TK

[tremendouskryptonitementality]

Introduction

Hi!

I've been on tumblr for a while now and decided I wanted share some of my own ideas and stories.

I love batfam stuff so most of what I post will probably be about that. But I've also had this maribat fic idea floating around in my brain for ages now that I want to get out so there's gonna be a lot on that first. (First part here!)

Enjoy!

[purplebutterfly19]

How I’d write a Batfam X Miraculous Ladybug crossover!

Im sick and tired of seeing ‘Marinette joins the Batfam and dates one of the Robins’ crossovers. Why the hell is Marinette being the one adopted into the family?……Adrien is right there! The boy that practically has the words ‘Adopt Me’ stamped on his forehead.

I imagine….lets set the scene post season 5 of mlb since season 6 isn’t finished yet.

Adrien finds out the truth about his father being Monarch, Marinette being Ladybug lying to him while letting him idolize a man who terrorized the world and abused him. So he runs away from Paris, now knowing he can’t trust his girlfriend, his cousin, or Nathalie.

So he decided to go somewhere that people say is the perfect place to disappear…..Gotham City!

Though shortly upon arriving, he witnessed a robbery. He may want nothing to do with Ladybug and Akumas right now, but he’s still a hero, so he jumped into action to catch the robbers. He catches them easily, just as The GPD and Batman arrive.

Long story short, after finding out that this mysterious new hero is a fifteen year old, Batman immediately takes him to the Batcave. At first, everyone thinks that the cat suit is just a regular costume, but aren’t baffled by the concept of miraculouses, nothing can truly shock them anymore. (Oh and for fun, let’s say that Bruce had wanted to train with the mysterious Miraculous Monks of Tibet, but then he got there the temple was destroyed, so he went with the regular Tibet monks.)

And so Adrien gets easily adopted into the family, and he gets along super well with everyone. Adrien and Dick train gymnastics together, and Dick is impressed by his skills even outside the suit. Jason and Adrien exchange book recommendations (Adrien had a whole ass library in his room even though it was never brought up). Adrien helps Tim improve some of his photography skills since he has a lot of knowledge from all his photoshoots, and Tim teaches him how to skateboard since his dad never let him. Adrien volunteers to help Cass practice her ballet moves for any performance. Adrien and Damian practice fencing, and Adrien is amazed by the amount of pets this family has. Steph gets to gloat about having another blonde around, and Babs keeps tabs on any news regarding Adrien’s location.

Oh and ofc they all bond over the daddy issues. Cass and Damian especially can relate to the controlling behavior and neglect he experienced from Gabe.

Alfred is thrilled to have a new kid come in with built in table manners and ethics. And when he heard the horrendous tales of Gabriel’s cooking, he makes sure to make a variety of delicious dishes for the boy to eat. No more pancakes! The bats eat waffled with whipped cream, toast, fruit cakes, and cereal!

And the best part? Adrien can openly talk though all the things he’s discovered about himself and his family and his new family listens without judgment, even provide helpful advice.

Adrien: So it turns out I’m not fully human. I was created using magic, and my father used it to control me.

Dick: By friend’s dad is kind of a demon king and she keeps him trapped in a gemstone.

Tim: My boyfriend is a clone child of two dudes.

Jason: I literally died and came back to life…

But by far the greatest thing he needs to get used to is having Bruce as a dad. Where he couldn’t do anything without Gabe’s approval or having a bodyguard, Bruce doesn’t care about what he does like 70% of the time. Want to go out shopping with the others, okay. Want to decorate your new room in the manor how you want, okay. Want to buy whatever clothes you want without anyone’s opinion, okay. Want to be a superhero, okay as long as you take all the precautions like everyone else. He’s totally weirder out at first, but slowly he grows to appreciate it. And Bruce does show genuine care for his well being, constantly checking on him both physically and mentally.

The Gotham public and rogues alike truly wonder if Batman and Catwoman had a kid together when they see a young man dressed as a black cat fighting crime alongside Batman and his team.

