[enoticrobin]

“Neil sighed serenely and kissed the side of his thumb, nuzzling into his palm like a cat nosing at a friendly hand. “Andrew,” He murmured softly” from fic  “Trust Fall” by  SpangleBangle (I just very like this fic)

[snakeredbirdbatkatana]

Where the Bats Come to Hide

Part 4

Alfred Pennyworth has been many things in his life a spy, a killer, a butler he never did expect to be a father. He loved Thomas and Martha more than he could ever explain to their son and even as he watched the love he carried die in an alley he knew he had to pick up the little boy that he watched be born and continue no matter how much he wanted to lie down in the blood soaked alley and bask in the love they shared he kept going.

Master Bruce spent many a night crawling into his bed he left the blanket open and held the child as he sobbed angry at the world for the parents he was robbed of even when his boy was old and had children of his own on nights where he stitched up Bullets wounds and cleaned up tears he still would awake to his son sleeping peacefully under the blanket to hide from the world for a little longer.

Master Richard came angry and vengeful much like his son all those years ago. Vengeance seemed to come to the Wayne boys easier than sadness yet his blanket became drenched with the tears of a young acrobat more than once who would one day welcome flying and would share his gifts but for now was terrified of falling. He was so proud to see his first Grandson fly because he was ready to catch him, and when his grandson came to him about hands that harmed his and refused a no he brought out of tools he had put away and took care of it. Holding the same boy while he cried yet again but this time catching him.

Master Jason while he refuses to favor has always had a special place in his heart. Angry and afraid yet so good. The first night while he watched his newest grandchild afraid of what might come in the night showed him the weapons he keeps. Told him that if anyone in this house tries to harm him he may use it and if he can't he will. No harm will come to you from the men under this roof he will not allow it. He slept curled around Alfred that night and many others. He will never forget the pain and the joy he felt when his Jason came back so angry that he wasn't avenged. He went to his Grandchild offered his weapons offered his love and told him Master Jason I told you the first night no harm shall come and I failed you allow me to rectify that. The joker did not die with a smile he died terrified much like his grandson did. He can always expect his boy under his blanket when he can still hear the laughter of that horrible clown.

Master Timothy the boy who brought his child back who saved his son. He never did expect this Grandchild but he wouldn't change it for the world. Tim finds him when the nights are too long and the shadows to still. When his intelligence destroys the peace he craves. He gaurds the boy who so long ago wouldn't have come to him scared of rejection and pours what love he can into the boy who never got enough.

Master Damian he newest grandchild the only one who carries the blood of the Wayne's but one of the many who carries the heart. Another boy dripping in pain another one who finds comfort in the weapons that he carried drenched in the blood that he claimed. One who would find comfort in his blanket that he offers as best as he can. Teaching the pride and the love that he never though he could have because another had destroyed it.

All of his boys come when the lights have shut off and the only solace they can find is in the arms of the man who stitches wounds the same way he stitches clothes who's hands are covered in scars but offer the gentlest of touches who carries guns without thought. Yet knows their favorite food just as easy.

The father of the Bat

The Grandfather of Robin

Part 3 Alfred is the grandfather Damian always wanted even before he knew exactly what he could have. Someone who was calm slow to anger s

Part 2 So to kinda build on to my Titus post I bet Damian does crawl into his siblings/fathers beds. Depending on what exactly the nightmar

Part 1 What if the reason Damian loves and wants so many animals isn't just because they are cute what if it's the protection. A giant Gre

[snakeredbirdbatkatana]

Where the Bats Come to Hide

Part 3

Alfred is the grandfather Damian always wanted even before he knew exactly what he could have.

Someone who was calm slow to anger someone who looked at him with pride and joy for everything he did.

In the deep reaches of his mind he compares him to Ra how he fixes the blanket he took with him from Talia. The same one Ra tried to burn oh so long ago. How he makes the food that he once sought so much comfort in when his mother would sneak it. The food that when he was caught earned him twelve lashes that his mother had to bandage later. He still bares the scars.

His grandfather who has killed yet Father still looks on without a question with love. His grandfather who much like him deals in secrets yet not with harm. The man who showed him the guns he keeps and that should anyone ever enter this manor Master Damain with the intent to do you harm I will use without question to protect my grandson.

