It’s all about timing..
BATFAM x Neglected!Reader
Summary: When your mother’s double life finally catches up to her, you end up in the care of your idol. However, not everything goes as planned in this family.
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Chapter 2: An empty room next to an empty tomb.
This was my first night without her. Since then, I've had the same dream every night. For the last five years over and over and over...but I will never forget how I felt that first night.
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Everything feels different.
Like my body is floating on air, but every time I try to move it feels like I'm falling. I hear sounds of laughter in the distance; familiar, sweet, joyous laughter. I remember that laugh. Mama...
It's us. We're laughing. This was when we won that plushie from the machine. I called it Pudge.
My god that thing is kind of ugly, I love him so much.
"C'mon Mama, please?" "Baby, it's across town, we won't make it before closing and we might miss the ferry back to Gotham."
"Please!! You said we could do anything today, no budgets or limits!"
"Yes but-!" "Mama, please. All the kids at school make fun of me because I've never met a hero. This could be my birthday present for the year! Hell, for two years-!"
"Language." "Mama, please..."
Why didn't I see it before....Her face, she looks so scared. I was staring right at her begging to enter the worst place for a retired villain
....no, she's not... What is this place... Where am I? Why am I reliving this memory-?
"Well...it is your day." Wait Mama, I'm sorry. Let's go home.
"Yes! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Woooooooooooo! I might meet the Flash today...or Superman! or even Batman!"
Her smile looked so weary. Why was I rambling so much? Don't you notice your mother is suffering?? I was screaming at the top of my lungs, trying to reach out to them, but there was this barrier, I couldn't reach them. I began hitting it as hard as I could-
Hey! You spoiled brat! Look at me! Look at me you little-
She's laughing. Why was she laughing, she looked so scared. Mama, why?
"C'mon, we gotta hurry up and catch the shuttle! Hall of Justice here we come!" "I'm coming baby."
I watched as I dragged my mother out of the arcade. I wanted to reach out; I wanted to call out to her. I wanted to hug her, tell her I love her, tell her I'm sorry, tell her-
MAMA DON'T LEAVE ME!!
—————————————————————————
I woke up; sweating, hyperventilating, in a strange warm bed... Bed?
I rushed to get out of the covers and fall on to the floor. If the loud slam was any indication, I felt the bruise already forming on my back. With the wind knocked out of me, I slowly got up. My legs have never felt so heavy in my life. Like walking with bricks in my pockets...
I look around the dimly lit room. It felt cold and isolated. As I looked around for my shoes, I looked over to the window and saw Gotham in the distance. The sun was rising over the city, and it was beautiful. I thought about taking a photo for Mama...
The thought died quickly as I shifted the curtains closed. I wanted... needed to get out of here. The room looked like it was being used for storage. All sorts of boxes and crap lined the walls. Guessing they didn't realize they were going to have company. This situation... is not ideal. And I still needed a phone! Gotta focus. My shoes are nowhere to be found and trying to escape through the windows wasn't looking too good; jumping from three stories is not on my bucket list. I open the door and exit the room. The door creaked as I tried being as discreet as possible. The hallway felt like it was never ending; red carpet on top of wooden floors of the hall, fancy lights lining the hall, the scent of sandalwood and jasmine wafting through the air. My god, this place is nicer than any apartment mama and I have ever lived in, maybe even bigger than the buildings themselves.
Finally reaching the end of the hall, I heard a thud coming from inside a room. As I approached the door, I felt myself being drawn in. They say curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back. All my curiosity got me was a messy room, lined with all kinds of weaponry, an unmade bed with bright red covers, and-
"Intruder!!" "Hmm?"
A kick in the back. I felt my body get slammed on to the floor, having someone's foot on my shoulder blades and my arms being restrained behind my back. What the literally hell-
"Damien! What the hell-" "I found this criminal snooping in Jason's room!"
The room started to spin, I felt lightheaded, and the kid on my back wasn't helping either.
"Who in the world is Jason..?"
Before the voice had any chance to respond, the world became dark.
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Dick Grayson POV
“Is Bruce finally going to explain why we had to search the city for some kid?”
“This kid is someone important to Bruce, Tim. We just have to be patient-“
“I’m tired of being patient, Dick! He can’t just disturb my work because he couldn’t keep an eye on some orphan-“
“Tim.” “….Sorry. I need some coffee.”
As Tim got up to get some coffee, this feeling in my chest persisted. Bruce has always been secretive, but to hide another kid from the family. After everything we went through with Damien, there’s no way he would make that same mistake again. He’s hiding something, whether he wants to or not, he has to tell us the truth now.
