#the fear toxin part is so funny

[bepoucorp]

Batman: Arkham Asylum gifs (wholesome)

#batman arkham asylum #batman #gif #gif set #eyestrain #cw flashing #im sorry LMAO #the fear toxin part is so funny #lmk if i need to cw that rat gif #gifs #bruce wayne #arkham asylum #i love him #i made this #bepoucorp #batman: arkham asylum #arkhamverse

[sistertotheknowitall]

Some Guy on Fear Gas (can apparently turn invisible)

Masterpost

“Danny was supposed to be in class today.”

There was a round of sighs in the coms. See Danny didn’t react in the same manner as the rest of the population when exposed to fear toxin (or in general, but they were mostly used to that). See Danny didn’t scream, he didn’t cry, he didn’t get violent. He got unnervingly paranoid.

He got so unnervingly paranoid about being watched, specifically by the government if the muttered and whispered words were to be believed. His eyes tracked nothing while he slowly moved around invisible people. It wasn't like dealing with someone in an active hallucination experiencing a psychotic break. It was like dealing with someone in a paranoid delusion. He wouldn't let any of the bats near him and often took off, disappearing into the chaos.

Four months into seeing this kid everywhere and their suspicions were confirmed when he literally disappeared after the second time being poisoned.

Danny was a meta and he was afraid.

That’s not the reason for the exasperation felt by this family though. It was what always happened after. The first time he ignored every vigilantly when they tried to bring it up. After the second time he attempted to avoid everyone, extended family included.

(He had asked Kate if she was also Batman’s kid. “More like their aunt.” “Oh okay so it really is a family business. Like that show Unnatural. You don't happen to have also lost your parents at a relatively young age and now go on to fight a dark presence in their honor, do you?.” Kate had stared passively at him, the others had warned her. “….. okay… are you more of a Zuko honor type?”)

However, it was like the universe conspired against Danny. Even Bruce agreed that there had to be some god or being doing this (nothing is ever a coincidence). They kinda felt bad for him. He was very obviously trying to avoid them and he was either really bad at being evasive or a deity was laugh at him. Once he had thrown himself behind a lamp pole smaller than himself and closed his eyes to avoid Stephanie.

(It was very awkward. He could turn invisible and knew they knew so why…..? She had politely continued past so not to embarrass the poor guy further. Cause this was embarrassing and they both knew it.)

Finally it was Duke who pulled them all out of limbo. He had come across Danny on the roof of another bank. A lesser known capital union closer to crime ally this time.

Danny hadn’t been avoiding Duke in the same manner as everyone else. He still stopped to give Duke food but he never spoke and he ran after. Duke thought it would be weird to chase him but it was also weird to turn around, have an orange shoved into his hands then watch his friend run away.

However, this time Danny didn’t run as Duke approached so Duke sat next to him. Pulling out a granola bar, he handed it to Danny, “that’s why you feed me all the time right? Cause you know how many calories we need as metas.”

Danny had laughed, “no actually, that was a bit that morphed into a habit. I just thought it was funny.”

“….what.”

“Don’t get me wrong, now that we’re friends I am more than happy to feed you but yeah. The first candy bar was a thank you and then the second time I thought ‘I have fruit.’”

“….. wow… okay.” There went his plan of empathizing. They sat in silence as Duke tried to reorganize his thoughts.

“I’m sorry for avoiding you all.” Duke turned his head to face Danny, who kept his eyes forward, “you know no one cares that you’re a meta.” “Obviously. It wasn’t the invisibility that I was upset about," Danny said.

“The muttering. The paranoia.” Danny grimaced and didn’t say anything.

“You don’t have to tell us till you’re ready, man. Just let us know if you need help. Please, are you safe?”

Danny nodded and Duke nodded back and they had both continued to sit. When they parted ways Danny handed Duke a small bag of chips.

Danny had apologized everyone one at a time even though they had heard it from Duke. Danny never explained nor did he want to talk about his it. His power of invisibility was also a subject off limits. All of them were worried but they didn’t want to force him to talk about it. They had to trust that he would one day feel comfortable doing so with any or all of them. (Still, it was hard seeing their friend so paranoid that he flinched back from them. )

Post Six

#I dont think I made this one to serious. #batman #danny phantom #dc x dp #dp x dc #dp crossover #dpxdc #dp x dc crossover #dcxdp #dpx #danny is just some guy

[fcthots]

I'm literally tearing up this morning at the idea of Tim sitting in the cave, trying to get some important work done like usual when suddenly a wave of darkness ascends upon the cave. Like something out of a horror movie, dread washes over Tim as he fearfully creaks his head around to see Gus sitting on the chair, looking over Tim's shoulder—MENACINGLY.

I had so much fun writing this.

It was 5 am and everyone else had gone to bed. There was a fear gas attack and while no one had been unable to put on their rebreather, the manor was still on lockdown, though, just to monitor in case of any delayed effects. Tim wasn't supposed to be on the batcomputer but it was important! He was doing research on the new chemicals Scarecrow had added to his toxin and if their addition changed the effects of the formula as compared to the original. As it turns out, he was right. It seemed that now prolonged exposure could cause delayed effects. Fuck, Tim loves being right! He starts recording any other new effects the toxin may have.

A chill hits him. The hairs on the back of his neck raise. He can feel eyes with malicious intent watching him. After being robin for so long, he knows what the stare of a real threat feels like as it watches its prey. Fuck. Someone must have gotten into the cave. He thinks of yelling for Kon, but Kryptonians can't hear into the cave. His family is all asleep in their respective bedrooms, and there's no one that can get to him in time. He hasn't acknowledged their presence yet, so he could pick up his phone and pretend to send a funny text to a friend but actually text the other bats, but that could also backfire if his intruder swooped in while he was vulnerable.

Deep breath in. Deep breath out. Maybe his rebreather was cracked. Maybe this is all just delayed fear gas effects. Maybe one of his siblings hadn't handed all of their gear off to be washed and he's just getting a mini whiff of the gas, and that's why he feels the eyes of a predator on his back.

He hears something rustle.

Ok, so not a hallucination, probably. Auditory hallucinations usually take exposure to copious amounts of gas, but maybe this was all part of the new strand.

He could feel them getting closer. He slowly wraps his hand round a battarang that was left on the desk. He can't see anything in the reflection of the screen. On the count of three he has to turn around and face his opponent.

Three. Fuck, he's exhausted.

Two. He's too tired to be doing this.

One. Bruce is gonna kill him if he dies.

Go.

He turns around and stands all in one motion, staying as low to the ground as possible. He doesn't have long to take in all of his surroundings, so he does it quick. This would be so much easier if he had his mask, which can track the heat of body signatures, but he took it off so Alfred could clean it. He really hopes Alfred isn't the one to find his body.

He doesn’t see anything in his immediate line of sight. He keeps his body moving, so he's a harder target. He looks everywhere else. Nothing. Maybe it's an LOA assassin. Ra's needs to get off his dick already.

But he looks even in the spots where a ninja would be trained to hide, and... nothing. Nothing at all. An alarming amount of nothing. By his calculations there was an 85% chance that it wasn't a hallucination. He drops his fighting stance. He did forget to factor in his sleep deprivation...

As soon as his guard is down, he is immediately attacked from behind. He whirls around and drops back into a fighting stance. His training kicks in. Don’t look at the affected area first, look at your attacker first. He ignores the pain in his leg and looks to where they would have to be standing and...nothing. He looks down to his leg.

Fucking Gus.

"Get off of me, asshole!! Why are you even here? Can Jason seriously not sleep without his cat fucking night?" Tim tries to peel Gus's claws out of him where Gus's limbs are wrapped around his leg. "Ow! Fuck! Don't bite me! This is why I don’t pet you. Get. The. Fuck. Off. Of. Me."

He finally tosses Gus off his leg and Gus runs away impressively fast for a cat if his size.

Tim yells out across the batcave, "I never thought I could hate a cat until I met you!"

#saph’s love letters #jason todd #jason todd x reader #saph’s thots #red hood #red hood x reader #jason todd imagine #jason todd x you #39yuki #red hood imagine #red hood x you #jason todd crack #gus the cat #jason todd x reader crack #red hood crack #red hood x reader crack #crack

[igotanidea]

The fear: Jason Todd x fem!reader part 1

"I'm calling Y/N."

"I don't need her here!"

"We both know you do."

"I don't want her here!"

"Jason." Dick was caught in the middle between getting angry at his brother and being annoyed with his stubornness.

"Do not call her!" he yelled in frustration "I can handle myself. There's no need to."

12 hours earlier

In fact, nothing happened. It was just a regular day, regular patrol, regular criminals. Nothing unusual. Red Hood was running around the crime alley making sure no kids or working girls were harassed by any scumbags. Quite peaceful night to be honest. Until one particular bat decided to come by Red's territory. It was official business. Apparently, Scarecrow escaped from Arkham, again, and was last saw by Tim, crossing the Crime Alley's border. Jason was not happy with Dick appearance (since obviously Tim decided to stay behind, not ready to face his angered resurected brother) and instead of working together to capture Crane before any damage was done they started bantering. Who would have thought, right?

"Cut it off, you two! Something's happening there!" Tim yelled through the comms trying his best to take hold of the situation

"The only thing that is happening is Dick getting his ass handed to him!"

"I'm serious, Red. There's some.... smoke? Oh shit."

"Oh, shit!" Dick repeated in sudden realisation "where is it, Red Robin? Where do we go? What do you see?"

"It's coming from the building on your right side, Nightwing. And it's spreading really fast."

"We're on it." Dick assured "Hood?"

"I am not working with you. Not now, not ever. Get the hell out of..."

"Oh, screw you." Dick hissed and moved to the edge of the rooftop in order to swinging away. Jay could have stayed there for what he cared, but Dick was not going to be passive. Crime Alley or not, there were still people exposed to Crane's fear toxin. "You know, I was really hoping you grew up just a bit."

"Wait. I'll help you. But only because of the kids living in that building. They.... they don't deserve any of that toxin to reach them."

"Good choice, Red."

However, despite boys best efforts they could not fully eliminate the threat and when they started their rescue operation some children were already crying in fears and terrors their poisoned brains produced.

"Janet." Red turned towards one of the working girls, who usually took care of some of the kids "is everyone out?"

"No. We couldn't find Jimmy, he wouldn't come out. Red, what is happening?"

"Where did you last see him? On which floor?"

"Third, but I still don't...."

"Watch them, Wing. I'll get the kid!" Jason took of running. He knew Jimmy Thomas. He was barely 8 years old and has already been through too much trauma. To tell the truth, Jay saw too much of himself from the past in this boy and made it his personal mission to protect him. And now, he was failing at that.

"What are you...?" he was not even listeing to whatever his older brother was saying when he burst to the building, heading towards the third floor in frantic search for the boy.

"Jimmy?! Jimmy where are you?!"

"I'm scared. Please, don't hurt me....." trembling voice came just from around the corner and Jay's heart clenched.

"Fuck! Jimmy, hey, you're good, kiddo, you're good" he grabbed that little broken figure in his arms, cradling him into his chest, covering boy's face so he wouldn;t inhale any more of the gas. "I'll get you to safety, all right? It's gonna be all good, I promise."

"Red? Are you good there? Did you find the boy?" Dick spoke throught the comms

"Yeah, I got him. I'm taking him out right now. Did you call for help?"

"I though you didn't want to work with the bats...."

"MEDICAL help, you idiot. Of course I don't want more of you."

"I don't think any doctor will help with Crane's toxic. You know it just have to wear off."

"Yeah, thanks for the clarification, replacement. And you keep wondering why I don't want you around."

Funny thing about Jason Todd was that while he was always ready to kill and kick asses, full of anger and tended to be harsh, he would NEVER let anyone hurt a kid. That was exactly why his hotheadedness took over when he rushed for the rescue and didn't spend one second wondering how the fear gas will affect him.

And he was about to find out.

edit: part 2 is up!

#jason todd fanfiction #jason todd angst #jason todd imagine #jason todd #jason todd x reader #jason todd x fem!reader #jason todd x oc #jason todd x you #jason todd x y/n #red hood fanfiction #red hood imagine #red hood angst #red hood x reader #red hood x fem!reader #red hood #red hood x y/n #batboys x reader #angst #dc angst #jason todd fluff #red hood fluff #fluff #dc fluff #batfamily #batfamily x reader

[yanderes-galore]

May I request a yandere scarecrow concept?

Please and thank you!

You requested no specific version of Scarecrow so I kept it general. So this takes from no specific comic, series, movie, or game. Defaulted to romantic to make things easier. This feels a bit lame but I struggled to figure out where to take this without repeating myself.

This one certainly dips into more sadistic horror territory... perfect for Halloween, lol.

However, I did use this lore video.

General Yandere! Scarecrow Concept

Pairing: Romantic

Possible Trigger Warnings: Gender-Neutral Darling, Obsession, Sadism, Manipulation, Violence/Canon-typical violence, Drugging, Forced affection under the influence mention, Kidnapping, Psychological torture, Forced relationship (?)

The most basic understanding of Jonathan Crane is he's a man that takes sadistic pleasure in the fear of others.

He uses his fear toxin to manipulate those who inhale it, making them see nightmares.

All hallucinations for the most part, but in mass quantities it can be deadly.

Since this is no specific version, I can't find a specific plot for this concept to take place.

