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lavenderstobins · 15 days

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It's the third day in a row that Wayne Munson has seen the girl in the diner.

Usually, he doesn't pay attention to new faces. He's been frequenting the diner for some years now and there's often ones he doesn't recognise: people passing through Hawkins, visiting family, etc.

The girl has caught his attention, though. She's sitting tucked into the far corner of the diner, a glass of water in front of her and nothing else. She's wearing the same t-shirt and flannel shirt she'd been wearing yesterday, and the day before, he's pretty sure. She didn't order any food yesterday; she hasn't ordered any food today.

Bev likes to joke he has a sense for kids who need help. Says there's an alarm in his head that makes him worry himself sick whenever there's a waif in need.

She's sitting next to him now, one eyebrow raised. He sighs. Waif in need alarm, indeed.

"What's the deal with the kid?" he murmurs, nodding subtly in the girl's direction.

Bev shrugs. "Beats me. That's Robert's girl, that's all I know."

He frowns. "Robert?"

"Nurse. Took good care of me when my knee went bad." She takes a swig of coffee, her eyes going sad. "Died, oh, maybe eight months back."

Wayne looks back at the girl. She's staring down at her half-empty glass of water. Tucked under the table there's a bulky-looking backpack.

"She got family?"

"Just her mother, far as I know. Met her a couple of times, too. 'Nother nurse. Seems nice enough."

"Hmph." Wayne turns back to his coffee. Ain't his business, he tells himself firmly. He should focus on his lunch.

When he gets up to pay, he glances once more in the girl's direction. He'll give it a couple of days, he decides. If she's still here then, still in the same clothes, he'll see if she's alright.

—

Wayne doesn't even last the day.

He's on his way home from work when he sees movement in a phonebox on the side of the road. The road's empty aside from him, and it's raining, and the sky's getting dark, so it immediately strikes him as odd. When he sees it's the teenage girl from earlier, he nearly crashes his truck with how hard he hits the brakes.

She's huddled down in the phonebox, clasping the backpack he'd noticed. She looks sodden. It had been raining heavier earlier; from the looks of it, she'd been caught in it. Her hair's plastered to her face and she's shivering.

He's winding down his window before his brain's even caught up to the movement. He's actually not sure how to go about it, very conscious of the fact that it's just the two of them out here and she's a teenage girl while he's an old man.

Feeling very much like he's approaching a wild animal, he clears his throat. "You okay, miss?"

The girl jumps, her head jerking up. She looks at him with wild eyes, wide and afraid. She reminds him of Eddie the day he showed up on his doorstep, timid and small.

"I'm f—fine." Her teeth chatter as she speaks. Where is this girl's mother? Where are her guardians?

"You need to call someone? I got a couple o'quarters, I think."

She shakes her head. Wayne frowns. Something ain't sitting right with him.

"You waiting on your ma?"

To his horror, her face crumples, and she buries her face in her arms. He's out of the truck like a shot, rushing over to find her shoulders heaving.

"Now, now—" He's panicking, admittedly. She can't be much younger than Eddie is.

"She—She—" the girl sobs. "She kicked me out and I—I don't have anywhere to go and it's so cold and wet and—and—"

A bout of rage washes over him. He pushes it down, tugging his jacket off and draping it over her shoulders. It doesn't have a hood, but it's dry. Christ, she must be soaked to the bone.

"Listen," Wayne starts, hesitating almost immediately. It's an insane suggestion from a strange man; he doesn't want to scare her off, but he doesn't want her spending the night in this phonebox, either. "I got a kid about your age. My Eddie. You come to mine and we can get you sorted out, okay? Or—Or I can find you a motel room, or something."

Sniffling, the girl looks up at him, wrapping herself up in his jacket. "Is that... is that okay?"

His heart breaks. "Yeah. Yeah, 'course."

