Tim and J have an unusual love hate relationship. Tim is psychotic and sociopathic and while his family grounds him he needs someone who can understand him and relate to him, which he shockingly found that in J one day when he was having a hysterical breakdown in the middle of a patrol and J felt an unusual empathetic tug to help him.
He immediately wished afterwards he wouldn’t because Tim was stuck to him like glue afterwards, sneaking out at all odd hours to confide in him, tell him all the things that come across his mind and secrets he’s done.
Some amuse J but other times J is in a mood just like anyone else and just wants to be the fuck alone. It doesn’t help that batdaddy knows about it and is constantly trying to find them, as well as Tim’s husband, the vengeful crime lord Jason.
On such one particular night, J shoves his head into a pillow as he tries to get some sleep for once in his life.
Tim pops up from nowhere like the damn bastard child he is.
Tim: do you wanna cause hell and anarchy
J: No I just want you to fucking get away from me.
Cute and kinda angsty. I had this in my drafts for a while, this request gave me a reason to finally finish it. More Batdad stuff to come eventually
WC: 1978
Your son was a mama’s boy. He followed you around constantly and hated being anywhere you weren’t. Azriel didn’t care too much at first. The baby was content in his arms, always quiet and relaxed. He didn’t smile or laugh like he did when you held him, but he never cried, so it was fine, Azriel thought.
When the boy got older, though, Az started feeling excluded. Kai’s first word was “Mama,” but that was expected. His second work was “Cas”. That pissed Azriel off. His third word wasn’t Papa, but it was “shadow,” so Az wasn’t too mad about it.
When Kai started crawling, he crawled toward you, away from Az. Every night he wanted Mama to read him a story, so you tucked him in and kissed him on the head before bed. Az stayed in the office stewing during bedtimes. He felt out of place. Kai never wanted him to read the stories, so what was the point of standing around, useless.
Kai never seemed to want him at all so Az held his distance. And you didn’t fail to notice how Az always seemed to be working when Kai needed to be picked up from school or when he got hungry for a snack.
On the weekends, the three of you would do things together, but the way Kai chose to sit in your lap during picnics and only wanted to be held by you cemented the idea that Kai just didn’t seem to want him around, so Az pulled away more and more, unsure what else to do.
One afternoon, when you were picking up Kai from school, he hesitated to leave. You followed his gaze to another family: a male and female and their two kids. Your first thought was that Kai wanted a sibling, but then he looked at you and asked, “why don’t you do that?”
You’re confused by his question, trying to decipher his meaning by looking back at the female and what she’s doing until he elaborates. “Why don’t you bring, Papa?”
When you look at him again, he seems sad. He bites his lip, trying to stop it from quivering as tears well up in his eyes. “Papa’s just working, but maybe he’ll be able to come with me to pick you up tomorrow.”
“Papa’s always working,” he whispers as you take his hand and start down the sidewalk.
You don’t say anything back. What are you supposed to say? Az is always working. By the time the two of you get home, you’ve managed to cheer Kai up, but he still seems a little put off. And now that you think about it, he has been a little sad lately, but his teacher said he’s struggling to make friends, so you had assumed that was why. Until now. As you walk with Kai toward the kitchen, he slows down as you pass Az’s office.
“Do you think Papa wants to have a snack with us?” he whispers, stopping completely now.
“I don’t know, but you can ask if you want.”
Kai turns toward the door, a nervous look on his face as he knocks quietly and opens it a little. “Papa?”
You peer in and see Az look up from some papers. He looks from Kai to you and back to Kai before speaking. “Yes?”
“Do you wanna have a snack with Mama and me?” he’s hopeful but shy.
“Sure, buddy. I’ll be out in a minute.”
“You’re not coming now?”
“I’ve just got to finish this report for Uncle Rhys, then I’ll meet you in the kitchen. One minute, I promise.”
Kai nods solemnly and closes the door before marching into the kitchen. “What snacks does Papa like to eat?” he asks you, throwing the fridge door open.
“He loves apples, just like you.”
“Perfect!” Kai pulls the bag of apples from the fridge, leaving them for you to cut while he goes to find the best things to enjoy them with.
He comes back with Nutella and peanut butter and sits them on the table while you finish cutting the apples. A few more minutes go by, and you sit with Kai at the table. He refuses to eat until Az arrives. Another couple of minutes and you have to scream at your mate through the bond, but then he’s walking into the kitchen.
He’s rubbing his temples as though he has a headache, but he’s finally shown up. Kai perks up immediately. “Mama said you like apples! Do you like Nutella or peanut butter?”
Azriel scrunches his nose, “ugh, neither,” he grumbles and walks to the fridge, returning a second later with caramel sauce. “Caramel is much better.”