However, maybe you were a patient of his at some point or some poor hero he decided to target.

Crane seems like he'd be very manipulative of you due to his toxin.

How he feels towards you, no matter how you meet, is he sees you as another victim.

Another person to manipulate and leech off of with his fear toxin.

Yet over time, as his obsession takes place, he starts to see the beauty of your fear.

What Crane usually does is drug others up on his toxin before torturing them for his own pleasure.

With you, it's different.

When it comes to you Crane just wants to observe you scramble about in complete hysteria.

The sight fills him with a new craving.

He likes that you seem so helpless and at his mercy.

It satiates yet another sadistic desire in him.

He may even interpret as you needing him to rely on.

After all, he's the only one who can make the drugs stop!

I feel the core behavior of a Yandere! Scarecrow would be him making you compliant with his fear toxin.

You have no idea where you are or what's real and the fear that's radiating off you is delicious to him.

Crane shows up as you own personal devil.

That or some sort of comfort in your nightmares, depending on how he feels.

The end goal is certainly to manipulate you into needing him for one reason or another.

Messing with your mind enough may just achieve that goal.

Really the only one that can save you from this situation is Batman himself.

Crane would get distracted by Batman due to him being the only one that scares him.

Which means Batman can scoop your disoriented body up and flush the toxin out of you once you're safe and out of Crane's reach.

Your first meeting would be through this way no doubt.

Crane decides to pick you to play around with, only to be interrupted by Batman ruining the fun.

Crane ends up developing a need to find you.

He finds your fear appealing, you look so cute in your fearful state.

To watch you scampering for help is joyful to him.

When he pretends to play your savior through your nightmares is funny to him as you stare at him with dazed eyes.

It's a shame Batman ruined such a new feeling.

Oh well... he'll find you again at some point.

Well... he does!

Many times, actually.

This is what develops his obsession.

This urge... this need to manipulate you into needing him drives him.

He wants to drag you into a never-ending pit of fear.

Yet he also wants to cage you in his arms and never let go, like a monster digging its claws into its prey.

Crane's obsession appears like it would be primarily sadistic in nature.

At least... that's how I see him based on what I've seen.

In a way he begins to care for you but overall finds you more appealing under his toxin.

The more he gets his hands on you, the more he finds sadistic pleasure in you pleading for him to help you.

He falls in love with the way you turn to him.

He can't help but reach out and hold you as you shiver, cry, and scream due to the toxin.

It's all a melody he loves, he almost wants to lean in and kiss you while you struggle.

He may just do it.

Crane is one who grows more attracted to you when you're afraid.

Call it a... kink of sorts I suppose.

The idea of restraining you comes to mind.

He alters doses of the toxin to make sure you don't hurt yourself.

If he wanted to hurt people, he can choose others.

When it comes to you he just likes to watch you scared.

In his eyes he plans to become close to you... close enough to be a lover in his eyes.

I say in his eyes as to you... he's your captor and torturer.

He hunts you down specifically.

To the point he's just chosen to lock you away to inhale toxins all day.

You're terrified in general... but even more of him.

While you suffer hallucinations and your mind betraying you, Crane sees you as a partner.

The man has a sick interest in you, occasionally kissing and holding you while you hallucinate.

Maybe there's times he relents and lowers your dosage... but for the most part, he's in it for the fear.

Maybe he'll even grow to love you without the toxin in your system.

For the most part, Crane's obsession involved indulging in his fear filled fantasies with you.

It's unknown if he's fallen for you... or your fear.

It's hard to see him as caring yet he cares about you to some degree.

For one reason or another... the Scarecrow has fallen for you...

Once he finds you... he doesn't plan on letting you breathe another breath of fresh air if it means he'll see your beautiful fear all of the time... for as long as he wishes.

#yandere dc #yandere dc comics #yandere dc villains #yandere jonathan crane #yandere scarecrow

[fantastic-nonsense]

hey! i love your blog and i wanted to ask: what do you think dick and cass's relationship would be like as siblings?

Well, apart from uh....*side-eyes the Evil Cass arc and Batgirl Vol. 2 (2008)...I am looking away, I pretend I do not see it*.....that, despite not actually interacting a ton Dick and Cass have a cute as hell relationship where they support, trust, respect, and tease each other and I love that for them. It's what they deserve!

"I heard about your visit with Cain. I know that must have been hard for you. If you need someone to talk to, let me know. I've been there." -Batman: Family #7 (2003)

"We're going to find Vesper's real killer." [looks at Cass] "You don't look too happy about that." "I am. I just...I feel...guilty. For...doubting him." [Dick looks startled, then turns his eyes back towards the road] "We all do." -Bruce Wayne: Fugitive (2003)

[Cass laughs] "What's so funny?" "None of you ever learn." "Learn?" "What...you can't change about each other." -Nightwing (1996) #81

"Race you there!" "You're kidding!" [Cass smiles] -Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #184 (from 2004)

Bludhaven. My new home. Nightwing once called it..."Gotham's wicked little stepsister. I didn't...get it. He was...surprised. He told me the story. Cinderella. He...acted all the parts. That made me laugh." -Batgirl (2000) #58

"[Batman] taught me...teamwork. But it's not a team. More his family. Wish it still felt like that." -Batgirl (2000) #71

"Well...you're both wrong. Everyone experiences tragedy. Tim. Bruce...you and me. It's not about the city. It's about how you choose to see the world. Everything else is just an excuse." -Gates of Gotham #4 (2011)

That being said...Barbara is Cass's first priority and she will and did punch Dick in the face for breaking her heart asdfghjkl

-Batgirl (2000) #46

Also as a post-Flashpoint universe bonus: here's Hallucination!Cass playing "Ghost of Christmas Future" and calling Dick her brother in the "Carol of the Bats" Christmas Special (aka the first time we've gotten official confirmation in the reboot universe that Cass is a Wayne again):

"My brother. I have come to collect." -Batman: Urban Legends #10 (2021)

And Real!Cass kicking the asses of Scarecrow's minions for her brother so he can come to Christmas dinner with them:

[A sign that says 'Merry Christmas Nightwing! Love Secret Santa] Fear Toxin hallucinations can do a lot of things...but they don't kick butts and leave notes. That's more of a Cassandra Cain move.

"Cass insisted she go out and pick you up a last-minute Secret Santa gift...and then radioed that you'd been out without your ventilator and she was going to clean up the mess as your present." "Cass! It was you! Merry Christmas. It's one of the best gifts I've ever gotten." "Better than another pair of headphones."

Basically: they're super cute and have a ton of mutual respect for each other, and we deserve far more Dick-Cass interactions than we've gotten.

#dick grayson #cassandra cain #dc comics #asks #dick grayson meta #cassandra cain meta #batfam #long post

[error4343]

After all those years of not having references, it's finally here... Let me present to you:

Fanon Skyvik timeline + bunch of my personal headcanons for their relationships!

To see actual timeline - click on image.

Before diving deeper: This timeline isn’t very well thought out and mostly based on headcanons, so there can and likely is huge divergence from the canonical timeline!

Pre-teen years

Viktor’s parents preferred him to play on the highest levels of Zaun so he wouldn't breathe Antresole's toxins. That's how he met Sky.

Nothing special happened in this period of time. Just two kids messing around, dreaming of becoming the greatest scientists of all Runeterra. 

Their senior-assistant dynamic was firstly established, but not quite reinforced.

From early years Sky became protective over her friend. Viktor was (and reminds) not very happy about it, but in the harshness of Undercity protection was necessary.

Early puberty

Oh boy here we go, first romantic shenanigans. 

It was time when Sky understood that she likes her friend not only as friend. It wasn't a serious romantic interest, more like “Omg he’s so cute”.

BUT BACK THERE IT WASN’T ONE SIDED!

Anyway, because of Sky’s shyness and Viktor’s fear to ruin their friendship, they never confessed their feelings to each other. 

It was time when they both slowly, but steadily came to realize they’re not only into the opposite gender.

Teens

The most bitter-sweet moment in the timeline. 

On one hand, those years were a peak for their friendship: both kinda lost their romantic interest, kept being supportive pals to each other and started to try to date someone.

Viktor even came up with the idea to set up their workshop so they can start to make money. So they did and it was a success.

On other hand: shit started to go down between Zaun and Piltover and also with their parents' health. 

Even though they never wanted to leave their hometown, Viktor started to think if he could be more useful if somehow he gets into Academia, but for the time it was impossible due to ban of zaunits (it’s a pure hc).

Bridge rebellion & Aftermath 

Suppression of Bridge’s rebellion was so horrifying, that the Council decided to lift zaunit’s ban in order to soften the edges. At the same time, due to the failure of the rebellion, inner conflicts started (hc: which led to a split between Silco and Vander). 

But not only this: Viktor’s parents died due to smoke poisoning and Sky mother’s health began to worsen drastically. 

Under the influence of despair from the failure of the uprising, the death of his parents and, in principle, the hopeless situation in Zaun, Vitya dares to leave the city and take advantage of the opportunity to enter the Academy.

During all of that stuff, both try to hold together their friendship and support each other, but despair ends up winning over Viktor.

Some time apart

Both are going through some shit: Sky - though struggles with life, Viktor - though nationalist intolerance and general struggles with adapting to Piltover.

Sky’s mom didn’t make it. 

After 1-2 hard work in the Academy, Viktor proved himself as worthy for the dean assistant position, and, thanks to that, was able to help Sky get to the Academy too. 

Act I

Even after reunion, relationships between those two never would be the same as it was in Zaun. But it would be more apparent in Act II.

At the same time, Sky’s romantic interest reincarnates, but this time it’s more mature and serious.

It was a time when Sky met Jayce! 

Funny thingy: due to gap in age and education, Viktor became thesis supervisor of Sky (I’m sure it’s not one of the reasons why they never got so close again).

Act II

Вon't have headcanons for this part of their lives for obvious reasons, but keep the homemade reference anyway!

#arcane #arcane fanart #arcane series #arcane netflix #arcane headcanon #arcane art #arcane sky #arcane viktor #sky young #viktor arcane #skyvik #art #my art #funniest thing is that I made this giant piece to start another giant piece :")

[imaginingmarvelandeverything]

There’d Better Be a Mirrorball

Pairing: Dick Grayson (version unspecified) x F!Reader

Warnings: angst, break up

Word Count: 1371

A/N: Here’s the Dick Grayson angst I mentioned! It’s based on There’d Better Be a Mirrorball by Arctic Monkeys and is the result of spending too much time on trains while in Italy. This isn’t based on any particular version of Dick’s character, so ignore the gif. Anyway, I don’t think I’ll ever do a part 2, but I hope you like it!!

(thanks to @yanna-banana and @stargirl25 for initially showing interest in this!)

Masterlist

Ko-Fi

Dick pushed down the aching in his chest and downed the shot of whiskey the bartender passed him. He let himself face the bar for another minute, taking in his haggard appearance in the mirror behind the rows and rows of high end spirits. The people surrounding the bar were either too drunk or too preoccupied with the people around them to pay any attention to Bruce Wayne’s oldest son. For once, he was glad. He needed another minute before he re-joined the dancing crowd.

When he couldn’t put it off any longer, he rolled his shoulders and perfected his smile in the mirror before turning and walking back into the mass of people. He had absolutely no idea what this particular fundraiser was for, only that Bruce needed a show of familiar support for the night. And as much as his heart was breaking, he couldn’t find it in him to say no to family.

She’ll be packing the last of her bags now.

He shook his head and sucked in a deep breath, willing himself to only focus on the present and not let his emotions consume him. He could do this.

“I’m surprised you showed up. Thought you’d be drowning yourself in a bottle of Shiraz, eating Chinese and watching About Time right now.”

He spun around to find Jason watching him with a raised eyebrow. His white streak was hidden beneath box dye and he was wearing an impeccable suit and tie, but even though he had technically been resurrected medically and legally now, Dick was still surprised to find him willingly attending a gala.

“What’re you doing here?”

“Geez, no need to sound so surprised.” Jason rolled his eyes and stepped forward, his voice dropping to almost a whisper. “Babs told me, I thought… I thought you might need someone who could help you tap out, if you needed to leave.”

Dick screwed his eyes shut and focused on breathing. “I’m fine.”

“Sure. But if you find you aren’t, I’m around.” Jason gave a stiff nod once Dick had forced his eyes open again.

Dick returned it. “Thanks. Do you actually know what this thing is for?”

“Haven’t a clue.” Jason snorted, and just for a moment, all Dick could see was the twelve year old who had clung to him the entire night of his first gala. Dick had hated it with a passion, wanted nothing more than to pass Jason off on someone, but now he wouldn’t change it for the world. Funny how ten years made that much of a difference.

“We the only two here?” Dick scanned his eyes over the room.

“Us and Damian, who looks even happier to be here than you do.” Jason looked thoroughly pleased at that prospect but Dick didn’t have the energy to tell him off.

So, instead he just hummed. Jason frowned slightly, clearly picking up on Dick’s emotions.

“I thought you’d be with her.” Jason said softly.

“We agreed it was better if I wasn’t; less fuss and all that. We said goodbye yesterday.” Tears burned his eyes again and he dug his teeth into his cheek to try and stop them falling. He focused his eyes on the Mirrorball, watching the reflected light dance across the ceiling. He didn’t really understand why a gala would have one, but he wasn’t complaining. They always reminded him of the circus.