She stands, wobbly, still clutching her backpack. She's soaked through like he'd thought, and she shivers once she's in the front seat. He's quick to turn the heating up, starting the truck again, and for a moment he's furious: her immediate agreement, the lack of hesitation about getting into a vehicle with a strange man, makes him boil with hatred towards this girl's mother.

The journey's quiet and, thankfully, not too long. Wayne ushers her into the trailer, already preparing to make a steaming mug of hot chocolate. Eddie's out at Jeff's for band practice, so he says, but Wayne knows him well enough to know he'll come home stinking of weed.

The girl stands awkwardly in the living room, still shivering. It occurs to him, suddenly, that he doesn't even know her name.

Still. An issue for later. He focuses on the hot chocolate. Once it's ready, he hands it over to her, and doesn't miss how eagerly she accepts it.

Only then does he broach the subject. "What's your name, miss?"

She's quiet a moment, cradling the mug in her hands. "It's Robin. Uh, Robin, sir."

"None of that 'sir' business," he says gruffly. "Name's Wayne. Eddie'll be home later but you can have his bed if you need a place to stay for the night."

This might be the most he's spoken in years, trying desperately to come across as reassuring. It breaks his heart how trusting she's being, though.

"Thank you." Robin goes quiet, her fingers curling around the handle of the mug. "I, um, I can pay you back for the ride—"

He waves a hand, frowning. "None of that. I'd like to think if it were my Ed in your shoes, someone would be there for him like this."

She manages a small smile. She's still in her soaking clothes. He hustles over to Eddie's room, raiding the drawers for whatever looks most comfortable. Eddie won't complain, he knows.

Robin gratefully accepts the clothes. He goes back into Eddie's room to give her privacy, unsure exactly how long to wait. There's that stereotype that women take forever to change, right? It must hold some truth.

He gives it an hour, just to be safe. When he emerges, he finds that she's curled up on the couch, out like a light. His jacket's pulled up to her chin like a blanket.

Waif in need alarm. He sighs. Bev's right after all. He won't be surprised if this situation resolves with him having another kid in his care.

Well, Eddie always wanted a sister, anyway.

#wayne adopts robin au #stranger things #wayne munson #robin buckley #eddie munson #my writing #st ficlet #st fic #this ran away from me so unbelievably badly #my wips

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spicy-apple-pie · 24 days

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Bruce was planning how to tell Damian that he was Batman in a way that made him feel safe, but then Jason started craving a grilled cheese.

Prev / Index / Next

Commission Info / Kofi

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herbatahleb · 1 year

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Okay but listen to me-

by this post

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ditzybat · 30 days

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Jason prowled deeper into the tower, it was a struggle to get the speedy kid down, but after multiple tranquilizers (that could put a rhino into cardiac arrest) the kid finally managed to knock out.

He went over his monologue speech in his head, scanning his eyes over this, honest-to-god, pig-stye of a room (seriously, wasn't this supposed to be the meticulously organized Robin? Jason could barely see the floor before him). Finally, gazing out one of the large window panes, on the phone, was his target in his robin costume - sans the mask.

Tim mumbled a tired goodbye into the phone, seemingly exasperated by the phone call, he picked up on the words 'Bruce' and sneered from beneath his mask.

"You sleep in that thing or something Timmy? That's pathetic" Jason growls out from his place from the threshold of the room.

For his part, Tim spins around with a flutter of his ridiculous cape and a twitch of his muscles "Hood, I-"

Jason lurches forward, beginning his speech, counting the sequence of events like he used to in drama class.

"I was raised on the streets of Gotham." 1. Taking off his hood. "Trying to survive." 2. Tearing his clothes to reveal his homemade Robin getup, "Until Bruce took me in." 3. Cornering the brat, only a step or two away in arm's reach - good, "I trained -"

One thing Jason did not account for was Tim to make the first move and interupt his origin story speech, stabbing the side of his neck.

"Did you seriously just fucking stab me with a hello kitty knife?"

Tim has the gall to flush, "I told Cassie and Bart to stop tampering with my equipment, it's unprofessional! I bet Kon put them up to this!" he squaked, Jason reaches up and takes the knife from his neck, putting pressure onto the wound, and examining it.