And Jim Gordon is absolutely done when he hears this kid throwing out cat puns as he catches criminals escaping Arkham Asylum.

I’m so writing this fic when I have the time 🙃

[tremendouskryptonitementality]

Part 6

Ok so this part has been in my head for ages but I got so busy :,)

I do have a new-found appreciation for fic writers, though. If anyone else reading this is a writer, you're doing great guys, you got this!

I have no clue what to name this part but it's here! With more characters :D

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“Heya Alfie!” Dick says, grinning, as he swings through the doorway into the kitchen. Alfred glances up from the towel he’s drying his hands on.

“Ah, Master Dick. You seem to be in high spirits.”

“Just looking forward to movie night. And seeing everyone again.” Dick shrugs, leaning on the island between them. “Something smells good.”

Alfred gives a knowing hum then turns to stir the pot on the stove. “Thank you, Master Dick.”

Now Dick may not be ‘The Greatest Detective’ and frankly, whoever started calling Bruce that clearly didn’t know the guy very well. Of course, as Batman, he could probably out-detect most of the superhero community, but eight times out of ten, Tim can and will beat him to the answer. And don’t get him started on the son Bruce didn’t realise he had, or the other son that died and came back to life right under his nose.

But that’s… getting off topic. Dick isn’t the greatest detective, but he did mentor under him, so he knows that that hum means there’s something Alfred isn’t telling him. Unfortunately, Dick also knows that it is next to impossible to get Alfred to reveal something before he’s ready to. And if he hasn’t immediately told Dick, it’s probably nothing to worry about. Probably….

To distract himself from the probably-not-a-big-deal thing Alfred isn’t telling him, he lets his eyes drift around the kitchen as he drums his fingers on the counter.

Oo are they macarons? He thinks when he spots a clear, tupperware container sitting on the other end of the island. A glance upwards assures him Alfred is busy at the stove, so he sneaks over to it. A little snack never hurts.

“Master Dick.” Dick whips his hands away from the tub at the stern reprimand (He wasn’t even looking this way!). Alfred shoots a disapproving look over his shoulder. He shakes his head at Dick’s sheepish grin. “Those are for tonight.”

Dick settles back down onto one of the stools with a huff, snagging a discarded piece of clingfilm to fiddle with. Wait a minute. Who in this family would willingly buy tubs with sparkly pink lids…? Actually that reminds me.

“Hey Alfie, who’s stuff was by the front door? I didn’t recognise the bags.”

“I suggest you go to the ballroom.” Alfred responds, cryptic as always. Dick looks up at the man in confusion.

“Why…?” he asks, suspicion creeping into his tone. “What’s happening in the ballroom?”

Alfred huffs a laugh. “I believe they called it ‘stress relief’.”

“Stress relief, huh?” Dick questions, twisting the piece tight enough around one finger the clingfilm snaps. Dang it. “Who’s they? Any hints?”

Alfred gives Dick an almost imperceptible smirk and goes back to making dinner.

“Ookaayyy. Guess I’ll go see what they’re up to myself.” He pushes himself off the counter, throwing the pieces in the bin as he heads out of the kitchen. “See ya, Alfie.”

“See you later, Master Dick.”

As he walks through the halls of the manor, Dick tries to figure out who ‘they’ are and what ‘they’ are doing in the ballroom. It’s the weekend so Dames didn’t have school, maybe he had someone over? It wasn’t Jon. He wouldn’t pack the bright pink knitting needles Dick saw sticking out of the bag in the hall. Whoever it is must have brought the macarons as well.

It could be a new friend? He tentatively wonders. On the other hand, it could be someone for Bruce or Tim, but again. Bright pink doesn’t really go with either of their personalities.

His thoughts are interrupted by a pulsing baseline, screaming vocals and a heavily distorted electric guitar. Rock music? Is that what Alfred meant by stress relief?

He follows the noise round the corner and spots Tim, his expression caught between disbelief and complete blankness. He glances at Dick, then goes back to watching whatever was going on in the ballroom through the half open doors. Dick slides his head over Tim’s to peer inside.

