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whoseyscientist · 2 years

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BEST BRUCE WAYNE/ BATMAN FICS I KNOW

ok so I’ve noticed a distinct lack of fic recs surrounding bruce as a focus and figured hey, I read a fuck ton of bruce fics to fix that!!

This is gonna be a mix of gen and shipping, for this list at least, I’m just gonna have all the longer fics with a more serious tone here- i lowkey wanna do another rec list for batfam or team bonding with the league and/or sweeter slice of life fics too (also all the other superbat fics, there were so many others but this list was already getting waay too long lol)

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GENERAL

I’ll Come Out Right On The Other Side

https://archiveofourown.org/works/21995317/chapters/52488031

A direct follow up to “Live While I Breathe” in which Bruce begins therapy.

His first major goal? Bettering his relationships with his kids, one at a time.

AKA: Bruce plans a bonding activity with each of his kids and generally makes a fool of himself. He thinks it might be worth it though, in the end.

Good Intentions and the Highest Hopes

https://archiveofourown.org/works/35013313/chapters/87205279

Bruce offers each of his children the chance to go on vacation with him, and they get to choose the destination. Jason chooses the one place he thinks Bruce will enjoy the least, out of spite.

That’s how the two of them end up going to Disney World.

Yesterday's Voices

https://archiveofourown.org/works/11035398/chapters/24597084

While trying to take down a drug cartel that deals with memory altering drugs, things go awry, and Batman wakes up with no recollection of the last five years. As a result, his family must now race against time to find the antidote, while also having to deal with a Bruce who still thinks Jason is Robin. A Bruce who doesn't recognise most of them. A Bruce far less jaded and cynical than the one they're used to. A Bruce who still cares.

Nature and Nurture

https://archiveofourown.org/works/14519379/chapters/33545871

It was a no good, very bad night all around, and it kept getting worse.

In which the writer explores some classic tropes, indulges in some BatFam feels, and explores the effects of nature and nurture on the psyche of one Bruce Thomas Wayne.

(^ bruce gets hit with a spell and goes through different ages and bonds with each batfam through every one- it’s really really good)

Foreign Object

https://archiveofourown.org/works/7804285/chapters/17807005

Bruce Wayne deals with a serious illness, one that threatens the most crucial part of himself. He and the family try to cope with their own fears and expectations about it and then the aftermath. This is written partly as character study, partly as family drama.

A Good Place

https://archiveofourown.org/works/13515501/chapters/30999966

Damian Wayne is kidnapped and sent back years through time. Together, he and Father – who's only been Batman for a mere six months –must figure out how to return him to his own time. Over the course of the next week, Damian discovers that Mexican gangsters do not mess around, that social workers find Bruce annoying, that Bruce might be a little messed up, and that crystal chandeliers create the fondest memories.

Oh. And Alfred has hair.

Keep Your Head, Your Backbone, and Your Heart

https://archiveofourown.org/works/30878135/chapters/76242287

The last thing that Duke expected on what was supposed to be just a regular patrol was being suddenly thrown five years into the past, coming face to face with a darker, more violent Batman than the one he knew, a broken family, and a Tim who was a foot shorter than Duke, and not even Robin yet.

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SUPERBAT

A Common Misconception

https://archiveofourown.org/works/28374456/chapters/69587634#workskin

When Bruce Wayne comes out, he accidentally becomes the poster child of bisexuality and realizes his lifestyle of sleeping around needs to come to an end. Clark, being the supportive friend that he is, volunteers to pretend to date him for a year.

You know the rest.

Infinite

https://archiveofourown.org/works/9544220/chapters/21581087

With the help of an alien artifact Bruce is travelling to more universes than he ever thought possible. The only problem?

He can’t get back to his own.

Time To Give

https://archiveofourown.org/works/33784999/chapters/83984005

Martha Kent has lost her son; that's something Bruce can understand. A friendship that blossoms from grief and loss? Bruce can be selfish this once and allow himself at least that.

But then Martha gets her son back, and Bruce? Bruce doesn't. Living with what he's done and has had done to him? Maybe Bruce needs a little help with that. And it seems both Kents are willing to give Bruce as much time as he's willing to give them.

Until his son does come back. Both of them.

(A Superhero's Amateur Guide to Saving a Life, Falling in Love, and Preserving the Space-Time Continuum Despite) Time Travel

https://archiveofourown.org/works/25137466

There isn't anything unusual about the day Bruce dies.