Who on nights where father is just a little too harsh or when his brothers don't realize exactly how much they hurt he is welcomed to crawl in and be protected the first person to welcome him with open arms. The kitchen that carried Tofu and his favorites foods before he could even say what he liked. His grandfather his Pennyworth the one he proudly named his cat for.

Someone just as serious as he but pouring with love the man he inspires to be even more that Batman.

Part 4 Alfred Pennyworth has been many things in his life a spy, a killer, a butler he never did expect to be a father. He loved Thomas and

Part 2 So to kinda build on to my Titus post I bet Damian does crawl into his siblings/fathers beds. Depending on what exactly the nightmar

Part 1 What if the reason Damian loves and wants so many animals isn't just because they are cute what if it's the protection. A giant Gre

[snakeredbirdbatkatana]

Where the Bats Come to Hide

Part 2

So to kinda build on to my Titus post I bet Damian does crawl into his siblings/fathers beds. Depending on what exactly the nightmare was, or what scares him decides who he goes too.

If it's Ra specifically Tim ends up with a baby bat tucked under the same pillow where his bow staff is. He knows that if it come down to it Tim can defeat Ra outwit him and see what his plans are before anyone else. Timothy stays up while Damian is in knowing his brother wants an active guard. His staff next to his computer with his chair facing the doorway. He knows Timothy will protect him from grandfather by anymeans necessary. Even at the expense of assassin lives. His grandfather can come but his Brother is ready and waiting.

Red hood finds a Robin sleeping under his pillow when Damian can't feel safe where he sees things of the corner of his eye. Where he can feel the cuts of blades or see the green of the pit. He goes to the brother who is always armed who's willing to pull the trigger. Damian goes when the only safety he can find is in the art of killing.

Nightwing finds his Robin tucked under his blanket curled around Zika when the world is scary when he's sad. The comfort of his Batman the warmth of the Brother who is ready with kindness as well as electricity luring him back to sleep when the memories of what he has done and gone through are too much.

His Father the great Batman can find his littlest tucked away in his room with the lamp still on when the dark is too scary. Who better to guard him in the shadows then the dark knight himself. The comforter feeling the same as the kevlar cape his father wears at night.

Part 4 Alfred Pennyworth has been many things in his life a spy, a killer, a butler he never did expect to be a father. He loved Thomas and

Part 3 Alfred is the grandfather Damian always wanted even before he knew exactly what he could have. Someone who was calm slow to anger s

Part 1 What if the reason Damian loves and wants so many animals isn't just because they are cute what if it's the protection. A giant Gre

[snakeredbirdbatkatana]

Where the Bats Come to Hide

Part 1

What if the reason Damian loves and wants so many animals isn't just because they are cute what if it's the protection.

A giant Great Dane who is a cuddly weapon.

Damian trained Titus. A dog who is 200 pounds and pure muscle. An animal who can guard Damian while he sleeps who's weight every night is a reminder that someone will die and sacrifice themselves before allowing any harm to come to its owner. Who Damian can in a heart beat call when he wakes up in a cold sweat and feels like someones lurking in the shadows.

He loves his family trusts them but nights when he can't stop shaking or when he goes to take a shower but can't leave his back unguarded all he has to do is look to the corner and see his protecter ready and waiting.

He doesn't have to worry about if his brothers or father will might make fun of him because he doesn't feel safe Titus and Alfred are right there.

He chooses to sleep with his knife yet he doesn't have to because Titus is ready.

Animals don't betray you and he can sleep peacfully under the protection of his best friend.

A best friend who is a whistle away who won't judge or misunderstand who knows and loves Damian unconditionally.

Part 4 Alfred Pennyworth has been many things in his life a spy, a killer, a butler he never did expect to be a father. He loved Thomas and

Part 2 So to kinda build on to my Titus post I bet Damian does crawl into his siblings/fathers beds. Depending on what exactly the nightmar

Part 3 Alfred is the grandfather Damian always wanted even before he knew exactly what he could have. Someone who was calm slow to anger s

[snakeredbirdbatkatana]

Batkids calling Bruce when they need him.

Dick gets arrested for underage drinking call my dad now he's not in the slightest scared but he wants his dad. Bruce who already got bail done and is wrapping Dick in a blanket.

