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mangoisms · 10 months

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circle k (back to you)

summary: in which you're just the graveyard shift employee at circle k bombarded by vigilantes.

━ chapter two: it’s getting late | read chapter one

━ pairing: tim drake x f!reader

━ word count: 4.5k

━ warnings: none

━ masterlist

━ a/n: would be lying if i said this was for tim's birthday tmrw. it was rlly just because the reception to chapter 1 was so lovely and i also did this with my other tim fic—posting chapter 2 early, i mean. but we'll just have to work with this. happy early birthday tim you are annoying and i want to study you under a microscope <3

You expect Red Robin’s appearance to be a one-off thing.

It is not.

Instead, the next day, you get Black Bat.

It jolts you from the phone call you’re having.

“—understand the temptation to tell them to screw off but I really don’t want to get… shot…”

You trail off, watching, wide-eyed as your newest vigilante customer steps into Circle K.

Black Bat cuts an imposing figure, her suit made up mostly of inky black material, with a few accents of gold, the Bat symbol on her chest standing out the most. Her black cape flutters behind her, moving like a shadow. She looks the most like Batman, you think, with the cowl and the pointed ears. Except the eyes of the mask are black and the bottom of her face is completely covered—stitched closed. Considerably more creepy, you think, goosebumps breaking out over your skin. Though that could be the fan you have on, fluttering your hair as it makes a slow rotation.

“Hey, did you die or something?”

“No,” you mutter, watching, your heart starting to pick up as Black Bat comes up to the counter.

You aren’t sure what you expect, but it’s not—

“Do you have Red Bull?” Her voice is low and melodic. Not befitting of her… general aura.

Wordlessly, you point to the refrigerators at the back.

“Thanks,” she says, then she turns and walks away. You can only see the top of her head and the pointed ears of her cowl. A second later, you hear the suction-y sound of the refrigerator door being opened.

A voice calls your name from the other end of the line.

Your best friend, Stephanie Brown, who gave you a call to see how your summer break has been treating you.

“Sorry,” you say, clearing your throat. “Just got distracted by something outside.”

“Something outside? That’s not reassuring. At all.”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. Like I was saying, I’m not gonna tell them that. It’s tempting but like I said, I don’t want to get arrested or some shit.”

“The charges wouldn’t even hold. It’s a free country. I can tell a cop to fuck off if I want to. That’s my god-given right.”

“I appreciate the spirit, but I don’t think the GCPD would agree with you.”

“Well, the GCPD can kiss my ass.”

“You and me both, Stephie. You and me both. So, how’s, uh, Metropolis?”

“Metropolis is Metropolis. Brainiac nearly took control of the city yesterday but what’s new? Mom’s having a good time, though. Even if things are way overpriced over here. I mean, seriously. Eight bucks for a cup of coffee at this place we went to today. They’re crazy.”

Steph babbles in your ear for a few more minutes. Long enough for Black Bat to reemerge from the aisle, two cans of Red Bull and a bag of Takis and a pack of sour gummy worms in hand. You wonder who the second person is. Red Robin, maybe?

He’d been odd about the hot chocolates. Odd in general. But that’s what you get with these vigilante types.

No matter. You quickly focus on your current situation, giving Black Bat a small, embarrassed smile and pointing at the phone crammed between your shoulder and ear, mouthing Sorry.

You shouldn’t be doing this on the job and you should’ve told Steph you had to go but quite frankly, you need the assurance of another person with you. Even if said person can’t do anything and is across the harbor in Metropolis on a mini-vacation with her mom.

Black Bat shouldn’t give you trouble about it. You hope. She just scares you a little more than Red Robin. Which is silly because he’s a guy and probably more potentially dangerous but. You know. Her suit is just… too similar to Batman’s, and he’s the one who scares you the most.

Still, Black Bat just shrugs and waves a hand. “It’s fine.”

You nod your thanks, then scan everything and bag it. She pulls out a twenty dollar bill from her utility belt and you give her the change, which she promptly puts in the tip jar. A kind gesture, really, considering the twenty is a bit of an overshoot for her total, leaving you with a nice tip.

You guess that if anything else, at least it’s nice that these vigilantes tip.

After dropping the receipt into the bag, she takes it and waves at you.

Mystified, you wave back.

Then she steps out, cape fluttering behind her.

“Anyway,” Steph says on the other end as you focus on her voice again. “It’s pretty fun but I miss home. Can’t wait to be back in the city. We’re hanging out as soon as I do, by the way. How are things with you?”

Oh, you can’t keep it in. You have to tell her.

“I saw the Flash two days ago.”

But she misunderstands.

“Oh, yeah,” she says. “I saw that in the news. ‘Cause of Trickster, right? Bet Batman wasn’t happy about that.”

“No,” you say. “I’m saying I saw him. Here. At Circle K. He dropped in to grab a bite to eat. I know you and Tim absolutely refuse to believe me when I say he visited me and that we’re friends—which, by the way, he totally reaffirmed when I saw him—but he was here.”

“We’re jealous, that’s all,” she says. “Just don’t want you running off with the Flash thinking he’s cooler than we are. Which, to be clear, he isn’t. Not me, anyway. Tim is up for debate.”

“Well, you’re about to be a little more jealous.”

“And why is that?”

“Because since he visited, weird shit has started happening.”

“Weird shit is always happening in Gotham. What is so special about this weird shit in particular?”

“Oh, he said something stupid to Red Robin—Red Robin came in a little while after he did, I guess they were working together to track down Trickster—anyway, he was talking about how I’m… scared of the Bats—”

“Are you scared of the Bats?”

You throw up a hand, though she can’t see it. “I have a healthy amount of fear and respect for them—and on that note, please don’t tell anyone else I’m telling you this.”

“Of course.”

“Right, well, Flash was just ragging him, you know? About how he has a better relationship with me, someone who doesn’t even live in Keystone or Central, than the Bats do.”

“So?”

“So,” you blow out a big breath, “Red Robin showed up yesterday to get some hot chocolate—”

“Hot chocolate?” Steph asks, disbelieving.

“Yeah. He said it was a better alternative to coffee. Guess he’s not into energy drinks. Weirdo. The whole thing about it—weird. Like… I don’t know. He was just acting weird when he was asking if we had any.”

“… That is weird,” she says, an odd note to her voice. She clears her throat. “And then?”

“I knew why he was doing it so I told him he didn’t have to come around ‘cause he and the others obviously need to uphold a specific perception, right? Then he was all, Well, what does a civilian like you know about it? Can you believe they unironically call us that?”

Steph laughs. She laughs hard.

You wait it out, not entirely sure what or why she is laughing so hard but it’s not the first time she’s ever done that, so you can just let it go.

“Okay,” she giggles. “Sorry. Keep going. What else happened?”

“He left. But then, y’wanna guess who just showed up right now?”

“Who? Batman?”

“God, no. It was Black Bat. She was nice enough. Gave me a big tip. Creepy suit, though.”

“What’d she’d get?”

“Two Red Bulls, a bag of Takis and a pack of sour gummy worms. Wonder who that second Red Bull is for. And the snacks. Red Robin realizing hot chocolate in June is weird? Hard to imagine him eating Takis, though. He’s probably like Tim, saying they’re ‘too hot’.”

Steph laughs again for a while.

“Oh, god, you’re killing me,” she gasps out when she calms.

You shake your head, rubbing your finger over a scratch mark in the counter. “I don’t know what is so funny but sure.”

“So, then, what? You think you’re just gonna some more vigilantes? ‘Cause it’s only been two so far.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” you grumble. “But it’s two. When previously, this has never happened.”

“True! Well… any preferences? For who comes next?”

“Anyone but Batman, thanks.”

Your next visitor is not Batman.

It is, in a turn of events that makes a little more sense, the Signal.

A few days after your call with Steph, things are fine, until your manager posts to the team group chat about wanting someone for an afternoon shift, saying someone quit unexpectedly. Not one to say no to some extra cash, you latch onto the opportunity—even if it’s an admittedly questionable idea. You try not to work weekends to let yourself recuperate from sustaining your not-so-great sleep schedule.

Anyway, you feel and look like a zombie, but you get your work done.

“I can help the next person in line,” you call.

A tall, broad-shouldered stocky older man with long blonde hair and blue eyes behind coke-bottle glasses steps up, armed with two large cups of coffee. The scrubs he wears clues you into some kind of healthcare position.

“Hi, did you find everything—”

The door opens, your eyes automatically flickering to the movement, and your voice cuts out sharply as you realize who it is.

The Signal stands there a bit awkwardly for a moment as all of you look—the blonde man at the counter and the other man waiting in line.

“Hey, you!”

You flinch, tensing, already fearing a confrontation as the other man steps forward, pointing at the Signal. The one in question tenses, shoulders rising, like he’s preparing to fight. You hope not. That would be a lot of paperwork for you. It’s the manager’s, technically, to report any damage done by vigilantes, but they always give it to you or the other employees on the floor.

But it is not as you feared. Instead of picking a fight, the man… thanks him?

“You’re the Signal, right? Right? You saved my son a few months ago from some muggers following him home from school. Thank you, man. Seriously, I can’t thank you enough. He wouldn’t be here with me if it weren’t for you,” the man says, holding out a hand.

“Hey, man,” Signal says, reaching out to shake his hand. “It was nothing. I’m glad I was there to help.”

“Are you here to buy something? Let me cover you. Please. It’s the least I can do—”

“Oh, you really don’t need to—”

“That went better than expected.”

The soft-spoken voice brings you out of your thoughts and you belatedly realize you still have a customer to take care of. But when you look at him, he is watching the Signal try to tell the other man that he doesn’t have to pay for him, a small smile tugging at his lips.

“Yeah,” you say. “Good thing. Signal’s a good guy.”

He turns back to you as you scan the cups of coffee, pulling out a wallet.

“He is,” he agrees easily—meaning his words, too, a genuine conviction you don’t hear often associated with the vigilantes of the city.

Signal manages to hold firm on not needing the man to pay, repeating that he was just doing his job, and thankfully, the man accepts it with good graces.

You quickly get your current customer wrapped up while the Signal steps into the chip aisle.

You pass him the receipt. “Thank you, have a good day.”

He sends you a small, handsome smile, picking up the cups of coffee. “Thank you, you, too.”

The one after him steps up to pay, talking jovially with you, spirits still apparently lifted at seeing Signal and being able to thank him. It’s a nice moment, you think, and you make sure to respond in kind.

The door swings shut behind him just as Signal re-emerges from the chip aisle, holding a can of Monster Energy and a bag of chile picante Cornnuts. The combination is… surely something. You let yourself slip with it, too, because you’ve personally heard a lot of good things about him. The fact that he works during the day helps his case, too.

“I need the energy,” Signal says, seeing that thought in your face; he doesn’t sound mad, though, just vaguely amused. His suit is filled with more yellow tones, still intimidating but not as much in the daylight, a helmet of sorts leaving only his mouth exposed.

“It’ll definitely give you… something,” you say, chuckling as you scan both.

He pats his stomach. “I have guts of steel. Don’t worry about it.”

“Not a problem as long as I never have to hear ‘guts of steel’ ever again. Jesus. Is that just a natural thing of your biology or is it evolutionary-based?”

“This life isn’t for the faint of heart or stomach,” he agrees, passing you a five dollar bill. “Adaptation is key.”

“I bet.”

Signal laughs, taking his change and dropping it into the tip jar. You smile, too, shaking your head slightly.

“Have a good day.”

He tips his Red Bull at you. “You, too.”

Guts of steel. You nearly can’t believe it.

You pick up your phone, finding your conversation with Tim. You and Steph are hanging out tomorrow, so you’ll tell her about it, then. She asked him, though, and he said he was busy. Too bad. But that doesn’t mean he gets out of being subjected to those words, either.

no joke signal came in to buy a monster energy and cornnuts (a questionable combo) and when he saw me judging he said he has guts of steel

meta related do you think???

makes sense to me. you have a gene inside you that gives you literal powers i think they shouldn’t be having digestive issues/ibs like us common folk do

Your three texts, sent in quick succession, deliver. You bite the inside of your cheek as you see your previous ones still unanswered. It’s been like that for the past few weeks. Not him ignoring you but a bit of a dry spell going on in your messages that was only broken when you told Steph what happened and decided you had to tell him, too.

It’s not his fault. The dry spell from before or the lack of responses going on now.

You started the first thing. So, it’s more your fault than anything for all of that. Steph’s talked to him, though, and she’s never let up on anything amiss…

You groan quietly, dropping your phone on the counter and burying your face in your hands.

Too complicated. Too much.

It never used to be like that but… things changed recently.

You, mostly.

You met Stephanie Brown your second semester at Gotham University.

Taking your required elective, you chose Intro to Psych. She was doing the same. Though, being a social work major, psychology was practically a cousin to it.

The professor for the class turned out to be a total dud. Rambled during lecture, refused to give out study guides, and while he would give out hints as to what material might show up on exams, his questions were trick ones. When people complained, he said some crap about being in a higher ed setting and needing to do better because of it. Like his class was some 300 or 400 level course and not a literal intro course to a large and burgeoning field of study.

But classes are expensive, so, you couldn’t drop it. Refused to, really, knowing you would face much more difficult classes later on, ones you knew you might need to drop and try again. So, you weren’t going to waste the money on this type of class.

Steph was of the same thought.

She sat next to you in the lecture hall. You two didn’t talk until after the first exam and everyone was upset about their grades, the exams having been handed back at the end of class. Your shared frustration brought you together, mostly as you two were ranting about it, you packed up and wound up leaving class together, the both of you just too caught up in your anger to realize you both needed to go in opposite directions for your next class.

You initially agreed to be study partners, to cover more ground that way. But Steph managed to worm her way to your heart by the end of that semester.

Your astounding lack of friends helped, too. Even if things had been that way since your junior year of high school, even if you wanted things to remain that way to protect what little remained of your heart, the loneliness hit you harder than you thought it would when you started college.

And Steph was nice and funny and listened to you and paid attention to you and you… were so very deprived of those things, so it was nice in the beginning, but then you realized, to your own horror, that you actually wanted her to stick her around, that just as she knew nearly everything about you by the end of the semester, you knew nearly everything about her, too, and you wanted to know more, wanted to be there for her like she always was for you.

You have that and more now and you are so very lucky because of it.

Tim, though?

Tim was something else.

Steph told you she had a friend visiting.

Just that—that she had a friend visiting campus and she ‘hoped he could find his way to the computer workstation on the fourth floor because as soon as I sit down, I’m not leaving for anything other than to use the bathroom or some kind of world-ending event.’

It was a particularly grueling paper she had to churn out—twenty pages, heavily research-based with the kind of statistics that made your head spin.

Working at the front desk of the Martha Kane Library at the time, you humored her. Told her good luck and that you’d keep an eye out. The second part was a joke, of course, because she never said who was visiting her and how could you know if she never said anything?

You and Tim Drake wound up finding each other, anyway.

Well, more like he found you.

It sounds sort of romantic, right?

It’s… well, it’s certainly something.

“I’m just saying,” you’re telling him, totally neglecting your homework and the other duties you have at the front desk (you know this last part is especially true by the way your coworker, also at the front desk, is side-eyeing you but come on, there’s no one in line, so it’s fine!). “It’s a solid movie.”

Tim Drake gives you a comically disbelieving look. “A solid movie? It’s—it’s gaseous.”

“Did… you just make a physics joke? About the three states of matter?”

Tim turns an attractive shade of pink. “It’s four, actually, and, uh… yeah.”

You raise an eyebrow. “Steph is right. You really are a geek. Anyway. Cloverfield still sucks.”

“Your opinion is automatically negated by the fact that you think the Final Destination movies have any kind of substance to them.”

“Hey, I didn’t say that. I just think they’re good ‘cause of Mary Elizabeth Winstead. You probably think the Transformers movies are actually good, don’t you?”

He looks offended. “Don’t insult me. We hate Michael Bay in this house.”

“Sure.”

“But I do think Bumblebee—”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, Bumblebee is good for a change, we all know it. You’re probably one of those Nolan stans, aren’t you?”

“I don’t think any of what you just said are real words.”

“Oh, they’re real alright. Nolan stans are constantly on his dick, they’re all like, ‘Nolan is so deep and thoughtful and there is no one else like him.’ Wrong. I could find ten of him in the movie industry.”

Tim narrows his eyes accusingly at you. “Steph said Interstellar is your favorite movie.”

“It’s his only good movie.”

“Don’t count out Inception like that.”

“Never seen it.”

“Wow.”

“You know what you sounded like just now? A Nolan stan.”

Tim actually grins at you and your stomach flutters at the sight of it. It’s that that had drawn your eyes to him. The cute but confused looking guy loitering around nearby, systematically checking his phone and glancing around—presumably for a map of the confusing and ancient library. With dark hair, pale skin, and pretty blue eyes that make you feel unbearably seen, Tim Drake is a sight for sore eyes. Your eyes, to be certain.

Of course, you also know he’s here for Steph. That he is the friend she spoke of. And also the ex-boyfriend. That reminder sobers you considerably.

Kind of funny, really.

Much can be said about Tim Drake.

The adoptive son of Bruce Wayne. The kid who snuck into No Man’s Land on a dare and had to be extracted by the US military after his father made a fuss about it. Then later, became controlling shareholder at Wayne Enterprises for whatever reason, boosting him into a very powerful position. Then he got engaged. Then he was shot—he was meant to be killed but obviously, it hadn’t gone that way. All this at seventeen.

But eventually it petered out. He stepped down. Engagement broke off. He recovered. Now? He does some work for WE. That’s all that’s known to the press, anyway.

It’s like you said. Much can be said about Tim Drake.

But most of your impression is from Steph. He plays Warlocks and Warriors sometimes. Is a bit of a computer geek and has built his own PC for gaming. Hits the skatepark every now and then. Likes to spend time tinkering on his car. And… has strong opinions on movies.

Above it all?

He is her ex. A good friend now! But still. That fact remains.

“Anyway,” you say, adjusting your notebook, textbook, and bag of pens just to do something. “You’re here for Steph, right?”

“She told you?”

“Well, she’s obviously told you stuff about me.”

“Steph won’t shut up about you,” he says, seeming more amused than annoyed by that fact. “I can’t imagine it’s the same with me.”

“I know enough.” Like the fact that he is her literal ex-boyfriend. Even if Steph says their relationship wasn’t the greatest, had some very questionable decisions on both their parts, and ended a bit dramatically… he’s still the first person she ever fell in love with. She told you that much. “She’s upstairs on the fourth floor. Hit the elevators over there, then when you get to the fourth floor, turn left, then another left, and the computer workstations are on your right. Can’t miss them.”

“You should watch Inception,” he says, instead of acknowledging literally anything you just said.

You arch an eyebrow challengingly. “You should watch Interstellar.”

He taps a finger on the counter. “We should do both. You, me, and Steph one of these days.”

“I hate to say it, but that sounds like a good idea.”

Steph’s voice scares the shit out of you. You bang your knee on the desk, cursing.

Tim looks unruffled as she comes from the side—the direction of the elevators, joining him at the counter and nudging his shoulder as she goes. He nudges back. They keep the contact.

“Sorry, Stephie,” you say. “We got preoccupied.”

“Arguing,” she corrects, but she doesn’t look upset about it. Instead, her cobalt blue eyes twinkle with something you can’t quite identify as she drops her chin into her palm.

“We weren’t arguing,” Tim says next. “We were lightly debating.”

“Of course. My cute little movie geeks. I think Duckboy’s right, though—” Tim groans slightly and mutters her name in annoyance; she ignores it “—we should get together and see them.”

You scratch your cheek. “I don’t know. Finals—”

“—are not for another month. I say let’s do it.” She looks at Tim and jabs a thumb at you. “She needs more friends.”

“Stephanie, please.”

“Oh, don’t worry. Timothy needs more friends, too. Friends from, say, the other half.” She smiles mischievously, a joke known only by the two of them.

Tim, for his part, rolls his eyes but says nothing in protest.

You don’t need more friends. More friends is actually a very bad idea. Letting one person get close was bad enough. Another person? Hell, no…

But the look on Steph’s face tells you that you, quite frankly, have no say in the matter. And the way you and Tim ‘lightly debated’ movies for a solid half hour tells you, too, that it’ll be too easy for you and he to become friends.

You decide to shelve the issue for now as Steph tugs him away, promising you that she’ll arrange for things.

Maybe it won’t pan out. Maybe he’s actually horribly arrogant and conceited. (Though, if he’s friends with Steph, the likelihood of that is admittedly low.)

You don’t know. All you know is it’s dangerous to let yourself get close to someone else.

But that’s all rather dramatic, isn’t it?

And it didn’t turn out how you wanted—you met Tim in the first semester of your sophomore year; your junior year just ended this May. You’ve been friends with him for a year and half. Steph for two. No end appears to be in sight. But you’ve compartmentalized. It’s just two people. That’s fine.

It’s totally fine.

Even if it’s two people to match the two others you lost when you were fifteen. Like a repayment for the pain.

(Or a way to double it.)

But you lost your parents in the earthquake.

Scientists called that a once-in-a-lifetime event.

There are plenty of things going on in this city that could cost your friends their lives but… it’ll never be as devastating as the earthquake.

The earthquake where you nearly died after a piece of metal pierced your thigh, barely missing your femoral artery, and you spent the entire time from after the earthquake, when they dug your body out of the rubble, and to when they decided to exile the city, in a coma from the infection.

By the time you stabilized, you were on a helicopter to Blüdhaven, the rest of the city in a panic to leave, and your parents were officially gone by that point.

They couldn’t even find their bodies in time.

It took almost three years before they did. The year in which the government turned a blind eye to the city and cast it away, then another two years to rebuild, to sift through the ruin and destruction, to find the bones of the ones left behind since they were decomposed by then, and identifying them was an even more arduous task.

You only managed to receive the catharsis of burying them when you turned eighteen.

You might tempt fate by saying this but even if you lost either of them, the fallout would never beat that. A blessing, in that way.

But even you hate to consider the possibilities of them leaving you. For anything.

They won’t.

Everything will be fine.

It has to be.

reblogs are appreciated!

taglist: @peachesona @knoxx-seresinbradshaw @kikis-writing-service @sweetistic @soundsfunbutno @ginevraxrogers

[if you'd like to be added to the taglist (or removed), let me know here or in my inbox! ^_^]

#tim drake x reader #red robin x reader #dc comics imagine #tim drake imagine #red robin imagine #tim drake x you #tim drake x y/n #red robin x you #red robin x y/n #batfamily x reader #batfam x reader #batfam x you #batfam x y/n

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theunquenchablethirst · 3 years

Text

Hooked (Jerome X Reader)

Ok, so this is a thing. I was kinda surprised nobody had used this scene yet, because the Gotham fandom seem to collectively agree that Jerome is BIG KINKY and yet the one scene where he canonically has people cuffed up and hung from the ceiling... nobody has touched??? Y'all have been sleeping on that scene! It's fanfic gold! Anyway, enjoy the hedonism. Much love xxx

Warning: SMUT, 18+, GRAPHIC SEXUAL CONTENT, BDSM, bondage, cuffs, dom/sub, vaginal fingering, oral sex, biting, spanking, slapping, pussy slapping, light choking, spitting, belt whipping, praise/degradation, marking, mention of scratching, Jerome is big meanie pants mean man

The new mayor of Gotham is having a meeting with his council members, but things take a turn when the Legion of Horribles show up to kidnap them and reader. When the victims are being unloaded from the truck, Jerome Valeska notices reader, because she isn't exactly on the guest list.

Tag list of lovelies: @gabile18 @valeskaduh @fangirl--writes @persephoneblck

Masterlist

I had been working as a housekeeper for the new mayor. It was a good job, but I wasn't appreciated. I was just there to clean and serve when needed. I don't think he even knew my name. I was just hired help to him. To all of them.

He was hosting a dinner for his council that day. I had been placed in the corner of the room with a bottle of expensive wine where I was to wait until wanted. He gestured for me to come forwards and fill their glasses while they started talking about their displeasure with the rising foul play in the city, like it was anything new for Gotham. The chairwoman wanted to know what he was going to do about it. Very little in my opinion. He was just coasting. In too deep over his head. He had been appointed far too fast and everyone knew it. He wasn't going to last.

He made an attempt to save face and talk about how he too was disturbed by the recent goings on and was doing everything he could. Trash, utter trash. As he rose from his seat, the lights fizzled out. I stopped pouring. Had this been any other city I would have assumed it was a simple power outage, but nothing was that simple in Gotham. The security guard closed us in and went to see what was happening. The air turned icy. No, this was not good. Gunshots and screams came from the hallway and everyone rose from the table terrified. We quickly started walking towards a door hoping to make an escape, but there was something about the windows. They were freezing over.

The doors burst open and I dropped the wine. It smashed into pieces as a blueish man in some kind of robotic suit and a weird looking, but huge gun stepped into the room. Was that Victor Fries? Then through the second set of doors another man in a top hat who I recognised as Jervis Tetch burst in with some other strange looking friends.

Before I could comprehend the situation, we were all being cuffed and taken outside. Our kidnappers pushed and pulled us towards a huge truck, all the while the mayor tried to buy his way free. He was showing just how little he really knew about the underbelly of Gotham. I knew just by looking at them that they were probably Arkham escapees and couldn't be bought like a sane man could. They had their own plans and you can't bargain with crazies.

We got to the truck and they opened the back door. My blood ran cold when I saw that standing there waiting for us was Jerome Valeska. Of all the criminals Gotham had seen he had been the only one that had scared me, truly and thoroughly. He didn't have any kind of reason for what he did. He just enjoyed death and chaos. And after his last escapade he looked like madness personified, his scars circling his face and eyes and giving him a permanent evil smile. Dread consumed me as I realized that he was no doubt the leader of this operation and if that was true, we were already dead.

I felt myself jolted forwards. The mayor had pushed me in front of the rest of the council to get whatever was coming first. If I wasn't cuffed, I would have turned around and broke his nose. I was lifted into the truck, my hands were pulled above my head and fixed to two hooks. I had to stand on my toes to keep standing which made it awkward and difficult as they pushed me to the back of the truck.

Was that Penguin? What was he doing here? He didn't belong here. I had gone to Penguin looking for a job in his club when I was 16. He was impressed with my audition, but when he asked my age, he rejected me.

"This establishment is not a playground for children. It's a nightclub." He had told me. At the time I had been steaming mad, but in hindsight he was probably right. Even if he was rude. So, after that, I found it hard to understand why he was here and working with Valeska. Maybe he had been kidnapped too?

The rest of the council were loaded on and hooked. The mayor was still trying to offer them money and pardons. When he saw it wasn't working, he resorted to empty, unintimidating threats. Jerome was completely unfazed and even a little disappointed in the lack of smiles.

"Nobody knows how to have fun anymore, right?" He said putting his arm around Penguin. So, he was a part of this.

Jerome pointed to a scary looking figure dressed like a scarecrow. Johnathan Crane? Crane released some kind of purple gas in the face of a member of a council. She started laughing and convulsing violently.

