Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, Part 14, Part 15, Part 16
Arc 3 - The Avatar's Return (Book 1)
Part 17, Part 18, Part 19, Part 20, Part 21, Part 22, Part 23, Part 24, Part 25, Part 26, Part 27
Arc 4 - The Earth Kingdom (Book 2)
Part 28, Part 29, Part 30, Part 31, Part 32, Part 33, Part 34, Part 35, Part 36, Part 37, Part 38, Part 39, Part 40, Part 41, Part 42, Part 43, Part 44, Part 45, Part 46, Part 47, Part 48
Arc 5 - The Fire Nation (Book 3)
Part 49, Part 50, Part 51, Part 52, Part 53, Part 54, Part 55, Part 56, Part 57, Part 58, Part 59, Part 60, Part 61, Part 62, Part 63, Part 64, Part 65, Part 66, Part 67, Part 68, Part 69, Part 70, Part 71, Part 72, Part 73, Part 74
Arc 6 - A Post-War World
Part 75, Part 76, Part 77, Part 78, Part 79, Part 80, Part 81, Part 82, Part 83, Part 84, Part 85, Part 86, Part 87, Part 88, Part 89, Part 90, Part 91, Part 92, Part 93, Part 94, Part 95, Part 96, Part 97, Part 98, Part 99, Part 100
Part 101, Part 102, Part 103, Part 104, Part 105, Part 106, Part 107, Part 108, Part 109, Part 110, Part 111, Part 112, Part 113, Part 114, Part 115, Part 116, Part 117, Part 118, Part 119, Part 120, Part 121, Part 122, Part 123...
~An idea I had about Jazz being a forensic scientist~
*in the batcave at the end of reporting a lack of evidence for a case*
Bruce: I'll have to confer with the GCPD forensics.
Tim: uh, B, maybe we should wait for Cass to get back from the trip with Steph and Babs before we do that.
Bruce: Hnn
Jason: Why do we need to wait for Cass?
Dick: Cause Duke is off duty for finals and Damian is on a mission for the titans? Cass is the best option at the moment.
Jason: that doesn't answer my question.
Everyone: .....
Tim: Do you not know the situation with Dr. Nightingale?
Jason: I don't even know who that is
Dick: She's the newest head forensics who B pissed off enough that she perma-banned Batman from her lab.
Bruce: Hmm
Jason: so... B got everyone on this Dr Nightingale's shit list
Dick: It used to be only B, but after I nicked a detonater from the bombing incident 6 months ago I haven't been welcomed back; and Babs been on thin ice from trying to hack into Dr. Nightingale work computer
Jason: what about Replacement
Tim: She won't let me or Steph set foot in the building. I dont know why. We haven't done anything yet, but everytime she meets us at what ever entrance were using, hands us a file of the case's forensic data, and then closes the door, window, whatever.
Tim grumbling under his breath: But she adores Damian. Serving him drinks, giving him fudge, answering questions, letting him take whatever evidence he asks for
Dick bemoaning: do you have to mention the fudge
Jason: whats up with the fudge
Dick: it's Alfred cookie tier
(Wait, I love this sm)
Jason: What? Now I HAVE to go check this out
Tim: Uh. Wait, Jason—
Jason: See ya!
Hours later
Jason:
Batfam: ….
Batfam: So how was your visit?
Jason: Kinda odd but surprisingly pleasant.
Bruce:
Bruce: Elaborate?
Jason: She took one look at me, pulled me inside her lab, and then asked me a whole bunch of random questions. We talked for several hours and then she said nothing else while she gave me the reports for the last few cases and a pan of fudge before she pushed me out the door.
Dick: … what questions did Dr. Nightingale ask?
Jason: She asked me where I was when I was 15 to 16, then my favorite flavor of dessert and food, and then she asked about my favorite book. Then we talked about Shakespeare for a few hours and it somehow turned into a conversation about my activities as the Red Hood…
Jason: Btw, you never told me she was hot
Tim: … we’re more focused on getting our reports from her, since she’s the best at gaining clues from the victims amongst her colleagues at the GCPD.
Jason: Fair enough.
Bruce: Was that all she said to you?
Jason: She also told me to share the fudge with Damian and to come by next week for the next report on the new body.
Tim:
Bruce:
Dick:
The Batfam:
Tim: Did we just witness the birth of an unholy union between a crime lord and a forensic pathologist?
Jason keeps going back to get reports for the Batfam, Jazz asking more questions, it getting weirder and weirder. Going from hobbies to sexuality to what kind of things he looks for in a significant other.
Then, all of a sudden, she starts insisting that Red Hood show up at specific times. Times that her brother is always around. Jason obviously can't involve a civilian, so he ends up waiting around until 'Danny' leaves.
Jazz doesn't seem happy.
