Fanfiction: Trio of trouble
GangAU, little something I wanted to write. I'm taking little prompts for this AU and this AU only at the moment. Sorry about my other prompts but you have to take inspiration when you can and at the moment I'm loving this so much!
Mom can’t help but sigh with a smile as the three of them look up to him, bloodied grins clear amongst their bruise spattered skins and scratched up faces. His three little angels are in nothing but their boxers as he cleans them up, washing wounds, binding any cuts and strapping together aching fingers to help them heal better. Yj, Swag and Puzzles all look so innocent and yet so proud of themselves as they’re tended to, each one speaking over the other as they try desperately to tell the tale of their night.
“Mom it was so cool! We were just marking up some side streets-“
“And out of nowhere came these two guys from the Narrows gang-“
“They were huge and had bats but we totally weren’t scared-“
“Hush now!” He cuts through their babbled story, pinning the bandages in place around Puzzles’ hand and moving to dab at the slowly oozing blood from Swag’s cheek. “You did very well taking down two of them and I’m very proud of you for doing as your told and coming straight home afterwards. My little boys are growing up so fast, proving themselves to be real Riddlers.”
The boys all grin to him again and soon enough they’re back to hurriedly explaining their tale, Yj jumping in with a few points to his injuries for emphasis, Swag giving a few jabs to the air as if he’s taking out an opponent, whilst Puzzles simply swings his feet and nods, giving a few words through his still clinging shyness when around the louder boys.
It had been their first night out without one of the older Riddlers for protection. Usually he’d only let the young teens out when they were with either himself, Arkham or Enygma but they’d begged and begged to be allowed a chance to prove themselves. So he’d given in, letting them have that chance on the understanding that they stayed together and stayed within their territory. He’d been worried of course, pacing across the station floor and constantly checking the old cracked clock for reassurance. Enygma was away on business, making deals and connections with outside sources for him, meaning that if they boys needed backup there was only himself and Arkham there to help.
Arkham had scoffed of course, sprawled upon the ratty couch against the wall and puffing on a cigarette, musing about how he’d been on the streets by himself at their age and been just fine. Mom had rolled his eyes at that, knowing how Arkham had ended up in Juvie plenty of times and then prison afterwards when that hadn’t straightened him out. He worried, he knew his boys couldn’t cope with that, they were still so young, Swag and Yj only a few years older than Puzzles and none of them out of their teenage years yet.
He’d worried right up until the second they’d run down the tracks home, giggling and laughing amongst themselves, jostling to get close as the scrambled up the platform to him. Mom had gathered them all into a hug, noting their injuries and taking them to the safety of the train car to clean them up. Arkham had followed, spitting the butt of his cigarette onto the tracks and swinging his cane over his shoulder. It was clear the other Riddler cared, even if he tried to pretend that he didn’t.
Now Arkham stands behind him as he finishes binding their wounds, wiping away bloody streaks, checking that bruises aren’t covering breaks and fixing up his kids first real wounds of war. The three are still grinning despite the injuries, all glowing in their victory over the rival gang, so proud of themselves for beating two men into unconsciousness without the help of the older gang members. Mom smiles to them all, kissing at their foreheads before standing up. “I’m very proud, it won’t be long until you’re all earning your tattoos by the sound of it. Isn’t that right Arkham?”
Turning to the older Riddler he raises an eyebrow to him, trying to silently convey his wish for him to stop being such a sullen prick and show some semblance of approval to the children. They all look so eager the little darlings, wearing their wounds with pride as they sit before them, watching Arkham with bright eyes just begging, nay pleading for just a scrap of a positive comment from him.
Sighing loudly as if it’s such an effort, Arkham pushes away from the wall to stand before them, arms folded, cane still in his grip as he looks down at them all. Mom can see the way they look ready to be classicised, memories of their father and others constantly belittling them swirling in their heads. “Next time remember to shield your faces more, you can’t afford to have black eyes and restricted vision for a few days after every brawl.”
Mom nudges him, clearing his throat in annoyance and hoping that won’t be all. Yj, Swag and Puzzles look so disappointed with themselves, smile drooping as they’re given advice rather than the praise they so desire. It’s heartbreaking and Mom scowls at Arkham until finally the older Riddler sighs in frustration. As he goes to leave the train car, Arkham reaches out to ruffle each of the boys’ hair roughly, not exactly words of praise, but it’s as good as they’re going to get for the moment.
Smiling brightly again as the doors hiss shut, Mom turns to them all, his three little sweethearts all so happy again with bloody noses, black eyes and the wounds of a successful night out on their own. “Off to bed with you now, and tomorrow we’ll review defending our bodies from attack again to help you improve upon tonight’s performance.”