"You could've hit an artery!" Tim gives a frog blink and sleepily grunts.

"Damn, which side is the artery on again? I don't really know my lefts and rights, I'm ambedixtrious."

"Do you mean dyslexic?"

"No I'm bisexual." Tim looks genuinely confused, a pout forming on his features as he squinted at nothing like he was trying to figure out an especially difficult puzzle.

Jason, with the pit madness slowly receding from his vision, starts to become a little more concerned.

"Kid, when was the last time you slept?"

"Monday."

"It's Thursday."

"Okay??..."

Jason sighs and picks up his jacket, slipping his pants over the tights and scaly shorts. "I'm going to stitch myself up, then I'm going to make you eat something - you're so itty bitty, like an 8 year old with a six pack - then you're going to take a nice long nap while I wait for B to come and I'll lecture him on the importance of keeping his Robin's alive and healthy."

Tim yawns and nods his head, sinking into his cape so he's just a bobbing head in the shadows.

#Jason seeing a Robin disregarding his own wellbeing to prioritize a man with the emotional density of a wet paper bag first #and immeaditly going: nu-uh you're mine now - i've already adopted you in my head #tim who hasnt slep in 96 hours: aight #another tower au #i love them sm #dc #tim drake #jason todd #robin #red robin #bruce wayne #red hood #batman #teen titans

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spacedace · 11 months

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Dp x dc idea:

Danny & Co joining the Justice League and everything...but it's that wonderful DC AU where Bruce died in Ethiopia instead of Jason and Tim decided to be Dad (TM) of Jason's Robin and runs around as kid Batman for awhile (eventually becoming full legit Batman).

Danny & Co joining up after all of that, they have only known Tim as Batman (and for fun let's make this Brian Dead where Danny & Tim are dating, or are dancing around each other, maybe Super Brain Dead because I love Kon being involved).

Anyway, Tim is Danny & the Pham's Batman...and then they ended up accidently in the normal DC universe and meet Bruce Wayne Batman and immediately are like "Press X For Doubt" about the whole thing

Danny, squinting suspiciously: who the fuck are you?

Bruce: I'm Batman

Danny: No the fuck you aren't

Elle: Yeah no way, I know Batman, Batman's a sleep deprived twink

Tim (as Red Robin) walks in

Danny: holy shit they fucking shrunk Red Robin

Tim: What??

Elle: Okay what the fuck, first Batman isn't a twink and now Red Robin is???

#dc x dp #dp x dc #dpxdc #danny phantom #batman #danny fenton #tim drake #dani phantom #danielle phantom #bruce wayne #jason became red robin in the universe they came from #Danny: wait who's red hood?#eventually everyone takes their masks off to sort stuff out and it's just #Danny: Wait Matches Malone is Batman in this world???#Bruce: what #Danny: you're the guy that used to be a gotham goon right? in our world you found damian and brought him to us #Danny: and i guess everyone kinda just adopted you as their new uncle and you never left #bruce has to reboot over the fact that his AU self upon undying & being dunked in the lazerus pit #apparently decided tk hide his real identity like jason did but instead of a rampage he became the cool uncle #clark has to tackle him to keep him from trying to orchestrate something similar in their world

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edjectedly · 2 years

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If Jason Todd Was Introduced This Way, This is How I am Bringing in Tim

This is now a full AU, whoops

First << Prev Next >>

Tim: *bangs on Dick's door in Blüdhaven*

Dick: I swear to fuck if it's another solicitor I'm- *opens door*

Tim:

Dick:

Tim: hello

Dick: wha- it’s like 10 o’clock where are your parents? you're like eight, why are you out here??

Tim: first off I’m 12 and I'm not a child. can I come in?

Dick: sure, this might as well happen

~later~

Dick: so you're here because you figured out our identities when you were nine, have been following us since before then, and then hacked the Batcomputer only to find Jason looking up ways to get to Ethiopia?