Suddenly Red Hood is being stopped at the door, but Jazz keeps insisting that he be the one to come. Then, she doesn't meet him at the door. Instead, her brother Danny comes out, holding the file. He's tired, in a Gotham University sweatshirt, and not sure why his sister ran out all of a sudden.
And then it keeps happening. So Jason starts to learn that Danny is a GU student, studying a weird combo of engineering and political science. He won't really explain why the political science, but he'll talk about how he and his best friend Tucker, who is a programmer, are constantly coming up with new ideas. Jason finds out that Danny really loves space, and knows a lot about it. Danny isn't great with reading, but he has a respect for a tough English teacher that was obsessed with the classics.
Jason keeps meeting with Danny during the file drops, they end up getting along really well, and Jason actually kinda looks forward to it.
Then Jazz is the one to come out and hand Jason the file. Jason is so surprised, he actually asks where Danny is. Jazz glares and says she doesn't want to talk about it.
And then Danny doesn't show up the next day. And not the next. Not the next either.
So after a week Jason goes looking. He's worried maybe something happened. It is Gotham, and while Danny is surprisingly agile and strong, there are people like Joker around. He would just hate to see Danny get hurt.
And Danny's fine. He's moping around in his hoodie and space themed pajama pants. Jason doesn't know how to approach in costume, so he does the totally rational Bat thing, and stalks him finds a way to interact outside of the costume.
Jason shows up at GU, he managed to get Tim to get Danny's schedule. He wanders around, jacket on, trying to look like a normal student. He stages a 'bump', where he quickly pickpockets something off Danny after bumping shoulders, then waits a second and calls back, acting like he picked it up off the ground. Danny is a bit suspicious, but thanks him.
The fallowing conversation is awkward. Jason asks if Danny goes to school there, Danny motions to his hoodie and his backpack like duh. Danny then eyes Jason then asks if he's a student, to which Jason panics and says he's thinking about going back to school. What for? Uh... He sort of needs to get his GED? And then, well, maybe Literature? Danny makes a comment about his old teacher, Lancer. Jason nods, then realizes he's not supposed to know and awkwardly course corrects. He's about to ask Danny if he wants to get lunch some time when the clock tower chimes and Danny excuses himself, saying he'll see him around.
So Jason keeps setting up random bump ins. He keeps having little chats, until a few 'random' run ins Danny get a call from Jazz in the middle of talking with Jason, and hits ignore. Of course, Jason can't help but ask why Danny didn't answer. Danny side eyes him before sighing and saying that he's not talking to her at the moment, because she was trying to subtly set Danny up with one of her 'coworkers'. Jason puts it together which coworker, and asks Danny if he didn't like the guy. Danny groans and says that it was working, and that was kinda the problem, because the guy had enough problems as it was. He didn't need Danny's issues on top of everything.
They split ways, and Jason has to think because fuck. Okay, so Jazz had used their work to scope out for a new boyfriend for her brother. And decided Jason was the perfect fit, before moving on to making them interact. It had worked on Danny, and it had definitely worked on Jason. So much so that Jason had gone looking for Danny, which he's realizing was likely also Jazz's plan.
Anybody else love Merthur fics where one of the big reasons why Arthur and Merlin can't be together is because Merlin isn't nobility? Like, after the magic ban is lifted, and its revealed that Merlin is a sorcerer, Merthur announces they're courting, and the council is like "we can forgive the sorcery, and the male part, BUT NOT THE PEASANTRY!" So they have to come up with a way to make Merlin not a peasant, which is harder for a man. Because with women, its not as much of a problem, because their status matches their husbands, and their children will be born nobles, but men? Nah, theres hoops.
Now, my FAVORITE part about these is usually how they figure out how to make Merlin a noble. And my top 2 are "he's Emrys, so basically he's the king of druids and/or god of magic", and "wtf you mean he's a peasant? Balinor was a noble???"
I especially love when they spend like 90% of the fic trying to figure out what to do, or trying different things, and then at the very end, as they're giving up, Gaius comes in and is like "why are you doing this, Merlin technically IS nobility." And when asked why Gaius never said anything he gives them the look and is all "I would have, if you two hadn't immediately run off to be stupid".
Batman not understanding why he's THAT protective over the Wayne boys and that's his tip off. He's protective over all children, of course, but it's different. Possessive in a way that he can only explain as paternal
Likewise Bruce is terrified for Nightwing even though he's an extremely skilled experienced vigilante and an adult, so he can't explain it away as easily as his fear for Robin. And when he questions himself about it he thinks "I'll always worry, he's my little boy" in a mental voice deeper than his own but not quite the bat's growl
Exactly!!!!! Because you cannot split Bruce Wayne from Batman or Batman from Bruce Wayne! They’re intrinsic parts of either person. Neither is the “mask.”