"What have you got to lose? Except your sanity?" Jerome joined in the crazy laughter. So, this was his plan. He'd figured out a way to forcefully drive everyone insane. With a gas.

I silently prayed to God in my mind for any kind of help.

After sufficiently terrifying us half to death, they left us in the back of truck. None of us could say anything and after a few minutes the truck started moving.

"Is she ok?" I asked looking towards the victim of the insanity gas.

"Who cares?! We have to figure out what they want and get out of here." Replied the mayor.

"Maybe they want publicity for whatever that gas is. Offer them some TV time." Guessed the chairwoman.

"Don't you get it?! This isn't a situation you can buy your way out of!" I snapped, frustrated with their idiocy.

"These aren't normal criminals. They don't want your money. They want chaos and madness." They stood there silently stunned. They had never heard me speak with such confidence, but in that moment, they knew I was right.

After what felt like hours the truck finally stopped.

"What's going on?" The mayor whispered.

Everything was quiet. We listened for any noise or sign of life. All we could hear was our own breath.

Then suddenly the doors flung open once again and in hopped Valeska, Tetch and Crane.

"We're here!" Jerome grinned.

The other two started to pull the council one by one off the hooks and walk them out of the truck, closely watched by Jerome. Until they got to me.

"Wait..." He stuck an arm out to stop Tetch from unhooking me.

"Who's she? She wasn't on the party list." He took a few steps closer to me.

"This poor young girl is an unlucky maid. Wrong place, wrong time. Very bad day." Jervis explained looking at me.

"Would you like me to... dispose of her?" Asked Crane, stalking close to me and lifting needle covered fingers to my throat.

"Not so fast, Mr Potato Head." Jerome said pulling him away from me.

He came so close that we were only inches apart. He looked down at me as if he was thinking for a few seconds then smirked and turned around to the others.

"Guys, go and see that our guests are comfortable, will ya? Get everything ready." He ushered them out of the truck. Fear travelled up and down my body. This had all been a bad situation, but being alone with Valeska scared the hell out of me.

"You're lucky I have a soft spot for pretty little girls." He closed the truck doors and turned to look at me.

"Freddy Krueger there... not so much." He relaxed, leaning back against the doors with his hands in his pockets. "You got a name?"

I stayed silent, more out of fear than defiance. He sucked his teeth and stood up straight.

"I get it. You're scared. Who wouldn't be, right?" He started slowly walking closer. "But things will go a lot smoother if you just play nice."

I still couldn't find any words.

"Aw, come on, doll! I'm getting awful lonely over here." He brought his hands up out of his pockets and leaned against a wall of the truck.

He was quiet for a few seconds and I noticed that his eyes were making their way up my legs. Being held up by my wrists on my tip toes had pulled my uniform skirt up and almost all of my thighs were exposed. I blurted out my name in an attempt to distract him from my bare legs. He smiled.

"What a pretty name. Now, was that so hard?" He pushed himself off the wall and came a little closer.

"So, you're the mayor's dust bunny, huh? I gotta say, doll, I can see why he keeps you around." He chuckled, eyeing me.

My whole body flushed and my face turned hot and red.

“But, uh, the thing about mayors in this town, they don’t last very long.”

"Please let me go." I whimpered.

"Oh, but we're having such a good time! Plus, if I did that, you'd scamper off to the GCPD and I can't have good ol' Gordon crashing the party early."

I scoffed at his suggestion. Not likely. I had a distinct distaste for the GCPD. They hadn't helped me when I needed them. I would never need them again.

"What's the matter? He book ya before or something?" Jerome smiled with intrigue.

"My parents... they... did things to us. When I ended up in the hospital one too many times..." Tears stung my eyes as I remembered. "They left me there and disappeared with my little brother. No one ever managed to track them down."

I didn’t fully understand why I was opening up to Jerome, but for a second, I saw a spark of humanity in his eyes. Like he understood my pain. I'd heard his first kill had been his mother, so maybe he did?

"I'd give anything to see him again." I sniffed and a tear rolled down my cheek.

"Yeah, I had shitty parents too." He sighed. "I killed them both."

I had thought about what I would do if I ever saw my parents again. What I would say, what I would ask. I could never think of the right words. But the thought of killing them, well that made me smile.

"What was it like?" I asked.

Jerome grinned from ear to ear and stepped closer so that we were toe to toe.

“Have you ever stood at the edge of a really tall building? You know that little voice in the back of your head that says ‘Jump! You can fly!’ even though every other part of you is screaming ‘No you can’t! You’re gonna kill us!’”

I nodded shakily.

“It’s like finally giving in to that voice. Like jumping off Gotham Bridge and finding out you can fly. And realising you never have to walk again.”

I swallowed the lump in my throat and my heart felt like it was going a million beats per minute. His eyes were locked on mine and it felt like he was looking straight into my soul.

“You wanna fly, doll?” He brought his hand up to cup my jaw and ran his thumb along my bottom lip.

It wasn’t humanity I saw in Jerome Valeskas eyes. It was freedom. A freedom that I had wanted for as long as I could remember. And I could have it right now. He was offering it to me. The only thing standing in my way was myself.

“Yes.” I breathed. “Yes, I do.”

The next thing I knew, his lips were crashing into mine and he had hooked his hands under my thighs and was holding them around his waist. His kiss was desperate and hungry, like he had been starved for days and his grip on the bare flesh of my thighs was rough enough to leave bruises. I locked my ankles together behind him to steady myself from swaying underneath the cuffs. When I did, he drove his crotch forwards, grinding into my centre, a quiet moan escaping me as I felt him.

He slowly trailed a hand from my thigh, up my back and to the nape of my neck, before balling my hair in his fist. I gasped as I felt the sudden, sharp tug of him pulling my head back.

His eyes wandered down to settle on my exposed throat, before yanking my head to the side and nestling in the crook of my neck. He must’ve left a hundred open mouth kisses, but as he started to suck, I felt his teeth sink into my skin. I pulled back with a hiss at the sting, but he wouldn’t let go. He just kept on leaving harsh, red bitemarks and pulling my hair, all the time grinding harder into me.

He licked over the bruises he’d left and gently kissed them, before trailing his tongue up my neck to nip at my ear. He smiled darkly and pulled back away from me, dropping my legs back to the floor. He stalked around me, eyeing me up and down like a predator. I felt him behind me, his hands softly holding onto my waist, pulling me close to his chest.

“You know what’s great about this?” He cooed. “You’re already pre-cuffed.”

I flushed and my core swelled hot, his breath so close to me made my skin tingle all over. He pulled at the top of my skirt and dragged it down my hips, letting it fall down around my feet. He caressed my thighs and then stepped back, tugging at my underwear, playfully letting the elastic snap back to me.

“Y’know...” He said, before the familiar sound of a belt unbuckling. “Marquis de Sade said ‘sex without pain is like food without taste’...”

My eyes widened at his words and my heartbeat quickened.

“So, let’s make this... delicious.”

A million thoughts raced through my mind, but before I could process any, I felt the sharp snap of leather against my ass. I jolted forwards and let out a high pitch yelp.

Even though I couldn’t see him, I could tell he was smirking. I could hear it in his voice. I bit my lip in an attempt to brace myself and he landed the belt across me again.

“Please, Jerome...” I whimpered at the sting, closing my eyes.

He brought it down again, making me arch my back in a gasp. A couple of tears rolled down my cheeks and I realised there was little point in resisting the torment. So, I gritted my teeth and prepared for another lick of the belt.

He whipped me once more, harder this time and a small scream escaped me.

“Please!” I begged.

I heard him chuckle with dark delight. The bastard was enjoying this. Of course he was. What else had I expected from someone like him? I tightened all my muscles for the next sting...

But it didn’t come. Instead, I felt him pulling my underwear down. Relief washed over me when I heard the belt drop to the floor and I realised Jerome was finished and was now crouched, ready to inspect his work. He ran his fingers over my burning flesh, taking in the bright red lashes he had left on me.

“What a pretty picture?” He said, landing a spank. “I wish you could see too doll, but having you cuffed is half the fun.”

His voice was dripping with venom and arousal and I could practically feel his grin in the air. He traced the marks with his fingers a little longer, before grabbing my flesh in fistfuls and sinking his teeth in. I gasped loudly at the hard bite. I wasn’t sure how many more of Jerome's surprises I could take. He laughed and ran his tongue over the new bruise.

“Yep. Definitely a pretty picture.” He smiled, giving me another spank. “I like those little noises you make, doll. Why don’t you make some more for me?”

He snaked his hand up my inner thigh and began stroking along my slit, relighting the fire in my stomach. I moaned, biting hard on my lip and tried to bring my thighs together, wanting friction.

“Naughty.” He said, landing a swift slap on my entrance causing me to let out a little yelp. “I need you to keep those legs open for me.”

It wasn’t as bad as the belt. In fact, it felt quite good. The heat inside me swelled as Jerome returned to running his fingers back and forth in my slickness. I hummed softly in my throat, fighting the urge to close my thighs again, my knees starting to shudder underneath me.

“Look how wet you are and I’m barely touching you.” Jerome chuckled darkly. “I wonder what happens if I do this?”

Jerome plunged two fingers deep inside me and slowly started pumping them. I let the warmth roll through me, moaning blissfully. He gently started to pick up speed, making it nearly impossible for me to keep my thighs apart. The faster he got, the deeper he dove, making me tighten around his talented fingers and struggle to keep steady on my toes.

My legs were shaking and despite my best efforts I just had to squeeze them together. As soon as I did, Jerome removed his fingers from me, leaving me feeling empty and spanked me hard.

“What did I say about that?” He barked, laying down another spank.

His spanking felt different this time. It felt pleasurable and sent a thrill up my spine.

“Sorry.” I whimpered.

“Sorry for what?” He spanked me again. “For being a needy little whore? Hm?” Another spank.

“Yes!” I gasped. “I’m a needy little whore! I just...”

“What? You just what?”

Jerome landed another slap at my core. It made my muscles clench, but it also aroused me so much more in a way I’d never thought I’d experience.

“What? What do you want, whore?”

“Please...”

“Big words, princess. What...” Spank. “Do you...” Another spank. “Want?”

“I want... I want you...” I forced, breathlessly.

“You want me? What do you want me to do, princess?” Jerome teased, tracing a finger along my burning entrance, just barely touching me.

“Please... Make me feel good, Jerome... Make me cum.”

“Are you gonna be a good girl?”

“Yes...”

“Are you gonna do as I say?”

“Yes, I will.”

“Exactly as I say?”

“Yes! Yes! Yes! Just please...Jerome.”

I couldn’t take it any longer. I felt so pathetic and needy. I needed him to touch me.

“So desperate.” He giggled sadistically. I supposed he loved seeing me beg.

Then, finally, he spread me open and dove his tongue deep into my wanting warmth. I closed my eyes and bit down hard on my lip as he swirled his tongue around inside me. I wanted to grab his hair and feel it in my fingers, but all I could do was squeeze my fists together in empty frustration.

Jerome grabbed a hand full of my ass, gripping it tightly, digging his nails in and rose his other hand to my pelvis front, pulling me down further onto his tongue. I squealed, a delightful mixture of pleasure and also pain from the tugging on my aching forearms. He ran his front hand down to play with my swollen clit, circling his fingers around beautifully.

He grinded his face deeply into me, sliding his tongue up, down, around and around inside me. He pressed his fingers down harder on my clit, forcing a loud moan out of me. I felt the pressure inside me build, coiling and tightening like a burning spring. I squeezed my thighs around his head in a desperate attempt to pull him deeper, his tongue nestling inside finding all of my sweet spots and lighting them on fire.

I could feel myself ready, ready to burst. He was pulling an amazing orgasm out of me and I wanted nothing more than to just let it go. All it took was one more upward jolt of his head, pushing his tongue that last little bit deep enough to push me over. I screamed out in erotic pleasure, letting the feeling flood me like warm water. My back arched and my legs convulsed until I withered, letting myself dangle from my cuffs in a breathless defeat.

Jerome slid his tongue out of me and pulled his face back away.

“You sing so pretty, dollface. Like a little birdie.” He said, squeezing the flesh off my ass.

He gave me one more light bite and a spank, before he rose back up to stand, snaking his hands along my sides all the way. He let his hands wander up to cup my breasts, massaging them softly. He leaned in close and began leaving wet kisses in the crook of my neck. I shuddered, his touch sending a cool tingle down my spine. He let his hands squeeze my breasts slightly harder, then pulled away and crept back around in front of me.

He stood facing me, his eyes locked on mine. They seemed to burn holes right into my flesh, creating a sense of fear in me. I was scared of Jerome Valeska, I truly was. But everything he was doing to me right now... The way he touched me, kissed me. I wondered how he managed it. How he was able to both terrify and arouse me in equal amounts.

Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t register his hand rising until it was firmly wrapped around my throat. He leaned down to kiss me, dominating my mouth with his tongue, making me taste myself. Once again, I felt the familiar warmth build in my core as I sensed we were not quite done here. He finished the kiss with a little nip to my bottom lip.

“Are you scared of me, doll?” He purred.

I swallowed hard, unsure if truth was wise here. Then I felt him increase the pressure around my throat, not wanting to wait for an answer.

“Yes.” I breathed.

“Good.” He said through an evil smirk.

He crashed his lips to mine once again, his free hand picking up my thigh to wrap around him. I locked both my legs around his waist, wanting to feel him close against me. I felt his erection hard, under his clothes, grinding into me and I wanted it. Badly. He pulled away from the kiss, leaving his taste on my tongue and raised his hand from my throat to grab hold of my face. He took his other hand away from my thigh and pulled at his tie. I didn’t drop my legs this time, instead I gripped tighter as he slid his tie from around his neck and scrunched it in his fist.

“Open your mouth.” He ordered.

I did as he said and he smiled, before spitting into my open lips and gagging me with his tie. I’d never had anyone do that before and it shocked me a little, but then again, I’d never had anyone like Jerome Valeska before.

He backed up slightly, just enough for him to reach down and unzip his trousers and pull down his underwear, freeing his erection. I couldn’t help but look down at it. It was bigger than any I’d taken before and I wasn’t sure how prepared I was. He started to slowly stroke himself, lifting up my chin to look at me.

He gently stroked a single finger across my jaw and then, suddenly, landed a harsh slap across my cheek. I yelped at the slap, causing a dangerous smile to form on Jeromes mouth. I should’ve been repulsed by him. He killed people and was aroused by my pain and fear, so why was I so attracted to him?

He angled himself underneath me so he was lined up and ready. He wrapped his hand back around my throat and then pushed forwards into me, causing us both to let out deep moans.

“You like that?”

I nodded and whimpered through the material of the tie. Jerome giggled darkly and with his free hand, gripped onto my waist.

“Brace yourself, princess.” He warned, through a poisonous smile.

He pulled back slowly, until he was almost completely out of me and then, like a bullet, ploughed himself right back in, jolting me backwards with force. He continued his thrusting rough and fast, making me whimper and bite down hard on the tie. I closed my legs tightly around him, pulling him closer and forcing him in deeper.

He let out a low, guttural groan and moved his hand upwards from my waist to slap me again, spitting at my face as he did so. I closed my eyes to endure the onslaught of him pounding inside me like a raging animal. I felt like a toy, dangling there for him to use as he liked, but still the searing pleasure of it all made me moan lustfully.

“Open those peepers, princess.” He commanded. “I want you to see exactly who’s in charge here.”

I opened my eyes and saw him grinning at me like a man possessed.

“You like this? You like me fucking you?” He growled, gripping my throat tighter.

All I could do was whimper and moan in response.

“I cuffed you and hung you up, hurt you, spat on you... even made you cry! And you still let me fuck you?” He laughed through shallow breaths. “You’re pathetic, you know that? A pathetic little whore.”

Jerome threw another slap at me and I felt myself tighten around his considerable length, taking him all deep inside me. He drove up into me like he was trying to break me open with his girth and I welcomed every inch of it.

“You’re so fucking tight.” He moaned.

I clenched my walls around him, the feeling of being filled by him sending flutters through me as he pushed in deeper and laughed.

“I don’t think your pussy ever wants to let me go, doll!” He grinned. “But I already know you like taking my cock like this, cause you’re such a good girl for me... I like that.”

I flushed at his words. I didn’t know why, but it made me feel good to please him and, in that moment, I would have done anything for him. I could feel my ecstasy creeping up on me, like magma rising inside a volcano. I cried out wantonly, the heat rising as he worked me, exploring every detail of my canal with his thick shaft.

He let go of my throat and moved both his hands to grab onto my ass and squeezed, steadying me so he could pound me harder and climb to release. His thrusts became erratic and sloppy and I could tell he was just as close as I was. I moaned loudly as he rammed into me harder and faster, burying himself deeper and making my arousal burn.

I could feel it coming, so close. I was about to boil over and all I needed was him. Just him. He continued thrusting like a raging animal, digging his nails into my flesh and scraping them along my ass, stinging sweetly. I whimpered at the sensation and tightened my legs.

“Cum for me, doll.” He panted. “I wanna feel you cum on my cock.”

He plunged into me, pushing the magma higher and just so close to bursting. It was coming. I could feel it.

He pounded again. So close. Again and again, so hard inside me. Just a little more...

I screamed out, closing my eyes and letting everything go. The feeling of my orgasm washed over me like a tidal wave of pure elation. My whole body shook from the force of it and I trembled like a leaf. Jerome continued to thrust into me until he too reached his climax. He growled like a beast and I felt him throb, releasing his hot load of sticky lust deep inside me.

We both relaxed, catching our breath and he stared down into my eyes. He unlatched his hands from the flesh of my ass and brought one round to gently stroke my cheek with his fingertips. It was quiet, but only for a minute.

He threw his head back and laughed like the madman he was, before pulling out of me and stepping back. My legs dropped to the floor and he began to put himself away and zip his trousers back up.

“Well, that was fantastic, dollface. Thanks for playing nice with me.” He said, throwing me a wink.

There was a loud metallic knock at the truck doors and I guessed whoever it was, was trying to get Jeromes attention.

“It’s been fun princess, really. But time waits for no man and I’ve got a party to attend” He said, smiling at me. “Well, more like crash.”

When he turned to leave, I tried to speak, but all that came out was intelligible muttering. He wasn’t going to leave me here, dangling, half naked and gagged like this? Was he? He began walking to the truck doors and I tried to call out.

“Oh! Wait, almost forgot.”

I felt a flood of relief when he began walking back to me.

“I’m gonna need this back.” He said and pulled the tie out of my mouth.

I was glad to finally be rid of it, but my joy was short lived, because he was starting to leave again.

“Hey...” I croaked; my mouth dry.

“Yeah, I’ll have someone come get you later.” He said, too nonchalantly for my liking. “For now, you can just... well, why don’t you just hang out?”

He laughed at his joke and opened the doors.

“Hey! You can’t leave me here!” I tried to shout, but my throat was too dry.

And then... he was gone. He really did just leave me alone, half naked in the back of a truck. How long would it be before someone found me? An hour? Two? The rest of the day?

All alone with my thoughts now, I decided the only thing to do now was wait. Wait and try and go over what the hell just happened between me and Jerome Valeska.

#gotham #jerome valeska #jerome x reader #fanfic #smut

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ragingbookdragon · 3 years

Text

Hi, this is a continuation of this fic. Enjoy!

**********************************************************************

Of all the bad decisions she’d ever made, this was probably the worst, and all she wanted to do was crawl into a hole and ride out every emotion that was coming onto her like a maelstrom. Every bad date, every failed notion of love just kept washing over her, but this one seemed like the nail in the coffin. She drove aimlessly for hours before she realized it was seven o’clock; a quick stop at her apartment and she fed her cat, also wiping the makeup and tear tracks off her skin before she wandered on foot with the direction of anywhere and nowhere.

***

Collapsing onto one of the benches that sat at the pier of Gotham Bay, she sighed heavily and gazed out at the water. It was calm compared to the storm inside and she propped her elbow on the railing, fist against her cheek, sighing again.

There was no way she could go to work and act like everything was okay. Kelly-Anne was going to drill her all about her ��date” and she didn’t even go on one. She groaned. I never should’ve told her that I was going to ask Jason out. That’s going to be more embarrassing than being rejected by him. Another groan escaped her and she bent forward, burying her face in the floral dress pattern. I even wore a stupid dress and heels. Going slack, she let her feelings wash over her.

Something grabbed her shoulder. “Hey.”

“AHHHHH!” She yanked away, shooting up to see one of the masked vigilantes of Gotham city before her.

“Woah, woah!” they calmed, hands outstretched nonthreateningly. “I’m not gonna hurt you!”

She pressed a hand to her chest and let out a sigh of relief, reclining on the bench as she heaved, “Oh my God, I thought—I don’t know what I thought you were.” A flighty laugh passed her lips. “You scared the hell out of me, Nightwing.”

He smiled and laughed. “Sorry. I saw you over here and thought I was going to find a new reason to call GCPD.”

“No, no,” she affirmed. “Just…dealing with things.”

Taking a seat beside her, he crossed his ankles and leant back on the bench. “By groaning beside Gotham Bay at nine o’clock?”

She shot him a heatless glare. “It was that or drown myself in cheap wine and Lewis Capaldi.”

He seemed to know what she was talking about, surmising, “Heartache?”

“Like you wouldn’t believe,” she muttered, lolling her head back on the bench, trying to ignore his steady gaze.

“What’s your name?” he asked.

“(Y/N). (Y/N) (L/N).” She grinned. “What’s yours?”

Nightwing chuckled. “Afraid I can’t give that out or I’ll be in with the Big-Bat.” She giggled and he followed with, “Do you wanna talk about it?”

(Y/N) pursed her lips and shook her head. “Nah…you’ve got better things to do than help a girl nurse a broken heart.”

“Sometimes the better thing to do is talk with someone.” When she met his eyes, he smiled wholeheartedly. “Try me. I’m a good listener.”

Something ached in her chest and after a moment of staring at him, she swallowed thickly and sighed. “There’s this guy I’ve been friends with for a few months now. And he’s really kind and intelligent and super good looking and I—” she shrugged. “I fell in love with him. I mean, it was hard not too with how amazing of a man he is.”

Nightwing nodded. “What’s his name?”

“Jason Todd,” she said, and she couldn’t help the smile that came across her lips. “One of the first times we were hanging out, I told him that his first name meant healer in Greek…but he didn’t seem too keen on that definition.”

“How come?” he inquired, and she shrugged again.

“I don’t really know…Jason’s never been all that open about his past.” (Y/N) looked at him. “I think some bad things happened to him when he was younger and he just…doesn’t let people in easily.” She managed a smile. “I feel like all the times he did tell me about his life, it made me feel special, you know? Knowing he trusted me enough to tell me.”

“You really seem to love him,” Nightwing noted and she couldn’t help the tears that gathered in her eyes.

“I do…Jason’s the first guy that’s ever seen me for me.” (Y/N) pursed her lips. “I’m weird. I work in a library and books are my life and I can talk your ear off about how Raymond Carver single handedly saved the short story genre.” she sighed. “And I’ve always been the nerdy girl in the friend groups who watched everyone else fall in love while she pined from a distance.” She huffed a pitiful laugh that made even his heart tighten. “I mean, I even went to prom alone.”

Her eyes found his. “But Jason made me feel special. He listened and didn’t get upset when I apologized for talking so much. He just smiled and asked me to keep going.” (Y/N) wiped at her eyes. “I thought that we were getting closer, but God I saw all the signs of him being a good friend as romantic.” She groaned and buried her face in her hands. “And it’s so embarrassing to admit that I’m so starved of love that I saw them as loving gestures.” Another groan escaped her. “And then I asked him out today and got rejected.”

He blinked in shock, wondering why his brother would let this girl go. Obviously, they were perfect for each other. He didn’t tell her that though, instead asking, “What happened?”

(Y/N) moaned. “I showed up at his house with flowers and a book he’d been talking about.” She smushed her cheeks and glared out at the water. “And he was really nice about letting me down easy and I wish I could be upset about that, but I can’t because he was respectful.”

She sat back up on the bench and they both gazed at the stars. “Please tell me that even cute superheroes like you have romantic problems.”

Nightwing chuckled and nodded. “Oh, you’d be totally surprised.”

“Yeah?” (Y/N) giggled and he hummed.

“Two of my exes are superheroines and they’re really good friends.”

She blinked at him. “Okay, yeah, you win, Nightwing.”

He chuckled and turned his neck, falling silent a moment to gaze at her. “…It does get better, (Y/N).”

Her lips pursed. “I know…I just have to wait it out.” She stared into his eyes. “But I don’t think anyone will ever be as great as Jason is.” Her eyes fell to the water and she sighed, “Is it too much to ask though…that I find someone to hold my hand and love me?”

Nightwing took her hand and laced their fingers. “I can’t do the second thing, but I can do the first for a while…if you want?”

(Y/N)’s eyes watered, and she squeezed his hand. “Yeah…I’d like that.” She propped her head on his shoulder, feeling his cheek press against the top of her head.

“Tell me what your favorite poem is, (Y/N).”

“I’ll bore you to death, Nightwing. And I apologize…a lot.”

“Someone tell you that no one cares when you were younger?”

“More than I’m comfortable admitting,” she sniffed. “From a lot of people I respected too.”

Nightwing hummed. “Well…I’m not them. And I care about what your favorite poem is.” He thumbed the back of her hand. “Please tell me.”

She sighed heavily and murmured, “I will hold you with harbor arms. The lighthouse finding a ship against the lonely sea. A shelter as your legs give out under torrential rain. What I’m trying to tell you is, you are safe here.”

He was silent for a minute, then he whispered, “That’s beautiful, (Y/N).”

“I think about it a lot…about it and Jason,” she replied quietly. “I think he’s afraid of love—of loving someone. I’d give anything to let him know that I’m not afraid of whatever skeletons he’s got in his closet…that…that I’m not afraid of him or what he’s afraid he is.”

Tears gathered in her eyes and she turned her head, quietly sobbing into his shoulder. “I’m sorry,” she cried. “I shouldn’t be—I shouldn’t—”

“Shhh,” he whispered, pulling his hand away from hers to curl around her shoulders, giving her a hug. “Let it out. I’m not here to judge you.” He wrapped his other arm around her, resting his chin on her head. “Let it all go, (Y/N).”

And she did. Every rejection throughout her life, from elementary school to high school to every college bar, she let out. Every “You’re not my type” and “I don’t date X girls” she let go of with every heart wrenching sob that tore her throat.

***

She didn’t know how long she cried, but when she was gone, Nightwing’s shoulder was completely soaked and (Y/N) had a raging headache to go with her heartache.

“Feel better?” he questioned when her sobs had subsided into sniffles every minute or two.

“Yeah,” she whispered. “A lot.”

Nightwing smiled. “Sometimes a good cry is all we need.”

“Mhm,” she agreed. “It’s cathartic.”

“Alright, Aristotle,” he chuckled and to her surprise, she found herself laughing. “And there’s the smile!” he cheered, letting her pull away to wipe her face.

