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sanguineterrain · 7 months

Note

What about a Jason x Reader drabble where they were close friends before he died and they reunite years later, changed and burdened but still equally fond of each other? I know you could write that beautifully heartbreakingly or on the contrary, very softly and warmly :)

oh, you *debby ryan hair tuck* you nonnies flatter me 🥰 thanks for requesting! please heed the warnings, this one is technically a happy ending but it's a heavy one!

jason todd x gn!reader. tw: reader doesn't know what's real, reader thinks they're dreaming and tries to jump off a railing (but they're okay), grief, angst, jason coming back from the dead, emotional hurt/comfort.

I rb all fics to @sanguinelibrary | requests are still open

****

He's on your terrace.

You walk forward, and Jason promptly puts distance between you. He looks stricken, like he's looking at a ghost.

He's not the Jason you usually see in these dreams. This Jason is what could've been.

This Jason is saved.

"Hi, Jason," you say. "Jaybird. Robin."

Jason exhales like you've punched him. He's dressed differently than he usually is in your dreams. Usually, he's in his Robin suit. Sometimes he's in his funeral suit, and his face is battered, and his bones jut out at odd angles. And he looks at you with hollowed out eyes and asks why you killed him, over and over.

"You look different," you say.

Jason huffs. It sounds wet. With blood or tears, you're not sure. It's always one or the other in your dreams.

"Yeah," he says, and God, even his voice is different than usual. When he begs you to finish the job. When he hurls blame at you.

You deserve it. You're not sure you can take it from this version of him, though. You're trying to remember where you saw a man with Jason's face that your brain used to conjure up this twisted dream.

"I think I'll jump this time," you say, gazing at the terrace railing behind him.

Jason flinches, eyes wide. "What? Don't do that."

You hum. "'S okay, Jay. I love seeing you, but I've been terribly tired this week. I don't want to watch you die again. I'd rather wake up."

He makes a small, wounded noise.

"God, what did I do to you?" he asks.

"It's alright," you say. If Jason starts to panic, the nightmares will come. And it's cruel now, seeing Jason like this, seeing what could've been. But at least he's not dead. Yet.

You start to move to the terrace. You want the dream to end.

Jason steps in front of you. His face is young, probably your age, but his body is older, powerful. His muscles are nearly the size of your head. He's so healthy and strong tonight.

"You're... you're so big," you whisper, marveling over his height and bulk.

Jason had been lithe and small when you knew him. You were certain he'd turn out like Dick, and you suggested learning gymnastics.

Jason would grumble at that, but you knew he adored it whenever Dick gave him the time of day.

He hunches now, acutely aware of his size. His knees are bent slightly, and his hands are clasped together, like he's trying not to tower over you.

The thought makes you ache. Does Jason think you're afraid of him?

"Don't jump," he says firmly.

"Okay," you say. You'll do it when he's distracted. The dream will take a turn soon.

You step forward again, arms falling open. Jason was never one for hugs, but surely he'd make an exception this time, right? You haven't seen him in so long.

But Jason steps back. You stop.

"Jason," you say, voice small. "I don't get to see you much. Will you hug me?"

"I..." The word is weak in his throat. His voice is different. Deeper. Rougher. You think about him screaming, and you shake your head to dismiss that thought.

Jason swallows. "I came back wrong."

"No, you didn't," you say. "It's never wrong if you came back."

He winces. "It is. I am. I'm... You've got a good thing going. A good life. You're goin' to college and everything. I-I shouldn't have come here."

"No, Jason, you won't ruin anything. I'm glad you're here. Please let me touch you. I've missed you so much," you beg, slightly hysterical.

You step forward again. This time, Jason doesn't move away. He lets you trace his sharp jaw, his cheeks. Green eyes bore into you. That's weird. His eyes were blue. As blue as Bruce's.

Oh, well. Your brain must be using details from whoever you saw that resembled Jason.

"This is nice," you say, and finally wrap your arms around him.

A beat passes, and then Jason hugs you back. His embrace is careful, and it's almost funny, the thought of Jason needing to be delicate with you. You don't laugh, though. You're too tired for that.

"Okay," you say, because you have a feeling things are going to turn dark. That you'll pull back and find that you've been hugging a corpse.

The cold railing digs into your spine. You smile at Jason.

"It was good to see you," you say.

And then you fall.

You wait for the drop in your stomach, to jerk awake in your bed.

Instead, Jason lunges after you and hauls you back onto the terrace. He's shaking. A breeze blows gently and ruffles his hair.

"What the fuck are you doing?" he shouts.

His arms are tight around your waist. Your heart starts to pound.

"You caught me," you say. Your brain feels like sludge. "You never catch me."

Jason moans like he's mourning. Like you're the one who died and came back to haunt him.

"God, I'm so sorry," he says, choked. "Fuck, I am so fucking sorry. I should've stayed dead."

"No," you say softly. "No. This isn't real. You're not real."

"I am, sweetheart. I—"

"No," you say again, panic rising. "You're not real. Jason Todd is dead."

Jason takes your hand and places it on his chest. His heart beats. You scream.

"Shh, it's alright," he says, tears running down his cheeks. "It's okay, it's okay—"

"You died, you died! I killed you, I killed you!" you scream, pushing at his chest. "I killed you!"

"You didn't kill me. Please, listen to me. It's-it's okay." He pulls you into his chest and tries to keep you still. You thrash, but Jason just holds you, crying into your shoulder.

"No, no, no, not again, don't leave me again," you yell, voice cracked with grief. "Not again, I can't survive losing you again. Let me wake up, wake up!"

"You're awake. I'm here. I'm here. I'm alive. Hold me. Prove that I'm real."

You squeeze him as hard as you can. You rake your nails down his neck, trying to make him disappear. Jason just hugs you tighter.

"Am I dead?" you ask, and Jason gasps.

"No, you're alive. We're both alive. Okay? Okay? Say it. Tell me I'm alive."

"You're alive," you say. "You're alive. I'm alive."

He nods and buries his nose in your neck. You grab handfuls of his shoulders, ready to wake up any second. Maybe you can take him back with you.

"Jason Todd is alive," you say, and hope to God you'll wake up to that being true.

#jason todd x reader #jason todd x you #jason todd x y/n #jason todd fanfiction #red hood x reader #red hood x you #red hood fanfiction #batman fanfiction #dc fanfiction #inbox #blurb

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bluejaysandblackbats · 29 days

Text

You're Just Like Quicksand

Fandom: DC Comics, Batfam, Batman Beyond

Summary: Jason Todd is ready to go into semi-retirement after fifteen years working with troubled youth, but one case in particular forces him to confront the sins of his youth and painful memories from his past.

Chapters: 6/?

Characters: Jason Todd, Terry McGinnis, Warren McGinnis, Mary McGinnis, Matt McGinnis, Bruce Wayne, Original Character(s)

Relationship(s): TBA

Additional Tags: Protective Jason Todd, Good Sibling Jason Todd, Retired Jason Todd, Multiple POV, Hurt/Comfort, Parent-Child Relationships, Canon Divergent AU, Angst, Mourning Jason Todd

Chapter Six: Family Portrait (Terry McGinnis' POV)

I showered and changed into the pajamas Jason gave me. They were baggy, but they fit well enough. He sat in the living room, reading a book by the fireplace. I sat at the top of the stairs, watching him. “Terry, you can come downstairs whenever you’re through watching me,” Jason whispered. I stood up and looked over the stair rail.

“How’d you know I was here?” I questioned. Jason grinned upward at me.

“I heard you breathing,” Jason chuckled, “What’s the matter, Terry?”

“Jason, you don’t get a little messed up during these riots?” I asked. I had to admit that I was scared. I hated the riots in Gotham because there was no way to see if it was a meta-problem or a gang problem. A meta problem sometimes meant we were shut in the house for days. He shook his head.

“It gives me an excuse to sit up all night. I’ll put a good dent in this series,” Jason replied, “Wanna borrow the first issue?”

I nodded, and Jason pulled the first book from a stack on his living room table. I curled up on his couch and started reading. “Jason, thanks for letting me help with dinner. I had fun,” I replied. Jason grinned.

“I had fun too, Terry… You know you can do this with your father at home too?” Jason suggested. I know he meant well, but things were still weird with my dad. He didn’t get me like Jason did. I nodded, but I didn’t answer him. “It helps… Common ground between parents and their kids has to start somewhere, Terry.”

Jason returned to his book, and I read until I couldn’t keep my eyes open anymore. I woke up, tucked into bed with the book on the bedside table. I could hear Jason’s voice in the hallway. “Hi—. No, it's not like that. I'm safe. The generator's fine… Do they feed you enough? Of course, I love you and miss you… Yeah, I know. I'm glad you called… No, I'm not mad that you called. I was shocked… Hey, no… Don't do that. I understand," Jason's voice bride, "Don't worry about it. I'll see you as soon as I'm freed up… No, I—. I wanted you to call. I love you too. A million times more… A billion. Night night."

Once he hung up, I stepped into the hall, where I witnessed Jason crying with his forehead against the wall. "Jason, I didn't mean to listen, but I couldn't sleep," I whimpered. Something about seeing him cry twisted my stomach in knots. "Jason, I—. Please don't cry." I tugged at his sleeve and pulled him into a hug.

"I shouldn't—. Sorry that I woke you up," Jason sniffed as he collected himself.

"What happened?" I asked.

"I got a call from someone I love dearly. It's hard when you haven't seen someone in a long time. Sometimes it hurts to hear the kids’ voices," Jason confessed. “Want some cocoa?”

I nodded and followed him to the kitchen. Jason took a serving platter out of the pantry and filled a small pot with all his ingredients faster than I could sit down. “Is Tim your little brother?” I asked.

Jason chuckled and nodded. “I’m the third of six kids. But if we were talking order of when we were adopted-slash-acquired… I was his second child. He never completely figured out the whole parenting thing, but I was close to him when I was young,” Jason replied.

“You were adopted?” I asked. “Did you—? Sorry, that’s rude.”

“No, it’s fine. I am adopted. Technically twice adopted, but I didn’t know that until I was fifteen. I lived with my biological father and the woman I knew as my mother until they both passed, then I was adopted, and three and a half years later, I found out my mom wasn’t my biological mom… My biological mom left the country,” Jason answered honestly, “I met my biological mom once… and it took me over twenty-five years to process that. And that’s why I stress the importance of you trying to bridge the gap between yourself and your pop. He loves you so much, and he wants to see you. Warren wants to understand you. Some kids never get that in their parents… Trust me.” Jason turned away from the pot and smiled at me.

“What was your bio mom like?” I asked.

Jason turned his back. “I don’t speak ill of the dead, but I can speak to how our meeting affected me. Out of all the neglect, verbal abuse, and exploitation I experienced as a kid… The day I met my biological mother left me scarred physically and mentally in ways that my wife —God rest her soul— couldn’t even understand. Speaking of that, have you ever thought of therapy?” Jason asked.

“There’s nothing wrong with—.”

“I’m not saying that. Everyone tends to need therapy from time to time… I didn’t think I needed it, but I started going because my kids went… and it changed me. Made me more gentle, kind, and patient. I had to stop a few years back because I hit a wall… But it helped a lot,” Jason replied, “It’s not always fun, but it’s worth it if you put in the work.”

“Like going to the gym?” I half-joked. Jason nodded.

“Exactly like that,” Jason replied.

“Well, I’ll try it whenever you go back,” I joked. I didn’t mean to be hurtful, but he winced. “Jason, I didn’t—.”

“No, you’re right. It’s hypocritical of me to think that you’d give therapy a go when I’m actively avoiding it,” Jason replied, “But you can’t go contingent on my successes or failures. I’m your mentor, but I won’t allow you to make decisions based on what I do. You’re not a follower, Terry.” He was stern but sincere.

I didn’t argue with him, and I wasn’t angry with him. “Terry, I don’t mean to be hard on you. I like you. You remind me of someone… And I don’t wanna see you follow somebody right into an early grave. You’re a good kid, and I know you can be great if you put your mind to it,” Jason explained as he poured my cocoa into a mug before messing up my hair.

“You really do care, don’t you?” I asked. Jason nodded.

“So much,” Jason replied, “I hate to say it, but you remind me of how much fun I used to have with my kids… Even when they were getting in trouble.” That made me even more curious about his family. How could I be anything like his kids or his family? “Mostly, you remind me of myself when I was a kid… But you know that already. That’s how I know you’ll be alright if you learn to make your own decisions. You don’t have to follow in anyone’s footsteps. You understand me?”

“Yeah,” I replied as I sipped the cocoa he made. It was rich and warm, and it filled me with comfort. It was the feeling I used to get when I had fever chills as a kid, and my dad wrapped me in blankets fresh from the dryer. It made me want my dad. I wanted him so badly I thought I'd cry.

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justcourttee · 4 years

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The Never Ending Cycle of Proposals

This is a continuation of this post and the idea was presented by @mystery-5-5 . I was so excited to finish it and hope you like it! :)

This was not how it was supposed to go.