“Caramel?” Kai is confused and intrigued at the same time. He shoves the peanut butter and Nutella aside, already willing to try something new, so unlike his father.
Az sits down beside Kai, a small smile on his face as he opens the caramel and dips an apple slice in. Kai follows right after, and the look on his face makes you burst out in laughter.
“This is wonderful!”
Az laughs at your son's enthusiasm and grabs another apple slice. The three of you enjoy the rest of the snack together, and Azriel even joins Kai as he plays around the yard, giving you time to catch up on some of the work you’ve been behind in doing.
When the evening comes to a close, though, and the boys come inside, Az seems to pull back. Kai takes a bath after ending the day covered in dirt and grass, and Azriel stays with him the whole time as he chats about all his bath toys, but as soon as he’s in pajamas and ready for bed, your mate quiets down and starts drifting into the shadows.
“Are you going to join us for story time?” you try.
“No, that’s alright. I have to go check on something for Rhys,” he says before winnowing away, not that you see it directly, you’re too focused on the disappointed look on your son's face.
“Maybe he’ll join us for bedtime tomorrow,” you tell him, tucking him into bed.
“He doesn’t have to read if he doesn’t wanna. I don’t like reading out loud in front of people either,” Kai confides, bringing a smile to your face. “He could just sit and tuck me in if he wanted. And give me a goodnight squeeze.”
“I’ll relay your message, Kai.”
“Good! Then maybe he’ll tuck me in tomorrow.” You nod in agreement, kissing Kai on the head before slipping out the door to find your mate.
*
“You’re going to pick Kai up from school tomorrow,” you tell Azriel, arms crossed over your chest. Az looks up, confused, so you elaborate. “Today, when I picked him up, he was looking at another family, and he asked why I don’t bring you to get him too. You haven’t been around much, Az. He barely knows you, and I didn’t realize until today, but now that I have, I won’t let you do this anymore.”
“Y/N-”
“No, don’t. You’re coming with me to get him from school tomorrow, and you’re going to put him to bed too.”
“I can’t-” he starts.
“And why the hell not, Az?”
“He doesn’t want me there.”
“Azriel.” He refuses to meet your eyes, and suddenly you feel blind looking at your mate. First, you missed all of the signs in your son about his feelings toward Azriel, and now you're just now noticing how Azriel feels out of place in your family.
Tears well up behind your eyes, but you shove them down and move toward your mate. “Look at me Azriel,” you plead, grabbing his chin and forcing his gaze up as you lean against the desk in front of him. “Kai loves you. He wants to spend time with you. Even if that’s just you sitting by his side as I read his bedtime story or just giving him a hug and a kiss on the head.”
Tears slip from Azriel's eyes, and you gently wipe them away before placing a kiss on his forehead and leaning yours to his. “The two of you are terrible at sharing your thoughts and feelings with one another, and I don’t know where it started because he’s only five.” Azriel smiles softly, pulling you into his lap. “You can’t expect me to be the middle man forever.”
“I don’t,” he promises, kissing you softly and nuzzling your neck.
“Good.”
“I’ll make things right. I promise.”
*
The next day, Azriel goes with you to get Kai from school, and as your son notices you after exiting the building, he beams, beyond happy to see his father. He skips toward the pair and you and throws himself into Az’s arms.
“Carry me, Papa!” he shouts, throwing his arms around Azriel's neck, clinging on as tightly as he can. “Time to go home,” Kai declares, “We have to work on building a battleship.”
“Well, we’re not going home just yet,” Az tells him, confusing you.
“I was thinking we could go get ice cream.” Az looks to you for confirmation, trying to make sure you’re okay with this change in plans.
You nod, of course, happy he’s taking the initiative to do something with Kai. The three of you walk further into Velaris toward your favorite ice cream shop and spend the afternoon enjoying sugary deliciousness. Kai can’t stop smiling all afternoon and stays close to Az, pressing into his side while they sit side by side on a park bench and eat their ice cream.
You can’t help but watch them and memorize the scene. And a moment later, call out to Feyre with your mind and beg her to paint the memory for you. She obliges, always happy to paint the people she loves. You and your boys begin the walk back to your house, happier than any of you have been in a while.
Later in the evening, as you help Kai finish getting ready for bed, you ensure Az is around and shove him into the plush chair beside your son’s bed. As Kai skips from the bathroom to his bed, before Azriel has the chance to say anything, you sigh dramatically.
“Uncle Rhys just called and said he needs me for something important. Is it okay if Papa puts you to bed tonight?” you ask your son. He nods before running into your arms to hug you tightly.
“Night, night!” he says, jumping into his bed and wiggling under the blankets.
