourself into an awful mess. You push everyone away who wants to help you. And now… what, you just show up in New York like nothing has happened, like we can go back to sneak attacks and bantering at clubs?”

“Well, the latter might be a little difficult, given my status as persona non grata at so many fine establishments,” Lenny jokes, turning off the water as he hands the final plate to her. Midge sets the plate down, still wet.

“Lenny.”

The smile slides off his face as he turns to look at her, really look at her.

“Okay,” he says, giving her that tiny, tiny nod that means he’s serious. “Okay,” he repeats, sitting back down at the kitchen table and gesturing for her to do the same. “What do you want to know?”

And what doesn’t Midge want to know? She settles on the first thing that comes to mind.

“The last time I saw you … all was very much not well,” she says. Her voice is gentle, but firm, making it clear that there’s no joking out of this corner this time. Lenny ducks his head, nods again.

“I know,” he says, more quietly than Midge has ever heard him. “I never wanted you to…”

“But I did,” she replies. “And now I want to know… I don’t even know what to ask.”

Lenny fiddles with his hands for a moment, twisting the corner of the dish towel that Midge had still been holding when they sat down.

“If I’m clean?” he asks. Midge swallows, then nods. The words sound so harsh, but, she supposes, that’s appropriate for a harsh reality. After a moment, Lenny nods too.

“I am,” he offers. “Have been for… a little while. After… after that, I couldn’t… I wanted to just… disappear. I just wanted…”

“Hey.” Midge covers his hand with hers. “You don’t have to … if you don’t want.”

“No, no. It’s okay. You should… you should hear it. So you can make an… informed decision.”

“Informed decision? About what?”

Lenny pulls his hand out from under hers and bounds up, picking up the towel to hang up.

“Nothing. I, uh. I think I just…”

“Complete sentences, please,” Midge nudges.

“I just thought… if you wanted… and I definitely do… I thought…” He looks at her with those big, angst-filled eyes of his. “I thought… maybe I could call. This time. But I definitely misread the—”

And now Midge gets it.

“You didn’t misread,” she says, getting up to stand at eye level, or as close to it as they can get with their height difference. “You didn’t.”

“But I thought you said ... we didn’t do that,” he points out, and Midge winces.

“I shouldn’t have said that. I was just ... i was so embarrassed, Lenny. After Carnegie Hall. I thought ... I thought I could pretend nothing was different, but I was wrong, and I’m sorry. And now...”

She takes a deep breath — if he can do this, so can she.

“I was just confused because you made it sound like there was a decision that needed to be made. And if we’re talking about the same thing… that’s a decision that was made a long time ago.”

Midge Maisel has surprised Lenny time and time again. At this point, he should be surprised at being surprised. And yet, she always manages to catch him off guard with how matter-of-fact she is about caring. Lenny is used to people hiding their hearts, keeping them tucked away because caring is dangerous in this business, caring is what holds you back and gets you hurt. But Midge has always worn her caring like a badge of honor, and there’s something about it that makes him wish he could be that way too — and maybe he can, a little. If it’s her.

He realizes, a moment too late, that he’s gaping at her. She shrugs and smiles, a little self-conscious.

“When a guy gives you advice without laughing at you, bails you out of jail, takes you to a jazz club, offers to be sympathetic, talks you up to a wary crowd, and works for free just to give you one last chance… what’s a girl to do?” she asks gently.

“You make me sound like some knight in shining armor, Midge,” Lenny mutters bitterly. “Haven’t you learned by now?”

Midge shrugs again.

“Eh. Knights are overrated. I prefer cranks in trench coats.” That earns a laugh, huffing out in a breath as Lenny tilts his head down to meet Midge’s.

“Fuck, Midge. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do,” he confesses. “I’m clean now, but I could fall off the wagon at any moment. I got enough court cases to keep the entire state bar of New York — and possibly multiple other states — employed for several months. I’m still living in California—”

“Which you hate. Sun, sand, Mickey Mouse,” Midge quickly points out, and he chuckles again.

“My point is, my life is a mess right now. There is a very, very high likelihood that I have peaked and it is all downhill from here. And you? You’re on your way up.” He snaps his fingers for emphasis. “The world is at your feet, and people are taking notice in the best possible ways. I’m not about to be the schmuck who drags you down. You’ve had enough of that for a lifetime.”

Then, there are cool hands on either side of his face.

“Have you considered the possibility that maybe the reason you’re feeling so weighed down is because you’re trying to carry it all yourself? Sisyphus, wasn’t it?” she asks.

“Without the fabulous hair,” Lenny quips back, echoing the last time he let the door crack open and let Midge see just how much it cost him to be Lenny Bruce. Her lips curve upward just slightly at the corners, and he knows she’s in the same memory he is.

“I don’t know about that, I like your hair,” she teases. She runs one of her hands up to tangle in his curls, and he can’t help letting his eyes flutter shut for a moment as he leans into her touch.

“I remember something of the sort,” he can’t resist saying, and he opens his eyes just in time to see a pretty flush color her cheeks at a different sort of memory.

“I’ll make you a deal,” Midge says, drawing back just an inch or two but not letting go. “I let you in. I stop running from being scared I’ll ruin everything good in my life by being too much. And in return, you let me in. As much or as little as you can manage. Long-distance phone calls, if that’s what you want. Business cards for lawyers, if that’s as much as you’ll allow. Help with moving, if that’s what you decide. But you give me a little bit of the load. I’m strong enough to take it, now.”

He should say no. He should kiss her forehead and thank her politely and send her on her way and then crawl out of her life again. But there’s a piece of him that thinks (that knows) she’s right, logically — things don’t feel so heavy when someone else is carrying a little of the weight.

So instead, he leans down, slowly, so she has plenty of time to change her mind. But she doesn’t, and his lips settle on hers. And it feels… right. It feels like something he’d like to experience over and over, night after night, until years of arrests or years of drug use or just the general human condition catch up to him.

“Yes,” he says, and the smile he gets against his lips in return feels like more trouble than the law ever gave him, and he cannot wait.

#midge maisel #lenny bruce #midgelenny #the marvelous mrs. maisel #tmmm #tmmmfic #midgelenny fic #tv: the marvelous mrs maisel #ship: you're still staring #ch: midge maisel #ch: lenny bruce #mine

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