you've been, oh, so kind

ᴅɪᴄᴋ ɢʀᴀʏꜱᴏɴ | ᴘᴇᴛᴇʀ Qᴜɪʟʟ | ʏᴇʟᴇɴᴀ ʙᴇʟᴏᴠᴀ

𝐍𝐨𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐝𝐞

𝒜𝓁𝒾𝒸𝑒𝓃𝓉 𝐻𝒾𝑔𝒽𝓉𝑜𝓌𝑒𝓇 | 𝒯𝒽𝑒𝑜𝓃 𝒢𝓇𝑒𝓎𝒿𝑜𝓎 | 𝑅𝒾𝒸𝓀𝑜𝓃 𝒮𝓉𝒶𝓇𝓀 | 𝒥𝑜𝓃 𝒮𝓃𝑜𝓌

𝙽𝚎𝚡𝚝 𝙶𝚎𝚗𝚎𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗

Closed Starter for @farewcllwanderlvst​ | Mantis & Peter

“I revolt you, don’t I?”

.

     Mantis frowned deeply as she looked over her shoulder at Peter, the words striking through her like an arrow to her chest. He was the closest thing that she had to family and she could never be revolted by him, even if his behaviour had been rather…out of character, recently. “You break my heart, Peter” she told him, honestly, moving across the room now to look him in the eye. “But I could never be revolted by you” Mantis shook her head, reaching to touch his arm gently, half expecting him to push her off. “There is nothing wrong with feeling things. Just because they’re feelings you’d rather not have, that doesn’t make them wrong…It just makes them hard” she sighed. “Did you want to talk about it?”

There was something that HURT to hear her say that. Peter had always considered himself a heartbreaker but the thought had never headway to shame before. Then again, his days as a heartbreaker were before Gamora. The person he had become didn't break hearts. Which was probably why breaking his sister's felt like such a crime. "Sometimes," He mused, so tired that he could fall apart like sand and it'd be okay. "I think that you should." She was too kind to him, all of them were. Was it being selfish that he couldn't bring himself to change despite their kindness? Despite their LOVE ? "I guess I've never been good at feeling hard things." A pause, because he was Peter and he couldn't help it. "Emotionally I mean. I'm very good at the physical feeling of hard or w-- ANYWAY," Veering very off course Peter. He swallowed, the instincts to find something grosser or nonsensical to talk about were stronger then he would admit. "Talking about it... ?" He mused the words. "Honestly Mantis I wouldn't even know where to start." Actually, his first idea would be the bottom of a bottle but somehow Peter doubted Mantis would agree with that.

Closed Starter for @farewcllwanderlvst​ || Damian & Dick

“I mean it’s one banana. What could it cost, $10?”

.

     Damian’s eyes narrowed as they pierced into his older brother, an incredulous expression shaping his features as he exhaled a heavy sigh of annoyance. “The only thing more ridiculous than what just left your mouth is the fact that we have to pay for something that grows in nature altogether” Damian shook his head. It was the way of the world, however, and he sincerely doubted that it was likely to change within his lifetime or in any that followed. “If a banana is costing you ten dollars, however, you’re shopping at the wrong stores, Grayson”

It felt like just yesterday Damian didn’t even reach half Dick’s height let alone far past his shoulders into something resembling adulthood. Okay, technically he was an adult, but to Dick he’s always be his kid. There was no question about it. Putting that aside, Dick was proud of the young man Damian had become. He always knew Damian had it in him, and now Damian proving it to the world too--- was calling it beautiful sappy? “I-I was imitating Bruce!” Well, more so Bruce-ie, the façade Bruce wore like a mask when he wasn’t who he preferred to be-- the Batman. “Oh Dami, if we paid an accurate price for anything Gotham wouldn’t be Gotham.” Full of crazy loons, that is. For the only reason that insanity exists is due to the greed of the rich, but that was beside the point. “This banana talk has gotten me in the mood for one though, you wanna go for a ride?” It would be a nice chance to catch up, see what was occurring in Damian’s life in the meantime. At least if he was willing to talk about it. 

