Gen (non-romantic) fics recs: DC, the Batfamily has Issues
Fandom: DC, batfam
Theme: The Bat family has Issues
This is the place for comically bad at communication!batfam, oh gosh you have so many issues (affectionate), trauma, etc.
Please assume that every "Why I love it" summary is prefaced with "This is one of my fave DC fics. First, it's very well-written. Second, ".
List under the readmore.
I'm a Good Pretender, by shipNslash ( https://archiveofourown.org/works/45598369 )
7/7 chapters, 40.416 words
G, No Archive Warnings Apply
Main characters: Dick mostly, and Bruce
Official Summary:
“You’re doing it again,” Bruce says, tone accusatory. “You’re faking.”
“It’s not faking,” Dick snaps, a little more aggressive than he means to be. But he doesn’t like that word, doesn’t like the connotations.
(Especially when he knows Bruce is lying about something, too.)
“Then what is it?”
“It’s called being charming and it’s nice.”
-_-
Dick’s mother raised her son to be a star. Dick’s father raised his son to be an athlete.
Bruce's new ward is charming (manipulative), dedicated (obsessive), and way, way too smart for either of their own good.
Why I love it:
This is peak Performer Dick. Smart kid Dick who knows how to make people like him. Hyperactive Dick. And Wet Cat Battinson. Who wouldn't want to see them interact?
Excerpts:
"Oh. From the- That is, yes. I'm, uh, I'm Richard's case worker." The boy visibly twitches and she redirects her attention. "Hello, Richard. Are you al- um, How are you feeling?"
Alfred almost winces but, instead of withdrawing again or lashing out, Richard does something much, much more distressing.
Right in front of Alfred, the boy transforms into someone totally different. His posture shifts, from despondent slackness to a sort of tense hunch, making him look far younger and in much more distress. His expression loses the blankness of shock as his bottom lip wobbles and his eyes well up with big, fat tears.
"I wanna go home,” he cries out. “Please, I just wanna go home!"
-
And Dick is glad that this isn’t their first meeting, because Mister Wayne is painfully, intolerably awkward the whole time. He flinches every time someone addresses him, only makes eye contact with the toes of his scuffed converse shoes, and sneaks out the back door halfway through with Mister Pennyworth when he is very obviously losing a battle against an oncoming panic attack.
How did this guy survive being famous, Dick wonders, watching him creep back in like he won’t be noticed if he’s quiet enough.
--
By Any Other Name, by ManURonaldo, part of the Like Father Like Sons series https://archiveofourown.org/works/40244490
1/1 chapters, 4.569 words (part of a 55k series)
T, Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings (brief mention of Jason's mom)
Main characters: Jason and Bruce (decent Dick, Steph and Tim presence in the rest of the series)
Official Summary:
“Have you seen Bruce recently?” Dick asks one night.
“Haven’t seen Bruce since the last time I saw you,” Jason responds. He can feel the weight of Tim’s eyes on him though, and it’s grating. “WHAT, Tim?”
“You saw him last night,” Tim responds after a moment, flicking his eyes towards Dick. “Literally last night, man.”
“Yeah,” Jason responds without thinking, because he hasn’t slept in 58 hours, “I saw Batman last night. I haven’t seen Bruce in a month.”
For a moment, there’s complete silence. And then, in an exasperated whisper, Dick says: “what the fuck, Jay?”
OR:
Jason picks up a little bit more from Bruce than he means to as Robin. It doesn’t go away, not even when he’s Hood.
OR:
Jason watches Bruce. Tim watches Jason. Dick watches Tim. They all need therapy.
Why I love it:
I love that one. I love the way it features Identity Issues. The first story in the series is about Jason and Bruce, and following ones are also about Jason's relationships with Dick, Tim, Steph, and the way those different relationships interact. The Tim and Jason part (in the following stories) in particular goes way deeper than the usual dynamic of resentment for taking Robin / for past violence, and looks at why, now, they might or might not like / understand each other.
Each of the batfam members is fucked up in different ways, which I love.
Excerpts:
Jason is six years old and sometimes he feels like his dad is two different people in one body. There’s a person in there that loves him and holds him even though he’s too big to be held and makes him breakfast in the morning. And there’s another person in there, too, who thinks Jason is annoying and spoiled and always in the way and a problem.
There are signs, is the thing: Jason can figure out who he’s talking to, if he’s quiet enough. It’s about the way the footsteps in the hallway sound, it’s about the label on the bottle in his dad’s hand. Sometimes when Jason enters a room he makes a noise just to see: if he squeaks his shoe and his dad doesn’t notice, it’s his nice dad. If his dad grimaces or glares, it’s the dad that doesn’t like him, and Jason needs to leave. It’s all about knowing who he’s talking to, Jason learns.