“Sorry for boohooing on your shoulder,” (Y/N) apologized and he merely shook his head.

“Nah, don’t mention it.” He brushed off. “I hope someone like you would do the same for me if I needed it.”

She giggled. “Then we’ll meet here when we need good cries, huh, Nightwing?”

He held out his hand, watching her shake it. “Sounds like a good plan, (Y/N).” A siren went off in the distance and his face shifted instantaneously as he rose to his feet. “Rain check on the cry days.”

(Y/N) waved him off. “Don’t worry about it, go save the city.” As he started off, she called out, “Nightwing!”

He spun just for a moment. “Yeah?”

“Thank you,” she smiled.

“Anytime, (Y/N),” he winked and turned, sprinting off.

“Be careful!” she yelled and laughed when he waved a hand in the distance.

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dangerousconnoisseurdonut · 3 years

Text

Choice #6

Yes, I’m cheating; blame the brain.

So, in a Gotham where the Wayne's did die, but Bruce only took up fighting as an outlet for his anger issues, we have four crime lords; to the North you have Carmine Falcone, to the West you have Fish Mooney, to the South Salvatore Maroni, and finally on the East side, you have the youngest crime lord, Oswald Cobblepot, known as the Penguin.

The GCPD wants to come down hard on these bosses, spearheaded by those like Captain Barnes, DA Harvey Dent, and new detective Gordon, but Oswald has an idea to stop them in their tracks, at least regarding him and Fish Mooney who was his mentor and is now his partner.

Oswald tries to have Bruce brought to him and Fish to convince him to support them since, if Gotham’s favourite son supports them, the public will as well. Too bad no one told him that Bruce Wayne is a an avid judo, kickboxing, and Taekwondo student, as well as being a gadget nerd, encouraged heavily by his Uncle Lucius.

So, Oswald sends his top enforcers; Scarecrow, Mad Hatter, Mr. Freeze, and the Joker brothers (after all, there are usually two jokers in a deck), to bring him in, and they manage to once they threaten some civilians.

Oswald has Bruce brought to a nice restaurant in his territory and they all talk over lunch. Bruce at first refuses to support any side of the gang war, but then Fish and Oswald bring out their Ace in the Hole; they tracked down and found ‘Matches’ Malone, hitman for Maroni, as well as murderer of the Wayne’s, something the GCPD hasn't been able to accomplish in almost four years of searching. They offer him to Bruce and all he has to do is give one little statement in the press, bad mouthing Falcone and Maroni while praising Penguin and Fish. Bruce agrees, Butch (still Fish's guy) gives Bruce a gun and... he isn't able to pull the trigger. This stuns everyone in the restaurant as there isn't a person out there who would blame Bruce for getting rid of the monster that haunts his dreams. Even Matches tries to get him to do it, like in the episode, but like the episode, Bruce responds with “I wish you were a monster, but you're just a man." Bruce then asks Fish and Oswald to drop Matches off at the GCPD, preferably in the hands of one of the aforementioned good guys so he doesn’t escape custody, pays for the meal, and leaves, promising they’ll see his endorsement in the paper soon. He thinks that that will be the end of it, but he’s wrong.

It’s only the beginning.

See, Jerome, Jervis, Jeremiah, Jonathan, and Victor all joined Oswald with revenge as motives, so they can't understand why Bruce wouldn't take the shot (which Jeremiah later took for him since they obviously couldn't leave him alive). So, the five start bugging Bruce almost everyday, trying to figure out how this kid ticks. Before Bruce knows it, he has five highly skilled, highly dangerous friends/bodyguards(/boyfriends?) who eat lunch with him on his break (Jervis or Victor bring extra since Bruce never eats a satisfactory portion in their eyes), Jerome and Jonathan will sometimes meet up with him at the mall (he has no idea how they always seem to know when he’s going clothes shopping) and encourage him to buy less preppy and more punk (tell me that boy wouldn't look good dressed as a punk; I dare you), Jeremiah enjoys talking about engineering with Bruce and coming up with adorable gadgets for him to mess around with. And that's not to mention the other enforcers; Bruce and Ivy start an environmental program after seeing a movie together, Bruce and Bridgit spend the day together when Selina can't get the day off from Fish, and Ecco enjoys sparing with someone who doesn't see her as weaker or doesn't get all bitchy because he got his butt handed to him by a woman.

Oswald: Remind me; are they *my* enforcers, or Bruce's?

Edward: They would take a bullet for you. They would tear a guy limb from limb if he even looked at Bruce funny or made him the slightest bit uncomfortable.

But peace cannot reign forever and one day, while the four crime heads are supposed to be in a peaceful conference, Sofia has Bruce kidnapped, thinking he's *Oswald's* boy toy, and that having his enforcers around him is simply for protection. She then has him tortured a little (forgive me) but Bruce is able to get away. He is found by Butch and Zsasz (who's always worked for Penguin as I enjoyed their chemistry) and brought to the meeting. Butch and Zsasz argue about who's going in there and just who they're telling.

Butch: You're quicker than me; you can deliver the bad news and run out before anyone draws their gun! (this bit was lovingly provided by persephoneblck)

They eventually flip a coin to figure it out. Zsasz loses, so he goes in and tells Oswald and Scarecrow since Scarecrow has some medical knowledge. Unfortunately, Freeze heard as well and he informs the others before charging out to check on Bruce himself. The Horribles are furious. War is declared, and Falcone and Maroni are so screwed.

#what is wrong with me #another choice #gotham #organized crime #rogues love bruce

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peterxwade24 · 4 years

Text

Safety Found in Red Sleeves

Chapter 3

So, I know it’s been a long time waiting for this chapter but it’s finally done! It is 3500+ words of Thana’s overprotective friends and Jason being an overprotective dad/brother.

Before I get into the chapter, I’m going to go over a few words that might trip you up. All of the translations are courtesy of Google Translate so if I’m using a word wrong feel free to correct it.

Baba is Papa. Aleuma is Auntie. Kutlat Saghira is Little Nugget.

Thana stood in front of the class, carefully going over her note cards for her presentation.

Mlle. Bustier smiled at the class before clapping. “Okay, everyone. Let’s settle down and give Ms. Dupain-Cheng our full attention.”

Lila, ever the attention seeker, allowed crocodile tears to well up in her eyes. “Mlle. Bustier. She’s going to copy my presentation. It’s not fair.”

Thana glanced up at the other girl, her blue-grey eyes cold. “Well, Lila. If you’d paid attention, you would know that M. Dupain and Mme. Cheng are my adoptive parents. I’m not doing my presentation on Italy. I’m doing my presentation on Gotham City, New Jersey, USA.” She nodded towards Mlle. Bustier and waited for her to put the slides up on the board before turning to look at the class. “Gotham City, New Jersey, USA is called the ‘most crime-ridden city’ by the locals. The GCPD, or Gotham City Police Department, is exactly what it sounds like. The police department of Gotham City. Most locals, however, do not respect the officers of the GCPD because of the vigilantes that roam the streets. The main vigilante is Batman, he’s also the oldest, he dresses in all black with a cowl on his head that has bat ear like protrusions on the top. After him is Nightwing. Nightwing is very flexible and most Gothamites, people from Gotham, speculate that he is in fact the first Robin. He dresses in a suit of black with a blue bird across his chest. Red Robin, who is widely speculated to be the third Robin, works alongside the first two but also alongside Spoiler. He dresses in a red and black suit with a yellow robin head in the center of his chest atop a pair of crossed bandoliers. Spoiler, who most believe was both the fourth Robin and the second Batgirl, dresses in a suit that is primarily purple with black on her chest. Signal, a member of the team, dresses in a yellow and black suit with a white bat on his chest. It is believed he may be a meta, which is shorthand for metahuman which is what they call people with powers. There is also Black Bat, who most believe was the third Batgirl, who wears a mostly black suit with a yellow bat on her chest and yellow detailing on her arms and around her ribs. Black Bat’s suit covers most of her face from her nose to her chin. Most Gothamites believe that the first Batgirl is working hand in hand with the rest of the team behind the scenes after an attack by the Joker left her paralyzed from the waist down.”

The class looked on in amazement at the high quality photos that went along with each hero, but also in fear as Thana gave a thorough rundown of all the heroes and villains, called Rogues, before Thana’s face split into a smile.

“-The Sirens, a group of three antihero turned Rogues who don’t behave the same way that most of the other Rogues do. They have been seen helping Batman, when it fits them. The Sirens refers to Catwoman, Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn. Catwoman wears a black leather catsuit, which is self explanatory in her name. Poison Ivy wears varying shades of green and plant life while Harley Quinn, who was once affiliated with the Joker, most commonly wears a light pink crop top under a pair of gold overalls. The Riddler and Scarecrow, two Rogues who are relatively harmless since they partnered up, are rather distinctive. The Riddler, who wears a green three piece suit with matching hat and a purple tie and domino mask, leaves riddles and clues. Scarecrow, who wears a grey three piece suit with a canvas sack over his head, injects or sprays people with what he calls Fear Toxin but recently he has cut back on the injections and only soaks the paper The Riddler’s riddles are written on in his fear toxin. The Penguin wears a black three piece suit with a white dress shirt and is most commonly accompanied by twin girls who are most commonly seen wearing black wigs, green dresses and Kabuki masks. The Great Rodolfo, whom most speculate is related to the Joker, wears a cream or tan suit jacket, plaid pants, a matching plaid vest and a different patterned plaid necktie. Lastly, there’s Red Hood,” Thana’s hands fisted at her sides and pressed her lips into a thin line, who has recently been spotted fighting alongside various members of Batman’s team. Most Gothamites believe him to be the second Robin returned from the dead. Red Hood wears a red helmet, a dark brown leather jacket, black pants with black boots and a black utility belt, a black shirt with a red bat on his chest, and a red long sleeved shirt under his black shirt.”

---

Thana wrapped her arms around Kim’s waist and let out a shuddery breath. “My brother is Red Hood and he wants me to know it’s him.”

Chloé frowned but nodded. “We’ll help you see him again. However, we need to set up people here to fight the Akumas and someone to get, at least, Adrien to purify the butterfly.”

Alix smiled and turned towards Chloé. “I have some friends in Mme. Mendelieve’s class who can assist us while we’re gone.”

Adrien nodded and smiled. “You mean Bellamy, Brielle, Marc, and Alicia?”

Alix nodded. “Alicia is very sneaky and would be pretty good at using the Mouse Miraculous. Marc is very trustworthy and may or may not already be planning a storyline involving a hero who’s based on them. They would be a good temporary Horse Miraculous user. Bellamy is the Mom friend of their friend group and kind of reminds me of the dragons from mythology who hoard things, so I was thinking about him for the Dragon Miraculous. And Brielle is awkwardly good at keeping people organized, the only person better is Vivienne, so she could probably wield the Bee Miraculous.”

Adrien grinned goofily and slung an arm around Alix’s shoulders. “Those are great suggestions and unless anyone else has anyone better I think we’ll go with them.” Adrien, as the de facto leader of the team, looked to Thana for his longtime partner’s opinion.

Thana nodded from where she was hiding amidst Kim’s red sleeves. “Bellamy was nice to me when I arrived and Alicia always shadows her friends.”

Nino glanced at Chloé before tapping his headphones. He knew she would know what he meant. Nino glanced at their friend, could see how out of it she was becoming, and locked eyes with Chloé.

Chloé, always okay with coming off as argumentative and brash, looked at her oldest friend with a smile before falling back into her usual bratty persona. “Not to say this hasn’t been fun but, this hasn’t been fun. Kim, Nino and I are going to take Fragolina back to mine. Thanks for having us and thank your dad and Jalil for not interrupting us for me Alix. Kim. Nino.”

Kim stood up slowly, making sure to not disturb Thana as he did so. He shed his red hoodie and draped it around Thana’s shoulders before pulling Nino to his feet. Nino, who took his headphones off and placed them atop Thana’s head before selecting one of his playlists and stuffing his phone into one of Kim’s pockets.

The boys guided Thana out of the room, while Chloé smiled at the two other members of their group. “Fragolina’s going through some things at the moment, because she just realized her brother isn’t as dead as she thought he was and wants her to know that he’s looking for her.”

Adrien pursed his lips before glancing at Alix. “I didn’t know she had a brother, did you?”

Alix shrugged. “She didn’t really talk to many of us when she got here.”

---

Thana settled against the pillows on Chloé’s bed with Kim’s hoodie looking as though it was swallowing her whole and the hood pulled up over her head and covering Nino’s headphones with the lyrics to The Neighbourhood’s “R.I.P.2 My Youth” transitioning to Fall Out Boy’s “Stay Frosty Royal Milk Tea” sounding in her ears. Nino’s phone was no longer in Kim’s pocket but plugged in while Chloé was packing clothes for their trip to the States.

Nino and Kim were trading practice blows in an area far away from Chloé’s closet. Or they were before Nino began flipping away from all of Kim’s attacks.

Chloé glanced at the boys before shaking her head and turning to their resident Gothamite. Chloé let a smile cross her face before turning to the four Kwamis, who were all relaxing in a large dollhouse, and raising a brow. “What are you four doing?”

Plagg and Trixx wore matching grins while Stompp simply crossed their arms over their chest and Sass began humming a tune. “Relaxing, what does it look like we’re doing?” Plagg’s face broke out in a larger grin before he relaxed into Trixx’s side.

Chloé simply shook her head at the four Kwamis. “Why don’t you four go relax with Fragolina?”

-*-*-*

Jason smiled as he picked up his Little Nugget and settled him on his hip. “Hey Little Nugget. Did you sleep well?”

Damian nodded before burying his face in Jason’s shoulder. “Who are they?”

Jason adjusted his hold on Damian to allow for Damian to see the two girls. “You remember Lady Shiva, don’t you?” He waited for Damian to nod before he continued. “The girl with the dark hair is Lady Shiva’s daughter, Cassandra. The blonde haired girl is Stephanie Brown. Do you remember when Bruce proclaimed that he wouldn’t have his children hanging out with the children of bad people?” Damian pursed his lips in thought, something he picked up from Jason, before nodding again. “Lady Shiva is a bad guy, as is Stephanie’s father. But, by Bruce’s standards so are Talia and Ra’s.”

Cassandra bowed, low to the floor, in Damian’s presence. Cassandra would never forget her training, and all must bow before the Heir of the Demon’s Head.

Stephanie gave a two finger salute with a smile. “Sup?”

Dick and Tim emerged from the bedroom they crashed in the night before. “Jason? Does this place have coffee?”

Jason rolled his eyes. “Am I going to have a Tamaranean princess and a half-Tamaranean tyke breaking into the apartment you’re helping pay for?”

Dick’s eyes widened before he dove for the couch, where he left his phone the night before. He let out a victorious shout when he found his phone still had battery life left. He tapped out a text to Kory before turning back to his brothers. “No.”

---

Jason kept watching for danger out of the corners of his eyes, even though it was noon and he was in a supermarket, he couldn’t take any chance now that he had his Little Nugget and two sisters to watch out for. He saw a familiar man with short red hair leading a man with long brown hair, a familiar red haired woman and her companion, a familiar blonde haired woman, turn down aisles further down. “Stephanie Jeanelle Brown. Put down the toaster waffles. Take Cassandra and go find the boxed waffle mix, and while you’re there grab some pancake mix and syrup. Dick, Tim, go find some fruits that will keep for more than a week.”

The four teens nodded before going off to do what was asked of them. Damian, however, pouted from beside Jason. “Why do they get to go get things while I’m stuck with you?”

“Because, Little Nugget, I’m not afraid someone will steal them and make me reconsider how I feel about murder now that it’s not just me.” Jason smiled and ruffled Damian’s hair, which had grown out since Jason had first taken him. “I just want to keep you within eyesight because there are unsavoury characters who live in Gotham and darken the streets. I know technically I’m your brother but I feel like you are my child and I will do everything in my power to protect you, like I couldn’t protect your aunt my sister.”

Damian glanced up at Jason, a look of confusion on his face. “But I thought there were only three girls in the family in the right age range.”

Jason’s face melted into a faraway look and tightly pursed lips. “She was four when I met her, this tiny little slip of a child covered in bruises with dark red hair and blue grey eyes. I was following her, like most street kids would have, when she got the drop on me and then pinned me into the shadows beside a dumpster because her father was walking towards the alley we were in. I became Robin when I was twelve and she was nine, and then CPS and GCPD dragged her from one of our nests and took her away from here. I just found out about that at the press conference.” Jason’s blue green eyes kept sweeping the aisles looking for anyone who could pose a threat to his family. He saw, instead, Selina Kyle deciding between two different laundry detergents in one aisle and Oswald Cobblepot, accompanied by Pere and Gale, deciding between two different kinds of cereal.

Damian took in the information Jason gave him, knowing that Jason would tell him anything he asked even if it was painful to think about. “Who’s her father?”

“Jervis Tetch, aka Mad Hatter.” Jason’s voice was filled with so much venom he had to take a few deep breaths to calm himself down. “He’s a very bad man and if you ever hear anything about him, you run away. The Iceberg Lounge will provide you sanctuary if you can’t make it back to the apartment.”

Damian nodded as he allowed himself to be caged in by Jason’s arms so he was between Jason and the shopping cart.

Stephanie and Cass returned triumphantly with waffle mix, pancake mix and syrup. Followed by Dick and Tim a few minutes later.

Dick turned to Jason with a wry grin. “Is there a real reason we’re shopping at this store at this time of day? Or did you just want to surround yourself with other people who love your Pixie?”

Jason glanced up and made eye contact with Ed Nygma. Jason waved with a small smile on his face before Ed grabbed John’s arm and dragged him to the six siblings.

“Big Todd.” Ed called in lieu of greeting.

John nodded with a smile.

“Are you ever going to give that up?” Jason shook his head fondly. “Ed, John. This is Damian, my Little Nugget. Little Nugget, these are your aunt’s Uncles Ed and John.”

Ed nodded. “Have you tried to get in contact with her?”

John pressed a kiss to Ed’s cheek before looking at their present company. “Now might not be the best place to converse about this topic Love.”

Ed nodded before he let John drag him away. “We must converse again.”

---

Jason smiled as he tucked Damian into bed, before closing the bedroom door. He slumped back into the kitchen and with an exhausted sigh he set about finishing the dishes from the day’s meals. He paused to think about what Ed had said in the store. Would she even want to hear from him? Would she be receptive to talking to him or getting in contact with him?

Tim walked into the kitchen, intending to get a glass of water then go back to bed, when he stumbled upon Jason lost in thought. “Jason?” Tim stood next to Jason and gently pried a plate out of Jason’s hand. “Jason? Can you hear me?”

Jason shook himself out of his stupor and turned to the smaller boy. “Replacement? What are you doing up at this hour?”

Tim shrugged nonchalantly. “I was going to get a glass of water.”

Jason rolled his eyes and grabbed a glass out for Tim. “Sure.” Jason leaned against the counter and watched as Tim filled the glass with water.

Tim smiled at his older brother. “Were you thinking about what Nygma said?”

Jason ruffled Tim’s hair with a half smile on his face. “She was my only family for many years.” Jason turned back to the sink still full of dishes with a chuckle. “Go back to bed Replacement.”

Tim nodded. “Yeah, okay. I’ll, uh, see you tomorrow.”

Jason finished the dishes before dragging his still damp hands through his hair. He let out a tired sigh before turning around, to find discarded clothing covering his couch. He picked up a laundry basket and tossed all of the clothing into the basket. He glanced around the living room and nodded, satisfied with how clean it was. “We’ll have to clean up the apartment tomorrow, as long as Wayne doesn’t call us in.” Jason muttered as he put the laundry basket down on the counter and walked into his bedroom and curled around Damian.

---

Jason, with Damian settled on his left hip, stared at Bruce Wayne who was standing at the door to the apartment building. He raised a single eyebrow as he turned to have his right side facing Bruce. “Can I help you Mr. Wayne?”

“We need to talk.”

Jason snorted. “Then you can do it while walking. We’re meeting someone soon and we’re walking.”

Tim, Steph and Cass brushed past the trio. “Bye Jace! We’re gonna go hang with Kon, Cassie and Bart for a few hours!”

“Text when you get there and when you’re leaving! If we’re not home before you call to let me know you made it home safe!”

“Bye Jason!” Steph called while Cass waved.

Jason turned back to Bruce and raised his eyebrows. “Walk and talk Wayne.” Jason hitched Damian further up on his hip and started to push past Bruce, when Dick beat him to it.

“Call me if you need something or if one of the others needs something. I’ve gotta go home to Kor’i and Mar’i.”

“See you later Dickiebird.”

“See you Jaybird, see you Chick.”

Damian simply waved at Dick and rested his head on Jason’s shoulder. “Bye-bye.”

Jason watched Dick walk away with a smile on his face. He turned to Bruce and frowned.

“Jason-”

“Baba. Go.”

“In a minute Kutlat Saghira.” Jason pressed a kiss to Damian’s cheek. “Do you want to walk and talk or-”

“What did he just call you?” Bruce cut Jason off. “What did you just call him?”

“I called him Little Nugget, and last time I checked I didn’t have to tell you anything.” Jason shook his head and pushed past Bruce. “Are you ready to meet some friends Little Nugget?”

Damian nodded and smiled.

---

Jason pushed open the door to the Iceberg Lounge and smiled as the chilled air cooled the sweat on the back of his neck. “This is where we’re meeting some friends of your Aleuma.”

Damian smiled and patted Jason’s chest, his nonverbal way of saying he wants down.

“Don’t run off, stick close. Not everyone in here is friends with your Aleuma.”

Damian nodded before the two men from the supermarket approached them.

“Jason.” the man with brown hair smiled as he extended his hand to Jason.

“Mr. Crane. Have you been keeping your nose out of trouble?”

John laughed and nodded. “Of course, Ed keeps me in line.”

Ed laughed and shook his head. “Someone has to.”

The red haired woman and her blonde haired companion strolled into the area with matching smiles on their faces.

“Sundew.” The red haired woman called.

“Little bird.” Her blonde companion chirped.

Jason waved. “Damian, the red haired lady is Doctor Pamela Isley and her lovely companion is Doctor Harleen Quinzel. Pam, Harley, this is Damian al Ghul-Wayne. However, he’s more my son than Wayne’s at this point.”

Pam and Harley waved at Damian before offering him smiles.

“Oswald!” Jason called to a portly man across the lounge.

The man, followed by two women dressed in green long sleeved dresses and Kabuki masks, walked over to Jason with a smile on his face. “Todd. It’s good to see you.”

“You too old man.” Jason bowed to the two women. “Pere. Gale.”

The women bowed back.

“Damian, this is Oswald Cobblepot, your Aleuma liked him for some reason and he gave us shelter on more than a few nights.”

Oswald Cobblepot held out a hand to Damian with a smile on his face. “Hello there Damian.”

“Hello.” Damian smiled and stood taller. “Baba. I’m taller.”

Jason snorted. “I see that Little Nugget.” Jason glanced over his shoulder when he heard the door move.

“Hey, Ozzy? You heard from-” Jerome stopped talking before his face split in a smile. “Hoodie! You’re back!”

“Hey Rome.” Jason waved. “Come meet Damian.”

Damian tilted his head in a confused puppy manner before the red haired man appeared from behind Jason. “Is he?”

Jerome extended a hand to Damian with a more mild grin on his face. “Hi. I’m Jerome Valeska, although most of these people know me better as The Great Rodolfo. You must be Damian Todd.”

Damian preened for a moment before coming back to the moment. “Technically, Baba says my name’s still Damian al Ghul-Wayne but I like Damian Todd.”

Taglist

@southamericangothamite @maribat-is-lifeblood @mystery-5-5 @our-preciousss @mochegato @chocolatecatstheron @throneoffirebreathingbitchqueen @2confused-2doanything @wannajointhecrabcult @dreamykitty25 @tomanyfandomsonmymind @moonlightstar64 @justafanwarrior @mialuvscats @pheony1882 @pepelachanel @moongoddesskiana @abrx2002 @ladybug-182 @greatcatblaze @thatonecroc @vixen-uchiha @superbwhispersconnoisseur @lilkymilky

After this, there will be a short titled “Pixie?!” featuring Jason fresh from the grave and the appearance of Talia al Ghul using his panicked state against him.

#maribat #ml crossover #mlb crossover #ml x dc #mlb x dc #gothamite!Marinette #platonic sibling jasonette #Safety Found in Red Sleeves #sfirs

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sparkleofpizza · 4 years

Text

My oh my - Jason Todd x reader

A/n: Hey guys, this is the first time I am writing for Jason. Every time I listen to My oh my by Camilla Cabello I can’t help but imagine a story about him, so I just had to do it. Also, there is a part in here that I got inspired from Gilmore Girls because I am team Logan and I wish they ended up together.

Requested: no

Warnings: swearing, song inspired

Summary: They say he likes a good time, he comes alive at midnight, my mama doesn’t trust him, he’s only here for one thing, but so am I

Word count: 3.2k

It was very cold for a Spring night, even for Gotham. The moon was a full circle displaying in the sky, shining so bright, the streets wouldn’t even night lamps for you to know what’s in front of you - of course that wasn’t enough for a city like this.

You heaved a sight, surprise white smoke didn’t come out of your mouth. You felt as if your bones were freezing, hands stuffed under your arm pits as you were crossing them, trying to provide some warmth. God, why did you agree to go out on a night like this?

When your best friend and roommate Ari, called you earlier that day to declare you were going out, you were very very tempted to say no. Then you remembered all of the hard work you put into the last paper for a class at University, and decided that maybe going out with her wouldn’t be such a bad idea. What you didn’t expect was for her to barge into your bedroom an hour before you were supposed to go out, and pick up clothes that provided too little warmth. She said where you were going, this outfit would look nicer than the jeans you had picked.

A street race wasn’t where you thought you would spend your night. Damn Ari and her crazy ideas.

She overheard there was going to be a street race near Crime Alley, and that most people from University would be there so she said it would be cool for you two to go too. Well, it did sound a bit cool, if you were being honest. Street race? Sounded something from a movie, and you didn’t have many exciting memories to one day cherish and tell your kids and grandkids, maybe this could be one. If it ended badly, it would be one hell of a story, if it ended ok, then it would still be a cool story.

But now, there you were, standing alone in a crowd because Ari left to go to the bathroom with another girl from your shared class. You knew you probably should’ve gone together because you don’t ever stay alone in Gotham, specially at night. But hey, these are college people, your college people. Nothing bad would happen, right?

You took a sip from your drink, hoping the alcohol would do that thing where it warms you up and makes you feel fuzzy.

“Hey, princess. What are you doing here all alone?”

You turned your head to the side finding none other than Jason Todd. He had a red cup similar to yours in hand, his signature lather jacket, black pants and boots. His hair was that fluffy mess, and he look good as always.

You met Jason a few weeks ago at the University library, you both reached out for the same book. He said he was waiting for his little brother and was bored so he decided to take on the opportunity of free good books, he wasn’t a college student. And ever since you two kept bumping into each other.