Jason crashes a car already on the phone with Bruce who is speeding to him.

Tim is falling asleep at the office and wants to go home dad please pick me up. Waking up tucked in Bruce's bed.

Damian gets in a fight at school you call my father right now. He suspended but Bruce hugs him on the way out.

Cass standing face to face with David Cain the man who should have been her father but isn't but before she can scream for Bruce she's wrapped in his cape.

Duke calling Bruce because the kids at school have never been nice to a kid from the wrong side of the tracks and getting ice cream just because.

Stephanie just calling Bruce to talk knowing no matter how busy he is there will be time for her.

Babs who even though Jim Gordon is a great man after a nightmare about the joker only wants one man. Bruce running in the middle of the night to her door. Wrapping his batgirl in his arms.

Kids who aren't afraid to call Dad. He wont be mad he wants them to call. To know he will drop everything to get to his boys, or his girls. Scared birds shouting for the big bad bat and he comes running.

[ashoss]

bruce and some little birds

part 2

[ashoss]

the rest of the flock :)

part 2 to this

[ashoss]

(wake me up) wake me up inside

[theaceofarrows]

Bruce: Has anyone seen Jason and Damian?

Tim: That went out

Bruce: For what?

Dick: Something about Jason breaking a whetstone- don't ask- and Damian demanding he replace that

Bruce: We already have a whetstone for the batarang

Tim: Yeah, but Damian said and I quote "My katana was forged by greatest bladesmiths the League of Assassins has to offer, that cheap rock will not go anywhere near it"

Bruce: ...That does sound like Damian

Dick: Yep. So now we're just waiting on them

[5 minutes later]

Tim: [looks at his phone and starts laughing]

Tim: You guys are not gonna believe this

Dick: What?

[Shows a trending video of Jason walking across a parking lot with a bag in one hand and a screaming Damian under his arm, before noticing the camera and saying, "don't worry, he's mine I'm not stealing him." *pause* "if I was gonna take one, it definitely wouldn't be this asshole"]

Bruce: [tired sigh] Sadly, I can believe it...

Dick: Well, at least he got the whetstone

[ashoss]

you know when you fake being asleep so your parents would carry you inside? yea jason was just a bit eepy

[singswan-springswan]

inspired by this post

[haveihitanerve]

Times the Robin’s visited the Watchtower during a meeting and how it ends-

Dick: sitting on Bruce’s shoulders as he gave a presentation, slouched down on his head like a sack of flour. The League is trying very very hard to look at the presentation and not the presenter but Diana snaps a shameless picture of them (that bruce promptly has her send him and prints it out and frames it)

Jason: sits next to Wonder Woman with stars in his eyes the whole time, and Diana being the she is is constantly chatting with him, to the point where Batman has to call them out and tell them to please shut up- but he cant stop the smile at Jason's awed face, and it ends with Batman and Robin leaving, Robin holding Batmans hand and almost jumping up and down in excitement as he retells everything they talked about and did and all of it, and Batman is smiling softly down at him

Tim: spends most of his time working on something else nearby, papers spread across his section of the table, most in different languages they find when Barry tries to peek at them, a computer propped up on his knee. Ends with Batman crouching next to him and saying something quietly, before scooping the boy into his arms and holding him with one while he quickly cleans the table and sticks everything into the bag he came with and slinging it over one shoulder. Robin is passed out by that point and Batman presses a kiss to the side of his head, nods to the league, and continues lecturing as though nothing has changed. 

Stephanie: arrives unannounced and without any preparation on Batmans part because no one was aware he had a new female robin. Batman doesn't even bat an eye at her though and she twirls over to him to press a kiss against his cheek before shes sitting in his chair, making a few funny quips and adding insightful comments the whole time he speaks. Ends with bruce returning to his chair as Clark begins explaining something hes noticed, but most of the league is watching Robin and Batman to see what'll happen- bruce ends up just lifting her(with a quiet squeal of delight from steph) and sitting down, plopping her back into his lap when hes situated. She remains quiet during everyone else's speeches, occasionally murmuring something to batman that makes his lips twitch and her grin in triumph as she leans her head against his chest. 