Clark wishes there had been. He wishes he'd known it was coming; he wishes he'd been ready and waiting to stop it before it happened at all.

But having the chance to fix it after the fact is the next-best thing. He'll take it.

Porridge (New and Improved)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/18916780

If there was no Batman, he would just have to create him. No matter what the cost. With the help of a Batman-inspired supercomputer that is close to the real thing (but not nearly close enough), Superman brings Batman to the world once more.

(^ crazyyyyy)

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BATLANTERN

Am I The Asshole?

https://archiveofourown.org/works/28287774/chapters/69318234

Hal is sick, and Bruce helps out, and illness has a way of showing you not just who you really are, but who someone else is too. It's possible, Hal comes to realize, that he just might be the asshole. Possibly. Just maybe

What If

https://archiveofourown.org/works/22137433/chapters/52840714

(not the summary, but a note)

It's a "What if Hal came home to find out about Coast City's destruction after the fact?" and a "What if Bruce, being his general awkward but well-intentioned self, stuck his nose in?" and a "What if, Hal got a little support from his friends - take that and shove it, Parallax" kind of fic

The Little Green Light

https://archiveofourown.org/works/3785038/chapters/8419681

Bruce lets himself push back a door of possibility he really ought to have known better than to try, and gets entangled in Ollie and Dinah's complicated life. Hal Jordan has been there before, and offers him some free advice -- and then quite a bit more.

(^ honestly, any batlatern fic done by this person, literally every one)

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RARE(OTHER) PAIR

not really rare but more I couldn’t justify them having their own section so here’s where all the other pairs go lol

Find Your Purpose

https://archiveofourown.org/works/26624758/chapters/64921246

With the manor in flames, Bruce Wayne sets out into the world for a well deserved vacation. When he becomes separated from Alfred, Bruce finds himself trapped in a downward spiral he can't recover from.

Or at least not without help, and help comes from the strangest of places.

(^ bruce/bane- i really like how they dealt with the more political side of things and asked some real questions)

Coming Home

https://archiveofourown.org/works/12459708/chapters/28354785

After she receives his gift, Diana invites Bruce to Paris so she can tell him her story. They are interrupted when a figure from Diana's past returns with a message from Themyscira. Diana, with Bruce at her side, discovers that not all myths are myth and she is not as alone as she once was.

(^ wonderbat in my favourite flavour, protagonist diana and happy to be here bruce :))

When Another Clark Situation Becomes Something More

https://archiveofourown.org/works/40404015/chapters/101215623

This is the story of how Vigilante and Batman became an item. And it all started with Vigilante quoting Clint Eastwood in the right place at the right time. Golden Age of Hollywood cowboy movies played a huge role. And the batkids did too. But they aren't aware of that.

(^ incredibly rare vigilante/batman but it’s also really good- the writer really knows what they’re doing)

SCAR TISSUE

https://archiveofourown.org/works/38102632/chapters/95179879

Tony Stark and Bruce Wayne; once childhood friends, former young lovers, seminal business partners, coinciding superheroes, now... what?

They've shared more than their honest need of fixes, shared more than enough of their afflictions, and shared far more than one lifetime together. Left with scattered memories of their relationship, they're made to question whether they had too much together; if they still have too much remaining to answer for.

With their friendship stretched thin by matters demanding their alter-egos, failing romantic affairs, and inveterate personal burdens, they haven't seen each other in a few years but, when Bruce shows up at one of Tony's AA meetings, the pair rekindle their unremitting relationship in a way only they know how.

(^ tony/bruce- just two emotionally damaged, struggling, toxic billionaires who need each other so deeply they would rather die than be apart, yknow, as you do)

Half Way Across

https://archiveofourown.org/works/5795281/chapters/13357042

Set immediately after "The Killing Joke": Joker changes his mind on the way back to Arkham and agrees to Batman's offer to rehabilitate him.

What follows is a mess of conflicting needs, emotional ugliness and a whole lot of bad decisions, but no one ever said it was going to be easy.