Damian had made sure of it. He found and destroyed every contingency plan that Jason and the others had formed. He flew Marinette back to Paris, to her parent’s bakery so that they could be a part of the moment. There should be no possible way things could go sideways.

Clearly he had underestimated the members of Date Duty.

“-and then Marinette fell down the stairs! Can you believe it? It was her big debut at the Wayne Gala as Damian’s girlfriend and this girl got so nervous that she tripped over her own two feet.”

“That’s our Marinette. As graceful as ever.”

A boisterous laughter filled Damian’s ears as the bakery door snapped shut behind him. Checking his watch, he tried to recall how long he had been gone. It couldn’t have been more than ten minutes. How did Jason get to Paris?

“Oh! Damian sweetie, look who just flew in to check in on us and low and behold, he didn’t even know that you and Marinette had the exact same thought! How crazy is that?”

Damian plastered on his best fake smile as his eyes attempted to burn Jason’s smirk off his face.

“Very crazy indeed Sabine. Do you mind if my brother and I excuse ourselves for a moment?”

“Oh! Not at all, we should really be getting ready to open anyways. Please, feel free to head up to the apartment. Marinette should be back from Alya’s soon, but make yourselves at home boys.”

They both nodded as Damian stalked behind Jason, forcing him to take the steps two at a time. As Jason threw open the door, he finally released the laughter that he had been holding back.

“I really didn’t think you were going to make it. If you actually had any powers, I would’ve been scared for my life down there.”

“I don’t need powers to kill you Todd.”

Jason reached out to ruffle Damian’s hair, his smirk only fueling the smaller boy’s rage.

“What are you doing here Todd? This was supposed to be a relaxing vacation for Marinette to see her parents. You are neither relaxing or her parents.”

“Oh don’t be coy with me Dami, I know what you’re really here for, we all do in fact. Did you really think you could get away with proposing to Marinette without getting through us first? You only tore up some fake plans, plans meant to lure you into revealing when you were going to propose. Considering how quick you were to get Marinette on a plane without saying goodbye tells me you plan on doing it this week.”

Damian counted backward from ten as he tried to consider all of his options left. He had taken into consideration that the plans could be fake, but there should’ve been no way that they could’ve tracked him to Paris. He paid in cash at the airport for the tickets and flew economy, economy for crying out loud!

“I thought your whole little club was to protect Marinette from heartbreak, there was no mention of protecting her from proposals.”

“Oh, but that’s where you’re wrong Damian.” The look on Jason’s face was unnerving to say the least, but Damian refused to back down. This was his girlfriend, his soon to be finance, and the only woman he wanted to love for the rest of his life. There was no way he would let some street rat like Jason stop him.

“I refuse to allow you to ruin this Todd.”

“Allow implies that you think you have control over this and I can assure you that you don’t. Marinette will not be leaving Paris with a ring on her finger, marriage is out of the question. You are lucky that we have allowed you two to be together for so long. You are too dangerous for her demon spawn and marriage places an even larger target on her back than the one she already has.”

“Are you prepared to be defeated protecting your ideals Todd?”

“Are you Damian?”

Damian felt the low growl in the back of his throat itching it’s way forward. He was so close to Jason’s face, he could end this right here and now, throw him in the guest room and never look back.

“Damian? Jason? What are you two doing here? And alone at that?”

Both turned their attention to the door where Marinette stood, a sheepish expression on her face as if she could feel the tension radiating off the two men.

“Hey princess! I was just stopping by to check in on your parents and I definitely had no idea that you and Damian were here! You two lovebirds should’ve told someone before running off to Paris like that.”

Jason pulled Marinette into a tight hug, sticking his tongue out behind her head at Damian.

“Well, I did. I told Adrien just in case anything happened.”

One look at Jason’s smug expression and Damian knew. One little blonde went racing to his brother before he and Marinette had even boarded the plane.

“Oh that’s good then, I’m glad someone knew. I’ll leave you two alone now, after all, I have places to be and people to see and I’m sure you have a wonderful vacation planned for Damian here.”

Marinette nodded with little enthusiasm as she waved bye to Jason, locking the door behind him.

“Damian, what was that about?”

He shook his head as he pulled her forward placing a small kiss on her forehead.

“I wish I knew habibti.”

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Damian was on full alert for the next couple of days, unable to relax and enjoy his time with Marinette’s family for fear that one of his nemesis would pop out at any moment and steal the ring hidden safely inside his coat pocket. Every once in a while, he would find his hand absentmindedly searching for the box, just as a reassurance that it was still there.

He wasn’t scared of the members of Date Duty, but he was scared that the moment that he had planned out for so long would be ruined by a handful of imbeciles.

“Oh look! It’s Chloe and Luka! I didn’t know they were in town.”

Damian's attention became hyper focused as he narrowed in on the suspicious couple waving them over. There was no way that two members of Jason’s little club decided to fly back on the same week that he and Marinette did.

He smiled and shook hands with Luka as they chatted idly for a few minutes. Marinette promised to catch up with them later before leaning in to hug Chloe. The blonde turned her attention to him as she leaned in and hugged him bye as well. Nothing out of the ordinary, nothing suspicious, nothing-

“Fuck.”

Damian’s hand went straight to his now empty pocket. He searched frantically to be sure that it hadn’t fallen in any holes that he wasn’t aware of, but alas, it was gone. Marinette held onto his hand tightly, concern filling her eyes, but he waved her off.

If that’s how Todd wanted to play, then fine. Damian was ready. It was time for Jason to bring it on. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Damian wasn’t sure how he thought the rest of the week would play out, but this was not it.

Monday he had gone to buy another ring when he ran into Tony Stark. He claimed he was there to get his wife a unique gift from Paris. Turns out a unique gift meant buying her every jewelry store in Paris, or at least majority shares, effectively destroying Damian’s chances of finding a new ring.

Tuesday he decided to just propose without the ring, after all, it just meant she could pick out a new one whenever they hit stateside again. They had made it all the way to the top of the Eiffel Tower, watching the sunset with her curled into his side as they leaned on the railing. He wanted to wait until the tower had cleared a bit, right when the sun dipped below the horizon, but much to his fear a large squeal erupted from the platform.

None other than Jagged Stone had decided to do an impromptu concert on top of the Eiffel Tower. Soon, between the noise and the crowd, Damian couldn’t even think straight, much less make space to go down on one knee. They called it a night with the question still on the tip of his tongue.

By Wednesday, Sabine had caught on to the real reason they were there. She pulled him to the side along with Tom where the both offered her engagement ring. Damian finally felt like he had caught a break. How foolish that was.

They walked into Marinette’s favorite restaurant that night only to find out that it had been bought out for the night by the Agreste family. He apparently decided that this would be an excellent date night spot for him and Kagami.

Thursday came and went with no attempts made. He had barely made it out of bed when he heard two voices in the kitchen. Praying to whatever God would hear him, Damian opened the door only to feel his heart drop. Tim and Dick sat in the kitchen while Marinette heated up some coffee, telling her all about the business deal they were taking care of in Paris.

Lucky for them, they had a day off and wanted to spend it with their favorite couple.

As Friday’s sun rolled in, Damian felt defeated.

“Mon amour, are you even listening?”

Damian nodded absentmindedly as he fiddled with the ring in his pocket.

“So do you want to go to this little reunion dinner tonight?”

“With who?”

“With my old classmates? I think Dick and Tim might stop by if they get out early today. Should be fun!”

He attempted a smile for her sake as he sent her a small nod. So on their last night in Paris, they all decided to gather in one spot making it impossible for Damian to sneak out with Marinette. It felt pretty foolproof.

“Damian, why have you been so out of it lately? This whole week you have been constantly checking over your shoulder. Are you worried about something?”

Marinette gathered his hand as she sunk on to the bed beside him.

“I just wanted this trip to be special, but a couple of special idiots have proved to make that nearly impossible. I don’t know how you dealt with them over the years.”

“Well, it felt nearly hopeless. I was convinced I was going to be single forever, but one man swooped in and saved me making me feel like there was nothing those special idiots could do. I’d like to think that he feels the same way when it comes to me. After all, a proposal doesn’t need to be in some big memorable place, it just needs to be between two people who love each other.”

Damian’s mouth gaped like a fish out of water as he tried to stutter out a denial, but it was hopeless. His cheeks felt like they were a hundred degrees as her laughter floated through the air.

“How did you know?”

“Date Duty had been disabled for a year and a half now. For them to all conveniently show up in Paris on the same week that we did? Well I’m not a big believer in coincidences when it comes to that group.”

Damian reached inside his pocket, pulling out the delicate ring that Sabine had given him a few days prior. A few tears formed in the corner of Marinette’s eyes as she covered her splitting smile with her hand.

“Marinette Dupain-Cheng, you have amazed me at every turn since the first time I saw you many years ago. You are a strong, creative, loving and beautifully confident woman. You are my first thought in the morning and my last as I drift to sleep at night. I can’t imagine living with anyone else by my side. Please, will you marry me?”

Marinette nodded as she offered her left hand, allowing him to slip on her mother’s ring. It was no where close to the proposal that he had planned, but as her lips crashed into his, it couldn’t have made him happier.

Maybe when he saw Jason’s little club tonight, he would thank them.

After all, they lead him to the woman he loved and without their persistence, his relationship wouldn’t be as strong as it is today.

He had finally broken the never ending cycle, and man, did it feel good.

Tag List:

@mystery-5-5 @iloveitwhen @fusser90

Permanent Tag List:

@ash-amg @rebecarojas07 @heaven428 @long-lost-peace @thequeenofpotatoeunicornss @moongoddesskiana @nach0ava @iamablinkmarvelarmy @seraphkitty @clumsy-owl-4178 @pawsitivelymiraculous @mialuvscats @leagrey @smolplantmum @mialuvscats

#daminette #maribat #sequel

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daemoninwhiteround2 · 3 years

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Sometimes I get really upset that you converted me to bottom Jason because I love bottom Tim (because my favorite character is always the one that gets railed) but now because I love both bottom Jason and Tim so much, I can never win with JayTim fics because I am indecisive with who gets to bottom and can’t decide 😭 and I can never get both of them as bottoms while being shipped together. You’ve ruined me Dae,,,,,,and I love you for it. Thanks for everything you’ve written!

Ahaha, I’ve had people get up me for converting them to lac kink, but I don’t think I’ve ever converted someone to bottom!Jay! Give me a second whilst I cross it off my bucket list...

tbh while I like me a top!Tim, the idea that their first time went as below is deeply hilarious:

It’s not Tim’s fault! It isn’t! Yeah, sure, leaning into stereotypes is bad, but they’re there for a reason, especially in the LGBT community, and Jason is big all over, and cultivates a presence that makes him seem twice as large, and wears a lot of leather...

Sure, there are other things they could do - he’s been fantasising about getting his mouth around Jason’s cock ever since he started fantasising, it feels like - but he’s really had his heart set on getting fucked. He’d cleaned himself out and everything! Even snuck off during patrol to ... help things along, just in case they were too impatient to wait for proper stretching and foreplay once they were back at his place. Tim’s planned his seduction of Jason meticulously.

Jason insisting on going to his place was the first bump in the road. It hadn’t been enough to throw Tim entirely off his rhythm - if fighting with Young Justice taught him anything it was how to adapt plans on the fly - but it had left him with a weird feeling in his stomach, like when you think there’s one more step in a staircase than there actually is, and you wind up slamming your foot down. An unexpected stumbling block.

Jason had been so nervous, offering Tim a drink, that Tim hadn’t been able to stop himself from throwing his arms around Jason’s neck and pulling him into a kiss. Things had got better from there; patrol had been successful and easy, had left Tim’s blood feeling like it was boiling just beneath his skin, and from the way Jason had roused so rapidly, he’d assumed the same of him.

Jason allowing Tim to push him onto his bed had raised a red flag, but Tim had overlooked it, already imagining riding Jason, Jason’s big hands digging into his hips, bruising him up until Jason’s control snapped and he rolled them over and fucked Tim through the mattress. He could already feel the way his thighs and ass would hurt tomorrow, the way the muscle would pull whenever he walked. Steph was on standby to take his patrol, having been bribed weeks ago when Tim had invited her along to breakfasts at Jason’s (he makes amazing waffles. Steph had taken a bite and nodded solemnly at Tim, even as Jason had turned away to start washing the dishes. He’d been wearing an apron. Steph had got it).

Positioning had taken a while. Jason kept moving weirdly. Tim had thought that he’d just wanted to grind, and yeah, Tim could see the appeal in that (oh, fuck, he’s gotta do that the next time they share patrol, crowding Jason up against a random rooftop and grinding against the Red Hood until they both come... fuck yeah, that’s an idea) but he’d come with a goal and it’s getting that deliciously thick cock inside of himself.

He’d finally settled on Jason’s stomach, reached behind him for Jason’s cock, ready to back up onto it when Jason’s big hands had landed on his hips (fuck yes) and stopped him (fuck no).

“Um. I think we’re. We should talk.”

Tim stared down at Jason, slack-jawed. “I’m literally about to ride you through the bed and you hit me with that?”

“Yeah, about that. I.” He swallowed and Tim zeroed in on the way his Adam’s apple bobbed. “I prefer to bottom?”