If he knows who he’s talking to, he can be better about making mistakes.
--
May Tomorrow Never Come, by @lurkinglurkerwholurks https://archiveofourown.org/works/43606872
1/1 chapters, 3.580 words
G, No Archive Warnings Apply
Main Characters: Jason and Bruce
Official Summary:
Jason clawed his way out of the nightmare like a drowning man.
Why I love it:
First, I think it is very good, as a fic specifically. All fics live in the soup of canon and fanon facts we absorbed along the way, and you knowing who the characters are and what happens to them in different iterations informs your understanding of them, but this one does it particularly well.
Second. It broke my heart. It talks about trust and intimacy and kid/parent relationships and fear and nostalgy and love and. I love it.
Excerpts:
The Manor waited outside the door, exactly like it should be. The hallway was quiet and dark, the darkness tight and full, but not scary. He hadn’t been scared here since those first few months, when this place was only a place. He couldn’t be scared at home, no matter how his head spun and his nerves jumped and jittered.
--
Red Letter Day, by @silverwhittlingknife https://archiveofourown.org/works/28988874
9/? chapters, 41,819 words (technically part of a series but can be read as standalone) - WIP, last updated july 2022
G, Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings (some oblique references to the blockbuster plotline)
Main Characters: Dick
Official Summary:
Dick Grayson, stressed pseudo-parent to a preteen assassin, tries to solve the case of Damian’s Mysterious Wednesday.
He never expected it to help him fix his relationship with Tim, too.
(… Though only after everything fell apart first.)
Eventual fix-it for Dick & Tim’s Red Robin fight, but other rocky relationships - Dick & Jason, Tim & Damian, Damian & Bruce, Dick & Bruce - wow, this family is dysfunctional - might improve too. Eventually. They just have to, y’know, work through All of Their Issues first. XD
Why I love it:
The characterization is delightful. Dick tries to hold the world on his shoulders, scrambling to hold everyone together; he's also very much not perfect, and biaised and petty against specific other people. Jason is an antagonistic asshole but he tries. Tim doesn't understand boundaries but means really really well.
They love each other very much but they're afraid and they just talk over / through / just to the left of each other.
This is a dumpster fire.
Also the end notes of each chapter include interesting tidbits about what is canon (with specific runs/issues) which I personally find super interesting.
Excerpts:
This is out-of-character: deliberately unprofessional.
And it’s definitely deliberate.
Dick doesn’t want to second-guess Tim’s first amicable overture in what feels like years. He catches himself doing it anyway. When Tim was fourteen, the faceplant comment might have been spontaneous - just a wry observation, maybe with a quick grin, sharing the joke. But Tim’s older now, and a lot more serious. So this casual remark is actually calculated.
So what is this? An attempt to recapture an old camaraderie? Or is Tim covering up a bad mood with a chipper attitude? Or is this another manifestation of Tim’s concern, a test to gauge Dick’s mood?
Argh. Or maybe Tim is just being friendly, Grayson.
Gen (non-romantic) fics recs: DC, Dysfunctional Batfamily
Fandom: DC, batfam.
Theme: Dysfunctional Batfam
This trope is kinda close to the Bad Bruce one but it's not quite the same; a Bad Bruce often is a manipulative bastard in control of everything, or just uncaring, while to qualify for this trope Bruce (or another family member) has to genuinely try and still be objectively terrible - and not just comically bad at communicating either; it usually references the several canon instances where Bruce knowingly inflicted severe physical injury to Jason, or beat his kids (or the various assassination attempts between siblings); usually also involves complex siblings dynamics.
And they fucked up, and they still love each other so much but they don't really know how not to hurt each other and they're trying so very very hard and they're learning.
(… maybe don't read all of them in a row though, I don't think that could be good for anyone)
to the red planet Mars, by r_astra (https://archiveofourown.org/works/27613958)
6/6 Chapters, 36,912 words
Not Rated, Graphic Depictions Of Violence
Main Characters: Jason Todd, Bruce Wayne, the rest of the batfam
Official summary:
Tim doesn’t notice the Batmobile roaring into the cave until the tires squeal as it skids to a halt.
He starts, splashing long-cooled coffee across his lap as he lurches upright. Bruce is practically throwing himself out of the driver’s seat. He stalks around to the back of the car and Tim stares, confused.
The trunk?
He calls out. “Mask?”
Bruce grunts a negative.
Tim circles the car in time to see Bruce haul something—someone out. They’re big, but not quite as tall as Bruce, clad in black Kevlar and brown leather, wrists cuffed. Tim stops in his tracks when he recognizes the man.
