lil_human

What if The Bats have a scheduled hug time? Yk, like the ones from the first Trolls Movie?

The Bats have a scheduled hug time, and even if they're fighting, they're not allowed to skip it. People thought it was Dick who started "Hug Time", Bruce never corrected them; but back when Dick was still traumatized and angry at the world (much like Bruce was at a certain point in his life), Bruce realized that Dick needed to realize that he has someone there with him as he's working through the hardest time of his life.

But Bruce didn't want to just immediately scoop the kid up and hug him—that could shock the poor kid. So randomly, after dinner and desserts, Bruce looks at the giant grandfather clock and goes: "I'll be hugging you later 10 before you go to bed."

Dick is obviously confused, but it gives him time to prepare for said hug. Just as he's finished with his training and is ready for bed, the clock strikes 10 and Bruce does actually hug him. It becomes a routine for a while, a way for Bruce to comfort his new ward and also to let him get used to receiving affection again until Dick can start hugging Bruce whenever he feels like it.

Sometimes during patrol, either Robin or Batman would just walk up to the other and they would just hug for a solid minute or two. If they were in the middle of kicking ass, they would just do brief side-hugs—basically any point of contact that requires them to wrap an arm or two around the other for a brief second. They don't realize they're doing it at exactly 10PM each time. It's like their body clock has it on schedule every time.

Eventually, the concept was introduced to new ward Jason Todd for the first time when Jason saw Batman and Nightwing arguing—practically yelling at each other until they decided to just wrap one another in a randomly tight embrace. They were still angry with one another, but it seemed to have lessened?

Jason experienced Hug-Time for the first time after his first ever patrol—embarrassing to say he fell asleep right then and there.

When Dick finally stopped bullying poor lil Jaybird, Hug-Time suddenly became for the three of them. And then four, then five, six, and then seven. Nobody skipped Hug-Time, but if they couldn't be there physically? Well, they each have a quilt made up of fabric scraps of each of their clothing. Say, if Dick was out on a mission with the Titans somewhere far away, he would have the quilt and everyone who's already bundled up together for Hug-Time has his used shirt.

Hug-Time is like clockwork for all of them now—they could be doing literally anything in their life and suddenly, without an alarm—or even much prompting for that matter—they would all just be magnetized to wherever Bruce is and the Bats and Birds would all just be engulfed in one big ball of Hug-Time because that's wherever mama is, that's home. And Hug-Time must always happen at home.

Imagine the JL sitting down at the Watchtower, debriefing their latest mission. It's late, everyone's tired, and they just want to get this over with.

Then one of them noticed the Bat seemingly antsy, looking back and forth in his tablet instead of listening to Superman's report—he's not even doing anything with the tab.

Green Lantern (Hal) : "Yo, Spooky. What's got your panties in a twist?"

Of course the annoying space cop notices it first—also, how did he know he's wearing panties?

....J'onn's gonna pretend he didn't hear Batman's thoughts—he didn't mean it. He swears he didn't. Sometimes his powers are just hard to control, okay? But also what colour ar—

Anyway, Batman's grunting—now that someone's noticed his antsy behaviour, he doesn't feel like hiding it anymore.

Batman: "Can we please hurry this along?"

Oh great, his knee's bouncing.

Superman: "B, are you okay?"

Of course he's okay, Superman! Just get on with the report!

When Batman checks the time on his tablet once more, his sweat runs cold.

Batman, whispering: "They're coming."

Wonder Woman, on alert: "Who's coming?"

There's a green glove that seemingly emerges from the Bat's cape, and he's suddenly on Batman's lap, face buried in the man's kevlar armour.

It seems that not even Batman knew he was there.

Red Robin: "Damnit! The brat beat me to it- move over!"

Where the hell did Red Robin come from? Actually, why is he here-

Oh.... He's... Hugging Batman?

Nightwing: "Dang, ya'll beat me here?"

Oh... Nightwing too?

Nightwing's cartwheeling his way over to Batman, landing on the backrest of the chair and sitting on top of said backrest to hug Batman's head.

Wait, how do these vigilantes keep on coming here?! And why the hell are they so close to Batman??

The Signal: "Dang, looks like we're late."

WHO THE HELL IS THIS GUY?!

The Spoiler: "Nu-uh! The fridge ain't here yet!"

And this girl???

Also- who the FUCK is the fridge???