“What.”

“I don’t have to - yes. Yes, I don’t like topping. OK?”

Tim dropped Jason’s dick. This wasn’t a conversation he could have while holding that big, thick... Down, boy. “You’re a bottom?”

“Yes.”

Tim buried his head in his hands and muffled a scream. “But you’re so!”

“So what?”

“Butch!” Tim cried, flapping his hands at Jason’s everything. “I think I could be forgiven for expecting-”

Jason’s expression cooled. “You don’t have to-”

“No!” Tim slammed his hands onto Jason’s shoulders, forced him flat on the bed. “No, wait, shit, I’m sorry. I still want to have sex with you. I just. I really wanted to be fucked.”

Jason’s face twisted. “Oh. But. The way you’re with the Titans - I’d assumed.”

Tim gave a slightly hysterical laugh. “You know what they say about that!”

Jason snorted and Tim felt his muscles relax. “Yeah. Looks like we both got bit by it.” He rubbed his thumbs back and forth over Tim’s hip bones. All things considered, Tim’s erection should really be flagging by now, but behold the power of the naked Jason Todd. He buried his face between Jason’s pecs and sighed.

There was a long beat of silence.

“Um,” Jason broke it. “I think I have a way we could still?”

Tim twisted so that he could look Jason in the face. “Hrm?”

A blush slowly crept up Jason’s throat. “I have, a. Um. Double-sided...?”

Tim felt a wicked smile creep across his face. “Show me.”

#jaytim #dae writes #anonymous #fillertag #fillertag1 #dc #batman #Jason Todd #Tim Drake #Anonymous

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og-danny-dorito · 4 years

Text

『 Man In Red 』

{ A/N:

This is that Jason x Reader thing I said I was going to write. I changed my mind about the reading thing because my stuttering got annoying and I doubt anyone wants to hear that. Anyway, thanks for reading cause I know no one likes the author’s not part, and you can reblog if you want (I don't care).

- Danny ✌️👽 }

<|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|>

From the small balcony from your apartment, you could see the rain dropping to your feet where the balcony’s overhead cover ended in front of you. The smoke rose from the cigarette between your lips, your nose flaring only occasionally to let out the smoke that flooded your lungs like poison into the open air before you. Poison...why was that word so familiar? Why did you feel the word’s meaning as you thought it and felt it as you spoke it out loud? Was there a meaning at all?

You cursed yourself for missing him, but what were you going to do, not want him? You cursed yourself for hating when he was gone, even when you yourself told him not to get attached.

It had been three months since you met Jason Todd, the vigilante known as Red Hood.

The first time you met was an odd one, mainly because he dropped down onto your balcony with his back leaning against the wall and his eyes screwed shut tightly like it was normal to do that right outside of a random person’s apartment balcony door. It didn't take you long to realize that he was clutching his side because he was bleeding out, and in those few moments of staring down at him in your pajamas at 1:03 in the morning you mad a decision to help him. Or phrased more correctly; technically act as a safe house for him whenever he was in trouble and you were nearby.

You could count on your fingers how many times he'd shown up to your house injured or needing somewhere to stay. At least that's what he said. He never took of his mask around you, and so you were fairly certain he didn't trust you enough to do it yet, or...wouldn't at all. It had been concluded (non verbally, mind you, and probably mutually?) a long time ago that you weren't just used for tactical use but also...for company. Someone to talk to.

You had to admit that he wasn't very hospitable at first. Maybe your thirst for friends waved some red flags for him in the beginning, but you eventually eased him into it. As a resolve, you started off slow.

When asked if he wanted to stay, he'd hesitate, making sure to get a little comfortable and asking to hear about something in your life to fill the silence. When asked how his day had been, he seemed a little awkward at first in his responses as if he wasn't used to reporting in a way that was a sort of ‘i care’ type. That red mask couldn't hide what was underneath forever, you know? He told you his name was Jason after three weeks of consistent asking if you could call him something other than some comic book esque alias. Jason, was his name. Jason Todd.

You'd sit out here for the past few months now, waiting with your cigarette between your lips and/or fingers, listening to the cars pass by below and watching the onlooking city of Gotham you'd grown so accustomed to. It hadn't changed since you left. At least not by much. Still full of crime, grime and bright lights. But it seemed a little...different. Maybe it was the change in jobs, or change in setting since when you lived here as a kid. You weren't sure, but you were sure of one thing; you had it bad for the man in red.

"You know, I've died once before. It's not fun. Those things just speed up the process."

Speak of the devil and he shall appear, the man in red hears his name and- poof!- he's here. You made no move to turn your head as you heard the familiar thunk of weight carried in combat boots against the metal ground, shaking a glass and plate nearby that you had eaten off of and never bothered to bring inside again. He stood still for a moment, looking over your figure. He was wet from the rain, you could feel him shaking it off his coat as he stood there. Your muscles pulled taught at the corners of your eyes, he could hear it in your voice.

"Can't be that bad if I've got a dead man telling me what to do, huh?", you said, removing the cigarette from your lips. He slowly moved forward, stature seeming to be much more straight and muscular than yours. It still amazed you sometimes how big he really was, not just visually. Jason, physically, was a big dude. Like, monster height yeah you'd seen that, but muscle wise? Dude looked like he could bend you over his knee and crack your spine in half with his thumbs. Bad analogy, but you get the point.

Jason chuckled a little, taking the cigarette from your lips and holding it between his fingers. He almost made a move to smoke from it, but lowered his hand once he remembered that he had his mask on. You rolled your eyes for a second, but didn't pressure him on it.

If he was wearing it it was for a good reason. His face may have been messed up or something, but you really didn't care. Or maybe he didn't like looking at himself? "Well, smart ass, being dead helps you learn a few things. Like take care of yourself. And...take it easy.", he said, leaning onto the frame of the railing to his right with his elbows positioned to hold him up to face you. You seemed to contemplate the thought, thinking that you'd like your cigarette back while he was toying with it between his gloved fingers. Now you were starting to question if you liked how you couldn't see any of him at all in the first place because of how damn annoying he was sometimes. Maybe you also liked that you couldn't see his face, too. It might've bee not the mystery behind it. It used to keep you up thinking about it.

But, like most things, you'd gotten to the point of not giving a shit, and stuffing your hands in your pocket, you exhaled a sigh, watching smoke rise due to the coldness in the air. Your brow raised as you still didn't turn to face him. You didn't have to. You already knew what he looked like; enticing and practically begging for you to kiss his dumb mask-face. And it was annoying. "Really? Feel like that's directed at me in some way, you trying to say something?", you said, with a bit of a hiss to your voice. Of course you didn't mean it in a vile way, but it sounded like it.

He knew better than to get offended at it though, instead resorting to smiling a little and shrugging, watching the butt of the cigarette lose its flame. Would it hurt him if it hit his skin? Could he even feel pain? "You look tired, rough day at work?", he asked quietly. He meant it, you could tell from the way his pitch changed from teasing to slightly more...concerned. Your back was hunched at an angle only used to alleviate a greater pain along your posture, and your eyes were half lidded to the point of making things in front of you seem hazy if you were to zone out, like you were falling asleep standing. You sighed deeply, running a hand over your forehead. "Some dickheads from Cobblepot’s gang came in and caused a fight to break out. Had to stay a few hours over repairs cause the boss of the joint can't get his shit together long enough to stop drinking and handle it on his own."

He stood there was your brows furrowed into and agitated expression, eyes narrowing suit and grin fading from its neutral position to a displeased frown. "If that son of a bitch walks into the bar again I'll just shoot him down, I'm starting not to care if I loose my damn head for it." Jason's hand tightened on the railing he was resting on. "Don't say that." His voice seemed concerned, but more in a way of trying to sound concerned in a masked way. Like he didn't want you to know that he cared. There was a long moment of silence, and for a good few seconds you felt the familiar rage from earlier bubbling in your chest. That same burning sensation in the back of your throat and the tightness in your chest wasn't helping, your eyes narrowed as your arms crossed over one other. You were thinking it over, trying to figure out what you were thinking about it clearly behind the emotions of blinding rage. You did a lot of that lately.

He didn't push you to speak. You were starting to think that he wouldn't be good with a partner since he didn't seem to care much whether you spoke or not, but to be fair you weren't his partner. You were... what were you? A refuge? That sounded to generous for your affiliation. A safe house? Probably, but that sounded too personal. With a long sigh, you tried to alleviate the tightness forming in your ribs. The moon was almost completely clouded over, the starts invisible due to the light pollution in the city. It was kind of sad how that had become something so common now. So many kids wouldn't be able to see the stars from their bedroom window anymore, or be able to look out from their backyard and see the endless unknown they'd most likely never get the chance to explore.

Turning on your left heel, you moved to face him more directly, standing in close enough proximity to hear his voice if it were above a whisper. On previous occasions prior to your meeting you'd feel him tense up a little and grow uneasy under the closeness. But he didn't move now, and it felt more as if he was welcoming your presence more than anything. Your eyebrows lifted from their scornful expression, moving to something more mutely interested and amused. Your voice carried like the wind passing, ending far to short for his liking. He wasn't sure he'd ever want it to stop. "What about you, Red Hood- got any stories up your sleeve for me?", you asked, moving to steal your cigarette back. But Jason moved quicker than you, and faster than your hand extended to his arm he moved his hand back up to be level with his his shoulder. Tilting your head, you smiled a little. "Let me guess, you got hurt again? You can't be hurting that bad if you've managed to pop off at the mouth a few times in the course of a few minutes-" Your tone was teasing, but he made sure to cut you off to spare himself. Albeit he sounded sort of wary, it still caught you off guard enough to stop in your tracks.

"I saw something- ...that reminded me of you. Today."

Saying that made you a little more than surprised, and in a flash of heat you felt your cheeks burn up a bit and your grin fade into amazement. His shoulders dropped, head dropping for a second as his hand fell back to have his elbow rest on the railing to lean back. You knew it was weird but you felt oddly...good. Did he really think of you? "Wh- Me?", you chuckled nervously, seeming to try to hide your reddening face by the dip of your head and the sudden interest in the ground below you. "Yeah- I uh- I did.", Jason replied. In a sudden burst of what seemed like realization he hurriedly reached for his jacket pocket, taking out what looked like a small necklace in a see-through box. From his outstretched hand you thought that it looked rather nice against the leather of his gloves, and your hand moved to take it from his.

You watched closely as the dim lights from your apartment and the lights of the city blended around his fingers as they retreated from your own a little less eagerly than you expected. Huh. Slowly, you opened it, revealing what seemed to be a small blue flower in resin that looked like a water droplet. It was a pendant for the chain through its metal hook, glistening a pale silver that made you feel the urge to smile for a camera that wasn't there. Glancing up, you grinned at Jason. And in a flash of a second he felt his whole body flush with a sensation he knew all to well, especially with you. From under his mask he bit on his lower lip subconsciously, seeing how the curve of your mouth upturned in a grin so sincere he couldn't help but feel some sort of need to protect it.

"You got this for me, you big sap?", you said, grinning widely. Your tone was teasing, but the light punch in his shoulder as your eyes glistened with admiration towards the necklace proved you weren't mad or creeped out by it. Jason chuckled a little slowly, dry and hoarse but still easygoing. "I said it made me think of you, right? Might as well give it to you to uhhh... think of yourself. I guess.", he retorted softly, shrugging a little. This d o r k. This man child. This dumb sexy masked man with attachment issues. How dare he make you start smiling, the bags around your eyes bending to seem like the most beautiful part of your face in that moment. Who even uses the word beautiful so loosely anymore?

He seemed to watch as you placed it around your neck, the clasp going shut behind you through feeling its position a few times. You looked down, watching it cast a water-like reflection on your chest as you tilted your head a little bit like a child. Ah, fuck, that's kinda cute. Jason cleared his throat after a second, his arms folding over his chest after a second of watching you look at your own neck in awed silence. It was only when he felt his own body stiffen that he noticed you were looking at him, a slight grin on your face as you looked into the eyes of the mask. It felt like you were trying to say something to him, but your lips didn't move. Somehow, he knew what it meant, and his shoulders lost their tense feeling for the time.

A few awkward moments passed before you looked down to your feet, clearing your throat and stepping a little closer. Oh shit, what were you- Moving closer, you felt your breath quicken a fraction as your eyes remained trained to the ground. You avoided eye contact for now, finding the cuff of his pants just above his combat boots much more interesting, it seemed. But your hands were raising, your fingers twitching under your own anticipation. He could feel his eyes wandering now, looking over your hips, your shoulders, your lips. Did you mean what you were going to do? Did you really want it?

...

Suddenly, you felt yourself stop.

Your hands were stuck above your waist, having been firmly held in place by two leather-clad gloves. Your eyes began to go wide, stuck on the downward angle of his head. Jason, who had felt so nervous when coming into contact with you previously but was now firmly holding your wrists, held his head low, away from the gaze your head moved so desperately to maintain. Slowly, you felt yourself relax, frowning a little. What were you thinking this time? You couldn't help but swallow down a gulp of fear forming in your throat. Maybe you had gone to far...?