It’s Jason Todd.
Why I love it:
This is about Bruce and Jason's relationship. This is someone going hey. Look at those canon events. If you stop and think about it, that's fucked up. And I love fics that look close like that at canon.
And the characters in there are Not Okay - it's a story about abuse - but it's never hopeless. Because they're trying so hard to make it right and they've fucked up a whole lot, but they (the whole family) love each other and they're trying.
Excerpt:
“We’re going to the cave.”
Hood jerks his head up. “Hell, no.”
Bruce starts walking towards the Batmobile.
“No,” Hood repeats. “No way. I’m not allowed in Gotham, remember?”
“Hn.” Bruce keeps walking, the pressure in his head building and then easing as Hood must start following.
Hood doesn’t respond, but Bruce can hear him swearing under his breath in one long, continuous stream. When they reach the Batmobile, Bruce pulls out a pair of cuffs.
“Seriously?” Hood sighs. He holds his wrists out anyway. Bruce slaps the cuffs on and checks to make sure they adjusted themselves correctly, then grabs Hood by the elbow and starts dragging him towards the back of the vehicle.
Hood must be processing slowly, because he doesn’t start fighting until they get within a yard of the trunk.
Bruce wins.
--
An Aquarium of Nameless Things, by husborth (https://archiveofourown.org/works/18308171)
4/4 chapters, 14.120 words (has a very good second work in the series at 45k more, with a wider batfam sample; the second work is technically unfinished but stops at a satisfying place)
T, No Archive Warnings Apply
Main Characters: Jason Todd, Bruce Wayne, Dick Grayson
Official summary:
After a difficult case, Jason learns a few things about Bruce, and deals with them about as well as Jason deals with anything.
Why I love it:
I like this interpretation of Jason and the Pit, with Jason trying really hard to keep a lid on it but also being emotionally 15 (I know nothing about emotional development I just once read the phrase "emotions too big for his body" and liked it), and swinging between actually dangerous/hurtful and siblingly petty. And them all being in over their heads and Bruce not healed yet (never healing) from Jason's death and a Dick, over-protective of Bruce, who never really knew Jason before, and the crushing weight of responsibility. They just feel so strongly.
Excerpts:
“You’re an annoying prick who didn’t even eat all of my ravioli, which you stole,” Jason said into the phone. “[…] Also my carpet smells like mildew, so if you want to come shampoo my carpet in apology for your whole everything, that’d be great.”
-
“No,” Dick admitted. “But it’s my turn. Bruce almost died of an oxycontin overdose in front of me. Did you know that?”
Jason’s face turned red and hot and got tight—liar, liar, liar, pants on fire, the fire licking at his legs in just the millennium he lay there dying, sucking air through bloody lungs. A lie. A sham. He’d been tricked, Bruce had tricked him, Bruce had made him think he cared but this was a lie, these were all lies. He would die, he would pass in a storm before him, and Jason would be left to root through the garbage, he’d be—the dogs were barking loud and they tore his heels bloody.
“No,” Jason choked out. “I didn’t.”
--
never be the first to believe, by ohnomydear (https://archiveofourown.org/works/17967926)
15/15 chapters, 98.132 words
T, No Archive Warnings Apply
Main Characters: Tim Drake, Jason Todd, Bruce Wayne, Ric Grayson
Official Summary:
If Bruce 'made up' with Jason at the diner following the events at Sanctuary, the Red Hood shouldn't be reluctant to ask Bruce for permission to be in Gotham for a necessary surgery. Instead, Jason kidnaps Tim and asks him to make sure Bruce doesn't know he's in Gotham. Yeah, nothing about this sounds like they've forgiven each other.
Why I love it:
That one is ostensibly about Jason and Bruce, and the aftermath of the big fight where Bruce beats Jason all to hell. But it's also (more so, imo) about each of the siblings' relationships with Jason, and with Bruce. Yay for Robins banding together against Bruce. People talking past each other, contradicting POVs, and what forgiveness means/looks like. Also this one has an amnesiac Ric, which creates fun character dynamics.
Excerpt:
“How did you get me this far?” And whose car was this?
“The truth, or would you like a face-saving lie that we can both pretend to believe?”
Tim groaned and reached for the coffee. “Which board room did I fall asleep in?”
“Your office. For once. But intern Jared noticed and called the car company, which showed up in record time.” Jason gestured with one hand at the car around them. “And then they ‘took you home.’”
“Why not just wake me up?” Tim hissed. “And don’t even get me started on how I don’t have an intern Jared and I’m really suspicious that he and the car company driver look astonishingly similar.”
“Guilty. And as Bruce has always said, if Tim falls asleep on patrol, it’s because he made poor decisions about how much sleep he needed.”