(^ i know its batjokes x-x I know how ya’ll feel about the ship so i get if you wanna skip this last one but do know, it is really good. (unhealthy? definitely, but good? very much so)

#bruce wayne #batman #DC Universe #baman fanfic recs #fanfic rec #dc #batfam #batfam fanfiction #batman fanfiction recs #fanfic #ao3 #superbat #batlantern #good dad bruce wayne #bruce wayne whump

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damianbugs · 1 year

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batfam taking care of dick grayson fics !! time travel fics !! heart wrenching batfam fics that actually analyse the characters and give a good character study and don't simply accept fanon crap (coffee addict tim drake im looking at u) !! ur top 5 all time fave batfam fic !! and also, i love ur stuff so much on ao3 thank u for sharing your work w us <3

THANK YOU SO MUCH !!! this is so sweet i am so happy you enjoy my work <3 i will do you one better and offer a list combining all your requests to the best of my capabilities !! you've caught me at a great time, because i am currently obsessed with batfam timetravel.

i will admit i definitely have more than five favourites (my 500+ carefully curated and organised private bookmarks should be proof enough) so i hope you like the ones i have selected here :D ! (these are in no particular order!)

MY TOP 5 FAVOURITE BATFAM FICS (on ao3) !

Tap by CKBookish

Bruce returns home from the time stream, haunted by phantoms and dreams. Dreams of a past that can't be real.

But all of that wouldn't be so bad if his home didn't feel so empty in the absence of one of his children. Jason, refuses to talk to him or even answer his calls and Bruce can't figure out why or what he did wrong, not after they had mended their fences before his disappearance.

Meanwhile,

Catherine struggles to hold it together for her and Jason as life falls apart around them. When all she has to give is love she does her best to give it all.

MY NOTES: one of my all time favourite not-exactly-time-travel time travel fics! features some wonderful character building and complicated relationships, and the plot itself is just incredibly. the way everyone is written is definitely realistic to how i would imagine them personally (especially dick).

A Good Place by LemonadeGarden

Damian Wayne is kidnapped and sent back years through time. Together, he and Father – who's only been Batman for a mere six months –must figure out how to return him to his own time.

Over the course of the next week, Damian discovers that Mexican gangsters do not mess around, that social workers find Bruce annoying, that Bruce might be a little messed up, and that crystal chandeliers create the fondest memories.

Oh. And Alfred has hair.

MY NOTES: not only is this one of my top favourite time travel fics, it is also one of my favourite bruce and damian fics. it is so witty and fun, but also hurts immensely. fics where the kids are forced to endure young bruce's ridiculousness is always a treat, and here it is infinitely more amusing because it's damian finding his father entirely silly.

Modus Tollens by fanfictiongreenirises

Dick is cursed to kill anyone he touches.

MY NOTES: this one is fantastic. really gut wrenching throughout and you really feel for dick when it gets tough, but the sweet ending makes up for all the pain. dick loves his family and his family loves him immensely.

I Used to Be an Adventurer Like You, Then I Took an Arrow to the Knee by audreycritter

Stephanie was just on patrol and now she’s stuck somewhere, sometime, with Bruce.

They bleed and bond and mostly try to keep each other alive— you know, just a Tuesday.

MY NOTES: don't mind me casually recommending just the best bruce and stephanie fic to ever be written. it is unhealthy how many times i have read this one. and it is time travel! this is my dream come true. it also features one of my most favourite studies on bruce and stephanie and what they represent to each other.

Keep Your Head, Your Backbone and Your Heart by MrMich

MY NOTES: there was a moment in time where i briefly made this fic my entire personality with how much i spoke about it. dare i say one of the best duke thomas centric fics and ITS TIME TRAVEL! it is so great. i have noticed that you rarely see tim as robin in time travel fics, and he is so lovely in this, especially his dynamic with duke. as always, young bruce is ridiculous, but how duke navigates through it all is so important to me.

OKAY i will stop here as i frantically try to shove the remaining 495 fics back into my metaphorical ao3 closet. i hope u like these anon! <3 also if you haven't already, check out all these authors other works too! they are all fantastic !!

#batfam #fic rec #bruce wayne #jason todd #dick grayson #damian wayne #stephanie brown #tim drake #duke thomas #fic reccomendations #time travel #canon divergence #can you tell im crazy insane about these fics yet #saki batfam fic recs

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suicide-inthe-trenches · 7 months

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«In English my name means hope. In Spanish it means too many letters. It means sadness, it means waiting. It is like the number nine. A muddy color. It is the Mexican records my father plays on Sunday mornings when he is shaving, songs like sobbing.