He stayed staring at the glittering reflections for a while, barely noticing Jason’s presence, until the second Robin choked on his champagne.

“Holy fuck.” Jason spluttered, staring past him.

He glanced over his shoulder and felt his heart freeze in his chest. He was convinced he had been dosed with something; fear toxin or something of Ivy’s because there was no way she could be here. She had a fight to catch in four hours for Christ’s sake! No, this couldn’t be happening.

But Jason was clearly seeing exactly what he was.

“Dickie, what the hell are you waiting for?” Jason shoved his shoulder.

That was all the prompt he needed, and before he even knew what he was doing, his feet were carrying him towards the entrance to the ball room. Towards her.

“You have a plane to catch.” Dick choked out.

“I have a little time to spare.” Y/N said it so nonchalantly, like they were talking about the weather.

“Y/N-”

“One last night.” She cut him off. “I couldn’t just go. I couldn’t.”

He nodded and stepped forward, cupping her face with one of her hands as his other wrapped around her waist and pulled her against him. She rested her forehead against his and wrapped her arms around his neck, her fingers tangling into the hair at the base of his neck.

“Dance with me?” He whispered.

She smiled. “Always.”

He tugged her out into the middle of the dancefloor, keeping his arms wrapped around her waist and hers around his neck, even though the music was too fast to be dancing like that. But neither of them cared.

“How long?” He asked, tears burning his lash lines.

“Half an hour. I already ordered a car.” She brushed a thumb along his cheek as a tear slipped out. “Don’t cry. If you cry, I’ll cry and then we will make the front page tomorrow.” She smiled and he chuckled wetly. “I’m sorry for coming here. I know we said we wouldn’t, but I just couldn’t leave without seeing you one last time.”

“Don’t apologise. I think Jason was about ten minutes away from calling me a cab to meet you at the airport because he couldn’t stand my moping.” He said, smiling as she laughed.

“Okay, enough moping for now then. We have thirty minutes and I just want to spend them with you.” She pressed her head against the side of his as he somehow managed to pull her closer.

“Okay.” He agreed.

The music changed to something slower, something that was in time with the way they were swaying, and he had a feeling it was Jason’s doing. He made a mental reminder to thank him later and then made himself focus on the present. On keeping Y/N pressed against him for what might be the last time as the Mirrorball bathed them in glittering light.

But all too soon he felt the tell tale sign of the alarm of her watch buzzing against his neck. He took a deep breath as she pressed closer against him for a moment before pulling back slightly. There were tears in her eyes and he wasn’t sure he was faring much better. She didn’t have say anything, the question was in her eyes and he nodded in response, taking her hand in his and leading her through the crowd to the main door.

The cold air did nothing to alleviate the heaviness in his heart as they got closer and closer to the inevitable.

“That’s the car.” She said, barely above a whisper as she nodded towards a silver Honda.

He nodded and pulled her against him again, pressing his lips to her temple. “I love you. I’ll always love you. You know where I’ll be if you ever need anything.”

“I love you too.” She smiled and cupped his face in her hands before pulling his lips to hers. She kissed him softly, neither of them bothered by the saltiness brought on by their tears. “You know where I’ll be if you ever need to get away, or decide you don’t need Nightwing anymore.”

He nodded and kissed her again. “Goodbye, Y/N.”

“Goodbye, Dickie.” She pressed one more chaste kiss to his lips and walked away. She looked back once more before she got in the car and the both understood what the other wanted to say.

And then she was gone.

He took several deep breaths and wiped at his face to clear his tears before turning and walking back inside. He caught Jason’s eyes across the room and the younger man held up two glasses of an amber liquid. He smiled slightly at that, as his eyes drifted up to the Mirrorball again. Maybe there were some perks to staying where he was.

#dick grayson #dick grayson imagine #dick grayson x reader #dick grayson x female!reader #dick grayson x fem!reader #nightwing #nightwing x reader #nightwing imagine #jason todd #damian wayne #bruce wayne #titans #dc #brenton thwaites #arctic monkeys

[gsirvitor]

I'm a slut for some 40k lore, tell me about the funny gas mask men with the shovles

Ah yes, the Death Korps of Krieg.

Krieg is a toxic, radioactive Death World within the Imperium of Man, and it is the homeworld of the Astra Militarum's Militarum Regimentum known as the Death Korps of Krieg.

Known for their common deployment in the war zones of the Segmentum Tempestus and Segmentum Solar, the Death Korps are particularly skilled at attritional trench warfare, sieges of and assaults upon heavily fortified static positions and warfare in extreme environments known for their biological, chemical and radioactive hazards.

Why are they like this? It's simple, nuclear armageddon.

Krieg was the site of a rebellion against the Imperium over 1500 years ago, in response to the rebellion the Loyalists bombarded the surface of the world with nuclear weapons, which was then followed by 500 years of grinding trench and tunnel based warfare between the Loyalists and Traitors.

After those centuries of nuclear destruction and tunnel warfare, Krieg was reduced to a radioactive husk, and its people were forced to live Metro 2033 style in underground hive cities to survive the toxic environment.

This forged them the people of Krieg into grim, fatalistic and dour individuals, and the soldiers of the Death Korps are even more so, they selflessly wade into the most abhorrent war zones satuarated with radiation and other toxins.

The military engagement they're involved are often decades long sieges with astronomically high casualty rates, and only those of Catachan stock are comparable to the men and women of Krieg.

Almost all Imperial Guardsmen from Krieg, save vehicle crews, wear their distinctive and highly advanced respirator units that filter out toxic and radioactive particles.

These gasmasks are a relic of their world, and act as a legacy and reminder of Krieg's eternal service to the needs of the Imperium.

Oh yes, and I forgot to mention, the nuclear armageddon was not a one off thing, the Loyalists didn't just fire the nukes once, they had kept firing nukes for the 500 years they were fighting the Traitors.

Now I don't need to tell you this as it is fairly obvious, the Death Korps of Krieg are modeled after WWI German soldiers, the trench warfare of WWI, while their name means War in German.

The helmet top shares a profile with the French Adrian helmet while the bottom part is clearly inspired by the German Stalhelm.

The iconic gasmask is extremely similar to the British SBR gasmask used during the war.

The bayonet is modeled after the American M1917 Bayonet.

The Lasgun Model 98 is named after the German Gewehr 98.

The breastplate worn by Krieg Officers and Death Riders is inspired by the French Cuirassier breastplate.

The Krieg soldiers retreat when an objective proves too much, is a waste of men and materiel or is a tactical decision to ensure victory.

While this all make sense, have you actually heard of them running in fear? Became they have, on page 72 of Imperial Armor Volume 5, the 158th Regiment of the 12th Line Korps routed due to heavy heretic resistance on the second Vraksian defense line.

They retreated and even fragged their own commissars who tried to stop the retreat.

Aside from that, there are multiple instances of Krieg engineers screaming in fear as they faced Khornate Beserkers, proving that they are not unfeeling soldiers bred for war, their grim outlook is a byproduct of their environment, they aren't soldier who will march endlessly to their deaths, it just takes longer for them to break in comparison to other Imperial Guard units.

That said, I think it's important to consider that the Siege of Vraks, fall of Orpheus, and Dead Men Walking portrayals of Krieg all vary considerably, as each is an interpretation by a different author.

It is hard to picture the automatons of Dead Men Walking or the other short stories by Steve Lyons acting in the same manner as the Krieg soldiers in the routs described in Siege of Vraks.

Outside of those sources there are also occasional examples of Krieg soldiers who are pretty much indistinguishable from cadians in gasmasks.

Unfortunately Krieg soldiers caving in heretic skulls with their entrenching tool is a meme the community came up with and is not canon.

[batmanrogues-scenarios]

Ivy, Penguin, Riddler, & Scarecrow are some of the smartest, most rational rogues in the whole gallery- So how would they fair with an S/O who's whole existence is one giant question mark? A cryptid S/O! (Mothman, Flatwoods Monster, Fresno Nightcrawler, etc.)

Fresno Nightcrawler is just funny-

Poison Ivy

She might be rational but she also became part plant so she willing to believe it

Thinks their look is unique and loves going with her hand through their body

Would live together in hut in woods, people would think Pamela is also some sort of cryptid

Loves how S/O is so close with nature people aren't even aware of their existence

Penguin

Cannot believe it

Though his people need their eyes checked but nope

He is interested in them, he has soft spot for people (?) being different

Would find their quirks interesting

Really wants to show them off to a word but he knows other gangs would try to get their hands on S/O and sell them

Really protective

Riddler

No cause, how the fuck-

He would ask them so many questions, he probably read about them when he was a kid

Keep observing them and see how they do some activities

Will remember facts about them, like what they don't like/like and makes it for them

People not knowing he dates cryptic is bittersweet

It's the biggest Riddle to guess who he is dating and only him knowing is so sweet

But not being able to fawn over them in public? It feels like punishment

Scarecrow

He knew if he ever end up dating someone they're gonna be weird

Didn't expected this level of weird but he loves it

Just S/O accompanying him to his heists and people being terrified of that thing

They can communicate without words. S/O puts her hand forward, Scarecrow gives them what they need.

Rest of Rogues are not suprised

The impulse to use fear toxin is strong but he fights it

#pati writes #poison ivy x reader #pamela isley x reader #penguin x reader #oswald cobblepot x reader #riddler x reader #edward nygma x reader #scarecrow x reader #jonathan crane x reader

[fumblingmusings]

so sorry for the bother! may you recommend me some usuk fics? I have no qualms with any genre but I'll be honest, I fear I won't be able to read fics past 50k due to lack of free time

Heck yeah you can! I have a few bookmarked on my Ao3 page - do recommend you have a look there as well as everything below!

I do like a long fic, but I have some one shots as well that I like to come back to. A few of these are a bit old and call back to a different time in fandom, so be mindful of that. Some are ones that everyone has read. Some are explicit, some have attitudes and approaches towards nationhood that haven't aged that great or weren’t that well conceived of to begin with etc., etc...

So essentially... use your discretion.

There is more. There is a lot more. Maybe I'll make a part two or something. But for now…. here's a monster.

Under the Read More as there is lots of links and words.

*****

Tinstars

So Complicated (One-Shot)

It comes every year. Its influence is ubiquitous, seeping into every facet of society like a toxin. The greatest of men crumble to their knees in its wake. You can’t run, or beg, or plead. It has no empathy, no mercy. It will tear out your soul and consume you, piece by wretched piece, until there is nothing left. So basically, it’s Valentine’s Day and something weird happens and then England is there.

Strange Powers (Multi-Chapter)

America thought it would be funny to turn the device on himself. What’s the worst that could happen? Y’know, aside from accidentally falling in love with your friend. A continuation of “America’s strange invention” from the end of Comic Diary 8.

Tinstars manages to write both funny and heartwarming scenes at the same time, and keeps very close to canon characterisation whilst they're at it. Their America is such a goddamn weirdo. The romance scenes are soft, and England is proactive and bamboozled by how bizarre his chosen partner apparently is. Just classic good fic.

*****

PennyLane

Born on the Fourth of July (One-Shot)

It’s America’s Bicentennial and the celebration is going to be epic. Despite England’s bouts of ill health he suffers during this time of the year, he knows his duty, and his duty is to attend the festivities and play his part. But this celebration doesn’t turn out as either America or England thought it would. (Set during America’s Bi-Centennial, 1976)

All Roads Lead (One-Shot)

It’s WWII, and England is a prisoner in a German POW camp. America’s mission it to rescue him before the Germans discover who he really is.

Obviously Penny had to be on this list. She has also written two great human au fics, but I like my canon historical fics just a wee bit more. Arthur is almost always in some form of distress and in need of some...healing attention (cough cough) in these fics, but never to the point of outright wimpiness. Just excellently written and characterised fics.

*****

Smoochy-Ryoko

Chiaroscuro (One-Shot)

Alfred often hides his sadness and fear under a carefree mask and that Arthur is the only one who really understands. Aka Arthur spoils Alfred, the fic.

There's gonna probably be a lot of oldie but goodies on this list, and this is the first. It is weird reading these fics back from 2011 and realising how much of the political landscape has changed for sure. Regardless, Arthur defends Alfred, runs him a bath, and they snuggle. Perfect!

*****

Skuratsukikage

Where the Shadows Are (Two-Parter)

A night in England's house, 1947. Sometimes it feels like the war is never over. Language, mentions of war, dealing with a psychological disorder (PTSD), established relationship.

If Life's a Dance, Sometimes You Miss a Step (One-Shot)

America and England have a real fight despite their committed relationship. 

They do not get brought up in recommendation posts anymore which is a shame because their writing is impeccable. They have a huge catalogue of fic all on Livejournal, so I recommend having a peruse and seeing what catches your eye!

*****

RobinRocks

Paper Crown Kings and Pinwheel Queens (Multi-Chapter)

"What is a nation without humanity?" "I don't know," England said flatly. "Spades. Supremacy. Sickness …The thing that ate him." Cardverse without Cardverse: in which the suits are weapons rather than kingdoms.

Lavender's Blue (One-Shot)

The Suit Kingdom exists as a manufactured barrier between the bloodied human and dying fairy realms as the twentieth century slides ever closer to a second war. The story of a human king, his fairy queen and the worlds between them.

A is For (Multi-Chapter)

Alfie. Which Arthur totally called him last night. And thus begins Alfred's quest to get him to say it again. Set in the early 1950s, after the war.

