“safe as life”

Across the old factory, where Nightwing plans to ambush a major weapons trade, is a bright new billboard. It must've been put up the night prior, because Dick would've definitely noticed the shining image of Bruce Wayne during his recon. His mother, appearing in an advertisement for Wayne Enterprises' latest makeup brand, wears slightly smudged lipstick and mascara that lines indecent eyes. A light blush paints his face, and highlighter shines atop the highest points of his cheekbones, making him seem as if he were tipsy. Bruce holds up a tube of the lip color used on him, and the company name is written in gold cursive against a pale pink background. It's a good ad, Dick would say, because it's very convincing. (If you buy from us, you'll look just as stunning as our CEO!) That doesn't mean he likes it. Or Four times Bruce's pups protected him from unwanted advances, and the one time they didn't need to.

Cashier, scanning a stuffed wolf: For your kid?

Dick, all pleasantries and smiles: No, my baby brother.

Cashier, instantly charmed: Aww, I'm sure he's lucky to have you—

Jason, suddenly appearing to put a metal pipe, six feet of rope, and a roll of duct tape on the conveyor belt: Again with the plushies?

Cashier: ...

Dick, now scowling: Don't throw it out this time, asshole.

Jason: Fine, but only 'cause you're paying.

Cashier: ... (°⌓ °;)

Dick: That'll be all :)

—

At a diner

Dick: My little brother's in the bathroom, I'll just order for the both of us. Black coffee and a strawberry milkshake, please.

Waiter: Would the kid want whipped cream on that?

Jason, towering over the waiter from behind: Yes. I would.

Waiter: ...

Waiter: Coming right up.

Dick, watching the waiter scurry off: And not a single thank you. Where are your manners?

Another thing I think about is Jason dying before even presenting. He never had a chance to lean into his second gender's instincts and traits. The Lazarus Pit forced him into an unfamiliar role of an alpha, so he has no way of knowing if that was the one he was originally born with. Not only does he have to get used to being alive again, he also has to understand these new feelings and urges. Seeing Dick seemingly move on and succeed goes further than being upset his family didn't care for his death, but he's jealous that Dick had the oppurtunity to grow up with being an alpha—to grow into it rather than suddenly be thrust into it with no idea how to operate a breathing body again, especially one going through so many changes.

"Did you get hurt anywhere else? Any bruised ribs or—" "You're so young!" Stray blurts. "What?" "You're, like, my age." Bewilderment must be clear on Jason's face, because he can feel it in his parted mouth and furrowed brows, but Stray seems not to notice it. Stray probably hadn't even realized he cut Jason off. The kid's been staring at him as if he were a spectacle —a young one, apparently—ever since he took off his helmet. "First of all, I'm nineteen, not ten," he ignores Stray, who snapped out of his dazed state to correct his own age, "And second of all, what's it to you?" he spits out. Or Tim has the determination of a Robin, but not exactly the training of one. Jason hasn't made a friend since he came back, and his introspective skills are lacking. The two cross paths and talk.

i saw fanart for stray!tim for the first time a while back and really wanted to write a oneshot including him :>

LMAO ty for the very passionate interest in my au!

i originally had a tim-centric oneshot i planned to post after Futile Devices, but i've reached a roadblock in the writing process (the plot isn't making sense in the way i wanted it to and that pissed me off enough that i said fuck it and started writing for a completely different tim-centric au). so thats been put on hold, not to mention it is currently finals season for me, and that's putting me in some pain!!!!!

but to get back to ur question, i'm considering just putting my full efforts into the superbat baby sequel (because nothing else is working out for me planning-wise), it's just that i haven't gotten enough inspiration to figure out a storyline. i think i've set myself up for failure since the idea of writing for an oc in a fanfic puts me off so bad, but i can probably get over it.