“So..any news on Steph and Cassie?”
“They’re stuck on a stake-out, something they wanted to do themselves. Apparently, there’s some chatter about the mob being involved with the black-market trade on alien tech. I was checking on some forums before Bruce pulled me away to search for the kid.”
“Anything yet?” “No hits, but there’s something there.”
“Maybe I can ask-“ “No.” “Tim-“
“I said No. I can do this without his help. And even if I can’t, I would rather fail than ever ask for his help again.”
“…Fine, but if you need my help, I’m here.”
“I know.”
“You have any idea where Damien and Duke are?”
“Damien said he had to go feed his animals, and Duke wanted to grab a snack”
“It shouldn’t take them too long to-“
Bruce entered the bat cave before I could finish my thought. His eyes wandered across the long table, confused by the empty seats. His eyes looked tired; his tie undone, his shirt untucked, he clearly had too much on his plate.
“Where is everyone? I clearly asked for you all to be present at the meeting.”
“Woah, Bruce…you look...” “Like shit.” "Tim."
“You always have a way with words Tim. This meeting isn’t about my appearance, now where are the rest of you?”
“Steph and Cass are on a stake-out, Duke went to get a snack, and Damien went to feed his animals.”
“Thank you Tim. Do Steph and Cass need back-up?” “As of now, no. They’re just doing some reconnaissance.”
“Good, keep an eye for them would you?” “I always do.”
Bruce takes a deep breath in. I haven’t seen him this tense since he and Jason last spoke. What is going on?
“I’ll get straight to the point, I-“
We hear footsteps rushing to the door and find an out of breath Duke leaning against the doorframe.
“Damien..attack..person! Had to restrain. Wooh, I am out of breath. I think we should add breath training to regime Bruce-“
“Duke!” “Yeah?” “Damien?” “Shit! Yeah, he’s over here c’mon!”
We follow Duke and end up in the main den, spotting a restrained Damien on a chair and..a body on the couch?
“What is this?,” Bruce exclaimed triedly
“Damien took it a bit too far and knocked out this kid. I have no clue how they even got in but they didn’t deserve this. Who is this kid anyway?”
“I meant why is his tied up?” “Oh! Damien refused to step down so this is all I could think of.”
Damien muffled growling got louder before we could say anything else. If looks could kill, Duke would be six feet under. As I untie Damien from his chair, he explained what happened.
“I saw this intruder snooping around Jason’s room! I was protecting our assets!”
Bruce lets out a tired sigh, rubbing his temple.
“That isn’t an intruder. That is your new sibling. Everyone, this is (Name) Sullivan. They will be staying at the manor from now on.”
So many questions are rushing to my head. As the rest of the group badger Bruce with questions, I hear a faint groan coming from the couch.
“Ugh..what..?” “Hey! They’re awake!”
I kneel beside the couch and look over their face. There’s not much bruising on their face. Looks like Damien went easy on them.
“My head..” “You took a nasty fall,” I try to comfort them to the best of my abilities, but then again,
“Nasty fall my behind! That kid threw me to the ground!”
“For someone of Wayne descent, you were much too easy to take down. Father’s good genes must have skipped a generation,” Damien exclaimed mockingly.
(Name) and Damien try to lunge at each other but I force (Name) on the couch and Duke holds Damien in place. So much for first impressions.
“Damien, that’s enough. You have had far more experience than (Name) has had in a lifetime. That doesn’t make them any less of a Wayne.”
I feel (Name) tremble under my grasp. I pull away. Guessing they're not one for physical touch.
(Name) gets up from the couch and creates distance between themselves and us. They’re agitated and look like they’re about to bolt at any moment. Though, by the state of their clothing, I don’t think they have energy.
“Why don’t you sit down kid, we can discuss the details of you moving into the manor and get you acquainted with the rest of the family. There are a lot of things we need to discuss,” Bruce tries to calmly explain the situation, but I don’t think (Name) wants to listen.
"What is wrong with you..?"
"What? Kid, nothing is wrong here. Look, I know all of this has been overwhelming. A lot has happened in the last 72 hours. You're tired, scared, confused-"
"Stop doing that. Stop trying to dictate what I'm thinking. You have no idea what I've been through!"
Bruce clenches his jaw and tries to stay calm. I haven't seen him so uneasy. Just who is this kid?