Your cheeks warmed up at the words that left his lips. Princess. He had been calling you that ever since you two met at the library. You tried to push away the surprised look on your face at seeing him here, it does look like his kind of place. He looks like the kind of guy who enjoys adventures and adrenaline.

“I came here with my friends, but they went to the bathroom.” you said, smiling at him “What about you?”

“Well… I don’t have a date with me tonight, if that’s what you’re wondering.”

You adverted your eyes to the side, taking a deep breath, totally embarrassed. You didn’t meant it like that.

“Oh, that’s good?” It sounded like a questioned, God you are so awkward

He smirked at you.

“Glad to know you think it’s good I’m single. I happen to think it is good that you’re single, too.”

You frowned. Was he thinking that just because you didn’t have a date for the night, you weren’t able to have a love life?

“What makes you think I am single?” You questioned, hoping your frustration didn’t leak into your voice

“I am hoping you are. I mean, if you are dating someone, that person is an asshole for not being here with you tonight, this isn’t one of the nicest places in Gotham.”

You nodded, a small smiling tugging your lips. That was a nice safe, you had to give it to him.

“Is there a nice place in Gotham?” You ironized

You were born and raised in Metropolis, you were used to big cities and the down side of it, but Gotham? That was another thing completely different. A giant hole in front your high school because Superman and his cute little sidekick Superboy were fighting some bad alien? Ok, you can deal with it. A guy dressed up as a clown who laughs way too hard and torture people for fun while he fights a guy dressed as a bat? That you cannot deal with.

You didn’t understand why Jason thought what you said was so funny. He laughed, trowing his had back.

“I mean, did Batman just woke up one day and was like hey, what if I dress up as a giant bat and start beating up criminals? What was going trough his head to choose a bat?”

Jason couldn’t believe you were making fun of Bruce without even knowing it. It brightened his day so much, and the fact that you had no idea only made it better. He was going to tell the old man all about it later, so he could laugh even harder.

You smiled as you watched him laugh. He looked so beautiful.

“Are you cold?” He asked once he stopped laughing, he saw goosebumps in your arms

“Yeah, I forgot to get a jacket before I left my dorm.” You admitted sheepishly

Jason smiled at you, he had a nice smile. He shrugged off his lather jacket and placed it over your shoulders. It was warm from his body heat, and it smelled incredibly good.

“Thank you.” You smiled at him “But aren’t you going to get cold?”

“I can handle being a little cold, and if it gets too much, we can just hug each other?” He shot up his eyebrows

You you were sure you looked like a tomato.

Jason smiled at you. He had taken an instant liking at you when he meet you at the library, something about the way you smiled at him saying he could have the book and you would just get it after he was done with it, and how your voice sounded so sweet and your eyes looked at him like he wasn’t bothering you by taking the book you wanted. He was waiting for you to lash out on him when he said he was just wanting for his brother, something like “you don’t even go here and you are trying to get my book?” He was trying to get rid of those bad thoughts, he was used to being pushed aside and treated like he was a pice of shit bothering people on the street. He sometimes, specially after his death, forgot that maybe there was still nice and polite people in Gotham.

It didn’t take long for him to realize you were a good girl, a good nice girl. He mostly ran into you at the library and at the coffee shop at the campus. You always smile sweetly at him and wave. The first time Tim had caught that action, he stopped in his tracks and stared at Jason like he was an alien and he had just now realized it. You two were completely opposites, and obviously his brother would find it odd that you were waving at Jason Todd.

And meeting you tonight at a street race? That was not what he was expecting your next meeting to be like. He was there to gather some intel about the gangs that was participating and what Black Mask and the Penguin wanted with them. Finding you here was rather concerning, this didn’t seem to be your element. And it wasn’t, from what he had learned in your brief conversations during your random meet ups.

“Have you ever been to a street race before?” He asked, voicing a bit of his thoughts

You shook your head, hoping he wouldn’t find you pathetic “No. I normally don’t do this kind of stuff, I don’t know how Ari managed to convince me to come.”

He smiled “Yeah, this doesn’t seem like your kind of thing. But it is a good thing, I mean, this is kind of dangerous.”

“Oh God.” You muttered under your breath “Dangerous as I could end up in jail or I could end up dead in an alley?”

He decided not to answer. The first answer was that the GCPD was corrupted and that they wouldn’t really care, the vigilantes in the city did most of the job. That wouldn’t be a good start. And the second answer was that you could end up dead in an alley, and the probably would make you feel a bit scared, and he didn’t want to make you afraid of being there, because he couldn’t exactly say he could and would protect you if something bad happened. You would think he was just trying to show off, when in reality he actually really could.

“Do you want to get out of here?” Jason asked you after having watched a part of the street race

He, now, had a good idea of why Penguing and Black Mask were interested in those people. He had nothing better left to do, and hey, there you were right by his side even after your friends had returned. You were still taking to him, and using his jacket.

You thought for a moment before nodding your head. You told Ari you were heading out with Jason, and she gave you a knowing look before asking you to text her when you got back to the dorm.

You walked between the crowd of people with Jason right in front of you. At some point, he reached out for your hand and kept holding it, guiding you to God knows where. You had no idea why you agreed to this, you barely know him and you knew enough bad stories to know you shouldn’t be leaving with him. But he was so nice with you all of the times you talked, and he was soooo good looking.

You stopped in front of a motorcycle. He pulled the keys out of his jeans’s pocket and smile at you, handing you the helmet and climbing on top of his bike.

“My dad always told me to never ride a bike with a boy.” You smiled at him, playing with the helmet in your hands

Right now, Jason thought you looked breath taking, and all he wanted to do was kiss you. He wasn’t surprised at all by his thoughts as he had thought them before and before. What surprised him was the flirtatious tone on your voice, he couldn’t help but feel more attracted than before. You were polar opposites, and that was everything he needed in his life ever since he came back, someone to help him maintain balance.

“So what are you going to do, princess?” He questioned in a hushed tone

“Tonight I don’t want to be the girl that does what her parents says.”

And then you had placed the helmet on your head, and climbed on top of the bike, right behind him. You could feel Jason’s warmth, you were so close to him, and that cologne smell? You could stay like this, having your chest pressed agains his back.

“Then I suggest you hold on tight.”

He sped up, making you giggle in his ear as your arms wrapped around his body.

After spending most of the rest of the night together, around 4 am, Jason walked you to your dorm. You were still wearing his jacket, and you definitely didn’t want to take it off.

You had went out to get some food after driving around for a while, and spend most of the time sitting at a booth on a fast food, eating fries and sipping on milkshakes. He was a great company, and you enjoyed the way you could talk about a lot of things and never seem to run out of things to say.

You leaned on your doorstep, staring up at him with a small smile tugging on your lips.

“Thank you for tonight. I had a really good time.”

“Me too.” He smiled back at you “What do I have to do get to spend more nights like this with you?”

A devious smile took place in your face, you had no idea where de boldness came from, but the words flew out of your mouth before you could even properly think about what you were doing.

“If you kiss me, I might let it happen.”

And Jason didn’t wait a second to comply. His hands cupped your cheeks, bringing your face closer until your lips met. You stood on your tiptoes, meeting him halfway there since he was so tall. Arms wrapped around his neck, enjoining the warm feeling that spread on your stomach.

You pulled apart when air became necessary. You smile at him, feeling your cheeks heat up.

“Goodnight, Jason.” You said, unlocking your door

“Goodnight, y/n.” He watched you walk into your dorm and stayed still until he listened to your door being locked again, just to make sure you were being safe

You felt as if you were walking on clouds. You couldn’t believe you had just said, what you had just did, what had happened tonight. It all seemed like it was part of some movie.

“You’re only arriving right now?” Ari groaned from the couch, making you jump in scare since you didn’t see her there “I was worried you didn’t text.”

“Sorry. I thought you would be out longer than me.” You pulled off your shoes “Did you have fun at the race after I left?”

“If I had fun?” She sat up on the couch “Did you have fun? I want to know all about your night with Jason Todd!”

You giggled, not quite believing it just yet. You sat on the arm chair, feeling your back muscle relax against the comfortable cushion, bikes don’t really provide back support and that kind of made your muscles sore. You wrapped his jacket tighter around your body.

“It was really nice, he is a nice guy.”

Ari smiled at you, asking you to keep talking, so you ended up telling her everything about your night with him. Usually, this was the other way around, she would tell you about her dates and what they did, if it was good or not. You are the single friend, always the single friend, this was a good change of scenario.

“I’m really happy for you.” She said “But I just want you to be careful, he has kind of a bad reputation around campus, and he doesn’t even go here. They say he likes to have a good time, just it.”

You nodded your head, understanding where she was coming from. But you wanted to have a good time too, so…

“I don’t think it’s a good idea you hanging around this Jason guy.” Your sister said on the other end of the line “Mom doesn’t like him.”

You rolled your eyes. You once, accidentally, slipped out that you have been hanging out with Jason when your mom called and you were getting ready to go out. She had asked you why you were wearing pants if it was so close to summer which meant it was hot, and you said and regret because it is uncomfortable to wear a skirt while riding a bike. Now, Jason was the bad guy.

“She doesn’t even know him.” You protested

“Yeah, and I don’t think she wants to.”

Well, if she keeps up this atitude about him then you don’t think you want her to either.

You heard knocking coming from your window, making you frown. You pulled your curtain away, seeing Jason standing on the other side of the glass, a small smile tugging at his lips, hands stuffed inside his jacket’s pockets, and hair pushed back in that way he knew you liked it.

“I have to go. There is someone knocking at the door.”

“At midnight?” Your little sister asked

“It’s Ari, she forgot her keys.” You lied, Ari was in her room fast asleep after having stayed up until 5 am doing a research paper “Bye.”

You ended the call, tossing your phone on the bed and opening up the window.

“Hey.” you said

“Hey.”

“Can I come in?” He asked in a low voice, probably not to get notice by anyone

“Sure.” You stepped back, watching him climb your window

“This always looked cooler in the movies.” He chuckled

You smiled at him when he got closer “I think you climbed the window very gracefully.”

Jason smiled at you, pulling you into him, enjoining your warmth and the calmness you brought him.

“So…” you looked at him “What are you doing here at midnight on a Friday? Well, Saturday.”

“I didn’t like the idea that we couldn’t spend this Friday together, it is kind of our day.” You try not to get the wrong idea by what he said, but it was true, you always hung out on Fridays, always coming up with different things to do, weather it was the movies, dinner, or reading books together “I knew you’d still be up so I decided to pay you a visit.”

“Thank you, I enjoyed the surprise.”

He leaned down, connecting your lips in a sweet kiss. You hummed in approval, sliding your hands over his chest until his jacket had fallen on the bedroom floor. When you pulled apart, you stared wide eyed innocently at him, just now catching up to the fact that you had pulled a move on doing something more by sliding his jacket off of him.

“Do you want me to go?” He asked, stroking your cheek

You leaned in and kissed him again. Pulling him closer to you.

“Y/n, do you want me to go?” He asked one more time, against your lips

“No. I want you to stay.”

Jason kissed you again, you walked backwards, falling on the bed with him on top of you.

This was all you have been wanting for a while. Right now you didn't really care about all you have been hearing about Jason - ever since people found out you have been hanging out, they would come to you to say how he was just simply looking for fun, apparently he only ever showed up at the University when he either was there to pick up his brother, or he wanted to know about some party, or get together or whatever. But the Jason you got to know, he actually made plans with you outside of it, he didn't want to spend time with you just at a party you randomly met up, he wanted to talk to you, and take you to the movies.

People like to talk too much, but you weren't going to let his bad reputation come in the way of allowing you to have a good time. In a long time, you had met a boy who seemed to worth it spending your time with, and he always made sure you were enjoining your time with him.

You knew there was also the part that your mom didn't like him, all your life she always told you to never trust guys like him. But you have been doing the right thing all your life, always being the good girl who did the good thing and never got into trouble. Tonight, when you were with him, you didn't want to be her. Wasn't this what part of what college experience was like? Doing things you'd regret?

In the end, you knew you'd never regret having done any of this with him.

#Jason Todd #jason todd x reader #jason todd x you #jason todd imagine #jason todd headcanon #red hood #red hood x reader #Red Hood X y/n #red hood x you #red hood headcanon #jason todd x y/n

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heyitsani · 3 years

Text

Weight Of My Soul

Word Count: 11,084

Rating: Mature

Warnings: Mind manipulation, and Dick being a dick

Pairing: Jason Todd/Dick Grayson

Summary: After a fight with Dick, Jason comes across a Jinn and makes a wish that will change everything.

Notes: This is dedicated to @epistemologys @nerd-by-definition @mlim8 @shannara810 @hedgebelle and @the-man-moth

I don’t want to give any notes because it’ll spoil the story. So if you need some, head to AO3 and read the end notes to understand the lore I used. Or DM me and I’ll answer any question.

You can also read it on AO3 here

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Are you fucking insane?!” Jason growled as he pulled off his helmet the moment he and Dick landed on a rooftop far enough away from the crime scene to not catch the attention of the cops, but close enough to be sure they got there in a timely manner. “Why the hell would you just give yourself over to them like that? We had it covered, we were good. Do you always have to be such a fucking masochist?!” He knew he wasn’t technically being fair, that things had been starting to go sideways, but he was still so pissed that Dick hadn’t even warned him. He had just jumped into the middle of the nest of criminals and “let them” get the drop on him.

“Why are you so upset? Everything worked out fine,” Dick pointed out, just making Jason’s temper flare hotter. “I’m more than capable of taking care of myself. And I don’t need you thinking you have any right to fight my battles for me!” He didn’t understand how the older man just didn’t get that people cared enough to not want him to sacrifice himself whenever he possibly could.

It made Jason want to put his fist through the brick wall to his left.

With another growl and a choking motion with his hands, Jason turned and walked toward the furthest point of the rooftop, pulling his phone out at the same time. “Stay over there. I need a fucking minute!” He snapped at Dick, who tried to follow him. Dick stopped and Jason let out a huff of air as he dialed an all too familiar number.

“Jaybird,” Roy picked up on the second ring. “Aren’t you and lover boy doing some big bust tonight?” At the playful mention of Dick, Jason growled again and kicked the raised edge of the rooftop. “Jay? What happened?”

“Code Green,” he said as controlled as he could, trying to focus on holding off the green haze as best he could.

Roy swore on the other end of the line and Jason could hear the telltale signs of the man moving around. “Are you safe?” Jason gave a grunt and glanced over his shoulder to see Dick watching him from the other side of the rooftop, further than where he had initially been. Part of him was thankful for him trying to give Jason the privacy he thought he needed. “Dick still there?” Another grunt. He didn’t need to speak for Roy to know that this episode was probably made worse by Dick without the older man even realizing it. “You know the drill man. Breathe in for five, hold for five, breathe out for five.”

Jason followed the instructions and tried to regulate his breathing, listening as Roy began telling a story about what Lian had done the other day. It was a stupid story about a doll and a boy at school who had tried to take it from her.

“Like her mom,” Jason rasped when Roy said she was a little badass.

Roy scoffed, faux offended at the fact that Cheshire was more badass than him. But Jason wasn’t fooled. Roy knew it too. “You doing okay?”

Taking a deep breath, Jason let it out slowly and took stock. The green edges on his vision had faded but he still felt like the smallest thing could set him off. “I’m good. I’ll go home and sleep the worst of it off.” Roy hummed and Jason knew he was still concerned. “I’ll call you when I get to the safehouse. I just need to be sure the cops do their part for this job with Nightwing.”

“Just be careful. And you better call.”

Jason let out a soft chuckle and confirmed he would before he ended the call and turned to head back to where Dick was now standing, watching the distance.

“You know,” Dick started when Jason got close enough to hear his hushed voice. And while most people knew Dick’s temper and how hot it burned when he was yelling, few knew this tone. Few knew that when Dick got quiet and hushed after a fight, things were about to get ugly. “I wish it didn’t have to be this way. I think about it all the time, how one different choice could have changed the entire path our lives went down.” Jason frowned, not entirely sure where Dick was going with this. But he remained quiet as he came to a stop next to him and looked out at the flashing red and blue lights as the GCPD arrived on scene.

He was still on edge from the Pit Haze, but he had it under control now at least. Otherwise, he would have snapped at Dick to just say what he meant.

“If you had never been brought back by whoever it was that brought you back, then you wouldn’t be dealing with all of this now.”

Jason’s blood froze and he jerked back almost as if he had been slapped. And Dick saw it, he saw the reaction but just kept looking at Jason as if he should have something to say in response. But what did you say to someone who basically said you never should have returned? That you should have stayed dead.

“Jay…”

“No,” he snapped, backing away from Dick and picking up his helmet. “You stay the hell away from me. Then maybe you can pretend that I never came back at all,” he said as he shot his grapple and took a running leap off the rooftop.

He knew he was probably taking it differently than Dick meant, but he also knew that Dick went for the gut when he was upset. He went for what he knew would hurt the most. He had watched him do it with countless other people, but he had never expected to be on the receiving end of it. Not when they had been so close to something. Not when Jason had been trying to show Dick just how important he was to him. How Jason’s whole world revolved around the older man.

That just made it all hurt even more. To the point that his anger decided it was a safer option and took over his emotions.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They kept their golden eyes trained on the man as he stormed around the ramshackle building he had run off to after the argument with the one in black and blue. The power flowing over his skin was tempting and mouth watering and it was torture to have to wait for the words that could possibly not come. But with the way the man had been muttering under his breath, they were certain the phrase was right around the corner.

It was just a matter of waiting until he finally gave in. And from what they had witnessed between the two men, it was going to be worth the wait. Not only was this man dripping in power, rolling green waves of it surging over his skin, but he was lonely.

So desperately lonely.

The fight made that clear with the words exchanged. The man in black and blue had used emotional manipulation that even they themself could be proud of. And they were almost tempted to see just how far that manipulation could go, but observation was only so fun. And they were in the mood for a meal.

So they stood a short distance, watching the man pace back and forth, just waiting to hear the words. And almost as if the man had heard their thoughts, he stopped in front of the random, broken mirror in the corner and uttered:

“I wish Dick Grayson had never come to Gotham.”

“Finally,” they whispered, snapping their fingers and revealing themselves to the man. And they weren’t in any way surprised that there was a gun immediately pointed into their face. “That will do you no good. I’m friend, not foe.” The man narrowed his eyes on them but made no move to lower the gun. So they simply ignored it. Moving lazily around the room, they ran their fingers over a plant on a table and along the back of a chair. “I am here to help with your little birdie problem.”

“What are you?”

“I am Jinn.” The man paused and frowned, his gun finally lowering to his side.

“You’re a genie?” The man scoffed, but Jinn could tell he was digesting the information. “As in three wishes?”

They lifted a rich brown shoulder, left bare by the black leather top they wore. “A fulfiller of dreams, I prefer to say. Of hearts desires. Of wildest dreams.” The man’s eyes remained narrowed, but interest had sparked within them. And they knew they had won. “So like I said, I can help with your birdie problem. If you want me to, that is.”

He paused and they waited, their victims were always so predictable. “What’s the catch?”

“You cannot wish me out of existence but otherwise, nothing will be required of you.” That you know of at least, they thought. “All you have to do is say it again.”

The man hesitated still, watching them closely as he weighed the pros and cons, and they were surprised he lasted this long. The days they had been following him had exposed a lack of impulse control when emotions ran high. But currently they would say he was almost…calculating. And they were surprised, but they also respected it. The harder the sell, the better the prize.

“Fine,” the man finally said. And they couldn’t stop the smile from slowly spreading across their face as the words were muttered again: “I wish Dick Grayson had never come to Gotham.”

“Your wish is my command,” they said as they snapped their fingers yet again.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was as quick as a blink of his eyes.

One moment Jason was standing facing a stranger, a Jinn who apparently wanted to grant him a wish, and the next he was in the middle of the street of what looked like Gotham. But there was something off, not just in the look but in the feel.

“What are you doing man? Get out of the streets!” A teenager ran past Jason, scurrying up a set of stairs and rushing into the building. The door slammed shut behind him and Jason frowned. What had the kid so scared that he would warn a guy who looked like Jason did off the streets.

He took a moment to look down at himself and noticed he still had all his gear on, guns in place, but no helmet. But at least he had some protection on his person. With that small comfort, he started making his way down what the dilapidated sign claimed to be Ward St. Which meant he was in Crime Alley and maybe the kid was worried about the all too familiar criminals roaming the streets. But he could handle the usuals easily and he doubted that just because Dick Grayson was never a presence in Gotham that his own life changed that much.

But the look of the city certainly had. Even in the distance where he should have been able to see the shinning lights of the Diamond District, darkness seemed to bleed over the entire scape. It was surprising and concerning. Enough that he grabbed a flyer that was stuck under the body of a car that had been picked apart by thieves, leaving a shell of a machine to just rust in the streets.

Looking over the flyer, Jason froze.

Beware the Bat!

Beneath the large, bold print was a crudely drawn image of Batman and a paragraph that offered shelter in various locations to citizens so they could avoid being on the streets after sunset. But that didn’t make sense. Batman scared criminals, he didn’t scare regular citizens. He was an urban legend to most of them. But he was also a sense of hope. That had been his whole deal.

“Psst,” a voice called to Jason’s left and he looked over to see a head peeking out of a window of a dark house. A familiar head.

“Roy, the fuck!” Jason hurried over and slipped in the unlocked door, shutting it behind him. But the instant it was shut, he was being pushed face first into it and his arm restrained behind his back. “The fuck-?”

That only got him shoved into the door more. “How the hell do you know my name?” Roy growled from behind him and Jason had no idea how to respond to that. Roy, his best friend and saving grace, was asking how he knew him? But then something sparked a thought. No Dick Grayson meant no Robin and no Teen Titans. It also meant Jason was never introduced to Roy through the Titans. But surely the young heroes would have come together without the influence of Dick? “Answer me!”

“I’m Jason Todd,” Jason ground out, consciously forcing himself not to struggle against Roy’s hold. “I’m from a different…universe?” The Jinn hadn’t exactly explained how their magic worked and Jason wasn’t sure he was that kind of smart to be able to figure it out. “In my universe, you’re my best friend and former teammate.”

That seemed to give Roy pause for a moment before the man was backing away and Jason was able to turn around, keeping his back pressed to the door. It also gave Jason a moment to look over Roy from where he stood a few feet away. But Jason didn’t like what he saw. The man looked sick, drawn out.

Strung out.

“Roy…are you okay?” Jason asked carefully, glancing around the small space and taking in the various signs of the addiction that he hadn’t managed to kick yet. “Roy what is wrong with Gotham? Why are you here? Where is Oliver?”

“Don’t say that name,” Roy spat out, turning and heading to the fridge. Jason watched with wide eyes as the man pulled out a beer and opened it, taking a long pull. He couldn’t remember the last time Roy had allowed himself to drink. Too many comments about recovery not being easy and how he had to fight it every day. This Roy apparently didn’t have that issue. “What?”

But Jason was at a loss for words for a moment. So he shook his head and looked around again, trying to find signs of another person living there. Was Kori here too? Or Lian? But it didn’t look like anyone else had ever set foot in this hell hole.

Looking down at the flyer still in his hand, Jason frowned. “Why is everyone afraid of the Bat?” Jason asked carefully, looking back to Roy.

“Because he’s dangerous. Because he lays out more justice than the GCPD. Because he doesn’t allow second chances or hope.” But that made no sense to Jason. Bruce was all about justice being through the system. That had been their biggest issue, Jason didn’t think that certain criminals should be allowed that mercy. But Bruce didn’t think they should make that call.

“Do you have a computer?” Roy grunted and gestured to an open laptop on the kitchen table that Jason had somehow missed. Hurrying over to it, he immediately woke it up and typed in the password his Roy always used. He wasn’t surprised when it worked this time too. Roy made a noise behind him at the action, but Jason couldn’t concern himself with that right then. Instead he pulled up a web browser and typed in Dick Grayson in the search bar.

The results were surprising and Jason clenched a fist at the sight of them. Of course Gotham has fallen to shit and Dick Grayson has his perfect life.

Gold Medalist Dick Grayson Returns to his Family Act: The Flying Graysons.

The life that Dick had deserved. The life he should have had in their reality but never got because of a debt his parents were forced to pay with their lives.

“Who’s the looker?” Roy’s voice sounded behind him, causing Jason to jerk and turn to face him. The man raised an eyebrow and took another drink of his beer. “Someone you know in your world?” Turning back to look at the picture of Dick on the trapeze, Jason pursed his lips before shutting the screen with more force than necessary.

“Roy, why are you in Gotham?”

The redhead tilted his head and shrugged. “Safer than Star City. Safer than most places. At least Batman scares the citizens and the criminals. No one can control it the way he does. ‘Sides,” Roy said, finishing off his beer and tossing the bottle away, “I’m not welcome in Star anymore.”

“What about Speedy?”

“The fuck do you know about Speedy? I never told anyone about that.”

“More than you will ever apparently. This world is shit,” Jason grumbled, moving away from the table. “Jinn!” He called out, looking upward. He didn’t know how this worked, but he didn’t want this to be the reality he was stuck in. Fuck Dick Grayson and his goddamn influence on everything in Jason’s world. Fuck him and his manipulations to get people to do whatever he wanted them to do. It was just his luck that he eliminates the person who would make Gotham good and Batman better.

Just his fucking luck.

“JINN!”

“Oh stop your shouting,” the familiar husky voice sounded from behind him, the room fading to just the two of them. The image of Roy had turned hazy and Jason frowned at that. Was this part of their powers? Pause reality before changing it. Shaking his head, he turned back to Jinn and narrowed his eyes. “Something wrong?”

“This reality sucks,” he said, waving an arm in Roy’s direction before holding up the flyer. “You cannot tell me that Dick fucking Grayson had this much power as Robin and then Nightwing.” The Jinn shrugged a slender shoulder, much like they had in Jason’s safehouse earlier and Jason wanted to punch them.

“I do not create the reality; I only change the elements asked of me. You wanted Dick Grayson to have never come to Gotham,” they said, looking right at Jason with eyes that spoke of too many lifetimes and witnessing of too much pain. “This is that reality. He is a man with faults, but he inspires others to be their best apparently.”

But what was Jason supposed to do with that? How was he supposed to just be okay with all this bad that happened because he had wished Dick out of Gotham? He wasn’t the monster people thought him to be, that Dick thought him to be. He wasn’t. He wanted to help. He wanted to make a difference. That’s why he had joined Batman to begin with. That had been lost for a while after he had come back from the dead, but it was back now. He was trying. He was.

“It is within your power to change.”

Three wishes. That’s what all the legends said, right? He used one and now he had two more to perfect this. But he had to be careful because his words could easily be used against him and interpreted incorrectly. He had to be precise. But he had to bring Dick back to Gotham. He couldn’t be responsible for this. But how was he going to fix this without landing himself right back into Dick’s orbit? The man didn’t want him there, had voice his opinion quite plainly. Not even Jason could miss that fact.

“Maybe it would have been better for you if you had never come back at all.”