The ballroom was cleared out after the last gala, leaving only the built-in bar (minus the drinks. Alfred made sure to keep most of the alcohol locked away after Jason - well you know, Bruce had a hard time) along the left wall and a mini stage in one corner for speeches.

Dick quickly spots three figures dancing near the bar. Damian, Jason and – well he’s never seen the girl before, but why on earth does she look a lot like Bruce. What the hell!? That man has a problem. If Bruce somehow managed to miss another biological child, Dick and Jason (because he’s here too!) will never let him hear the end of it. Damian and the girl are throwing their hearts and souls into singing along to the music blaring full volume through the sound system.

“Wishing you were there when they neeeded you.”

“The only soul who’s ever compleeeted you.”

“Maybe then you’ll get a little heeaated too.”

“And understand why this is what I NEED TO DOOO!”

Despite the... slightly concerning lyrics that followed, Damian looks…happy. No, that’s not enough. His shoulders are relaxed, like a massive weight has finally been lifted off. He’s not on guard or scanning his surroundings. His eyes are closed and he’s just…living in the moment. And enjoying it if that carefree grin and enthusiastic dancing have anything to say about it. Dick feels his own grin growing on his face. Whomever this girl is, if she can make Dames feel like this more often, Dick will make sure she sticks around. She’s got the looks, won’t be hard to convince B.

“Am I hallucinating? I shouldn’t be hallucinating this badly yet.” Tim mutters from below him.

Concerned, Dick pulls him away from the door to look him over. He runs his thumb over the dark circles under his eyes. “When did you last sleep, Baby Bird?”

Tim shoves Dick away, pouting. “Not so long ago to make me start hallucinating.”

He secures his grip back on the mug of coffee in his hands, refusing to make eye contact. Dick raises an eyebrow at the non-answer. “Well, good job tonight is movie night!”

Tim groans, ducking away when Dick tries to wrap an arm around his shoulders (which doesn’t hurt Dick at all. His brothers don’t always like to be touched and that’s ok. He can deal with the tingle under his skin. And he can visibly see that Tim’s fine. He should really get some sleep though and –)

“You can enjoy the movies tonight, or you can sleep through them.” Dick shrugs, breaking off his train of thought. He grins at Tim. “Either way I get a free hug, and you get a break.”

“I hate you.” Tim hisses back, downing the rest of his coffee in spite.

“Liar,” Dick says. He turns his attention back to the trio in the ballroom. Damian and the girl have climbed on top of the bar, still belting at the top of their lungs. Jason is grinning at them, body moving to the music.

“And HAARD RAAIN is gonna fall down. Like gravity. LIKE GRAVITYYYYY!!”

The music fades out. The two on the bar are panting, smiles wide on their faces.

Jason, still laughing slightly, recovers first. “Ok, you were right. That’s a fucking good song.”

“SEE! I told you he’d like it!” The girl replies, elbowing Damian in the ribs. He rolls his eyes at her and slips his phone out of his pocket, pausing the opening bars of the next song. She continues talking to Jason. “That one’s an absolute banger, good if you need to scream and rage. But there are others that are just so beautiful I cried. Hold up, lemme find a good one.”

The girl snatches Damian’s phone out of his hands and starts scrolling. Apart from an offended squawk, he does…nothing to retaliate. At least, there are no knives that Dick can see. He huffs, crossing his arms while he waits for the girl to finish.

Now Dick needs to know who this girl is. And I need her name. I cannot keep calling her ‘the girl’.

He glances back at Tim, back to staring at the trio. Okee dokee, time for some answers.

 Dick clears his throat and strides into the ballroom. “Jason! You came!”

The girl honest to god squeaks (so cute!) as she whips around to face them, eyes wide.

Dick’s smile turns to dread as she over-corrects her balance and goes tumbling over the side of the bar. He’s on the other side of the room. Shit!

“Pix!” Jason lunges forward and catches her around the waist.

Oh, thank god. Dick breathes a sigh of relief.

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I do use this method for stress relief and I figured, Marinette likes Jagged Stone, he's meant to be rock esque, so why wouldn't she also do this.