“You can't kiss me if you don't take off my mask, you know."

Your heart stopped for a moment, eyes going wide for a good few moments as he released your hands, moving them gently by your elbows to the sides of his mask. You felt yourself gulp, cursing the strands of hair that were tickling the sides of your face and closing parts of your peripheral. You wanted to watch with all of your senses, not just your eyes. You couldn't help but tremble a little as well, and he seemed to wait patiently.

The edge of the mask first came off of his jaw, slipping upwards smoothly as you saw what looked like part of a scar. His skin was tanned, light in places it had been cut, marred, or marked by some violent force you knew nothing about. Soon it came over his lips which were slightly parted now. Those to had a scar running up from the bottom of his pronounced chin, ending right below his pronounced nose which you saw clearly now. It seemed the edge of his eyelashes caught on the mask's cuff, causing him to close one eye. In the dim light of the balcony, you saw bright, bright eyes. They seemed to outshine the sun, beaming a slightly translucent green that made your own widen a small bit in wonder. His eyelashes were thick, dark and clumped a small bit from the wetness of the rain you assumed his face got drenched in earlier.

His brows were thick too, seeming to line the end of his forehead over his eyelids in a way that made him look brooding. There were circles under his eyes. He looked weary. You felt, in that moment, as of you were going to collapse. Your legs and fingers had been shaking for a bit now as you stood still on the pavement, eyes trained on his own changing features. Parted lips moved to close only for a second as his tongue slid over their chapped surface. He was...beautiful. More beautiful than any person you'd ever seen at least. His expression looked as if it was constantly tired and brooding; like he'd seen things he shouldn't have.

But you could see- and you were sure you wouldn't if you were only a few inches away -that his eyes were sad. The expanse of skin on his cheekbones and from his chin to his upper lip were charred, a very thin outline of a jagged letter 'J' carved into his left cheek. His eyes were...wary, like a tired animal. His hair looked messy and dark, a single white patch on the middle-left part of his head coming over one of his brows. He looked like the only reason he cut his hair was to keep it off his neck considering he had a very clean undercut in the back and a matted, long few pieces covering parts of his ears and brow in the front. His jaw was strong, having been pronounced by being clenched and unclenched with each touch, sending slight waves of heat over your body as your moved your trembling fingers to put down the helmet on the ground. It was heavy, but it didn't take you long to discard it somewhere near your flowerpots full of patches of unsoiled dirt and plates with cups on top of them.

You could see that he didn't feel completely comfortable with this, and yet in the fact that you could even consider him to think himself anything less than gorgeous made you grin widely in an odd half-smile that made a small bit of your teeth shine through your lips. He clenched his jaw nervously.

You felt a little choked up, but you could manage a few words at the moment. "Didn't know I'd be seeing God's face when I took of your mask, Jay. You could've warned me.", you said, grinning. He seemed to widen his eyes in slight surprise, moving to look anywhere but your face. Maybe he thought that if he couldn't see you you couldn't see him- and the growing blush on his face. In a breathless tone, sounding almost desperate, he spoke quietly. "Don't say that..." You rolled your eyes. "I will say that. Now look at me while I kiss you." He seemed to follow the command, his eyes still telling you that he felt a little scared. Moving his right hand from your elbow to your hip and his left from your other elbow to your neck, you slowly moved in, glancing him in the eyes before going for it.

It seemed to catch him off guard first, for he didn't actually start kissing you back until you put one of your hands on his hip, drawing him closer. You felt suddenly that with a very restrained fierceness he moved into you, hips first, seeming to grip onto the side of your neck and your hip a bit more tightly. You felt like you were being used as an anchor, but you couldn't help but not mind it when you were being kissed like this. Jason's lips were just as chapped as they seemed, but they were strangely warm. The fact that his tongue kept darting out and straight back in was sort of endearing to you as he let out a sort of pleased sound at your hand moving to tangle in his hair.

There was quiet as you parted, although you could now tell he was holding you as tightly as a screw would a nail. But for the moment, you didn't mind it. You liked looking as him like this, his eyes half-lidded and lips parted slightly, new moisture on his lips. With a grin, your eyes lit up as you felt a slight laugh come from your throat. This felt strangely intimate to you. Not once did you consider the fact that there was a slight raging sexual tension between you two that maybe said he wanted something out of this two, like a dumbass. But you couldn't feel bad right now for being dumb, you were too happy. With a slightly unsure moment, his grip loosed enough to let you stand more independently, the wobble in your movements mostly gone.

His body was slightly stiff as he stood there, eyes moving all over. His movements made a lot more sense now; you could tell that previously when he did the same stiff posture earlier with his mask on he was looking around nervously to try and avoid his impending embarrassment. But he couldn't deny the pink tinge on his cheeks, and your thumb ran over his cheekbone as your hand slid back down to your side. Your eyebrow raised for a small moment as you felt yourself smirk, placing your hands on your hip. "So, uh, that was...nice. Wanna do it again sometime?" Jason said nervously, a grin spreading out on his face. You rolled your eyes at him, shoving his shoulder a little and watching him laugh and take the hit with a dramatic movement.

"Go run home Romeo. And come back tomorrow, otherwise I'll hunt you down.", you said, backing up and watching him pick up his helmet. He shrugged a little half-heartedly before putting it back on, seeming to almost trip over the damn rail before perching up on it, looking at you with a grin. He fixed a grappling hook on the edge of the roof, pausing for a moment. His head didn't move as he breathed, but you couldn't help but chuckle a little and run a hand through your hair at the gesture. It was then that he inhaled sharply, nodding at you and giving you a two-fingered salute. "Couldn't leave if I wanted to, babe.", he said. You could hear the smile in his voice as he dropped away.

And with that, he was gone. You felt your chest flutter at the words, and for a second of watching him drop to the street below before looking directly down there to only see nothing, you bit down on your lip.

You couldn't help but not care too much about your cigarette now.

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thepurplebutterflythings · 4 years

Text

Like Real People Do (Damsel in Distress Christmas Special) - Jason Todd

Gif: Dxnninja on Tenor

Word Count: 1.6K

Paring: Jason Todd (Titans) x (f)Reader

Summary: Christmas has come to Gotham, and of course, Jason and Y/N are going to celebrate in their own little way.

Warnings: N/A

A/N: This is a little series I am doing about Jason Todd in Titans. I don’t know Comic!Jason very well so I’m taking all of this from the show, and at the moment he hasn’t been in very often, so please forgive any mischaracterizations.

Tagging: @n-o-e-l-12 @oneshots-dc-marvel @my-only-friend-is-the-moon @perturbacja @calcatss @attackonnat @batferma @seasidecrowbar @gaeck-o @bella-0104-123 @ninergirl1d @httpfandxms @rosybrock @reclusive-chicken-nugget @demoiselle-en-detresse00 @young-psychos @thesleepykaijuu @thescottpack @nightlygiggles @rougestorms @sinon36 @jessica-moon9

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Christmas had arrived in Gotham. The streets were decorated with strings of light that wrapped themselves on the railings of balconies, and some had made their way up streetlamps. For a city filled with danger and darkness, even Gotham had a strange, festive charm at Christmas. Hell, even some Criminals added a festive touch. Joker used the Bauble Bombs. Penguin had a cane which looked like a Candy Cane. Riddler added a red ribbon and tie to his otherwise green appearance. Even if you hated the criminals in Gotham, one thing you had to reluctantly admit was that they had flare!

Batman, however, didn’t do the festive period. Unsurprisingly. Although anything Christmas-y about his appearance would alert people of his presence, so Y/N didn’t blame him for that, but that didn’t stop Jason from trying to get Bruce to add a little festiveness to his Dark Knight attire. The most Bruce agreed to was a string of tinsel on the monitors in the Batcave, conceding because it was more Alfred’s workspace than anything else.

Y/N was sitting on her bed, adding the finishing touches on Jason’s present, waiting for him to arrive. Christmas had come around very quickly after the two lovers reunited following Y/N’s discovery that Jason and Robin was one and the same. The relationship between them strengthened, and they spent most hours of the day together. During the day, they were attached at the hip, and whenever Jason could drop onto her balcony, he did, wearing the Robin costume, of course. Y/N couldn’t help but like to put her hands on him in that outfit. Tonight was the night that they were to exchange presents. For Jason, Y/N had bought a compass, engraved on the inside was ‘so you can always find your way back to me, - Damsel’, it was a beautiful gold with the engraving painted black. She wrapped it carefully in red paper with a golden ribbon tied into an elegant bow.

Knock, knock, knock

When she heard the knock, Y/N smiled and leapt to her feet, turning to see Jason on her balcony, dressed as Robin with that wicked Jason Todd grin on his lips. In Jason’s hands was a Christmassy looking box which he shifted to under his arm as he waved to Y/N through the glass. Y/N opened the door and let Jason in, who greeted her with a peck on the lips.

“Merry Christmas, Damsel,” he whispered against her lips.

“Merry Christmas, Knight.”

“So,” Jason said as he took his mask off and sat on her bed, Y/N moving to sit next to him. Next, he took his gloves and boots off. “We’ve got five minutes until the clock strikes midnight and it’s officially Christmas Day, do you want to wait till then or open them now?”

“Let’s wait, it’s only five minutes, we can think of something to do while we wait.”

“Mmm, I’ve got a few ideas,” Jason grinned as he leaned over and kissed Y/N, cupping her face and holding her close.

“Five minutes?” Y/N teased, “Take you that long, huh?”

“Fuck off,” Jason laughed, “you and I both know it’s a lot longer than five minutes.”

“I just enjoy winding you up!” Y/N grinned as she kissed him again, and again, and again, and again.

“Have I ever told you how much I love kissing you?” Jason mumbled softly as he stroked her hair. “That your lips taste like strawberries?”

“Once or twice,” Y/N smiled into the kiss, “And have I ever told you that you’re a big ole’ softie for me, Jason Todd?”

“Once or twice,” he mimicked. Jason trailed his hand up and down her side, feeling her underneath his fingers, savouring the touch. Moments like this, when he wasn’t Robin, when they weren’t surrounded by friends or family, or strangers, that he cherished, just the two of them, as though they were in their own little bubble where nothing could hurt them. “You’re incredible!” He told her.

Y/N smiled. Just as she was about to say something her phone make a light tinkling noise, causing her to reach over and grab it.

“It’s officially Christmas Day,” Y/N said softly. “Merry Christmas,” she handed him his present. Jason smiled and took the box, handing Y/N her gift.

“Merry Christmas, Damsel.”

As she took the box in her hands, Y/N smiled. It was clear Jason had asked Alfred to help him wrap it because the present he gave her for her birthday was a total mess of a wrap. At the same time they opened, they’re presents.

Jason had gotten Y/N a framed picture of the two of them at the Police Gala they went to. Y/N in her silk Robin Red dress and Jason in a suit with a matching tie. They were jokingly doing a prom pose together as Alfred had pulled the camera out on them. It was a laugh of a night, where they danced and took pictures and drank. Y/N laughed happily as she took the frame out of the box and hugged it close to her.

“I love it!” She said. Jason smiled and looked at her joy before opening his own present. Upon seeing the compass inside, he looked at Y/N in confusion for a moment before opening it up and seeing the inscription. Jason smiled and met Y/N’s gaze.

“It’s perfect,” Jason said, “although I really don’t need one to find my way back to you, Damsel! My heart always leads the way!”

“God, you’re a sap!” Y/N teased.

“Only for you,” Jason promised, “I will keep it on me at all times!”

“I’ll hold you to that, Knight,” Y/N stroked Jason’s cheek. “I worry about you,” she confessed, “out there with the likes of Joker. It’s dangerous.”

“Hey,” Jason cupped Y/N’s face, “I get that you worry about me,” he said, running his thumb over her cheek, “but I’ve got you to come back to, so I’ll always come back.”

“Good!” Y/N said, getting to her feet and putting her picture on her desk before picking up her phone and loading a song. “You know, one thing I loved about that Gala was when you and I danced.”

“Really?” Jason smiled and got to his feet, walking over to Y/N and wrapped his arms around her waist. Y/N nodded and pressed play. As the music started, Jason slowly moved his right hands to hold Y/N’s. Y/N’s other hand went to Jason’s shoulder, and they started swaying to the music. It was low and quiet, and so no one else in the building could hear them. Jason and Y/N stepped lightly on their feet, stifling soft giggles as no one but them knew what was happening. Two young lovers dancing on Christmas Eve.

I will not ask you where you came from

I will not ask you, neither should you

Honey just put your sweet lips on my lips

We should just kiss like real people do

“I could do this forever,” Y/N confessed with a sigh, “just stay in your arms and dance.”

“Me too,” Jason kissed her forehead before twirling her in her pyjamas. Y/N’s pyjamas consisted of Tartan printed pyjama trousers with a short-sleeved top that had the Robin symbol on it. Y/N had bought it as a joke and surprised Jason with wearing it one night. It was a good night. They laughed, they kissed, Jason said how nice the top looked on her, but that she would look equally good without it on. Y/N took it off to see if he was right. He was. Jason grabbed her and kissed her passionately, and they stayed in bed until Bruce called Jason, even then they reluctantly parted. Bruce and Alfred had welcomed Y/N into their strange little family with open arms. She was grateful for that but was even more thankful for Jason.