Clenching his jaw, Jason took a deep breath and held back the hurt and rage that filled him when Dick’s voice filled his mind, those words reminding him that what he thought was heading toward something good between them actually wasn’t heading anywhere.

Then the idea hit him. “I want to go back to my old world, but to never have come across the Batmobile that night in the Alley.” Jinn tilted their head and considered him in a way Jason wasn’t sure he was entirely comfortable with. But then they raised their hand just like last time and quirked an eyebrow before snapping their fingers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The shift between worlds was just as sudden as it was before, but this time Jason had been prepared and immediately took in where he had landed. But he wasn’t sure why it didn’t seem too different from where he was last time. The only difference was it was daytime. But the street looked just as abandoned as before and the city seemed eerily silent for what looked like around noon, going off the height of the sun in the smog gray sky.

And from the look of the buildings on the street, he was in the Diamond District. But it was quiet, too quiet for even a weekend day. There should have been people all over the sidewalks and cars on the streets.

It should have been bustling.

But it was abandoned.

“The fuck happened this time?” Jason muttered to himself as he walked further into the neighborhood before quickly ducking behind a dumpster when he heard screeching tires and gun shots. He peeked through the gap between the dumpster and the wall of the building he was hiding between. He wasn’t sure who he was seeing, but something about the gleeful way they were acting told him this was normal. They were comfortable in their actions. Almost like they knew no one was coming to get them.

“Kid,” a harsh voice whispered behind him. Glancing back, Jason saw someone waving over to him from a barely cracked door. Glancing back at the vanishing criminals, Jason quickly made his way to the door and slipped inside.

After his encounter with Roy, he was expecting someone else he knew. He wasn’t disappointed. Lucius Fox stood in front of him, looking older and more exhausted than Jason remembered. But he learned from his experience with Roy not to reveal he knew the other man.

“You hurt?” Lucius asked, looking Jason over briefly. Jason shook his head and looked around the main room of what looked like an office turned into an apartment. “Then what the hell are you doing out there? Only someone desperate would do something so stupid with Bane’s men joyriding and the PD in their back pockets.”

“Where is Batman?” Lucius let out a snort before shaking his head slowly. “I know you know who Batman is. It’s hard to explain but I’m from another universe. Batman is thriving in mine, where is he in this one?” So much for not revealing who he was.

“Thriving you say? And I know you?” Jason nodded but remained silent while Lucius studied him closely. With a frown, the man walked over to the counter and pulled a pen and paper from one of the drawers. Quickly he scribbled on the paper before handing it to Jason. “Batman is there.”

Jason looked at the paper and found an address. One that looked familiar, but he couldn’t quite place it. “You shouldn’t have too much trouble out there looking like you do. Make the guns more obvious and they’ll think you’re one of them. But keep them loaded just in case.”

“Thank you,” Jason said, pocketing the address and moving back over to the door. “Lucius, where is your family?” The look that clouded the older man’s face told Jason all he needed to know. He had seen grief too many time. “I’m sorry.”

“Aren’t we all?”

With one last glance, Jason ducked out the door and headed back down to the main street. He knew the general area where Lucius said Bruce was so he headed that way. Thankfully he didn’t run into anymore of Bane’s men taking potshots. He wasn’t really in the mood to get in a fight. He was too focused on figuring out what the hell was going on in this city. It was eerie and far too abandoned to be anywhere close to what he knew Gotham to be. This was a ghost town.

Pulling the paper out again, he looked at the street number and gauged where he was in relation, heading in the direction he needed to. When he reached the right address, he realized why it looked so familiar. The police station. Looking down at the number again just to confirm this was right, Jason sighed and headed inside.

“You lost?” The man at the front desk questioned.

Shaking his head, Jason slipped his hands into his pockets and made sure his guns were exposed. “I’m here to talk to the Bats.” The cop looked him up and down, taking in the quality of his weapons before shrugged and jerking his head to have Jason follow him.

“You aren’t going to get much out of him. Don’t think the bastard has said a single thing since he turned himself in,” the guard said as he led Jason down the hall of empty cells that he was so used to seeing full of the random rogues and villains. It was disconcerting to see it empty save for the one cell at the end of the hallway.

Jason took in the figure in familiar orange, sitting on a bench and hunched forward. It wasn’t the first time he had seen Bruce in that position, but he had never seen the man look so broken before. It made no sense to him. What could have happened that led Bruce to this? And the fact that Batman turned himself in? Jason didn’t think the man thought anything he did was wrong.

But this was not the image of a man who was full of pride and self-importance.

“You got a visitor, Bats,” the guard called out as they reached the glass wall that Bruce was behind. The guard tapped his baton on the glass when Bruce didn’t move, but the man remained unresponsive. “Good luck, kid. Buzz when you want out.” The guard gave him a long look before turning to head back down the hall.

Jason watched him go before turning to look at the man behind the glass. From this angle, he could see that the usual body mass of Bruce was all but gone. Before him was a thin, graying, and weathered man. This was all wrong.

“Bruce,” Jason called, knowing that since he had wished his own influence out of Bruce’s life that the man wouldn’t know him. But he hoped that calling him by his name might get a reaction. It didn’t.

And then a thought hit him, one that probably should have hit him as soon as Lucius made it clear Batman wasn’t on the streets anymore. And oh god he hoped he was wrong. He hoped he was not about to get an answer to a question that haunted him since the day he returned and realized Bruce had left the Joker alive.

“Bruce, where is Dick?”

Bruce’s head whipped up and Jason took a step back at what he saw. Pale skin, circles so dark under his eyes that they were practically black, but that had nothing on his actual eyes. Dead. There was no other way to explain it. They were the eyes of a man who had lost everything, including the will to live.

“Who are you?” Bruce asked, voice raspy and rough with obvious disuse. But there was emotion in it too. Accusations unspoken. If Jason was a nobody, he shouldn’t know about Dick’s connection to Batman. But Bruce didn’t know of Jason’s true connection. Not in this world.

“I know about Robin and I know who Dick is to you. I also know he would never let you do this to yourself. So where is he? Where is Alfred?” Jason moved so he was standing practically nose to glass, eyes watching ever twitch and flinch of Bruce as he spoke. “Bruce, where is Dick?” He was starting to fill with dread. This was wrong on a basic level, but there was something deeper and Jason wasn’t sure he wanted to know.

But still he had to know.

“Dead.”

Jason’s heart stopped. “No.” He shook his head, looking away from Bruce to try and process that revelation. Dick wasn’t supposed to be dead. Bruce needed him, the previous world had proven that. The world needed Dick Grayson. “How?” He whispered, hoping it was loud enough for Bruce to have heard him.

“Joker.” And just like that Jason felt the pit rage surge. He hadn’t been there for the Joker to get his hands on so he got them on Dick instead. This was his fault. Again, he had made a choice and people had suffered in ways they never should have. It never should have been Dick. “It was a trap.”

Jason didn’t need to hear the rest of the story to know that it was pretty much exactly what had happened to him. But it had happened to someone it never should have happened to.

“Where is the Joker now?”

“Dead.” But it was said with so much regret and so much pain that Jason forgot to breathe for a moment. Bruce had killed the Joker because he had killed Dick. And it was obvious that it had destroyed Bruce. Not just losing his son, but breaking his one rule of justice. Jason had never understood why Bruce was so adamant about no killing, especially the Joker. Now he was seeing exactly why. Would this have happened to him if Bruce had killed the Joker after Jason’s death at his hands? Or was this just because Dick was forever the golden child?

“Jinn!” Jason called out as he backed away from a now confused looking Bruce. When Bruce’s eyes went wide, Jason knew Jinn had appeared behind him but Jason couldn’t look away from Bruce’s face. He couldn’t tear his eyes away from the shame and guilt that remained even as he looked shocked at the appearance of Jinn. “I wish Bruce Wayne had never become Batman,” he said without looking away from the man. He didn’t bother to look and see if Jinn was listening, Jason knew they were.

And the sound of snapping fingers proved that.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jason felt cold the instant he touched down in the new world. This was not a friendly world and it cried out in pain so loudly he could feel it in his bones. And that wasn’t even taking into account the fact that Gotham looked like a warzone. Buildings were missing half their levels and rubble littered the streets. It was almost like looking at pictures from World War II in school so many years ago.

“What happened here?” He asked the empty space. He could tell there was no one nearby, not even the most reckless would trust any of these buildings. But honestly, from what he could see in the distance, he would be surprised if there was anyone left in this city.

But without any other choice, he began walking down the street to once again figure out what had gone wrong. He didn’t understand how things had gone so horribly with each of his wishes. But he knew this was wish number three which meant he was stuck. Whatever this world was, it was his now.

“Come with us.” Jason startled and turned to find two orange glowing figures floating behind him. They looked like ghosts, but set his teeth on edge. There was something distinctly not right about them. “Come with us. Agent Orange will want to address you.”

“Who the fuck is Agent Orange?” And why did it sound so familiar? But the apparitions didn’t answer, simply grabbed an arm on each side, pulling him in the opposite direction of where he had been walking.

He shouldn’t have been as surprised as he was when he found himself being led up the steps of the city building a short while later.

Jason frowned at the piles of random items lining the aisle that had been laid out in the former city building. The main structure was the same, but it had been completely gutted to make room for what looked like a massive throne with a figure in orange lounging lazily in it. Whoever it was looked like they had taken a page out of the pimps of old and had someone make them a suit of orange velvet. It was so horrendous it made his eyes burn, but at the same time he couldn’t look away. The hat that sat perched upon their head completed the entire disastrous look with the cane resting against the arm of the throne.

Sparing a glance at the glowing orange apparitions guiding him down the aisle, Jason felt like maybe things were starting to piece together. He remembered Kyle had told him the story of Agent Orange in the Vega system. But he had claimed the creature holding the Orange Lantern was just that, a creature. This was most definitely a person.

Did that mean Larfleeze had finally been defeated?

“What have you for me, my pets?”

Wait.

No.

Jason knew that voice. He would always know that voice. It burned through his memories and scorched his dreams. It was the voice of his greatest desires and biggest fears. The voice that had caused this very situation he was in.

“Dick?” Jason gasped when the person raised their head and Jason was finally able to see their face. He looked different, a bit older and glowing with an orange light, but it was definitely Dick Grayson lounging on that throne in that disgusting suit like he didn’t have a care in the world.

He watched, mouth open and mind racing as he tried to grasp what was happening, as Dick shifted so his feet were resting on the ground, facing Jason fully. There was curiosity in his eyes, but there was something else there. Something Jason had seen before but never this strongly.

Desire.

With a wave of Dick’s hand, the orange apparitions vanished and Dick and Jason were left alone. “You know my Earth name,” Dick said, eyes narrowing as he stood from his throne. And suddenly Jason felt like prey. The slow steps down the massive throne made it look Dick was stalking him. “But I do not know you. Do I?”

Glancing around, Jason tried not to show how nervous this version of Dick was making him feel. But he wanted to be able to protect himself if he needed to. His guns had been left behind in the last world and now he only had his fists.

“Do I know you, Pet?”

Jason shook his head, steeling himself. “Not in this world.” That caused Dick to pause at the last step, eyebrow raising in silent question. Jason swallowed. This was so wrong. Dick shouldn’t look like this. Not just the awful clothes and throne, but the predatory look he had about him. It wasn’t sitting right. What the hell had happened to this Dick. “I’m from a different universe. One where you are not quite so…”

“Fabulous?”

Jason gave a snort. “Not the word I was thinking of, no,” he shook his head. But Dick just shrugged a shoulder and remained in his spot. “You are the Orange Lantern.”

A slow, pleased, and proud smile spread across Dick’s face and Jason held back a shudder. “I am. I was once the pet of Larfleeze until he got too comfortable, and I took what was mine from him.” That explained the pet fixation Dick seemed to have. Jason watched Dick descend the final step and wander over to one of the tables laden with sweets. “I came back to Earth because it is mine. I took it from its useless rulers and claimed it as my own. The other worlds know that if they come here and try to steal what’s mine then they face certain death.” Dick popped a truffle into his mouth, the air about him so casual about the mention of killing. The Dick he knows would be appalled at the thought of killing anyone. But a Dick influenced by greed and possessiveness fed by the Orange Lantern? Maybe.

“Is there anyone alive on Earth?” Jason asked, curious since he had yet to see another living body. Dick’s hand paused halfway to his mouth, another truffle in hand. That was answer enough for Jason.

“There are a few resistance pods,” Dick offered, unconcerned. “They are…annoying.” Dick’s lip curled in disgust and Jason was actually surprised. And curious. He wondered who would be strong enough, smart enough to evade someone who basically had ghosts doing his bidding for him. “But they are insignificant.”

And Jason felt sadness for Dick with that comment. His Dick loved people, sacrificed himself daily for absolute strangers. But this Dick? This Dick seemed to have no love in him. It made Jason’s chest ache. It made him miss his Dick, the real one.

“I am going to keep you,” Dick said after a few moments, turning a predatory gaze onto Jason that made him uncomfortable yet again. There was just something so wrong with seeing that look on Dick’s face. “What is your name, Pet-o-mine?”

Scrunching his nose at the nickname, Jason held back a shudder. “Jason Todd.”

Dick hummed as he moved closer, looking almost as if he were gliding. “I do not know a Jason Todd of this world, but you shall be mine now. Let us feast.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Pet, did you say it was a Jinn who sent you here?” Dick leaned forward in his chair and Jason felt as though his stare would burn right through his core. It had been a handful of days since he had come to this world and while he was still struggling to get used to this version of Dick, he was feeling slightly more comfortable.

“I did,” he confirmed the comment he made only moments ago.

But apparently that wasn’t something Dick wanted to hear because he had abruptly stood from his chair and gripped the edge of the long table. “Does your world not tell of Jinn lore?” Jason frowned, unsure of why that would seem strange, but shrugged a shoulder all the same. “This is not an alternative universe for you then. This is a dream.”

Jason furrowed his brow, not sure he understood what Dick was telling him. Hadn’t Jinn told him this was an alternate universe? But thinking back to that initial encounter, he wasn’t sure that was actually ever said. “A dream?”

“Yes, My Pet. A Jinn is known for feeding off the soul or “life-force” of their victims while providing them illusions of their most perfect reality,” Dick explained, eyes taking a slightly panicked edge to them. “How many realities have you visited?” His words sounded desperate as he pushed away from the table and hurried over to where Jason still sat. “How many, Pet?!”

“This was my third wish.” Dick stopped with a gasp. But Jason had no idea why that was so concerning. Why did it matter that he had made his three wishes? Did something happen once the third wish took hold? “Dick?”

“You need to find a way out of here. You need…” Dick looked away and gazed off into the distance, seeing something Jason wasn’t sure about. But despite that, he wasn’t sure how he was supposed to find his way out of an illusion that was being forced upon him. How could he fight something in his head? “You have already spent too much time here with me, I do not know how much time you spent in the others. You might not have much time left.” Dick sounded concerned, lost, and determined all at once. Jason had no idea how it was possible, but it was there.

“How am I supposed to get out of here?”

“Will your Dick be coming for you? You’ll have already been missing for a few days. Will he come for you?” It was a good question, but it wasn’t one Jason had an answer for. Would Dick? After the fight where Dick told him he wished he had never come back from the dead? But was that actually what Dick had meant? Jason knew the man’s temper and looking at this version of Dick, he knew how possessive he could be. Was Dick speaking from jealousy over Roy? “Pet, will he come for you?”

“I don’t know,” Jason admitted.

But Dick got a familiar stubborn look on his face and shook his head. “If he feels an ounce of the possessiveness I immediately felt, then he will come. Is he strong? Is he a fighter? You are not normal, you know about the Lantern Corps. Is he like you?” Jason nodded, Dick was one of the strongest people he knew. Not just physically.

Jason opened his mouth to question Dick, to see if he had any idea how he could break the illusion from within, when the world went blurry around him and a familiar figure appeared in front of him. “You have been naughty,” Jinn said, voice tense and eyes burning. Jason didn’t say anything in return, just raised his chin in defiance. “I knew you were strong, I could feel your power on the other side of the planet. I wish I had known someone had informed you of my lore before I put you under. I would have kept a closer eye on your illusions.”

“So you lost. Let me go.”

Jinn let their mouth fall open and the corners of their mouth tilt upward as they clicked their tongue. “Did I?” And deep in his core Jason knew what was coming. But despite lunging immediately, he couldn’t stop Jinn from snapping their fingers.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

But when the world refocused around him, Jason noticed something was different. The world wasn’t a mess and it also wasn’t moving. He had landed in the middle of a living room he didn’t recognize. The areas he could see were warm, welcoming and just to his taste. If he had ever settled down, this would have been his décor of choice. But more than that, Dick stood frozen in mid pour of a cup of coffee in the kitchen wearing just a pair of low slung sweatpants. Jason walked over to the man, looking him over.

The orange glow he had gotten used to was gone and he looked healthier and less scarred than his memories allowed. This was a Dick who hadn’t been a vigilante for more than half his lifetime. This was a Dick who probably worked a regular job, maybe at Wayne Industries, and came home to his family each day with a smile on his face.

“This can be yours.” Jason spun and found Jinn leaning against the doorway leading to what looked like a nursery. He wanted to shove past them and get a closer look, but he resisted. “I can give you this life if you just stop fighting me.”

“But it isn’t real and you’re killing me.”

Jinn scoffed and stepped further into the room. “You put your life up for bargain every single night you go out as Red Hood. This is no different.”

But it was different. “I have no choice in this. I have no chance of survival. But out there,” Jason pointed toward the wall of windows allowing sunlight to reach every corner of the living area, “I have a chance. I have a choice.”

“Don’t you want to know what it would be like to have him love you the way you so desperately love him?” Jinn waved a hand and everything seemed to unfreeze. Jason glanced over and saw Dick slipping the coffee pot back into the holder before turning to smile brightly at him.

“Is Thomas still sleeping?” Dick asked as he came closer and pressed the warm coffee into Jason’s hand, pressing a kiss to his lips in the same moment. Jason felt his heart stutter at the action, his eyes falling shut against his will. He had been dreaming of kissing Dick Grayson since he was thirteen years old and here he was, doing just that. When Dick finally pulled back, that beautiful smile on his face yet again, Jason looked past him to see Jinn watching with an amused smile on their face.

When Dick moved away to go check the nursery, Jason looked down at the cup of coffee and then back to Jinn. The world went frozen again and Jason shook his head. “This isn’t real. It’s not him and this isn’t our life.”

“But it could be. It would be as easy as falling asleep.” But it wasn’t real, and Jason knew that now. “Bastard,” Jinn muttered, seemingly distracted by something but Jason couldn’t figure out what. Jinn’s attention slipped from Jason and the man took the moment to fully assess what was happening. Jinn was desperate. They were practically begging him to accept this reality which meant something had changed. Something more than his being aware of what was happening. Because if it had just been him, Jinn could have focused solely on him. And if their attention was split, that meant help had arrived.

Dick.

Jason didn’t know how he knew, but he did. He knew deep in his core that Dick had come and now Jinn was having to face him. And though Jason was still hurt by the words that Dick had said during their fight, the fact that he was there fighting to save him meant more than he could say. That he had come for him.

“Give into me,” Jinn finally growled at him, eyes blazing gold and furious. “Give in and end this. You won’t last much longer and will likely die before you even regain consciousness. Just give in!”

But Jason just let the cup of coffee fall from his hands and a smirk to spread across his lips. “No.” Jinn gave a growl before snapping their fingers and plunging them both in darkness.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“I don’t know, Timmy. Maybe he skipped town,” Dick muttered as he hopped off his motorcycle and looked up at the final safehouse the family knew about. He hadn’t seen or heard from Jason in three days and none of the family or Roy had either. And as much as Dick loved Roy, he did not want to have to sit through yet another lecture from Jason’s best friend. The one he got earlier in the day was enough. Dick knew he had fucked up, he knew it. He knew he let his emotions beat out his logic and pettiness took hold. He knew he was the one at fault.

But how could he be expected to be better, to make amends, if Jason was hiding from him?

“He wouldn’t have just checked out without telling anyone he was leaving. He didn’t even tell Roy.” And yeah, Dick knew Tim had a point. Roy had said he wouldn’t have told Dick where Jason was, but he would tell him that he was aware of the location. But Jason hadn’t called Roy since the fight he had with Dick three nights ago. “Just check the safehouse and then come back to the Cave. We’ll regroup if he’s not there.”

Looking up to the fire escape stairs, Dick jumped and pulled himself up them quickly and efficiently. “Yeah okay,” Dick responded into the comm as he pulled himself up to the roof. He knew this particular safehouse had a few skylights he could enter through, one in particular was right above Jason’s bedroom space. “Lights are on in one room,” he informed Tim as he stuck to the shadows and made his way to the skylight where he could see the light coming from. He knew it was the one above Jason’s room and knew it likely meant the man was there. Roy would have mentioned borrowing the safehouse when Dick mentioned searching them.

“Is he there?” Tim asked distractedly, the clicking of a keyboard in the background. But Dick found himself frozen on the sight in front of him.

Jason was laid out on his bed, eyes closed and body relaxed as if in sleep. But his face was pale and drawn, almost sickly. “Something’s wrong.” Dick relayed, quickly feeling the edge of the skylight for the outside latch to open it. He had only used this particular one a few times, but he easily found the latch and unlocked it so he could drop gracefully beside Jason’s bed.

“What do you mean something is wrong?”

Glancing around, Dick kept quiet and listened for anyone else possibly in the safehouse. But it was almost deathly silent, so Dick moved over to Jason’s side and leaned over him, feeling for a pulse. “He’s still alive but he looks sick and is unresponsive,” Dick whispered, still not trusting that they were alone. Jason had been the picture of health when they had separated the other night. And the fact that Jason was still in his gear was another red flag. Jason never came into this room in his gear because of the skylight.

“Never know who’s watchin’, Dickie.” He had said when Dick had asked him about it.

“Jay?” Dick called softly, patting the man’s cheek. But there was no response and Dick almost jerked back at the cold, clammy texture of his skin.

“I should have known,” a husky voice interrupted his examination of Jason and caused Dick to grab the gun that Dick knew Jason kept tucked between his mattress and headboard, whipping around to point it at whoever was there. And though he didn’t recognize the individual before him, he definitely wasn’t going to let down his guard. “Humans, so predictable.”

“Who are you?”

“Someone you do not wish to tango with, Birdie,” they said, half smirk and eyebrow raised.

Dick narrowed his eyes, not sure how to approach this since he wasn’t in his gear. He had come to Jason as a civilian. So he had his fists and Jason’s gun. But he had no protective gear. He would be vulnerable in ways that could be dangerous.

“Dick who is there?” Tim sounded in his ear but Dick ignored him. It wasn’t like he had an answer.

“Who are you?” Dick demanded again, shifting to cover more of Jason’s body with his own. If he was going to go down in this fight, he would protect Jason as best he could. “What did you do to him?”

The person glanced at Jason behind him before shrugging a shoulder. “I granted a wish.”

A wish? Why the hell would Jason wish for this? “A wish?”

“Wait, did they say wish?” Dick gave a grunt but didn’t say anything so not to alert whoever this was that he had help. He could hear Tim’s typing speed up to an almost frantic pace. “Damian! Get me that Hindu lore book!”

The individual sauntered further into the room and leaned against the dresser Jason had shoved against the opposite wall from the bed. “Yes, just a wish. You threw our boy into quite the tizzy, Birdie. Did you know what you were doing when you said those words? Did you feel regret immediately or did you have to calm down first?”

“What do you know about it?” Dick growled, hand tightening on the gun still pointed at the person.

“I was there when the fight happened. I was there when he called his friend and vented about the cruelty of your words.” Dick clenched his jaw. For some reason this matter-of-fact analysis of the fight with Jason was worse than the lecture Roy had given him. “I was there when he realized that you didn’t want him around. When his hope…vanished.”

“Hope for what?”

They chuckled and shook their head, gaze amused. “You. Both of you. Together as you humans tend to do.”

“It’s a Jinn, Dick!” Glancing over his shoulder to look down at Jason, reconciling the image with what little he knew about Jinn lore, Dick tried to process quickly. “You need iron, they’re susceptible to iron. Damian and Bruce are on their way to you now.” Iron. Help was on the way.

“He was so desperate to eliminate the pain you caused that he wished you out of his life.” Dick suddenly felt cold, looking back to the Jinn. “You’re surprised? I bet you are the kind of person who thinks everyone loves them and will always forgive them, even when they make the most grievous of mistakes. So self-important that you think you’re above consequences.” But Dick didn’t think that, did he? Did he think himself better than everyone else? No, not usually. Usually, he put his own well-being behind everyone else. But he wasn’t so unaware that he didn’t know he could be cruel when he let his anger take hold. And when that anger was backed by jealousy and the feeling of not being enough? Yeah, he could be nasty.

But to the point where Jason would actually wish him away?

“I suppose the joke was on him though, he learned just how true the self-important spiel is when it comes to you.” Dick didn’t even want to consider what they meant by that. No. He didn’t care if Jason woke and told him he never wanted to see Dick again. All that mattered was making sure Jason was able to wake again.

So quickly he scanned the room for what could possibly be iron. But there was nothing. Then he remembered that Jason had a fireplace in this space and that meant iron tools to stroke the fire. But how was he going to get to it when he was protecting Jason?

“Two minutes out.”

He had two minutes to figure something out. But every idea meant leaving Jason vulnerable and he didn’t know if he could risk that. Maybe if he pissed the Jinn off enough to focus on him he could make sure they left Jason alone.

“Have you figured it out yet?” The Jinn asked, looking as cocky as they did when they appeared.

And Dick made a call he hoped he wouldn’t regret in the end. Clicking off the safety, he pulled the trigger of Jason’s gun and shot a bullet to the Jinn’s shoulder before running out of the room in search of the iron.

“You are more trouble than you’re worth, Birdie,” they growled, appearing in front of Dick in a puff of blue smoke just as he closed his fingers around the fire poker that he was really hoping was actually iron. “You think you can save him? You think he wants you to save him? You think you’re anything?!”

Good, get angry. Focus on me, Dick thought as he swung the poker in a circle to test the weight and balance. Tucking Jason’s gun in the back of his pants, Dick grabbed the shovel with the other had and crouched into a fighting stance.

“I think you’re worried I can do just that.” It was more confident than Dick actually felt as the two of them circled each other, but he knew how to put on a show. He knew how to play the part. And that’s what he planned to do.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jason knew it was over before he even opened his eyes. The fact that he had to open his eyes proved that fact. He had been with Agent Orange Dick the longest and never once had he slept. Looking back, he could see the signs of it being a dream and not reality. But he had been in too deep with the illusion to notice on his own. His mind had to help him along.

But the fact that he knew he had been asleep also meant that his rescue had been a success. And that meant either Jinn was dead or contained. And he was back to face his actual reality with the truth of what he had learned about the influence of Dick Grayson on not just his life, but the world.

“Jay?” Speak of the devil. Jason blinked his eyes slowly and stared up at the ceiling of what he immediately recognized as the medical bay in the cave. He hated this place. “Jay?” Dick called again, voice sounding concerned enough that Jason found the energy to turn his head toward the other man. “There you are,” Dick sighed, relief filtering over his features.