It was my great-grandmother’s name and now it is mine. She was a horse woman too, born like me in the Chinese year of the horse—which is supposed to be bad luck if you’re born female—but I think this is a Chinese lie because the Chinese, like the Mexicans, don’t like their women strong.

My great-grandmother. I would’ve like to have known her, a wild horse of a woman, so wild she wouldn’t marry. Until my great-grandfather threw a sack over her head and carried her off. Just like that, as if she were a fancy chandelier. That’s the way he did it.

And the story goes she never forgave him. She looked out the window her whole life, the way so many women sit their sadness on an elbow. I wonder if she made the best with what she got or was sorry because she couldn’t be all the things she wanted to be. Esperanza. I have inherited her name, but I don’t want to inherit her place by the window.»

#this book was such a nice surprise!#i didn’t know sandra but i’m fascinated with her and how she writes #sandra cisneros #the house on mango street

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ddesertmoon · 2 years

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Batman Fic Recs Feat. Time Travel

My favorite time travel fics with the batfam. I’ll mention if there are any ships :)

The View From Jade by lowflyingfruit

“Being transported to the past is not the sort of thing one normally expects. But this having happened, and with no easy way back, Jason's determined to make the most of it. Though the Bat still stalks Gotham's streets, the city's crime is run by the mobs instead of the rogues. There's no Joker yet.

There's no Robin.

Maybe there shouldn't be.”

I love this one! It’s got a lot of interactions between young Dick and Jason and they’re just precious

Fairy Godbrother by envysparkler

“What are brothers for?

(Or: some minor dimensional travel, pseudo-kidnapping, and a whole lot of meddling.)”

(I think it’s technically dimensional travel because there are two separate timelines, but one of the dimensions is moving at a different pace so I’m counting it.) Great interactions between the batfam:)

The Rule Stands by Engineered

“‘I know what you’re going to say, Batman,’ Damian said, shrugging the hand off his shoulder. ‘You’re going to tell me that Nightwing is dead, and that people don’t come back from the dead. Well, clearly you are wrong, seeing that you were dead and I was dead and Red Hood was dead and even Superman was once dead-’

‘My parents are dead,’ Father interrupted. ‘Nightwing’s parents are dead. There have been a few notable exceptions in extenuating circumstances, Robin, but the rule stands. Everyone can die.’”

Damian and young Dick bond and Damian learns that his big brother wasn’t always the dependable hero he knew him as.

A Good Place by LemonadeGarden

“Damian Wayne is kidnapped and sent back years through time. Together, he and Father – who's only been Batman for a mere six months –must figure out how to return him to his own time.

Oh. And Alfred has hair.”

Pre-children Bruce bonds with Damian, who is able to see how much becoming a father changed Bruce.

Two Dead Birds by InsaneTrollLogic

“There's some lunatic in a red helmet running through Jason's territory. He wants to think it's a copycat.

He's wrong.”

Jason Todd regretting his past decisions and trying to work with his family? Fuck yeah.

show me yesterday, for i can’t find today by indent

“Then: The year is 2013. Jason Todd is alive, fourteen years old, and about to follow Sheila Haywood, his birth mother, into the hands of the Joker. All he wants is to save her life.

Now: The year is 2018. Jason Todd was dead. But now he's a nineteen year old vigilante about to take down the latest C-Lister rogue. Unfortunately for him, its a rogue that specialises in time-travel technology. And what starts as an easy takedown...ends as a time travelling phenomenon.

The two Jasons swap places.”

A reconciliation fic with *jazz hands* time travel!!

Take It Back Now Y’all by TimTheToaster (tabletoptime)

“There was absolutely no way this sunshine was from Gotham in April.

Not possible.

Which meant, Tim was no longer in Gotham, in April.

(In which Tim finds himself in the past, and tries to do the right thing. It's more complicated than he'd like.)”

Incomplete

Tim goes back to Dick’s Robin days and fixes shit

What Would You Do (To Save a Life) by 12pt_timesnewromanfont

“Here lies Timothy Drake

He lived so others wouldn’t die.

He died so others would live.

Damian scowls at the smooth stone, at the carefully etched epitaph.

He can’t help the fury building inside, rising up and clawing at his insides.”

Major TW for suicide

Tim’s evil future self comes back in time. Really well written.