I feel like this one is divisive nowadays. She is a very good writer technically, but oftentimes her Arthur and Alfred (especially her Arthur - who is often obtuse the point where plots move at a snail's pace because he just won't be honest to Alfred and it can genuinely be infuriating) can cross over into completely unlikeable and unsympathetic. That may be the point but... ymmv on where your limit of empathy for those boys are. I tend to think you'll have better luck with her one-shots or smaller multi-chapters. She also has an incredibly creative mind for aus, no-one quite comes up with off the wall fantasy like she does. A if For is by far her most conventional fic, along with 1912 and 1915, I think her most famous ones about the Titanic and Lusitania. Lavender's Blue was supposed to be a multi-chapter but what we got was an excellent one-shot (fairy Arthur guys... fairy Arthur!!!), and the the twist at the end of Paper Crown Kings and Pinwheel Queens still makes me go what the fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu a decade later.

*****

StarDropDream

Highway Cloudbusting (Multi-Chapter Three Volume Fic)

Sick of politics and business as usual, England decides to indulge a rare moment of spontaneity and go on a roadtrip. He should have known that America would want to tag along. And they both should have known that the trip would set them down a path they couldn't turn away from. / Just because you confess your feelings doesn't mean everything will fall into place from there - and England and America both have things they need to understand and accept about themselves and each other. / "I want to hold your hand".

Coffee and Cigarettes / With a Hole in My Heart (One-Shots)

Alfred made a promise to himself that he would never surrender to anyone, never relinquish his control. / Arthur was afraid to give himself completely to Alfred. These two fics mirror each other with the same concept but placed on each person in a different universe: how to get the boys to bottom. It's far more emotive than it sounds.

I mean... not to throw my hat into the ring but StarDropDream is the best USUK writer the fandom has ever had (oh yes I said it)! Her characterisations are spot on, the emotions will, if the time is right, actually have you choking up, and the sex is... nice. :| I have already spoken about Lying in that Sound Tonight and on and on it goes. They are just brilliant. Their long fics are the exact right kind of little plot lots of feelings, and their one shots are snapshots of something that you know is so much deeper. Just honestly, go through their catalogue for Arthur and Alfred, great stuff.

*****

Miaou Jones

Darts of Pleasure (Three One Shots)

Arthur could have Alfred's brilliance and warmth in his life—if only he could let himself. / Alfred remembers the very first time he and Arthur got together, with a closing reflection on the events from the beginning of Amsterdam. / In many ways and with many words, even if not those exact three, Arthur tells Alfred he loves him.

If you want smut they're the author for you! Phew! And they even do the unforgivable and make it either A) Hot as hell or B) Emotive as fuck. I also very much enjoy Star Light, Star Bright, but I won't recommend it here, as whilst USUK is the emotional centre of the fic, it involves Arthur and Ivan sleeping together at Potsdam and the framing of it is deliberately dubious.

*****

ElapsingSpiral

Al and Artie do Blackpool (Multi-Chapter)

It’s time for Arthur’s annual holiday, only money is a tad short: Blackpool it is then. Still, if Arthur’s going to England’s Capital City for Tackiness, he’s taking somebody else down with him. Poor Alfred.

Dating Advice for Germans and Americans (Multi-Chapter)

Ludwig and Alfred have one thing in common: questionable taste in the people they turn to for expert dating advice.

These two fics are set in the same universe but don't have to be read in order to understand what's going on. It's blindingly obvious that the author is British on account on how scary accurate Arthur is characterised. Their one shots of him taking Alfred to a greasy cafe or a car boot sale are sweet and nostalgic, but these two longer fics are incredible, and I feel like they never got the attention they deserved, even when they were published in 2009/10. The GerIta in Dating Advice is also incredible, and the contrast between the way Ludwig and Feli have issues versus Alfred and Arthur is so well done. Ludwig and Arthur's friendship being based on pragmatism before they realise that they actually get along (to the point where Feli thinks there's an affair going on) is well written too.

Arthur is incredibly love sick in these stories, desperate to be loved and be wanted for himself and the incidents which split him and Alfred apart are genuinely heartbreaking because he doesn't really do anything massively wrong. It's this legacy of shit behaviour that people won't cut him a break, and Alfred is the one who has a learning curve of understanding that Arthur really wants is to belong to someone, and how him asking for the same in return is not the red flag Alfred thinks it is.

The fics are also bloody hilarious. Incredibly dry. Tragically their Livejournal was deleted where there were many other fics (the GerIta... gone T_T) but alas. Gone into the void. Hmm. I suppose you can tell which one is my favourite right? I just want more people to read these ones. Please.

*****

Orestiad

for all e̶͎̾t̷̟̅ë̸̠r̵̺̐n̸̡i̵̦̓t̵̘̓y̶̲ (One-Shot)

A few months into their 4-year long exploration mission, Alfred is starting to form an unhealthy attachment to the ship’s AI.

This one fucked with me. They set up like four different ways you know it's going to go tits up. We've all seen Space Odyssey. Arthur as an AI is begging for trouble. The Kill Switch that Alfred is the only one with access to. Arthur getting attached to Alfred. It's all going to go downhill. And then it swerves in a brilliant parallel to earlier in the fic and it's like, oh no there truly is no fate worse than being loved by something not human is there. God or otherwise.

*****

Rierin

Written in the Stars (One-Shot)

Alfred wakes up after an assassination attempt to find Arthur at his bedside. He's told he and Arthur are engaged— but the last thing Alfred remembers is the Revolutionary War, and all he feels for Arthur is anger and resentment bordering on hatred.

Amnesia fic make Abbie go brrrrrrr. Genuinely not much to it than that. Arthur is so wonderfully pathetic in this fic and I mean that in the best possible way.

*****

Kink Meme Fills

The frustration here is I literally just copied and pasted a bunch of responses onto my pc for my own personal consumption without noting the original web url like a fool so excuse me whilst these listings are a bit more haphazard. I would have a nosey through the USUK livejournal page which indexed them up until Part 22. They are missing the later ones and ones that were back filled, so I would also go through the Finished Fills List and - if you feel like really going through it - the plain old Fills List.

Listen. Somewhere in those hundreds of pages is a fill where the entire Commonwealth catches wind that Arthur is pining after Alfred. Antigua is the first to figure it out; Canada is last. Someone went to the effort of writing all (well, at the time, some more nations have joined recently) the nations of the Commonwealth reacting, including Scotland who gets metaphorically possessed by the spirit of Arthur Conan Doyle and goes hunting for his missing brother who is being held captive by Oz and Zee. Some nations don't care because they are well within their rights not to care a fig what England does, some are aggressively supportive because honeymoon tourism and many just wish the America and England would spit it out and put everyone out of enduring their misery. I have it saved on my computer, but lord knows where it is in the depths of the Kink Meme. It's a sweet one. Worth sifting for... Good luck.

Whew! Okay. I'll call it quits there. Big boy. Hope there's something of interest in here! Old and new!

#hetalia #fanfic #hws england #hws america #usuk #op

[written-in-flowers]

Guardian Knight: Pt. 2

Pairing: Arkham!Jason x Fem!OC

Genre: angst, fluff, smut

Word Count: 8k

Rating: M

Tags: lovers to enemies, enemies to lovers, somewhat slow burn, implied/referenced torture, kidnapping, PTSD, hurt/comfort, blood and violence, canon violence, implied/referenced abuse, eventual smut, vaginal sex, vaginal fingering, oral sex, nipple play, choking (sexy and non-sexy),

Summary: After the events of Arkham City, Mia Wayne's life appeared to return to normal. But, when Scarecrow threatens to cover the city in Fear Toxin, she's thrown into the chaos by a mysterious figure: The Arkham Knight.

Part 1 < > Part 3

***

As the car sped through Gotham, Mia noticed the size of the city. The streets appeared wider and the buildings taller without the millions of people who lived there. Looking out the tinted windows, she watched the city spiral into chaos. Underneath neon signs, rioters filled the streets. They burned cars, broke windows, and looted stores. They didn’t have a care in the world. The Gotham City Police must be overwhelmed with the amount of crime going on in the streets; they’ll be outnumbered. She knew they didn’t have the manpower or the equipment to deal with mobs this size. Bruce donated money to fund their precinct, but it still wouldn’t be enough. Nobody ever anticipated such destruction. She worried about Alfred. The commander said they knocked him out, but what if it did permanent damage? What if he didn’t wake up? Worry filled her stomach. Alfred could handle himself in a fight, but he wasn't Bruce. She hoped Alfred was alright. 

Scarecrow drove everyone out of the city with his fear toxin. However, it didn’t make much sense to evacuate the city and then release his toxin. The only people who would get hit are the scum in the streets, and who cared about them? He’d implied the blast was city-wide, hence the scramble to leave. Unless it wasn’t. Mia knew Bruce would figure it out. Only he could stop Scarecrow. He had the resources and skills to defeat every criminal in the city. He outsmarted The Riddler. He beat the Penguin to a pulp. He always caught Two-Face mid-heist. None of them defeated him. Joker learned that the hard way. Scarecrow would be no trouble at all. Somehow, someway, Bruce always won in the end.

"Look at it,” the commander said. “The great Gotham City being brought to its knees. In a few hours, Scarecrow’s toxin will fill up these streets and Gotham will be finished.”

“Scarecrow is a coward who hides behind chemicals and a stupid mask,” she retorted. “Batman will stop him. He always does.”  

“Always with the blind faith,” he chuckled. “You’re surrounded by thousands of soldiers. I got drones, tanks and men all over the city. You think Batman can stop this? He’s just one man. He’s weak, old, and predictable. He can use all the billion-dollar tanks, silly gadgets, and pathetic sidekicks he wants. It’s no match for what we have in store tonight.”

 “He’ll still win. The Joker was one man with an army of his own and look what happened to him.”

 “I’m not him,” he growled. “I’m not like the others.”

“You’re all the same,” she replied. “Everyone always underestimates Batman and thinks they can outsmart him until he pops up out of nowhere and kicks their ass.”

"Funny how you put so much faith in him after everything he’s done.” 

She raised an eyebrow at the statement. “Where are you taking me?” she asked, preferring not to get into it. 

“You know this city. You figure it out.”

She looked out the window. She saw the familiar lanterns and dragon statues of Chinatown. Seeing the rows of red and gold pillars, she assumed they were heading north. Both Miagani and Founder’s island were in the opposite direction. When she spotted a Chinese restaurant she and the band visited, she knew they’re approaching the city limits. Looking up ahead, she saw the massive processing plant of Ace Chemicals. The green sign stood atop the large entrance, with dark clouds floating upwards into the sky. Normally, the plant was quiet. Tonight she saw transport helicopters flying in and out. Mia followed one helicopter leaving the plant and heading back towards Bleake Island, several drones flanking behind. These men meant business. One would’ve thought they were preparing for war, not a hostile takeover.

“He’s manufacturing the chemical here,” she stated, not asked. “Ace Chemicals is the only place in Gotham that could handle something that size. He didn’t give us a warning because he wanted the city empty.” She turned to her captor, “The blast isn’t only city wide, is it?” When he did not answer, she nodded, “No, it’s not. It’s beyond that. It doesn’t matter if people go to Bludhaven. It’ll get them there too, right?”

“See, you can be smart when you want. Open the gate,” the commander said, and she saw the iron gate open for them. 

It reminded her of a military camp. Men in red and white uniforms bearing the same insignia marched inside helicopters waiting on the top tier. The row of trucks drove into the plant, driving straight through the entrance down a long tunnel. Here, she saw men packing weapons and military-grade equipment into more trucks before heading out. The militia came prepared for their takeover. She thought of her brother facing these men alone. She knew Bruce more than most people. He would insist on taking on this army by himself. He wouldn't want anyone to die because of him. Barbara would sit in the Clock Tower, helping him with her computer skills. Tim will be off doing whatever tasks Bruce set for him, and Dick was all the way in Bludhaven. If Bruce wasn’t careful, these men could shoot him out of the sky. 

These weren’t Gotham City thugs. These men had military training. 

“You should’ve blind folded me,” she taunted the commander. “What happens when I escape and contact the big bad Batman? I don’t think you want him knowing your hideout right away.”

"We both know you don’t need to do anything,” he said. “Batman will come to the plant, and when he does, I’m ending him.”

“Is that why you kidnapped me then?” she couldn’t think of a reason otherwise. “I’m Bat-bait?”

“That,” he looked over at her, “And because he's not going to protect you like I will."

Another vague statement. It was becoming tiresome. She'd been about to question him before they hit a bump that distracted her. The truck moved through a tunnel that led underneath the plant, and Mia noticed the lack of workers in the area. “What did you do with the workers? You let them leave, right?”

“We were given orders to eliminate any chemical workers we found,” he answered, and her jaw dropped. “They’ll get caught in the blast anyways.”

“You could’ve given them a chance to leave,” she replied, shocked. “You didn’t have to kill them. They were innocent people.”

“My men were given orders, and we carried them out.”

“That’s only an excuse to deflect guilt from yourself. That’s…” she couldn’t find the right word. “That’s despicable. They’d done nothing to you.”

“They were in the way. They should’ve left Gotham when given the chance.”

“Your men most likely didn’t give them a chance,” she looked back out the window to see they’d driven into a long tunnel where they’d stationed more men. Mia imagined these men gunning down the plant workers like dogs, then taking over the factory. “You won’t get away with this. Batman will stop you. He always stops them.” 

