I am tired and delusional but that does not matter, gather round everyone. You all settled? Good and cozy? Okay great.
Hear me and hear me now, I think P would be absolutely tickled if his s/o started calling him little nicknames like āSweet Peaā or āSweetheartāš„ŗ Itās the endearment, itās the thought, itās in the way that despite how he can rip through normal enemies like wet tissue paper and 1v1 horrors of the nth degree, HE is still regarded with gentleness. He can be fragile, he can be delicate and step out and away from the role that he was forced to play, no longer an ergo harvesting machine. He can just be some guy that really likes music and plays the piano, or the fella that spends his time lounging with the hotel cat.
And thatās really special to him, he deserves to live a kind life full of love and normalcyš„ŗ
An image that just popped into my head for Leftovers:
Smash cruising down the sidewalk on her skates, weaving, turning, skating backwards, turning again, hopping cracks and potholes.
Some dude bro cat calls her and she feigns interest, skating over and drawing him with her into a patch of darkness where Nandor waits with a giant grin on his face. They attack from either side, sharing the meal.
Intro: I was first introduced to Damian Wayne when I started watching as many DC animated films as I could find. I came across the animated film Son of Batman and, while he was rather difficult towards his family in that film, I found Damianās story sympathetic and compelling. Shortly after, I read Robin: Son of Batman and I decided to adopt him as my own (amongst the 50 or so other fictional characters Iāve adopted over the years). Damian adores animals (just like I do), isnāt quick to trust and, once someone finds their way into his circle of trust, he is fiercely, sometimes violently, protective over them. Damian can be a prickly one but, at his core, heās very passionate, determined and good. Although, it took quite some time for him to find his way.
Beginning:Ā Damian Wayneās first real appearance was in Batman #655. He was a small boy, around 9 years old, that had spent his life being trained as an assassin. Destined to one day lead the League of Assassins. He spent years asking after his father, but would never get the answers he wanted. Talia al Ghul, his mother, was either there throughout his training and observing, or not there at all until he was introduced to her on his 8th birthday (there are conflicting stories, both written by Morrison, strangely enough). At the start, Raās al Ghul intended to take over Damianās body, as his own was disentegrating after years of using the Lazarus Pit to prolong his life.
Batfamily: Damian had a rather tumultuous start with his fatherās other children. Upon meeting Tim Drake, Damian attacked him. Upon meeting Alfred, Damian tells him to fuck off. Upon discovering Raās al Ghulās plan to take over his body, Damian flees to the Manor. Tim and Damian are kidnapped by Raās men. In an attempt to stop this, Dick Grayson meets Damian for the first time. Their interaction isnāt quite violent (at least, not towards each other), but they certainly arenāt friendly. Upon meeting Jason Todd, Jason tries to kill Damian in an attempt to wrest the Batman title for himself. Upon meeting Stephanie Brown, she accidentally freezes Damian. As I understand it, Damian would not meet Cassandra until Rebirth when she was no longer one of Bruceās wards. Damianās meeting with Duke is one of the only that was not really an altercation.Ā
After the initial animosity, Damian would later form close relationships with Dick Grayson
And Alfred Pennyworth.Ā
Bruce:Ā Damianās relationship is strained from the start. Partially because Morrison wrote that Damianās conception was non-consensual. In an encounter in which Talia drugged Bruce for the sole purposes of creating an heir. Bruce was unaware of the child until he encountered them and Talia sent Damian to live with his father. From the start, Damianās lessons conflicted with Bruceās beliefs: no killing, no unnecessary violence, use your talents to protect and serve Gothamās citizens - not for glory. Damian soon decided that he would rather be a part of the Batfamily than continue down the path set out for him by his mother and grandfather. Around the time this decision was made, Bruce was taken away from him.Ā
Becoming Robin: After Bruceās death, Dick Grayson, reluctantly, took over the cowl. Immediately taken responsibility for Damian, Dick saw fit to try to keep Damian out of trouble and reverting back to his old teachings. One of his methods for doing that was to give a title heād previously held, Robin, to Damian. This did not go over well with Tim Drake.Ā
Brief interlude to talk about Tim and DamianĀ - This is one of the Damianās most turbulent and volatile relationships in Damianās life. With their first meeting resulting in a violent fight and subsequently finding out that Dick had replaced him with Damian, Tim did not warm to Damian at the start. Even going so far as including him on a database of potential threats. When Damian discovered this, he was incredibly angry.Ā
Their relationship continues to be rocky in the pre New 52 era. By Timās understanding, Damian never really tried to get along with anyone. By Damianās account, others donāt seem to notice when he tries. This is outlined in this scene after Damianās short tenure with the Teen Titans (pre Rebirth).