Displaced by CamsthiSky

"Bruce’s vision wavers, and only once he steadies himself does he look up to find—Dick. But not Dick. Because Dick is eleven years old, and this man is clearly only a few years younger than Bruce himself is. If that. But no. Bruce would know those bright blue eyes anywhere. This is Dick. This is his son."

Bruce, who recently adopted Dick Grayson, is switched w his older self… younger Bruce meeting all of his kids again does special things to my sad little heart

Mint Chocolate Chip by LemonadeGarden

“Summer vacations have been going on just long enough for Jason to start getting bored, when he gets an unexpected visitor.

From the future.”

The amount of fluff in here… insane. I love it

Days of Future Past by Speechless_since_1998

“‘Why are you doing this?’

Red Robin looked at him from above the Riddler, ‘What?’

‘Help us. You don't want to be here. We could help you get back to your time.’

‘No. I have to be here. One week to go.’

‘A week for what?’ he asked, in frustration.

‘You told us you're here to avoid the worst moment in Batman's life, the one that will almost drive him crazy and shit like that. You didn't tell us what it will be, though.’

‘You don't need to know.’

Jason snorted, ‘Don't need to know? We're talking about what will turn Batman from a semi-decent parenting figure into a total bastard. Of course, it is necessary.’

‘For your good, you better not know.’"

Kind of angsty, but really good. Tim goes back to save Jason.

#batfam #batfam fic rec #batman fanfiction #batman #dick grayson #damian wayne #jason todd #tim drake #fanfiction #dc #fic rec #alfred pennyworth #time travel

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frctious · 10 months

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☾ ₊ ⊹ • spotted at the met steps , santos ochoa , most likely listening to telepatía by kali uchis with their airpods pro . the twenty nine year old gained quite a reputation , known to be -recalcitrant yet +allocentric to anyone who knows them . you'll easily spot them when you hear about a black silk robe discarded underneath the bed , the comfort of faint laughter lines evident beside the eyes , soft sunlight peeking through sheer white curtains , the moment of holding ones breath before entering a room , followed by oud wood by tom ford . latest nepoupdates article talks about santos miguel - jakov ochoa , young heir to the ochoa casino fortune , has been seen frequenting known drug houses for months , but i guess any reputation is good reputation .

━━━ trying to fulfill the inescapable feeling of emptiness within , the unmistakable melody of a piano playing softly in the distance , a pile of books with the corners folded over , the shift in temperature right before the storm , the choice between contentment and endless ambition , the brightness of a just - polished crystal chandelier .

001. 𝗼𝗼𝗰.

hi , all ! i'm sev , she/hers , twenty - eight , est . & yes i did snatch up taylor solely because of rw&rb , but so what , okay ? SO WHAT !!!!! please come plot with me •ᴗ•

002. 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘀.

• full name: santos miguel - jakov ochoa • nickname(s): toes ( by a specific few ) • date of birth: august 07 , 1994 • hometown: new york city , new york • current location: new york city , new york • ethnicity: mexican , hungarian , croatian • nationality: american • gender: cis man • pronouns: he/his • orientation: bisexual • religion: catholic • occupation: casino heir , indulging in non - profits • language(s): english , spanish

003. 𝗮𝘁𝗹𝗮𝘀. statistics. biography. visage. inner. connections. ooc.

𝗦𝗨𝗕𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗧 #𝟭𝟮 : [ santos , despite being born in a wealthy family , giving him everything they ever needed , was always against it . especially when he had to watch his family belittle their house staff from lower class , which caused multiple arguments between him & his parents . santos is an alien to the society of rich kids on the met steps as he's often found hanging out with scholarship students , lower to middle class , coming back home in the middle of the night with new bruises & scratches . ]

#nepofm.intro #004. | 𝐨𝐨𝐜. ━ creates.

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untilthenextencore · 1 year

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Linda Mujer Ch. 2~...

The day couldn't come soon enough. Though both Robert & Jimmy tried not to show it outwardly, once in their room each scoured their closet for just the right outfit suitable for their debut in her circle. In her club. They managed to secure a table & secret entry to the club by calling ahead. Another facet of their fame or Peter's name they weren't sure. Either way they were grateful.

Soon enough, both Jimmy & Robert found their chosen looks for the day. Jimmy chose a dark velvet suit & silk button up. Robert's suit had shimmery lame accents, his shirt opened for the first few buttons & his trademark love beads & turquoise jewelry as his accessories for the day. Both seemed suitable for such an auspicious evening.