Tim gaped at him. “He—he doesn’t say that.”
“No, he doesn’t.” Jason grinned. “But let’s say that I say it. Now, to business. Sorry I didn’t get the copies of the agenda printed first, but I was busy finding a wheelchair to get you out of the building.”
Tim dropped his head into his left hand, groaning. “You realize I do have to go back there, right? And explain what that all was?”
“That doesn’t sound like intern Jared’s or Driver Ulysses’ problem. Both of them are more concerned with finding their respective missing twin brothers – and solving the terrible murder of their mother, which took place ten sad, sad years ago.”
Great. He’d made up backstories for covers with a four second half-life. Tim took a sip of the coffee and found it passable. “The agenda?”
“You know I’m not allowed in Gotham.” Jason’s voice had gone flat, as if the humor had just dropped out of it.
--
How Far Love Goes, by BeatriceEagle (@flybynightwing) (https://archiveofourown.org/works/31871722)
11/11 chapters, 99.549 words
T, Graphic Depictions of Violence
Main Characters: the whole batfam
Official summary:
Plenty of family reunions end in fighting. Not that many end in explosions.
A mass Arkham breakout brings all of Bruce's children home, and with them, all the drama, secrets, and anger they've been keeping for years. Amidst rising tensions and a mysterious new threat in Gotham, the family has to work together to round up the rogues—and confront their feelings about each other.
Why I love it:
A main plot peppered by tasty flashbacks (that inform our understanding of the present) of batfam interactions through twelve years, ranging from cute to heartrending. Complex relationships web that actually includes the girls too (Babs and Steph and Cass!).
Excerpts:
“How about Nightwing?” said a voice from above, and then Nightwing somersaulted from the branches of a nearby tree, landing lightly on the ground beside Cass.
Batman pivoted half a degree to face him. “Oracle called you too?”
“Of course she did, B, there was an Arkham breakout.”
“It’s handled.”
Nightwing crossed his arms. “Handled like it was last time?”
Batman mirrored Nightwing’s stance. “It’s handled.”
“Excuse me, but I don’t feel like standing by and watching you get your back broken ag—”
“Go back to Blüdhaven. They need you there.”
Batman spun around and stalked away. Nightwing stared after him, his body leaning in the direction Batman had gone, like he was about to run after him. Then he slumped backward.
“Unbelievable. Just unbelievable.” He turned to Cass. As always, his body language screamed awkwardness when he spoke to her. Even facing her, he angled his shoulders away, like he didn’t want to be in this conversation. “Is he letting you help him?”
Cass shrugged one shoulder, deciding that was better than trying to put the mess of hers, Barbara’s, and Batman’s stand-off into words
-
[flashback from Dick's Robin days]
Then, for the first time since they'd begun their stakeout, movement beside him. Dick looked over.
Batman's hand stretched out towards him. In his gauntleted palm, a single yellow M&M.
Dick looked up. Batman's face was unchanged. But the M&M was obviously for Dick, right?
He picked it up gingerly, as if it were explosive. (And given that it had come from within Batman's cape, who was to say it wasn't?) Eyes still on Batman, Dick put the candy in his mouth.
Just chocolate. No explosions.
Batman's hand withdrew back into his cape. A moment later it emerged with another M&M. Green this time.
Dick took it and grinned.
last rec list was not exactly happy fics, so to offset it, have funny ones:
Fandom: DC, batfam.
Theme: Humour (most some also tear your heart out or engage in subtle character building, but you'll laugh while you cry)
Humour is very widespread in fic (…in some fandoms at least), ranging from humour woven in the writing style itself, to situational absurd (crack), to making the reader laugh about absolutely horrifying shit (while still acknowledging how awful it is; which is rarer, I think, in non-fic), to absolutely unhinged character reactions (to more I don't have in mind right now), so here, a small homage to that.
The Lone Ranger Never Had to Deal with Bruce Wayne, by @theskeptileptic (https://archiveofourown.org/works/51476074)
Chapters 6/6, 25.522 words
G, No Archive Warnings Apply
Main Characters: Tim Drake, Bruce Wayne
Official summary:
Tim is an independent, clever, and super mature eleven-year-old. Unfortunately, his dopey neighbor, Bruce, can’t seem to understand that.
When he decides to disappear on a “solo camping trip” and run away to Canada, he figures it’s the perfect plan that will make everybody happy. He didn’t expect the Waynes would tag along with him and ruin everything.
A six-chaptered tale filled with identity shenanigans, s’mores, soon-to-be-brothers, and a kid who is in desperate need of a new family.