(now I’m imagining split!Bruce Wayne getting possessive about his city in a voice that he shouldn’t have, to a Batman who is watching Bruce Wayne’s children joke with each other with an affection that goes beyond duty and The Mission…)
Split Bruce and Batman slowly and separately coming to the conclusion that they were once married, and that after a messy divorce, split custody of the kids, and somehow forgot all of it.
They both immediately want to put the blame for the failed marriage on the others shoulders. Like Bruce saying its Batman's fault, because Batman obviously cheated with Superman or Catwoman. Batman turning it around and saying obviously manwhore Bruce is to blame for having affair baby Damian, which then opens a new argument of Bruce trying to say that Batman doesn't love Damian and how cruel he is, and Batman snapping that he ADORES his littlest son and Robin, how DARE. Eventually settling into divorced co-parents that LOATH eachother, but keep being around each other because they love their kids.
And because ships, I think it would be especially funny if it's Superbat, and Clark returns from off world and goes to find Bruce without going to the watchtower debrief. He flies in costume into Bruce's office at WE, and kisses him, Bruce immediately like, oh fuck hot hell yeah, and kissing back. Then Batman shows to pick up Tim or someone for patrol, immediately pointing and going "I KNEW IT! I KNEW IT WAS YOUR FAULT! MY BEST FRIEND, BRUCE?! REALLY?!" And then Clark pulls back and looks between them like, oh shit wtf?
Morgana curses Arthur to become an animal (vermin to be precise).
He is now a mouse, small, universally disgusted, and easily killable by animals and other humans. Arthur had to navigate back from Morganas hut in the forest and find his way back to his castle and to Gaius.
He knows he could be eaten by a cat or an owl, be killed by the servants who spot him in the corridors, or get lost in the now very big Camelot. It takes him a whole two days to make his way back to the citadel
Morganas plan was genius one. He was invisible and helpless. He could be killed and no one would know or realise that they had killed their king while chasing a little forest mouse.
His journey takes him inside the castle, and while he’s roaming the corridors as a small mouse when he spots Merlin.
Merlin!
As he runs up to Merlin the idiot lights up. “Hello little one :D”
He bends down and scoops Arthur up into his (surprisingly large hands).
“Oh aren’t you just a sweet little thing? Don’t worry, I won’t tell cook I found you down here. You can stay in my pocket while I tidy the kings chambers”
Arthur knew that his friend had a soft spot for all animals, but really this was taking it a step too far. Allowing some random mouse he found crawling around the floor to accompany him into The Kings Private Chambers? Just so he could have some company while he tidies? What a dollophead.
Although…in this specific scenario…he supposed he could make an exception. Just this once. And as soon as he transforms back into his human self he will be having words with his servant about this absolutely ridiculous behaviour.
But for now Arhrur is safe in his silly manservant’s pocket. Silly, lovable Merlin, who just picked up a little mouse and decided to take it with him for the day because he was bored.
He stays curled up in Merlin’s neckerchief
(And he’s so totally normal about being this close to Merlin’s strong neck and chest. If he wasn’t cursed as a mouse he would be so normal about this)
It’s much later in the evening, while him and Merlin eat off of the Kings dinner plate (again, he will be having words about this), when the warning bell sounds.
Lets be honest. If Arthur was gone for more than two days, Merlin knows he's missing. Especially if it's while Agrivaine is around. No one would know the king is missing because Merlin and Gaius are working together the pretend Arthur is sick in bed until they can find him. Arthur wouldn't be sitting, thinking how he will be having words with him about little things.
Arthur would be going "wtf wtf WTF, why isn't Merlin telling anyone I'm missing? And how does Merlin have such sway with the servants? Since when do guards listen to Merlin more than my uncle? Why is Merlin not letting my uncle be regent while I'm gone? WHEN DID MERLIN LEARN TO FORGE MY SIGNATURE?!"
And then ensues an adventure where Merlin has this mouse in his pocket, which Merlin will probably affectionately call Arthur, cuz he's a little crazy and worried about the real Arthur and needs mouse Arthur to ground him.
And if I was writing this fic, there would definitely be a magic reveal, and a moment (after Arthur has come to terms with Merlin's magic) where Merlin uses a spell or something to become a mouse to eacape a trap, and says to Mouse Arthur that its still him, please follow, only for Arthur to go "yeah, no shit I know its you, you idiot" and mouse Merlin does a double take and is so confused, because apparently this random mouse he grabbed to ground him during this emergency is ACTUALLY ARTHUR, who is telling him he's stupid, and as punishment for not telling him about the magic, Arthur is going to force him to be court sorcerer when he's done lifting the ban.
a common theme in superbat fics is to have clark be the completely oblivious one or have clark think bruce is the oblivious one but he's been secretly pining all this time and good at hiding it. and i think that's great but i also think it's hilarious when bruce genuinely has no idea clark has feelings for him, and genuinely doesn't even think about liking clark romantically until clark confesses.
he's not in denial, he doesn't fantasize about clark or get jealous over anyone clark dates, he doesn't even need to trick himself into thinking his feelings are platonic because they genuinely are. he's entirely content with their friendship.
it never crosses his mind to take it in a different direction until clark comes to him one night with tears in his eyes, unable to bear his secret any longer, and says, breathless, "i think i'm in love with you."
bruce bluescreens. he's honestly blindsided, completely surprised by clark's words, surprised that he could mean that much to clark.
clark, who takes bruce's stillness as an answer, the cautiously hopeful expression on his face dimming as his shoulders curl forward. "you don't feel the same way."
