#it’s always irey and lian who hate his personality and then their families hate him too

[strawberrytalia]

those “putting Damian on a team of superhero kids” concepts are cool in theory, but more often than not, they’re really just ways of shitting on him and making him look feral in comparison to “the nice hero kids” who are then tasked with civilizing him as if that’s not inherently racist. even worse is when he’s paired up in a duo with a white goody two shoes (cough Jon and Colin cough). and doubly worse is when there is no intention at all to give Damian character growth, he’s just used as a tool for shipping (this is 99% of the time).

I only read a bit of Gotham Academy, but I fully do see the appeal in having Damian hang with them, and be proper friends with Maps because that’s like one of the rare times another kid is friends with Damian, and they just accept his weirdness and don’t expect him to get fixed or “civilized” for them. or with Maya, in which there was conflict, a resolution, and growth for both sides and she actually helped Damian develop positively without putting him down.

#damian wayne #critical #it’s always irey and lian who hate his personality and then their families hate him too #and then it’s just everyone shitting on damian #or jon trying to fix him #or colin just being his ginger nice friend #like everyone else looks high and mighty over him #stoppppp #edit: i didn’t specify but i was thinking about fandom when i wrote this #but canon comics literally do this too and even worse honestly #so it applies everywhere

[secondgenerationnerd]

Of the characters you write, who do you personally think has the saddest backstory?

Jesus I legit can’t choose. Like I’m not trying to get out of the answer but my saddest choices are:

Damian: raised by league of assassins, has scars on his back that won’t ever go away, incrediblly emotionally behind, feeling utterly lone surrounded by his family, constantly feeling like he doesn’t deserve any of the love from his friends and family because of his early childhood, he’s was killed by a clone.

Mar’i: growing up in the public eye since birth, found her mother’s body, sent to a planet to live with a father she never met, feeling out of place on earth, being over sexualize from a young age, repeatedly slut-shamed/catcalled, having to uphold traditions for two planets that don’t want her, watching her only parent go into the field and knowing she could lose him too.

Mel: emotionally/mentally abused by her father all her life, hates that her powers come with the potential of losing control and being like eobard thawne, finally feeling comfortable with Donny only to have a miscarriage, knowing that when they do have Bart she’ll lose him too.

Lian: died as a toddler and came back to life, abandonment issues from her mother coming in and out of her life, being outcasted by parts of the hero community because of her mother, lost her parents in a fire.

Colin: how he got his powers, growing up in an orphanage (which isn’t always bad but I imagine the system would be worse for older meta kids), growing up catholic and being bisexual, the physical toll his powers have on his body, the feeling that he’s never going to really belong to a family the way his friends do.

Even my other characters don’t get away easy! Jai was cheated on by two different girls and his self worth went down the toilet. Irey was nearly assaulted by an ex. I don’t write about it a lot, but Milagro’s struggle with her feminity and being underestimated because of it. Jon feeling like he’s always in someone’s shadow.

I’m not giving a definitive answer because I don’t want to. I legit just...can’t pick one.

#mar'i grayson #damian wayne #irey west #lian harper #jai west #jon kent #milagro reyes #colin wilkes #meloni thawne

[secondgenerationnerd]

We Lost Him Too

Bruce went after one of Omega squad. 

He done fucked up.

      Enjoy!  

-----

 It’s been three days since Bruce asked Irey to bring Damian back. Things had been quiet from Omega squad, like they have been the last four months. The League doesn’t think much of the silence, since none of them besides Bruce know what happened. Their monthly meeting drags on as normal.

         “I agree with Diana—”

         The heavy doors swing open with a crash. Omega squad, eyes all blazing with fury, storm in. Wally focuses on his son and the young man’s clenched fists. Lian stalks forward, looking uncannily like her late mother, her voice sharper than any arrow she uses, “Where the fuck is he?”