Why I love it:
This is. Hilarious. The perfect mix of very competent Tim and him still very much being an 11-years-old. Himbo Bruce Wayne who just so happens to totally accidentally run into Tim several times to innocently inquire about his parents' whereabouts. The horrifying fact of what Tim is actually doing and how he thinks, in his very logical way (and the horrifying fact that his parents agree with him).
Excerpts:
from: [email protected]
to: [email protected]
Mr. Wayne,
Timothy told me you stopped by earlier today. I am sorry I didn’t get to talk with you. My thyroid was acting up and I was sleeping. Timothy is a good kid. I can make sure he’s safe skateboarding so there is no need to worry. Have a good day!
Sincerely,
The Nanny
from: [email protected]
to: [email protected]
The Nanny,
Thank you for your email last week. Timothy is most definitely a good kid. One of the best. I saw him at the Army Supply Store this afternoon and he mentioned you would be taking him to Cheesequake State Park to meet a friend this weekend? My boys and I are heading that way, so why don’t we save you a trip. We’ll make sure Timothy is taken care of. If you need anything at all, for any reason, please call me at this number: 9088780078. This is my cell phone and I answer it at all hours, no matter what. Nothing is too small or too much of a bother to pick up for. Anything that you need, Timothy’s Nanny, please call.
Sincerely,
Bruce Wayne
-
“Anyway, I was on my way to the course, and I realized your father and I haven’t gotten a chance to really ‘hang’, as you kids say, and I had a late tee time, so I thought I’d invite him along.” Mr. Wayne’s teeth were bright and Tim wondered if he used some sort of diamond paste on them. He looked around Tim’s shoulder, as if he wanted to see inside the mansion better. Tim hadn’t turned on any of the lights on account of his shitty night, so the early fall haze that Bristol was so well known for didn’t do much for his visibility.
“I’m sorry, sir, you just missed him.” A pause.
“Well, that’s ok, son. Why don’t you get your mom and I’ll give her a message? I’m sure you’ve got things to do.” He looked at Tim vapidly, smile still firmly in place.
“I’m afraid she’s not here right now either. Shopping.” Tim gritted his teeth and went to close the door. Mr. Wayne’s huge ham hands (why were they so large?) stopped it before it slammed. He chuckled and Tim winced.
“Your nanny, then.” Tim wasn’t sure, but thought the question sounded more strained than Mr. Wayne’s usual flavor of airheadedness.
“She’s sleeping.”
“At eleven in the morning?”
“She has a thyroid problem. I’ll let them all know you stopped by.” Tim pushed the door closed but Mr. Wayne had somehow entered his foyer while he was speaking.
“I’ll write them a note. They can call me when they get back.” He inched closer towards Tim, who sidestepped him before he could ruffle his hair.
--
Ain't No Compass, Ain't No Map, by @ebjameston (https://archiveofourown.org/works/38048365)
Chapters: 9/9, 51.863 words
T, No Archive Warnings Apply
Main Characters: Jason Todd, Dick Grayson, Tim Drake
Official summary:
CPS Agent, pointing at Tim Drake: We need to take him with us
Red Hood: He's fine where he is
CPS: He's a minor
Hood: Timbo, you a minor?
Tim: Can't prove it
CPS: I mean, I can. There are records –
Tim, who has just finishing hacking CPS to remove his own file: Oh really, tell me more about these records
+++
A CPS agent gets sent to investigate a tip that Tim Drake has been abandoned by his parents and is living with the Red Hood. The CPS agent leaves with no Tim Drake, a date with Red Hood's lieutenant, and an intern who's promising to fix the IT systems at his office.
It's a weird day for Theo.
Why I love it: This is probably the first (non-crossover) DC fic I read, and to date still one of my favorites. It's. Listen. It's from the point of view of a Child Protective Services agent. Who, given his whole deal is to Protect Children, has Opinions about the Robins. And interacts - unknowingly - with them when they're grown (identity porn! Banter!). And he likes them! And they like him! But they have… differing opinions. And I absolutely love it. So. Many. Feels. And humour. It's 80% jokes and 70% feels and 50% social commentary about the canon and 20% plot and 40% fluff and 30% angst and some parts are all of that at once.
Excerpt:
“Nightwing, wait, serious question,” Theo says. “About when you were baby Robin.”
Max’s fingers tense up a bit on Theo’s elbow, and some of the earlier tension creeps back into Nightwing’s frame. “Yes?”
“Did the Batmobile have a car seat?”
“Did the what have a what ,” Nightwing says.
“I’ve seen your stats from when you were just getting started,” Theo says. “You weren’t anywhere close to 4-foot-9. You would’ve needed a booster seat for at least the first two years you were Robin, so.”
“So, did the Batmobile have a carseat,” Nightwing repeats faintly.
