#arranged!verse2.0

[xxgoblin-dumplingxx]

Dick!!!! Omg arranged!reader is a mother!

For a few days Dick was too numb to notice much. Or come too far out of his room. Everything was a blur. He didn't know everything that had to happen for him to live here. He knew a lady that smelled like tomato soup came and asked him questions. He knew that you sat near him.

Not touching him. But close enough for him to touch you if he wanted. And that was enough. You smelled like orange blossoms. And something else. It was nice. And it made him move closer.

Your voice was nice too. Calm. And your hands were soft.

Somehow, you'd made sure he had clothes and you knew he liked blue. And everything was the right size. Even his shoes.

It wasn't until later- how much later he didn't know. When the fog lifted a little- that he realized it was weird that his assistant ate meals with him and Bruce if Alfred didn't.

"She's not my assistant," Bruce said coughing slightly, "she's my wife."

"Oh," Dick said frowning at his plate of eggs and toast. "You treat her like an assistant."

You smile behind your cup of tea and keep your eyes on your days agenda- letting Bruce sort this one out. He'd brought the boy home, not that you minded. But thus far, it seemed that yourself and Alfred had done the bulk of anything that wasn't 'fun'. He could have this talk.

"I-uh-"

"Y/N," Dick said sternly cutting him off, "Next time you go shopping, you should buy yourself something very nice."

"I think," Alfred interjected cheerfully, "It's customary for the husband in such a situation to buy the gift himself."

[xxgoblin-dumplingxx]

Hey can we get more arranged reader? I love your writing and this story

Dick peered into your studio and looked around.

The room was bright from sunlight and the curtains were light and airy.. The wood and the walls were different than the rest of the house. Less dingy. There were art supplies in neat drawers and books on shelves. Canvases leaned against the wall- different sizes. Ready to go when you wanted them.

"Did you need something, Dick?"

Your voice makes him jump. And he feels his face turn red. Bruce he could be angry and rude with. But not you. There was something about you he didn't understand. When you offered him a hand to hold he took it and didn't think about it. When you asked him to please wipe his face or please don't shout, he didn't want to ignore you. "I was looking for Bruce," he said, "Is he here?"

"He tends to leave me to my studio alone," you tell him, laying your selected supplies on a table from a shelf out of view of the door. "And I don't keep tabs on him usually."

Dick nodded and took a tentative step into the room. Usually, the door was locked and he'd only seen it a couple of times.

"Would I be able to help you with anything? Or is it a Bruce problem?"

"Bruce problem," he sighed.

"Poor babybird," you tut, "You look tired today."

"I'm okay," he protested. "I just don't know how to solve this and I'm frustrated and-" He proffered his little notebook of brainteaser puzzles and made a frustrated noise.

"Well," you muse, "Alfred should be bringing me tea and some snacks shortly, and I have a very cozy spot back there to enjoy them."

Dick smiled when you gesture to the daybed back near the far wall, "Thanks, Y/N!"

"Just don't smoosh crumbs into my pillows," you tell him, ruffling his hair. "And I'll let Alfred know I'd like an extra cup and an extra plate."

[xxgoblin-dumplingxx]

Yesssss I'll take and love any writing you feel like giving tbh. Hoarding it like a dragon. Cackling as I consume it

Logan looked down at you and stroked your forehead carefully. You were stable, but waiting for you to wake up was... nerve wracking anyway.

"She's coming back," Jean said gently. "It just- the protective state Charles put her in takes time."

"I did a number on her, huh?"

Jean patted his shoulder. "it's happened before. It's not just you, Logan. She touches things and she gets pulled under... The older something is, the more dangerous it is."

He nodded slowly and took a deep breath.

"But-"

"It's not safe for her to be around me," Logan said standing up. "Just keep me updated."

Jean closed her mouth and bit back a string of curse words. "Idiots," she muttered to you. "Men are idiots."

______________

Logan lurked in the shadows outside your classroom and watched. You looked like a corpse still. But, you were getting better. Teaching half days and recovering impatiently.

Today, you'd been... slow. Sitting most of the day. And it bothered him. Usually, before, you'd been up. Moving. Walking the room and keeping the kids on their toes. Dynamic. But- it was almost like you were a clock that needed rewound.

He frowned. Too much too soon. Leaning your cheek on your hand you look almost like you're falling asleep. He shook his head and folded his arms and leaned against the wall. Not sure what to do.

If he got too close to you, he might hurt you, but could he just leave you there?

Your head slid from your hand and he started forward, catching you before your skull could make contact with the wood and sighed, "C'mon princess. Time for bed."