-

Jerome considered Dick’s question, before a wide grin split his face and his eyes glinted. “Nope!” he said, leering over at Dick with his arms spread wide, as though he wanted to spread his attitude to the whole world. “I’m not really doing anything to hurt anybody, ya know, just…” He picked up another few magazines from the stand and ripped out a few random pages before putting them back. “It’s just the ads, who cares about the ads, anyway? Really, buddy, listen…” He leaned forward again, a little giggle escaping his lips. “Really, I’m doing the people buying these mags a favor, don’t ya think? Our capitalist society is chewing people up and spitting ’em out, and yet people keep wasting their money on stuff they don’t need – just cause of ads like this. I’m helping!”

This may have been a terrible, horrible, no good idea and if Dick wound up recognized as Bruce Wayne’s ward or even just an officer it would end in utter hooliganism. Though hooliganism was a fun word all around, it undermined that actual danger that Jerome Valeska possessed in his prowess and capacity for all around madness. “I believe you.” Because if Jerome HAD been doing something to properly hurt someone, mask or not-- Dick would have interfered. It was what drew him to being a cop, being able to protect people under the law and as himself. Also, without needing to put on a mask beforehand. He quirked a brow, watching him rip out perfectly good magazines and Dick reminded himself at least it’s not people. “I mean--” Dick thought about it. He thought about what Jerome was capable of. It’s just--- magazines. There lack harm just yet, until the owner got involved. But Dick could probably resolve that himself, flash his badge, send the owner on his way. “I wouldn’t have guessed you were the philanthropist type.” Dick mused, not unkindly. 

Bruce/Dick: 

Bruce cared for all his children even at the worst of times when they were rebelling and doing god knows what but Dick had held a special place in his heart. So much like him in the way he’d lost everything he saw most of himself in him. That being said he tended to keep things from the other especially if he wasn’t sure he could handle it, but then again dick wouldn’t let sleeping dogs lie and always find a way to figure out what he was working on. “Dick, I promise you, nothing big is going on…it’s just a small operation involving mob members selling ammunition to the wrong parties.” he mused looking up from the bat computer.

There was a time when it was just Bruce and him. Now there little Bat family had become so big they could consider themselves a whole clan. Dick loved it. Growing up among the circus everyone felt like family, and losing that had been a heartbreak in it’s own right. It was a loss Dick mourned far later, back then grief for his parents engulfed him too completely to grieve other things too. Then Jason came along, Barbara, Tim, Dami, Luke, so many others--- even if Bruce fought against it for the longest time, Dick was happy of what they’d become. “Now, let’s say I actually believe you.” Which-- given Bruce’s tendency to shoulder any burden he could get his hands on, was not likely. “Who’s to say you go into this alone and you don’t get ambushed? Especially when you know they’re armed, you should have back up.” There was little chance Dick was going to let this go, if it made him overbearing so be it. “It’s the same thing you’d say to one of us.” Bruce looked after all of them, he needed some looking after too.

Closed Starter for @farewcllwanderlvst​ | Duke & Dick

❛ is that blood? is it yours? ❜

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     Duke paused mid-sentence as he registered Dick’s words, glancing down at his suit before his eyes met those of his mentor. “Not mine” he held up his hands, unsure which answer would bring the other more comfort. That was the only issue with such a light coloured suit, he guessed. There was really no hiding it. “It looks a whole lot worse than it is, though. And the girl was fine once I got her to the hospital…I’m technically still on the clock but I figured I’d better try and clean some of this off, first”

There was a worry that ran rancid in Dick when it came to his brothers, or his team or-- well fuck, anyone really. If he bore responsibility to protect you Dick Grayson took it seriously. Duke was his little brother, the same as Jason, Tim, and Damian. Even if he happened to be a little badass, Dick wouldn’t stop trying to protect him. “Good.” He’d rather it be a perp then Duke’s at any rate. The fact that is was a civilian did make him grimace however, but her being okay made the outcome somewhat better. “And the perp?” He asked. A smile nudged at his features. “Yeah, I guess bloodstains are a bit tougher to deal with on yellow then black.” Even his dark blue hid them better. 