Also, if anyone's wondering the song is 'Gravity' from Hazbin Hotel season 2. Amazing show!!!! but read the content warnings please.

Part 5 | Next

[tremendouskryptonitementality]

How!?

I figured it out and I actually really like it! Part 5! XD

Tw: Tiny bit of swearing but I think that’s it

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His twin sister has many admirable qualities. A couple of examples being her superior combat skills, an overwhelming amount of kindness and an uncanny ability to understand Damian like no one else.

Something she is not good at is clear communication within a civilian social situation. Especially when she’s talking about herself.

Luckily, Damian excels at succinctly communicating information in any environment (it’s not his fault if the receiver of said information doesn’t understand the particular words he used or appreciate his ‘tone’, whatever that means) so it’s only natural for him to help her explain.

“You knew about her powers!? How long?”

Todd’s eyes have dimmed. No longer the toxic green of pure rage, but a zesty lime indicating annoyance. Honestly, his changing eye colour is very useful in helping Damian figure out his brother’s emotions.

He strides towards the group, stopping shoulder to shoulder with his twin. “I found out about her healing capabilities when she discovered them when we were four. I only discovered they were fast enough to prevent her death five months ago.”

“What happened five months ago?” Father hesitantly asks.

Damian raises an eyebrow at Marinette. The answer to their father’s question heavily involves a certain spotted heroine, and if Marinette is so adamant about Ladybug being a secret, she can come up with her own lies to keep it.

The slight panic in her eyes and the incessant drumming on her thigh told Damian she got the message clear as day. She clenched her fist then turned her now stoic expression on the others to deliver the either meticulously thought out or wildly off the top of her head lie. It always tends to be one of the extremes with her.

“Five months ago, I pulled my head out of my ass, did a bunch of googling and found Dami. Booked the next flight to Gotham to tell him I was alive.”

Huh. Not bad. She didn’t stutter once.

“Five- five months!” Todd exclaimed, shoving a finger in Damian’s face. “You’ve known she was alive for five months!!?”

Damian doesn’t know why it was so surprising, he’s self-aware enough to know he’s been acting differently since he himself discovered his twin survived. Was Todd not paying attention? I suppose he’ll never be as good at noticing small details as Cassandra is.

“Tt. That is correct, keep up Todd.”

“Damian.” He scrunches his nose at his father’s quiet reprimand.

“Why didn’t you tell me? Either of you.”

Oh. Ja- Todd sounds hurt. Perhaps Damian was wrong and it wasn’t annoyance he saw in Jason’s eyes.

Maybe I actually should read that book Marinette recommended. He mentally grimaces. No, I don’t need to stoop to literature to understand emotions. I’m capable enough without it.

He shakes his head and narrows his eyes at Marinette. She’s staring at Jason, mouth flapping open and closed. Guess it’s on him again.

Damian sticks a thumb towards his twin, “She’s more paranoid than Father.”

Marinette’s snaps her head towards him, outraged (see he can understand his sister just fine). “IT’S NOT PARANOIA IF-”

She cuts herself off, blowing out an exasperated breath, then walks away.

“Is she….?”

“Give her a second.” Damian cuts his father off without hesitation, having watched his sister do this many times before when she has too much energy to talk without shouting. They all look at where Marinette has stopped several paces away. She jumps up and down a few times, shaking her hands out, then marches back to the group.

Eyes focused on Jason’s arms folded over his chest, she pokes at Damian and says, “I’m not arguing this with you again.”

He grabs the offending finger and sticks his tongue out at his sister. She reciprocates, yanking her hand away.

“If you can avoid getting pissed at each other, I would still very much like an answer to my question.”

Marinette sighs, frowning at the floor and fiddling with her fingers in a way Damian knows means she’s trying to get her thoughts in order. This time, he lets her think.

She sighs and shakes her hands out again before calmly speaking. “Ra’s has been obsessed with becoming immortal longer than I’ve been alive. At the very least, I can survive injuries that would kill most others. I can’t risk him getting even an inkling that I survived.”

