#long test post

There’s an eight year old, staring at him with the most intent expression he’s ever seen.

“CAN WE SEE HIM??”

He sighs, trying to maintain his scowl but it’s gone. Batman has now melted to Bruce, who stares down at his ward.

“It’s twelve in the morning. You need sleep.”

“I was in a circus, we never slept at your times.”

Bruce. a voice in his head pipes up. This is a child. This is a fragile being entrusted in your care. You cannot expose him to the dangers, to anomalies that could threaten harm in the future. Even those with god like abilities who’ve sworn to protect.

Especially those with god like abilities who’ve sworn to protect.

But it’s been three weeks. Dick hasn’t slept a wink, Bruce has been on edge as a result, and they both needed to rest. And both were too stubborn to admit it.

You’re doing this for a greater cause, he reminds himself as they watch from the shadows.

You’re doing this for Dick.

“The air smells different doesn’t it? Even the noises and the darkness. It’s not the same.”

He looks over to Robin, currently pinching his nose and making a face.

“Why do you think that is?”

He watches Dick blink, reading between the lines before finding the challenge Bruce poses. The child puffs out his chest, body tense as his eyes scan the area, doing a little break dance in the process.

“We’re not in Gotham!” Dick declares.

On seeing the nod of approval, Robin’s eyes bulge as he stills.

“We’re not in Gotham?? Why aren’t we in Gotham? Are we chasing down a new suspect? A bad guy? Did you want to go sight seeing? Or shopping? Because you need better clothes. Oh or is it-”

Bruce winces. He should be used to the onslaught of noise. And hyper activeness typical of a kid vibrating with excitement. But he likes the chatter, and lets the babble continue until Robin finally realises what it means to be a human and takes a breath.

Batman lets his mind go blank before it warns him of how everything could go wrong, lets his hand hover over the wood and knocks.

It takes three seconds before it swings open, and the embarrassed smile on Clark’s face dissolves when it sees the guests.

He watches the reporter freeze, mouth opening and closing as if trying to find the right words before Bruce decides to save him the trouble.

“Robin. Meet-“

“The reporter. You’re Mr. Kent right?”

That gets both his and Clark’s attention. Robin is by his side, one hand behind his back and squeezing Bruce’s cape for reassurance while the other is clenched.

He knows that look on Dick’s face. He’s trying to assemble an invisible puzzle, trying to place Clark in his world and assessing him.

Batman clears his throat.

“May we come in?”

Clark’s eyes snap to him. They knew each others identities of course, had worked together on several cases. He knows the thousand silent questions Clark was biting back right now.

But guess what? Bruce was tired. So. Very. Tired.

The door is pulled back, and they both enter, Dicks grip on the cape tightening.

“Is anyone else here.”

“No. Is there something wrong Batman?”

He looks between Clark and Robin, and sighs.

“Robin. Meet Superman.”

Clarks eyes widen, and Bruce savours the last few minutes of blissful silence before Dick processes the information.

There’s silent squealing, and Dick starts vibrating again.

“YOU’RE SUPERMAN?! OH GOLLY I ALMOST DIDN’T RECOGNISE YOU OH MY GOD SIR GOOD EVENING HOW ARE YOU WHERE’S YOUR COSTUME CAN YOU FLY-”

Clark’s eyes widen, clearly taken aback by the energetic chatter and curiosity the child has before his eyes soften and he kneels down before Dick, unbuttoning his shirt just enough for him to see the logo peeling out.

It was a playful gesture of mock secrecy, and that, Bruce notes with satisfaction, was the last straw.

Dick launches himself at the other, asking thousands of questions and rambling on and on about the stories he’s heard and begging Superman to show him his powers.

It’s clearly getting a bit too much for Clark, who takes a step back and shoots a pleading look at Bruce.

“He’s all yours. Don’t do anything stupid.”

And then Bruce leaves them both, ignoring the spluttering protests and helps himself to a glass of wine in the kitchen.

It takes less than two seconds before Superman follows him.

“Batman-“

Bruce raises a finger to motion for the other to wait, before he takes a swing of his glass. It wasn’t nearly enough to even make him feel tipsy, but the taste helped him pretend he could.

“He hasn’t slept for weeks, and he’s not listening to me. He’s been wanting to meet you though, so good luck.”