Tim finished rewrapping his arm as Dick walked in. For the past few months, he’d been busy with his 4 phase plan of taking down Black Mask. Last night, things went a little south during one of his missions and he ended up with a deep cut in his arm and a few more bruises than he’d typically get after an outing. Running into Victor Zsasz was a problem he’d always been prepared for but he was still very much a problem. He probably should have brought Cassie along, but at the very least he wasn’t dead. And more importantly, he could still work with a busted up arm. That really wasn’t a problem. When he heard the concern in Dick’s tone, he frowned a bit. Another person poking in his business. First Steph, then Bruce and now Dick was getting involved. He brushed down his sweater sleeve and tried giving Dick a smile. Only for it to fall flat. “I do actually have a date planned for tonight,” He joked. Not knowing if hanging out with Atticus actually counted as a date. “Let’s talk about that. Everything else is um… totally under control.” 

Dick didn’t like the look of that injury. He liked even less that Tim was wrapping it himself instead of having Alfred or anyone else do it for him. “Can I take a look at that?” He prompted, hoping Tim would agree. Dick wouldn’t force it of course but if Tim refused his worrying would increase a tenfold. That frown--- something was up with Tim. Dick was sure of it, and now well, Tim wasn’t going to like his prodding but little brothers not enjoying the prodding never stopped Dick before (IE: Jason and Damian). Tim was typically more receptive. Or at least, as a tween he had been. Dick missed his tween days. He was still the same amount of secretive, he just wasn’t as skilled at it as he currently was. “Please don’t tell me the date is with a tv show, or your coffee maker. Tim, terrible jokes are my thing.” Dick teased him. At Tim’s affirmation everything was fine, Dick coughed-- obviously forced and fake. “Sorry,” He began. “I’m allergic to bullshit, let’s try that again. what’s going on timbo?” 

“don’t look so SCARED.” yelena commented, a frown on her face as she took a sip of her drink. “if i was going to hurt you’d already be hurting.” a pause, as she considered. “or is that face you’re making a hungry face. you need to get better at face making. or less scared. or less hungry. they have food here. eat.” unless they were scared which--- valid, but she said she wasn’t going to hurt them. yelena didn’t make a habit of lying unless she was undercover. but that wasn’t work she’d taken any interest in since gaining her own freedom. hurting people o the other hand, was still very feasible. but she wouldn’t be lying about it, and in moment’s like these it would already be done. 

“would you believe that i literally just said HELLO and they stabbed me in the hand?” with a knife currently embedded in his hand peter couldn’t help but be slightly annoyed. he didn’t mind a good stabbing but a warning wouldn’t have hurt. “is this a new terran custom i’ve missed cause i am NOT a fan.” he remarked. the knife went through his hand and into the table, and with only his non-dominant hand to pull back peter was not having a great time getting the knife out. “no i got it.” he insisted, despite obviously not having it.

okay so dick was electing the name JOKER ARMY. he would need to float it around and see if anything else was in the air. though cult sounded pretty on brand too all things considered. one moment he was officer grayson, a woman dropped her groceries and he went to help her pick them up. hell, he wasn’t even officer grayson he was just plain ole dick grayson. then he was dick grayson being throttled when she started giggling and lashed two hands around his neck. what happened to the easy days when helping people pick up their groceries was easy? she tackled him with strength sweet old ladies should not have, but before he could retaliate someone else had stepped in. he looked up, curious if it was a hero he would recognize, one he wouldn’t or a complete stranger. “thanks.” dick began, offering that before anything else. 

❛  will you stop doing that?  ❜

okay so JEROME VALESKA. it was a name rattled around and a face that dick had become familiar with on account of it being plastered everyone ( shoutout to jeremiah too while he’s at it. sharing a face with an supervillain would probably be more of a detriment if you yourself were not, in fact, a supervillain ). right now, jerome was not doing something evil per say just--- annoying felt like the word but god knows if he had nefarious intentions. there was also the little fact that dick was NOT in cowl right now and he feared taking his eyes off the man would allow him to do something in his usual brand of not sane. which led him to being in civvies and keeping an eye on jerome valeska and hoping it wasn’t a mistake. “i mean,” dick added. “is there a reason you’re doing it?”