“And for you, that meant not telling anyone you were alive.”

She looks up, bewildered at Father’s spot on observation, “I, uh- yeah.”

“But Damian….?”

“I- I missed him.” She looks down, almost ashamed to admit it. Which is weird, because normally Damian is the one who struggles expressing those kinds of sentiments. He knocks her shoulder in support.

She brightens up immediately, turning her signature (fake) sunny smile on Father and Todd. Not even Mari can genuinely change her mood that quickly. “Anyway! I thought we weren’t gonna do a massive interrogation right off the bat?”

Deflect much? And she better not have meant that as a pun because- no, no she’s giggling, that was totally intentional.Dammit, one punning sibling is enough thank you very much he does not need another. She’s been spending too much time with Agreste.

Ok, time to leave. Before one of them blows up or breaks down.

“Father how much longer on the blood test?” Damian asks before anyone else can butt in.

Father only blinks at the subject change then checks the time on the batcomputer. “24 minutes and 42 seconds.”

Damian nods in gratitude. “We’re leaving.”

Marinette squeaks when Damian grabs her wrist, dragging her towards the lift.

“Oh, ok. Uh, bye then?” she twists around to wave to Todd and Father.

“Oh fuck no, I’m coming with,” Jason says, jogging to catch up with them. “See ya later old man.”

“Language,” Father half-heartedly mutters as the three enter the lift. Damian watches him half collapse into the seat by the batcomputer and drag his hands down his face before the lift doors shut.

He braces himself against the weight that falls into his side.

“Thanks Dami,” Marinette mutters, pressing her forehead into his shoulder. Damian takes a moment to relax under the comforting pressure of his sister.

Then Todd decides to ruin it by opening his big mouth.

“You know.... I still have a lot of questions.” He whips his hands up in defence at the scathing glare Damian shoots over Mari’s head. “Buuut!! I’m just so fucking happy you’re alive Pix.”

Marinette bats at the hand Todd uses to ruffle her hair.

When the lift doors open, Damian leads them into Father’s study. Marinette looks back at their older brother and smirks.

“Are you crying?” she asks wryly. Now that it has been mentioned, Jason’s eyes are looking a tad wet.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he sniffs, swiping a hand over his teal eyes. He knocks Marinette’s shoulder, which sends her stumbling into Damian. “I missed you, ya little shit.”

Marinette huffs out a laugh to go with Jason’s chuckling and Damian can’t help the smile creeping onto his face. Marinette is here. In the Manor! And he can officially tell his family about her! The two of them won’t have to sneak around his family to spend time together again.

… They don’t have to sneak around. His grin widens as an idea starts to form.

Damian snags Marinette’s wrist in one hand and Jason’s in the other and hauls them from the room. If they don’t have to sneak around, then they can be as loud as they want.

“Can you stop grabbing me and dragging me around?” Marinette whines, tugging on his grip gently.

“No.” Damian replies, tightening his hold and sticking his tongue out at her. He knows that if she really didn’t like it, she would put in actual effort into trying to get away instead of whining about it.

“Where’re you taking us Demon Brat?” Jason asks, eyes narrowed on him.  

Damian takes a second to visualise their route in his head. Their destination isn’t too far away. At least not compared to ginormous size of the manor itself. “The ballroom.”

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Part 4 | Next

[tremendouskryptonitementality]

A Wild Jason Appears

Here we go! A bit later than I'd hoped but onto part 4!

Tw: swearing. Like, a lot of swearing, it's Jason. Also discussion of past death (no detail is given but it’s the main focus of this chapter)

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It’s Saturday.

For Jason, that normally means taking a break from patrolling and crime lording to lose himself in a good book for a couple of hours. It means ignoring Dicks’s ten million texts and staying the hell away from the Manor and whatever family bonding shit Goldie cooked up that week.

Operative word here being normally.

This morning, Damian also texted, asking him to come to the Manor for “an important matter” and after deliberating all morning, Jason was on his bike headed to Bristol.