Tim: yeah, pretty much.

Dick:

Dick: fu-frick

Tim: I have been running around Gotham alone at night since I was eight, you can say fuck

Dick: *gasps*

~Bonus, at the Batcave~

*Bruce and Jason are working on the Batmobile, Bruce’s way of apologizing for being an ass*

Bruce: *head snaps up*

Jason: everything good old man?

Bruce: I need to get adoption papers ready

AO3 Link Is Now Active!

#batfam #batman #batbros #dick grayson #jason todd #tim drake #bruce wayne #nightwing #red hood #red robin #robin #the batmobiles missing tires #good brothers #things i say #ace rambles #bruce wayne’s adoption problem #he has a 6th sense for this kind of thing #alternative introductions au

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marshmallow---pillow · 2 days

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Jason: No attachments allowed

Bby alt Jason: *Exists*

Jason: Does it count if it's you? Is that a fucked up metaphor for self-acceptance? Self-love? What are we? Mentally healthy? lol

Bby alt Jason: *is hurt*

Jason: *pulling a 180* *About to reenact the Terminator* most importantly *about to realize some really unhealthy influences in his youth *cough cough* *willing to work on himself* Son attachment allowed (prolly brotherly, idk)

The whole story

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fishfrommars · 1 year

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Y'all got me hooked on this au

It's Reverse Robins, Y'all!

Damian and Tim. I figure Dami was dropped off at Wayne Manor at around 8 / 9 and had some time to adjust before Bruce adopted Tim. Turns out Dami is the beat big bro???

Shadow and Nighthawk

EDIT: changed the hue of the colors so it's not as saturated (I'm sorry if that's not what it's called the only color theory I know is children's hospital)

#batman #robin dc #bruce wayne #tim drake #damian wayne al ghul #talia al ghul #jason todd #dick grayson #reverse robins #reverse robins au #damian is the eldest #duke is going to be adopted next #i changed the order a little because I love Timmy and Dami's relationship #batboys #batkids #batfam #batman wfa #batfam art

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jokewishes · 3 days

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I cant be the only one who thinks the bats and Tims relationships would be more interesting if Tim refused to be adopted and emancipates himself when he turns 16,,,,,,, like it would make their relationships so much more intresting,,,

Much wouldn't change with Dick and Cass. In my mind Dick viewed Tim as family earlier than Bruce did and that wouldnt change. Cass takes one look at this feral boy and decides hes family

Bruce would accept his decision but he would feel little idk, sad? confused? a litle insulted??

Im not really sure yet how this would play out with Jason and Tim, I think Jason would feel little insulted bc he got 'replaced' by someone who isnt even family.

I think this would be one more point of conflict with Damian, the pretender who is stealing his legacy isnt even related to the by any paper trail? pathetic.

I also feel like in this AU he and Helena would interact more, maybe after Bruce is somewhat recovered from Jasons death Tim graviates more towards Helena/Huntress than Batman (this is just pure fanservice towards me, i like their dynamic way too much)

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stephanie-brown-deserved-better · 11 months

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i love the reverse robin au bc it gives so much good ideas with different backstories, changed dynamics and new roles and etc but has anyone thought of a reverse batman au?

like oh no twelve year old bruce wayne loses his parents and butler in tragic accident and suddenly about ten adults want to adopt him. police officer dick grayson who was the first responder at the scene of the crime offers to take the kid in. local community leader and founder of a well-respected orphanage jason todd also offers. drake industries ceo tim drake is another contender and cites being business partners with thomas wayne as a connection. cassandra cain, bodyguard to the waynes but was off duty during the attack, also offers. damian al ghul, new to the city, claims to be from a far off branch of the wayne family tree and offers to take the kid in as well. duke thomas, having experienced the same thing happen to his own family and is a known advocate against gun violence, also offers to take care of him.

all these adults fighting to want to care of him meanwhile bruce is just sitting there and there with all of his twelve year old rage and is picking his foster parent based on who would be the most likely to let him wear a bat costume and track down and then beat up the guy who killed his family.