"Let's just get straight to the point, (Name), from now on you'll be residing in manor until further notice. There's a lot we need to discuss if you are to join the family-"
"Bullshit."
"Excuse me?," Bruce arches his brow and stares at (Name). Tim slowly gets up from the couch and lead the others out of the main den. But I stay behind. It feels wrong to leave the kid alone.
“Bullshit. You don’t even want me here. You don't even think I'm actually your kid."
"Kid-"
"I heard you. I heard you and Gordon talking about my mama like she was some sort of villain!! She was the only person there for me! Do you think I wanted to be here?! That I wanted to be shoved into some stranger's car and be miles away from home?? I'm so sorry that my mother dying was so inconvenient for you!" Angry tears began to spring from their eyes, as they continue to yell at Bruce. This poor kid...
"I understand...-" "No, you don't."
"I didn't even get to say goodbye! Hell, I haven't even..." They stop for a moment, releasing a shaky breath.
"...This is the first time I've cried since she died...My mom.. she's.."
(Name) slides to the floor and breakdown crying. Hugging themselves tightly and screaming their lungs out. I've seen the families of victims and civilians breakdown like this, but for the first time, I'm at a loss.
"Maybe we should postpone the meeting," I said.
"Yeah, maybe should."
—————————————————————————
It's been over three months since (Name) had come to the manor. For the most part, they stuck to themselves. Duke and I have tried our best to get them out of their shell, but things in Gotham have gotten worse. I barely see anyone on the team, let alone visit the manor. We haven't even told (Name) about our identities. While (Name) was grieving, Bruce gave us the run down on who they were. And more importantly who their mother was.
The kid has barely entered high school and there’s no indication they knew anything about their mother’s other life. From what Bruce told us, he had no idea Lilith was alive until he saw her at the Hall of Justice, even then, she changed her entire face. The only reason he recognized her was because the kid was wearing a one-of-a-kind sterling bracelet, one he gave Lilith before she faked her death. He didn't tell us what he said to her that day, but if it was any indication, the look on his face was full of regret.
For the first time in forever, we were finally able to organize a family dinner. Tim finally decrypted all the files found on Lilith's flash drive and Bruce wanted everyone present, including the kid. This will be the first time they get to meet everyone. Well, mostly everyone.
Bruce decided at out last meeting that he was going to reveal his identity to the kid. After finally moving the last of their things to the manor, Bruce thinks it's time to introduce them to the real Wayne family. I assume. It's been a moment since I last saw the kid. I'm not sure how Bruce and the kid are getting along, but I think Bruce is trying to make an effort.
I wait for Alfred to serve the food with the rest of the family at the dining room table. Seeing their smiling faces after months of recon and late nights, makes it all worth it. I notice an empty chair across from me. I wonder how Jason is doing now some days. I think he would've liked getting to know the kid.
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Only one word could describe my first three months in the manor: isolating. The only person I talked to most days was Alfred, and even then, they were only passing comments or basic questions. I understood they were trying to give me space after my breakdown but ditching me completely wasn't very nice either. My dad...Bruce was barely around. Every time I tried to talk to him, ask him about my mother, or just get to know him, he shuts me down and just stomps into his office.
At first, I didn't think the rejection would hurt as much as it did. But he's all I have now, whether he liked it or not. And the pain of being rejected by a parent was something I had to get used to.
And then he tells me, out of the blue, that I have to go to this family dinner and that all will be explained. That I have to meet "the rest of the family."
But are we really family? I know Dick and Duke have tried to connect with me, and I commended their efforts. I really did. But they never pulled through. Any attempt to get me out of the house was in vain. Each time they gave another lame excuse, made it clear, I shouldn't expect them to be there for me. This family clearly has secrets. Apparently, so did mine. I'm stuck with them. I have nowhere else to go. It's terrifying but, maybe, with some time we can be a real family. Or look like one.
Staring at the ceiling of my new bedroom, from my new bed, it took me a while to get used to. I think about my mother most days. I want to hold a burial, have somewhere to visit her. Maybe I could Bruce during dinner.
A thump next door interrupted my thoughts. I should get ready for dinner.
thump
What should I wear?
thump
I should've unpacked sooner, most of my clothes are in boxes-
thump
Nope. What I'm wearing is fine.
I exit my room with haste and head down the hallway. I couldn't help but stare at the door to the room next to mine. It was always empty, Alfred never went in there, Bruce ignores me every time I tried to ask him about it, and that brat Damien tackled me before I could fully register what was going on. I had to head downstairs soon. Dinner is about to start-
thump
Dammit.