The night of the show, Peter instructed the two on what gifts to pair with both their arrival & their note of introduction. He chose the floral arrangements; roses & carnations & the usual baby's breath. And despite their misgivings, thinking maybe champagne would be a better choice, he paired the flowers with a bottle of sparkling apple cider. An odd pairing. But Peter promised he thought it fitting. He told them that if it worked, they'd likely get the story later.

And so it was that later on, they made an odd pair of sorts - amongst the slightly more conservatively dressed denizens of the club - while bringing along their odd paired flower & drink tribute.

The club had a sort of baroque Spanish Gothic exterior with the interior caught somewhere between an old French club and a Gilded Age haunt. Red and black leather upholstered booths, dark wood tables, chandeliers & antique brass & frosted glass lights & accents. Though small, or rather intimate, there was room for an orchestra pit with an orchestra in white tie & tails. Very classy. Very old world.

Once at the club however, they found they were not the only ones with such tributes in tow. Men both young and old at neighboring tables & booths could be seen passing notes, flowers & gifts in tell-tale little velvet boxes to waiters with conspiratorially whispered words on just who to pass them to. Though it was obvious. All knew. All were politely refused & returned. No matter the size of the box or the brilliance of what glimmered inside. No dice. No sale. No chance.

It was enough to dissuade meeker men.

Not them.

Though unnerved, they trusted Peter. Trusted his choice. And they trusted that they could get in where others could not. It had happened before. So many times before. Perhaps it could again.

The next moment they found themselves distracted. The already dim lights went dimmer still, a spotlight centered on center stage at a large red velvet-draped curtain as the drumroll sounded & the orchestra kicked up. One shapely stockinged leg kicked out of the curtain and a cheer resounded from the audience.

The show was on.

Their gazes and attentions now fully fixed on the stage ahead.

That same stockinged leg had the spotlight travel up from toe to hip before it disappeared back behind the curtain. The curtain then parted to reveal a young lady with a mass of raven curls piled atop her head & pinned with crystal clips. Red lacquered lips, cat-eyed liner, softly blushed cheeks. It was her. The girl from the articles they'd seen before. The glamour girl herself. It was Merce.

She had a matching crystal accent on her black silk choker & at the center of the sweetheart neckline of her off-the-shoulder gown. A glittering dark black cinch-waisted full-skirted gown with ruffled puff sleeves and matching black silk opera-length gloves. Those gloved hands reached down and delicately peeled back her skirts as she danced about, to the cheers of the crowd.

She reached out & took the hand of a patron as she sang in smooth if softly accented English, curtsying to his wife & handing her a rose. Deferential. Smoothing things over before anyone could get too riled up.

Her whole routine was very much colored in Mexican culture. She held the petals of her dress aloft swishing it as she sang in Spanish now. The orchestra took place of a Mariachi, both its members along with a large portion of the audience joined her in song.

Both Robert & Jimmy enjoyed this bit of song and dance. Neither of course minded the peekaboo view of mile-long legs beneath her skirt as she danced. It had a sort of music hall homey sweetness. Very comforting. Familiar yet foreign all at once.

They minded even less what came next.

She went along & slowly peeled off her gloves one by one, flinging them into the audience. Jimmy ended up catching one. Robert arced his body & nearly dove to catch the other. The two of them grinned triumphantly at each other as other patrons grumbled.

Merce for her part curtsied in their direction before continuing with her routine. She removed the top layer of her skirt, revealing the shimmery petticoats underneath. Whirling the skirt around she then shielded herself from view, holding it just under her eyes at first & then inching it down, draping it around her curves. Soon that too was discarded into a small silken heap on the stage. As was each layer of her petticoat one by one after they were used in a sort of dance of the seven veils.

Whistles abounded as she undulated her way out of the wasp-waisted bodice of her gown, leaving her in the sweetheart off-the-shoulder bra top & matching bottoms along with her stockings, heels & choker. Another dance of the seven veils with her skirts followed as she inched her way out of more of her costume. Each swish of her skirt over her body brought a new revelation. A bared shoulder. Another clip of her top undone. At the end of the dance, the final result was half-revealed half-hinted at;

Merce then lifted & held the shimmery petticoat layer up, draping it across her body as she held her top aloft to her side between her manicured fingers. The swells of her breasts were just visible behind the fabric, nipples hid by her arm. She dropped her top suddenly before turning to kick up her heel at the last beats of the song, revealing a hint of shapely & similarly shimmery fabric draped rear before the curtain dropped & the show was over. Cheers abounded. Whistles. Calls for an encore. But it was all for naught. Her routine was over & the band kicked up signalling it was time to reset for the next act.