I will not ask you where you came from

I will not ask you and neither would you

Honey just put your sweet lips on my lips

We should just kiss like real people do

Jason rested his chin on top of Y/N’s head and smiled. He knew how lucky he was to have Y/N in his life, to have her love him, to have her accept him as both Jason and Robin. The fact that she still trusted him after he kept his identity a secret from her was incredible to him. After that night, he held her close in his arms, much like he was doing now, and promised. He promised her then and there that he would never betray her trust again. He hadn’t either. For Jason, being honest with Y/N was the easiest thing to do. He loved her. He respected her. Of course, it was easy, to be honest with her.

“You have no idea how much I love you,” Jason whispered into her hair. Y/N smile against Jason as they swayed, hearing him.

“I have an idea,” she mumbled into his chest.

“I would do anything for you.”

“And I will always come back to you.”

“I will always be here for you to come back to!”

“I promise,” they both said at the same time.

I could not ask you where you came from

I could not ask you, neither could you

Honey just put your sweet lips on my lips

We could just kiss like real people do.

“Merry Christmas, Damsel.”

“Merry Christmas, Knight.”

Y/N stood on her toes, leaning up to catch Jason’s lips with her own. Jason smiled as their lips met, moving his hand so that he held her face gently in his grasp while Y/N moved her own hands up over his chest, and into his hair, running her fingers through it.

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adorkabletodd · 5 years

Text

Better Without Me (Jason Todd x Reader)

Summary: Reader and Jason meet again after they broke up for 2 months and you saw Jason with his other ex Isabel

Tagged request: @carolinawindsay, @jason-todd-squad

Warnings: slight angst, curse words

Word count: 2816

There's gonna be Roy Harper x Platonic!Reader

—

(Y/N) didn’t know why she agreed to this. At first, it felt like she owed Roy for saving her life in the last mission they had together but now she’s starting to feel unsure the moment she saw him again.

Just ten hours ago (Y/N) thought that a sudden call from her old friend was a harmless thing. She knew Roy ever since he became Speedy, the famous sidekick to Green Arrow. Roy met a little orphan girl and decided to bring her with him and ever since then the young archer introduced (Y/N) to Black Canary, she took (Y/N) under her wing.

Being friends with Roy had its ups and downs, what she’s most certain of is that she knew meeting Jason Todd was the best thing that ever happened in her life. Even in a situation such as this.

“(Y/N), please. I need you to be my backup in case things turned out bad.” Roy pleaded for the fifth time.

The (H/C) haired girl rolled her eyes, “what am I even doing here Roy? You can’t just expect me to go blind on whatever it is we’re diving into.”

“All you need to know is that an unknown shady group of bad guys is plotting against the Titans. And before you say anything, yes, normally I wouldn’t care about anything involving Dick and his team.” Roy explained, “but they took something from me and I need to get it back.”

The look in Roy’s eyes became dark, (Y/N) saw no trace of the playful persona her friend used to have. In every mission, they’ve ever done she knew Roy would always brighten up every mood. But this, from his look alone she knew this was serious.

“Alright.” (Y/N) said, “where are we going?”

That night they meet up at a nearby bar and took an hour drive to the outskirts of Central City. (Y/N) didn’t know where they were or what the place is called, but she was dressed in a proper (F/C) knee-length dress and Roy in a black tux. The two of them walk past a line where they are faced with the security guard looking down on them.

Roy pulled out an invitation from his jacket, and the security guard gestured them to go inside. “Much obliged, my good man.” (Y/N) rolled her eyes, and the security guard did too.

The grand door opened for them and music blasted into the air and colorful lights flashed around the room. Roy gently leads (Y/N) to a more quieter bar and ordered drinks for the two of them.

“So what’s the plan here?” (Y/N) leaned over to the bar “Henry Loski. He’s the owner of this place and I wanna bet a guy like him wouldn’t shy away from a deal that involves with human trafficking.” Roy gestured to a V.I.P area were a group of men lounging around with cigars on one hand and a bunch of whores on the other. One, in particular, he’s referring to is an old man wearing a navy blue suit.

“Alright, I’m going in. Get that guy to warm up to me, and you, my dearest (Y/N)” Roy held both of her hands in a gentleman like gesture “are gonna stay here and look beautiful, these guys will listen to anything if they know I’m dominant with the ladies.”

“Pigs.” (Y/N) muttered under her breath.

When Roy left to go to the V.I.P area (Y/N) sat on the stool just as a waiter came to bring in her martini. Taking a sip of the alcoholic beverage she examines the place surrounding her.

This place was mostly filled with rich teenagers getting wasted and living the fullest. Not exactly her kind of place to go to forget all of her problems but it's still a decent place to go when staying away from people you know.

(Y/N) wanted this night to be over as quickly as possible, but fate doesn't seem to agree tonight. Across the room, she spotted a familiar dark-haired man talking to a woman. She knew him, she could never forget those beautiful blue eyes and the way his face turned soft with just a smirk.

She never would have thought that she'd see Jason Todd again after that night they parted ways.

The more (Y/N) stared at him the more she starts to remember the way her heart aches on that fated day. Two months with no contact from one another and yet she still yearns for him. She can still feel the power he has against her by just a few feet away. It still isn't clear to her on the reason why Jason wanted to break up. Something about protecting her well being or that someone dangerous is after him and the people he cares about.

A load of bullshit, she thought. Jason knows that (Y/N) is strong enough to fight any lunatic criminal this world has to offer. She knew he was stubborn enough to not tell her the reason anyway. No matter how much she tried, Jason wouldn't budge so the only thing she knew how to do was to give Jason what he wanted.

She loved Jason. Still, do. Both of them knew what it felt like to survive all alone when they don't have anyone to turn to they lean on each other. From there, everything fell naturally into place. They're both broken but maybe that's one of the reasons why (Y/N) loved him so much.

(Y/N)'s train of thoughts suddenly stopped when Roy came back "sorry it took me so long, got all the info I need. Now let's head over to the warehouse it shouldn't be too far from— (Y/N)? You okay?"

Her (E/C) orbs narrowed while gently tugging on to Roy's sleeves as if trying to grab for support. "Did you know he was going to be here?" She mumbled.

"Who?"

(Y/N) quickly darted her eyes to where Jason was before retreating back down. Thankfully Roy caught on to who she was gesturing to and his expression mirrored her the moment he saw his best friend.

"(Y/N), I swear to you I didn't know he was going to be here." When the girl didn't reply Roy grab hold of her trembling hand and place his other hand against her back, ushering her to another location. "Come on, let's go someplace quiet."

She followed along to where Roy was about to lead her, she didn't know how she had the courage to look back but when she did, she felt a burning ache in her heart when she set her eyes on Jason, kissing that other woman.

An overwhelming rush of emotions washed over her mind and her legs felt like it would go out any second so her grip became tighter around the archer as if her life depended on it. Roy caught a glimpse of the lip-locking scene over his shoulder, but he couldn't think about that now. He needed to take (Y/N) somewhere private without unwanted eyes.

When the two made it out to an outdoor patio Roy lead the girl to the railing for her to lean on, he purposely stood behind her blocking the door so that (Y/N) wouldn't be able to see the painful truth.

"So he moved on, huh?" She muttered to herself. A pitiful laugh escaped (Y/N)'s lips.

She loved him. She really did and seeing him tonight having fun with someone else made her wonder where she has done wrong. "Why am I like this, Roy?" She said. The redhead stayed silent trying to sync in her sorrowful state.

"I still don't know why he thought leaving me was for the best, maybe if he'd just fucking explain the whole situation we could have work things out together!" With each word (Y/N) spit out her voice grew louder. And once she stopped she realized that she needed to keep her emotions in check, she didn't realize that whenever she did that her arms wrapped itself around her body. "And that woman." She let out barely a whisper.

"Just the thought of him moving on so easily— it hurts." At this point (Y/N) was fighting against her will to push down her tears. She didn't want to look weak, not in front of Roy, not in a place like this.

"I'm surprised to see him with her, too" Roy muttered.

"Blonde... Blue eyed... She must be Isabel then" (Y/N) thought out loud.

"You knew her?" Roy asked, slightly taken back. (Y/N) shook her head. "He only mentioned her once, and he never talked about her either. You'd think Jason would have a long track record of romance with people other than me and her?"

Roy shrugged, but also nod in agreement “yeah good point”.

It didn’t occur to (Y/N) how cold the night was until she felt the soft wind blew across her cheek and naked shoulders. Roy noticed the slight shiver his friend made and took off his jacket. Proceeding to wrap it around (Y/N).

(Y/N) wasn’t about to protest, she’s grateful to have Roy with her. “I gotta be honest, (Y/N),” Roy said. “Jaybird is a lot of things, but being a blind idiot isn’t one of them.” The archer leaned his back against the railing and cross his arms. “I couldn’t tell you the reason why he chose to do the things he did. But what I could tell you is that I’ve known Jason my entire life and he has never and I mean ever love anyone as much as he loves you.”

For the first time tonight, the (H/C) haired girl smiled. Genuinely at Roy, she couldn’t ask for a better friend to comfort her. Though the smile slowly faded as she starts to realize she's supposed to be helping Roy with his mission. She felt a small amount of guilt for taking his time and being heartbroken all over again.

“That’s sweet of you to say, Roy. And I'm sorry for thinking like this, you're mission is more important and I should be the one to help you."

"Nah, don't worry about it. Jaybird would kill me if he knew I'd disregard your feelings like this." (Y/N) chuckled lightly "I don't mean to be ungrateful for your comfort speech Roy, but it's still hard for me to believe he would still feel that way about me.”

“Would you believe it if I admit how I feel about you, Doll?”

The two young adults jump at the sudden voice and they turn to the new presence behind them. (Y/N) felt her blood run cold as Jason stared at her in the eyes.

"Still helping out the Titans?" Jason asked.

"They couldn't help it" Roy lightly jokes. "What about you? Still searching?"

Jason opened his mouth but halted his words. He glances over (Y/N) and spoke softly "I'm getting there."

(Y/N) felt her palms began to sweat as she fiddles with the sleeves of Roy's jacket. "Roy, would you mind accompanying my friend for a while? I think she wants to see you." The red archer flashed a confused look for a moment until he saw the way his friend stares longingly at the woman before him.

"Oh, right. I was about to do that." Roy pointed to Isabel with finger guns before awkwardly walk back inside. He wasn't sure if leaving (Y/N) alone with Jason was a good idea, but he does know that this is the closure she needed.

Once Roy was out of sight Jason cautiously took a step forward, (Y/N) pressed her back closer to the railing and pulled the jacket covering her body further.

"You look… Good, (Y/N)."

She didn't answer him, only glance down to his shoes. He knows that seeing him again only cause more pain in her heart, though Jason knew for a fact that she was still able to captivate him with her beauty.

"Listen, I know this is the last thing you wanted to hear but— I'm sorry, (Y/N). I truly am."

"No." (Y/N) said, "you don't get to tell me you're sorry until you tell me why you left that night."

"(Y/N)… Please, we already talked about this—"

"I talked. You walked away. Why are you even out here Jason? You're wasting both of our time if all you do is lie straight to my face again." (Y/N) didn't mean to sound so harsh, but maybe seeing the sorrow shown in Jason's eyes is what she needed in order to leave all this behind.

Now he was at lost for words. "I always thought that I knew you better than anyone else" (Y/N) said. "I tried to understand Jay, to figure out a way to help you but all you did was pushed me away saying it's for my own good. You don't get to make that decision for me! You took away my choice to stand by you like we promised!"

(Y/N) blinked letting her tears roll down her cheeks. Her vision starts to blur at the sight of the man she loved.

It took everything in Jason to restrain himself. He mentally fought the urge to wipe away those tears. To pull her in his arms and to erase all the mistakes he has made. To shower her with kisses and endless whispers of ‘I love you’s. Oh, god. He wanted her to know how badly he needed her. She was— is still the love of his life, his light, and yet, he's too much of a coward to say it.

"You're right," Jason said. "I wasn't fair to you, I acted on my own and I should've let you in. I didn't tell you why I had to go because I was terrified. Fuck- if anything were to happen to you I don’t know what I’d do.”

“Is that what you also say to Isabel tonight?” (Y/N) spoke bitterly. Jason’s eyes slightly widen taken back by your words “I tried to let you go, but all I could think about is you. Isabel only tried to help me but seeing you here tonight just— God, you make me fall over my knees, you know that?”

A sudden cold touch sent a violent shiver down (Y/N)’s spine as Jason’s hand cup her cheeks. Wiping away the wet trails of tears with his thumb. She didn’t realize how close their bodies are pressed against each other.

“You always know how to light up my day in the darkest hours. Every time I come home you greet me with your beautiful smile, it makes every battle worth it knowing I’ll be rewarded with the love in your eyes.” Jason hovered his lips above (Y/N)’s, ghosting with his warm breath. “I always thought that... I don’t deserve your love...” Jason slowly closed his eyes and leaned forward. He wanted so badly to feel her soft lips again, but he was stopped when her index finger met his lips and lightly pushed him back.