I huff in frustration before I approach the door. Just a small peak. Maybe see what is making that weird thumping sound.
I try to open the door without making too much noise. The room was full of red decorum, posters of different Shakespeare plays, a Wonder Woman action figure, and...
Holy shit.
A wall full of weapons. Different types of knives and swords, guns, hand grenades... is that a bazooka?
"What...the fuck? Who was this guy?"
I felt the cold metal of a gun barrel being pressed again the back of my head.
"Looks like this little sheep wandered off from its herd." His voice sounded deep and robotic, like he was wearing a voice modifier.
"...Flock." "What?"
"Uh...a group of sheep is called a flock, while a group of cattle is referred to as a herd...additionally a little sheep is just lamb. so.. the correct way to say that would've been, 'Looks like this lamb wandered off from its flock.'"
"Are you really correcting me while I have a gun to your head?"
"It's not very intimating when you get the details wrong."
He presses the barrel harder against my head. Guess he doesn't like being corrected.
"Tell me this, little lamb, how did you get into the manor?"
"...." "Tick tock Lamb. I don't have all day."
"..I live here. I have been for the last three months."
I hear him let out a scoff and feel the barrel of the gun being pulled away.
"Of course, another stray to add to the litter. Turn around Lamb, I won't shoot. Unless you give me a reason to."
I let out a sigh and slowly turn around. Just to discover the behemoth of a man my assailant was. Leaning against the wall; a muscular build and height that towered over me, wearing an intimidating red mask, covered head to toe in tactical gear and weapons. I was so stunned by his appearance I near knocked over the nightstand. He chuckled,
"Haven't had a reaction like that in a while. I'm guessing Bats hasn't sent you on patrol yet?"
".....what?" What. the. actual. fuck.
"I didn't think he would add another Robin to the nest, but I guess he still has that coveted 'Wayne philanthropy' gene in him. After years of being Batman, that man still thinks he can save every street rat he comes across."
No way. No fucking way.
"....Bruce Wayne... is Batman?"
I see the mask of his eyes widen. Holy shit, he's being serious. Bruce Wayne is Batman. Batman is my dad. What the fuck?!
"Oh fuck. OHHH fuckkkkk. oh fuck oh fuck oh fuck- FUCK! You- You're a civilian?! You didn't know??!!"
"Of course not! How the hell was I supposed to know that information?! I barely found out I even had a dad!! Who even are you?! Why are you in this dead guys room-" I think I'm having a heart attack. There's no fucking way. I begin to pace to room and fan myself, tears springing from my eyes.
“Oh my godoh my godmy godmy godmy godmy god, this can’t be real. No way no fucking way-!”
"Can you calm the fuck down?! Your panicking is going to get me caught!"
"Oh fuck you!" I hear him scoff at me, as I watch him grab weapons to add to his arsenal.
"Alright, I'm out of here," He chuckles, shaking his head, "Listen Lamb, you're clearly going through something, but I frankly don't give a shit. I just came here to reload and go but found some random ass kid looking through my shit when they weren't supposed to. So, I suggest you forget this ever happened. You didn't see me, I didn't see you, and you definitely don't know who Batman is. Okay?"
"What? Hey! -," I screamed at him.
Before I could even respond, he's already jumped out the window.
"Later Lamb!" And he launches himself out of the manner grounds, out of sight.
I exit the room in a state of shock. I try to ground myself by staring at the floor. What just happened?
"Child?"
I gasp and look over to find Alfred gazing at me.
"Are you alright?"
I nod, not trusting my voice to be heard without trembling.
"Well, dinner is ready. Why don't you step away from the door and come downstairs. Master Bruce has some very important things he would like to discuss with you. Alright?"
I nod at him and follow him downstairs, looking back at the door as I do. What has my life become?
"(Name), so glad you can join us. Sit. We have much to discuss."
Bruce Wayne...who are you?
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A/N: BROTHERRRRR, this has been in the works for a hot minute! WOOOO i finally have time to write. I hope yall enjoy and thank you guys so much for the support. This shit is so fun to write. I hope you guys enjoy my subpar writing as much as I do. Hopefully I'll be more consistent with posting more. Anyways, be nice and have fun!!
Taglist: @ghostlyworld, @kohaiyuki, @thatoneraeder, @d3sperate-enuf, @place-holders-things, @eyeless-kun, @d4rkf10w3r, @apodyopsisphilia, @idontgiveacrap, @noisytoadhoundzipper-blog