While they donāt get along all that well, they donāt come to blows again... until Rebirth.
Batman & RobinĀ - Morrison returned to write a Batman & Robin series starring Dick as Batman and Damian as Robin. This is one of my all time favorite runs. Through consistently trusting Damian, protecting him and teaching him his own unique way of crimefighting (a Batman more prone to smiling, acrobatics and joking), Dick worked his way into Damianās small circle of trust. Damian would later come to look back on that time with the fondest of memories.Ā
Damianās Death - Dick and Damian would come to see Talia again after some time being Batman and Robin. During this encounter, Talia would tell Damian that he was now an enemy of the al Ghul family.Ā
After Bruce returns, he continues working with Damian as his Robin.Ā
Talia and the League had been working to create several clones of Damian to beĀ āworthyā heirs. In attempt to fight hordes of Leviathan, Damian escapes being āgroundedā in the Batcave. He suits up as Robin and goes to join the fight. One of the clones, Heretic, kills Damian in the fight. He is laid to rest and the Batfamily grieves.
Damian is later brought back to life in a story involving Lazarus Pits, Boom Tubes and stolen sarcophagi. All was well! My boy was back! Damian briefly had superpowers afterwards.
Super Sons: With Rebirth came a new title: Super Sons. Damian Wayne, concerned that Jon Kentās abilities were out of control (and after finding out Jonathan accidentally killed the family cat), kidnaps Jon and interrogates him. Upon finding them, Clark and Bruce force Jon and Damian to complete a scavenger hunt/quest of sorts and learn how to work as a team. Of course, they both hate this (or at least they claim to). But, eventually, Jon and Damian become the best of friends. So close that Damian actually refers to Jon as his friend and goes to extreme lengths to protect Jon when a deranged Tim Drake from the future comes back and tries to kill Jon.Ā
So, where to start? Here are a few titles to check out if you want an easy jumping off point:
- Robin: Son of Batman by Peter J. Tomasi. when Damian was around 8 years old, he went on a year long quest called the Year of Blood. During which, he was made to steal several cherished items from nations around the world, kill several people and creatures, and returned the trophies to a vault. After his resurrection, Damian went of a quest of atonement. This was the series that made me truly love Damian the most.
- Batman & RobinĀ - by Grant Morrison. While Iām not a fan of Quitelyās art, this run is amazing! Itās Dick Graysonās Batman and his first days with Damian by his side. You see Dick struggling with taking over Bruceās mantle and managing Damian whoās a bit of a handful. Itās truly wonderful!Ā
- Super SonsĀ - I truly adore this series! It was so much fun and the relationship between Damian and Jon is quite possibly my favorite to explore in all of the DC comics Iāve read as of late. Tomasi did a lot to make their differences clear, those boyās have very distinct voices and they complement each other just as well as Bruce and Clark did. The art is is truly wonderful and Iāve read through this run about three times now - it never gets old!
Honorable mentionsĀ - Batman: Streets of Gotham, Red Robin: the Hit List, Teen Titans (2003) vol. 14 and, of course, New 52 Batman & Robin. Of course, if you want a truly comprehensive list of every single one of Damianās appearances, you can find that here.