"i...never really thought about it," bruce says, the blank shock in his voice betraying his honesty.
clark lets out a startling, wet laugh. "okay," he says, shrinking back, lifting off the ground. "sorry, um. i'll leave you alone."
"don't go," bruce says desperately, reaching for clark and grabbing his wrists. it's true, he'd never really thought about it. but now that clark has brought it to his attention— "i'm thinking about it now."
with a furrowed brow, clark searches his eyes. bruce tries his hardest to be transparent, to let clark look without hiding anything. "you don't have to lie to me just to spare my feelings, bruce. that's worse," clark says, biting at his full lip.
and since when has bruce thought about the fullness of clark's lips? or the warm, richness of his voice, or the long, dark eyelashes that frame his bright eyes so beautifully, or the way his hands feel in bruce's right now—
"i'm not lying," bruce says, clumsily bringing his hand up to cradle clark's jaw, the warmth of clark's skin zinging up his arm. "i didn't know it was an option then. i want it now."
"you're serious," clark replies, his eyes wet. "you just suddenly...want to date."
"if that's what you want," bruce replies, unable to keep his gaze from lowering to clark's mouth again. "we can date, or hookup, or just hang out. whatever you want," he continues, voice turning breathless as he continues, getting excited about all the things he might get to do. "i can take you to dinner. we can eat dessert on the hood of the batmobile. we can go driving, or hiking, or boating. do you know how to waterski?"
"bruce—"
"i'll get you anything you want—"
"bruce—"
"i really want this clark. let me have this—"
"bruce—!"
"god, do you have any idea how beautiful—?"
clark finally gets him to shut up by hauling him forward into a fierce kiss. bruce welcomes him readily, wrapping his arms tightly around him and giving as good as he gets. they are by no means gentle, but bruce likes it that way, relishes the feeling of clark's hot, slick mouth against his, shivering as clark's hands drag up his spine.
"i want you," bruce whispers when they break away. "i don't know how i didn't see it before."
clark smiles at him, utterly radiant. "as long as you see it now."
"i do," bruce says earnestly, kissing him again and silently cursing himself. he could've had this so much sooner. "god, i do."
If Bruce were a kitten he’d be so temperamental and needy ( •v•) Clark wouldn’t get a moment of peace because Bruce needs to be nuzzling him constantly. Whenever he doesn’t get enough attention he’s willing to head butt Clark’s face and break his glasses.
Clark has to take a phone call, or cooking in the kitchen, and not paying attention to kitten Bruce. Bruce is having none of this, and claws and rolls all over Clark's feet. To avoid stepping on Bruce, Clark usually ends up floating, because if he doesn't he will fall and land on the kitten.
Normally, when Clark has to leave the apartment, he has to speed out the door or Bruce will try to follow him. Bruce will normally just seeth and wait, since he's not much of a yowler. Only he escapes one day and manages to hunt down Superman, and climb up the back of his cape. He refuses to let go, until Clark goes back to the apartment.
Really though, what was that about? I don’t know is a valid answer. It communicates very clearly that the child cannot answer your question, and therefore maybe needs more help understanding the question/situation. Why do you try and push them to give an answer they don’t have? That stresses them out and it makes them feel like they’re being punished for not knowing something.
i thought i was the only one with an “i don’t know” problem because my parents made it seem it was the strangest and also most horrible thing in the world. i genuinely didn’t know and they got angry and that only blocked my thoughts more which meant i didn’t know the answer to anything else.
Also “I don’t know” is a commonly used sentence for children with ADHD/Autism. We DON’T know why we can’t do our homework. We DON’T know why we can’t eat certain foods sometimes. We DON’T know why we forgot to do a chore. It’s really distressing when you genuinely don’t know and people think you’re just lying or indifferent
When I was in highschool, my guy friend was on his way to join our friends during lunch and fell in some water from the leaky ceiling. (it was a notorious problem, to the point during rainy seasons, they had to dump the giant trash tubs collecting the water twice a day.) My friend broke his arm, and was sent home. This was the Friday before Spring Break started.
I learn about the arm breaking when my friend was texting with me during break. No details, just that he fell and broke it. And I'm like, damn dude, that sucks. Get better I guess?