“Oh-ho, I’m counting on it,” he said, almost too glad to admit it. “Tonight, Gotham’s Dark Knight will fall and I will be there when it happens.” He turned to her, “Now, you sit tight and wait for him to rescue you. It’s what he’s told you to do.”  

She glared at him, but didn’t retort. She hated to admit: it’s exactly what she did. Bruce always told her to stay quiet and wait for him to come. He always came. Except at Arkham City, when her savior came to her aide instead of him. Would they come again this time? 

They reached a control booth by one of the tunnel gates. “Out. Now,” her captor said, opening her door for her.

She slid out and into the grasp of the soldier she hit. When he grabbed her arm, his commander pushed him aside. He kept her at his side as they entered. She saw men inside installing monitors, communication links and data storage units around the room. They kept a map of Gotham tacked to a wall, red dots pinpointing specific areas. She supposed these were checkpoints.

“Sir, all systems are up and running,” one of the men said when he entered the control room. “Communication channels and tracking systems are officially online.”

“Good,” he said, “Batman’s on his way. I want to form a welcome party for him. Ready the drones.”

 “Yes, sir,” the man turned back to the computer behind him, quickly typing in his command codes.

 “You two head over to relay station one,” he pointed to the men behind him. “The rest of you head to Founder’s Island and set up more on the rooftops. I want squadrons four through eight setting up checkpoints on the ground. Nine and ten go assist Scarecrow in the mixing chamber." 

They all nodded and rushed towards nearby trucks to drive off. “The mixing chamber,” she said softly. “How does Scarecrow plan to get out of here when it goes off?” 

“Shut up. Spread your legs.”

“Excuse me?” 

He didn’t ask a second time. The commander put a leg between her own, causing her to gasp in shock before he started patting her down. “What are you-Woah!” she yelped when a large hand touched her backside, “Keep your hands to yourself, creep! Hey, that’s mine!”

Out of her back pocket, he pulled out a cellphone with a floral case. He examined it before saying to her, “You didn’t think I’d really let you keep this, did you?”

“Give that back!” 

She moved forward to him, but was stopped short. Two soldiers held her by her arms when she went for the phone again, and forced her into a chair. He didn’t break it like she thought he might. He slid it into his pocket. She didn’t comment in case he did decide to do that. Bruce and Barbara will no doubt be already tracking her phone signal. They’ll find her soon enough, but seeing the army outside, she wondered how Bruce would get past them all. The commander dismissed the two soldiers, leaving them both alone. She glanced around the room for a second exit, but she only saw the one door. He moved to the control system behind him and typed away on a keyboard.

“Batman will come whether I’m here or not,” she told him. “He’ll eventually figure out how Scarecrow is manufacturing his toxin, get here, beat up all your guys and your little tanks, kick your ass and then save the day. So, you might as well let me go.”

He laughed again, “Yeah, right. Batman will definitely find out where we are. He’ll find our exact location, but we both know he’ll try to save the hostages first. He might try to save you too, if he gets around to it. Then he has to go through all my men in order to reach Scarecrow. He is only one man after all.” 

“A man with a car that’s basically a tank with cool wheels on it,” she noted. “Your little minions don’t know what they’re up against. Batman is smart, determined, tactical, and pretty damn strong. He’ll find a way past them, and when he gets to you, he’ll beat you into the ground.” 

He turned around, holding an injection gun in his hand, “That’s where you’re wrong, princess. I have taught my men everything about Batman: his moves, his skills, and the way he thinks. We know his every move before he’s made it.” He shut the control room door and locked it. The soft click of the latch made her insides squirm. “I didn’t even have to make a big deal about kidnapping you, and you want to know why?” He closed the blinds looking out into the tunnel outside. Nobody would see him and her together. It made her sick. “Because he’s going to hack into our communications, and when he hears you’re here, he’ll put you on his To-Do list.” 

He came to a level with her, and she gulped thickly. “Because you and I both know if he has to choose between finishing the mission or saving people, he’ll pick the mission every time. Batman pretends like he cares about saving innocent people. It’s all a trick. It’s a lie-”

“-It’s not a lie-”

“-Then explain why it took him so long to find you the first time?” 

She studied his helmet again. A smooth reflective surface that no doubt meant to throw off enemies, she envisioned her knight again. She focused. She truly focused on what they’d looked like. She never saw a face, but she’d seen the shape of their headgear. It was pointed and round like the commander’s. Mia thought about the armor they’d been wearing. Bruce’s suit is sleek and smooth with bits of plated metal. Her knight wore mostly metal with cloth. Bruce’s gloves were a special leather with a strong grip; her knight’s hands felt thicker and of tough material. Mia looked down at the hands at his sides. The black gloves resembled her savior’s gloves.

“You were in Arkham City,” she heard herself ask him. 

She tried concentrating on her knight. They also had wide shoulders and big arms. They hadn’t talked to her, though. No, wait. They had. She remembered it now. Underneath swaying yellow lights, her torn clothes sticking to her skin with sweat and bile, and her body a useless lump, she heard murmuring in the memory. A tender voice whispering comfort and reassurances. They’d said something to the effect of, “you’re safe now.” 

“It was you,” she breathed. “You found me in the steel mill and saved me. All this time, I thought it must’ve been my imagination or it’d been Batman, but…” she raised a hand to the helmet and the commander flinched. She squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, trying to picture the moment as much as possible. “But, it was you." She thought about it more, "It must've been you." She looked back at him, "Why did you save me?”

The commander stared at her. She could tell he mulled over his options, and she thought she might get an answer. Instead, he pressed the injection gun to her neck and the needle shot into her skin. In a quick flash of pain, Mia winced and rubbed at the sore lump forming there. She watched the Knight calibrate her tracker to his wrist armor, and continued. 

“Did you save me so you have Bat-bait for Scarecrow later on?” she questioned, the possibility becoming more obvious. “Can’t entice Batman to come to you without me, so you rescued me to then kill me later?” 

“That’s not why I did it.”

“Then why did you?”

“You wouldn’t understand.”

“Try me. I happen to be pretty good at understanding misunderstood people.” 

Her knight didn’t answer her. Once he finished with her tracker, he said, “Now isn’t the time to explain,” he said, cutting her out of her zip-ties. 

“What is the tracker for?” she asked, soothing the aching in her throat. If she pushed deep enough, she felt a small pill-sized mass under the skin. 

“So if you run, I’ll know where to find you. Arkham City isn’t going to happen again,” he said, “Not with me around.”

"My gallant hero," she sneered. 

“Would you prefer I set you free and let the animals of this city eat you alive?” he said, the threat laced in his tone. “We both know he’s not coming to save you. He’ll try, of course, but when it comes down to the mission or you, he’ll pick the mission. Every. Time.” Mia heard the disdain in between the words. The deep seated hate that seemed to stem from somewhere painful. “If he had to choose between saving Gotham or saving you, he’s picking Gotham. Just like he did in Arkham City.”

“Arkham City wasn’t his fault,” she retorted. “He had no idea I was in any kind of danger. It’s not like I’m important to him or anything. He didn’t know I was…you know…”  

Being horrendously beaten and tortured. Her right hand stretched and curled to where the scars turned white on her skin. If she lifted up her sleeve, the faded circles of cigarette burns went up her forearm. She winced at the memory of the burning flesh and ash mixing together, and the enjoyment it gave her captors. Batman didn’t know she was there until he found her. He thought she was with the other political prisoners; it was why he made his way there before the bombings began. When a prisoner said they saw her being carried off hours ago, he knew where she’d be. But, something inside her whispered: ‘He’s not an idiot. You are Amelia Wayne. You had a target on your back the moment you stepped into that place. He knew that.’ 

"That's what he wanted you to think. He knew you were there, and he left you there to die," he grunted, tapping more keys. "You'll see. By the end of the night, The Dark Knight will fail this city and show everyone his true colors.” 

"Screw you," she hissed. "Batman will never let you win."

“He’ll put up a fight, for sure, but he won’t win. Not this time. We’ve got control of the roads and the skies. I am going to personally make sure he pays for what he did to me…what he did to you.”

“Can you please stop playing the cryptic game with me?"

“Sir,” she heard a voice through his com link, cutting off their conversation. “The drone is active and online. Target is headed towards Ace Chemicals.”

 “Perfect.” He called in the two soldiers outside the booth, “You two are on guard duty.” As he made to leave, he said, “Anyone puts a hand on her, and they're a dead man.” 

The Knight left nothing but confusion in his wake. She stayed on the chair still, rubbing her neck again as she thought about his responses. He clearly has history with Batman, but so do lots of people. He seemed to have taken her kidnapping in Arkham City more seriously than Bruce. She hated admitting to herself that her knight might be right in a way. Bruce did put the mission first, but that didn’t mean he did one thing at a time. He’d told her he had Alfred keep a lock on her signal before the goons crushed her phone. He kept an eye out for clues to her whereabouts while also trying to stop Hugo Strange’s plan. Mia knew her brother would not forget her. He cared about her. Like with Jason, he kept several things in motion at one time which is a skill she’d never mastered. 

Deep down, Mia knew he’ll look for hostages first, and then go after Scarecrow and his bomb. He’ll find her. He always did. 

“So, what do you think the deal with the chick is?” she overheard one of the soldiers ask his comrade. He wore a white coat with a red hood covering his head and black goggles. Judging by the patch on his arm, he is a medic of some kind. "Is she related to Batman somehow?”

“Beat’s me,” the other shrugged. In full black, with accents of red like the others, she assumed this one is a basic soldier. “She’s a Wayne, so maybe she’s bait?”

“But Knight’s got other ways to get his attention, like having us storm the city and Scarecrow’s poison. Why does he need her?”

“I don’t know, man,” the soldier replied, annoyed. “Maybe he thinks she’s hot, and wants to keep her for some recreational time or something.” He then snorted, “I’d do the same if it were me.” He looked over his shoulder at Mia, who scowled. 

“Eh, he can have her,” the medic dismissed.

“What? You don’t think she’s hot?”

“She’s got a nice face, but I like my women soft and delicate, you know?”

“You like the cutesy ones, huh?” 

"Love 'em."

Mia rolled her eyes. She wondered if they knew anything about the Knight. Mia recalled the time Bruce asked her to get close to one of Carmine Falcone’s men so he can eavesdrop on their conversation. Mia, at the time, wanted to prove that she could be part of the family too. She wanted him to see that she could be useful. So, instead she approached the group of men under the guise of a pretty rich girl wanting a good time. Men divulge all kinds of information when they’re drunk, especially the chatty ones. Bruce told her to fall back. She stayed. Mia learned that night about Falcone’s shipping yards, and noted they may be a place of interest. Seeing the two soldiers chatting, she might be able to do the same here. 

“So, what’re your names?” she asked casually. When they turned to her, she said, “I mean, if you’re gonna be my bodyguards, we might as well know each other’s names.” The soldiers didn’t answer, which prompted her to add, “Come on. I’ll just give you stupid nicknames anyways.”

“James,” said the soldier in black. “This is Phillips.”

“Dude, what the fuck?” hissed Phillips. “You didn’t have to answer her.”

“I don’t want a dumb nickname,” he told him. “It’s not like she’s seen our faces anyways.”

“You guys are American? Canadian?" she asked them. “Ooh, can I guess where you’re from? I’m pretty good at deciphering dialects.” If she learned that, she might gain an idea of where her knight is from. 

“I’m American,” James said, but was nudged by Phillips. 

“Stop talking to her,” he warned. 

“Hmm,” she replayed the sounds of his words and how he shaped them when he talked, then said, “You’re not from Gotham, but you lived here for a while so you picked up the slight cadence of a Gothamite accent. I’m picking up…Drescher area?”

“Close,” he said, impressed. “Not Drescher. Otisburg.”

“Damn,” she hissed, “I used to work at a bar down in Otisburg. It’s called Rocky Road. I don’t know if you ever-”

“-Aw man, I loved that place-”

“James, what are you doing?”

“It’s called talking,” he answered as if it was obvious. “Knight did say we’d be in charge of watching her when he’s not around. We might as well get to know one another.”

“If I’ve learned one thing on guard jobs, it’s not to get too friendly,” said Phillips. “The more you talk, the looser your lips get.” 

“I didn’t realize being from Otisburg and going to bars was such top-secret information,” noted Mia. 

“Right?” scoffed James. “You worked at a bar? Aren’t you crazy rich though?”

“My family is wealthy. I’m not.” 

“Hm, that makes sense. You definitely don’t dress like a rich girl, no offense.”

“None taken,” people often said Mia Wayne having a ‘normal’ job seemed strange. “I prefer a simple life. I don’t need flashy cars or designer clothes to feel important. My apartment, my guitar, and my friends are enough for me.” 

“How wholesome,” Phillips drawled, clearly unimpressed. 

“How old were you when you moved here?” she asked James, pretending to be interested. 

“Ten-”

“-James!”

“Aw, how come? Parents got a new job?”

“Nah, my parents split and I came to live with my dad here in Gotham. He was ex-military-”

“-James, shut up-”

“-Huh, why?-”

“-That’s cute,” she grinned, “You're following your dad’s footsteps into the military. Well, I don’t think he intended for you to participate in hostile takeovers, but what military guy hasn’t done that, amiright?” She and James laughed together, but Phillips remained stiff and stern. Then she said, “And you met the Knight through your career?”