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missbluesunflowersstuff · 1 month

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"Dick was an abusive brother to Jason" "Dick was aggressive with Jason" "Dick gave Robin to Damian" "Damian stole the Robin mantle" my brother in Batman, no one of those words are in the bible! Wtf are you into about?

#i understand when people made funny dark or yandere headcanons or aus it's nice being creative #and create new things with the guys in your head but pls for the love of batman don't use your personal headcanon as original material #and i say this as someone who love do headcanon #alfred is the one who give the robin to damian #dick was and STILL is a good brother to jason and the others #dick was never aggressive or abusive with robin!jason #dick was mand with bruce cuz bruce was irresponsible but dick like jason #the pre crise dick grayson wanted to adopt jason todd (and later he also wanted to adopt damian)#so for the fuck sake don't act like your personal and fav au is canon to justification of your demonization #batfamily #dc comics #dick grayson #jason todd #damian wayne #bruce wayne #tim drake #batfam headcanons #batfam #stephanie brown

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lavenderstobins · 9 days

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Wayne Adopts Robin | pt 2

[part 1]

Before anything else, Wayne needs to call Eddie.

Robin's still curled up on the couch, now barely visible under his jacket. Eddie's at band practice at Tony's place and has been for most of the day; there's still a few hours 'til he expects him home, but Wayne's aware that he might not be in the most... sound of mind.

'Band practice', Wayne has learned, covers anything and everything related to spending time with the band, whether they play or not. With no current upcoming performances, they're usually just hangouts, and hangouts that often have Eddie coming home red-eyed and giggly.

He doesn't mind it. He does think that if Eddie comes home stoned to find a random girl in their trailer he might have an aneurysm.

The number comes to him easily enough. Tony's Dale's kid, God rest his soul, and the phone number is burned into his memory from long-ago fishing trips.

The phone rings once before a voice answers. Linda, Dale's wife. A nice woman, known to be a gossip. They exchange pleasantries, then Linda's yelling for Tony to pass the phone to Eddie, and the background noise changes.

Tony, he can hear, is telling Eddie that he's calling, and Eddie, who is definitely stoned, answers eloquently with "Wha?"

"Dude, the phone."

"Huh? No thanks."

There's a snort, and someone else cackles. Wayne's pretty sure it's Jeff.

"It's your uncle, man." Tony's voice is higher-pitched than usual. Ah, to be a teenager again. "Mom's put it through for you. Answer... the... phone."

There's some rustling, and then—

"Wayne!" Eddie all but shouts. "Pleasant eve, my good sir!"

There's a giggle, then someone in the background says, "Oh, god, he's gone medieval again."

"Eddie?" He hesitates, glancing back to where Robin's sleeping. He lowers his voice. "You okay, boy?"

"Uncle Wayne, I could not be more magnificent." Another rustle and a quiet thud. Wayne dreads to think what's happening. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Ed," he starts, then stops, shifting. What even should he say? He needs to tell him about Robin being here, but as he glances back to her sleeping form, he can already feel that her presence ain't gonna be temporary. If her mom's kicked her out, she won't have anywhere to go, and he'll be damned if he lets a kid end up shivering on the streets. "You think you'd be okay with a sister?"

The other end is quiet. Then there's a loud thump, an even louder groan, and an explosion of laughter from presumably the rest of the band.

"Not soft," Eddie mumbles. "Fuckin— imposter rug."

Wayne clears his throat.

"You fucking moron," a voice chips in, feminine this time, which means it's Felicity. "That rug is almost as flat as your ass."

Eddie squawks indignantly. Wayne sighs, a small smile tugging at his lips despite it.

"Eddie." He waits for Eddie's answering hum. "Did you hear me?"

"Nope," he says, cheery as ever. "What did you say?"

"I said, how would you feel about havin' a—a sister of sorts around?"