At that moment a member of the staff came to retrieve the tossed gloves. The moment had arrived. He was very apologetic for the trouble, offering a round of free drinks to the lads in return for the gloves.

"There's no need for that..." Jimmy started only to be cut off by his blonde compatriot.

"I'll have a cider, mate!"

Jimmy cut Robert a look to which the blonde responded.

"What? Why not? Might as well! As long as we're here! I mean they're offering!"

Jimmy swallowed his ire as best as he could before nodding & placing his order. "Jack & coke please."

Robert then followed up by passing the note to the gent. "And if you could, please give this to Miss Quintero?"

"Oh, I'm so sorry, sir. Miss Quintero doesn't accept gifts or notes from people she doesn't know." The man replied nervously.

"But I see gentlemen leaving for the stage door now?" Robert motioned to the gents leaving their tables to head to a stageside corridor then.

"They often try, sir. But she asks us to dissuade them. Though they still try. She doesn't accept gifts or money or anything. I'm sorry, sir."

"No need to be sorry, my good man." Jimmy smiled. "But I assure you this is different. If you can just take this note & tell her Peter Grant sends his regards. If she still refuses, just bring it back to us & after our drinks we'll be on our way."

"Peter Grant?" The man queried, looking to Robert & Jimmy as they nodded. "Alright. I guess it's worth a try. Please forgive me if it doesn't work & she still doesn't take it."

"No problem mate." Robert patted him on the back. "No harm done either way."

"No harm in trying, right?" Jimmy asked as he lit up.

The man nodded with a soft, "Excuse me..." and disappeared with the gloves & the note away down the corridor.

Robert & Jimmy received their drinks shortly after. They sipped & waited. By the third sip, however, the man was back. He looked incredulous. Stunned really. He spoke in an awed hush, clearly not believing the words he himself was about to say. "Please come with me, sirs. She'll see you shortly."

And with the roses & sparkling cider in tow they were on their way.

Down the corridor, they saw security doing away with a group of would-be suitors. Roses & jewels & stuffed animals were all being refused sight unseen. Some suitors tried greasing palms to no avail. No amount of money would help them gain an audience. Those same suitors grumbled & quite visibly & loudly griped at Robert & Jimmy being guided down yet another corridor that lead to her dressing room.

Once there, the man knocked on her door.

"Bueno?" A soft voice called out in Spanish.

"Señorita Rojas, it's me Felipe. I have your guests here."

"Gracias, Felipe. Un momento."

Felipe then turned & bowed to the two Englishmen. He then advised them, "Call me if you need anything", before disappearing.

Moments later, the door opened, Merce smiling a bright, eager smile as she fastened her dressing gown around her.

But that smile soon fell.

Merce replacing it with a quizzical look.

"There must be some kind of mistake." She pouted. "Can I help you two?"

"Miss Rojas?" Jimmy asked as Robert stayed in awed silence.

"Yes? Who's asking?" She asked, standing close to the door lest she needed to close it at a moment's notice.

"I'm so sorry. How rude of me. My name's Jimmy Page. This is my friend Robert."

"Plant..." Robert added, still a bit agog.

"I thought you two looked familiar." Merce nodded, only just then taking her hand off the door handle yet still remaining close by. "What can I do for you gentlemen? What brings you here?"

"You of course." Jimmy smiled. "That was a phenomenal performance. Stunning really. It was a delightful & dearly appreciated treat to be able to watch. Thank you."

"Thank you so much. I do my best to put on a good show. I'm glad to know it's appreciated." A small smile curved at her lips, yet full entrance to her inner sanctum was not yet allowed. "I must say, though this is quite a pleasant surprise to see the two of you here, I was expecting to see someone else with you. Hoping... I mean with the note and all..."

"You mean Peter?" Robert asked, suddenly snapping to.

"Ah, yes." She nodded. "He's not with you is he?"

"No, unfortunately." Jimmy cut back in. "We're close friends & business associates of Mr. Grant. Robert & I have known him for years."