“In Venezuela-”

“-Don’t you see what she’s doing, you idiot? She’s trying to get information on The Knight through us,” Phillips told him. “Face forward and don’t talk to the hostage.”

“Psh, fine. I was making conversation.”

“The more you talk, the more she’d learn about us.”

“Why does it matter if she knows anything?”

“Oh, I don’t know, because then Batman will know when he comes to get her-”

“What’s his deal, anyways?”

“Huh?”

“The Knight,” she clarified, “What’s his deal? He kinda came out of nowhere, right?”

“See,” Phillips told James. “What the Knight has planned for your stinking city is confidential. You just sit there and wait for him to come back.”

“He’s gotta have a lot of money if he’s able to drum up an army of this size,” she continued. “I might not have loads of money, but all your equipment seems really advanced and high-tech. You guys have military standard weapons and body armor too. Where do you think he gets the money for it all? Plus, he must’ve housed you all in a camp in Venezuela.”

“That’s what I’m wondering about!” James exclaimed. “I was telling one of the other guys that I think the Knight comes from money or something, because you gotta be loaded to finance all of this.”

“Will you two shut up?” Phillips grumbled. “Face forward, soldier.”

“Aren’t you, like, a little bit curious though?” she asked Phillips. “You work for the guy and don’t know anything about him?” 

“I don’t need to,” he responded. “All I know is the guy is paying me loads, and once this is over, I’m out of here.”

“Where do you wanna go?” she asked. 

“None of your business.”

“I’d go for an island landscape if I were you guys,” she said, “Especially after being in Gotham in all this cold and rain. You know, sitting on the beach with one of those pineapple drinks with the umbrella…maybe some hot girls in bikinis too?” She then added, “If he’s paying you enough, that is. I don’t know how much a mercenary is worth these days.”

“Mercenary work pays really well,” said James. “If you have the training and smarts, you can make a nice profit.”

“Shut it, the both of you!” 

“You really need to loosen up, man. It doesn’t hurt to talk-”

Mia tuned out their argument. They’d met The Knight in Venezuela. Considering his grudge against Batman and the lack of a Latin accent in his voice, The Knight is also likely from Gotham. He must if he holds such a deep grudge. At some point, he left Gotham City and traveled abroad to…to what? Train? Build an army of mercenaries and ex-military officers? That sounded like an overkill for a grievance. Then again, Batman is no ordinary man. She stood up from her chair and went to the window. Looking out the window, she saw dozens of armored tanks parked along the tunnel. Men in red, black and white uniforms marched and stood around with rifles in their hands. How could Bruce stop them? There are so many of them and one of him. 

She turned her attention to the computer "The Knight" had been using. On the screen, she saw dozens of large and small red dots going across a map of Gotham. She guessed the large dots indicated power and relay stations, and the smaller ones were roadblocks. Yes, The Knight is definitely from Gotham. Only a real Gothamite would know where exactly to place them. She noticed several small triangles moving throughout the map, as well as ones with spinning circles. Mia memorized the routes and formations of the drones and tanks. Not a single alley or street would go uncovered. Batman won’t be able to go anywhere without running into militia tanks or soldiers. A sense of unease hit her. Despite what she said, Batman has never faced an enemy of this size before. 

While her “guards” moved onto a lighter topic, she stared around the room. She needed a way out of here. Even if her tracker gave away her position, she needed to at least try. Last time, she’d waited for Batman to appear and he came too late. What if he comes too late this time? Mia wouldn’t let it happen again. 

Searching the room, she wondered what Batman would do. He’d most likely put together a few spare parts for a miracle gadget that’ll help him escape. He’d take out the two guards at the door, then sneak his way around the others in the shadows. Mia couldn’t do that. Sure, she can throw punches and kicks, but not at the expert level. She’d been about to give up when she noticed a grate on the floor in the corner. The intricate metal pattern stuck out against the tiled floors. Turning to look at Phillips and James, she carefully made her way over to the grate, and was relieved to find it open. The vent underneath appeared big enough for her to fit through, so quietly she wriggled herself into the space and shut the grate. 

The heat in the compacted space nearly suffocated her, and the steel walls were unyielding to her body. Mia took shallow breaths as she began army crawling through the narrow passage. She guessed she reached outside the control room when the grates turned into blank walls. The unlikely, irrational scenario of somehow ending up stuck under the floor crossed her mind as she wiggled through like an insect. How did Bruce do this? He’s larger than her and moves through these things like a snake. Mia knew she’d gotten around the militia and their tanks when a new grate brought more air into the vent. 

“...I’ve been down here six months…”

“...Six months in this rat infested hole? Damn, man…”

Mia continued crawling. She’d find a safe space eventually. The strain on her body became more noticeable as she moved through the vents. 

“...Heard Batman’s here. You think he’ll show his face?”

“No way, man. Not with all the tanks out there stopping him.”

“Yeah, but I heard his car’s basically a tank itself, equipped with heavy armor and a cannon.”

Her breath started dampening her face, her muscles started aching from crawling, but she kept going. Perhaps if she got far enough, the Knight will have trouble catching her. Just because he knew her location doesn’t mean she can’t be ahead of him. 

Mia reached a block at the end of the tunnel, and groaned to herself. Rolling onto her back, she peeked through the grate above her to see the faint red lights and rocky ceiling of the tunnel. From the shadow on the wall, something covered her from view. She’d put her fingers through the grate and slipped out quietly. As she’d thought, a large palette of wooden crates hid the grate from view. Keeping herself pressed against the crates, she saw the label on the side. 

‘ARMOR CRATE 204’ 

After peeking around to check for militia soldiers, Mia popped open a small crate. On top of foam cushions sat several military rifles with boxes of ammunition. Mia only held a gun once in her life, and it’d been when Alfred taught her how to use a handgun. She delicately withdrew one of the rifles, and tried assessing where the magazine clip would go. The weapon might as well be a puzzle box. She set the rifle aside and dug further into the crate. Searching for a moment, she found a set of handguns packaged in a line with magazine clips. Much easier to handle, Mia took one of the handguns and the bullets they came with. She might not be a military soldier, but how difficult could firing a gun be? She loaded the gun as Alfred showed her, then put the extra clips into her jeans. Hopefully, she won’t need to use the gun and can get out unseen. 

Ducking back down, Mia spotted more troops up ahead and dread settled into her stomach. She should go back into the vents, stay there until the coast is clear and then move out. But, with the tracker in her neck, her captor would eventually find her. She needed to get ahead of him while he’s busy. Mia watched a group of soldiers idly standing around, clearly having a smoke break while they waited on their commander. She waited until she was sure they didn’t see her, and crouched to the disabled tank across the tunnel opening. Each time she moved, she worried she’d be spotted and captured. Surely, Phillips and James will have noticed she’s disappeared and set out to go look for her. They may inform the Knight, who will then lead the party to retrieve her. No, she can’t let that happen. She needed to at least attempt an escape, however futile the effort. 

“...Who do you think he is?”

“Who? Batman?”

“No, The Knight.”

“Not a clue. I don’t really care to know either. As long as the man gives me my money, he can be whoever he wants.”

“You’re not even a little bit curious? I mean, guy comes out of nowhere with all this information on Gotham and Batman, assembles a fucking army with tanks and weapons from Germany or wherever, and has made it his mission to kill The Bat. This all sounds very personal to me.”

Yes, it did sound personal. He received his equipment from Germany, which is where Bruce has his own equipment made. Did The Knight do that on purpose? James and Phillips mentioned the Knight paying them well, which means he must have money or someone financing his crusade. She considered the other super-criminals in Gotham. Perhaps they are working together to kill Batman. It’d make sense. 

Mia dismissed this idea for now and continued moving silently past groups of soldiers and their tanks. Once or twice, the blue scope light on a tank barely grazed her feet, but she managed to bypass them until she reached a block in her journey. An empty control room was right next to the entry, and she searched the room through the window for a way to open the door. Mia wondered how she’d get past the wall when she heard commotion coming from nearby. She saw a group of soldiers walking in her direction, examining their guns as they approached an armored car. She spotted a control box nearest the door, underneath a light that would give her away if she wasn’t careful. She felt around the sides of the yellow box, trying to find a way to pry it open when a voice sent shivers up her spine. 

“Hey! What’re you doing here?!” 

Mia gasped, stunned and frozen in place. She could hear him coming closer to her, his fellows staying behind by their car. The gun against her hip became heavier and more apparent on her body. She had no choice but to use it. She didn’t know if it would work, since the soldier might have body armor. Still, she didn’t have to kill him. She only needed to get away. 

“You’re not supposed to be here.” Her body trembled as she counted his footsteps, her palms starting to sweat, “You’re coming with me, honey.”

She tightened her grip on the handgun, and in a flash, twisted around and pulled the trigger. The gun’s kickback hurt her hand, but she’d felt worse injuries before. The bullet lodged right into the soldier’s knee, causing him to cry out in pain and alert the nearby soldiers. They saw their comrade on the floor, and she took advantage of their confusion. Rushing into the control room, she quickly spotted a wall vent, and hurried towards it. Slick, sweaty palms slipped on the metal floor as she scrambled. She did not know where this new vent took her, but it got her far away from her captors. Mia heard them calling for backup and to start searching for her. 

“The Knight’s gonna be pissed!” 

‘Good,’ Mia thought. ‘Let him be pissed. I’ll be long gone before he gets to me.’ 

Once again, she found herself underneath the wheels and feet of more militia men. How long was this damn tunnel? Sweat started beading on her forehead and under her sweater as she crawled. She thought back to the soldier she’d shot. She never shot anyone before, not even a flesh wound. She kept moving, trying not to overthink it, before she reached another open grate. Carefully, she lifted the lid to see her surroundings. When she didn’t see any soldiers or tanks, she crawled out of the vent and took a look at her surroundings. 

The rocky walls transitioned into smooth stone, and the dirt path became a paved road. She must be reaching the entrance to the tunnel. The light breeze from an opening up ahead came flowing through and cooled down her hot skin. Mia thought of running towards the exit, and she almost did before she heard voices echoing down the way. 

“-Batman’s on his way,” a man’s voice said. “It’s likely that he’ll try to enter the mixing chamber to stop Scarecrow’s plan. The Knight wants as many men helping load the stuff, but just as many guarding every entrance and exit in this place. We’re going to split into teams to cover every inch of this plant…”

Mia quickly ducked behind a nook in the wall before anyone noticed her. Her eyes scanned the floor for another vent to crawl in, but her underground paths ran out. She knew she could not simply wander past them on her way out. What would Bruce do? Fight them, obviously, but she couldn’t do that. Not all of them, anyways. She thought of keeping herself hidden in the nook before she noticed the pipes beside her. About as thick as a tree trunk, she noticed the bands keeping it taut against the wall. She could climb them if she placed her footing right. Taking hold of a ring above her head, she lifted herself up until her foot found the bottom rings. Only able to fit two fingers between pipe and wall, her hands ached by the time she reached the top. Her heart pounding in her chest, her legs felt numb and her hands ached from their stretched position. Mia worried she might miscalculate the jump and fall, making her position known. Still, she leaned over and grabbed the nearest ceiling pipe. Using the bit of wall behind her, she was able to lift herself up onto the double poles. 

The pipes were higher than she originally thought, and her legs locked together to avoid falling over the sides. The rust on the pipes peeled away in places, scratching her palms against the metal; whatever water or gas pushing through vibrated the pipe which made her uneasy. Still, she crawled. If she took things slowly, she might make it across. Batman makes this look so easy. She learned that it was not. 

“-You should see the guy fight though. I swear, he’s like one of those superhumans!”

“Oh, please! The Knight just has extensive, hardcore training, that’s all. If he’s gonna go toe-to-toe with The Bat, he’s got to keep himself in top-shape. Psh, wish I had that kind of discipline.”

“I was watching some of those tapes The Knight gave us about Batman’s fighting techniques, and I won’t lie The Knight’s got a similar fighting style to him. They both use the same counters and strikes. Their armor is more or less the same. The guy walks around like a damn shadow sometimes…The similarities are right there.”

“Maybe he wants to kill The Bat to take up the mantle?”

“Why gas the city if he plans on being the top vigilante?”

“It could be a bluff. You know, help Scarecrow but then save the city right at the last second? That could explain why he’s got Mia Wayne locked up in the central control booth at the end. He might have taken her to then pretend like he saved her at the end?”

“Seems kind of hard to pass off if people saw her get kidnapped.” 

“Okay, yeah, then why did he kidnap her?”

“Ransom, I guess.”

“I think he’s into her,” another one guessed. 

"What makes you think that?"

"I was part of the extraction team," he told him. "When Brooks punched her, Knight treated her all gently and softly. I've never seen The Knight like that."

"Well, she's a woman. Maybe he’s got a moral code or something he goes by and hurting women is crossing a line?”

"I’d understand it if the woman doesn’t deserve it. But that one? She's a bit too mouthy for me," he replied. "Brooks should've hit her harder. She's lucky I wasn't the one handling her. I would've taught her some manners real quick."

"And have The Knight pummel you into an early grave?" The other mocked him. "Psh, yeah, go for it, man. Let me know how that goes for you."