Damian: arrives with a sword that Batman swiftly takes from him and sheathes across his own back- which not only was a feature the league was unaware his suit had, and looks cool as hell. Robin sits on the armrest of Batmans chair for most of the meeting, but when Bruce returns to his seat he tugs his son into his lap as well, and since hes smaller than steph, forces the little boy to curl up on his lap a little- because its late and damian doesn't really care about paying attention he just didn't want to go to bed without his dad home- so bruce holds him and the boy tuckers out quickly, curled into his dads arms.  

Part 2

[haveihitanerve]

I saw your post about the robins visiting the watch tower. Can we please get a sequel with the Batgirls/Duke?

why of course 💗

The Batgirls visit the Watchtower+Duke, and how it ends-

Barbara: strolls in with bruce, having a discussion with him, or storms in once the meeting is already started and just starts- fucking- screaming at him, telling him to get his ass back to the cave right fucking now or so help me Gods I will go full Alfred on your ass- you tore your stitches and the league is watching with wide eyes as this random girl just literally drags batman out by the ear and also forces him to drink some water before leaving

Cassandra: comes in with bruce but no one notices until like halfway through the meeting when clark realizes that bruce’s shadow is now like- further away from him than is possible. Doesn't do much, just perches on the edge of his chair like a patient wraith, ends with batman wrapping an arm around her shoulders and pressing a kiss to her hair, murmuring something that makes this literal incarnation of a shadow let out the highest, sweetest little giggle as they leave. 

Duke: rushes in with bloody gashes all across his body because he got into some trouble and its during the day and he knows the meeting is important but no ones at home and hes bleeding a lot- and batman just flies to his side in an instant and is immediately ordering him to sit down and drink some water and without hesitation starts patching him up, and jams a needle into his own leg to replenish the boys lost amount of blood and by the end he just scoops a now sleeping signal into his arms and exits without a word

Stephanie: walks in, throws a handful of purple glitter in the room, spins and walks out again. Batman doesn't even blink.

sequel to this:

Times the Robin’s visited the Watchtower during a meeting and how it ends- Dick: sitting on Bruce’s shoulders as he gave a presentation, sl

[haveihitanerve]

The batkids taking shit from each other- the intimacy of knowing where the other persons weapons/gadgets/things are

The most commonly “pickpocketed” person is bruce, and he gets so used to it/they get so good at it that sometimes he forgets to take it back or replace it. 

Batman and Red Hood are staking out a new villains headquarters and jason is bored so he reaches over to bruces side and pulls out three lollipops, working through them one at a time. Bruce doesn't even flinch, even as jason's hand digs deep into his side to reach the last one. Then later he has to calm down this little girl, reaches for the pocket, and finds he has no more lollipops to comfort this child with. So he reaches over to Nightwing, who is currently in deep discussion with a police officer, and tugs some sweets out from his shoulder pocket and hands it to the kid. Accidentally, he also takes a replacement grappling hook wire with it, since dick is a mess and has all sorts of shut crammed in every pocket thats not supposed to be there, but he just shrugs and tucks it into his own replacement wire pocket. Then dicks line breaks a few days later and he reaches for his pocket- and its empty. So he does a double backflip off the building, lands on top of a swinging red robin, snatches some replacement wire from his boot pocket, recharges his gun and is gone within a few seconds. Tim continues on like nothing has happened. When he lands on the next roof, Spoiler is waiting for him, and he gives her a quick kiss, reaching to the back of her waist band to grab a small knife and throw it at the goon coming up the stairs. A few days later steph is hanging upside down with cass and reaches for her knife, only to come up empty handed, so she just grabs the one cass has strapped to her thigh and peels her orange with that instead. Cass shrugs, drops from the ceiling on bruces shoulders, pecks his cheek and takes one of his daggers from his chest pocket. Three days later damian yeets his katana at Riddler(it misses but the villain is traumatized) but now the young robin is out of a weapon, so he ducks under cass’s legs and takes the dagger, sending it flying into a nearby goons gut. Bruce is both horrified and proud of his children and instates a weekly meeting to double check that every has all of their things. A very startling amount of gadgets and knicknacks are passed from hand to hand at these meetings, returned to their rightful owner. Bruce, naturally, has the largest pile that he has to put away. The kids all snicker into their hands as he glowers, shoving the weapons and pepper spray and gum pieces(“why did you take them if you weren't even going to chew them!!!”) back into his suit as they all finish up an hour before him and just watch. 