❛  are you sure you’re gonna be okay on your own?  ❜

steve rogers wasn’t family. that was okay. cause diana, clark, barry, hal--- they didn’t start out as family either. now they weren’t family the same way bruce, alfred, jason, timmy, dami, duke, cass, steph--- okay yes, dick had a very long list and ultimately FAMILY WAS FAMILY. the same way heroes stuck together. he might not have known ‘captain america’ the same way he knew superman ( not to mention it took a lot more to take clark down but dick wasn’t comparing ! especially given captain america had a different edge to him then superman did. they were similar but not the same. it would do him well not to forget that. everyone was their unique person, and they should be treated with that same kindness and respect ). “you took a nasty beating, and i’d sleep better knowing you were somewhere safe before i took off.” dick prompted further.

❛  where were you last night?  ❜

dick remembered the first time he ever met tim. he was a nosy little guy who figured out bruce was batman, dick was robin and then nightwing and he just wouldn’t butt out of their business. it was so endearing. if it hadn’t been for tim, after losing jason, it was doubtful bruce would have survived. or himself for that matter. tim had evolved from that nosy little kid into a nosy adult. nosy, but capable and an absolute genius at that. nosy, genius, red robin, just robin or coffee addict, whatever title tim was wielding he would always continue to be dick’s self proclaimed little brother. there was no world where dick wouldn’t be watching out for him. even if dick tried brushing it off or ducking out. dick had been experiencing bruce doing the same thing for years, he wouldn’t let it slide then and he wouldn’t now. this was not the mini-bruce he was expecting, shoutout to damian, god hopes it doesn’t become a trifecta. “you weren’t on comms, you weren’t home, if you were out on a date or something i’m here for all the details but,” but somehow dick doubted it. “what’s going on timmy?”

❛  will you please tell me what happened?  ❜

bruce and the word SECRETIVE pretty much had the same meaning. dick had come to expect this from his mentor, the man who adopted him, his family--- expecting it hardly meant he liked it though. in fact dick kind of detested it. especially considering that same secretive nature put bruce in danger and thinking he could handle it alone. his old man was a bit crazy in that way, but he wouldn’t be bruce without that paranoia. the same way dick wouldn’t be dick without his needling. “i just want to help bruce.” he continued to insist. 

        Daemon pondered the stranger’s statement. He was correct about King’s Landing. The capitol was always changing, whether it be who sat on the Iron Throne or buildings crumbling down. Nothing stayed the same for long. Everyone who lived with its walls were nothing more than a slave to it. Daemon had always been privy to that knowledge. It was why he spent so much time away from the city. He was untamed and much like a dragon confined, he destroyed the chains put upon him by expectation. The brother of the King was meant to act on way in the Red Keep and Daemon was no politician, unable to hold his tongue or stay his opinion. He had the blood of dragons in his veins. “Long ago.” His head turned to face the young man that stood beside him. The was a familiar air about him. It was in the way he held himself and the bold questioning of a stranger. “And you?” 

white hair made it quite CLEAR who this man was. at the very least, the targaryen name that burned in his blood like the dragon’s very roar. it was still odd for jon to reflect on, even with so much time to sit with the truth. he had only ever known daenerys. she’d been an ally, a friend, a queen, and eventually jon found out--- his aunt. he wanted to remain loyal, he had wanted to remain FAMILY. yet, the fires had burned too high for him to look away. she was the last of them, and jon wondered more then once if there could have been another way around losing her. then he thought again, of the power targaryen’s held, and he knew there had been no other road. it was power HE held too, even if jon chose not to think of it. “twice.” he spoke. both times etched into his brain with perfect clarity. “the first visit was a short time, the second... very long.” both memories filled him with a hollowness churning. “this city must have been different when you had known it.” half of it BURNED, at the very least. though it had been long rebuilt, it must have been far different then it was when the targaryen’s reigned.