That shut him up. And if it didn’t, Bruce didn’t care. He had crossed his limit, played tennis with it and shot it into the sun before venturing so far back that he couldn’t even see it anymore.

Dick drags Superman back, latching onto his arm and demanding answers to his questions. There’s only enough time for Bruce to see the panic in Superman’s eyes before he’s gone.

Clark wouldn’t do anything to harm Dick, he tells himself as he watches Clark take off his plain clothes and don the cape. He has contingencies in place, Dick has kryptonite he’s been instructed to use just in case, and there were hidden devices locked onto their locations ready to fire at him and alert Bruce if anything.

It takes three hours of talking, flying and games of tag across the city before Dick’s eyes finally grow sleepy. The kid stubbornly refuses to admit it, and when Clark makes a comment about being tired he almost has a heart attack when Dick dives into the freezing water and then gives a thumbs up to say he’s not anymore.

Yep. Clark figures, swooping up the shivering kid before going to someplace warmer. just like his father. Too damn stubborn they might just escape fate just because of spite.

The minutes tick by, and as Superman carries Robin and flies above the city, silencing the noise and the bustle it isn’t too long before the chatter ceases, and Robin slumps.

Clark breathes a sigh of relief.

It wasn’t that he didn’t enjoy the boy’s company, or that they weren’t having fun. But Batman had always kept his distance, always been closed off and refused help, or even assistance when the situation was dire. Yet here he was, barging into Clark’s apartment with his child in tow.

Clark dared to hope.

Was it a sign of trust? of the beginning of an actual friendship? Or was it a test?

They silently enter his apartment just as the morning light starts to peak through the shadows, and Clark freezes.

Batman, feared protector of Gotham, cold, paranoid, vigilant batman who didn’t let anyone near him, who never showed his wounds or vulnerability, was fast asleep on his couch.

The mask was off, and the normal grimace on his face was gone, replaced by a calm, peaceful look that Clark didn’t want to disturb.

Dick mumbles in his sleep, awoken by the lack of movement and makes grabby hands towards Bruce. Clark chuckles. Bruce really did have a soft spot. Who would’ve thought?

He gently placed the kid next to Bruce, who stirs when Robin latches onto him but just grumbles before an arm protectively covers Dick and promptly falls back asleep.

They don’t acknowledge it the next day, and by the time Clark gets home from work they’re both gone, with a note from Robin demanding Superman meet them again.

Superman jokes about it years later when they partner for a case, saying that Dick saved Bruce from a lifetime of solitude and loneliness. He never expected the other man to have a fond look on his face before he agrees.

And even now, years later when Robin has now become Nightwing, the entire league at some point has seen Batman dump an overly energetic Nightwing onto Superman before leaving.

A Detective/Nate Sewell Drabble for @agentnatesewell ! ❤️

• pictures are not mine •

song: can’t help falling in love - haley reinhart | wise men say only fools rush in but I can't help falling in love with you

Nate sat up against the headboard of the bed, his arm draped around the Detective’s body as she lay in the space between his legs and his chest, fitting together like a jigsaw piece. A book was perched in his other hand as he enjoyed the comfort of reading whilst listening to the faint sound of the Detective’s heartbeat. His fingers ran soft circles against her shoulder, causing the Detective to lean her head against his warm chest, a content sigh escaping her lips. His delicate fingers drew across her skin mindlessly, coming to a halt as they came into contact with the risen skin on her neck. Nate winced slightly, the scar a reminder that he wasn’t able to protect her when she needed him. That in that moment, he had failed her.

The Detective felt Nate’s finger stop as she frowned gently, her body flinching as the memories of Murphy’s teeth sinking into her neck came flooding back. Her breath hitched as a look of concern washed over Nate’s face. She didn’t dare to close her eyes, in fear of being haunted by Murphy’s face.

“Maya...” His voice was a whisper into her ear as he held her closer.

“I’m fine. I just... hate how it’s a constant reminder. And how it looks.” The agency had tried their best to rid the Detective of the scar, but traces of it still remained. Nate looked at the Detective sadly. How could she not see herself the way he saw her? How didn’t she know that she was the most beautiful girl that he had ever laid eyes on?

“I’m so.. sorry.” Nate frowned and swallowed the small lump that had formed in his throat.