When he opened his eyes, he wasn’t prepared to face (Y/N)’s answer.

“You’re right. You don’t deserve my love.”

Jason pulled back lightly. His heart pounds wildly in his chest after hearing her words. “I gave you my everything Jason. You ask me to go and I left without a fight because I trust that you’ll one day tell me why you chose to go through this alone when you’ve had me to support you no matter what. You don’t trust me enough to share me your burdens and I can’t be pushed to the sidelines expecting to welcome you back when all you did was kept me in the dark.”

The world became silent and with every second Jason could feel his heart being pierced through with a knife. Jason felt his throat began to dry as he tries to swallow the lump in his throat, he felt like he couldn’t breathe.

“If being together only forced you to push me away... Then I guess it’s better for both of us if we stay out of each other’s lives for good.”

With a heavy heart, (Y/N) removed Jason’s hands from her cheeks. Gripping onto him tightly for one last time, as a sign of reassurance. She looked into Jason’s eyes only to find nothing but a hollow mirror that reflects her own.

She signed deeply before walking back inside, stopping near the door, she turned back to him only to see that Jason didn’t move a muscle.

“I love you, Jason, but if you keep doing this to me then you are better off without me.”

The sound of (Y/N)’s clicking heels slowly faded, and when Jason couldn’t hear her steps anymore he felt a heavyweight in his body. Realization crashed down to him like a boulder, suffocating him from the thought.

He waited too long, and now he paid the price by losing his love for good.

---

writing angst is so hard and that story was bad. I’m not making part two though and I never said this was going to be a happy ending.

hope you enjoyed it though!

#jason todd x reader #red hood #dc #x reader #red hood x reader #red hood imagi #batfans #jason todd x you #jason todd x y/n

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galahadwilder · 5 years

Text

The Living Joke, Ch. 2

Harley has discovered a cure for the Joker’s broken mind, and now a mostly sane Jack Napier must come to grips with all of the harm he’s done over the years, and decide whether he’s damned for the actions of a madman wearing his face.

***

One hundred feet below Wayne Manor, elevator doors open into a vast cavern and a dead man steps out. Jason Todd, the Red Hood, the black sheep of the Bat Family, Titan and Outlaw, enters the Batcave carrying his cycling helmet under his arm and wondering why Bruce has invited him here. Especially in the middle of the day.

"Chemical analysis looks hopeful," he hears Bruce say. "The formula seems to be doing exactly what Harley predicted it would."

"Seems to?" Dick replies. "Didn't you say yourself he was acting like a normal person in the café?"

"He's very good at that," Bruce responds as Jason rounds the corner and sees Bruce in chinos and a button-down sitting at the Batcomputer, looking over analysis of what Jason recognizes vaguely as a variety of antipsychotic, though not one he's ever seen before. Dick, meanwhile, is perched on one of the railings and dressed like a well-groomed hobo. "He fooled me for months as Eric Border," Bruce continues. "I'm not exactly objective here." He takes a sip of his coffee from a #1 Mom mug that Tim and Cass had found at a flea market and had rapidly become his favorite. "Good morning, Jason," he says, without turning around.

"Hey, B," Jason says, unsurprised that Batman has noticed he's here. He places his helmet down on an empty stainless steel table. "Doesn't sound like I'm in trouble for anything?"

"You're not," Bruce says, typing a long string of nonsense symbols, or rather, a code designed by Clark to be easily readable at super-speed. In the corner, the computer states that the file is being shared with SciencePizza—Barry's username on the Justice League groupchat. "I need your perspective on something." He glances at Dick. "Both of yours."

"Sure, whatcha got?" Jason says, dropping into one of the spare chairs and spinning a few times.

Bruce gestures to the screen. "What do you think of this?"

Jason tilts his head. "Looks like a new kind of anti-psychotic," he says. "Organic ingredients, some novel stuff..." He looks at Bruce. "This for Harvey?"

Dick shudders. "God, I hope not."

"Be nice, Dick," Barbara says, coming up the stairs with Cassandra trailing quietly behind her. Barbara is wearing jeans and a leather jacket, while Cass is dressed in jeans, a messy white blouse, and a black skinny tie. "Harvey's an old friend."

"He shot me in the face," Dick pouts back.

"Poor baby," Barbara responds, caressing her boyfriend's cheek. "Always a shame when something happens to a face that pretty."

Cass walks over to her father's side, leaning onto the back of the chair with crossed arms. "Your call seemed urgent."

"Somewhat." Bruce looks up at her, naked fondness in his eyes. "Cassandra, darling, can you move? I need to turn around."

Cassandra moves over slightly, turns, and leans against the keyboard, and Jason is somewhat jealous to note that she's perfected the "bisexual slouch" that Jason has been trying to practice on Roy and Artemis for months. And given that it's Cass, she probably knows exactly what she's communicating, though given that Tim and Stephanie are in California Jason isn't exactly sure who she's communicating to.

Bruce turns the chair around, so Cass is behind him and the rest of his present children in his field of vision. "I've called the four of you here because each of you has a unique perspective on a particular issue," he says. "We have reason to believe that Harley Quinn has managed to create an effective treatment for the Joker's mental condition."

There's a moment of absolute stunned silence that echoes through the entire cave, then Barbara breaks it with a hearty "Holy shit."

Dick whistles.

Jason crosses his arms behind his head. "So what's the plan to get him to take it?" he says. "Force it down his throat?"

Bruce shakes his head. "I already had Aaron Cash deliver him the first dose," he says. "And from what Barry, Harley, and I can all tell, it seems to be working. But."

"But," Cassandra echoes knowingly. She nods. "You're not sure."

Bruce purses his lips. "I want it to work," he says. "But at the same time, the pessimist in me is hoping that it won't. Punching him is simpler. So it's..." He tilts his head. "...difficult." He looks at his three oldest partners. "You three have the most experience with him out of anyone in the family, and Cassandra—" he acknowledges her with a nod of his head, "—is the best equipped to notice smaller signs. I'd like to ask you four to watch him, to gauge whether he actually is getting better or whether it's some kind of ruse."

Jason grimaces, leaning forward. "You know I'm going to default to no."

Bruce sucks in his lips and nods. "That's why I asked your advice specifically," he says. "You and Barbara are the least likely people in the family to trust him." He does not say why, because everyone in the room knows and he of all people knows what it's like to have to relive significant trauma. "If he is faking, I'm counting on you two to find out why."

It's an odd experience, being needed by Bruce for possibly the first time since he died. Jason decides he likes it.

"I kinda feel like the odd man out, here," Dick says.

Bruce turns to him. "You're the most likely to believe him," he says, and it's not an accusation—there's pride in his voice as he says it. "If it is, then Jack is going to need—"

"Jack?" Barbara interrupts.

"Jack Napier," Bruce says. "It's his name."

Cassandra raises an eyebrow. "First-name basis?"

Bruce remains completely impassive, which for him means he’s basically rolling his eyes. "If this is real, then Napier is going to need someone in his corner to make sure he doesn't backslide."

"I have a condition," Barbara announces. Everyone turns to her, and she clutches at her elbow, nervously shifting her weight to one hip. "I'm not going near him," she says. "I'll do it, but only as Oracle. No Batgirl involved."

Jason's eyes unconsciously flick to her stomach, where the bullet scar is hiding among a small number of larger knife wounds, then he catches himself and looks away. He feels a twinge on his back, the one he feels whenever he gets cold, where the Lazarus pit never quite erased the scarring from the crowbar. He can sympathize with not wanting to share space with that monster. It's a big part of why he started carrying guns, and why he decided to wear the red helmet—his own twisted form of exposure therapy.

"Agreed," Bruce says, turning back to his computer. "Now, if you'll excuse me, Croc's been robbing bodegas again." He glances at Jason. "You've got a fairly good relationship with him. Care to come with?"

In case anyone is wondering why Bruce seems out of character, I'm using @unpretty's Bruce from the Sorrowful and Immaculate Hearts series—specifically taking inspiration from the fic "Christmas in Kansas"—who I think is the best Batman/Bruce Wayne ever written.

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kdenbibi · 6 years

Text

Let this flower bloom

Requested: Can I request Tim Drake or Jason Todd’s reaction to the Black!reader going off to a Ivy League college far from them, coming back looking like an entire meal?

Warnings: My extra ass getting carried away, slight cursing, drinking

Author’s note: Bitch what the fuck i’m so sorry this took as long as it did, to the sweet anon who requested this I really hope you like it hun!!!!!- Admin A :”D

It took Tim about a week to realize he liked you a little more than a friend was supposed to, okay a lot more than he was supposed to, but with his luck, he realized this a few days before you were set to leave thousands of miles away for a once in a lifetime scholarship opportunity. It hit him out of the blue, well there was always an inkling of something more than friendship bubbling under the surface, like whenever your hands brushed and heat would shoot up his arm,or the way butterflies would explode whenever your eyes would meet from across the classroom.

The moment there wasn't a doubt, that 'holy fucking shit I’m in love with you' moment happened a few days after you showed him your acceptance letter, there you were, sitting inches away from him on your bed, he'd spent so many nights here, stray articles of his wardrobe managed to find their way on your body an god did he notice how good you looked in his clothes. His over sized sweats bunched up around your hips, your face was concentrated deeply on your phone, you were talking about something but he couldn't focus on it, all he could pay attention to was how good you looked in his shirt, and boy did it look like it belonged there draped over your shoulders, his mouth went dry, he couldn't begin to describe this feeling, all he knew was the way his stomach did somersaults wasn't normal, it briefly crossed his mind he could be sick but no, this felt way too good to be the flu, he froze when your deep brown eyes flicked up from the tiny screen in front of you.

"-are you even listening to me Tim?"

"Yes?" You snorted,"Then why did that sound like more of a question than an answer?" He shrugged unable to recover from that electric feeling still rolling over him in waves every time he so much as glanced in your direction. You smiled leaning over to flick his leg. "I said," you rolled those perfect eyes at having to repeat yourself, "-what kinda' pizza we getting? I don't care as long as it's not pineapple, we don't allow that disrespect in this household." He forced himself to look at the TV praying you couldn't tell something was off and muttered out a random request.

That night as he lay in his bed, and even though he’d left your place hours ago, the moment was still on a loop in his head, all the ways it could have gone differently, he knew what this meant and if it were any other situation he'd tell you.

But he couldn't, not now.

Not when your dream was so close to becoming reality.

Now Tim was a smart guy, he knew if he told you and if by chance you felt the same way he did, there was a very strong possibility you'd throw away your dream for whatever future you two could have, he wasn't willing to take your dream away from you.

So he played his role, years of vigilante work had come in useful with the way he masked his emotions, He smiled though your goodbye party, Alfred insisted it be at the manor since they had more than enough room for your family and his combined, you looked so in place among everyone else, so much so he had to take a step back before he did something he'd regret, he left when Barbra pulled out her camera, knowing her, you'd be too preoccupied to notice him slip away, he sulked down the vast hallways he passed up his room, that be the first place someone would look for him.

He made his way to the nearest balcony, quietly shuffling outside to the bone chilling air, the wind whipped against his face almost immediately, the momentary pain brought a sense of clarity to the troubled young man. He couldn't help but laugh at his situation, knowing all his worries would vanish if he simply told you the truth.

"Why are you so stupid?" He asked himself leaning against the stone railing.

"You know, I find myself asking that question a lot." Your teasing voice chimed in from behind scaring him half to death. He tried to hide his surprise at your sudden entrance with a casual shrug of his shoulders. "Some queries are best left unanswered I guess."

You scoffed but the sound was still sweet to his ears, the air fell silent but it was far from uncomfortable, there was a lot to be said, things you couldn't say in front of the crowd downstairs, things meant to be shared like secrets between just the two of you, but the right words never came.

"The crowd get to you too?" He spoke breaking the comfortable silence, he felt you shrug against him. "My mom started telling embarrassing stories I had to get outta there." Tim laughed, he couldn't help but take a glance at the girl beside him, he tried to take in the moment, face to face, skin to skin, so close he could see the smallest of freckles hiding out against her rich skin. "What? Do I have something on my face?" "Yeah," he leaned over to swipe his thumb across her cheek. "-looks like a whole bunch of nerd."

"Oh fuck you." She swiped at his hand ignoring the loud laugh that came from him. Once things calmed down again it was her who broke the silence. "So you gonna miss me?" He shrugged pretending to think about it. "Eh, I guess. Maybe a little." She gave him a hard look which only brought another laugh. "Don't be stupid, I'm gonna miss you like crazy (Y/n)- unfortunately, you happen to be my best friend." She brought a hand to her chest, dramatically pulling him in for a side hug.

"I'm gonna miss you too Tim- more than you think."

But he didn't have a chance to question her, because the next second the balcony doors was thrown open by a wide eyed Dick Grayson. "There you two are! Come on Alfred made you cake- Oops! I wasn't supposed to say that, okay just act surprised when you get down there."