Now Dick could be using the demon brat to trick Jason into attending, but if it was Damian.... Dammit, even knowing the kid’s wild range of things he deems ‘important’ Jason didn’t want to risk it.

It’ll be fine. I’ll just help Dames, maybe snag some of Alfie’s cooking, then scram before anything kicks off.

He parks his bike in the Batcave, leaving his helmet on the handlebars. He’s about to slip upstairs to find the little brat when he’s spotted.

“Jason?”

Bruce. Jason supresses a wince.

It’s not like Jason is trying to avoid the man. In fact their relationship is a lot better than it was when Jason first came back to Gotham, especially now the pit’s a lot quieter. But Bruce is gonna want to talk to Jason, which will massively increase the chance of him getting dragged into the evening plans and- ughhhh. Better just get this done quick.

“Hey B,” he grumbles with a small wave. “Shoulda known you’d be down here.”

“Are you here for movie night?”

Ah so that’s what they’re doing this week. Too bad Jason will be outta here before they decide which movie to watch.

“Nope, not staying that long. Just need to deal with something.”

 Bruce’s eyes flick to the medbay and back to Jason. “Did Damian message you…?”

His question is quiet, distracted. Something’s wrong.

“Yeah… he did. So what?” Jason takes a second to properly look at the man in front of him. He notices the slump of his shoulders, the wet eyes and the way he’s running his thumb back and forth over a raised edge on the empty vial in his hands like it’s the only thing keeping him together.

Jason takes a second to mourn his plans for a peaceful evening, then gets straight to the point. “What happened Bruce?”

Bruce’s jaw clenches as his eyes once again drift to the medbay. Jason follows his gaze, but he can’t see past the doorway from where he’s standing.

“Ok spit it out B! Did someone get hurt?” Jason won’t wait for an answer, he has to see for himself. He makes it two steps before Bruce is pulling him back around.

“No! No Jaylad, everyone is ok.”

“Then what the hell is going on!?” Jason practically screams while shaking Bruce’s hand off his shoulder.

“Todd! You’re late.”

Jason whirls back to face the medbay. The demon brat is standing in the doorway, arms crossed over his chest, with a scathing glare. If that look is meant to intimidate him, Damian is doing a piss-poor job. Honestly, Jason thinks he looks like a grumpy kitten.

“Damian. What the hell? Have you got something to do with Bruce acting weird?”

Ok, now the little shit is ignoring him, glaring at something further in medbay. Can no one get to the point in the family?

“Dames!?”

“…fine.”

That…was not Damian. That sounded like a girl. Has he got himself a girlfriend? Is that what this is about? Bruce being unable to deal with his son having a girlfriend?

Damian’s dragging them out by the wrist and –

No fucking way.

“Hey Jay…..”

That’s Marinette. Pixie.

That’s not his girlfriend, that’s his twin sister Marinette. A very much not dead Marinette.

“what the fuck….” She’s alive. She’s standing there, next to her brother and she’s alive. God, she looks so nervous, but she’s ALIVE.

“Sooo…” she seems to be as lost for words as Jason is, trailing off with a nervous giggle. “Funny story.”

“WHAT THE FUCK!?” Jason homes in on Damian. “YOU LITTLE SHIT, YOU TOLD ME- you told me -. HOLY SHIT!!” He gasps for air, squeezing his eyes shut. Get it together Jason!

“Jason…” The little wrinkle in Bruce’s brow makes him look concerned as he gets between Jason and the twins which, since when- what the hell?!

“NO!” He ignores the green tinting his vision and the tiny voice in his head telling him to make them pay for lying to him. Instead, he shoulders his way past Bruce, jabbing a finger towards Damian. “YOU TOLD ME SHE DIED!!”

The little shit says nothing. Just stares at him all impassive and shit, pretending this isn’t a Big. Fucking. Deal. Bruce grabs him from behind and wrestles Jason back into his chest. “Hey! GET OFF! HE FUCKING LIED TO ME.”

“STOP IT!”

Marinette.