They quickly joined the rest and now they all look like a ball of bats, all bundled up together.

Green Arrow: "Am I the only one who thinks this is weird? I'm not, right?"

Admittedly, the Justice League is still relatively new—and it seems that they're finally learning something new about their illusive Bat.... No matter how weird it is...?

Flash: "Is this why you always leave so early?"

Wow, such an astute observation, Flash.

Red Hood: "Mommy'O! I'm hoomeeee!"

Oh, so the infamous Red Hood is part of... Whatever this is, too- wait, RED HOOD?!

Somehow, the Red Hood has managed to fit himself into the bundle of birds and bats. Honestly, they're surprised Batman's chair hasn't broken down yet from the sheer weight of all of those people.

Wonder Woman: "Are... Are you okay there, Batman?"

Batman, underneath all his brood: "Hrn."

Batman, looking down at his legs: "Hm."

Batgirl, hugging his knees under the table: "Hn."

Green Lantern, startling out of his chair: "WHAT THE-"

Damian accepts him begrudgingly, Tim is slightly weirded out because he's dating Kon aka Clark's son and Clark may become his official stepfather in the future so he doesn't really know how to deal with that at the moment, Cass is, well, she's calm—but Clark is not oblivious to the silent "If you hurt him, ethics be damned" look that Cass is giving him. Dick is pretty much the only one 100% supportive of this pairing—it's like his childhood wish coming true!

Then there's Jason. Bruce was a little bummed out that Jason had to leave last minute because there was an issue with one of his safe houses getting compromised by a rival gang so he had to deal with that just before Clark was about to arrive at Wayne Manor.

No doubt Clark was relieved when he learned that Jason couldn't make it for dinner. He won't lie, he knows it's shitty to not want to see your boyfriend's son, but Jason has always had it out for Clark and oftentimes it's just awkward because obviously he's not going to fight with Bruce's kid?? That's like, the surefire way to getting rejected! However, there are also times when Clark is just absolutely done with Jason's bullshit to the point it's just counterproductive. Clark's not a monk, nor did he ever train with them to have Bruce's patience, so there may have been times when they're in costume that Superman loses it with Red Hood.

But anyway, Clark is enjoying the dinner with the Waynes (obvs especially with Bruce), talking to Damian about wildlife conservation efforts, Dick with his work in Bludhaven's police force, Tim with all the cool tech he's been researching and working on, he's trying to engage with Cass too, but honestly she makes him nervous (no it's obvs not because he's afraid of her or anything, pfft-), and just as they were wrapping up dinner, Clark hears familiar, heavy footsteps.

"Don't forget dessert!" In walks Jason Todd-Wayne with a two-layered cake perfect for his greedy family and sweet-tooth driven mother. Jason plops down on his reserved chair—that nobody ever sat on even while he was dead—right after placing the massive cake in the middle of the table, presenting like it's some masterpiece (it lowkey is, ngl).

Bruce's eyes sparkled, more at the fact that his baby gets to eat with them than the massive cake. "I'm so glad you could make it." Clark hears that ever-so sweet and loving tone in Bruce's voice that just makes him melt for the man even more. Bruce is just so, so lovely. Fuck- he's sweeter than that cake, he'd bet.

Jason is cutting up uneven slices for his family. Dick's slice is smaller than Tim's and Damian's because he pissed him off that week, Cass' slice is bigger than Tim's and Damian's because obviously?? And of course, momma Bruce has the biggest slice.

Clark might've started sweating bullets when Jason handed him a slice. It's medium sized, but what creeped Clark out the most is that when Jason slid the plate towards him, he said "Welcome to the family" with a smile.

A. Smile.

Clark's gonna die, isn't he?

Clark watched everyone eat their portion of the cake—Dick's grumbling about the unfair sizing, but Jason's just smiling at him all smug. "This is delicious, Jay. I see you're enjoying that cook book I bought you." Bruce says, happing tearing down his slice. Even Cass is nodding in agreement. "I like it." She'd say quietly.

"Babe, you okay? You haven't touched your slice." Now Bruce is looking at him worriedly—but Clark swore he just heard Jason's eye twitch at the word 'babe'. Clark's stomach is already churning, he hasn't taken a bite yet. It feels so ominous, but Bruce is looking at him with those big, crystalline blue eyes. Fuck, he's always been weak to those eyes.

But what if it's laced with kryptonite?