[haveihitanerve]

Bruce sends his kids little notes using carrier bats. It first started when Dick moved out and he wanted to talk to his son but didn't want to call and then have dick hang up on him or decline, didn't want to see his message be left on read, so he bought a little circus bat and taught it to fly to wherever Dick’s scent was (ie he would hang a piece of dicks clothing up at one end of the cave) and built him a nest built of dicks old bedsheets and then tied a little note to its foot, just a little question about how the weather is in Bludhaven and if hes getting enough sleep and alfred misses him, nothing that can be seen as overbearing or forcing himself into his life, and the little bat flies all the way to Bludhaven and hangs on Dicks window and Dick sees it and memories slam into him full force because bats are batman and robin and he cant, not yet. So he doesn't open the window. Ignores him. But the little bat is anything if not as stubborn as the man who trained him so he stays. And after two days Dick relents because the bat hasn't moved an inch and is probably hungry, so he brings him inside and then he sees the note for the first time and opens it and then he breaks and the tears flow because Bruce cares and bruce still wants him. And dick spends time with the little bat and takes it on missions as Nightwing because they’re both nocturnal and then finally, dick attaches a little note to the bats leg and he flies off to bruce. And bruce sees the little bat on his window and opens it, when he spots Dick standing just below, smiling faintly. “Hey b.” 

Bruce gets a bat from the cave ceiling for Babs almost immediately after her accident with Joker because he has responsibilities but he cant leave her alone so he sends her notes everyday and hopes the bat is a good enough companion and when she becomes oracle the bat serves as an exchange of information and contacts and bruce still uses him to check up on her and babs rolls her eyes everytime, but its fond

And so then when Jason comes bruce finds another little bat hanging in crime alley and uses her as a therapy animal after he dies and trains her the way he trained Dick’s but the bat doesn't have anyone to fly to and bruce tries not to cry when he sends it out with notes and it returns because it has no one to deliver to… until one day it doesn't come back. And bruce is afraid and confused and a week later the bat is back, a new note attached to her leg and bruce takes it and breaks down and he gets to talk to his son again. 

Tim already comes with his own bat because Nightwing has one, but the little girl imprints on Bruce right away and Tim pouts but he cant really be angry, not when Bruce sends his bat over to him almost daily while hes in the batcave or his room or the tower with reminders to eat and sleep and coupons for coffee

When Steph arrives Bruce hates himself for firing her but he just cant right now, but he stills gets a bat from the cave and sends it to her and apologizes because he cant bring himself to leave everything unspoken between them and Steph actually adores it and every so often she’ll send him a note and bruce knows hes forgiven

For Damian theres no need for a bat because he lives in the house with Bruce, but then they have Goliath and well… he serves as a messenger when no one else can get damian out of the training area

bruce has never named the bats, thinking that was for them alone to do and he didnt want to get too attached because theres always a chance he pushed too far and his kids wont send a message back, but one day all his kids were hanging out in the living room together and bruce had just come up to join them when he hears dick say "hey wheres b? the movie's about to start?" and jason chucks a piece of popcorn in his mouth and goes "idk, ill send him a note." but tim goes "no i will!" and all together they yell "ROBIN!!!" and all their bats come flying from the cave and fly to their specific masters and Bruce cant fight the tears and when every little bat flies towards him and delivers their note he walks out into the living room and gives them the biggest hug

[haveihitanerve]

Calling for Dad

um.. so i saw this post a while back about how the Robins all call for bruce on patrol and i unfortunately cannot find it to reblog off of, but uh yeah. i wrote it so-

this post-

So my Batfamily brain rot is back (not that it ever really left) and I just had a thought like… If you’re a henchman/criminal in Gotham, se