There's a beat of silence. He's about to repeat himself, when—

"You're PREGNANT?" Eddie shouts.

Quieter, Wayne can hear Jeff's voice, "Wait, isn't he talking to Uncle Wayne?"

"No, Eddie—"

"YOU SLY DOG! YOU DIDN'T USE PROTECTION? AFTER ALL THE LECTURES YOU GAVE ME ABOUT IT?"

"Alright, that's enough, buddy." Jeff's calm tone takes over, growing louder a moment later. "Hi, Uncle Wayne. Uh, don't mind Eddie, he's..." There's a pause in which he seems to be trying to find the right words.

Eddie's voice booms again, far too close to the receiver. "Jeff, Jeff! Tell Wayne I want to name her Arwen!"

"... I don't know what he is," Jeff finishes. "Um, he'll be fine before he goes home, I promise. We, ah—We didn't expect your call."

"It's fine, son." Wayne stifles his own laugh. "I'll wait until he's home. You, uh, enjoy your night now."

"Yes, sir," Jeff says politely. Distantly, he can hear the sounds of a scuffle and more giggling.

Wayne hangs up, shaking his head fondly. He only hopes that Eddie does sober up before he gets home, or the conversation's going to be very difficult.

He's gonna need another coffee.

#wayne adopts robin au #stranger things #wayne munson #eddie munson #jeff stranger things #unnamed freak stranger things #corroded coffin #robin buckley #my fics #my writing #st fic #st ficlet #my aus

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spicy-apple-pie · 2 months

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Tim: Trust me, no one is more frustrating to watch than Bruce. He once did two whole laps going the wrong direction.

Chapter Index

Commission Info / Kofi

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bluejaysandblackbats · 2 months

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Eyes and Ears

Fandom: DC Comics, Batfam

Summary: An AU where Barbara finds Jason instead of Bruce.

Chapters: 1/?

Characters: Jason Todd, Barbara Gordon, Jim Gordon, Dick Grayson, Bruce Wayne, Sheila Haywood, Original Character(s)

Relationship(s): Jason Todd/Original Character(s), Past Barbara Gordon/Dick Grayson

Additional Tags: Canon Divergent AU, Older SIbling Barbara Gordon, Jason Todd-centric, Barbara Gordon is Oracle, Jason Todd is NOT Robin, Jason Todd Has Issues, Jason Todd Has a Crush, Adopted Siblings

Chapter One: Arrested

They locked eyes as Barbara rose from her perch, and in the dim alley lighting, Jason cursed under his breath and said, "Man am I in trouble..." He sank down to the ground and covered his face.

Barbara sighed and came down to meet him, and she sat down by his side. "You're gonna turn me in, huh?" he asked, still hiding his face.

She didn't say anything at first. "Where are your parents? Maybe I can just take you home after you return the tires you took," she offered. Jason didn't answer her. "Or I could just turn you in."

"My parents are dead," Jason mumbled, "Do you sit and talk to every crook you meet or am I just special?"

"Now, if I tell you you're special, it's gonna make me seem like a jerk," Barbara joked, "But if you don't have any parents to go home to... I kind of have to take you in."

"Can't you just save me the trouble of running away from a foster home and let me off with a warning?" Jason asked. Barbara sucked her teeth and knocked the back of her head against the Batmobile as she tried to think of something to do. "What part of Gotham are you from?"

"Why?" she asked.

"You don't sound like you're from here," Jason whispered, "Are you gonna turn me in?" She shrugged. "You are gonna tell your dad, though?"

"My dad?" Barbara asked. "Oh! He's not my—."

"Is he your boyfriend then?" Jason asked. Barbara screwed her face up and shook her head.

"Please stop talking and let me think for a second... Also, no, he isn't my boyfriend. Let's go get that tire back, and then I'll make my decision. Okay?" Barbara suggested, and she helped him up.