So, hope this helps! I adore this character and believe me, this was me trying to keep it short. I could talk about Damian forever! š
I leave you with one of my all time favorite moments from Robin: Son of Batman: Damian Wayne still has baby teeth.
hngghhhh just actually sunk in Iām going back to South Africa in a week and Iām nowhere near ready with a update to shamsi or even a oneshot of something else and I have an idea for a longer thing that Iām just now starting asdfsdvj yay
Me, riddled with delusion <- (is a 6'3 P enjoyer and believer)
I just!!! I know everyone has commented on it in some way shape or form and I guess it's my turn to throw my two cents inš god I should not have the freedom to ramble on this app
Like!! This guy, this one man battalion is terrifying in concept. A puppet with an incredibly rare (and deadly) ability to lie, with advanced combat skills and power that only seems to enhance thanks to the Ergo that can be encountered in his ventures, and an imposing figure to round it all out. In theory it screams threat, danger.
But then you meet him, see how meek and gentle he is with everyone in Hotel Krat. Once, witnessing Spring recoil at his advance, hissing and all but swatting at him. Though being able to emote was one of the few things he could not yet do, you swear he seemed to wilt after the encounter with the feline. During the rockier moments of becoming acquainted with the cat, he would never grow frustrated after the failed attempts, understanding and respecting that she's not comfortable around him. He would simply leave her be, and try again later.
He rarely speaks, and if he does it's one word or a clipped phrase, not out of rudeness or anything of the sort, it's new and quite frankly, there's a high chance that he simply wouldn't know what to say.
There's something of a quite excitement and giddiness in P when he brings a new record back to the Hotel, not only does it mean that he gets to experience what this recent find has to offer, but also that any of the other residents of the Hotel can enjoy the spoils of his journey.
He listens and takes heed in what people say, no matter if it's critical information in regards to his outings, passing comments of bygone days, or just ramblings in any variety, he listens, makes the people around him feel heard and understood. (Even if some things go over his head)
He'll realise some time or later that he LIKES making the people he's met happy*, seeing their faces light up in glee or relief.
It's a small victory in the hell they're all surviving.
Every time I think of P I imagine this gentle giant who is so achingly soft spoken and sweet, who is aware of his immense strength and takes care to never harm those he treasures. And in turn that leads to the BEST juxtaposition of the raw carnage he's capable of! This guy can rip through sturdy puppets and manmade horrors like they're wet tissue paper, has stared down monstrosities and come out on top, can bounce back from injuries that would leave others utterly mangled at best.
He is a terrifying concept and there's no denying what he can easily do if he so chose, but his conscious effort to exhibit the utmost care when surrounded by fragility makes my heart MELT. Soft boy P will forever have me hooked no matter what, but there's something about a tall boy with a heart of gold (literally) who, despite still learning how to live and experience, understands his presence around others.š„ŗ
*(Not that he would want to see them upset, I think at first there would be a nuetral understanding of "What happens here affects me and my progress." Just a thought though!)
This is the product of too much brainrot and an almost concerning level of needing to ramble.
Major spoilers for Lies of P under the cut!!
Okay but just imagine, someway somehow being young friends with Carlo, sweet and darling childhood friends. Being his partner in crime, an unwilling (so you say) accomplice to any mischievous schemes he's cooked up. Racing about the streets of Krat, dodging this way and that, weaving through the alleyways and corners with a second natured ease due to each and every prior antic you two have had.
I imagine that only after narrowly dodging the poor soul who gave chase to you both has finally given up, does Carlo turn to you, a cheeky but rosy grin thrown your way. You can only huff and turn your head, complaining at once again being dragged into another one of his hair brained plots. 'This is the final straw', you think to yourself, 'no more of these chases'. Always the voice of reason you called yourself, the only one who cares enough to keep the two of you out of scuffles and minimizing consequences. The other half of your duo would simply angle his brows, matched with a boyish smile, brown eyes warm, a teasing call of, 'Worry wart', aimed your way.
You'd stay firm in your silence.
Seconds of the silent treatment turns to minutes, and you truly could have lasted longer, but the floor is uncomfortable and your legs are going numb, and it certainly doesn't help that Carlo keeps shuffling around in the already cramped space. You know what he's doing, trying to goad you into breaking your 'punishment' and demanding he knock it off. It takes all you have not to heave a sigh. It truly makes you wonder how you've both become such good friends.
Finally having enough of your hiding spot and the scuffing of Carlo's shoes, you turn your head, relenting. And he's close. Far to close. Clearly he's never once heard of personal space, face in your personal bubble. A startled yelp is ripped from your lips and you scramble back, knocking your back into the wall.