When I come back to school, I'm in my first period, honors trig, and I get called to the vice principal's office, where the vice principal is waiting with the campus security officer. And he sits me down and starts asking me about my friend. How long had I known him, were we friends, what was I doing during lunch over a week ago on the Friday before break. And I was honest, and I'm like, I've known him for about 3 years, we met in middle school, we were in the Anime Club together and we were friends, and I was where I always was, outside the 100 building with my friends eating lunch.
And then the vp asked if I knew about his arm. And I told him, yeah, he called me during break, and it sucks. But the vp immediately takes it as an admission of guilt.
VP: so you know how he broke his arm?
Me: no. I just know it broke.
CSO: He broke it here at school. In the 100 building.
Me: oh. So that's why he didn't join us at lunch.
VP: So you do know what happened!
Me: no? I wasn't there?
CSO: We know you're connected to this. When he was brought to the nurse, he said your name.
Me: probably because he was coming to join my friend group for lunch???
VP: So tell me what happened!
Me: I don't know?! I wasn't there?!
CSO: this will be easier if you just tell us what happened.
Me, really worked up now: I don't know!
VP: tell us what happened!
CSO: go take a walk, VP.
VP, leaves.
CSO, acting nice: hey. Come on, girl to girl. You can tell me what happened.
Me: I don't know what happened!
CSO: alright, let me tell you what I think happened. Friend was on camera in the hall with another girl. Did you know about that?
Me, not sure why I should care: no???
CSO: I think you did. And then you didn't like that he was talking to other girls. So you pushed him in the hall.
Me, needing a second for my brain to catch up: You think I broke my friends arm?!
CSO: well, did you?
Me: NO!
CSO: then what happened?
Me: I don't know!!!
This went on for the entire class period, and then some. I was being interigated about something I wasn't even there for, for about an hour. When they finally sent me back to class, it was already most of the way through second period, which was right across the hall from the VP office, and I just went in and dropped into the corner, and texted my friend asking what happened to his arm and why did I get good cop bad cop-ed by the VP and CSO.
Turns out, his mom was sueing the school for medical costs, and they were looking for any other reason why then our school being unsafe. So they tried to blame me because I was the friend he mentioned while delirious from pain.
Anyway, the point is, when someone says I don't know, they usually mean they don't know. 😑
I got Unbeatable Squirrel Girl in my packs from my preorder! Im just so excited, because, well, my mom is a Krenko Mob Boss main, and I play Otharri Sun's Vanguard, so we're both all for tokens, and keep trying to one up eachother with token generation.
Bruce insulting Batman in interviews is an amazing concept because he will not insult his kids. Like he is saying that Batman is dumb and not even a real Bat but if those little boys want to be birds they should live their dreams and they are the greatest thing to come out of Gotham in centuries. It gets so bad that interviewers ask the former Robins why Bruce hates Batman but loves Robin and all the kids develope telepathy for just a moment and declare its because Bruce lost custody of them in his divorce from Batman.
I think the funniest part is about these kinds of posts, is that Gotham would 100% figure out what kids Bruce Wayne has that are now Birds. Like, its not a huge leap of logic once people know. So everyone knows that the Wayne brood is actually the Birds, but are 100% convinced that Bruce isn't Batman.
It's especially better if criminals feel bad for Bruce, because it's obvious that Bruce loves the Birds, and doesn't get to see them as often as he likes, so they kidnap him on purpose so they can give Gotham's Darling a visitation.
Jon : Are you high? Damian is obviously the most beautiful.
Kon : Damian?! He's a scary, mean, stabby, assassin!
Jon : Oh you did not.
Kon : Oh but I did.
Jon : TIM IS LIKE A RACCOON HIGH ON PAIN MEDICATION!
Kon : LISTEN THERE YOU LITTLE SHIT!
-
Diana : Everyone! I received a signal of fighting in the atmosphere near the earth!
Bruce : We need to prepare.
Barry : I'm connecting us to the satellite for a visual! There it's-
Justice league :
Oliver : Am I tripping or is that your child's Clark?
Clark : I- I mean yeah but...
J'onn : The audio is connecting.
Kon audio : TIM IS THE BEST YOU BITCH! HE'S HOT, PRETTY, GORGEOUS, SMART, INCREDIBLE! WAY BETTER THAN MISTER EX ASSASSIN! *Laser eyes*
Jon audio : NOBODY ASKED YOU, YOU HALF-ASSED CLONE! DAMIAN HE'S WHAT EARTH HAVE DONE BEST! TIM CAN'T EVEN DREAM OF BEING LIKE HIM! *Throw a meteorite at him*
Justice league :
Hal : AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAH
Bruce with the biggest sigh of the world : Clark.
Clark really embarrassed by his kids : Yep- going right now!
Bruce Wayne who has extremely dirty thoughts, but so good at hiding it that the entire League thinks he's ace.
Like Bruce arguing with Clark about something Clark did during a battle being stupid, and while Bruce seems just mad and more angry each time Clark argues back, Bruce's internal monologue is just..