"He manages us." Robert explained rather succinctly as always.

"I see..." Merce nodded, clearly still waiting for another shoe to drop.

"He sends his regards." Robert added, hoping to help smooth things over.

"He also sent us to invite you to join us at a party. He'll be there & I know he'd love to see you. Just as much as you'd love to see him I'm sure." Jimmy added with a grin.

Merce paused for a moment, considering their words & offer. "Perhaps... Give me a moment..."

And then at last.

"Please come in..."

Robert & Jimmy stepped in, seating themselves on a chaise in her roomy dressing room suite. Merce quickly dialed a number on the house phone, waiting until the other side picked up. "Hello, mami? Mami, I know you're expecting me at home but I was invited to a party. Would you mind if I go?"

Though they tried not to listen in, they could still hear Gloria gasp in surprise before enthusing. "Go! Go! Go, mija! Go! Go and have fun! Have fun! Have an adventure! You deserve it, my love! You work so hard!"

"Okay, mami. Thank you. Don't wait up. I'll see you in the morning. Love you." She & Gloria exchanged kisses before she hung up & then turned to regard Jimmy & Robert anew.

"Are those for me?"

At last Jimmy & Robert took the chance they were allowed to offer Merce the flowers & cider respectively. As they did so, Merce's smile widened. Brightened. Her eyes glittered as she inhaled the aroma of the bouquet. "Mmmm... He remembered..."

When she took the bottle, Robert explained. "I would think champagne would be better but he insisted on this instead."

"No, no, no..." Merce shook her head, looking over the bottle with a smile. "This is perfect. I love it. Thank you. Both of you. I don't usually accept visitors or gifts as I'm sure Felipe has explained to you. But this... This is different. Another thing entirely. Thank you so much."

Were those tears edging her eyes as she beamed at them?

They didn't have much time to consider as she turned on the small radio near on her dressing table, playing some Mexican boleros as she headed to the second room in her little dressing room suite. "Excuse me, won't you? I'll be a minute. Just let me pick a dress."

There was a dressing screen in the corner of the room, yet Merce dressed in the other room. The lads heard her call amidst a rustle of fabric & clicking hangers. "I don't suppose it's a black tie affair?"

"Ah, no. Decidedly more casual than that I'm afraid." Robert laughed.

"I figured. Something told me as much. Can't imagine what it was though. Something barechested perhaps?" She replied with a laugh.

Robert & Jimmy laughed.

"Smart girl." Jimmy grinned.

"I do try..." Merce countered as more rustling & the sound of a zipper rang out.

They heard her hum along to the music along with more rustling, the zipper inching up & light clinking at the end. Jewelry.

Within moments she reappeared back into the room.

And she was A SIGHT!

As was her chosen dress!

A dark black sequined full-skirted dress with layered puff sleeves and a nipped waist. She accessorized it with a shimmery star-studded shroud of a veil along with matching star jewelry including her crystal hairclips. She looked stunning. Yet, she still saw fit to ask as she checked herself in the mirror.

"How do I look? I hope I look alright. Do you suppose this will do for the party?"

"Phwoar..." Robert hushed.

"Is that good?" Merce asked. "By the way, would one of you mind helping me with the clasp in the back? I can't quite reach."

Instantly, Robert & Jimmy leapt to their feet.

Robert however was the victor this time as he reached her first & was the one to carefully secure the clasp to her gown together.

"You look lovely, my dear." Jimmy smiled, taking the opportunity to bring her delicate, manicured hand up to place a kiss to the back. "A true vision..."

Robert made a face at Jimmy over her shoulder to which he grinned. The grin widening as he saw Merce blush despite herself.

"Quite a gentleman aren't you?" She asked with a soft tilt of her head.

Robert snorted, leading Merce to glance at him over her shoulder quizzically before Jimmy's clasping both hands around hers brought her attention back to him.

"I do try..." He teased.

They shared a giggle before Robert came around plucking up her gifts with his left arm, offering his other arm to her. "Shall we go, luv?"

One hand caught in Jimmy's grasp, Merce nodded & linked her other arm through the one Robert offered. "Yes, let's."

Jimmy patted her hand & gave it a small squeeze. "We're off then..."

As they disappeared out of her dressing room, down the corridor & into the night...

Hope you all enjoy~!

As ever this is forever under construction~!...

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