He doesn't have the decency to even attempt to hide his snort of laughter.Ā
A menace to the core, mischievous Carlo.
You want to be peeved, annoyed at his inability to take anything seriously. But you see the joy in his smile and hear the way his laugh rings loud and true, gaze fond and sweet directed your way and soon enough you're laughing as well, giggling and smiling. Stomach aching, 'It hurts' , echoing somewhere in your head. It doesn't matter though, not when your head feels light and your cheeks warm. Tears welling at the corners of your eyes as you gasp for breath.
It's a simple and sweet bond, crafted out of trust and comfort, familiarity and warmth.
-
The news of his death rattles something terrible in you. A hollow, numbing feeling pools, spreading like tar, thick and heavy in your body. Fog building in your head, an anchor on your tongue. He's died, and with that has taken something of yours with him. They call it 'mourning', you've learned, something people do when a great loss is suffered. Meant to process grief and what was taken far too early. To cope, live on despite.Ā
Whispers of sympathy and prayers permeate the streets, details of the accident are few and talk of honoring his life are fewer. Carlo and his fate hang over the city of Krat.
Haunts you.Ā
Far too young are you to feel such a cruel twist of fate, the unsettling truth of what happens to everyone and everything. Something changes, curdles in your chest when made way to grieve. He's left you behind with the knowledge of the irrefutable.
Hours turn to days which bleed into weeks, and soon tragedy is washed away with theĀ rainstorms that berate the city. Between the haze in your mind and the bustling murmur of the crowded streets, it's a miracle that you hear the call of your name.
He approaches you in the streets little more than a month after the news broke out, a light spring in his step. For a corpse, he seems plenty lively. Bright grin plain as day on his face, freckled cheeks scrunching with that familiar mischief swimming in his blue eyes.Ā
But Carlo is gone. Cold and dead, mourned and missed, and you don't know who this is. You look a little harder, gaze sharper.
Blue. Wrong. Fake.Ā
Get away.
You reel back with your heart thumping wild, ignoring the confusion that shows on his face, tears forming with a barbed response on the tip of your tongue and an awful ringing buzzes in your ears. What a sick joke.Ā
Eyes still glued to the stranger, you step back. Slow at first, timid and careful, all before bolting away, ears picking up on the squawk of surprise sounding behind you.
You don't know where you're going. There's no plan in escape, you just have to get away from whatever that was. You barely have it in you to call out apologies for the people you nearly bump into. Your legs carry you between tall buildings and hidden corners of the streets, ducking and weaving, narrowly avoiding clipping your shoulder on the hard stone and splintering wood. Before you know it, you recognize the similar darkened streets that you had used in your own escapes with Carlo so many times before.
This part of the city was always dim, secluded and safe, street lights had not yet been installed around these areas, much to the frustration of those who lived in these parts. It never took long for a blanket of darkness to fall over the buildings and homes when the sun began it's descent and shadows would set just right.
Heartbeat drumming in your ears and chest aching, you reach blindly, feeling for a wall to lean your weight on. Panting, hunched over and gulping air down like a fish desperate for water. Head numb and mind humming with exhaustion.
'What was that? Some elaborate scheme? A prank?'
Any further thoughts are halted when you notice the pounding of footsteps behind you. Calculated and heavy, he, it, knows where you are. Probably followed you the whole time.
It's close, and with dread making it's home in your veins do you realize that you've nowhere left to go, you've lead yourself to a complete dead end. That fake will round the corner any minute and you'll be a sitting duck.
The sound of footfalls slows the closer it gets, you'd almost call it hesitant if you weren't scared out of your wits. Steps echo between the corridor walls, that awful, full body shake inducing panic shoots through you once more, an ice cold fear nestling deep in your bones.
'Leave me alone. He's gone. Please stop.' Stress plucks at your fears like an instrument, each strum yanks at your heart, leaves you anxious and paralyzed.
Had your heart not been hammering in your chest and pulse thrumming in your fingertips, you'd probably feel much more self conscious about the whimper that leaves your lips, weak and pitiful. Loud. Palms fly to your mouth, your hands clamping tight with a sting. Eyes screwing shut in fear.