         “You all aren’t supposed to—”

         “We have a good reason to be here, Stewart.” Milagro cuts the senior Lantern off. Speaking to Batman, she growls, “Do you want to tell them what that reason is or should we?”

         “This is inappropriate.” Bruce stands.

         “No, what’s inappropriate, Grandfather, is you asking Irey to help bring Damian back.” Mar’i snaps. The other Leaguers turn to the still neutral faced Bruce.

         “I asked for her expertise—”

         “And she said no.” Colin interrupts him. “She said no and you kept pushing.”

         “I was trying to make her see reason.”

         “What reason justifies you asking her to sacrifice her baby?!” Jon demands. “She could give birth any day now and you asked her to do something that could hurt her or Asha!”

         “I was trying to bring my son back. If any of you cared—”

         “You aren’t the only one here who lost him!” Milagro roars.

         “He was our friend! Our teammate!” Mar’i’s unnatural green eyes start glowing purple.

         “Our brother!” Colin shouts, gesturing to Jon and Jai. “Irey’s Lightning Rod! You aren’t the only person who loved about him, or misses him, or would do anything to get him back!”

         “If that’s how you feel, then why aren’t you offering to help—” Bruce doesn’t know when to give up.

         “Because Irey’s right! Damian would hate you as much as I do right now!” Mar’i snaps, “He would hate you for what you asked her!”

         “Why are you all over reacting?”

         “Overreacting?! Irey hasn’t been able to get out of bed in three days!” Jon clenches his fists, “Every time someone comes into the room, she can’t stop shaking! We can barely get her to eat! It took us months to convince her that nothing bad was going to happen to Asha! You destroyed that in ten fucking minutes!”

         “If she’s unable to care for herself,” His still even voice pisses them off more, “Then perhaps someone should step in and provide a more stable environment for the child.”

         They blink.

         That’s all they do. They blink and Jai’s no longer standing silently with his team. The speedster has Batman pinned against a wall, slamming his fist into the older man’s gut. As Bruce doubles over, Jai throws him onto the ground. His golden-brown eyes have becomes a vibrant red, focused on the man in front of him. He jumps on top of the man, punching him over and over and over.

         “Jai!” It takes Wally, Barry, and Bart to pull Jai back. His eyes still glow red as he struggles against them. Bruce stands, wiping the blood from his lips.

         “If you come near her,” Jai’s voice sends a chill down their spines. He sounds exactly like Thawne, “If you even think of fucking taking Asha from my sister, you won’t have to worry about bringing Damian back. Because you’ll see him yourself after I kill you. I’ll shove my hand through your fucking chest.”

         The other heroes in the room look at Jai in terror. Except Omega Squad. His teammates watch him with stoney faces. None of them move towards him. None of them try to stop him. None of them want to. Jai’s eyes fade back to normal as he glares at the bat.

         “Omega.” Diana stands up, “I understand you’re upset. What Batman did was unacceptable and there will be consequences. However—”

         Whatever telling off she’s going to give them is cut off by blaring alarms from their phones. Lian checks her screen, eyes widening, “Guys, we have to go. Now.”

         “Why—” Lian cuts Jai off.

         “Code July.” All the speedsters’ eyes widen at that. The men holding Jai let him go.

         “Flash! He just attacked Batman! He can’t just walk out of—”

         “My daughter just went into labor!” Wally snaps. “And before anyone says shit to my son, address the events that lead up to this first.”

         The speedsters are gone in a flash. Omega squad glances at the League and Batman. Colin’s the one to address them.

         “We’re not perfect. We’re the fucking misfits no other team wanted. But we’re a family. We fight for our family. Consequences be damned.”

         They’re gone too, door slamming shut behind them. Batman returns to his seat, looking up at his fellow leaguers. “Shall we continue?”

--

         Two days later, Omega stand in a too clean hallway, bouncing with excitement. Even though their leave from the field has been extended indefinitely following the confrontation, nothing can ruin what’s about to happen.