Theo gets out his phone to take notes. “Yes. That is what I am asking.”
“Buddy,” Hood says. “Most of the Batmobiles don’t even have seatbelts.”
“How would you even know that?” Bernard asks.
--
IRIS Log #1548, by @deadchannelradio (https://archiveofourown.org/works/51647209)
Chapters: 1/1, 8531 Words
T, No Archive Warnings Apply
Main Characters: whole batfam
Official summary:
A Disclaimer From Your Friendly Neighborhood Oracle:
The following is a transcript of Patrol Communications Audio written by state of the art transcription technology, IRIS (Interpretation of Recorded Intelligence Software). IRIS was created to provide easily searchable records, automatically, and eliminate the need to transcribe each patrol audio log manually. That being said, IRIS is still experimental, and may not always be entirely accurate.
-
(01:25) Red Hood: (Mild static) (Out of breath, slurred) You motherfuckers. Put some fuckin-
(01:25) Batman: (Shaking) Red Hood-
(01:25) Red Hood: Shut up. Put some fucking respect. On my name. Start fucking copying me. I just got thrown fucking. Um. 40 feet. Into a fucking uh. What's it. Ditch. I'm still fucking conscious.
(01:25) Batman: Red Hood, do not move, we're en route-
(01:25) Red Hood: What'll I win if I stand up.
(01:25) Batman: (Loud) Do not stand up.
Why I love it: The format (transcription of comms) is fun. Also it's. Just. Really funny? The… energy of it? I mean just read the excerpts honestly.
Excerpt:
(01:34) Nightwing: Don’t get mad, Red. He’s got a concussion.
(01:34) Red Hood: (Agreeably) I am all bonked up. (Laughter: Nightwing) Hey. Cass. Cassie. Is my leg fucked. The right one.
(01:34) Blackbat: It. (Pause, 3 seconds) (Reading) I am not your medical provider and can’t diagnose injuries or illness. Please ask your doctor when you are under their care.
(01:34) Red Hood: Oh. Um, okay. Can you tell me as buddies? Not as my doctor. (Laughter: Spoiler, Red Robin) Just as buddies.
(01:35) Blackbat: …Super busted. Bad. As buddies.
(01:35) Batman: Blackbat. We are not medical-
(01:35) Red Hood: She said as buddies. It’s fine.
(01:35) Spoiler: (Laughing) The as buddies legal loophole.
--
Bang, bang, by Ididloveyou_once (@ididloveyou) (https://archiveofourown.org/works/30246978)
Chapters: 1/1, 5.563 words
T, Chose Not to Use Archive Warnings (an accidental gunshot wound played for laughs)
Main Characters: Tim Drake, Jason Todd
Official summary:
‘You shot me!’ Jason gasped, stunned, ‘Holy shit, you actually shot me.’
Tim’s eyes widened and he froze. They stared at each other for a second, dumbstruck and then-
‘Don’t tell Bruce.’Or: The family enjoy a normal movie night. Except Jason has a gunshot wound and Tim’s the only one who knows and oh- that’s because Tim’s the one who shot him and they really, really need to find a way to leave before anyone finds out.
Why I love it:
Hmmm okay so maybe I really like a good Jason & Tim relationship. But objectively. This is great. Peak siblings relationships. The threat of Getting In Trouble forcing an emergency alliance between two mutually annoyed siblings who scramble to hide something? Peak comedy.
Excerpt:
‘Okay, sorry. I didn’t mean it like that either,’ he pinched the bridge of his nose, ‘I just mean. Don’t worry about me being in pain. I’m fine. And don’t worry about looking like an asshole. You shot me, you already look like an asshole. But that’s fine because now we’re even.’
Jason sighed at the kid’s sour expression. So his words of reassurance needed some work, sue him.
--
Into the Brighter Night, by @shoalsea (https://archiveofourown.org/works/20935463)
Chapters: 12/12, 162,894 words
G, No Archive Warnings Apply
Main Characters: Tim Drake, whole batfam, Young Justice team
Official summary:
When an unknown enemy threatens Robin, Gotham's vigilantes come together to keep him safe.
Unfortunately, they're protecting the wrong Robin.
Or: Tim Drake plans his own rescue. Things get complicated.
Why I love it:
Oooooh not just batfam this time. Tim is way too competent, and the Young Justice have his back (and a lot of resentment towards the batfam).
Hyperactive Young Justice energy, Very Good Characterization, miscommunication (as in Bruce -the whole batfam really- is trying but they're super bad at clearly expressing feelings).
And the tone of it? The writing? Hilarious and rips your heart out. This is super interesting interconnected character dynamics (with the batfam and Tim's team that's so many more different relationships than usual) and a deep look at canon events, all of it wrapped in hilarious dialogue.