The steps halt altogether, the only sounds you can register is the beat of your heart and the shallow, rapid breaths leaving your lips. It's cramped and cold where you are, jagged stone digging into your back.
A few feet away you hear a breath catch in someone's throat, and like earlier, a call of your name, only this time it's said with as much tenderness as a lullaby. Gentle. Soothing. Your eyes twitch just for a moment. It's unfair, using Carlo's voice like that. You know if you look there will be no going back, no denying what's happening.Ā
You hear the call of your name ring out one more time, small and fragile, and you open your eyes.Ā
There he stands, confusion clear on his face, brows loosely raised and lips set into a small frown. Taking your subtle acknowledgment as encouragement it looks as if he intends to close the distance between you, though the hope is quickly dashed when he sees you scramble at his advance, pushing yourself as far as you can go into the corner furthest away from him. You remind him of a wounded animal, an uncomfortable feeling clambers in his chest at the thought and his frown deepens.
A different approach is what he goes for this time, slowly, at a snail's pace, does he reach his arm out. Even in your manic state you still manage to toss an incredulous look his way, taking every bit of his common sense and resolve to not laugh at the expression. He'll gladly take whatever he can get, he'd do anything to prevent that fearful gleam in your eyes, squash any chance of being the cause of it himself.
You both stay in this standstill for what feels to be an eternity, eyes locked and unwavering, waiting to see who will crack first. A genuine gasp leaves his lips when he sees you reach out, shaking fingertips lightly brushing against his own. This is your call, he will follow your lead in this dance.Ā
Finally, you stand to your full height and at a much slower pace does he do the same, and then you're back to staring at him, eyes flicking about his person this way and that, analysing everything. Normally he'd say you're overreacting, call you a 'worrier ' and be done with it, but he knows better. You've changed, something has happened to you in his month's absence and he doesn't like it one bit, you stare at him like he's a stranger, ran as if he'd flashed a weapon from underneath his sleeve.
So wrapped up in his own thoughts, he barely catches what you've said to him, mind struggling to put the puzzle pieces together. Ever the merciful out of your duo, you repeat yourself,
"What are you?".
'Huh.'
-
(Basically!!!! What if Carlo still perished, and P was still built to replace him, and Geppetto, in a frantic and guilt ridden haze builds a new son at an astounding speed, and with using such a, uh, 'fresh' Ergo leads to P 'waking up' nearly instantaneously. So rather than being a puppet becoming human, P is a 'human' coming to terms with what he actually is.
This is all over the place, but I imagine Geppetto would keep P's interactions with others to a definitive minimum, if P ever asked about it Geppetto would chalk it all up to his son being weakened so severely by his accident that he would need near constant supervision to maintain his health. Tells P that Ergo is what is keeping him alive, it's why his eyes are now blue and how he can wield the weighty legion arm with such ease.
Only a trusted few are allowed to know of his existence. I mean? The entire city mourned his son, he can't exactly have an almost carbon copy strolling about the streets. Reader is probs not at the top of Geppetto's 'can tell list' lol. I'm fully leaning into the idea that Carlo/P snuck out and went absolutely wild looking their bud lmao. Poor fella doesn't know that visiting reader is gonna come with a side of confusion and an unwanted existential crisis/soul searchingš
And final thing! I have not finished Lies of P, nor have I even reached a single ending (but I'm making progress every day! <:) ), so I apologize if any details are choppy, confusing, or don't align with what is canon! I don't know how Carlo died, and I do not wish to be spoiled, this was just a fun sort of AU(?) thought that just kept snowballing ^^; Thank you everyone for your time, I sincerely hope this wasn't too much of a mess, and that it was at least an entertaining read! <:) )
Working on part four of Secret Keeper at this very moment...
P.S. Javi is back in a big way also.
P.P.S. Iām teaching myself Spanish with the sometimes help of a Spanish speaking friend--but Iām also a clown. So if I make a mistake ever Iām sorry and feel free to correct me. Also do I trust this friend of mine? Because Iāve been running around telling ppl Yo soy una bruja--thinking it made me a cool, scary witch, and then I find out that itās also a slang for like mother of all bitches or something (which, fair).