"God he's so fucking hot when he's angry. He could pick me up like I was nothing and pin me to the wall, and just fucking put me in my place. He could just use me like a toy, he's so strong, I'd weigh nothing to him."
And this happens almost as much with other league members. Like thinking about what other things the lanterns can make with their rings, using previously seen things as starting reference. Could Diana use the Lasso of Truth for bondage? Since speedsters can vibrate only parts of their bodies, could they vibrate their dicks?
And the League has no idea.
Until Bruce is hit with a spell, that either makes him speak everything he's thinking, or lets those around him hear all his thoughts. And everyone is horrified thinking it's changed Batmans personality, only to realize, oh fuck, no, he's just a freak like that.
Love potion debacle Merthur, but instead of having Arthur being the one dosed, it's Merlin.
Because Arthur has seen Merlin's devotion, but can't risk losing Merlin if he's reading too much into it. Arthur can't bring himself to ask Merlin to be something more, because the very thought of Merlin rejecting him makes his stomach churn. He just can't risk it.
Only, a princess comes to visit, and Arthur thinks they just want to marry the King of Camelot. Only, the princess has no interest in Arthur. She has eyes for Merlin of all people. And yeah, Arthur knows that Merlin is brave and true and a strong warlock, but other people don't.
Of course, Merlin is polite and friendly, seeming to not realize that the princess wants to make Merlin a prince consort. Arthur hates that he knows Merlin deserves the title, and yet Arthur still can't give it to him. The only saving grace is that Merlin seems completely unaware.
Until Merlin brings Arthur his dinner, and Merlin is chuckling to himself. Of course Arthur has to ask what was so funny.
"the princess just asked me to move to her kingdom," Merlin laughs, while Arthur feels his stomach drop.
"Did she?" His mouth felt dry. "What did you say?"
Merlin gives him that look, the one that says he thinks Arthur is an idiot. "I told her no, of course. I could never leave you-" Arthur's heart quickens for a moment, before Merlin continues. "-and Camelot! I mean, the castle would be up in flames in a week if I did."
"It would not," Arthur huffs. While he knew all about Merlin's deeds, he could survive for a while. A month, at least. "But good. Telling her no, I mean."
Merlin's brow furrowed. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Well... It would just... It would be a hassle to replace you as my manservant?"
And of course this upsets Merlin, because is that all Arthur sees him as? After all these years? And Arthur is trying to ease the situation without revealing his true affections, and just ends up making it worse. Merlin storms off in a huff. Arthur let's him, planning to smooth things over in the morning.
Only, Merlin is cold and distant. He leaves Arthur his breakfast and doesn't say a word before leaving. Arthur assumes it's because Merlin is still mad.
But then Arthur sees the princess in the courtyard. She calls someone over. And its Merlin. The dark haired mans face is lit up, as if looking upon a treasure. He comes forward and takes the princess's hands. She smooths his hair, speaking softly as Merlin nods eagerly. Arthur has to turn away.
When Merlin delivers dinner that night, Arthur stops him, having to know.
"Merlin," Arthur says, as his friend and holder of his heart blinks blankly at him. "You know that you are... More than a servant to me. You are my friend. And I trust you with everything."
Arthur isn't looking at Merlin, so he misses the flicker of gold in Merlin's eyes, before Merlin's face softens. "I know, Arthur."
"have you changed your mind?" Arthur asked. "About... Leaving?
"Leaving?" The gold flickers again, a bit stronger. "Arthur I could never leave you."
Arthur doesn't give himself a chance to hope. But he has to know. "I saw you and the princess. She seems to love you dearly."
The gold flickers and sputters out of Merlin's eyes. "Yes," he says before his voice turns sickly sweet, full of adoration. "Yes, she does love me so..."
Arthur feels sick, but he turns to look at Merlin anyway. His friend has a look of pure adoration. As if the woman they speak of had hung the moon and stars.
If Merlin's loyalty was the only thing keeping him from a life of love and luxury, it would be cruel and selfish to not let Merlin know it would be okay to leave. Arthur would let Merlin go, if it meant he would be happy.
"I've been thinking," Arthur said, slow as Merlin seemed to refocus. "That, if you... Would like to be with her, that would be alright. You can go back with her."
There's silence, as Merlin seems to think on it. "Yes... I'll go with her."
Arthur turns away until Merlin has left. He avoids talking too long with him in the coming days. He knows, if he speaks with Merlin, then he'll ask Merlin to stay. But Gwen keeps trying to talk to him about it. The whole castle is in a stalemate, torn between outrage and fear. For Merlin to leave, something terrible must have happened.
The day of the departure, Gwen finally throws it down.
"you're an idiot," she snaps.
"i know," Arthur says. "But he wants to leave."
"No. He been acting off. There's something wrong with him!"
"there's nothing wrong with wanting to find love."