And just like that he was dragging her off. The rest of the night was a blur of pictures, tears and goodbyes. Tim walked her to her parents car, they were already inside so the two took their time walking up to the vehicle. "Don't make any weird friends okay?" He spoke shoving his hands in his pocket to shield from the cold, she laughed linking their arms, "Right, I think I'm good on the weird friends category, have you looked at yourself recently?." Tim found himself unable to respond, trying to soak up the familiar feeling of just being with her as they walked, and much too soon they were at the car, he found himself thinking about kissing her, after all it be a perfect movie moment to lean forward just a few inches more and steal a kiss, he knew it be simple and fast, and it would manage to tell her everything he was too scared to vocalize, but he didn't, instead he fought his instincts and instead wrapped her in a hug, when he found himself pulling away, he nearly fell over when the softest pair of lips gently pressed against the corner of his mouth, she pulled away with a small smile and got in her car.

Over the two years she'd been away Tim had grown a lot, he'd gotten stronger, smarter, faster, and he'd never admit this out loud but he couldn't wait to show off in front of the girl, it was her first time home since she'd left, and to say he was excited was an understatement, anyone who'd listen to him could easily tell whoever was coming over today, had him on edge, his teammate and good friend Conner had the unfortunate job of dealing with the wired boy.

"Wait let me get this straight, you still love this girl right?" Tim nodded not looking away from the computer screen displaying flight schedules, your flight schedule to be specific.

"And you've never told her because?" Tim glanced at his friend before starting back at the screen like it would magically change the harder he stared at it.

"Never the right time."

"I may have been born a few years ago but that seems stupid to me, if you really care about someone you should tell them." Tim made a noise of disapproval, spinning to face his stone faced friend. "It's complicated Con, you can't just go around confessing to people."

"Why not."

"Because- it's just-"

"For such a good detective you're actually pretty stupid."

"Remind me why we're friends again?"

"I'm the only one who’s willing to put up with your shit- besides your girlfriend, oh wait no my bad, she's not your girlfriend because you're a pussy-" Tim threw the controller he had near by at his friends face which only made the boy laugh, the soon to be Smack Down was interrupted by three sharp knocks at the door, after a quick game of rock paper scissors Tim turned back to his laptop, headphones now on so he could block out the world, Conner rose to get the door expecting Alfred with lunch.

"Uh hello?" Conner spoke out in confusion at the stranger standing in front of him, she was definitely not Alfred. "Hey is Tim here?" It took Conner about two seconds to realize what was happening, he gave you a smile, "You're (Y/n) right?"

"Yeah! How'd you know?" Conner motioned to the clueless Tim behind him. "He has a big mouth." With that the he stepped aside to let you in, closing the door behind him. You made your way to the hunched over figure, waiting for him to turn around. "Conner you shit head I can hear you- knock it off." Tim spoke yanking off his earphones, he swiveled around to be met with quite the sight.

There you stood, your blue jeans clinging to your legs like a second skin, and all at once his throat was dry, and his skin was on fire, his eyes raked over your form trying to soak up the meal he had in front of him, your hair was loose, it framed your face, my god your face, you stared at him expectantly, waiting for his brain to kick back into gear, the smile you wore was the same one from years ago, just as playful but somehow more mature, before he could stop himself he was up, arms wrapped around your waist pulling you against him in a bone crushing hug, you laughed into his shoulder as he tried to handle all that was placed before him. "You asshole you said your flight would get here later!" "That's one way to say you missed me." He had grown a few inches taller than you so he had to lean down to meet your eye. "I did miss you." He spoke, in a light voice, "But a heads up would have been nice, you caught me in my troll form." A smile stretched out on your cheeks so bright it knocked the wind out of him, you let out a laugh he'd only had the chance to hear though fuzzy Skype calls, "Shut up Tim you look good and you know it." Soft fingers found themselves in his overgrown hair, he'd been meaning to cut it for a while but he thanked the Lord he didn't when your fingers lightly tugged at it. "I missed you too, did you forget what a barber was while I was gone? Or are you just going for that Midwestern mom look?" His hands settled pulled away from you, landing on the back of his neck and he plopped down on his couch. "I'm too happy to care about the fact that you just roasted me in my own home." You joined him, the cushions bouncing with you, he shot you a smile, "So how have you been? Any wild school stories? Binge drinking? Weird sexual experiments?" You smacked a hand against his chest, that laugh that made his stomach flip resonated through the room.

"Actually no, I took a page from your book and kinda shut myself in."

"I'm not the best example on how to life your life." She rose a brow glancing around the cluttered room. "Really? I had no idea." The sarcasm dripped from her voice.

The two old friends sat there for hours, trading stories, laughing, it was like no time had passed at all between the two, only now they could drink while they did it. Somewhere along the way her legs found themselves draped across his lap, and their conversation was reaching that point when all restraint fell out the window.

The whiskey helped with that a bit.

"All i’m saying is all that crap woulda’ been way more fun with you there."

"Cheers to that."

She clinked her glass against his, he tried not to stare, he really did, but the way the sun outside his bedroom windows had began to fall, pinks and reds seeped in through the glass painting the scene, painting her, in a beautiful glow. It seemed criminal not to appreciate the art in front of him, he laughed at the thought catching her attention.

“What’s so funny?”

He shook his head, long hair falling in front of his face.

“Nothing-You just look really- really beautiful.”

“Woah, someone went and got some game while I was gone.” This caused another laugh to bubble from his lips.

“This isn’t groundbreaking information, you’ve always been beautiful to me.”

Her wide grin grew shy the more he blabbered.

“We’re telling secrets now?” he simply nodded, she hummed, her fingernails tapping against her glass as she thought of a response.

“Okay I got one, remember the night I left?”

"Mhm." He nodded taking a long sip from his own cup. "When we were up there, on that balcony I mean, I really wanted to kiss you." She laughed out pressing a hand against her head.

It may have been the building tension between them, or the fact that she was looking at him like, well that, or perhaps the alcohol running through his veins, but he didn't hesitate with his response.

"Why didn't you?" She paused for a moment, her mouth opening and closing in shock, "I dunno' guess I was scared you'd be freaked out, I've always wished I did it though." He sat up straighter, grin stretched out across his face, mirroring her own, his body now the slightest bit closer to her, but roomy enough to give her space to run.

"What's stopping you now?"

She paused, her familiar smile gracing her features, she sat up now facing her best friend, the coil that been building between them for years ready to snap.

"Not a damn thing I suppose."

#dc #dc imagine #dc x reader #tim drake #tim drake x reader #tim drake imagine #poc reader #poc reader insert #black reader #requested

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avengerdragoness · 7 years

Text

Acrobat’s Sister [Jason Todd x Reader]

Requested by anon: “Could you do one where reader is dick's sister but didn't get adopted by Bruce when dick did and they are reunited when Jason introduces her to the rest of the batfam as his girlfriend”

A/N: I’m finally finishing off my requests! I actually started this yesterday but ended up zonking out before I could finish, so sorry for the lack of updates yesterday. I’m planning out my last few requests and hopefully will get them done. But I hope you all enjoy this my loves!

(Part 2 - Blessing)

________

Your life hasn't always been the greatest. You love being in the circus but after losing your parents everything just felt dark. Your parents and brother were the acrobat trio ‘The Flying Graysons.’ You on the other hand weren't one for acrobatics. Yes, your family taught you some techniques but you were always more interested in the animals. Especially the lions. And they in turn were quite fond of you.

It's not like you have a superpower with animals or anything, you're just good with them. So instead of training to be an acrobat, you became the youngest lion tamer in the circus world. The lions treated and still treat you as one of their own, thinking of you as superior even though lion prides don't really have a leader.

After losing your parents you became very withdrawn and what didn't help was when Dick was adopted after your parents funeral. It was a closed adoption meaning you have no idea where he went. Making you not only grieve your parents but your brother as well. He didn't call or write so it felt like he fell off that trapeze as too. Your last name didn't help much either, “Grayson” was well known in the circus world, whenever people heard your last name they immediately questioned you about the loss of your parents. Making the grieving process that much harder. Eventually you couldn't take anymore of that reminder and changed your last name, becoming [F/n] [L/n] instead of [F/n] Grayson. Not that you aren't proud of your heritage, it was just becoming emotionally and mentally unhealthy for you.

You always seemed to be in some sort of slump, even after it being so many years. Around 15 years since it all happened, Dick has to be 25 now. 14 years you had trouble being happy, but this last year, things changed.

You met Jason one year ago, he saved you as Red Hood from a gang that targeted the circus. They attacked during your act and Red Hood protected you as he and Arsenal took out the gang members. You actually ended up saving him as well, the lions thought he was a threat to you and one of them managed to claw him in the leg before you could calm them down.

Later the next day he came to you as Jason Todd and you recognized the wound. He used the excuse of a motorcycle accident but you’d know an injury like that anywhere. God knows you’ve had a few.

Jason came clean to you about a month into your relationship, knowing you’d already figured it out. You weren’t mad, in fact you found it cute. Just like how he was being now.

“Come on” he whined pulling you onto his lap. You giggled, “If we’re going to be on time for me to meet your family, you have to let me go shower.” Pecking his lips. His arms wrapped around your waist tighter, “We can be late” digging his face in your neck.

You unwrapped his arms, “No we can’t, you know how I am about first impressions” turning to him once you were standing. He threw his head back groaning, head resting on the back of the couch. Laughing you walked around behind the couch and looked down at him, “You’re a child.” Playing with the ends of his hair. “But you love me” he grinned up at you. Pecking his lips you responded “That I do” before pulling away and going to get ready.

Jason watched as you went to the bathroom in his apartment. Once you were through the door he stood up and picked up his phone. Sliding out of the window, onto the fire escape. He pulled out his phone and dialed Alfred.

He listened to it ring until Alfred answered, “Hello Master Jason, of what do I owe the pleasure?”

“Hey Alfred, I was curious of how things are at the manor. I just want to make sure everything will be okay for tonight.” Jason asked, rubbing the back of his neck nervously.

“Everything's been taken care of Master Jason. I have made the recipe you asked for and everything. No need to worry.”

“Alright, thanks Alfred we’ll be there in a few hours” Jason leaned against the railing of the fire escape. “My pleasure Master Jason, I look forward to meeting Miss [F/n].” Alfred said before hanging up the phone.

Coming back into the apartment he heard the shower turn off. Hearing that he decided he should get ready too so he’d be ready when you are.

It didn’t take long for the both of you to get ready and soon you were out the door. During the ride to the manor you began to feel a bit anxious, nervously shifting in your seat.

“You okay?” Jason asked while taking your hand. Letting out a deep breathe you ran your thumb over his knuckles, “Just a bit uneasy is all. Do you think they’ll like me?” You watched a grin grow on his face, he pulled your hand to his lips, kissing the back of it, “They’ll love you.” Feeling relief you relaxed in your seat, giving his hand a light squeeze.

Pulling into the manor Jason put the car in park. “You ready?” squeezing your hand. Nodding you opened your door as Jason opened his. He wrapped an arm around your waist as you both walked up to the door. After knocking an older man opened it, “Hello Master Jason, and you must be Miss [F/n]. A pleasure to meet you, I’m Alfred Pennyworth” he introduced himself. You shook his hand before the both of you came in. “It’s nice to meet you too Alfred, Jason has told me a lot about you.”

“All good things I hope” he chuckled. “There aren’t any bad things” Jason laughed, Alfred told you both that the others were in the living room. Jason showed you the way. Walking in you were overwhelmed by the number of people. “Hey everyone” Jason caught the attention of the room. They all smiled at you, “Guys this is my girlfriend [F/n]. [F/n] there’s Bruce my adoptive father. Then there’s the madhouse that are my siblings, Tim, Damian aka Demon Spawn, Cass, Stephanie, Barbara, and where’s Dickie?” Jason had pointed to each family member.

The one you learned was Barbara spoke up, “He’s running late but texted and said he’s five minutes away about five minutes ago. He’ll be here soon.”

When she finished Bruce stood up and walked over to you, “[F/n] it’s wonderful to meet you.” he held out his hand. You took it, “It’s an honor to meet you Mr. Wayne.” He smiled before saying “Please, ‘Bruce’ is fine.”

You grinned and nodded in understanding. Jason hadn’t left your side when your attention turned to his siblings once Damian spoke up, “Tt. How did Todd get a woman like you? Did Pennyworth put you up to this?” raising an eyebrow at you. You giggled as Jason sent him a death glare. “No, Jason is actually quite the gentleman.”

“Are you sure that’s the Jason you’re talking about?” Tim pointed at Jason as the others nodded, Bruce was laughing to himself. “Wow, thanks guys.” Jason rolled his eyes. “Aw, we’re just teasing. Lighten up.” Steph threw a pillow at him, which he caught with ease. He was about to throw it back when everyone heard the door open.

“Hey guys sorry I’m late. Traffic was a bit--” Dick began but stopped when he met your eyes. “Oh my god” you breathed out covering your mouth. You left Jason’s side and immediately threw your arms around your older brother, leaving everyone with shocked expressions.