Jason led her back to his apartment, where he kept the tire. They both climbed up the fire escape, and Barbara took a look around at the rundown apartment. Jason's mattress sat in the corner of the living room by the door. He rolled the tire back towards the fire escape window, only stopping when Barbara let out a sigh. "What? I'm gonna put it back the same way I left it, I swear," Jason reassured her.

"No, it's not that... Do you wanna get something to eat after this?" Barbara asked. Jason turned and cocked his head at her. "What?"

"You don't have any Batgirl stuff to do? You and Batman don't go out to dinner—?"

"Again, we're not dating... Also, no. I'm on my own time. If it's too embarrassing to eat dinner with me as Batgirl, I could hang back, and we could eat on one—."

"No, I'm just saying that if I was you, I would do anything to not have dinner with me," Jason interrupted. Barbara chewed her bottom lip.

"Come on, kid. Let's go put the tire back and get something to eat before all the good food places close up for the night," she nudged him before making her way out the window and helping him get the tire out onto the fire escape. They went back to the batmobile, and Jason put the tire back. "Good, now we can—."

"I gotta tighten this one before we go. I loosened the nuts on this one," Jason interrupted as he crouched down with the tire iron and tightened it back up. "Now, I'm done." Barbara smiled at him, and she led him back to where her bike was. "So, if Batman isn't your dad... Does your dad know you ride motorcycles in a bat costume all night?" She messed up his hair.

"No, and you won't tell him," she laughed as she passed him a helmet. Barbara climbed on her bike, and Jason put on the helmet she gave him and climbed on after her. She put her helmet on and turned to him. Jason looked around for something to hold onto, and she chuckled and shook her head. "You're gonna have to hold onto me." Jason nodded and wrapped his arms around her waist. She started her bike up and drove off.

Jason tightened his grip and held on that way until they stopped at a food truck. Barbara told him to order anything he wanted once they got off. Jason took his helmet off to reveal a complete look of bewilderment, and Barbara chuckled. "You'll get used to it," Barbara reassured him.

"You say that like you're gonna be picking me up again after tonight," Jason chuckled uncomfortably. They ordered their food and took a number. "So, are you gonna turn me in?" Barbara nodded.

"Yeah, I decided. You're a hardened criminal... No, I'm not gonna turn you in. I'm gonna take you somewhere, though, because you can't go back there. What's your name, by the way, I forgot to ask?" Barbara whispered as she leaned against the wall. Jason stood next to her.

"My name's Jason," he introduced himself to her, "And I'm kind of glad I didn't go with my first plan of action..."

"What was that?" she asked.

"Hitting you with a tire iron and calling you Carrot Top," Jason raised his shoulders out of embarrassment, and he was a little startled when she laughed at him.

"Carrot Top? Oh yeah, that was a horrible plan. I would've been pissed," she chuckled, "So glad you didn't do that... Also, it's nice to meet you, Jason."

They got their food and ate on the curb together. "Where are you gonna take me?" Jason asked.

Jason spilled a little barbecue sauce on his hoodie. Barbara nudged him. "Want a bite?" Jason asked.

"N—. Why not?" Barbara took a bite of his burger and nodded. "Mm, I was gonna tell you you've got a little something on your jacket."

Jason shrugged and went back to eating. "No big deal... But you never answered my question."

"I know, but I just think it'll be easier to show you than it would be to tell you," Barbara explained, "You trust me?"

Jason looked up at her and nodded. "Yeah," Jason smiled a little half-smile, "Sure." After they finished eating, Barbara took a napkin and wiped her hands, and gave Jason one.

"Wanna ride around for a little bit? Or are you tired?" Barbara asked.

"I'm never tired," Jason replied as he put the helmet back on, and Barbara climbed on her bike. He held on tight while they rode around in circles for a few hours, and she decided it was time to take him back. She parked in an alley and climbed up the fire escape.

"Wait out here, just one second, okay?" she whispered and motioned for him to stay quiet. Jason nodded and stood against the wall as he watched her close the curtains. Barbara came down a few minutes later in civvies and took his hand. "Now, you're not gonna tell my dad anything. If he asks, I met you at my job at the library. Okay?" Barbara asked.