Dick breathed deeply through his nose and whirled, sending his foot flying into a nearby henchman's side. The man went flying back, cursing up a storm that ended quickly as his head connected with the wall. Out cold. Dick brushed his hands off in satisfaction. They were almost done, and he could see bruce tying up and fighting a few extra henchmen only a few feet away, at the same time. Dick turned, planning on tying up the ones he had finished, when something cold and hard slammed into his cheek. Dick reeled backwards, landing hard on the ground. He looked up. A henchman was standing over him, a nasty smile on his face, brass knuckles glinting. Dick could feel tears pooling in his eyes. “Don't cry don't cry don't cry don't cry’ dick chanted in his head. But his lower lip was trembling. And, maybe it was just some survival instinct, maybe it was just some primal knowledge in dicks little gecko brain, but before he could stop himself, his mouth was open and he was crying. “DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD!!!!!!!” All he spotted was the pale face of the henchman, before a black blur went flying into it. Bruce was at his side a second later, a soft hand on his cheek, a tender brush of fingers across his forehead, a gentle kiss to his head. Dick didn't even feel the injury anymore, it had been more of a shock than anything else, but Bruce didn't finish patrol that day. And dick stayed wrapped up safe and warm in his fathers cape the rest of the night. 

Jason yawned, sending his right fist into the gut in front of him. He had an exam tomorrow, and Bruce had told him to stay home, but Two Face and Penguin had decided to strike a deal in the warehouse, so they had had to show up. Jason knew B regretted bringing him. And would blame himself if jason failed, but honestly, jason just enjoyed spending time with his dad. Whether it was fighting crime or not. He would take the bruises over passing his exam any day. Jason yawned again. The gut was suddenly back on its feet in front of him. Jason startled back, but too late. He hit the ground. Hard. Boots scraped the floor in front of him and Jason could no longer see Bruce. His heartbeat started to accelerate. There was a hand on his ankle and he was being turned, dragged forward. Jason opened his mouth, and screamed. “DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD!!!!!!” The hand on his ankle froze. Then was ripped away. Jason couldn't hold back his sniffle of fear and suddenly bruce was there, a protective hand on his back, an arm under his butt as bruce lifted him and pressed jason's face against his chest, holding him close and whispering sweet nothings into his boys ear and jason lapped them up like a starving kitten, mewling and pushing closer to his dad, safe with the knowledge his father would always have his back. 

Tim knew he shouldn't have been out alone. But he was doing some reconnaissance on the bane and it couldn't be that bad. Right? Wrong. Next thing he knew the young Drake heir was face to face with the dangerous villain, with nothing but a bo staff in his hands. “Ooh.” cooed bane. “Little robin, flown too far from your nest have you?” He snickered, and the sound sent a cold chill down tims spine. “Well well well. Lets have some funnsie shall we?” And before tim could move the bane had grabbed his staff and snapped it over his leg, tossing the remains aside. Tim stared at him open mouthed. Fear. Fear was coursing through his veins like sharp ice. Tim was scared. And there was a crack and Tim guessed it was either his ribs or skull as hot fiery pain swept through his body and he screamed, head colliding with the wall. And he couldn't breathe. Couldn't breathe couldn't breathe. But he managed to gasp just enough air into his lungs to muster up one single word. “DAAAAAAAAD!” Bane was on the ground faster than tim could blink. And he started to apologize, begging for forgiveness, to stay robin, please, ‘please bruce don't send me back to the Drake estate’ but bruce lifted him gently and carried him slowly and when tim awoke he was still at the manor, not on the doorstep of the Drakes and Bruce was sitting at his side, holding his hand. And when he started to speak tim felt fear clutch him immediately. But the man wasn't telling him to leave. He wasn't kicking him out. He was telling him about the other Robins who had called dad before him. It was the first time Tim heard bruce speak about Jason so plainly. Without anger or guilt or regret. But rather with warmth. “You are my son Timmy.” bruce whispered quietly. “My son.” 