“Jinn?”

“Were you aware of what they did?” Jason blinked, trying to clear the fog that was taking forever to dissipate from his mind. “Bruce took them to the Watchtower for the League to handle, if they survive.” Furrowing his brows, he silently asked Dick what he meant. “I got a little stab happy with your fire poker.”

Jason took a moment to process that. Iron, right. “You came.” And though Jason was still hurt by the words Dick had said, he felt bad at the look of guilt his own caused.

“I had been searching for you everywhere. You just dropped off the map for three days and no one, not even Roy knew where you had gone,” Dick explained. Three days was a long time for any of them to go without contact, so Jason could understand the need to look into it. He couldn’t believe it was three days though, it had felt longer and shorter at the same time. “I was just trying to apologize for what I said, but then I found you practically comatose and…” Dick shrugged a shoulder, looking away.

Jason took the moment to look the other man over. He looked tired. His hair was a mess, probably from running his hand through it constantly. And his clothes were wrinkled as if he had been living in them for the past couple of days.

“Jay, I shouldn’t have said what I said. I didn’t mean to make it seem like I wished you never came back. That’s not true,” Dick said, looking back to Jason who was frozen at the look of regret. “I am thankful every day that you came back. And when I said that, I meant I wish you didn’t have to deal with all the side effects the Pit left behind. Not that I didn’t want you back.”

Jason remained silent, furrowing his brows as he listened. Trying to make sense of the words when his brain had been so sure Dick had meant he wished Jason had never come back at all.

“I’m bad at handling my anger. And I’m worse at holding back when I’m jealous.”

“Jealous? What do you have to be jealous of?”

Dick looked away again, a splash of pink dusting his cheeks. And Jason was sure his brains had to have been really scrambled for all of this to be happening.

“I was,” he paused, shaking his head but still refusing to look back to Jason. “I am,” he corrected, “jealous of your friendship with Roy.”

Of Roy. Dick was jealous of Roy. What? “What?” Jason stupidly asked and Dick shrugged a shoulder, ducking his head and glancing at Jason. If he wasn’t so confused, he’d find it endearing.

“You need Roy.” Jason nodded dumbly, still confused. “When we were arguing, you stopped to call him so he could talk you down when all I could do was push you to that point.” And the pieces were finally starting to click into place. A little at least. “You don’t need me. Even though we’re…I don’t know, what are we? Friends? Partners? More?” The question was there in his eyes and Jason knew that the doubts he had about what Dick’s true feelings were unfounded. “I was jealous that you need him but not me. I’ve been jealous about that for a while. And it makes me question whether or not I’m good enough to be anything to you when you need someone else more than you need me.”

“Dick,” Jason reached out and grabbed the other man’s hand that was resting on the edge of his bed. “Just because I need Roy more right now doesn’t mean I won’t need you more in the future.” Watching Dick lift his head to look at him more directly, he recognized the confusion in his eyes. “But I can’t do a fight like that again, Dick. I can’t. I-” Dick’s hand quickly covered his mouth and stopped him from saying anything more.

“Roy gave me quite the lecture and eye-opening speech. I know. I fucked up royally and it played you in every way I knew it would. It was…manipulative and cruel.” And yeah, Jason couldn’t argue with that. Dick looked contrite and thoroughly chastised. He’d have to ask Roy exactly what he said to the man. “I’m sorry. I am. And I’m not asking you to forgive me, but I’d like to be able to prove that I won’t do it again.”

Jason considered what Dick was saying, unsure of whether or not he should offer the forgiveness Dick said he wasn’t asking for or not. He didn’t want to let Dick off the hook, but he also knew when the man was telling the truth. And after seeing exactly how his life could have been without Dick’s influence, Jason didn’t want to know what would happen if he let Dick slip away now.

“Okay,” was what came out instead of the elaborate thoughts.

“Really?”

Jason nodded and squeezed the hand still holding onto Dick’s. “Those dreams showed me some pretty hard truths about life without you and I don’t want to see what this life would be like without you.” Dick looked stunned, like he wasn’t expecting Jason to admit to what it was he had seen inside the dreams. “I’m still upset and it’s going to take a while for me to get over it, but life is much better with you in it. For everyone.”

Dick looked slightly awed at the comment, but then hesitant. And Jason knew exactly what Dick was going to say next. “What exactly did you wish for, Jay?”

Jason hesitated for a moment because he wasn’t sure Dick needed to know the depths of how hurt he was. That he had been at the point he would actually wish Dick out of the world. Out of his world. Because Jason knew that once his anger had calmed a bit, if Jinn had offered a little later, he never would have made that wish. He would have probably wished for that last ditch effort illusion. He would have wished to be happy. To know what it was like to be happy with Dick.

“Jay?”

Snapping out of his thoughts, Jason looked at Dick’s curious face and sighed. “The wrong thing, but if I hadn’t then I probably wouldn’t have figured out what was happening. You were the Orange Lantern in the final wish, obsessed with taking everything for yourself,” Jason offered instead of telling of the first two. “You were so obsessed with me that when I mentioned a Jinn had sent me there, you told me what a Jinn does. You were consumed with the thought of me dying on you that you told me I needed to get out of there.”

“I wonder why your illusion told you to fight back if it was there because of the Jinn.”

“Because the Jinn only created the illusion, it was still Jason’s mind controlling it,” a voice interrupted. Jason looked past Dick to see Bruce standing in the doorway. He didn’t want to admit how good it was to see him in this state. He would probably never forget the look of the man in the jail cell. “And when Dick showed up as a distraction, the hold the Jinn had loosened and your mind could actively fight back. But I am curious, how did you know about the lore? If you hadn’t, you never would have been able to succeed.”

Jason shrugged but then remembered a few months ago when he had been with Damian in the library. “Damian,” he said, trying to remember exactly what had happened. “He showed me a Hindu lore book he had found and mentioned the Jinn.” Jason looked at Dick who was smiling, most likely proud that his favorite brother had a direct influence on Jason’s survival. “Let’s not tell him. He’s got enough of an ego as it is.”

Dick laughed and they both looked over at Bruce who looked…almost pleased. “I am glad we got to you in time, Jason. Alfred will be down shortly to check you over and give you all clear.” Jason nodded, mind still reconciling this image with the one from the illusion. Bruce gave Dick a nod before silently leaving the two of them alone.

“I understand why he never kills now,” Jason spoke, still looking at the spot Bruce had been standing. Dick remained silent and Jason knew he was waiting for Jason to elaborate or change the subject since it had still been an issue up until then. “In the world where I wished I had never met Batman, you had died.” He looked over at Dick with a heavy sadness, remembering how much it had hurt to learn that Dick had died at the hands of the Joker. “And he killed the Joker because of it, out of anger or depression maybe. I’m not sure. But he turned himself into the police and the man he became…” Jason shook his head and took a deep breath. “He wasn’t Bruce anymore. His life had bled out of him and he was a shell.”

“He has his walls he’s built around himself, but he’s still just a man,” Dick said, and Jason nodded. He saw that now. Bruce wasn’t this infallible person they all seemed to think he was because that was what they wanted him to think.

“Hey Dick?” Jason prompted, needing to lighten the mood in the room.

“Yeah Jay?”

“Don’t ever invest in an orange velvet pimp suit okay? You were like fucking Smaug and I will never be able to scrub those images from my mind.” Dick’s jaw dropped and Jason let out a laugh.

#jaydick #jason todd #dick grayson #jinn au #anikah writes #bruce wayne #alternate universe #kind of

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jeromesxreader16 · 3 years

Text

Such A Joker (46)

Part 45 Here!!!

~o0o~

As we arrive in town Jeremiah holds my hand tightly. I lean on his arm smiling up towards him. "You're going to be okay." He nods letting out a shaky breath. "I know. I'm worried about what he will say about you. He will be mad." I nod looking away. "He won't know. I'll be going straight to the roof." His eyes grow sad as he gazes at me. "I won't see you again will I?" I smile at him and rest a hand on his cheek admiring his green eyes. "I don't know, Jer. I hope Jerome is going to be locked up and then we can move on. For the better."

Jeremiah nods placing his hand over my own. "Then this is goodbye, (Y/n)." I sigh look upon the sea of frightened citizens. "Until we meet again, Jeremiah." He grabs me smashing his lips upon mine. As my father pulls him away from me he calls out, "I love you!" I cover my mouth smiling.

I quickly run-up to the roof seeing both Bruce and Jeremiah hooked up to their bombs.

"No parent will admit it, but everyone's got their favorites. Right, brother? The one who cleans their room does their homework, doesn't try to kill everybody. Little Mr. Perfect here. Yeah. He was that guy. He got adopted by rich folks. I went to the top schools, then, a top college. Meanwhile, I got dragged through the circus by my depressed alcoholic mother. Forced to clean up elephant dung every day! Do you know how big those things are, folks? But I know something that Mommy and Daddy, they never knew."

Jerome smirks at his brother as he tells their tragic story. "You're as crazy as I am. It's in your DNA. See, we got the same blood running through us. We are practically identical. You are a killer. It's your nature. Stop trying to fight it. You changed (y/n). Pumped lies into her head of sanity. Took her away. I've got a plan for both of you."

Jerome opens a knife and slides it into Jeremiah's hand. "This is your chance, brother. Take your best shot."

Jeremiah screams lunging at his brother. Jerome simply doges it and punches him in the face. Gunfire rings out from the streets below. I lean over watching the chaos and losing sights on Jerome and Jeremiah.

As the panic increases, a blimp glides over the Square. The door to the rooftop burst open and a bleeding Jerome stumbles over to me laughing. "Look at her! Isn't she beautiful?"

Jerome looks to me pulling me to dance with him. "I'm not dumb, doll. I know where you've been." He squeezes my side sharply causing me to flinch. "You've been shot, Jerome." "Aw, what about that." He walks me over near the edge standing up on it and overlooking at his creation.

"Hands up." My father's voice rings out from behind us. Jerome turns around chuckling. He pulls out his phone raising a finger, "Just give me a second. Got to call the pilot. Tell him he's in position." In a split second Jerome's wrist is shot making him drop the phone.

"Not cool." He groans glaring at Jim.

"Jerome..." I state watching him with sad eyes.

He shakes his head. "It doesn't matter. Too late, anyway. Bombs away!" He shouts as another gunshot sounds. I scream as it enters his abdomen.

Jerome looks down at his wound. "Funny." He falls back making me run after him. "No!" My father grabs me as we both view Jerome dangling.

Jerome looks at me and smiles. This is where we end.

"You gonna let me fall and die? Or are you gonna pull me up and arrest me? What's it gonna be? Lawman or murderer?" I reach down but Jerome doesn't reach for me. "Dad... Please."

Jim reaches down but Jerome laughs swatting his hand away and hanging onto the pole with just his hands.

"Ah. Good ol' Gordons. The two of you! Always playing by the rules. That's why I'll outlive you. That's why I'm loved. It's why she loves me! 'cause I don't give a damn about the rules." He chuckles looking at the both of us.

"Jerome, grab my hand." He shakes his head smiling.

"It's a long way down. You sure you'll outlive me?"

"Oh, I'm sure. 'cause I'm more than a man. I'm an idea, a philosophy. And I will live on in the shadows within Gotham's discontent. I'll always be a part of you won't I, (y/n)? Say... Let my bro take care of you." He cackles blowing me a kiss. "You'll be seeing me soon. Au revoir!" Jerome lets go falling to the ground and onto a parked car ending his last seconds in Gotham.

My chest burns as his smile stay wide. His eyes looking up at me. I cry into my father's chest as he holds me. "It's alright, (Y/n). I'm here. I got you."

As we get down to the ground people are gathered around Jerome's body. "GCPD. Everybody get back!" Jim yells causing others to thin out.

Only leaving a few including Jeremiah. I walk over pulling on his sleeve. "(Y/n). Oh my god." He wraps his arm around me tightly. "I'm so sorry." I shake my head. "It's okay. He's in peace now."

He looks down at me with puffy eyes. "Can I come home?" I ask quietly. He smiles and cups my cheek nodding. "Of course you can. I wouldn't have you anywhere else."

"Mr. Valeska. Ms. Gordon. I'm sorry for the loss."

"Jeremiah, I meant what I said about your work being of importance to this city. Let Wayne Enterprises fund your work with a grant." Bruce offers with a nod.

"Thank you," Jeremiah says nodding. "We'll be in touch, Bruce."

As we walk away together I can't help but feel light. I look over at Jeremiah looping my arm in his. "Promise me that we will keep each other sane?" Jeremiah kisses my head nodding. "I promise, love."

I walk on the cold ground barefoot leading to the office. I knock twice before entering. "You know you need to go to sleep." I sit on the desk smiling at him as he scans his work. "I have slept." I pinch his nose rolling my eyes. "That kind of sleep doesn't count, Mr. Valeska." He shrugs coming around the desk and standing in between my legs.

"Alright. How about we open these and then we go to bed?" He passes me a small ring box with a tag while he holds a wrapped box. "Who are these from?" "Bruce Wayne." I giggle shaking mine. "Must be expensive."

As we tear into our gifts the tension is thick. "Same time?" Jeremiah asks like a child at Christmas. I nod smiling with excitement.

As I open the lid a tube spays me the purple gas. I cough falling on the floor. "Ahh, honey, do you smell that cooking?" Jerome's voice cackles in my mind. "You know how it feels love. It's just like a drug. Let it in. Let it flow. Let us grow." He laughs in my ears as I scream covering my ears.

Jeremiah thrashes around screaming as well. He soon starts to laugh and his smile grows wide. "Jer!" I scream as he falls on the floor.

I start laughing remembering all the things that made my blood-red hot. The screams of the victims I've taken. The wide fearful eyes of citizens.

"You wanted a new life, doll? You've got one! BURN IT DOWN!"

~Two Weeks Post Spray~

I sit on the couch keeping myself occupied with my phone as Ecco strolls in, sitting beside me. "Hey girlfriend."

"Hey Ecco! What are you doing here? I'm sure Jereminah gave you the week off." She shrugs smiling. "He did, doesn't mean I can't spend time with you, right? It's been a while since we hung out."

I look at the time seeing it's close to dinner and lock my phone. "You want to grab some drinks?" She nods standing. "It's a date. I'll drive." I laugh putting on my shoes and walking towards the office.

I peek my head in and see Jeremiah reading. "Hello (y/n)." He spills out my name like honey. He looks up smiling at me.

"Hi." I swoon as I walk over to him, resting on his leg. "I'm going to have a girls night with Ecco. Want me to get anything for you?" Jeremiah closes his book and removes his glasses. "You and Ecco?" I nod confused.

"We're good friends, Jer. She's looked after me for a while now." He hums smirking. "Would you rather me stay with you today?" Jeremiah shakes his head laughing. "No darling. Go out and have fun tonight!" He pats my hip standing me up. "Save some fun for me later, doll." He growls in my ear twirling me out the door.

I wink and salute to him. "Yes sir."

I laugh slamming my empty shot glass down. "Another!" Ecco shouts ringing us another round of shots.

I lean my head on her shoulder feeling foggy. "This- this is great! I haven't been able to just let go, ya know?" Ecco nods, "You out of everyone I've known deserves to drink." "What do you mean? My life isn't that nuts!" Ecco's eyes widen and she dies in laughter.

"R-really? Are you joking?" "I mean it's unusual, but not nuts! At least I'm happy."

Her eyes fall and she nods. "You're really happy with him?" I nod smiling. "He's great to me." "He's always working." Ecco agues.

"He makes time for me." Ecco scoffs muttering something under her breath. "Huh?" Ecco smiles shaking her head. "What do you say I get you home?" I nod standing and stumbling to the car.

"Heels are never a good idea when I've been drinking! I don't think I can- Whoa!" I trip falling.

Ecco grabs my waist catching me as I giggle drunkly. "You're so waisted!" She cackles leaning me against the car.

She opens the passage door letting me fall into the seat. "Hey Ecco." I whisper pulling her close. "Yes?"

I turn to her smiling, "think you could do me a favor?" She places a hand on my thigh gazing at me. "Anything (y/n)." She leans in awaiting. "Awesome. Can you take my shoes off? They're so far away." I slump back in my seat closing my eyes.

"Sure."

Seconds later my bare feet hit the floor mat and Ecco raised. I open my eyes checking on her, "Ecco, are you-" Her lips press flush against mine and she places her fingers in my hair.

She pulls away breathlessly. "Don't go back to him, (y/n). He doesn't give you enough." I stare at her confused. "You're drunk, Ecco." I giggle pushing her away softly.

She grabs my chin and she pecks my lips lightly. "Okay, (y/n). You're happy and I'll keep it at that." Before I close my eyes she mutters three words I never expected.

She buckles me into the seat, kisses my head, whispers "I love you." Then closes my door starting the long ride home.

I sit up groaning and fall back into the silk pillowcase. A sharp giggle causes me to open my eyes seeing Jerome sitting at the edge of the bed. "You got a little frisky last night didn't you?" I tilt my head looking at him. "What do you want?" He crawls up the bed kissing me cheeks.

"How is my dear brother? Any sign of insanity yet? Yours is kicking in nicely, but he's a tough cookie isn't he?" I roll my eyes covering my head with the pillow. "He'll never give into it." Jerome pulls the pillow off my face smiling. "You never used to be this naïve." He sighs rolling off the bed and hitting the floor. "Enjoy the sanity while you still can, doll. Dark days are coming for Gotham." Jerome places a hand on my stomach smiling. "But there is always a spark of light in the dark isn't there?" He giggles, vanishing as he leaves the pressure on my stomach.

I shake my head standing, but as soon as my feet hit the floor a rush of sickness washes over me. I run to the bathroom throwing my insides into the bowl.

Jeremiah rushes in kneeling next to me. "Oh, honey, too much fun last night?" I lean on the wall breathing hard. "It must've been." Jeremiah nods helping me up. "Jim called." "I missed his call?" "No, love, he called me." I smile leaning against the counter.

"For?" "He invited us over for dinner tonight. He said something about starting up the Weekly Gordon Dinner Fest and convinced me it was going to be amazing." "Wow. He's inviting you over. You know what that means? He likes you." Jeremiah shakes his head. "He likes that I keep his daughter safe." I giggle kissing his nose. "Nope. He likes you, Jeremiah. I can feel it."

"Do I need to dress fancy or is this purple tie too much?" Jeremiah asks, turning around to face me. "Purple? That's new for you." Jeremiah nods tugging at it and smirking. "It is. Makes me feel fresh. Do you like it, love?" I waltz over to him with his blazer. "You look great." Jeremiah slides his jacket on and wraps his arms around me. "And you... look darling in red."

He swings me around and I laugh leaning into him. As I hold my hand on his chest I notice the skin around his neckline is extremely pale. I pull at the collar looking at the ghostly skin beneath. "Something wrong, doll?" I looked up at him and for a moment his eyes were light as snow. I blink rapidly only to see them a healthy green again. "You're just... pale. More than usual." Jeremiah smiles, shrugging. "I live underground, (y/n). Sunlight isn't my best friend." I nod as he walks us away from our home.

"I just can't believe you made this all alone, dad." I laugh as I help set out the spread my father had made for tonight. "I'm not completely helpless." He says picking up a plater. "Here Jim, let me." Jeremiah takes it and sets the food on the table.

My dad nods smiling. "You did good this time, (y/n)." I nod smiling at my favorite men. "Oh, almost forgot!" Jeremiah pulls out a bottle of scotch and passes it to my father. "Can't come without a gift." My father pats Jeremiah's shoulder nodding. "Thank you Jeremiah. Care for a glass?" "Please." Jeremiah chuckles pulling out my chair.

As dinner runs on course everyone smiles and laughs. I gaze at my family with a smile. "Would you look at that?" Jerome strolls out of the kitchen drinking from the bottle of scotch. "That could've been us."

Jerome makes faces at the two of them as he downs his drink. "Just look at you. Such a happy family. Why don't you have a drink to celebrate?" Jerome starts to poor scotch in my glass but looks up at me with a smirk. "Oh wait... that wouldn't be healthy for the little babe, would it? Ah more for me!"

"(Y/n)?" I shake my head looking at my father. "I-I'm sorry. What?" "Are you okay, honey? You look like you're going to be sick." I place my hand on my stomach, but remove it quickly, placing it on the table. "I'm fine, Dad."

As I'm drying my hair, Jeremiah walks in the bathroom. "Are you going to tell me what happened at dinner?" I sigh looking at him.

"I think we need to go back two weeks and take a recap. We never talked about it." "About what?" "The spray, Jeremiah! We both got a spray special for us and woke up like nothing happened!" Jeremiah's eyes flash with fear as he looks at me. He trembles moving towards the bed. "I-I thought it was all a dream. I've been seeing him everywhere. I thought maybe it was just a way to cope." He holds his head in his hands.

I sit in front of him removing his hands. "What has he done to you, Jeremiah?" He holds my hands shaking. "I hear everything he says. He's always in the back of my mind just picking away. Putting thoughts in my head. Bad thoughts. It's getting harder to resist, (y/n)."

I took off his tie and unbuttoned his shirt revealing his pale chest. I run my fingers over it furrowing my brows. "It started at my legs. I hate to think what it will do when it gets to my face. I'll look horrid." I laugh shaking my head. "No. You'll look just as handsome."

Jeremiah laughs, grabbing my hands again. "And you?" I smile and sigh. "Just like all of your work was reversed. I can't even force him out of my mind now. He's just mocking me about everything. How happy we are. How Jim likes you."

Jeremiah holds me in his arms as I run my fingers over his ghostly skin. "No matter where this takes us we stay together." "Always, Jeremiah."

I gasp sitting up in bed. "You got about 1 minute." "Until what?" Jerome leans on his hands smirking at me. Suddenly a rush of sickness strikes me causing me to invade the bathroom once more.

Jerome laughs strolling in. "If it's a boy can you name him after his daddy? Jerome Valeska the second! Has a good ring don't you think?" "Y-you're not the father." Jerome smirks backing away. "You sure about that? I bet he'll even have my eyes!"

I wipe my mouth and crawl back in bed. He's not that father. I'm not pregnant at all.

"Or for a girl we could go for-" "SHUT UP!" I scream throwing a pillow at the figure.

#jerome #jerome x reader #jerome valeska #jerome valeska imagine #jerome valeska x reader #jeremiah valeska imagine #Gotham #gotham cast #such a joker #joker #Cameron Monaghan #cameron monaghan imagine

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miracle-sham · 4 years

Text

When Sitting on the Roof, We are but Coffee Sleuths.

| {Sequel to Death is the Stage, My Art is Your Grave.} |

| {Repost due to original post disappearing from tags.} |

| Triggers/Warnings: Mentions of drugs/drug ring (in regards to a case), Mild language. |

| After a long day of boring casework, there's nothing better than getting a new commission, and then drinking coffee and having a chat on top of a roof with a certain bat. |

| Word Count: 3051 |

==–==

| A/N: First of all, I'd like to quickly thank everyone for all the positive response and support the original oneshot got on both Tumblr and Ao3! It really motivated and inspired me to continue with this Au (expect at least another sequel, maybe more if I get more inspo but even if I don't there's definitely gonna be one sequel minimum to this). I'd also like to mention, that this took a lot longer to write as I got a cold halfway through writing it and also it's romance based fluff (which is not my forté), but thanks to those who've waited for this! And finally, for reasons that I'll explain in a separate post later, it might be a "little" while before I can start work on the sequel to this one but it will get written at some point. |

| If you want to be tagged in future oneshots/fics, or a specific Au, then send me a DM or an ask! |

| Also side note, Don't Like? Don't Read. Also also, please do not criticise any of my writing. This was written for fun and receiving criticism, even in a compliment/criticism sandwich, is the exact opposite of fun. |

==–==

It's been a month since Marinette got kidnapped, kissed Red Robin, and solved the Elemental Park Serial Killer case. For three weeks she's been held off active duty to make sure her bruised ribs heal but now that she's able to be on active duty again, all the available cases are those that are paperwork heavy. A small part of her misses the immediate healing of the Miraculous Cure but she's not Ladybug anymore and even if she was, it would raise too many flags for her to even use it anyway. But logic doesn't stop her from missing the days when she could literally and metaphorically magic away her aches and pains.

Marinette groans and slumps into her chair, it's been a surprisingly slow day at the GCPD, so when her phone beeps rapidly for a few seconds, she thinks, please be something interesting, and can't help but take a quick glance to see what new notifications she has. The screen reads: '3 new messages from Red'. So she taps the notification and reads through each message.

>RedRob: Hey, found some new evidence on our case, want to meet up for coffee to discuss it?

>RedRob: Rooftop coffee after dark, of course.

>RedRob: I mean I could waltz into a coffee shop during the day in my suit but that might get too much attention for case talk.

Marinette snickers to herself as she reads the messages over a second time. She quickly taps out her response.

>MariBlue: Will we need to worry about one of the other Gotham vigilantes crashing our coffee not-date?

Almost instantly she receives a response.

>RedRob: I'll bribe Oracle or Batgirl, maybe even Black Bat, into keeping the others away.

She sends a heart emoji back, then returns to sorting out her boring paperwork.

Detective Grayson raises an eyebrow at her from over the desk, clearly having caught her looking at her phone. “Red Robin again?”

She flashes him a sheepish grin. “How'd you guess.”

He gives her a deadpan stare. “He's the only person you respond to when working.”

Marinette bites her lip. “Whoops, that obvious?”

“Yes.” Detective Grayson hesitates for a second, he leans in closer—and like a teenage girl at a sleepover in a cheesy teen drama, asks, “So are you dating yet?”

She shrugs. “Well neither of us have asked the other so not really.”

“But you guys are perfect for each other!” He exclaims, gesturing towards her with an outstretched arm��very narrowly avoiding knocking anything off the desk.

It's Marinette's turn to raise an eyebrow. “We literally have only seen or talked to each other when working…”

“So? What do you call you quote unquote "not-dates"” He huffs, making air quotes as he speaks.

She huffs and shakes her head. “There's a reason they're called "not-dates" and that's because we discuss work at them. And anyway it's too early to rush our relationship.”

“Fair.” Detective Grayson stills, frowns and then almost hesitantly, he asks, “Is it because if the mask? The whole not knowing his real identity?”

Marinette rolls her eyes and shakes her head again. “Nope, I couldn't care less about finding out his real identity—at least not without his consent that is.”

He hums, a pensive look on his face. “So you're not curious?”

She shrugs. “Not particularly, why?”

Detective Grayson shrugs back. “Just wondering,” he leans back on his chair and for a split second, Marinette fears he might topple over but somehow he seems unaffected by gravity, “I think you're the first person I've met, who doesn't want to know who's behind a vigilante's mask.”

A smile tugs at Marinette's lips. “I think it's kinda dumb that so many people are obsessed with the people behind the masks because if they're doing good, unmasking them will only deter them from continuing fighting the good fight and all that, y'know.”