         “Sissy?” Jai opens the hospital room door. Their teammates try to peak around him, Mar’i floating to see above him. A soft heart monitor beeps from behind a sheet. A few vases of flowers and balloons sit on the dresser.

         “Hey, guys.” Irey’s soft voice comes from inside. “Come on in.”

         They pile into the hospital room. Just past the privacy sheet, Irey sits on her bed, light blanket covering her torso. Of course, they’re more focused on the baby sleeping on her otherwise bare chest. Soft coos come from the newborn, tiny hand wrapped around her mother’s finger.

         “Hey, Mama.” Lian sets a covered dish on the table. “How you feeling?”

         “I mean…I pushed a human out of my vagina and learned being shot hurts less.” The team laughs at her honesty. “Physically, sore as hell, but emotionally…”

         The new mother trails off. She adjusts the sleeping baby to make it easier for them to see, closing her hospital gown. The squishy faced infant grunts as she’s moved, stretching her arms up, naked aside from her diaper. Dark curls already cover most of her head, skin a little ruddy but still like her father’s.

         “Meet our newest little teammate,” Irey smiles down at her daughter. “Asha Nuri West-Wayne.”

         “She’s so cute, Irey.” Mar’i coos, tickling bare toes. “Might be cold.”

         “Well, I was trying some skin to skin bonding with her. And Mama runs warm, doesn’t she, Lightning Bug?” Irey kisses the baby’s nose. Asha coos softly. “Ok, Bug, Mama hears you. You don’t wanna be nakey much longer though.”

         “If you want, I can dress her.” Milagro offers. Irey laughs. Knowing the fashionista, her newborn would be dressed like a little princess.

         “I have a onesie and some socks in the dresser for her.”

         “I got it.” Colin kisses the top of Milagro’s head and squeezes past his teammates. They turn when he bursts into laughter, only to join in when he holds up the Robin onesie. Complete with utility belt detailing. “Really, Ires?”

         “It is cute and I will not hear anything against it. Don’t forget the Impulse socks.” Irey sticks her tongue out. Still laughing, Colin gets the baby’s clothes. Milagro does help her dress Asha. Irey looks at her twin, “I think Asha wants Uncle Jai-Jai to hold her first.”

         Jai swells with pride. Taking his new niece into his arms, he sinks into the rocking chair besides his sister’s bed. Mom and Dad had sent him photos earlier, but they’re nothing compared to actually holding her. Asha grunts in his arms, which only makes him chuckle, “Oh, come on? Am I really that bad?”

         “She is Damian’s,” Jon notes. Their late teammate’s name hurts for a moment, but not as much as it had, “Chances are she’s got his temper.”

         They laugh at that. Irey lays back on the pillows, watching as Asha’s passed from Jai to Mar’i to Jon.

         “I have something for this sweet soul.” Milagro sets a bag on the bed. Irey opens her mouth to protest.

         Irey knows she won’t be able to argue with the Lantern, or at least that she won’t win, so she opens the bag. Her breath catches at the familiar fabric inside. Lifting it up gingerly, like it’s going to catch fire, Irey pulls one of Damian’s old capes out. A fuzzy yellow fabric had replaced the old inside, neat rows of thread holding it together. But it’s his cape. Without even lifting it up, she can smell Damian on it. His favorite cologne and the odd sent of jasmine added in.

         “He’s not here.” The observation hurts, but Milagro continues, “He’s not here, but I figured his little girl could have a piece of him. Original parts are all still there too. So her Baba can keep her safe.”

         “Thank you.” Irey sets the blanket down, pulling her friend into a hug. Milagro hugs her back just as tight, “Thank you.”

         “You’re welcome. Now, let’s see if little miss pouty pants likes it.” Milagro takes the baby from Colin, ignoring her boyfriend’s pout. After laying the blanket out infront of her, Irey lays her baby on it, loosely wrapping it around her. Asha yawns, tiny fingers gripping the edge of the blanket. A soft sound from her chest makes their hearts melt.