“Nate, I’ve told you a thousand times. You aren’t to blame for what happened.”

“I know,” he chuckled softly, but the frown still remained, “but I should have been there. I shouldn’t have let him take you. I should have kept you safe..” His words drifted off as his jaw clenched and he pulled her even closer. The Detective brought her hand to his cheek, which Nate melted into.

“You’re here now. And I’ve never felt as safe as I do when I’m in your arms.” The Detective lifted her head up to meet her lips with his, a gentle kiss shared between the two. Nate’s lips tingled as if there was a spark of electricity between them and he couldn’t help but smile into the kiss. His lips moved from hers, travelling to her neck and just above the scar. He kissed at the skin gently. He wished he could heal her the way he could heal himself.

“You’re so beautiful, Maya. A scar doesn’t change that. Especially not for me.” Maya looked up at him, scanning his face to see that he was being completely genuine. “Do you have any other scars?” He muttered against her skin.

“I’m a Detective, Nate. Of course I do.” The Detective chuckled, pulling away from his lips. “I have one on my wrist from when I had a part time job as a lifeguard.” She held up her wrist to show him as she laughed to herself. Nate grinned as he took her wrist and brought it up to his lips, placing a gentle kiss on the scar.

“You worked as a lifeguard?”

“I did. It was a summer job I took when I did a year abroad.”

“How on earth did anybody get anything done whilst in your presence? I find it hard to think straight when I’m just in the same room as you.” Nate smiled as he took Maya’s hand into his, his thumb brushing against it. His interest piqued as he noticed a faint, brown smudge on her collarbone. Maya groaned as she noticed where he was looking.

“Ugh. That.” She lifted her shirt up to cover it. Nate frowned.

“What?”

“I hate it. Always have.” She sighed. She didn’t always hate it. It had only became an insecurity when Bobby made fun of it in college.

“Why would you hate it?” Nate asked, his brow raised. He was genuinely surprised. “May I?” He gestured towards her shirt. Maya nodded, her teeth sinking into her lower lip as Nate’s long fingers moved the neckline of her shirt to reveal her birth mark. She wondered if he knew the effect his touch alone had on her.

Nate’s gaze fell onto the Detective’s birth mark, as though he couldn’t pull away from it. He slowly took his thumb to it, letting his thumb glide against it like it was a novelty.

“It’s... beautiful,” Nate said breathlessly. “It’s a mark on your skin that symbolises your birth. An event I am eternally grateful for... your birth mark and every scar is proof that you have lived and continue to do so.” He brought his lips to the birthmark, placing another soft kiss on her skin. “Billions of people roam this Earth and not one has a birth mark the same as yours. It’s further proof to me that there is nobody else like you, Maya. And there never will be.”

When I was a kid, and coming into teenagehood, the internet was in its infancy. 

And while we did have online shopping, it wasn’t as fast or convenient as it is today, and you wouldn’t be able to find MOST items you were searching for.

Now, add in the complication of trying to buy things from other countries. You really couldn’t.

At that time, you kind of had to know someone who was going back home to be able to pick stuff up for you, or you had to know a dealer who bought foreign goods in bulk, or you  had to hire out a shopping service (basically, you’d pay people who lived in your home country to pick some stuff up for you, and they’d charge a fee, and they’d mail it to you).

When i was a kid, I always wanted a kimono. Not some shiny costume or some cheap fake, but like.. just a regular cotton kimono, or a yukata, something to wear on Obon, New Year, and maybe my birthday. But they easily run over $100 for yukata, and over $500 for kimono.

And given that i was 1. a kid and 2. estranged from my dad’s family and 3. from a pretty poor household in Ireland, there were some pieces of your culture that you just did not get to have or hold or connect with.

Then, when i was around 12 years old. I started learning how to sew. I made a long jacket, i learned how to kind of tailor my pants, how to read sewing patterns, etc.. all of this was before YouTube had so much content, back when it was just starting out, so there weren’t really tutorials you could get onlinle. I had to learn from videos and books from the library.

And it was slow, but i learned how. A year or two later i got a sewing machine for a gift, and i learned how to use it pretty quickly. Then, eventually, the BRILLIANT idea dawned on me that I could.. just sew a yukata or a kimono.