Intro:Ā Where to start with these 2? Well, Iāll start with why I got interested in shipping them. A guy at my local comic book store (we called him best friend because we went every weekend for over a year and never learned his name š¬). Anywho, best friend knew I adored Matt Fractionās Hawkeye series and recommended I read Fraction and Ajaās Immortal Iron Fist series. Partially so Iād get the jokes about them looking similar (Danny and Clint - and boy did they!) but also because it was awesome. He was right! I loved it. But, there was this panel that got me into the pairing:
Of course, thereās also this moment in Jessica JonesĀ
And this moment in Doctor Strange
And all the comments like these from Jessica Jones:
Itās a running gag that Luke and Danny are in love.Ā
So, you might be wondering why that is? Well, because they do love each other. Theyāve had a long history and, for quite a bit of it, they were partners working together and it didnāt leave much room for other people. Aside from their romantic relationships (Luke with Claire Temple, Danny with Misty), they were mostly seen together. Danny is Lukeās boy and Lukeās very protective over him.Ā
And in return, Dannyās always been incredibly protective over Luke. So much so that, during Pulse, Danny tried to protect Luke from Jessica. Luke was injured as part of an attack on Jessica. Danny refused to tell Jessica where Luke had been moved and expressed doubt that she was actually pregnant with Lukeās child.
Basically, in Dannyās mind, itās him and Luke v the world and thatās the way it would always be. This caused a rift that seemed to be mended... but as far as 2016ā²s Power Man and Iron Fist, it seemed clear that Danny thought Jessica never liked him.Ā
Danny needs Luke. In 2016, when Luke and Jessicaās marriage was on shaky ground during the CWII mess, Danny blamed himself for their separation.
So, I could honestly talk about those 2 for days but letās get to the other stuff:
Universes:Ā
616 - which is the start of everything.Ā
Ultimate Spider-Man (animated) -Ā
(source)
Netflix Marvel - Introduced in Defenders and Danny also shows up in s2 of Luke Cage
Still in love with Luke, of course
So, how to get started?
ComicsĀ -
David F. Walkerās 2016 Power Man & Iron Fist run is my all time favorite! Easy to jump into, hits on the 70s blaxploitation vibe and the art is awesome! I met the artist at Comic Con last year and heās such a sweet guy!Ā
Power Man & Iron Fist Epic CollectionĀ - collects their meeting in Power Man #48. These old comics were crazyyyy but a lot of fun!
Fic recsĀ - these are a bit harder to come by. Not only because LukeDanny is a rarer pair but because youāll run across quite a few Luke/Jess/Danny fics. Itās even harder to find fics where Luke/Danny is the main pairing and then even harder to find fics over 500 words.Ā
Old World Blues by Renne | Luke/Danny/JessicaĀ
Summary:Ā After a fight, Danny finds himself swapped out with his counterpart from an alternate reality. A reality where he's in a relationship with Luke and Jessica.
- Luke/Jess/Danny but I really, really love this one. The tone is wonderful
finding home by CapnShellhead | Luke/Danny
Summary: Danny helps Luke through his divorce
- this is a fic I wrote. Itās amazingggg (Iām kidding). This features Danielle Rand, Luke and Jessicaās daughter. Basically Luke and Danny trying to find a routine while Luke is getting divorced from Jessica after the CWII mess
Partners-But-Not-Really by until_monday | Luke/Danny
Summary:Ā Something was off about the kid. Quite a lot, in fact.A take on how Luke and Danny eventually become Heroes for Hire. Canon is a mixture of the Netflix series and comic books.
- I havenāt read this one but itās over 25k which really intrigues me! This is next on my reading list.
So, I hope this helps! I hope you check out some of the comics. I really love these two and when Luke Cage and Iron Fistās Netflix shows got the axe along with the rest of them, I was really bummed. Iām still holding out hope that weāll get a Power Man & Iron Fist show in some form. They had the chemistry down.Ā
I leave you with Luke Cage enjoying some LukeDanny manga š