But what if it isn't?!

What if this is the olive branch that's finally being offered to him??

(Based on my conversation with @capricious-bastard13 in the comments section of this post)

I would love to see something about Tarantula and Nightwing, without her being there but rather maybe she's mentioned in a conversation between him and Bruce... yummy angst...

Guys you're not helping against my "you don't like Dick" allegations!! Joking. I love this.

Tw. Rape implications

As soon as his son's hands stopped moving he knew something was wrong. Dick's face did nothing to give away any internal turmoil he might be having.

Bruce waited for everything to be done. And when everyone said their goodbyes, he stood before Dick could step out of the room.

"Nightwing" the man turned around. "A word. Please?" By the way his son took a deep breath before nodding an apology towards the other hero, he could figure out what was coming.

Dick remained with his head turned to the exit, until the last hero left. And then-

The crooked smile on Dick's face almost brought him to tears.

His baby pointed to the documents over the table. "I tried to remain unfazed... It's just-" one of his hands trembled as he reached for his domino.

Bruce reached for the damned papers.

Between the names, one stood up. Like putrid acid floating in a blue lake, it shone amongst the others. He couldn't help the way his fingers crumbled the paper. Dick's hand jumped to take them away, but the pile of documents fled dramatically in the air with one swing of the oldest's arm.

Dick looked, wide eyed, at the papers covering his view, before a pair of strong limbs pulled him against his dad's chest.

It took him nothing but a second to crumble. The weight, the shame, the anger. His fingers tried to dig himself inside that chest. He wanted to hide, to vanish, to melt and forget. He wanted to scream, but it felt undeserved. He wanted to cry, but his throat felt dirty.

Bruce just crushed him in a hug. Not enough. Dick sobbed I silence and tried to pull his dad closer, impossible so. Bruce kissed his hair, his forehead. Cleaned his tears and whispered reassurances against his curls. Dick kept quietly crying.

He only screamed once he heard Bruce's "I fucking hate her". Was it Bruce? It sounded like Bruce. But the man yelling "I hate her, I hate her, I hate her!!" Onto kevlar was definitely himself.

When he felt too tired and too ashamed to keep it up, he softly pushed away.

And immediately regretted it.

Bruce looked down at his eyes. A tear stricken face, puffy eyes and nose reddened by pain stared at him. He felt like his pain was getting stolen. Something inside wanted to find a reason to fight 'I am the one who's suffering, not you', while the other felt comfort at not being alone in this.

Bruce's callous finger traced under Dick's eyes. A shaky sigh and new tears forming on his father's eyes.

"I am so sorry"

If they weren't so close, he might not have heard it. He moved softly, scared even, and pressed his cheek on Bruce's shoulder.

"I couldn't protect you"

Dick couldn't blink. He was terrified to even breathe.

"I should have protected you"

He caressed his father's head. Horrified by the discovery, by the pain reflected in Bruce's eyes. By the understanding. The guilt and the same shame he saw over and over in his bathroom mirror.

It’s not like Bruce is advocating for the Joker to stay alive. He just doesn’t want to be the person to kill him

And it’s not like it’s just the Batfamily that’s been personally victimized by the Joker. Almost everyone has, especially the citizens of Gotham

It’d be pretty selfish to kill the Joker solely based on what he’s done to your family specifically. Whichhhhh, I think, is another reason why he hasn’t. Batman, at his core, is not a selfish man. He is one of the most selfless people ever, and it is a huge part of his identity and how he continues to fight as Batman

I think he’d be devastated or angry that someone out there might have turned into a murderer for the Joker; he doesn't wish for anyone to go down that path. But, it's not like he's gonna mourn the Joker

He will mourn the man the Joker was before he went crazy, mourn who he could’ve become if only he had tried harder to rehabilitate him, but he will never mourn the man himself. He knows the Joker is evil, and he is very glad he’s gone forever

He catches a smile that’s a tad too fond, and he’s like ‘oh, they’re dating,’ and when they announce it a few months later, Bruce is unsurprised cause he labeled them as dating forever ago in his database

He doesn’t realize that some relationships are secret and being kept from him, because he naturally finds those things out. He is the world’s greatest detective after all. Any microexpression made in his presence has been analyzed and dissected easily

One of the kids thinks they’re hiding their relationship so well, but Bruce already knows how long they’ve been dating and where their first date was (cause they used his card to pay for everything)

He doesn’t say anything because… well, why would he? As long as there isn’t too much interference with their vigilante life, most of his children are grown adults and can do what they want.