"It's only 6-"

"It's almost 9," Logan said hefting you out of the chair easily. He'd have to talk to Charles. Clearly, you weren't ready to come back.

[xxgoblin-dumplingxx]

I love your writing, thank you for writing and sharing!!!!! Arranged!verse 2.0 especially is so fascinating – are those Apparent Emotions Bruce?! 💜💜💜

Bruce slipped into the room and checked to make sure you had water close by. You were asleep, so still he had to lay a hand on your back to make sure your were breathing.

And it made his stomach twist. You were young and healthy- mostly. But this recovery was slow. You were struggling to eat, struggling to rest properly. The wound kept healing too slowly. And it worried him, this fragility. How weak and helpless you were.

And it was his fault.

All of it was his fault.

When you stirred in your sleep and whimpered, Bruce winced. And when the whimper turned into a cough that woke you up, he hurried to help you sit up and wrapped his arm around your shoulder. It sounded horrific. And painful. And when you coughed, hacking and sputtering until you cried Bruce stroked your hair out of your face. "What can I do?" he asked

"It just hurts," you tell him. "Feels like razors in my lungs."

"It sounds like it hurts," he murmured. "Do you want a bath? The steam might help-"

"I don't think I can do it-"

"I can help you," he said softly. "That way no one else will see you. And you won't drown."

You look at him questioningly and Bruce smiled ruefully, "I got you into this mess. It's only fair that I take good care of you now."

[xxgoblin-dumplingxx]

More arranged reader pls!

I love your writing

Bruce watched out the study window and leaned back in his chair. Dick should be training but- honestly, as you handed off a now tired and filthy sidekick to Alfred from Opal's back- he's not entirely sure he isn't.

Soft skills are important, and you had them. You also knew how to ride and- if Bruce wasn't mistaken you had a fairly good knowledge of various flora and fauna... things you would have been allowed to learn. You taught differently. Quietly. Tricking him into learning things. He'd find Dick parroting things back at him that you'd told him. Little things he'd squirreled away.

It was sweet in its own little way.

You paused and turned your face to the cold breeze, letting it tangle its fingers through your wind blown hair. Teasing the edges of the scarf you were using as a headband. And he felt his heart thud a little faster.

In quiet moments, when you were alone and unguarded, he got the best glimpses into how you really felt. In real time. Paintings were slow. And they changed. With him you were always careful. Never too much- too aware that he already knew too much. With Alfred and the rest of the staff- you were sweet but still cautious. Never strident, patient- aware that their loyalty was not to you. And with Dick, bless you... you tried to be gentle. And kind. To be someone he could run to when he was sad and angry... But even then, it wasn't how you really felt.

Today? He couldn't tell. Did you know he was watching? Or were there just too many others around? Before you turned to take Opal to the stable, he could see that you were smiling. Talking to gardeners and grounds keepers. Asking about something here or there- improvements or changes, maybe.

Bruce frowned. Hell.

He pulled himself to his feet and wandered to the stable. Finding you brushing Opal down and slipping her treats.

"It's nice to see you out riding again," Bruce said, announcing himself. "Everyone's missed seeing you out and about."

You stroke Opal's neck and look at him over her back. Thankful for the wall she made between them. "It's nice to be out," you sigh, "I was going stir crazy."

Bruce smiled a little and stepped closer, "I know. I thought you were going to snap when I picked you up from your mother's tea."

"That-" you trail off and shake your head, "she's exhausting."

"Putting it mildly," he chuckled, turning out his pocket to show Opal he hadn't come down with treats today. "I also wanted to thank you for- well. Being so nice to Dick."

"He's just a kid," you tell him, "he doesn't understand... any of this."

"Still," Bruce said, stroking the now-offended mare, "we never really talked about kids and I just dropped one in your lap."

You shrug, "It could be worse. He's sweet. And doesn't need bottles or diaper changes." You half turn to hang up the brush and Bruce reaches across Opal's back, gently catching your chin, stroking your jaw with his thumb.

"Anyone else would have thrown a fit, not made him up a room and sat with him while he talked to the cops," he said seriously. "No one expected-"

"It was the decent thing to do," you point out, trying not to meet his eyes, "isn't that what I'm supposed to do now? Pretend to be-"

"You're not pretending sweetheart," he breathed, leaning closer and kissed your forehead. "And I'm grateful you're on my side because if you weren't I'd be in deep shit."

[xxgoblin-dumplingxx]

hi there i'm a huge fan of the arranged marriage trope, and i'll be very happy for anything you have about that verse

"I still haven't a clue how she even got out of the house," Alfred said shaking his head.