She grits her teeth. "Have you looked at him recently? Seen the gold flashes in his eyes?"
"Yes, Gwen. I know what he looks like while using magic."
Gwen wants to shake him. "But he wasn't using magic! Arthur, something is wrong with him! He's... Please, just go talk to him before he leaves."
And Arthur knows he shouldn't. Because if Gwen is wrong, and Arthur goes, he'll never forgive himself for making Merlin stay. But he does go. He needs to wave the princess off anyway.
When he got there, Merlin's gaze was distant, as if he were unfocused. Which, sure, sometimes Merlin didn't focus on what was going on, but he was never so... Absent. Gwen was right. Something was very wrong.
"Merlin," Arthur called, edging closer.
Merlin blinked and turned. His gaze was still unfocused, but there was a spark there. Almost a flicker of gold.
"Arthur?..."
"Merlin," Arthur says, more confident, and stepping closer. "I need to speak with you."
"With me? You..." The flicker grows brighter, the blankness easing away as Merlin's gaze focused. "You came for me?..."
Arthur felt his heart race. "Of course, I did. Merlin, I can't let you go."
"You can't?"' There was solid gold now.
They'd drawn the attention of the princess, who hurried forward, trying to get between them.
"I'm sorry, King Arthur," she said, much to quickly, and drawing Merlin's gaze, the flicker of gold starting to fade. "But my love and I must be going!"
"No," Arthur said, scowling as he rested his hand at the sword on his hip. It wasn't Excalibur, but it was fine for daily use. "I'm afraid I can't let you leave. And I suggest you stand aside."
The princess jumps, looking a bit panicked. Then, she rushes to Merlin, grabbing at his arm. "Love, protect me!"
"Yes," Merlin said, turning to look at her. "I will protect you, my love."
The knights around them began to draw their swords, as the princess raised her hand to point at Arthur. Merlin turned, face scrunched into a scowl. Quickly, Arthur raised his hands, knowing that Merlin would never hurt him, but... This wasn't exactly Merlin.
"Merlin," Arthur tries.
Merlin tilts his head, as if confused. The gold is coming back. "Arthur?"
"Yes, Merlin. It's me." He edged forward, reaching out a hand. "Just... Come here."
Obediently, Merlin reached out in turn, even taking a step away from the princess. She held onto his arm, though, shrieking.
"No! No! Look at me! He's trying to take you away from me! Don't let him!"
Merlin blinked, about to turn towards her again, But Arthur was faster. He reached out, grasping Merlin's hand, fingers twinging together, palm to palm. Merlin immediately focused on Arthur again, the gold growing stronger, as if Merlin was currently using magic. Or, perhaps fighting against it.
"Arthur?" Merlin asked, more confused now. "What's... Going on?"
"Merlin," Arthur said, holding on like his life depended on it. "You've been enchanted. I think. By the princess there. So please, come here. Don't look at her, and don't let go."
"Enchanted?" Merlin mused, frowning. He looked like he was trying to remember something, but he nodded as if discovering something. "Yes. Definitely. I can feel my magic fighting it, but to actually remove it..." He flushed red, looking away.
"How?" Arthur steps closer, squeezing Merlin's hand. "How do we remove it?"
Merlin turned back to Arthur, as the princess was frantically pulling at his arm. He paid her no mind, cheeks bright red, as he looked directly at Arthur. His hand squeezed back.
"Arthur," Merlin said, low and serious. "Kiss me."
Arthur, his own face red, doesn't hesitate to do as Merlin said.
Anyway, Love Potion Merthur, with Merlin being the one dosed, and Arthur still being oblivious until the very end.
A Superbat AU, Krypton survives, and Bruce ends up on Krypton for some reason. Only problem is, there's something about Krypton that just being on the planet makes humans sick. But there's hope! A Kryptonian can temporarily help by Bruce's body adjust via... An exchange of bodily fluids.
Of course, once this is discovered, the oh so dedicated Kal-El is all over it.
Bruce is off doing his research, probably relating to the slow decay of the planet, with Kal-El hovering nearby, wanting to help Bruce in his research, while also ready to spirit Bruce off for a 'healing' session. Of course, Bruce is annoyed about it. Sort of. He's annoyed that he has to stop the mission for this, but he definitely enjoys the sessions.
On the one occasion that someone else tries to help Bruce out, Bruce contemplates it for only a moment, and before he could say no, Kal-El was all over him. Dark glares that didn't quite fit with his normally cheery exterior. Bruce acts like he's annoyed, causing Kal-El to pout and whine, because come on! He's been doing a good job taking care of Bruce, right?!
And they're just total freaks for each other the entire time. Bruce is playing like he's indifferent not because he needs to focus on the mission, but because it works Kal-El up even more. And Kal-El is just so smitten with this human that he has barely a fraction of a second of thought where he wonders if he should sabotage Bruce's mission to save Krypton, just so Bruce won't leave, before being upset with himself for it.