Stephanie knew she wasn't as experienced as she needed to be to be robin, but bruce had still let her on the streets with him, and she would be damned if she disappointed him. After all, it was just Black Mask. What harm could he do? “Apparently a lot.” Steph thought dryly as she leapt around the man who was swinging wildly at her. She was bleeding from a gash in her thigh, and was pretty certain she had at least two broken ribs. They were really slowing her down but it wasn't anything she couldn't handle. Wasn't handling. Except. Except she couldn't handle it. Black Mask swung his bat, and Steph didn't make it out of the way in time. The metal connect full force with her side and steph went flying, slamming hard into the concrete wall. She wheezed. Now there was definitely some internal bleeding. Her nose was running and before she could get up, a boot connected with her face. Now it was running with blood. Her teeth felt lose. Stephanie's mouth was so dry. Black Masks taunting face appeared above her and Steph could do nothing more than whimper as pain wracked through her body as he started to beat her. She could taste the throw up in her mouth. Could smell the overpowering stench of iron, from her own blood. Her heart was battering so loudly in her ears from fright if she hadn't heard it she might've thought she was dead. But she wasn't. Dead. She was definitely afraid. She and Bruce had never discussed what they were. She had a dad. He had kids. A daughter. They had never broached the subject of adoption, or even being anything more than slight friends. It didn't matter that she saw him as a father figure. A better one than she had ever actually had. It was this thought, above all others, that rose to the front of stephanie's mind while black mask bloodied her. And it was this thought, above all others, that made her lick her dry lips and scream, with all the air she had left in her lings. “DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD!!!!!!!” Black Mask laughed at her. “Authur ain't gonna save you!” he sneered. Arthur Brown had never even crossed Stephanie's mind. Black Mask lifted his fist, ready to bring it crashing down on her head. But it never connected. Not with stephanie at least. But rather with a very large, very angry, Batman. She had never seen Bruce throw anyone. Much less through two walls. But here they were. Hands touched her. Warm hands. Kind hands. The same hands that had cradled her after nightmares. The same hands that had handed her snacks and wordlessly pulled her into a hug when she had shown up on his doorstep, wistful and ashed, slightly bedraggled, begging for sanctuary. The warm hands of her father. “Dad.” She choked. “Shhh.” bruce soothed softly, stroking her hair as he lifted her, like a newborn calf, into his arms and carried her home. “Its alright sweetheart. I've got you.” 

Damian had never called Bruce dad. It just wasn't done. Mother was Mother, Grandfather was Grandfather, and so naturally, Father was Father. He knew other kids didn't agree. Had heard his classmates shriek with joy and cries of “DAD!” And “papa!” when greeting their fathers. Even his siblings did so, whether Cassandra threw herself at him with a cheerful “daddy!” or jason tossed an arm around his shoulders with a heartfelt “hey pops” or tim and dick, who had no issues with plopping themselves into his lap and purring “daddio.’ when they needed something.  Even Barbara had taken to calling Bruce ‘dad 2.0’ from time to time. Damian had never even considered calling his father dad. Much less on patrol. Except. Except he had heard his brothers chatting about it. He hadn’t meant to eavesdrop. But they hadn’t exactly tried to be quiet either. “B don’t love me!” Jason had shouted, plopping with an over dramatic sigh onto the couch. Dick didn’t even look up from whatever he was working on, just laughed. “Sure jason. Remember that time you called for him on patrol?” Tim chuckled, walking in as well and sitting on the couch opposite his brother. “Oh yeah.” He let out a high pitched scream and imitated a young Jason. “Dad!” They all laughed. Jason couldn’t contain his smile. “Yeah yeah. I know. He loves all of us. It would be nice if he showed it differently than just arriving when we need him, but it’s sweet all the same.” “Aw.” Dick cooed. Jason threw a pillow at him. Tim laughed. “Robin calling for his Dad is still the scariest thing a villain can hear.” The others chimed their agreement. Damian filed the information away carefully, planning on testing that. To see if father reacted with the same rage his brothers had described for him as he had for them. Damian had never seen his father snap. Had never seen his ruthless side. According to his siblings that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. Damian huffed, throwing a quick and effortless punch to the man in front of him. He hit the dirt without even managing a sound of pain. Damian smirked in triumph, but the man was up again. Damian flinched as the foot connected with his face. He went flying back, slamming into the chimney of the roof he was on. The man stalked towards him, grinning evilly. Damian scrambled back. For the first time, fear coursed through him. “BABAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” damian screamed. His brothers hadn't been lying. The mans face paled in fear a split second before an angry bruce slammed into him, fists flying. Damian wasn't entirely certain his father had stuck with his no killing rule. But that didn't matter. Because Father was here now, holding him close, snuggling damian into bed, kissing his head. And Damian started calling Father Baba.