He nods slowly, “huh, that's one way of putting it I guess but I agree, the vigilantes do more for this city than people think they do.” Detective Grayson then tilts his head towards the Commissioner's office. “Anyway back to work, don't want to get in more trouble with the Commish than we are already!”

Marinette huffs in amusement and rolls her eyes but complies nonetheless. Wouldn't do to get in trouble so soon after getting back onto active duty!

==–==

It isn't until gone seven pm, that Marinette finally gets home. She slips through the door, locking it behind her. Now that she's in, the first thing she does, as she does every day, is check her online portfolio and commission site.

Marinette plops herself down in her wheely chair and logs onto to her computer, going through all the verification and security Max had kindly added. A new commission notification grabs her attention. With three clicks, she brings up the new commission's details. She scrolls down to the name of the commissioner: one Mr 'T. Drake-Wayne'.

Curious as to why the name sounds vaguely familiar, Marinette opens up a tab on Google with a hum and types in the name. Upon reading the top results, she half chokes in shock and thinks to herself, Are you kidding me? She blinks and breathes in, a small part of her very glad she wasn't drinking anything otherwise she definitely would've fully choked on that or spat it all up from the shock. I know a bunch of well-known celebrities have all commissioned me many times before, but still why the heck is a fortune 500 CEO commissioning me? I'm not Audrey Bourgeois, Gabriel Agreste, or even Valen-hecking-tino. I do celebrities, not fortune 500. The heck. What. The. Actual. Heck.

Eyes wide and gobsmacked, Marinette shakes her head and clicks back to her latest commission's details page to read through the actual commission. After reading the first line, she scrambles for her sketchbook and begins jotting down notes and scribbling down ideas.

Half an hour in, Marinette takes a break to sort out and eat dinner, no point designing on an empty stomach but once she's done eating and washed up, she goes straight back to designing.

Even at a quarter past midnight, she's still at it—surprisingly only three drafts in and so thoroughly lost in her own head in designing, Marinette nearly misses the knocking against her window facing the fire escape.

The rapid rap-tap-tap spooks her so much that she falls out of her chair with an “Eep!”

Marinette, face flushing bright red, scrambles up and scurries over to the window in question. Shoving her blinds out the way, she stares through the window and is greeted with the absolutely glorious sight of a beaming and uninjured Red Robin holding two takeaway coffee cups on the fire escape. He waves at her with one hand and gestures for her to join him on the fire escape.

She can't help but grin back at him and deftly opens the window and slinks out onto the fire escape. He hands a coffee cup towards her and instead of taking it, Marinette gives him a good ol' bearhug—smooshing pressing her face into his Kevlar armoured chest. Which is unsurprisingly, very uncomfortable. She shifts her head to stare up at him (as he's at least whole head taller than her) “Hey,” she greets.

Awkwardly hugging her back, as to not spill either of the coffees in the process, “hey yourself,” Red Robin responds, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead.

Marinette pulls back from the hug and nabs the coffee cup that had been offered to her before their hug. “Thank you~!”

“No problem.” He then gestures towards the fire escape stairs leading to the roof, “after you.”

“So which of our cases did you manage to get a lead for?” She asks, making her way up to the roof.

“The one pertaining to the new drug ring in the fashion district. I've narrowed down where they're storing the drugs to potentially three warehouses near Miller Harbour.” Red Robin answers, following after her.

Reaching the roof, Marinette sits down on the half wall around the roof edge. She glances over at Red Robin as he joins her on the improvised seat. “That's the drug ring dealing Miraclo right?”

“Yeah, that's the one.” He pauses to take a sip of his coffee, “I got the intel from an old friend of Catwoman's called Mackey lives in an apartment that overlooks the Harbour and saw a shipment of the drug arrive at the warehouses.”

Taking a sip of her own coffee, Marinette raises an eyebrow. “And will Detective Grayson and I will be able to get that intel as witness statement?”

Red Robin nods. “Yep, Catwoman's vouching for you both.”

She jerks back in surprise, nearly toppling off the half wall but managing to cling to the edge in time to keep her from falling. Miraculously somehow managing to avoid dropping or spilling her coffee. Oof, if it wasn't for my stint in Spandex I definitely would've made a fool of myself in front of Red Robin. And here I thought that part of my life had since passed. Marinette thinks to herself, wincing at the newly gained superficial graze across her palms. She clears her throat and attempts to look like she didn't just nearly fall off a half wall. “Catwoman's vouching for us? Since when? I've literally never encountered her before.”

Red Robin, the traitor, snorts at her predicament. “You are the epitome of elegance. And Detective Grayson's bumped into her a few times on the job.”

“Thanks.” She responds drily, layering on the sarcasm thickly. She shakes her head and sighs. “So do you know what the addresses are for the warehouses and this Mackey's apartment?”

He takes an excruciatingly slow sip of his coffee before speaking. “Of course I can, what kind of vigilante do you take me for?” He then proceeds to rattle off the addresses.

Which Marinette jots down on the napkin that came with her coffee, and puts it into a pocket for safekeeping. “Thank you.” With it written down, she pauses then starts kicking her legs in the air. She sniffs. “And I take you for the kind that flirts with innocent police officers.”

Red Robin grins at her as he gently elbows her in the ribs. “I don't hear you complaining.”

Marinette scoffs and slaps her hand to her chest in an overly dramatic mock of shock. “Unfair! If I complained I wouldn't get any hugs or kisses from you!”

Humming he wraps an arm around her shoulders and presses a kiss to her temple. “That's true, what a shame it would be for you to miss out on all those hugs.”

She hums back and the two ease into a comfortable silence; leaning against each other and sipping their coffees whilst staring at the night sky.

Once Marinette gets halfway through her coffee, she glances at Red Robin and hesitates, her earlier conversation with Detective Grayson springing to mind. “Communication is key in healthy relationships,” she prefaces, “so are you okay with our current relationship? Y'know the flirting, the not-dates, the whole me not knowing your identity?”

Red Robin laughs, sounding slightly bitter. “Of course I'm fine with the flirting and not-dates but I'm not going to lie and say I don't have any worries over you not knowing my identity. It's one of the reasons a relationship I had with a fellow mask didn't work out.” Rubbing at his jaw, he tilts his face away from her slightly, as though reminiscing about something. He then shakes his head and turns back to her. “Really, I ought to be asking you that. So what about you, are you okay with how our relationship is?”

Marinette hums. “This isn't the first time relationship I've had with a masked hero.” Then takes a calm sip of her coffee.

“So you've got a thing for masks then huh? Lucky me I guess.” He responds, smirking mischievously, and whilst she can't see the rest of his face thanks to the cowl, Marinette just knows that he's wiggling his eyebrows at her from underneath that cowl.

His comment nearly sends her tumbling off the half wall—again. She coughs and splutters in laughter as she nearly spits up her sip of coffee. It takes her a full thirty seconds to recover and mock gripes, “remind me why I love you again.”

Red Robin cocks his head to the side and grins. “Because I bring you coffee?”

She huffs, “good point.”

“So back to the mask thing, can I ask what happened with your masked hero relationship?” He asks, tone hesitant. He stares at her, ready to back off the topic at the slightest sign of discomfort from her.

Marinette hisses through her teeth and states, “I can trust you.”

His stare conveys an 'I would hope so' whilst he bobs his head a little in a 'yes you can' and a 'please continue' gesture.

She takes a deep breath before speaking, “I used to be a hero, back when I lived in Paris.”

“Oh?” Red Robin freezes, thrown off guard by her admission.

Nodding, Marinette continues. “It was difficult. We started when we were barely teens and had no training and no support except for temporary heroes we could bring in when the battles got too hard for just me and my partner to handle. When we started, we were repeatedly told to never, under any circumstances, let anyone find out our identities. My partner and I, neither of us knew who the other was beneath the mask. And we only knew the identities of the temporary heroes because we gave them the ability to become superheroes. But even then we didn't always know their real identities and they certainly never knew ours.”

“Yikes.” Is all he can respond with, mind racing with questions. “That can't have been good, at least I had Batman and Nightwing when I was starting out, but you had no one to talk to about being a mask, outside the mask.”

She flashes him a watery smile and sighs. “No, I did have someone. Tikki. But we're uh, not in contact any more. Since I retired.”

Still, Red Robin makes a noise of concern at that.

“Anyway, one thing led to another led to another, and my partner found out my identity.” Marinette puts her coffee down then tips her head back and closes her eyes. “We started dating not long after that. But once we defeated the BBEG terrorising Paris and some… concerning things came to light, our—we,” She shakes her head, “we realised that because of that, neither of us were emotionally able to continue our relationship in a romantic way. So we decided to stay friends and I—uh, I retired and moved to Gotham.”

He puts his coffee down as well, and pulls her into a tight hug, although making sure it wasn't too constricting as to not make her uncomfortable. “I'm sorry.”

She leans into the hug, rests her head on his shoulder, and delicately wraps her arms around him in return. “What? Why? It's not your fault.”

Red Robin frowns, not that she can see in their current position, “I know but no one should be forced into becoming a hero at such a young age with no support network.”

Huffing, Marinette buries her face in his shoulder, somewhat muffling her voice but not enough to make her unintelligible, “what about Spoiler? She became a hero around that age and had no support network.”

He sighs. “Spoiler chose to become a vigilante, she wasn't forced. And anyway, she had Robin and the rest of the bats to support her once they realised what she was doing.”

“Hmm… fair.” Marinette pulls back from the hug and pauses. “On a lighter note, I got a commission on my fashion site from Tim Drake-Wayne!”

Red Robin raises an eyebrow and with poorly concealed amusement, responds, “Oh? And what's so special about him”

She rolls her eyes at him. “He's the youngest fortune five hundred CEO, founded the Neon Knights among other charities, and often donates to various charities around Gotham! Plus Wayne Enterprises is one of, if not the most ethical company in the fortune five hundred bracket. Employees get living stipends, and training and higher education paid by the company. They get healthcare and dental insurance. They get flexible work hours, paid breaks, and receive above minimum wage pay!”

He laughs. “I guess he is a pretty decent sounding guy then.”

“Mhmm.”

“So what's the commission then? Or is it a secret?” He teases, leaning towards her.

Marinette dramatically places her hand over her heart. “I guess I can spare you the details this one time.”

“Wooh!”

She bites her lip before launching into a long ramble about the commission, gushing over what design and colour palette she's thinking of going with, what bots and bobs and patterns to add, what stitch to use and how to make sure it fits his style, etc.

Red Robin spends the entire time listening attentively, despite not really understanding half the fashion terms, and staring at her like a love-struck puppy.

“Damn, I love you!” He exclaims once she finishes speaking, then leans in to kiss her on the lips.

Marinette bursts into giggles and kisses him back. Her giggles are seemingly infectious, as once they part from the kiss, both are giggling and flushed red.

A bright flash of white followed by a camera shutter sound immediately distracts them both. They just manage to catch sight of Nightwing swinging away.

She gives him a look, which is somewhat less effective as she's still smiling from the kiss. “What happened to bribing Oracle, Black Bat, or Batgirl?”

Red Robin groans and drops his face into his hands. “Clearly Nightwing was able to one-up my bribe. Probably in the form of giving them copies of the photos both he and Detective Grayson have taken.”

“You mean to tell me those two are working together? No wonder Detective Grayson was asking about our relationship earlier today at work!” Marinette gasps, sounding mildly horrified and betrayed.

“Are you thinking what I'm thinking?” Red Robin asks, lifting his head up and grinning deviously at her.

She smirks back, “Revenge?”

He nods—the sagely kind of nod. “Revenge.”

==–==

| Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed this little oneshot! Comments, likes, and reblogs are much appreciated! |

@casual-darkness

#Miraculous Ladybug #ML x DC #DC x MLB #Maribat #Timinette #MariTim #Timari #Marinette x Tim #Tim x Marinette #Death is the Stage My Art is Your Grave #DitSMAiYG #DitSMAiYG Sequel #When Sitting on the Roof We are but Coffee Sleuths #WSotRWabCS #Sham's Posts #Sham's Writing #Sham's Fics

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staywhelmedbatfam · 4 years

Text

The Life of a Parent in Gotham

~Damian Wayne/Reader~

Summary: A glimpse into what your life is like married to one of Gotham’s vigilantes combined with being the parents of two young children.

Not gonna lie... once Justice League Dark: Apokolips War is finally released, I’ll probably change the picture. If I remember by then. Damian just looks way more mature from what I’ve seen of the trailer and I. CAN’T. WAIT. Also, that design for Damian is closer to what I envisioned when writing this than the Batman Unlimited Damian...

5/24/20 UPDATE: I’ve changed the picture to what you’re seeing now and watched Justice League Dark: Apokolips War... Let me tell you, I almost cried a couple times. If you haven’t seen it yet, you should go watch it.

***

You’d tucked the kids into their beds not too long ago and started cleaning up the mess in the kitchen that was left from dinner. Damian, your husband, ate before leaving to go investigate a case with his father, but it took at least a half-hour to get your children to actually sit down and eat.

You and Damian had two children so far. Colton had just turned six and Ashlynn was four. They were a handful at times, but what children aren’t?

Now, it was just about time for Damian’s first check-in via phone. When your cellphone rang, you jumped, even though you were already expecting it. You quickly hit the answer button, wedging the phone between your ear and your shoulder, and his voice came through.

“Hi, beloved. Did the children give you any trouble tonight?”

Placing the last newly washed dish in the drying rack on the counter, you grabbed a sponge and began wiping down the countertop. “Not really. They just wouldn’t sit still long enough to eat.” Noise could be heard down the hall and you sighed. “I spoke too soon.”

“Ash? Cole? You two better be in bed when I walk in.” Silence. No giggling or protesting about how they’re not tired yet. Your maternal instincts kicked in, so you walked closer to their rooms as your voice became more frantic. “Ashlynn? Colton?”

Hearing your worry, his voice turned serious and his body stiffened. “(Y/N), what’s going on? Come on, talk to me, sweetheart.” You didn’t give any answer. It wasn’t that you ignored him, you’d just temporarily forgotten you were on the phone with him in your distraught state.

Once you had shoved the door to each of their rooms open – both coming up empty – you allowed yourself to freak out. “Damian! The kids are gone!”

“What do you mean they’re gone?” he shouted louder than he probably should have. Batman had given him a glare, then walked over when he saw the worry etched on his son’s face.

“I mean that their rooms are empty, and I just put them to bed twenty minutes ago.” You were so worked up that Batman could hear you through Robin’s commlink, prompting him to connect himself to the call.

“Are you sure they’re missing? Could they be hiding somewhere?” Bruce asked. He was trying to keep his voice level, as to not upset you further.

Flicking on every light in every room of the house, you still came up with nothing. “They’re nowhere in the house. Wait…” Returning to your son’s room, you noticed something out of the ordinary. “Colton’s window is open!”

Another look around his room caused your heart to drop. “Dami… there’s a doll in his bed and it’s not one of Ashlynn’s.”

Robin glanced at Batman with a clenched jaw. “I think I know where they are. Take deep breaths. We’ll be bringing them back home before you know it. Try to calm down in the meantime. I love you, (Y/N). I’ll get them back.”

Tears started to stream down your face. “I love you too,” you choked out before the call was ended.

Plopping onto the couch, you tilted your head back and closed your eyes. All you wanted was to settle down with the man you love and start a family, preferably somewhere that wasn’t Gotham City where you could live a normal life and not worry too much about your children’s safety. Was that really too much to ask?

If you had the option of living the normal life you’d always envisioned, though, you wouldn’t trade it for the world. It’s just something that you had to sacrifice. You love Damian too much to leave him high and dry. Being with Damian means that you have to compromise. Staying in Gotham so he could continue helping Bruce with both Wayne Enterprises and patrolling the streets was just one of those compromises.

When it came to where the two of you would be living after you got married, you were adamant that you wouldn’t be staying at Wayne Manor. No offense to Bruce or Alfred, but the two of you needed your own place to call home. That was something that Damian had come to terms with and he was okay with that. He knew how much you were doing for him, so he figured that this would be one thing he could do for you.

Sometimes when he’s off by himself, he gets to thinking and feels guilty about everything he puts you and the children through by being Robin, a Wayne, and an Al Ghul. You tend to notice when he gets this way after he comes home and you have to remind him that you chose him, despite knowing all of this. Besides, it’s not like he can change who his parents are.

Gosh, you can only imagine the guilt he must be feeling right now.

***

Batman and Robin were already on the case of some missing children – a case that gave off a sense of déjà vu – when you had come to the discovery over the phone that Ashlynn and Colton were missing. Now that this was personal, they picked up the pace.

“Robin, stop!” Batman commanded before the young vigilante went any further towards the supposedly abandoned building. “We need to approach this cautiously. I understand what’s at stake, but we won’t be of any help if we don’t think this through.”

He wanted to hit something, anything, so bad. He wanted to scream at the top of his lungs at the fact that those lunatics had been in his home – the place where his wife and kids should be safe. Damian felt as if he failed them and it helped fuel his determination. His father was right though. If they weren’t careful, he could be endangering his children even further.

Glancing at his father, he spoke, “I assume you have a plan already?”

***

Walking through the abandoned warehouse reminded Damian of a similar case from back when he had started out as Robin – the Dollmaker. Anton Schott, though, was dead. He had been killed by Talon the night they’d found those kids. There have been slight variations which he has picked up on too… These people have to be copycats. Why anyone would want to copy a dead man and this long after the incident, he had no idea. The longer he thinks about it, the more he sees red. The copycats took his kids. It’s a good thing his father was there to remind him to keep a level head.

They began scouring the building for any sign of the missing kids. The further they walked into the warehouse, the more Damian thought he heard hushed crying. Glancing at Batman, he got a look that told him his father heard it too. Picking up the pace, they didn’t get too far when they were stopped.

“That’s close enough,” a voice boomed. A man stepped into the light of one of the few working – but dim – overhead lamps. He wore a half mask and what they could see of his face was scarred. Two more men appeared behind him.

“What do you want with these children?” Batman demanded.

The wrinkles that formed at the corners of his eyes revealed that he was smirking under the mask. “We want to teach their parents a lesson. See how much those wealthy socialites actually care about their children, because they didn’t care about the poor ones in the city. And I’m not about to let you stop us.” All three men rushed Batman and Robin.

“Batman and Robin!” a little boy’s voice shouted out, filled with hope. Damian’s head whipped into the direction it came from, momentarily forgetting the fight in front of him. It proved to be a mistake when he got socked in the jaw.

The guy he was fighting let out a chuckle. “Bruce Wayne’s grandkids. Think they’ll give a pretty penny for those two? I’m sure they would.”

“You won’t be getting anything!” Robin shouted. A swift kick to the stomach disoriented the man and throwing him into some large shipping crates rendered him unconscious. The rage Damian felt was filtered through in his fighting as he helped Batman with the other two.

When they were done, they made their way over to the cages where the children were being held. Damian went straight to his kids and crouched down in front of the cage. When he heard Colton shout out, he sounded hopeful, but he had tear-stained cheeks. Ashlynn, on the other hand, still had tears streaming down her face. His heart broke at the sight.

It took one hit for him to bust open the lock. Lifting his hand, he tore the mask off his face. He probably shouldn’t have at the moment, but he wanted his kids to know that he was there. Colton and Ashlynn ran straight into his arms, their combined force making him fall to the floor from his crouching position. Fresh tears flowed down both of their faces.

“Shh. Daddy’s here. Those bad men can’t hurt you anymore.”

***

Just before GCPD arrived on the scene, Damian put his mask back on and spoke to his kids. “I know you want to leave with me, but one of the police officers is going to take you to the police station. I’d just take you home, but they can’t know who I am, okay? Mommy and I will be waiting at the station to get you, I promise. I love you both.” Hugging them and kissing the top of their heads, he resumed his role as Robin in the nick of time. He watched as Commissioner Gordon helped them into the back of his car before leaving.

On his way back to the manor, he called you. It barely rang once when you picked up. “Please tell me you found them and they’re okay!” Your voice was full of desperation and he noticed that you were sniffling. You’d been crying.

“Yes, beloved, and they’re a little shaken but otherwise okay.” You let out a big sigh of relief. “Commissioner Gordon has them and will be taking them to the station. I’m almost to the manor. I’ll change really quick, stop at the house to get you, and then we’ll go get them.”

“Alright, I’ll see you when you get here.”

Damian pulled into the Batcave a few minutes after ending his call with you and hopped off his motorcycle. It didn’t take long for him to change and head back out to get you.

Watching out the front window for your husband’s car, you bolted out the door as soon as he pulled up. Quickly, you opened the passenger door and strapped yourself in. “Let’s go get our kids.”

The entire car ride, Damian kept a hold on your hand and rubbed his thumb against the back of it every so often. At one point, you spoke, “I don’t want to go back to the house tonight, not after everything that just happened. I’d rather we go to the manor.”

“Wayne Manor it is, then,” he responded, turning his head to give you a reassuring smile since you two were stopped at a red light.

Upon arriving, you almost didn’t let him finish parking before jumping out of the car. All you could think about was having your children in your arms. Entering the station, it was jam-packed with parents waiting for officers to arrive with their children. Thankfully, Damian’s height allowed him to see when Commissioner Gordon walked in with Ashlynn and Colton each holding on to one of his hands. He pulled you through the throng of parents until you were standing in front of them.

“Mommy! Daddy!” they yelled when they saw you two.

“Oh, my babies!” you exclaimed, squeezing them tight in a hug. “Thank goodness you’re alright!” Once you released them, Damian picked up Colton while you took Ashlynn.

“Thank you for bringing them back to us, Commissioner,” Damian said.

“Of course,” he replied, tilting his head down as a way of saying you’re welcome, then walked away to presumably help reunite more parents and children.

Now that it’s just the four of you, Colton asked a question. “Can we go home now?”

“Well, not exactly,” you began. “I thought we could stay at Papa Bruce’s tonight instead. Is that okay with you two?”

Your children shared a look before turning their heads back to you with wide smiles while nodding their heads. “Uh-huh!”

***

Calling Alfred on the way to the manor, he gleefully commented that he would make cookies for the kids. Under normal circumstances, you would refuse the gesture since it’s way past their bedtime, but you allowed it after everything they’ve been through tonight. So, when you got there, Alfred was on standby at the front entrance with the door open and a plate of warm chocolate chip cookies in hand.

As soon as Ash and Cole got out of the car, they bolted towards Alfred, leaving you and Damian to walk up a bit behind them. You and Damian each had an arm wrapped around the other and shut the door once you were inside, entering just in time to watch the kids follow Alfred in the direction of the kitchen for some milk to go with their cookies.

“Ah, no wonder I could smell cookies.”

The two of you turned toward the staircase to see Bruce walking down. “Bruce,” you said, breaking away from your husband and moving to hug your father-in-law. “Thank you.”

He patted your back, then you backed out of the hug. “There’s no need to thank me. I just wanted to get them and the other children home where they belong safe and sound.”

Suddenly, there were footsteps pounding on the floor and Dick, Jason, and Tim emerged. Dick was the first one to say something. “We came as soon as we heard what happened. Where are they?”

“They’re in the kitchen with Alfred,” Damian informed them. They disappeared into the direction of the kitchen and you could hear your children squealing with delight at the sight of their uncles. It made a smile spread across your lips.

***

After calm settled over everyone in the manor and the kids were finally showing signs of exhaustion, you and Damian tucked them into bed then called it a night for yourselves. You laid in bed on your side, staring at the wall in front of you, with Damian holding you against his chest.

The thoughts swirling around in your head kept eating at you until you finally decided to share with your husband. “Maybe we should just move into the manor,” you blurted out.

Damian furrowed his eyebrows. “What happened to ‘having our own place to call home’?”

“I just–” you stopped yourself, turning around to face him. “I feel… violated. They were in our house. How am I supposed to feel a sense of safety in that place anymore?”

“Beloved…” He placed a hand on your cheek. “You know that I won’t let anything happen to you or our children.”

You gave him a meek smile. “I know, but what about when you’re not there? I don’t have training like you and the rest of your family. I worry that if something happens, I won’t be able to protect them.” By now, tears were forming at the corners of your eyes.

Your comments made him sit up and pull you into him, then wipe away your tears. “If that’s what you’re worried about, I’ll teach you some self-defense strategies. And, if it gives you peace of mind, we can talk to my father about staying at the manor or we can look into moving somewhere else – a different neighborhood, a different city even.”

“But what about–” you started.

“It doesn’t matter. My family comes first compared to the mission and I’ll do whatever it takes to protect it. (Y/N), if this is something you think we should do, then we’ll do it.”

Smiling, you kissed him. “You, Damian Wayne, are a good man, a great husband, and an even better father. I love you.” He leaned in to kiss you again. This time, it was slow and loving like he was expressing his adoration.

“There’s probably never going to be a good time to tell you, but I think this is as good as it’ll ever be.” He looked at you, a questioning look in his eyes. “I’m pregnant.”

For a few seconds, he didn’t know what to say but then a grin appeared on his face. “Now we definitely have to move,” he commented, knowing that your current home didn’t have the space you needed for a new addition to the family.

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becausewerebatfam · 5 years

Text

Our Future (2)

Jason Todd x Reader

Jason gets tired of sitting around babysitting.

Warning: Language and suggestive content.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

Jason stopped short of reaching the cave. He looked back to see you standing with your hands on your hips, obviously disapproving of his trying to escape. “It’s been three days, they obviously need my help.”

He couldn’t stand being in the mansion any longer. Although he did appreciate getting to see you dressed down in your silk pajama top and matching shorts. The best part was the way your hair was free from the high ponytail you always wore it in for missions.

“Jason, don’t do this again.”

He always liked to play the rogue and do his own thing. But that always came with various results. Either he did good and helped the mission be a success, or he got in the way of progress.

“Sorry Doll but I think I can better help the kid out there.” He began his descent down to the Batcave while you followed.

Jason had grown fond of James the two had bonded over motorcycles as he watched him work on his and even played some of Damian’s games.

“They’re going after Dent when they should be going after the clown.” Through his conversations with the kid, he found out how his mother was killed in front of him by the Joker. It reignited Jason’s anger for the clown.

You rushed to step in front of him and stop him by putting your hands on his chest. “What did he tell you?”

You had yet to hear anything about the case. James was always acting like a normal child wanting to do nothing but spend time with you watching television, reading, cooking... although Alfred had you beat on that one.

“Oh, so the little guy likes you enough to take your side but not to confide in you?” He would have gloated if it weren’t for his eyes landing on the empty space before him. The spot his motorcycle had been parked in was empty. “What the-”

He quickly ran over to the computer so he could check the surveillance cameras. That’s when he saw James put on his helmet and hop onto his bike. He even turned to wave at the camera before speeding off. The timestamp was crucial in letting him know it had only been minutes ago.

“The kid stole my bike and my helmet!”

You gasped seeing the footage. “We have to go after him.”

“I plan to,” Jason was fuming. Now he knew how you felt whenever he would go rogue on you.

He got into one of the Batmobile’s not paying attention to you until you got into the passenger seat.