When Bruce finally leaves, Kal-El doesn't even question about going with him. In fact, Kal-El gets on Bruce's ship home really early, just to make sure Bruce doesn't leave without him, and everyone thinks Kal-El is off sulking somewhere, even Bruce. They're far from Krypton when Kal-El, having fallen asleep in the bunk while waiting for Bruce, comes out and asks if they've left yet, making Bruce jump.
Of course, Bruce takes Kal-El to Gotham where Bruce makes him a human identity, and they have shenanigans with 'Clark's weird reactions to an alien planet.
Back on the anime inspired AU track. Apothecary Diaries Superbat.
The House of El fled Krypton. They end up on Earth, becoming kings/emperors, kinda like the Dark Knights of Steel run. The current emperor is Jor-El. His younger brother, Zor-El, is believed to be the only heir. In truth, Jor-El had a single son, Kal-El, who for his protection had been raised in secret by trusted servants (Johnathan and Martha Kent) after Lara had been assassinated. The public believes the rumor that Prince Kal-El had been killed at the same time.
Well, when Kal-El is at the age when he should be training to be emperor, he doesn't really want to. And Jor-El gives him a task. If Kal-El doesn't want to be emperor, fine. But that means Jor-El needs another heir. And while there have been a few rare pregnancies in Jor-El's 'garden', none of them have come to term. Kal-El will go undercover as a human servant, the head of the garden, and figure out what's going on, using the name Clark.
This sets up Clark to play the role of Jinshi.
Meanwhile, Bruce is obviously playing the role of Maomao, though not a direct comparison. He's still smart and insightful, able to figure things out. And, if we're sticking with a more medieval timeframe, you could even keep Bruce working as an apothecary under Alfred. Bruce's parents were once nobles in Jor-El's lands, before being killed by thieves when Bruce was very young. With Bruce being too young to take over the family estate, it went to his uncle, with Bruce being placed in Alfred's care. His uncle cast them out, and Alfred found work as an apothecary in an in-need area. Which happens to include a brothel, whose owner keeps Alfred on retainer for, and Bruce spent a lot of time around.
And, because Kryptonians don't discriminate on orientation, with male Kryptonians able to even impregnate human males because of weird biology, it's actually seen as a status symbol to have beautiful male lovers. Which the brothel owner would 100% rope Bruce into if Alfred wasn't watching. Bruce, thusly, gets doted on by those living in the brothel. Not that he's all that interested, because he'd rather be out learning various things. Like how to resist poison, how to judo flip would be thugs, and helping orphan kids.
(I have no real idea who the brothel men and women would be. May be some of Batman's Rogues? Just had the thought of Ras al Gul as the brothel owner, with some notable workers being Talia, Harvey, Ivy, and Harley, which would be kinda funny.)
Anyway, I imagine that rather than being kidnapped himself, maybe a few of Bruce's orphan kids have gone missing. He figures out they were kidnapped and sold as servants to the inner palace. Bruce, deciding to go undercover, and uses just enough of the brothel tutoring to set a trap and get 'kidnapped' and sent to the inner palace. Once Bruce discovers that the kids are okay (maybe it's little Dick and/or Jason), he starts planning an escape.
It's while he's in the inner palace that he hears about the babies. The word hasn't really gotten out yet, but the emperor has two newborn children now. A daughter of a few months, and a son of a few days. But they're both sick. And Bruce already figured out the problem, and hehe can't just let them die, even if they are nobility.
So he leaves a message. One listens... The other doesn't. One kid survives, and the other doesn't. And Clark has to investigate. He does his own digging, and eventually finds... Bruce.
And obviously it's a different dynamic between Bruce and Clark. Clark is earnest and hard working, not as teasingly playful. Bruce doesn't have any tolerance for 'grin and bear it', and still has ambition. They both want everyone to be safe. To not have to see others, especially children, see the darkness of the world. They end up working together more often than not, Bruce piecing together who Clark really is, but can't figure out any way to confirm. Clark knows that there's more to Bruce than people see.
There's of course some Apothecary Diaries plot lines. Like Bruce and the others brought by the same people being let go, some miscommunication leading to Clark thinking Bruce wanted to leave and Bruce thinking Clark didn't want him to stay, which leads to Bruce taking the boys home and helping a bit more in the brothel before Clark finds out and makes a drastic claim he'll buy Bruce out, even though Bruce isn't actually a member. Clark having to go to a meeting with Zor-El, but not having any other servants he trusts to go with him without revealing his identity/powers, and taking Bruce instead. Bruce would actually pass the testing needed to become Clark's assistant, unlike the unmotivated Maomao. A brewing war that Bruce gets wrapped up in, whether it's a neighboring kingdom led by Lex Luthor, Zor-El, or another surviving Kryptonian, idk.
