#cigerette

You were in a daze. The streets just flew by as the bus driver made a bee line to get out of downtown Gotham as soon as he could.

God, you were hungover.

You were heading central. You just had to buy some cigarettes first and the downtown boutiques had it really cheap! (Bruce could be stingy with his allowance)

You get of the bus smelling like gasoline and cigarettes, the streets were loud even in daytime.

You hear a loud, ear-piercing voice to the right of you. Your mother. Waving at running up to you.

Just like Bruce, your relationship with your mother was best when you didn’t reciprocate her affection. It made her try more. It made you a challenge.

She gave you a tight hug. Her faux coat smelling like beer. Really, really cheap beer.

So there you were. Cheap beer and cheap cigarette. What a mother-daughter duo.

“My sweet baby, you’re all grown up!” she pinched your cheek. “We need to get that acne under control.”

Of course. Typical.

“It’s fine mom.” you murmur.

She hooked her arm to yours. You try to ignore the stinging as her tight grip burned the scars under your hoodie.

You two walk to a burger joint. Looking over the very short menus.

Eating with your mother was probably one of the most exhausting things on the planet but it beats being paparazzi’d on a beach.

“Oh, can’t have that.” She starts off with. “Oh, too much fat.” “Can’t eat carbs!” “I just get so full from just the smell of this.”

She going keeps on and on.

The worst part was that you couldn’t order the things she turned her nose up to. Because then she would moan about not being “full” and then ask for a bite, which then leaves with you eating nothing.

“Maybe we should get lemons..” you murmur, obviously sarcastic but she claps.

“Good girl! Watching your figure?”

You clear your throat and just look down at the table when she orders two sides of lemons.

“So.. got a boyfriend, baby?” she asks with a small smirk.

“No, mom.”

“Well you’re seventeen now.” she lowers her tone “have you even lost your virginity?”

“Jesus, mom!” your face reddens. As if it wasn’t red enough from your pimples.

She shakes her head. You know what she’s thinking. How could a beauty like her and Bruce create such a loser?

“Well.. whatever works for you.” she murmurs.

You clear your throat and take a sip of the large cup of Mountain Dew.

“How’s LA?” you ask.

Then the monologue starts. Shitty managers and agents, bad boyfriends, expensive weed and so on.

“I’m telling you, (name). Hollywood doesn’t appreciate older women. But older men is a whole other story!”

You chuckle, for the first time in a while. Your mom just had this time when she complained. Like Mickey Mouse.

“It’s not better here.” You remind her. The few times she tried to stay in Gotham she always ended up in some scandal with Bruce, and you didn’t want to go through that again.

Suddenly she takes your hand.

“Come with me. Move to LA.”

Silence.

“What?” you murmur.

“Come on, baby. I never see you on the quest list for the Wayne galas. Hell, when was the last time you hung out with Bruce?”

“He’s busy, mom.”

“But you’re his only biological daughter.”

“I’m your only daughter, too..”

“I know.. but I’m a changed woman.”

You wanted to believe that, you really did. But all you saw was the women who made it known all your childhood that you were a burden. A freak.

____________________________________________

You gave your mom a thousand bucks you had stolen from Bruce before you got on the bus. She didn’t need to ask and you didn’t need a thank you.

What you didn’t know was that Red Hood was monitoring you two.

He followed your bus, jumping rooftop to rooftop. Confusion set in when he realized you were going downtown and not up.

You get off by the stores and head into the shop. Jason had to think fast so he quickly took off his helmet and zipped up his jacket so no one would see the red symbol.

Just as you were picking out some liquor you feel a tap on your shoulder. You jump and turn around.

“Hey, kid. Whatya doing here?” Jason asks with slight concern in his eyes.

“Just.. eyeing.”

“Then what’s that in your hand?” He points at the Absolut Raspberry in your hand.

You didn’t know what to say.

You were startled. When was the last time Jason talked to you?

“I’m gonna call Bruce.”

“I don’t think he’ll care..”

He gets this sad look on his face. He knew that feeling. At least he thought he did.

He takes the bottle and puts it back on the shelf.

“There are people who care about you.”

Sure there were..

Now you were forced to sit on the back of Jason’s motorcycle as he drove you home.

The next chapter will be the last one. I already have an ending in mind but DM if you want some small details in!