Still, in your silk pajamas, you grabbed your spare suit from the cave. With no time to spare you decided changing in the car was your best bet of not being left behind.

Jason nearly bled from his nose when you went to lift your shirt up.

“Eyes forward Todd.”

He did as he was told, thankful that without his helmet he could still indulge in his peripheral vision. And what a vision you were. Only after you had finished did he snicker, “You know I can still see you from my peripheral.”

You rolled your eyes at his brazen point. “Have some shame, Jason.”

“What is there to be ashamed of?” He looked over eyeing you up and down with admiration for a quick second. “You look hot Babe.”

A subtle blush spread across your cheeks and tugged at the corners of your lips. The comment had your face burning up at the thought that Jason had been able to catch a glimpse of you.

"How long has it been Jason?”

Now it was his turn to blush knowing you were asking him how long it had been since the last time you two were together in a physically intimate type of way.

“Long enough.” It had been long enough for him to seriously consider leaving the Batmobile on autopilot so he could reacquaint himself with your curves. “Just say the word and I’m yours, Babe.”

Now it was your turn to laugh. “How teenage rich boy of you to fantasize about having sex in your daddy’s car.”

“Gross!” he stuck his tongue out only to smirk the next second. “Can you imagine me calling Bruce Daddy?”

“Never.”

“You on the other hand...” Jason trailed off imagining what a wonderful sight that would be. To have you begging for him, referring to him as Daddy. Blood was starting to rush south.

You scoffed, “In your dreams Todd.” Remembering how he previously tackled that rebuttal you chose to say something else before he could further interrupt your levelheaded thinking with thoughts of him. “You’re not even daddy material.”

The flirtatious argument was cut short when you caught up to James.

James did not notice that he had been found. His sight was focused on the park before him. It was much newer than he recalled, meaning this must have been a newly built park and by the time he got to play there years of play had weathered the metal jungle-gym.

This was the park he frequented with his parents as a younger child. His hold on Jason’s helmet tightened recalling the last time he had been there was shortly before your death and his father’s comatose condition.

He hadn’t appreciated being treated like a child. Now that’s all he wanted, to be spoiled and watched over by two loving parents.

“Hey kid you don’t just steal someones-” Jason groans as you elbow his side pointing out the way James seemed to blankly stare ahead. Clearly, something was wrong with the kid.

“James,” you called out.

James turned towards your voice wiping at his eyes to rid himself of their sudden moisture.

Even Jason couldn’t ignore the tears of a child. “What’s wrong kid?”

He shook his head not wanting to talk about it. The lump in his throat wouldn’t allow it anyway.

Your hand went to his shoulder unsure of how to deal with a young boy’s tears when he seemed to have been tough as nails up until this moment. “Ah-” you opened your mouth but no words seemed to be right for the moment. You knelt down beside him simply felt the urge to hug him.

When James felt your arms around him the dam that had been holding everything in broke. He hid his face in your shoulder to muffle the sobs that followed.

“I get it, you miss your parents.” Who better than an orphan to know what an orphan is feeling. Jason sat down beside you two looking up at the moon.

James inhaled and exhaled deeply taking control once more of his emotional state. “I just- can’t help it sometimes...” The fact that the people consoling him now were his actual mother and father didn’t help. He wanted to say something but knew he couldn’t for time continuity’s sake.

He let go sitting beside Jason and urging you to sit down with them.

Sitting down between you two was a simple act he missed. It made him wonder if he could just give up on his mission and stay here with you two. The future was never promised. Even if he did stop Duella... what if he was doomed to lose you either way.

“I don’t know exactly what you’re going through James but if a tough kid like you can’t help but shed some tears then it must be hard.” You ruffled his hair with a hint of a smile. “I’m sure your parents must love you a lot.”

“I hope so,” he muttered.

“Damn right they do,” Jason assured. “They might not say it often but your parents will always love you.”

You smirked, “Awww Jay so you do love your Daddy.”

“Shut up,” he scowled.

Both you and James laughed at his reaction. James gave Jason his helmet back with an apology.

“Sorry I took off but I couldn’t stay still much longer.”

“Tell me about it,” Jason sighed.

“I know,” you stood up dusting off your hands. “Why don’t we go have some fun.”

+++

“This isn’t good,” Bruce scowled as he viewed the monitor with absolute focus. His fingers speedily pressing buttons too fast for anyone to know what he was doing exactly.

“What is it?” Tim asked.

“Seems someone called the GCPD about a bright yellow light similar to the one I saw when James appeared.”

“You think Duella or Joker finally got here?”

“Only one way to find out.” Bruce moved out of the way allowing Tim to take over the batcomputer. “Damian and I will check it out while you call Commissioner Gordon. Make sure the GCPD doesn’t respond.”

With Nightwing on patrol tonight Batman knew he could call him up in case the problem escalated.

“On it.”

At the mention of his name Damian jumps into action and into the batmobile. This was what he had been waiting for all week. The investigation had generally been nothing but surveillance as they kept an eye out for Duella. Frankly, Damian had begun to think perhaps James had miscalculated where or when in time Duella had gone back to.

In a way he was right.

When they got to the time portal’s location they managed to see Duella make a run for it until a dark figure ran after her. Duella Dent kicked and screamed as she desperately tried to flee but the dark figure was taller and sturdier than her. She was being dragged out and slammed against the nearest wall. It was hard to make out who he was with contrasting lights.

“Where the f*ck you think you're going?” The mysterious figure could now be identified as a male by the sound of his deep voice. He held her by the neck slamming her head into the wall once more.

Duella groaned before choking back a sob when she felt pleasure being applied around her larynx.

“I didn’t chase you through all that just to lose you here.”

She clawed at his arm trying to get him to release her. He had already taken her weapons away, he had managed to ruin her plans much sooner than anticipated.

“But thanks for putting up a f*cking fight.”

Duella’s lips curled up as she attempted to laugh yet only a smug smile appeared. It was far to difficult to breathe let alone smile.

“It gives me a great f*cking excuse to beat the sh*t out of you.” The dark menacing tone of his promised retribution echoed the dark streets of Gotham.

“That’s enough!” Bruce sternly warned.

When the dark figure made no move to seize his hold Robin threw a Batarang at his arm but it was easily deflected making him throw another.

This time the unknown male only moved slightly to allow the Batarang clean passage between his and Duella’s face making her turn her head in fright. Her captor’s hold on her had eased up allowing her to take in some much-needed oxygen.

“Go ahead- throw another and she’ll gladly catch it.” With her face, he thought.

Damian scowled with a loud click of his tongue. He took a step forward ready to engage the stranger until Bruce beat him to it.

“Put her down James.” His voice was stern, commanding his grandson to obey. By now he didn’t need confirmation of who the dark figure was. Clearly, he had a personal grudge against Duella Dent. The combination of near-lethal force and profanity did help though.

James sighed as he let go- more like threw her to the side.

Instantly she passed out as her adrenaline was no longer able to keep her going. The beating she had taken along with the denial of oxygen, significantly weakened her.

Bruce paid him no mind as he proceeded to apprehend Duella making sure she was still alive.

In the meantime, Damian approached James, an irritated look about him. This one had the same helmet as the one back home but he was taller- older no doubt. “I wonder at what age you stopped being such a nuisance.”

“Huh?” James leaned forward to examine the Robin before him. In his mind, he was trying to identify which one it was. His mind had been elsewhere but soon he recalled it was Damian. “Aren’t you a little young to be talking to me like that you brat?”

Damian didn’t take it well.

+++

Elsewhere, despite Bruce’s warning to stay in the mansion where it was safe, you, Jason, and (child) James were off to have some fun. This time you were dressed as civilians. Not giving a care in the world that you would surely face Batman’s wrath should he find out, just like the rebels that you were,

Arcades were always fun for you as a kid which is why you suggested it to James, an actual kid. Jason, a child-like adult, had been to the arcade with you, that’s when he learned exactly how competitive you could get. Not only that but you were also both a sore loser and a sore winner.

So why the f*ck were you not yelling at James?!

Jason incredulously watched you high five and hug James when he managed to surpass your high score. You were absolutely beaming as you complimented the kid’s shooting skills.

“Seriously James your aim is awesome!”

“Big deal,” Jason wedged himself between you two masking his jealousy with speculation as he reviewed the difference between his score and James’. “This is just a game, not like it’s accurate. Come to the shooting range with me kid then we’ll see who’s better.”

“Sure any time old man.”

“Jason stop being so petty.” This was the third game he had lost to both of you and his frustration was starting to show. You brushed past him so you could follow James as he went looking for the next game to play.

He caught up to you placing his arm around your waist. “Babe you can’t just compliment someone else’s shooting in front of your man.”

“Since when are you my-”

“Since the first moment you laid eyes on me I was yours.”

You rolled your eyes, "Oh please.”

Jason held you tighter bringing you to a stop before you could get to James. He pulled you into a nearby photobooth drawing the curtain to a close behind him before attacking your neck with kisses.

“Jason,” you half moaned his name. The sudden attack to your senses had the butterflies in your stomach going wild.

He kissed you fervently not minding the fact that you were clinging onto him. The whole ordeal was so sudden it took a moment for you to find your footing but by then he had you pinned to the wall. In this position, you could feel all the hard muscle underneath his clothing and it was taking your mind places it shouldn’t be.

Stuck between a wall and a hard place, Jason had the upper hand. With a smug smile, he huffed feeling just as hot and bothered as you were. “Face it Babe, you’re mine just as much as I am yours.”

You sighed thinking this was just him trying to effectively get under your skin again, to arouse you in more ways than one only to then say something that would anger you.

Jason began to lose his confidence the longer you remained quiet. When you finally cracked a smile he was both confused and intrigued by what had brought it on. “What?”

“Nothing, just waiting for you to say something stupid again to ruin the moment but you’re taking so long that I started to imagine this might be how you truly feel.”

“So you’re laughing at my confession?” He let go of your waist bringing his hand to his chest as he pretended to be hurt by an accurate accusation. He always had done what you accused him of in the past. Now he realized how that affected the moments he tried to genuinely convey his feelings.

“Is that what that was?” Your head tilted with a playful smirk. “Sounded more like you gave me ownership over you.”

"It’s mutual and you don’t seem to mind.”

You couldn’t hide the fact that you were blushing at his comment but you could try and regain your composure by turning your attention back to the task at hand. "Aren’t we supposed to be watching James?”

“Oh yeah,” he sighed.

You swore you heard him mutter something about the brat stealing your attention but you ignored it. “Come on,” you led him out holding onto his hand up until you caught up to James.

+++

Damian and teenage James stood on opposite sides of the Batcave each sporting a few fresh cuts and bruises.

“Would you like some ice for that, master Damian?” Alfred offered as he finished bandaging James' arm. He had hurt it through his fight with Duella as they traveled through time but it wasn’t anything serious until Damian got his hands on it.

Damian pulled his hood lower to hide the black eye he had received in return. “I’m fine,” he huffed with crossed arms.

“There you are, master James.” Alfred removed his gloves and disposed of them allowing James to move about freely now.

“Thanks, Alfred...” James had never met Alfred. In his time, Alfred had died before he was even born. That didn’t mean he didn’t know who the man was. He was a legendary staple of the Wayne family. “I’m glad I got to meet ya!” He used his good arm to pat Alfred’s shoulder in a show of affection.

“It was a pleasure meeting you as well master James...again.”

“Speaking of, where is the other James?” Dick asked.

“They should be upstairs,” Tim pointed out. The keyword being should, they all knew Jason wasn’t too fond of rules and given how easily he pushed your buttons they were sure he had done something to get you to go along.

“I believe they went to the arcade,” Alfred offered before slipping out of their presence there were matters for him to attend to upstairs. He only offered the tidbit of information because he had overheard you three returning to the cave only to leave shortly after out of your suits.

The mention of the arcade was a dead giveaway. “Oh, so it was Y/N this time who broke the rules.”

“Those two are nothing but trouble,” Damian scowled. His eyes shifted over to the most trouble they had imposed on the world.

“What?” James caught the look. “You wanna go again Shorty!?”

With a straight face, Damian began pondering the idea of tagging along to all your missions. Perhaps his best bet was to become a permanent cockblock for Jason and keep James from being born.

"Come on you two don’t fight.” Dick got a hold of the two and brought them together. “We’re all family here.”

“That’s the problem,” Tim muttered with no intention of being heard.

“Let go of me Grayson!”

A string of expletives cascaded from James when he tried to explain he was fine and wouldn’t instigate the shrimp again. Really it was all fun and games to James who was taking his frustrations for the elder version of his uncle on this the version of him he could look down on.

Bruce ignored the lot as he swiftly sent a message to you. Teenage James had no way of getting back to his own time as both his and Duella’s time travel devices were beyond repair. Their only hope rested upon the younger James.

In no time you and Jason rode into the Batcave on your respective motorcycles. You with James holding onto your waist from behind.

“You two really never learn your lesson,” Damian scolded distracting their attention from teenage James.

“Remember-” Bruce began to warn James about revealing the future to his parents but was cut off by said future child who was all too aware of how time travel worked.

He put his hand on Bruce’s shoulder assuring him there was nothing to worry about. He would keep his helmet on to avoid their suspicion. One look at his dashing good looks and Jason would be on to him. “Relax, I got a big mouth but I’m not stupid enough to tell those two.”

Those two being you and Jason who he pointed to while you fought over who had been at fault. “I love my old man and ma but let's face it... I’m the reason those two end up together.”

It wasn’t to say that you and Jason didn’t love each other because you did. It was just a matter of fact that the accidental pregnancy that would result in James’ birth was the catalyst towards establishing your feelings and solidifying your relationship with Jason.

Bruce nodded in full agreement, “I can see how that would be the case.”

-end-

A/N: The more I wrote the more I realized you all deserve to see a bit more into the future so there will be a part 3!

Tag List: @avengerdragoness @sarcasmismyfirstlove @butterfly-highflyer @annapointone @call-me-zero-zro @httpfandxms @jasontoddsgunholster

(could not tag) @bad-bitch-khaleesi

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badacts · 5 years

Text

human shield

The grocery store at midnight is pleasant in a dreamy, sterile way - uniform, brightly coloured, the quiet only broken by someone’s top 40 playlist just loud enough to make out the words.

Dick, coasting along with one foot up on the back bar of the cart, is the one to break it when his phone goes off in his pocket. “Hello?”

“Grayson.” It’s his superior, Milan, terse as ever. It’s his day off, and he immediately jumps to Arkham breakout, and then, someone’s dead. Christ, he’s paranoid. “We need you to come to the West End mall. There’s a hostage situation, and the hostage-taker is asking for you.”

“I’ll be there,” Dick replies, abandoning his cart in the middle of the aisle without a thought. “Who is it?”

Of course, he’s already talking to the dial tone. It’s the impetus he needs to move fast, though.

It’s a usual set up - a cordon, cop cars and cops everywhere, worried or curious civilians hanging around outside along with some reporters that call to Dick as he jogs by. He waves a little to the familiar faces he sees, and then sees Milan standing at the back of a van.

“I’m here,” Dick says. “What’s happening?”

There’s a police negotiator Dick vaguely recognises sitting in the van, and he gives Dick an impatient look. “What’s happening is that this guy won’t let us do our job because he wants to talk to you.” Clearly not a fan, then.

“Isn’t your job to try give the guy what he wants?” Dick asks, hopping up into the van. There’s a computer screen with the mall CCTV pulled up on it, showing a couple of guys with rifles loitering in the main part of the mall.

“We’re just about to get footage of the hostages,” Milan says. She’s a slight, no-nonsense black woman who Dick would propose to in an instant if she weren’t definitely batting for a team that firmly doesn’t include him. “Thankfully they’ve holed up in a shop with an external wall, because we can get access via the vents for a look.”

“Great,” Dick says. “Any idea who the guy is?”

“Marcus O’Reilly,” Milan supplies, and hands him a slim brown file. “Just got out of Blackgate after serving his time for armed robbery and drugs charges.”

“Doesn’t sound familiar,” Dick says, flipping the file open. A sullen face with a shaved head stares back. The guy doesn’t look familiar, either.

“You arrested him,” Milan supplies. “Warehouse bust, eighteen months ago.”

Dick thinks back. “I arrested fifteen people that evening.”

“Well, this one seems to have found the experience pretty memorable,” Milan says drily. “Usually I would assume he’s holding a grudge, but, knowing you, you probably gave him a particularly memorable pep talk that he’s hoping to hear one more time before he goes back to prison.”

“It’s nice to be appreciated,” Dick says, and then gestures to the negotiator’s setup. “Do you mind?”

The negotiator sighs but gives his seat up for Dick, hopping down from the van. Dick hopes he sticks close - this isn’t exactly Dick’s general wheelhouse, for all the practice he’s had at talking people down.

“We’re getting a sniper up on the roof,” Milan says matter-of-factly before he picks up the phone. “He’s not going to have a great shot, though.”

That’s true enough. The interior storefronts are all glass, as is a large portion of the western wall, but the eastern one, where the hostages are, is concrete. Whoever is up there will be able to see okay through the shop displays and window signage, but it’s a fair distance from one side to the other.

Dick picks up the stupid bright red negotiator phone and dials the number scrawled across the paper in front of the computer. It rings a few times before it clicks live.

“Hi,” Dick says, when O’Reilly doesn’t speak. “This is Detective Grayson.”

“S’up,” comes the reply. Despite the name, the guy sounds as Gotham as they come, and not all that old. Dick flicks his eyes back to the file and translates the birthdate to someone younger than him. “I wanna talk to you, man.”

“We’re talking right now, Marcus,” Dick says, leaning back in the chair. “What do you want to talk about?”

“Face to face,” O’Reilly corrects. “Come down here.”

“Are your friends going to let me in?” Dick asks.

“They will if I tell them to.”

Dick squints at the computer thoughtfully. “We need to talk about the hostages first, Marcus.”

“What about ‘em?” O’Reilly asks.

“If I’m going to come down there, I need a bit of a goodwill gesture. What about letting some of the hostages go free?” That’s his goal here. Get the innocents out. Everything else is just icing.

O’Reilly laughs. “Get real, Detective. You come down here, or I start killing ‘em one by one.” Then he hangs up.

“Nice guy,” Dick says, putting the phone down. “How far off are we on the camera?”

“Five seconds,” Milan says, and then, “There we go.”

On the screen, a new window pops up of slightly clearer footage. The hostage-takers - three of them, all visibly armed - are facing away from the wall, and so away from the camera, just inside the wide-view lens’ reach. The hostages are all sitting on the floor, lined up against the storefront. The shop stock has been shoved to the side to clear the space. It looks like a homeware store - the shopfront is stocked with blankets and pillows and vases.

Dick figures the centremost figure has got to be Marcus. He’s got one of the hostages on his knees, closer than the others, and in easy reach of both his hands and the handgun he’s holding. The hostage is turned towards the camera, their face just visible behind Marcus’s hip.

“Fuck,” Dick says, dumbstruck and loud enough to surprise even himself.

“What?” Milan demands sharply.

“That’s my brother,” Dick says.

He can see it, in his mind’s eye. Tim in the wrong place, at the wrong time, knowing that there’s shit-all he can do as Tim Drake-Wayne and not much more he can do to get out of the situation and be not-Tim-Drake-Wayne when there are five guns versus him and a bunch of civilians.

Tim wouldn’t sit and let the others get threatened. He’d volunteer himself as the most valuable hostage, tell them his whole life story to make sure they knew the precise monetary value of his continued being alive.

Or, worse, he’d talk until he got their attention and was singled out that way, neglecting to mention at all that he was a rich man’s rich son. Going by the bruise blooming over his jaw, Dick is going to take door number two this time.

Milan had said some things about conflict of interest and safety and ‘not getting yourself killed’, but they both know the only option was for him to go. He straps on a bulletproof vest over the thin WE body armour he always wears at work. Hopefully none of the grocery store security cameras had been pointing at his car while he changed earlier, or some rent-a-cop must have gotten an eyeful.

He debates, and then straps on his piece as well as the electrified escrima that looks just like a standard-issue folding baton. It’s not going to save him or anyone else against five guys with high-powered weapons, but it’s better than nothing.

He gets a SWAT escort to the front doors. At least they, unlike the uniform GCPD guys, don’t look at him like he’s a bomb about to go off. The captain - Jenkins, Dick thinks - waves him off with a cheery, “See you soon,” not entirely belied by the way he’d assured Dick and Milan both they’d come in as fast as possible, guns blazing, when necessary.

“See you,” Dick says, and ventures forward alone. The mall is a mess from where people fled earlier - it’s one of those late-night places, where the cinema and restaurants stay open until midnight or so. It’s a Saturday, and even in Gotham there would have been some crowds.

He winds his way through to the shop and slips past the men guarding the door - not in full body armour, he notes, but their faces are covered with balaclavas - without a word.

“Hey,” he says to announce his presence. One of the hostages, very quietly, sobs. He looks around quickly, checking for injuries, and doesn’t find anything serious. He saves Tim for last, meeting his eyes quick and away before looking to O’Reilly. “I’m here. In the flesh.”

“In position,” Smith, the sniper, says over the comms.

“Visibility is poor,” Oracle says in his other ear. “It’s starting to rain. He’s not going to be able to see shit.”

“Detective Grayson, everybody,” O’Reilly says, tone mock-warm. He’s the only one not wearing a mask. He’s pulled Tim up as a proper human shield, and they’re almost of a height. The half-inch he has on Tim is going to make shooting him from the rooftop across the street almost impossible in these conditions.

“You’ve got me,” Dick says calmly. “What do you want to talk about?”

“I lied,” O’Reilly says. “I don’t really want to talk. I just want to kill you.”

“Okay,” Dick replies. “Well, I’m here now. Why don’t you let the hostages go?”

O’Reilly moves too fast. The gun goes off, and for a moment Dick expects pain. Then, from behind him, someone screams.

He’s shot one of the hostages. Belly wound, bleeding badly. Marcus says, cold, “I’m not here to make bargains.”

“You’ve got something against shoppers?” Dick asks. He’s still calm. So far.

“To be honest, I just don’t care.” He smiles like someone who should have been in Arkham, not Blackgate.

“Let them go,” Dick says.

O’Reilly tilts his head. Then he grins. “You know what? Fine. All of you at the front? Go. And take that guy with you.”

The hostages don’t move, staring wide-eyed between him and the other hostage-takers and Dick. The one with the gut wound is panting and clutching at his stomach, rapidly going grey.

O’Reilly shouts, “Go!” Then he fires a bullet into the ceiling.

One of the fluorescent lights overhead shatters in a spray of plastic. The hostages, though - they run, two of them barely pausing to hoist the injured one between them. Then it’s just the five guys with guns, Tim, Dick, and a puddle of blood.

“Are you going to let that one go, too?” Dick asks.

“Not a chance,” O’Reilly replies. He’s got an arm slung around Tim’s neck.

“He’s a kid,” Dick says, steadily. He doesn’t think that, really, or at least not most of the time. But in jeans, sneakers and an oversized hoodie, Tim looks young.

In his ear, the SWAT team are reporting on the condition of the hostages as they’re whisked to safety. Dick blocks it out.

“You think I don’t watch the news? That I can’t go to a library?” O’Reilly says. He’s smiling, small and mean. “I’m not an idiot. I know exactly who this guy is.” And he jams the muzzle of his gun hard against the side of Tim’s head. “This is your little brother.”

Tim doesn’t flinch. He says, “Adopted brother.”

There’s a cold silence, and then O’Reilly moves the gun from Tim’s skull - quick death - to somewhere down near his kidneys. “Alright, smart guy.”

Dick gives Tim a look that says, shut up. Tim, being smarter than their other siblings, does so.

“Me ‘n’ my brother, we were both at the warehouse that night. Got arrested and thrown in Blackgate, matching sentences,” O’Reilly says.

“Bet your mom’s really proud,” Dick says before he can stop himself.

O’Reilly ignores him. “Billy had debts, though. And I couldn’t protect him, in there, not like I could out here. And guess how that ended up for him?”

“William O’Reilly’s dead,” Babs fills in flatly, at the same time O’Reilly bellows, “He’s dead! And it’s your fault!”

Dick had already seen where this was going, but he’s not exactly keen on the confirmation. “I didn’t make you rob people at gunpoint, Marcus.”

“He’d be alive, if it weren’t for you,” O’Reilly snarls. “But guess what? Here you are, and here’s your brother. So I think it’s my turn to make good tonight.”

“What about your friends?” Dick asks. “What do they want out of this, exactly? Because I don’t think I’ve done anything to them.”

“These guys?” O’Reilly asks, suddenly amused again. “I made some friends in high places when I got out. Show ‘im, boys.”

As one, the figures on either side of O’Reilly pull their balaclavas off. And underneath, they’re wearing masks that are slitted eyes and the curve of a beak. Owls.

Talons.

“Shit,” Babs mutters, and then, “Hurry it up, Black Bat!”

“Smith,” Milan is saying over the comms, “Do you have a shot?”

“Maybe,” Smith says. He sounds laconic, but snipers almost always do when they’re working. “Not a great one.”

So they’ve got back-up incoming. But by the look on O’Reilly’s face, they don’t have long.

“They don’t want anything,” O’Reilly says, “But, if you ask me? I think they’re probably just as happy as I am to see you both bleedin’ out on the floor.”

“Smith,” someone prompts.

“I don’t have the shot,” Smith says, “I repeat, I do not - ulp!” Then there’s nothing but silence.

“Get eyes on Smith,” Milan demands to someone else. “Now.”

Dick, aware they might have another Talon in play, aware he might be about to get shot in the back, says, “So, what’re you waiting for, exactly?”

“I’m not waiting,” O’Reilly says, “I’m just savouring.” And he raises his gun back to Tim’s head.

Tim, who’s looking at Dick with a placid facial expression, his eyes asking, what now? Because they’re not Nightwing and Red Robin. They’re Dick and Tim, and what they can do is limited by the clothes they’re wearing, and by the eyes watching them.

It doesn’t matter, anyway, not really. Neither of them is faster than a bullet.

The gun goes off. Dick doesn’t close his eyes.

He’s expecting blood, and he gets it. What he’s not expecting is two more gunshots straight afterward.

The owl masks shatter. And O’Reilly, missing the top of his skull, drops to the ground and just barely doesn’t drag an in-one-piece-Tim with him.

“Don’t ever say I don’t do anything for you, Timmy,” a rough, half-robotic, familiar voice says over their comms, there and then gone.

Jason.

“It’s a mask!” someone is yelling over the comms, but Dick’s already flying forward and catching Tim up in his arms, pushing him towards the wall and covering him with his body.

“What the hell were you doing here?” he demands, pulling Tim’s head against his shoulder, a show of sibling comfort that abruptly becomes real when he realises Tim is shivering.

“Christmas shopping,” Tim mumbles into his chest, and Dick, despite himself, laughs.

#whumptober2019 #no.4 #batwhump2k19 #batfam #my fic #tim drake #dick grayson #jason todd #hostage situation #black heart city #gun violence #i think it's still the 4th somewhere #go too tired to write last night

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