         “That’s a happy baby.” Colin snorts. They spend the rest of evening with Irey, talking about everything and anything, like always. Asha’s well loved on as they chat. She whines anytime they try to unwrap her blanket. After Jon gets them dinner from a nearby restaurant, the team decides to leave Irey for the night. A few kisses and hugs given to both mother and child before their packed room empties.

         Irey nurses Asha again, stroking her baby’s soft cheek as she eats. Her heart should be aching seeing how much her daughter looks like Damian. But it doesn’t hurt. Damian will always be a part of Asha. He will always be her Baba. But Asha isn’t him. To view her as him would be unfair to someone so new to this great big world.

         “I love you, Asha.” Irey whispers to her sleeping daughter. “Your Baba loves you. I know he’s not here, but I can tell you that he would love you more than anything.”

         Asha snores gently. Irey presses her lips to the back of Asha’s tiny hand, “I can’t promise you that you’re never going to be hurt, Bug. I can’t promise you that people will always be nice or understanding. But the one thing that I can promise you is that I’m always going to love you. Always.”

#irey west #damian wayne #mar'i grayson #lian harper #jon kent #jai west #milagro reyes #colin wilkes #bruce wayne #omega squad #speeddemon #damian's death

[secondgenerationnerd]

Yes for the omega girls pregnancy headcannons

Won’t really do any for Irey since I’ve talked about her pregnancy a lot. Also! Feel free to request any of these as drabbles. I’m in a weird baby mood lol

Milagro:

Has a minor mental break down when she finds out she’s pregnant

Continues doing work in the Corps. Strictly diplomatic stuff and nothing in the field.

Someone says they’re suprised Colin allows her to keep up her Corps work. Colin didn’t even blink when she came home with bruised knuckles. (“They go down with one hit?” “Of course, I’m not an amateur.” “That’s my girl.” Look of total love)

She craves a lot more spicy food (which Colin is a bit of a wimp on). He usually cooks since he gets home first and just makes a separate portion just for her to spice up.

Ben is super excited about being a big brother.

Milagro lets him drive some of his little cars over her belly, because he calls it “playing with my brother.”

She dresses in clothes that make her look and feel good (like always!). She still loves her dresses and skirts, but leggings make more than a few appearances

Definitely does a pregnancy shoot with Colin and Ben. She cries a little because Ben and Colin get a few pics just the two of them.

She does a home birth. She’s a bit of a control freak and this helps with some of that.

Jaime and Bart took Ben to their house for the night (Milagro went into labor right after lunch and delivered Max after one in the morning)

Colin and her mom were both by her side the whole time. Bianca definitely helped her daughter with a lot more of understand how much it hurt, and colin was there telling Milagro that she’s got this. Telling her how strong she is and how he wouldn’t want anyone else to be his sons’ mother.

Colin caught Max when he was born and cried harder than Milagro did.

When Ben got to hold his little brother, Colin was helping support Max’s head. Milagro teared up seeing all her boys together for the very first time.

Mar’i:

Jon and Mar’i, like I said before, used a type of IVF to get pregnant with Laney.

Mar’i was really confused why Jon randomly burst into tears until she realized she could hear Laney’s heartbeat.

Mar’i has a pretty small pregnancy belly. Like. At five months, she can hide it with a loose top and leggings

They decide to see how long it takes her family to figure out she’s pregnant.

It took waaaaaay longer than they expected (“I thought the craving would give it away” “YOU DRANK MUSTARD AS A KID????”)

Definitely cries when Laney kicks for the first time.

She still dances while pregnant, but doesn’t do as much acrobatic stuff.

A few heroes realize early on that Laney’s going to be part Kryptonian and part tamaranean. They’re preparing on how to keep her powers under control. Mar’i and Jon both watched really amused (because honestly they have no idea if she’ll even have powers)

Their older kids like when Mar’i takes a picture with her belly every week, documenting it.