Bruce is only oblivious to his own relationships. Or maybe, he simply chooses to ignore the obvious signs and act oblivious, simply because he believes it’s a better solution

If there’s someone who likes him, he knows it. Of course, he does; he’s been flirted with and hit on his entire life.

But if someone likes him and he also likes them back, then he suddenly can no longer use that big brain of his to tell what the other person is actually feeling

He truly believes he wouldn’t be able to give the other person the kind of love and attention they deserve while he lives his double life, even if this person was also a hero and had their own double life

It’s illogical, so he’ll pretend that he has no idea the object of his attraction also seems to be attracted to him, and he’ll keep them at arm's length. It’s the best he can do for them

Sooner or later, they’ll come to understand that he is nowhere near the wonderful, caring, compassionate, and good person some people see him as. He’s got darkness in him. He’s a monster that is barely being contained by his crusade to make his city a better place

this one is for Juniper Blessing.

Batman and Robin

batman is not exactly pleased, but he intimately knows the pain of losing everything that you hold dear, so he tolerates kal-el's clinginess and accomodates as best he can.

the justice league finds it hilarious. the sunny, smiling alien really dampens the whole scary, brooding, creature of the night effect batman has going on. but, since kal-el clearly isn't comfortable with anyone else in the league, batman has to look out for him. and he seems to have a crush on the dark knight. it's icing on the cake, really.

but then batman gets injured in battle and kal—with resurfacing memories of his destroyed home and dead family—goes absolutely insane. he dispatches the attackers with terrifying precision, barely restraining himself from killing all of them, if only because he knew batman would disapprove.

the league isn't laughing anymore when kal, with burning eyes and rubble caught in his suit, reaches for batman and earnestly asks if he's all right.

Now every time they happen to see each other they're super passive aggressively polite to each but they can't let the other know they're being passive aggressive bc there's no outward reason for them to hate each other. It leads to situations like this:

Bruce, extremely fake smile on: Mr Kent, good to see you again. When the daily planet said they were sending someone over I thought it would be someone else. Isn’t our, uh, shared past a conflict of interest or something?

Clark, also extremely fake smile on: Wow, Mr. Wayne, I wouldn't expect you to take an interest in the ethics of a situation. Actually, I did bring up this point to my boss and he said that our shared trauma meant we "had a bond" which might allow me to get better answers.

Bruce, grinding his teeth: Well. That is certainly an interesting thought. I’ve been kidnapped so many times though, it barely registers. I’m sure I’ll do nothing but waste your time and give you unusable quotes.

Bruce: *proceeds to do nothing but waste time and give unusable quotes*

Clark: *uses all the restraint in his body not to snap his pen in half as he writes down absolute garbage*

Superboy Prime: Red Hood, I'm your biggest fan.

Jason: That's... Wait, aren't you-?

Superboy Prime: Yes, Superboy Prime. And you're Jason Todd.

Jason: How did you-?

Superboy Prime: I'm your biggest fan, dummy. How is life treating you? Oh nevermind, it's not like I don't know. But yeah, sorry about the whole having to crawl out of your grave thing? My bad.

Jason: Wait, you're the son of a bitch that killed-

Superboy Prime: Yeah, that was an oopsie on my part but let's be serious 90s Kon was way better. Don't you all think so?

Jason: Who are you talking to?

Superboy Prime, gesturing vaguely at you reader of this post: Oh, them. They get it. So they have this craaaaazy idea that we should, well you know... They got fan art and fics already.

Jason:... Of what?

Superboy Prime, grinning: I think you know.