God, how could he forget she’s right there? And…getting closer, much closer. Oh, she looks pissed. “Do NOT talk to him like that!! He told you I died because when he came to Gotham he thought I had.”

She pokes him in the chest - hard - and the anger flees so abruptly Jason slumps back into Bruce’s hold. His arms tighten around Jason to keep them both upright.

He blinks a few times to clear the remaining green, then tries to get his thoughts in order. “Wha- why, why didn’t you tell anyone you were alive?”

“Well for one! It’s called karma bitch. Don’t be a hypocrite.” God that glare must be genetics or some shit because no way Marinette can pull off a bat glare that good without ever having met the man. “Two, I had no idea where you’d gone! How was I supposed to tell you? And I couldn’t go back to the League to tell Dami. And three!”

Her breath catches. She scrunches her eyes closed, tears threatening to fall as she powers through. “I …died Jason. And it wasn’t just a stab and done. It was- fuck. It was a lot.”

This time when Jason pushes against Bruce, he’s met with little resistance. He wraps his arms around the young teen, whispering apologies into her hair. “I’m sorry. Fuck- Pix. I’m so sorry, I shoulda gone back for you the second I left.”

Marinette snakes her arms around Jason’s torso and burrows into his chest. “Maybe. But you were pit mad and manipulated to hell and back.” She pushes away, only enough so Jason can see the hardened resolve in her eyes. “You can’t change what’s already happened J, only what you choose to do next.”

He pulls her back in, hiding his own damp eyes in her hair again.

“How bad….?”

The whispered question echoes from behind them. Bruce. Always needing more information. Jason would snap at him to shut up – especially when he feels Marinette go tense in his arms – but there’s a small, morbid part of him that’s dying to know the answer as well.

He holds her tighter in anticipation, but it isn’t Marinette who answers.

“Bad. Possibly worse than Jason’s.”

Jason’s eyes snap to Damian, still stood over by medbay. Marinette twists in Jason’s arms to face him too, brows turned down in confusion.

“How would you know?” She sounds suspicious, but concerned. Frankly, after the lack of emotion behind Damian’s answer, so is Jason.

“I couldn’t let it go. Wouldn’t believe that you’d –” He clears his throat, still trying to maintain his unbothered façade. Then he whispers, not looking at anyone, “Grandfather showed me pictures.”

“He did what?” Bruce growls, moving towards Damian. Marinette breaks away from Jason and reaches him first. She leans heavily against Dames’ right side. Anyone else who tried that would’ve been shoved away or stabbed before they could touch him. But that was never the case with Mari. Bruce stops short next to Jason, confusion evident as his eyes flick between the twins.

“I would not let it rest until I had proof! So…Grandfather gave me proof.”

What the fuck Ra’s. This time, Jason doesn’t fight the sliver of green curling around the edge of his vision.

“No Dami that is not ok. You were a child, still are.” Damian wrinkles his nose at the conviction in Marinette’s voice. She cups his face and forces him to look as her so he can’t brush off the truth in her words. “It doesn’t matter that we grew up learning ten thousand ways to kill someone, how to make it hurt and how to make it clean. It’s different when it’s someone you love. And it’s different when you’re a child.”

“Bu –”

“No Damian, she’s right.” Bruce interrupts before the kid can make any half-assed justifications. “Ra’s should not have shown you those pictures under any circumstances.”

He still does not look convinced. Damn it. It could take hours for them to get the brat to understand. Jason needs answers about Marinette now.

“Ok that is highly fucking disturbing Dames. They’re both right and we will talk about that later I promise. But I want to know how the fuck you’re alive, Pix. Especially, if it was worse than-” He can’t say it. Doesn’t want to remember the pain, the cracks, the hopelessness. The pit kindles higher than it has in years, fuelled by the possibility that his baby sister experienced anything close to what he did.

“Did someone throw you in a Lazarus Pit?” Because dying was one thing. But being ripped back to the world of the living with an insatiable, murderous rage lodged deep in his chest was a whole other. There were so many times Jason woke up with blood on his hands, bodies surrounding him with no idea how or why. Whoever forced Marinette to do the same is dead. And Jason knows exactly who his guns will be pointed at. “It was Ra’s wasn’t it? I’ll kill him.”