“How did? What are you doing here?” He asked while hugging you back. “Me? You’re the one who disappeared” you pulled away to look at your now adult brother. “I know I’m sorry. I wanted Bruce to adopt us both but he said he could only adopt me.” Dick kept your eyes. “So that meant you couldn’t call or write? It’s been 15 years Dick. It felt like you fell off that trapeze too.”

“Okay! Hold on! What is going on here?” Jason interrupted the reunion, everyone equally confused. “[F/n]’s my little sister.” Dick answered walking away from you and up to him.

“You’re what?!” They all yelled. “You never told us you had a sister!” Steph yelled from her spot. Jason looked at you, “You said your brother abandoned you.” Dick felt a pang in his chest hearing Jason say that. He witnessed as Jason walked over to you, seeing you whisper “I did.”

“Wait, are you two?” Dick gestured between the both of you. You exchanged a look with Jay, “A couple, yes.” wrapping your arms around Jay’s waist. “You’re dating my sister?!” Dick asked, shocked. “In my defense I didn’t know you have a sister.” Jason countered, his arm wrapped around your back.

He went to say something more before letting himself relax. Allowing a smile on his face, “I’m happy for you.” Walking over, Dick put a hand on your shoulder, “Jay is a great guy and I trust him to protect you.”

You released Jay and hugged your brother, “Thank you Dick” hearing Jason say behind you. Letting him go you smiled at him before returning back to Jay placing a kiss on his cheek. As soon as you did so Alfred called for dinner.

You and Jason followed behind the group, your eyes widened when seeing your favorite meal beautifully prepared. Looking up at Jason you beamed “I seriously love you” hugging his waist tighter. He chuckled “Yeah I know, I love you too,” before pecking your lips. You giggled, not noticing the endearing smile on Dick’s face.

Dick really did want to stay in touch with you after leaving but becoming Robin would put you in danger. Little did he know you’d end up with the Red Hood himself, but he knows Jason will never let anything happen to you. Plus he can see the love you both share, he’s never seen Jason this happy. Hell, he’s never seen you this happy. In all this makes him happy too, seeing two people he loves joyful and in love. What more could an older brother ask for?

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audreycritter · 7 years

Text

Sleepwalker

Rating: T Gen Characters: Tim Drake Angst

AO3 Link

Sleepwalker

There is cold, wet gravel under Tim Drake’s cheek when he hits the ground and the armor that protects his ribs from the blow reminds him that he is not Tim Drake with a broken gas mask, he is Red Robin.

But the mask is broken and the tendrils of fear toxin curling around his face remind of a time when he was Robin. A time when Scarecrow wasn't climbing inside his brain, but when he donned a mask and saved the Bat from a similar fate.

That was when he stopped being just Tim Drake.

But he's not Robin now either.

And Red Robin is about fifteen seconds away from being nothing more than a shrieking sack of bones and guts, based on the level of toxicity he'd measured before his gas mask broke.

So really?

He doesn't know who the hell he is.

He's not sure it even matters.

I am a ghost.

That is what I tell myself.

I used to be a boy but now I am a ghost and I walk the tombstones of a field of graves. They all have names and they are not my name but they are names that are part of me.

I am a son, a brother, a friend.

I was, before I was a ghost.

I trail my fingers along the granite and along the engraved letters so sharp they cut my fingers, that would bleed if they could, but they don't.

Jason Todd, Janet Drake, Jack Drake, Stephanie Brown, Conner Kent, Bruce Wayne, Damian Wayne, Richard Grayson.

And more beyond them.

The grass, chilled and dry, rustles in the bitter wind that blows across the field. The field goes on forever in every direction, and maybe somewhere out there beyond the horizon there are blue skies and green prairies, but here it is clouded and pale.

Here, it is death.

I find him at the end of the row of tombs, perched on a grave with my own name on it.

I didn't even know I was wearing a wool peacoat until I shove my hands in my pockets while facing him.

“Mors vincit omnia,” I say to him.

Death looks a lot like me, actually, or whoever I used to be. His hair is longer, his skin ashen, his own coat wrapped tightly around thin shoulders.

Or maybe he looks exactly like me and I don't even know how bad I look half the time.

Looked.

“Oh, I’m not Death,” he says, hopping down and mirroring my pose. “Death is real.”

There's a taste of sage on my tongue.

“Are you not real?” I ask, because this whole place feels like an in-between sort of place, a fiction compared to the things I know and remember.

“We aren't real,” he corrects, flicking my forehead.

And though it is ridiculous, my heart-- the heart that is the heart of a ghost-- skips a beat.

“What,” I say. It is not a question because I am not certain I want to ask and hear an answer.

“We’re a dream,” he says. “And this is where dreams come to die.”

“No,” I say firmly, because I have lived too much and felt pain too deeply for it to have been a dream. I have done too many things, can recall a thousand vivid details, to have dreamed it all.

The taste of sage grows stronger.

“No?” he echoes. “This isn't something you can argue. It's a fact.”

“We’re talking about my life!” I say irritably, my voice raising. I gesture to the line of tombstones behind me. “I didn't dream all this!”

“Oh,” he says, giving me a pitying look. And then his face twists into something cruel, a malicious press of his lips into a thin line.

“What?” I demand, asking now.

“Tim. Timmy. Timbo,” he says. “I didn’t say you were dreaming. I said you were a dream.”

“That’s insane,” I snap, but inside the sick lurch of realization plants doubt.

“Look,” he says, pointing.

I turn and the sage is so strong in my mouth that it burns my gums.

The tombstones are gone and there is a flat cement patio, a small white table, two painted iron chairs and a flowering plant surrounded by butterflies. In the distance there is an old building and I recognize it; it is Arkham. It is Arkham Asylum on an impossibly sunny day. I even know the plot with the cement and the flowers, except I remember it as overgrown and broken.

Here, it is not broken.

Here, there is a man with close shorn hair sitting in one of the chairs and holding a mug of tea. He is sitting complacent and docile, his eyes a blank and unfocused gaze.

It is Bruce, but Bruce in a way I have never seen him.

“That’s the real him,” the boy who is me but also not me says, nodding. If the empty Bruce hears him, he gives no indication. “He’s been that way for a long time.”

“What do you--”

“He dreams you. And the others. Not all of them, of course, there’s almost always a bit of truth in dreams. Think about it for a minute. You’re smart. Doesn’t it all seem, well, too convenient?”

I spit to clear the sage from my mouth.

“I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”

I don’t know who I am. Am I a ghost? Is this boy who looks like me a ghost?

“Dick was real, of course. Is, sorry. So was Jason. Was, that one stays. But Tim, that man broke the year that Jason died. Alfred Pennyworth had him admitted for his own protection. They hid Batman-- it was hard at first, but the more Bruce slipped the easier it was to just chalk it up to his own paranoia and unhinged stories. And he couldn’t cope with a world where he was responsible for Jason, so in his head, he fixed it. He started with you-- you should be flattered. You were the first distraction: you acknowledging his pain at losing Jason, your parents alive but absent so he could parent you without a legal obligation; the starting point for the others.

“You’ve really never wondered, before?” he asks. “At how neatly it fit together? That you were at the circus the same night, fascinated by both Batman and Dick Grayson before you made the connection? That you, a child, made the connection at all when intelligent adults around you couldn’t?”

“Men see what they want to see,” I say to him coldly, determined that whatever mindgame he is playing won't frighten me.

He laughs, a sharp and brittle sound.

“C’mon, Tim. You aren't stupid. Occam’s Razor. What makes more sense? That all of it really happened or that somebody made it up? Four dead Robins and none of them still dead? No. No, you were the first of a long line of trying to atone for Jason in his broken little brain.”

I scowl at the dying grass under my polished loafers and then look up across the field to the Arkham garden scene. In all the time we’ve been standing here, he hasn’t raised the mug to drink the contents, even once. A butterfly alights on the table and he doesn’t react to it. I am thinking of the time we spent training, when everything was something to notice. There were entire sessions just pushing me to make sure I didn’t miss details in my surroundings.

With a hunch of my own shoulders, I swallow to try to rid my throat of sage.

“Why?” I ask, considering. There’s no point in ruling out possibilities without honestly considering them, combing each option over for details. And now I want to know, if it’s all fiction, why so many graves? This seems to be the strongest argument against a dreamscape.

“Because he doesn’t think he has anyone. And we’re safer, easier to control and manipulate,” the ghost of me says.

“But why kill them all?” I persist, frowning at where the row of tombstones stood before vanishing.

“I don’t know,” he shrugged. “You’ve been in his head all this time. Why don’t you tell me? I think it’s because he doesn’t know how to sustain happiness. The only kinds of dreams he can keep up with are the ones that are nightmares. He’s put a little of himself in each of you, surrounded himself with a grand fantasy where none of you stay dead, except the ones that pull you away from his orbit-- your father, your friend. Those relationships are messy and take too much effort to keep track of, but he feeds on the drama within his own circle. And if he could let it go, they’d probably release him.”

My heart that is too hollow, too light, stills within me. I feel the absence of its beating but it doesn’t seem to have any other effect.

“What…” I study Bruce in the chair. He finally sips the tea and it occurs to me that I am certain it is tea and I had no way of knowing this. I clear my throat. “Is he alone? Really?”

“Alfred visits daily. Clark comes once a week. Dick and Barbara are married and stop by when they can. I think he’s noticed, finally. He’s making an effort. That’s why you’re here.”

“What am I supposed to do?” I ask, dread settling over me like lake water, dense and frigid and airless. It wasn't true, it couldn't be true, but it sort of made sense.

“Do?” he laughed again, that sardonic icy bark of a laugh. “Nothing. His therapist told suggested trying to kill you all off, and well, you were...the first. The first fiction. You're here to be retired. But it's sort of a process, for old dreams. You have to be let go. And he's not sure he wants to, yet.”

“What will happen if he does?”

The sage was now in my mouth, my throat, my nostrils, making my eyes water. My palms were slick, I was sweating all over. I coughed.

With every second that passed, I was becoming more certain he spoke the truth. My grip on anything that could contradict him felt tenuous and desperate, a panicked internal railing against the surety of where I stood.

“You end,” he says simply, the bitter mirth gone. “Dreams are just dreams, Tim. They don't have an afterlife.”

“And if he doesn't?” I ask, clenching my teeth after to keep them from chattering.

“Business as usual,” he shrugs. “You go back. You might remember, you might not. I don't know because he's never gotten you this far before. It’ll probably be big; whenever he tries and fails to stop living in his head, the regression is always dramatic for all of you. Near death, severe injury, something of the sort. Do the others remember?”

“Who?” I ask, frowning. “What do you--”

“Well, he's never killed you off before. But the others, the ones he brought back. They've each been here, but I think that was intentional, you know. It wasn't therapy it was just plot.”

“They've never said anything,” I say faintly, my head reeling: Jason, Stephanie, Damian. They would have all…

“Then you probably won't remember either,” he says cheerfully, clapping my shoulder. “That's a bit of good news, anyway. Don't you think knowing would really mess you up?”

Across the field, there is the sharp, glittering sound of porcelain splintering into a thousand pieces. We both jerk our heads up in unison to look-- the shell of Bruce Wayne has thrown the tea mug onto the concrete and he is rocking back and forth, muttering and whimpering.

I look at the ghost of me, the ghost who isn't a ghost. He's fading and so is the landscape around us.

“Oh, I think he's changed his mind, again,” the other me says. He smiles one more time, and it is cheshire in its lingering white malice.

“Sweet dreams!” he calls, the words far away and echoing across the darkness engulfing me.

My throat is full of sage and it is swollen, stinging.

I wake in the Batcave with bruises on my arms from being restrained, while Bruce stands nearby, in the suit with his cowl pushed off his face. He notices I am awake and he looks relieved and exhausted.

“Hey, Tim,” he says wearily, “you had us worried there for a bit. We haven't had anyone react that way to fear toxin before. I'll get Alfred.”

“Bruce,” I say, wanting to ask. I want reassurance. I want someone to tell me that it's ridiculous, but it turns out it is too ridiculous even to ask, to voice, and my questions die on my tongue with the taste of sage.

“Hm?” he says, absently patting my shoulder as he pushes the intercom that is link to the manor. “Alfred, Tim’s awake.”

“I will be right down, sir,” comes the prompt reply.

“How are you feeling?” Bruce asks, sitting in a chair next to the bed.

I swallow.

“Okay,” I lie.

I'm crazy. It was just fear toxin. I know this.

But it's so dramatic, it's so neatly arranged, it's so formulaic. Alfred will come downstairs, he will offer tea and chicken soup. Dick will call. I will sit up and some people I love will stay dead and others I love will never die.

“Tea and soup, Master Timothy,” Alfred says, stepping off the elevator with a silver tray.

And though the fear toxin is, or should be, out of my system, my heart begins to pound and I am drenched in sweat in an instant and the edges of my vision darken.

“Tim?” I hear Bruce say, slightly alarmed.

I begin to cry and I don't care.

I am not a ghost.

I am a dream.

#batman #batfam #tim drake #ficblogging #ao3 link #red robin #angst

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