Az gives you a slightly panicked look, but you just run to the door and gently shut it behind you as Kai tries to convince his father to read him 5 books instead of just 2 that you usually allow.
Azriel's heart softens in his chest as his son looks at him from beneath a cocoon of blankets. “One more, Papa, pleeaasse,” he begs.
“I already read you six books.” Kai pouts, tempting Az, but the spymaster holds his ground and stands up, his butt numb.
“Ugh, fine!” the boy relents, holding out his arms for his father to hug. Azriel squeezes him tightly and places a kiss on his head as he tucks the blankets into his sides. “Can you just stay until I fall asleep, Papa?” Kai pleads, pulling out his pouty face again.
Azriel gives in easily, walking to the door to turn off the light before returning to Kai’s side. The toddler scootches as far to one side as he can, making as much room for his father as he can. Azriel lays down next to his son, opening his arms for Kai to tuck himself into Az’s side, absorbing the warmth of his body as he’s lulled into a deep sleep by the sound of his father’s soft singing.
How Iris first had an inkling that Wally had a crush on Dick. Ok so like, bc Star and Gotham are absolutely horrifying during Halloween, Barry is like “I’ll patrol then Iris will take the babies trick or teating”
Originally Wally is really upset bc he wants to go patrolling w his uncle but once he finds out that he gets to hang out w the other hero’s he’s psyched.
So Wally is like 12-13 and dresses up as the flash naturally. Roy is like 14-15 and he’s totally too old for Halloween and over it bc he’s super angsty, and dresses up as like Jason form Friday the thirteenth or some shit bc Black Canary forces him to. Robin only ever celebrated Halloween during his circus days when everyone would paint their face scary and flying Graysons would do aerial ballet show w black fabric so it was like spiders but after that it was just horrifying.
Anyway so Barry picked up this tiny Batman costume and Iris was like “Barry hon, isn’t he like 10? Shouldn’t you get him a bigger outfit?” (He two years younger than Wally, and four younger than Roy) And Barry is like “no trust me babe he teeny”.
Batman shows up to their house followed by a tinsity winsty baby tiny Batman bc Barry ran it over b/f patrol. And wow is that cute. Tiny baby Batman is basically glued to Batman’s side, his teeny little head coming up to Batman’s lower thigh, last time Iris checked 10-year olds aren’t supposed to be that tiny but wow is it adorable. (I’m sorry I just love teeny baby Dickie& giant looming built-like-a-tank batdaddy)
Barry told her what Batman had already explained. That Robin is foreign and doesn’t really know a lot of holiday stuff and also has been severely traumatized the past couple of years and doesn’t really like strangers and knows better than to take anything from strangers.
So it’s obvious that Robin would rather be tied up and drugged w fear gas than in a family aquatintence’s home about to go trick or treating. And Iris is a little resentful of the other boys, hard as she try to be understanding, bc Wally looks so disappointed bc he just wants to have friends and these guys don’t want to have fun.
Anyway Roy is kinda warming up to the whole trick or treating thing but sometimes he can be really mean to Wally but maybe Iris is just overprotective of her boy. Iris takes several pictures during the entire night despite both Batmans being adamant about no photos.
Robin refuses to go up to any house but Iris doesn’t comment on it. She doesn’t want to alienate him, so she doesn’t say anything. She goes up and grabs him a peice of candy but he disappears into the night. She panics for a good couple of seconds but calms when tiny Batman shows up next to Wally and Roy.
She doesn’t try again after that. He likes to walk at the back of the group and every time Iris tries to keep an eye on him, bc he may be a trained hero but central isn’t as safe as smallsville and her parental instincts are going off. Every couple of blocks Wally will try to walk next to him and talk and it’ll work for a while then Robin will slow down and fall behind and Wally’s angelic little baby face gets so sad.
As their trip comes to an end Iris can see Robin wrapping the cape around him tightly w his eyes screwed shut and it breaks her heart a little bc this poor boy must be so uncomfortable and scared that he’s trying to imitate the feeling of his mentors hug. It’s a jarring to imagine Batman hugging anything but she supposes that a baby as cute as that must make even the dark knight just wanna squeeze his sweet rosy, chubby cheeks. She reaches out to place a hand on his head, bc he’s too short to comfortably put a hand on his shoulder.
He jerks back immediately and death glares her, his anger showing full force through the white eyelets. She sent him an apologetic smile and he seemed to unbistle a smidgen.
Once they were finally home Iris watched them from behind the kitchen counter. Wally and Roy were digging into the candy while Robin perched on top of the couch. He kept scratching at his arm, Barry said that it was fine as long as it was controlled. Apparently the poor baby had a pretty serious anxiety disorder and tended to scratch to make himself feel better, it was ok as long as he didn’t have an attack.