Jon gets home some days and Mar’i’s curled up in bed, her arm around her belly, with their older kids all cuddling her. Literally best sight in the world to him.

Mar’i goes into premature labor when she’s 6 months pregnant. Jon was at work handling something while she was home with their kiddos. After Mar’i collapsed, Charlie called 911 and Peter called Jon. Mar’i and Laney end up being ok, which Jon attributes to Charlie being smart and calling 911

She has the worse postpartum depression out of all the girls (which is ok because she’s got a great support system )

When they brought her home, Jon and Mar’i sat outside that night with all their kids. Mar’i nursed Laney in one arm and held her cuddly M&M in the other. Jon read to Charlie and Peter while they curled up to his side.

Lian:

Got pregnant the first time because antibiotics negated her birth control (it happens ladies and gents!!!!!) and the second time because the universe hates her (not really because she loves her kids, she just didn’t expect to have 3 under 2)

Has THE WORST morning sickness both pregnancies. Turns out she has what’s called “hyperemesis gravidarum” ( a pregnancy disease that more peope should know about). Think food poisoning for nine solid months with the potential of dehydration and malnutrition. She has a small machine pumping anti nausea meds 24/7 both pregnancies. (Inspired from Andy Grammer’s wife Aija who also suffered from it both her pregnancies.)

Ironically she also has the most pregnancy cravings of all the girls.

She gets really emotional really easily, mostly crying. That kinda pisses her off because she normally doesn’t like crying

Refuses to stop dressing the way she always has...but does agree to switch to leggings and maternity jeans....

When the baby dolls spend a few hours of the night kicking her like crazy, she usually kicks her husband’s leg. Jai brushes it off and rubs her belly to soothe the girls.

She thinks having a whole “gender reveal party” is dumb (girl same), but agrees to do something at her baby shower

Which is how Jai ended up blindfolded with a break away glass apple on his head And Lian pointing an arrow at him

They knew they were having girls, but were still happy to let everyone else know.

There are days Lian cannot stand being touched. Jai gets it and leaves her alone. Someone on one of those days made the mistake of touching her belly without permission.

She went into labor during a family dinner with the Flash fam (which OH BOY!)

While her labor was shorter than most multiple labors (about 10 hours) it. Sucked.

Her epidural did not want to kick in

Jai cried alittle at one point. She didn’t see it because she was pushing and crying herself from the pain. It killed him seeing her hurt so much.

Lily was born first with Milly following less than two minutes later.

Lian would be a liar if she said she didn’t cry holding her daughters for the first time.

She alternates between bottle and breastfeeding them because they have similar metabolisms to Jai. The bottles just have some extra calories and nutrients in them.

Jai will sometimes find Lian sitting in the girls’ rocking chair, holding both of them and singing to them while they sleep.

The girls do develop mentally faster than other babies, but that doesn’t bother either of their parents.

Someone definitely tries to make Lian feel bad about how her stomach looks after having twins or suggests she try something to “tighten up the twin skin” before a sparring demonstration. Jai happens to walk in and see his wife take that person down while his daughter laugh in their play pen.

With Luke, morning sickness still sucks.

Jai and Lian tell the girls they’re going to be big sisters on their first birthday.

Lian spends hours singing to her girls while she’s pregnant with Luke. They giggle when they feel their baby brother “dance in Mommys tummy”

Luke was breech when he was born, feet first, and the doctors took him to the side to check on him. Lian and Jai were frozen with fear. Until Luke started crying and the doctors put him on her chest.

The baby dolls snuggled Lian every single day she was recovering after birth, promising they use their “nice hands” on Luke.

Lian sees Jai singing and playing his guitar while the baby dolls dance around. Luke’s cooing in his bassinet and she just....she feels good.

#mar'i grayson #lian harper #jai west #jon kent #milagro reyes #colin wilkes #colin x milagro #superstar #speeding arrow