Mia glared down at them as she tentatively made her way across the ceiling. Batman did this with such ease, while she struggled to keep her balance. They did have a point, however. Amongst his men, The Knight is a forceful, intimidating commander, but with her, he acted much more gently. He still proclaimed that he’d murder her brother tonight and take over Gotham, but he did not raise a hand or knife to her. He’d swept her off to safety in Arkham City, putting her in a safe place until Bruce found her. From what she’d gathered, he seemed to have taken Bruce’s lack of urgency over her disappearance personally. Were he a cruel person, he wouldn’t show such concern. She put it out of her mind for now, and focused on making it across the pipes. 

She’d gotten right above the group when she noticed a slippery substance leaking onto the pipe. Looking up, she spotted droplets of water coming from a crack in the ceiling. Mia made her way towards it, and did her best not to press her hand on the wet spots. She withheld a squeak when her body nearly lost balance, causing her to tip to the side before she caught herself. Holding onto the pipe tightly, she took deep breaths as she tried not fixating on the possibility of falling onto the soldiers. Her single handgun won’t be of any help if she did. She kept on going, doing her best to not touch the wet pipes on her way. Unfortunately, no amount of caution helped in the end. In a single slip of the palm, Mia’s balance completely crumbled and she fell off the side of the pipe. 

Her body made a hard thud, the impact instantly bruising her back and sending shocks of pain in her limbs. The sudden appearance of their captive surprised the group for a moment, which is all Mia needed to stand up and run. One of them immediately wrapped his arm around her waist. 

“Where are you going, girlie?” he said, a taunt in his voice. “You’re not supposed to be here.” 

He dragged her back over to the group, and nearly threw her into their midst. She frantically looked between the four men, whose faces she couldn’t see behind goggles and masks. Mia instantly withdrew her handgun, but this did not faze the men carrying AK-47 rifles. They all taunted her further with groans, laughing at her weak attempt. 

“Stay back,” she said, pointing the weapon between the four of them. She saw the way their bodies moved closer to her, an almost predatory feeling creeping over her. “St-Stay away. I’ll shoot. I swear.” 

“Then go ahead, honey,” the one who’d grabbed her said. She envisioned the malicious smile underneath the mask, and she trembled. “Shoot. If you’re such a big, bad girl, then you won’t have a problem pulling that trigger.” 

“Keats, let’s just take her back to James and Phillips,” a soldier in a red coat told him. “They’re probably looking for her.”

“What’s the rush?” the soldier named Keats said. He moved closer to Mia, who aimed her gun at him. Her finger ached to pull the trigger, but something in her couldn’t see it through. “Aw, what’s the matter, big girl? Where’s all that barking you were doing earlier, hm? Not so tough when there’s no Knight to save you.” She nearly gasped when he cracked his knuckles, “You hurt my friend pretty badly. I think someone ought to teach you some manners.”

“Keats, this is a bad idea, dude,” the red coat told him, trying to get between them. “The Knight will kill you.”

Every bone in her body began shaking, and she couldn’t make it stop. Mia couldn’t stop the flood of scenarios from coming through. She saw the man coming closer to her, much like the thugs in Arkham City. He carried the same sadistic glee as them, and she felt herself press back into the wall. The barrel of the gun did not stay steady in her trembling hands, and everything told her to pull the damn trigger. 

“Psh, as if. All that ‘kill her and you’re dead’ talk is all a big bluff,” he dismissed “He needs as many boots on the ground as he can get. I think when I explain myself, he’ll see that I was right.” He moved the soldier out of his way, and moved closer to Mia, “Maybe after some time with me, you’ll be a good girl and do what we tell you to do.” 

When he extended his arm to swing, she pulled the trigger. The shot startled the men, who all ducked when the bullet went flying across the road into the wall. She took deep breaths, eyes widened, as she checked to see if she’d hit him. When he noticed a trickle of blood fall onto his shoulder, Keats touched his ear. Seeing blood on his leather gloves, they both realized she’d grazed the cartilage there. Mia saw the outrage flare up in his eyes, and he stepped forward. 

“You little bit-” 

The Knight appeared out of nowhere. None of them saw him approach, but he’d gotten between Mia and Keats without making a sound. A black gloved hand wrapped around Keats’s throat tightly, squeezing his windpipe as he lifted him off the ground. Mia and the other soldiers stood watch while Keats wriggled and kicked in the man’s tight grasp. 

“I wasn’t bluffing,” his voice remained steady as he held Keats several inches off the ground. 

Keats could not respond. Mia watched him try prying off The Knight’s hand, but failed to budge it even slightly. Soon, Keats stopped moving entirely. She did not need to ask. She knew a dead body when she saw one. The Knight dumped Keats on the floor, then turned to the other soldiers. 

“Anyone else want to call my bluff?” he asked, glaring at them. Even behind a visor, Mia sensed his anger. 

“No, sir,” the red coat answered, and his fellows shook their heads with him. “We-We tried to tell him, but he didn’t listen.”

“Because he’s an idiot. I hope you’re not idiots either,” he said. “You have your orders. Time to head out. I’m putting you all on watchtower 18. Go. Now.”

“Sir, yes, sir!”

Mia quickly tucked her gun away, and stiffened when he turned back to her. She wouldn’t lie: she liked a protective man. She saw his wide shoulders and the slim torso that no doubt led to a v-line waistline. Mia only ever saw Batman lift up a 200+ pound man with no difficulty before, but that usually scared her. When Knight did it, she didn’t feel scared because he never directed it towards her. Not a single time. Her eyes scanned down the rest of him for a moment, and she tried her best to not take in every single inch. 

‘Dude, he KIDNAPPED you! Stop it!’ 

Looking never hurts though. 

“Are you okay?” he asked tenderly. 

“I’m fine,” she replied, straightening up and trying to shake off her nerves. “Are you expecting a kiss?” she teased. 

“You shouldn’t be here,” he told her. “You could’ve been shot if one of the tanks fired at you. My men have orders to leave you untouched, but the tanks won’t know the difference between you and Batman.” 

“I can be stealthy when I want to be,” she quipped. 

“Oh yeah, very stealthy,” he replied sarcastically. “How far did you think you’d get anyways? You have a tracker in your neck, if you forgot.” 

“Far enough to stay ahead of you.”

He chuckled, and reached for her. “Right. Okay. Come on, princess. We’re leaving.” 

Suddenly, sirens started blaring. The sound echoed throughout the tunnel to ring in her ears. Panic heavied her breathing as she saw soldiers rushing into cars, calls to action going down the line with a sense of urgency. She felt the ground under her begin vibrating as cars drove past her. Mia’s heart started racing as she realized what might be happening. The thick scent of chemicals started choking her in the unfiltered space; she coughed and gasped for air as Knight led her towards another truck. 

“What’s happening?” she asked over the noise, reaching the truck with him. 

“This place is about to blow,” he said. “Get in.” 

He threw open a truck door and stuck her inside before climbing in. With a knock on the roof, the truck raced behind the others out of the quaking tunnels. She took deep breaths of clean air as she watched the ceiling and walls starting to crack from the blast pressure, and she realized it. This is it. The chemical explosion Scarecrow threatened an entire city finally happened. She jumped away from the window as the wall just behind them blasted open, fire and smoke coming through and knocking out the truck following them out. Her hand grasped something on the seat between her and Knight, and she felt an arm wrap around her waist. 

“Step on it, Sergeant,” she heard the Knight say to the driver, his voice very close to her ear. 

Why did his embrace make her feel so safe? Jason came back to mind again. Despite both of them being seventeen, he never failed to make her feel protected. When she’d gotten cornered in an alley by two thugs, Jason appeared out of nowhere in his Robin attire and took them out. Then he put his arm around her, and shot them up to a safe rooftop. Being in the Knight’s arms, even platonically, felt somewhat nice. 

The truck made it out of the tunnels and onto a helicopter pad. The soldier opened her door while the Knight went out the other side. Mia turned to see the tall roofs of the Ace Chemicals building crashing to the ground as thick clouds billowed from the smokestacks high above them. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw fire emitting amongst the clouds; more walls crumbling right as she and the Knight got into one of the cargo ships. 

Bruce. Batman. Last she heard he’d gotten into the building. Had he made it out in the nick of time as always or did the crashing walls bury him alive? She hoped he’d gotten out. Knowing what Scarecrow’s toxin is capable of, she hated thinking of him inhaling the stuff and losing his mind. Mia heard the ship’s door close and she strapped herself into a bench while she watched the plant fall into the deep waters below. She searched as long as she could, until she spotted something flying out across the bridge. The familiar black shape of the Batmobile sped down the bridge onto the mainland again right as the helicopter rose higher and higher into the air. She sighed in relief. At least he made it out. 

She, sadly, had not.

***

A/N: oooh things are getting interesting! I know stuff like this isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I really hope the people who are reading it are enjoying it so far! Likes and reblogs are always appreciated!!

#jason todd #batman #bat family #arkham knight #arkham knight game #jason todd fanfiction #jason todd fanfic #jason x oc #jason todd angst #batman fanfiction #batman fanfic #arkham series #arkham city

[finniestoncrane]

Dear god I am foaming at the mouth at your latest daddy oz fic like god he's so cute but also it's so funny cause im imagining they're both in a room full of people and they're doing the disgustingly cute display of "you're cute" "no you're cuter" and everyone is standing around waiting for them to leave like 🧍‍♂️

Rogues Reacting to PDA

Farrell!Penguin x GN!Reader anon this is so funny and i cannot tell you what i wouldn't give to be this embarrassing with him u-u so i kinda took your idea and did the other rogues reacting to this display of sickening sweetness 💜 (also i know it's farrell!oz and we don't have really have other reeves rogues to react to but shhhhh we can just generalise and wildly speculate shhhhh) 🐧☔ request info • prompt list • send me a request • kofi • masterlist minors DNI!! 🔞 cw for nsfw stuff: language, fluff, jealousy maybe 👀

poison ivy

"i love you so much!" "well i love you more!" "no i love you more, sweetheart!" it's sickeningly sweet, but she's a romantic at heart so she can forgive the display for a brief period, until ozzie starts eyeing up her prized roses and she just knows he's considering plucking one off the bush to hand to you and love or no love she'll break hands. of course then she'll have to put up with you fawning over him and telling him what a poor little soul he is, and that might be worse

two face

"i wanna just bite your cute little nose ozzie" "well why don't you come over here and nibble on me" ok that's enough now! if one of you doesn't actually eat the other then he'll feel like he's suffered through all of this for nothing. this might be the only time that one is better than two in his mind and if he has to come over there and physically separate you both then he will. there's nothing cute about organised crime bosses says mister grumpy da over here, so stop babying oswald now

riddler

"god, kiddo, you're the best thing to happen to me" "wow ozzie, you're the sweetest, handsomest, smartest guy around" well that takes the fucking cake! here's the thing, you can rub your new found love and romance in front of everyone's faces. you could get a room and do whatever disgusting carnal things he can see dancing around your eyes in there in private. that's fine, he doesn't mind. you can maybe delude yourself into thinking he's the most handsome. but the smartest? and in front of him!?

zsasz

"when i get you alone, the things i'm gonna do to you" "i don't think anyone's watching ozzie, give me a taste!" if he shoots himself now, will someone make sure to etch a little mark on his skin for him? because that might be the only thing to get him out of this nightmare scenario. my god, what did he ever do to deserve this kind of punishment...oh...yeah...all of the things he's done. well if he'd known the karma would be so cruel he would genuinely have reconsidered his life of crime, and he loves crime! you're ruining crime for him! stop!!

harley quinn

"you are the cutest" "no you are!" "no you are, look at those cheeks!" "no you, look at your everything!" look, she's a big fan of cutesie and a big fan of bad boys, so seeing a sweet side to oswald where he gets to be completely enamoured and in love and cringey and romantic is just deeply pleasing to her. and the two of you are so absolutely sweet together and so meant to be that she doesn't have to worry in the slightest about who she'll pick in the breakup, cos that's never going to happen obviously (or she might fight both of you)

scarecrow

"ozzie!" "i can't help it sweetheart, i just gotta touch you!" "people can see though" "let them watch" sorry, he's just deep in thought trying to remember if he ingested an immense amount of fear toxin today, because surely there's no other reason for him being subjected to this little nightmarish display of lovey dovey crap that is being inflicted up on his eyes? i mean it wouldn't be so bad if oz's wandering hands weren't so obvious, amongst other parts of his anatomy that are really hard to stare away from, get a room you two

#penguin smut #the penguin fanfic #penguin x reader #penguin x you #the penguin x you #reeves!verse #finnie writes #oswald cobblepot #the penguin #colin farrell penguin #oswald cobblepot x reader #oswald cobblepot x you

[thedevilundercover]

hi so imagine an au where the Batfam has had like a mind link since it was just bruce dick and babs and once someone is part of the Batfam they join the mindlink but they’re all so good at compartmentalizing that they just never realize AND THEN Tim/some other person it doesn’t really matter gets high/fear toxin/ pollen/whatever and their walls just go down so every one’s just like wait what the fuck and then they slowly realize and get into it. I think it has so much potential for angst(someone doesn’t stop compartmentalizing and thinks their not part of it or some thing like borderline) or comedy(they fuck with people and are just menaces in general). This has been my ted talk. Thank you. (Sorry this was so disorganized and I have zero expectations for anyone to do anything with it so no pressure I just thought it was funny and wanted to share)

Oooh cool idea!