Jason:

Jason: Bruce? Batman? Dad? Can you-?

he pulls a fanon-tim drake, fucking around online to get groceries delivered and keeping busy with random skills and textbooks to distract himself from the bone-deep chill of loneliness or the flashbacks from thunder or the insomnia-inducing nightmares or the-

anyways.

he can almost convince himself he enjoys it, that he prefers this. he doesn’t have time for anyone, they’d just get in the way of his studies. sure, he doesn’t go to school, and he misses hearing people's voices outside of video lectures. but he’s always enjoyed learning, and he wants to be a doctor! the best there is, like his dad.

yeah. if he had anyone around; they’d just distract him from his mission. he prefers this.

and he’s doing fine, he thinks. at least, he’s doing the best he can.

it’s just- he’s in the future, right? and he’s still alone? there wasn’t anyone for him? still? he should be in his forties and the manor is still empty?

but there are signs of people having lived here. a family, even! he looks himself up and- oh!

he has kids! a family! he adopts five kids in the future! he has a family!!

but he’s been alone for months, now. the manor has been cold and empty the whole time he’s been there. where... are they? why haven't they come home?

oh. they probably left him too. alfred always does did say he’ll drive people away, being so miserable and gloomy all the time. they probably saw the broken thing inside him that seems so visible to everyone he meets, the thing that makes people laugh at him, the thing that makes him miss social cues. like he's not really a boy, but a novelty.

he wants to go back home. to the past. maybe it wasn’t so bad, with just alfred. he should’ve been more grateful. is this a test? if he’s better will he get to go back? he wants help, he wants a hug, he wants anyone.

he hates this. he hates cooking for himself and he hates tucking himself in bed and he hates dragging a step-stool around between the kitchen sink and the stove and the countertops because even on his tippy toes he can’t reach. he hates that every step echoes because the house is so empty and he hates that he had to wear a dozen layers because he’s cold and can’t figure out the thermostat and he hates that he cries every night while hugging himself because no one is there to do it for him. he hates that the happiest he feels is when he gets a Congratulations! email after finishing an online course.

he’s supposed to have a family now, and even his adult-self couldn't be good enough to keep them around, and he’s alone alone alone.

what was the point of this? what was the point of bringing him to see the future that awaits him? to see how worthless he is and will always be? how easy he is to leave? how awful it is to be around him??

he was stupid for hoping his future would be better.

what was the point surviving that night? of surviving every night after that? why even bother staying alive?? to be alone???

not for the first time, nor for the last, bruce goes to sleep praying he wont have to wake up.

pt2 will be something w the kids coming home! more angst dont worry <3

Clark has grown up on Earth, he has seen how the world works and how fickle grey and unstable humans are. He knows and sees the worst of humanity every day, seriously he sees it while he is Clark Kent the journalist and he sees it when he's Superman. He knows how little it takes sometimes for people to give in to the dark side and how hopeless all of it looks but then there is Bruce Wayne, the man who has suffered from fate worse than death. He lost his parents so young that having tangible memories of them would be a hard task, he grew up in a place which was surrounded by evil and blood hungry sharks, a world which was constantly luring him to give in and embrace the darkness, to think of no one else but himself and lose himself in the temporary pleasure of human flesh and wealth. He grew up in a world which is used to chew up vulnerable people and spit them back out broken and more fucked up than before. It would've been too easy for Bruce to choose that path, to not give a damn about anyone else but himself and resent the world for it's cruelty.

But despite all of it, despite all of the horrible unfathomable fate that was thrown upon Bruce, he still emerged as Gotham's hope, it's knight, it's prince and the only person brave enough to keep that city together. And it is an incomparable feat. Bruce looked at poverty,murder, injustice and death in the face and chose to sacrifice a life of luxury to give a chance of normalcy to the people of his city and the world.

Clark didn't think that being this selfless was ever possible, Bruce is someone who saw injustice and corruption since he was 8, he saw and got familiar with concepts no child should have to. His world was such that it always taught him that hope means nothing and that everything always slides on the plates of the ones who have pockets larger than they should be. Bruce saw all of it and decided to break the toxic cycle, and it is not easy, for the love of everything it is the hardest thing to do, to be the one who steps up and takes action and Clark admires him so much. There isn't a World where Clark Kent–Superman can come across Bruce Wayne–Batman and not fall in love immediately.

Bruce Wayne is the most selfless,pure and unreal man ever and Clark Kent is in love with him, he is head over heels for that guy, his love for Bruce is something that cannot be measured by scale, it's something so all encompassing, it feels like salvation, it feels like the hope after looking all around the world and seeing despair and death and Clark would give up his life for him.

His love for Bruce would never die, Bruce reciprocating his affection is not even in the equation,no, Clark never hoped for it once because Bruce's heart is so big and so dedicated to his cause and Clark is content to be Bruce's moth, his follower without ever getting acknowledged. But by some miracle his love is reciprocated and Clark vows to never put a dent on it and keep it safe and protect it with his life.