She tossed him the single candy across the room, he caught it swiftly in his tiny baby hand. (So cute) Wally shot up to his feet. “That’s not one of my candies right?” Iris smiled, her prefect gluttonous boy. “Nope it’s from your uncles,” it was lie but it didn’t harm anyone. “That’s my backup candy!” Wally cried racing towards the door and snatching up handfuls of candy from the trick or treater bowl. Iris pretend to scold him for being stingy.
Robin slowly unwrapped the candy then examined it breaking off a piece and finally eating the snickers. His eyelets widened comically and he chewed slowly staring down at the candy before shoving the entire (not that fun size is really that big) thing in his mouth. It was absolutely adorable! She wished she had take a video and wondered if this was his first ever candy. (Dick usually just ate cotton candy as a kid, he hadn’t discover cereal yet. But since his parents died he hasn’t had real sugar, Alfred has strict hold on anything sweet in the house and Robin was deemed too energetic already.)
Apparently Wally agreed bc his mouth was wide open and his face was a blotchy-red color. His eyes were filled w what Iris could only discribe as adoration.
Wally swallowed then stood up again. His arms filled w sweets. “Here you can have my candy!” Wally all but shouted at the other boy, he paused for a second looking at his arms, “or we could share,” he suggested instead.
That’s what got Iris, even before his flash experiment Wally has never shared food, not even w his uncle. But here he was offering up some to a boy he hardly knows bc he thinks it’s cute when he eats candy. God she might cry.
Robin smiled at Wally. A real smile, the first one she’s seen all night. “You could still have it all if you wanted!” Wally said again his face turning a couple shades darker and thrusting the candy at robin, who artfully avoided his touch.
“We can share, don’t speedsters need extra calories?” Wally nodded and then proceeded to gather up the rest of the candy scattered on the floor. It was then that Iris noticed that Roy and dipped.
She was slightly panicked. Roy could probably fight for himself but he’s still a baby, a baby that Iris was in charge of. She hurriedly pulled out some blankets and turned on the tv for the boys while she dialed Barry who called Ollie. In a strange turn of events Ollie actually apologized to Iris, saying quote, “Roy’s a little jack-ass of course he snuck off. Don’t worry I’ll find him, probably screwed off to get drunk at some highschool party. Thanks for watching him while you could, I honestly expected him to scurry off a lot sooner.”
It didn’t exactly ease the tension in Iris’ chest but watching those two babies sitting on the couch pass candy back forth watching Charlie Brown specials made her feel a lot better. They were on opposite sides of the couch and Iris could see Wally’s little fingers twitching by his legs, he got up to go to the bathroom and came back only to really casually sit right next to Robin, like basically on his lap.
Robin wiggled up onto the arm of the couch.
“Ok so this ones a Milky Way,” Wally said passing the treat up to Robin.
He popped it in his mouth and chewed. “What’s the difference between this one and the snickers?” He asked, Iris was a little surprised by how good Robins accent was, he spoke like a natural English speaker, which he wasn’t. Every once in a while he’d use a word wrong or mispronounce something, a lit of something would catch on what he was saying but his American accent was pretty flawless.
“Snickers have peanuts, milky ways don’t,” Wally supplied in a duh voice. Robin smiled, “golly, you sure know a bunch about candies. You must be really smart!” And isn’t that so cute! Everyone treats the speedsters like idiots just bc they’re dense but here Robin is picking up on the hidden intelligence like a Batman should. Wally puffed his chest out all proud his face was still all red like a patchy strawberry.
A couple hours passed when Batman showed up. Wearing a different not soaked in fear gas costume, both Iris and Wally were sad to see robin go, well Wally was more devastated. The minute Batman stepped through the front door Robin was disappearing underneath his cape, according to Barry Robin doesn’t like to be more than 3cm from Batman at all times.
“Maybe we can hang out more!” Wally called his blush finally fading. A chipper ok sounded from somewhere in Batman’s cape, (Wally’s face turned scarlet in an instant) at the same time Batman gruffed out a no. Wally’s perfect baby face fell, Batman and Robin left. “Hey don’t worry kiddo I’ll talk to him!” Wally gave a half-hearted smile then went back to his candy eating.
Later he was engrossed in a discussion of patrol w his uncle while they both ate most of central’s candy supply.
As Barry and Iris got ready for bed an hour or so later she turned to him w a mischievous smile. “So it’s seems like Wally’s got his first real crush!” She sing-songed. Barry looked at her confused a toothbrush sticking out of his mouth. “Who?” “Robin” she responded. “That’s doesn’t make any sense!” She signed, somethings speedsters really were dense.