"She's very good at getting around security," Bruce reminded, "and probably not thinking very clearly."

"Definitely not," Alfred said, watching the snow fall out the window, thinking back the how small and lost you sounded. "I have her doctors coming to assess her."

Bruce nodded and exhaled slowly. He shouldn't have taken you on that trip. Not so soon into your recovery. But you'd been doing well. Getting along fine. You probably would have been fine, if it hadn't been for getting caught in the rain with him and then being stuck in a freezing cold series of rooms- which caused a cold. And then pneumonia. And now your recovery and your illness... well.

"Mostly as a precaution," Alfred said quickly.

"Of course," Bruce said. "Her coughing is still horrible. And her ribs are never going to heal at this rate."

"Poor thing," Alfred tutted. "But I think Opal was happy to see her."

He smiled a little, "I'm sure. She's happy to see anyone but, we're not Y/N." Bruce winced internally. He should have taken you down himself. Of course he should have- You were going to miss Opal terribly. If you were feeling lonely you were going to look for comfort. And nothing was going to comfort you more than that. "I should probably-"

In the hall the sound of coughing made both of them turn towards the door and Bruce stood. You're barefoot and practically crumpled with the force of the cough, whimpering with pain between gasps for air and he stroked your back, kneeling next to you. "Why are you out of bed, sweetheart?" he asked.

"Can't sleep," you gasp. "Too cold. Now it hurts."

"Come sit with us," Bruce said gathering you up gently. If you were cold and lonely, maybe- maybe you'd sit with them. Sit with him. He'd shared a bed with you now. Held you while you cried in your sleep. "It's less drafty down here."

He sat with you on the couch, keeping you on his lap and taking a blanket from Alfred, carefully not looking up. Your skin was chilled and goosebumped. And he wrapped you up, keeping you against his chest. Warm was a start. If that would make you stay still and rest, so be it.

[xxgoblin-dumplingxx]

I missed arranged verse so much!

"You're going to catch your death out here," Alfred scolded.

"The barn is heated," you point out, stroking Opal's neck, not looking up. Your legs feel like a vile aspic of some sort and you feel weak and exhausted already but- you can't lay inside anymore. You just can't. You miss the smell of hay and horses.

"Outside is not and you're recovering from a bullet wound and pneumonia," Alfred said making his way forward. "And if I may be blunt, you look dreadful. It's a miracle you didn't faint before you made it to the door." For a moment, he thinks you're ignoring him when you tangle your fingers in your horse's mane and kiss her nose.

"You understand being homesick don't you?"

The question cuts his next biting words from his tongue. And your fever bright, tear filled eyes make him want to kiss your forehead and tuck you into your bed with a teddy bear and a cup of broth to sip. Black Beauty on the Television to lull you to sleep. "Of course I do," he said, "But you need rest-"

"I just- I was just lonely."

"I'm sorry. But it's time to go inside now." He would call Bruce. After all, Bruce was the reason you had pneumonia anyway,

[xxgoblin-dumplingxx]

hiii!! have you gotten burnt out from arranged!reader? if not could i pls have a crumb? 😭😭

"Beautiful even half dead," Carmine declared, bending down to kiss your head as he presented you with his offering of flowers.

"Padrino," you say modestly, struggling to stifle a cough. "Hardly. I look like death eating a cracker but I appreciate the sentiment."

Carmine tutted and helped himself to a cup of tea from the service laid out- not expecting you to serve him today. And chucked you under the chin like a child before taking a seat. "And where is your husband? He should be here peeling grapes and groveling-"

"So far as I know," you interject, too tired to enjoy Bruce being taken to task today, "he's looking for someone to exercise Opal for me while I recover. And if he's very smart looking for an appallingly expensive piece of jewelry."

"That's my girl," he said, eyes crinkling at the corners.

You shrug and take a sip of your tea, "I was shot running errands like a PA," you pout. "Honestly jewelry is the least he could do."

Carmine nodded in agreement, "I still don't know what your papa was thinking. Sending a pearl to a fool like this-" He broke off and shook his head looking around the room and looked at you consideringly. Taking in how frail and ill you looked.

You were a beauty. Even now. And you'd make pretty babies with good genes. And you were trained right. Knew the rules. Wasted on someone like Wayne.

Pretty girls were a dime a dozen in this world. But pretty girls who could play the game and play to win? Your parents were idiots. You had everyone around you fooled. But Carmine knew those sweet smiles and soft words hid daggers and short fuses.