One of my fave Tim-centric fics, and I've read some very good ones.
Excerpt:
[Impulse on a long distance call with the batfam - minus Tim]
Jay makes a disbelieving sound. “You’re telling me that Red Robin—Mr. Responsibility himself—helped you hide and maintain a secret spaceship for years? Seriously?”
“Uh, yeah? Duh?”
“No offense,” Duke says, “but that doesn’t really sound like the guy we know.”
Bruce sighs. Stephanie huffs out a laugh. Impulse just looks unimpressed. “Are we talking about the same person? Robin numero tres, currently Red? The same guy who once hid an extra Batmobile in the batarang budget and shipped it to California in secret? The same guy who founded Young Justice, an unauthorized vigilante group of teens that started out with no adult supervision? And lied to the Justice League and the government to keep Secret safe?”
“Secret?” Duke says at the same time Jay sputters out, “He stole a whole Batmobile?”
“More like embezzled,” Impulse says. “But yeah, dude, it’s Rob. I know he gives off the straight-and-narrow vibe, like, 90% of the time he’s interacting with the public or authority figures, but that’s mostly because it’s way, waaaay easier to get away with stuff if you don't ‘openly project an air of defiance.’”
“Oh my god,” Stephanie says. “He’s given you that speech too?”
“He’s given us multiple versions of that speech,” Impulse says.
Stephanie’s turned away from the screen now and is explaining to Duke, “Red Robin is kind of the definition of ‘I do what I want,’ but most of the time what he wants to do is at least nominally reasonable or responsible, so no one cares.”
“And when somebody does care,” Impulse says, “you just gotta be sneaky and smart. Comply until their backs are turned, you know? I mean, even with the Titans we—what?” he pauses, spinning his chair, clearly distracted by something off-screen. “No, I’m just talking to the Bats. I think there’s a whole flock of them.”
Conner Kent wanders into view, towelling off his hair and wearing what looks like some kind of maintenance jumper. “‘Sup,” he says to the camera, leaning in. “Superman’s not there, is he?”
“Nope,” Impulse says.
“Thank god. Where’s Rob?”
“Batnap.”
Conner puts his hands on his hips. “Dude. Weren’t you supposed to wake him up?”
Impulse spins in his chair again. “Wonder Girl said not to.”
“What, and he agreed?”
“No. He might have been unconscious at the time. Which, technically, means Wonder Girl is in charge.”
Conner groans. “He’s gonna kill you.” Turning to the camera, he adds, “Look, sorry about this, I’ll go get him.”
“Heynowaitaminute,” Impulse says. “Listen. I’m the captain, you gotta at least hear me out!” Conner rolls his eyes, but he doesn’t move. “Everything is still going according to plan, okay? Rob did in fact say that we should one hundred percent wake him up as soon as we could get a call through. True. But Wonder Girl said to let him sleep. And he definitely needs it.”
“Yeah, but, again, he’s gonna be pissed if—”
“Listen. I have thought this through.” When Conner just looks skeptical, he adds, “I have! I worked it out logically. See, if we wake up Rob, Wondy’s gonna be pissed off. At us. Right now. If we don’t wake him up, he’s gonna be pissed off later and he’s gonna be mad at her, not us. Therefore, we should do what Wonder Girl says.”
--
Beef Consommé, by @vamillepudding (https://archiveofourown.org/works/42348438)
Chapters: 2/2; 14.230 words
T, Chose Not To Use Warnings
Main Characters: Tim Drake, Jason Todd, Dick Grayson
Official summary:
Parenting is Bruce's thing, and Jason isn't planning on messing with that. But when Bruce fails to spot the countless red flags about Tim's home life, it falls to Jason to step up. Of course it does. Because he's literally the only one in his family who knows how to be responsible, and if Dick disagrees, he can suck it.
Why I love it:
I have a weakness for the "Dick and Jason team up and adopt Tim" trope. Also, I love Jason's voice in it. (and this fic is very funny but I feel like I'm repeating myself)
Excerpts:
“Pizza?” Tim repeats, sounding hopeful.
Jason is on the verge of telling him to go screw himself, but then he starts wondering how long Tim has been in his apartment and whether he ate dinner before he came here. Probably not. Did he eat lunch? Should Jason ask? What would Dick do?
“Fine,” he says eventually. “But I’m picking the toppings, and you can’t have dessert.”
There’s a beat.
“I didn’t want dessert,” Tim says, voice taking on a bewildered edge. “What are you talking about?”