When I read this it reminded me kinda of sense8. Like the Batfam get interconnected via magic fuckery and like they don't notice it for a while because they're just like wow The Voices are increasing but whatever.

The angst potential is wild though because those idiots have never had a proper conversation in their life tf you mean they've talked about what they've went through personally.

They all think that the others got Fucked Up as children and so they're all like, "damn, I'm the least traumatised one. These bitches need therapy, not me tho."

#batfam #dcu

[iriswords]

Febuwhump Day 12 - Can you hear me?

You can also read this on ao3 and find the rest of my febuwhump fics here

tw: blood and injuries, self-esteem issues, implied past emotional abuse

Fandom: Batman

Words:

Tim has been caught by the Riddler and is forced to play one of his games. He talks to himself as he progresses, certain the comms don't work. On the other end of the line, the Bats hear everything.

--

Tim hates the Riddler. He used to like the man, used to find him clever and funny, even, but all past appreciation for him is now gone. He pounds against the door for what must be the dozenth time, screaming at the Riddler to let him out. As if that would get him somewhere. It is a commonly known fact that villains never do what heroes ask them. There would be no villains and heroes, otherwise. 

“That’s of no use, birdie,” says the Riddler over the speakers in the room. “We’ll proceed to the next part once you’ve calmed down a bit.”

Calmed down a bit? Tim has more than enough reasons to be angry. Not only did he let himself be captured like a fool, and by the Riddler, of all people—Tim has way too many things to do to spend any amount of time trying to solve riddles—but he also sees no way out. The Riddler placed him in a box of a room, with two locked doors. One he entered through. The other has yet to open. 

Tim slumps against the wall and lets himself slide to the ground. The Riddler left him in nothing but his suit, stripped him of anything that could have been useful to his escape. He even took the cape. On his leg, a dark stain grows slowly where Tim was stabbed earlier in the night by the Riddler’s goons. It hasn’t hit anything dangerous, but the bleeding doesn’t show any sign of stopping on its own, and Tim has nothing to stop it with. Carefully, Tim prods at his ribs, which he cracked two nights ago and told no one about. They haven’t gotten worse, but they could use some rest. Unfortunately for them, it doesn’t look like they will get it any time soon.

Tim taps against his comms to activate them. Just like the times he tried before, he gets nothing but static. 

“Red Robin to Oracle,” he tries anyway. “Can you hear me?” Silence is his only answer. “The Riddler’s got me, and I’m not in the mood for playing his games.” 

“Rude,” comes in the Riddler’s voice over the speakers. Tim ignores him. 

“Oracle? Can you hear me?” Still nothing. 

At the same moment, a pastel blue gas whirls out of the airway. Tim instinctively reaches for the rebreather in his belt and remembers he does not have his belt or his rebreather anymore. 

“What is this?” he hisses at the room, hoping the Riddler is still listening and inclined to answer him. 

“I’ve paired up with Scarecrow,” says the Riddler casually, as though this was no information worth mentioning. “He’s decided to expand his horizons and test other aspects of the human mind. As a fellow intellectual, I could only agree.” 

Tim would rather he hadn’t agreed. And what does ‘expand his horizons’ even mean? Knowing Scarecrow, it cannot be anything good. Tim holds his breath until he cannot anymore, then lets the blue gas infiltrate his lungs. It doesn’t taste like anything, so far from the acrid taste of fear toxin, like terror on your tongue warning you about what is to come. 

Tim waits for the effects, tense as a wire. They do not come. The Riddler gives no indication as to whatever toxin this is functioned or not. Instead, the second door slides slowly open. 

“You may proceed to the test,” says the Riddler, and Tim figures he might as well indulge the two villains. If they are satisfied, they could even let him go. He gets up, wincing when he puts too much weight on his injured leg and walks to the door. 

Tim steps into a giant labyrinth, stretching over the whole ground floor of what looks to be two joint warehouses. That the Riddler even managed to pull this out without getting caught is a testimony of Gotham’s police failure—and the vigilante’s failure, too, because they definitely should have found out about this sooner—but what is done is done.

“Are you out of creativity?” asks Tim out loud. 

“Don’t judge my piece of art too quickly, birdie. You may be surprised. All you need to know is that there are no rules. But if you do something I don’t like, you’ll be punished. You’ll know the exit when you reach it.” 

Perfect. Just. Fucking. Perfect. Tim has not had nearly enough coffee to deal with this. It looks like he doesn’t have a choice. 

Before going into the labyrinth, he tries his comms again and receives no more answer. He decides to let them activated, in case they come back to life suddenly, and steps into the labyrinth. 

—

“Red Robin to Oracle,” says Red Robin, and Barbara’s attention shifts from Batman to Red Robin. “Can you hear me?”

“Clear as day,” answers Barbara. “Where are you and what’s going on? We lost your tracker.” 

“The Riddler’s got me and I’m not in the mood for playing his games.” 

Barbara snorts. “Who ever is? Do you have any useful information to make it easier for me to track you down?” 

Tim doesn’t answer her. “Oracle?” he calls. “Can you hear me?”

“I can hear you very well, Red Robin. Do you know where you are?” No answer. “Red?” Barbara sighs and switches to Batman’s line again. “B, we’ve got a problem.” 

— 

As was to be expected, the labyrinth is filled with traps and riddles. Moving walls and hidden goons waiting to take him out. Tim defeats them all, though not without sustaining further injuries. His left wrist is broken, and his leg is minutely getting worse. He leans on the walls of the labyrinth as he stumbles through it, panting, his mind sluggish from the pain. He fights back the strange urge to cry that has been rising in him for the better part of his journey in the labyrinth.

“I wonder if they’ll notice I’m gone,” he says to himself in a surprising bout of honesty. “Or how long it’s gonna take them.” No one answers him. The silence around him is suffocating. He keeps talking, the words tumbling out of his mouth without his consent. “Maybe they’ll assume I’ll get out myself.” He gives a strangled, bitter laugh. “Well, that’s not gonna happen anytime soon.”

Minutes have stretched out into hours, and each riddle takes Tim more and more time to solve. Every time, frustration builds up in him and tears burn his eyes. 

“Maybe they won’t care. Mom and dad wouldn’t have.”

— 

“Red Robin, can you hear me?” asks Oracle for the thousandth time in the past three hours, since Tim asked for help. And just like those past times, she receives no answer. Everyone is back in the Cave, ready to roam the city as soon as she gets a hint as to where Red Robin is kept. But the Riddler was clever this time, for not even she can find anything leading to Tim. She will, eventually, she knows she will, but the question is, how much time is it going to take? 

“I wonder if they’ll notice I’m gone,” echoes Red’s voice through the speakers in the Batcave. Everyone freezes. Apart from a few pained grunts, it is the first thing Tim has said in hours. “Or how long it’s gonna take them.” Barbara exchanges a confused look with Dick. Is he talking about the Riddler and his goons? Has he escaped them? 

“Maybe they’ll assume I’ll get out myself.” Barbara frowns as the words start to make sense. Over the speakers, Tim laughs darkly. “Well, that’s not gonna happen anytime soon.” 

“Is he—” starts Jason. 

“Talking about us?” finishes Babs. “Yeah, I think he is.” Silence falls over the Cave. Babs shares the sentiment. Why would Tim think they wouldn’t notice or come for him? 

“Maybe they won’t care. Mom and dad wouldn’t have.” 

By her side, Dick makes a wounded noise in the back of his throat. Uneasiness grows in Barbara’s chest. They are not supposed to listen to this. 

“Red, can you hear me?” she tries again. Tim doesn’t acknowledge her.

— 

Tim continues to talk to himself, in a desperate and not entirely controlled attempt at distracting himself from his impending doom. Pain shoots up from his leg every time his foot brushes the ground, and he nearly face-planted three times in the past minute. He rounds a corner and finds himself at a dead-end. Tim chokes on a sob. 

“Why are you doing this to me?” he cries to no one. “I just wanted a calm night. Just one fucking night away from assassination attempts and near-death experiences. Is that too much to ask?” 

The Riddler doesn’t answer him. Tim sobs harder, and he doesn’t understand why, all of a sudden, all his emotional control, so good usually, is so thoroughly shot. 

“Am I really that fucking insufferable that no one wants to keep me around?” The words fall from his mouth without his permission. “Maybe mom and dad were right when they said I was impossible to love.” Maybe everyone was right when they tried to leave. Maybe he should stop clinging to them like a pathetic leach and just remove himself so they won’t have to. Maybe, maybe, maybe—

The tears stop as abruptly as they came, Tim’s chest heaving from the remnants of sobs. He dries his tears with a shaky hand and pulls his mask back on. Whatever this episode was, he’s glad there was no one around to witness it. 

— 

“Am I really that fucking insufferable that no one wants to keep me around?” asks Tim, and Babs clenches her jaw. She doesn’t dare glance at Dick, still by her side. She knows what she’ll see. Eyes full of tears, cheeks red and wet, face distorted by sorrow. She knows he blames himself, and she also knows he isn’t entirely free of blame. But she cannot comfort him, not when she can barely swallow around the lump in her own throat. The Cave fell into an uneasy silence when Tim first started crying, the sound so unusual to all of them. Tim is all cynicism and calculated boredom. He does not cry. 

“Maybe mom and dad were right when they said I was impossible to love.” 

Dick lets out an audible sob and curls up on himself, a hand clasped tightly over his mouth. Babs risks a glance at the rest of the Cave. Bruce’s face, bare from the cowl, has twisted into a constipated expression, his way of conveying regret and sorrow. Cass hovers silently by his side, twitchy in a way she usually never is. Farther in the Cave, Jason is pacing, hands fisted in his hair. As his body turns toward her, she catches a glimpse of bright, unnaturally green eyes. Damian, for his part, is rooted to the spot near the Medbay, wide eyes fixed on the speaker. His expression is a careful mask, but Babs can see the way his hands shake slightly where they hang limply at his sides. 

“Red,” Barbara tries once again. She cannot help the way exhaustion sips into her voice. “Can you hear me?” 

— 

Tim misses the goon who comes out of nowhere and misses the bat swung at him. He does not dodge and does not defend himself. It hits his temple full force, a skull-shattering blow that sends him sprawling to the ground. He lands on his broken wrist and the pain rips a howl from him. His vision whitens out for a moment, and he comes to panting and sobbing, cradling his injured wrist to his chest. The goon is nowhere to be found. Tim should be glad, he guesses, that they didn’t stay around to beat him up more. 

He straightens up with difficulty, dizzy from the blow, the pain, and the blood loss. His breath itches with silent, uncontrollable sobs. Tim tries to get to his feet, but his knee gives out beneath him and he falls back to the floor. He curls up against the wall of the labyrinth, all of his resolve gone. 

“Please,” he whispers to no one. He has never felt more like a child. “Please someone, just come.” 

In his head, Jane Drake scoffs disdainfully. 

— 

“I have an address,” announces Babs. Bruce, who has been anxiously pacing the Cave ever since Tim cried out in pain, turns abruptly towards her, already putting his coal back on. 

“Where,” he growls, more order than question. The second Barbara gives him the address, Bruce is gone, closely followed by his sons. 

“They’re coming, Red,” says Barbara into the comms. No one answers her. 

@febuwhump

Part 2

#my writing #creative writing #fanfic #fanfiction #whump #febuwhump2023 #febuwhumpday12 #dc #batman #batfamily #tim drake #hurt tim drake #tim drake whump

[pyromaniac-cyndaquil]

Hello I am actually obsessed with the daytime future post (broken day AU? Like daybreak?). I adore light as vile in fiction because it's so different and fascinating. The dark hides horrors and plays on the fear of the unknown, the anxiety of knowing something could be after you. But daylight horror is in front of you, and you cannot hide from it. Violence and agony on full display. And of course the over abundance of a good thing becoming sickening, turning life into toxin.

Maybe the servants are Helioptiles/Heliolisks (they get Solar Power and are sun themed in general). If you want to replace Dusknoir, he could be a water type and that's part of how he rose in rank to be Dialga's personal servant. Inteleon could be interesting because of the spy motif, or Slowking for the intelligence, or a fully evolve water starter for the imposing vibes. Carracosta is a good option too.

OHHHHHH YOUR MIND, THIS IS EXCELLENT HELL YEAH

Light as a force that can be just as harsh and brutal as it can good is so underutilized and I agree, it's a super cool concept with a lot of potential for horror and cruelty!

Those are some super good ideas for the servants, intelleon and slowing are especially good 😭😭😭😭 I could see both being dialga's main servants - with slowking as the brain of their operations and intelleon as their (probably rather brutal) sniper and master of disguise.

I could see Intelleon heading back to the past to pose as an explorer in pretty much exactly the same way dusknoir does in canon - which then results in the very funny situation of having TWO separate renowned explorers in town giving completely contradictory stories while the townsfolk struggle to decide which to trust 😂

#pokegeek151 #daybreak au #<- i like that name thank u #pmd #dusknoir: and that's why we must band together and aid grovyle in his mission no matter how obnoxious he may be- #intelleon: i call bullshit actually. these assholes are LITERALLY STOPPING TIME IN THESE PLACES USE YOUR EYES #after both reveal themselves as being from the future to the town nobody has any clue what to do any more #there's several days while everyone mulls it over that are just spent listening to the two of them arguing loudly #and trying to hold back from murdering each other in public so they don't tank their carefully crafted reputations #wondermail