Jason nodded wordlessly, and she moved to lead him into her building, but he didn't move. "What's wrong?" Barbara asked, turning to look at him.

"You look like my mom," Jason mumbled. He swallowed hard, and he wouldn't make any further eye contact with her. The look of her freckles and the softness in her eyes made his chest hurt. Barbara didn't notice. She just wanted to get him inside before she lost the courage to speak with her dad.

"Shush, okay. Now come on," Barbara whispered as she moved again, and he didn't budge. Barbara looked back at him, and she softened up. Tears streamed down Jason's face, and he turned his head away from her. "Come here." Her voice was soft and sincere.

Jason embraced her, and for the first time since his mother died, he wept. Barbara was taken aback by the sudden shift in his emotions, but she hugged him back. "Wanna talk about it?" she asked.

Jason shook his head. Barbara nodded and held onto him until he stopped crying, and he let her take him into her apartment building. They went up the elevator, and as soon as Barbara got the door unlocked, she called for Commissioner Gordon. "Hey, Dad? I brought a friend with me, hope you don't mind. We already ate," Barbara explained, and Commissioner Gordon came out of the kitchen with a bowl of macaroni and cheese.

"Your friend doesn't look old enough to be out this late... Where's his—?" Barbara shook her head. "Oh. Sure you're not still hungry, err... Um..."

"Jason, I met him at the library. I was kind of wondering if maybe he could crash here for a while," Barbara suggested, "Like a long while?"

"Help yourself to whatever's in the kitchen, son... Babs, can I talk to you in private?" Jim asked. She nodded and followed him to his room.

Jason looked around at their family pictures and their furniture. He sniffed and kicked off his shoes and set them aside before going into the kitchen and washing his hands. Jason could hear them arguing, but it didn't sound bad, so Jason made himself a plate of food and sat on the floor at their coffee table. He was about to get up and make himself another helping when Jim and Barbara came back out. "Jason, how old are you?" Jim asked.

"Almost thirteen," Jason answered.

"Why do you look familiar?" Jim asked.

"You might've taken my dad in back when he was around... She didn't tell me you—." Barbara shot him a look. "Were such a good cook..."

"Thanks, and you can stay here. We'll figure things out as we go along, I guess. Also, you can finish eating... I'm gonna go see if I could find something for you to wear," Jim replied. Jason nodded and went back to the kitchen, and Barbara followed him.

As soon as Jim was out of earshot, Jason shot her a look. "Your dad is a cop. The commissioner at that. That's like the king of cops. Are you crazy?" Jason whispered.

"Well—."

"Jesus Christ," Jason turned away to make his plate, "You don't think you could've warned me a little?"

"I knew you wouldn't have gone for it. Besides, it's either this or foster care, kid. I don't know what else to tell you. This way, I can keep an eye on you," Barbara whispered.

Jason knocked her as he passed and sat down on the floor at the coffee table. "Jason—."

"I'm only gonna stay because I have a feeling you're not gonna get off my back... But I want you to know I'm pissed," Jason muttered as he ate. Barbara sat next to him and turned the tv on.

"My dad's fine, trust me... And you'll like it here. We'll fix up your room and—."

"You want me to stay here. How come?" Jason asked. "And you don't have to sell me on staying here. Dinner already did." Barbara smiled and embraced him. Jason went red in the face and stumbled over his words. "Well... Gosh, I guess that answers my question." Jason went back to eating, and Jim came out of his room.

"I'll be right back. I'm going to the store," Jim announced, "Don't let her give you a hard time, Jason."

After Jim left, Jason looked at her. "What?" Barbara asked.

"Your dad's a cop. Why didn't you just become a cop?" Jason asked. Barbara sighed.

"Not for lack of trying, kid. He would rather die than see me put myself in harm's way," Barbara whispered, "Which is why you can't tell him anything about what I do."

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