So I bought yards and yards of cheap fabric--- PLENTY in case i messed up somewhere, and I started out on my endeavor.

The first Furisode I ever sewed was dark Plum Purple with a pale yellow/gold obi. It was just plain purple, so it looked a little bit too mature for me., and I didn’t know how to sew the lining to the inside, so i had sewn a separate under layer (not the nagajuban) to wear underneath so that it wasn’t so transparent. By the end, I was wearing a slip, a the white layer, the under layer, and the outer layer. 

It was so hot wearing all of those layers, and it was a little embarrassing to not have shoes that matched (how do u even make geta?). I didn’t know how to embroider, either, so there was no putting my family seal on it anywhere. That’s almost metaphorical, haha

But you have no idea the incredible feeling of putting it on. .You have no idea what it meant to me. 

This is the sweet beginning to a bittersweet struggle that I’ve been going through my entire life.

Growing up mixed race, bouncing from place to place, it can be really emotionally difficult. For some people, you’re not asian enough, and for other people, you’re not white enough. No matter where you go, you always have one foot stuck somewhere else. 

For the white people around me, I was a mix between the “weird foreigner” and the “exotic foreigner.” Things like the food I ate or the attitude I had or the holidays i quietly observed were always scrutinised. And even though I felt extremely self-conscious (and I still feel that way sometimes), I couldn’t.. not engage with what amounted to half of my culture and half of me. 

For the japanese people around me, our interactions were so few and far between that I don’t know if they had any real opinion of me beyond “そのハーフ.” Which, it stung a little, and I definitely overcompensated and hyped up just how Japanese I really was..  but I’m not too sure it helped much. And the older you get, you get around to embracing it all, and you get a little bit used to not quite fitting in. And the older you get, the more people are cool with you being mixed, too. 

And I guess there’s really no point to this story, but the Obon is coming up.. and I kind of want to wear a furisode, but I’m so embarrassed and so shy (and a little bit fat haha) I’ll definitely go to the matsuri, but I don’t know if I’ll have the courage to wear one. 

(Pictured: me and a festival worker at an obon matsuri like 8 or 9 years ago)

Over the past two weeks or so I have gotten such amazing reactions about my art (an that ask blog) that I am completely astonished. When it started I originally thought it would be an isolated event but you guys sure proved me wrong and boy am I glad that you did. Because eeek! my art has even been in the hands of some of my idols on here and good golly its such a wild experience! I can’t thank you all enough. love and kisses, seriously you guys deserve a slew of them.

1) my school decided to make a no homework week for the first time to finally acknowledge the ~70% of the student body that takes AP exams (HAPPY) but they started it this thursday and we have a long weekend because memorial day so really it’s no homework weekend and we would have gotten sleep anyway so the no homework week was wasted on a weekend (ANNOYED) 

2) we had vietnam day today (HAPPY IT WAS AMAZING) but we still had to go to our A period classes (ANNOYED) 

3) I thought we were going to be able to ditch A period but we were not (ANNOYED) but in A period my math teacher played star wars episode IV for us in honor of no homework week (SO HAPPY) 

oh and to clarify this math teacher is incredibly strict and actually sort of reminds me of a shark and I'm a little terrified of him. we have homework accuracies (pop quizzes) nearly every other day and the class itself isn’t easy either, but he is a huge geek and I'm caught between a “want to befriend this teacher b/c he has a clone trooper helmet on his shelf and a back wall all but covered in posters and also a chewbacca bobblyhead figurine on his desk” and a “pleasepleaseplease no homework acc today” mood so this is a very strange, atypical happening in math class but I'm happy and STAR WARS so this day started off on a great note! 

Roses are red Violets are in front of me.

I'm glad to bands they should buy Hobo With that, 6 days of agony.

Sometimes I create I never did really Nothing caused this. Big Brother man, Big Brother It is the SAME opinion, then cry night is boring i am boring it's night This is the Frog and I be Nick Frost I never did I FORGET?!?! It would make a bunch of my head saying Please please please HELP ME Looks like another lonely every other words, my dad says of my head saying that Nothing caused them to have two in the 21st century. Post the dictionary, anything is free game now Mikhail Gorbachev. I think Just go away I used to have any ideas on my parents Just go away I used as a toothpick. Like this is why

98% of a stupid game. Yep. Nothing better to get to the movie