-
It’s Wednesday evening and Jason is getting pizza. Dick’s waiting back in Jason’s apartment, because growing up with Bruce has him used to getting waited on hand and foot, and apparently he thinks Jason is his own personal servant or something. It’s oppression, is what it is.
“It’s not oppression,” Dick yells after him just before Jason closes the door, “it’s called losing a coin toss, asshole!”
--
Birds on Jaybird Street, by @cynassa (https://archiveofourown.org/works/39115587)
Chapters: 4/4, 14.717 words
T, No Archive Warnings Apply
Main Characters: Jason Todd, Dick Grayson, Tim Drake
Official summary:
Jason is both annoyed and weirdly flattered when the replacement turns up to ask him for help. He mentally rearranges his calendar so he can be free Wednesday evening and says, “No, fuck off, I have very important business going on.”
Tim eyes his 72” TV playing Japanese wrestling more judgmentally than it really deserves.
“Important crime things,” Jason emphasizes. “Make Wingdick do it.”
Jason doesn't think much of it when Tim needs his help, or Damian moves in, or even when Dick turns up looking beat all to hell. But at some point he realizes that he might be the best option his brothers have to recover from the cycle of violence that Batman has set up, and all he can think is that things were much easier when he was the villain.
Why I love it:
In which Dick and Jason decide to adopt Tim and Damian (Jason's kind of an asshole, but a caring one).
Kind of the same reason as the previous one: love that trope, love the tone, very funny.
Excerpt:
Jason lies, "Sure, I'll take it up with Bruce "
"Sure you will, " Tim scoffs.
Jason changes his mind, and decides he will take it up with Bruce. "I don't have the time to keep being your nanny," he announces and then says, disapprovingly,
"you skateboard, why don't you have knee and elbow pads?"
"I'm Robin," Tim snaps, like he didn't put pants on the costume like a little wuss.
Ooooh @genuaryficrecs is asking for gen fics recs! rolls up sleeves, hits up bookmarks I am so ready.
If I Knew You Were Coming I'd've Baked a Cake, by OddityBoddity ( https://archiveofourown.org/works/2227905 )
19/19 chapters, 27,271 words
T, Chose not to use archive warnings (I can't see anything other than canon-typical violence than would need to be warned for, but take care of yourselves and read the tags, I guess?)
Fandom: Marvel, Avengers, Hawkeye comic
Main Characters: Bucky Barnes, Clint Barton
Type of gen relationship: Two unrelated human beings forced to cooperate.
Official summary:
They’re the broken ones. That’s what Clint figures the rest think about him and Barnes. Clint with his eardrums trashed, Barnes with a regiment’s worth of trauma and a psychotic cybernetic arm, put in the same room and told to make nice while the others get to go on missions and do important things and save the world.
Well they're not broken. So of course they got bored and tired of being sidelined and decided to entertain themselves. And of course they ended up wanted, running through the streets of Paris with bananas down their pants and gendarmes in pursuit. Of course they did.
Why I love it:
It's just… well-written and with very good relationship development. Objectively hilarious. Contains way over-the-top competitiveness, which is the best kind of competitiveness. Sometimes rips your heart out for balance. (technically canon-compliant if you choose the right bit of canon, don't listen to what the tags say they're just cowards)
Also (gen rant on):
Okay, so I think this is my fave gen fic. As a gen fic. Because, look: there is no reason for this fic to not be romantic. It is heavily focused on two specific characters and their interaction and how it develops and changes, those characters' sexual orientation are compatible (they're both gay men), there's no widely-spread squick associated with their relationship if it were a romantic one (not the same family, no unbalanced power dynamics, etc.) and still! I get 30k words of relationship development that don't end in a kiss, and you have no idea how much that means to me and how rare it is (I mean… if you follow gen fic recs lists blogs you might know). Because relationships don't need to turn romantic to be important! Because any relationship that could turn romantic doesn't have to.
Also: they're both in a relationship with someone else. It 1) means you know from the start they won't end up together so you can relax in how you read their interactions and 2) is mentioned and treated as unimportant. In the space/time/context of this fic, their romantic relationships with their respective boyfriends are less important than the gen relationship between them.
(okay, rant over)
Excerpt:
So he’s lying on his belly. Lying on his belly in an air duct that, let’s face it, was too small for him when he wasn’t in the radiation suit. And he’s lying on his belly in the air duct in a radiation suit and there’s a weight on his back, and there’s a metal arm around his neck and Clint Barton knows that there are times there’s just nothing you can do about the way things go, that there are, well, there are just some times you lose. There are those times when you find yourself with a super-soldier sitting on your back with his arm around your neck and your favourite paring knife poised to cut open your radiation suit and you know you’ve been had and you, well you find yourself thinking, Okay but seriously, seriously this was not how it was supposed to go.