He strides back towards his bike to the rhythm of the pit screaming for blood and revenge for his baby sister in the form of that bastard’s flesh torn apart and his head on a spike. His fingers twitch to the empty space his holsters usually occupy. I’ll have to make a pit stop at a safehouse. And find a plane –

His arm is yanked back and oh, surprise surprise, Bruce has something to say about it, “Jason!”

“No! You don’t know her B!” Jason shoves Bruce away. “She doesn’t deserve to feel what I do every day. That bastard deserves to fucking die!”

He turns back around to see Marinette blocking his way.

“He didn’t throw me in a Lazarus pit Jay! No one did.” He puts a hand on her head, pushing around her. She grabs onto the hand in a pitiful attempt at stopping him. “Jason!”

“No! I don’t fucking buy it. How else can you possibly be alive right now?”

“I CAN’T DIE!” She slaps the other hand over her mouth, shocked by her own outburst.

What!? The pit quiets to a more bearable hissing in the back of his skull.

Bruce is the first to break the silence, “What do you mean you can’t die?”

“I mean- I don’t, don’t know for sure, but-” Her mouth flaps open and closed as she tries to find the right words. “There have been several...instances where I- well, anyone else in my position would not have survived-”

“What she’s trying to say is that she’s a meta with enhanced healing capabilities.”

Marinette makes eye contact with Damian and her shoulders slump. “I, yeah. I guess that’s the... simplest way to put it.”

Oh.

-----------

This was meant to progress a lot further, but it was getting too long... I know where I want them to go, but not how to get them there, so it could be another couple of weeks, sorry!

That being said, I'm not entirely sure who's perspective to write the next part from so if you want someone in particular lmk!

Part 3 | Part 5

[tremendouskryptonitementality]

The Batcave

Kinda struggled to find Bruce again, but we made it. Part 3!!

Tw: Needles, blood, anxiety attack (Lmk if I missed any from this or previous parts)

First | Prev | Next

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They’re laughing.

Damian just initiated a tickle fight with Marinette, his twin sister, and they’re giggling like .... like children. They’re fifteen, so it shouldn’t surprise Bruce, but Damian has always acted so grown up. Granted, he’s come a long way from the prideful, arrogant ten-year-old with a penchant for stabbing, but normally Dick is the only one able to get Damian to giggle like this –

No….

Damian wasn’t prideful in the beginning. Or arrogant.

Damian was grieving.

For a sibling he thought was dead.

The realisation hits Bruce like a sucker-punch.

He can’t help but remember every time Damian acted out in the early days. Back then, he thought it was due to how he was raised in the League of Assassins. As a Prince. Ra’s heir no less. And Bruce based his whole parenting style for Damian off that assumption. Demanded he curb his more violent urges. Was a stricter father to ensure that he –

But if he is correct and Damian was grieving…

He should have noticed. He should have –

Ding

Right.

Med bay. Blood test. Daughter.

Focus on what’s happening now. Bruce tells himself as he strides out of the lift.

“Med bay is this way.” He calls to the two whispering to each other behind him. Bruce systematically shoves every thought relating to that realisation into the ‘Deal with Later’ section of his brain.

When they get to the med bay, Bruce grabs the supplies needed to withdraw blood and sorts them on the table next to one of the beds. Marinette dutifully hops up onto said bed, swinging her legs over the side to sit facing Bruce. She glances at where Damian positioned himself leaning on a counter by the door with suspicion.

Should Bruce be concerned about that…? No. Worry about it if it escalates. Focus on Marinette now. “Marinette, are you ok with needles?”

She stops side-eyeing Damian to answer Bruce. “I don’t particularly like them, but I can handle having my blood drawn.”

Bruce nods in response and asks Marinette to roll up her sleeve.

“This may be cold, but I need to clean your arm with it for about a minute, ok?” At her nod, Bruce starts gently rubbing the antiseptic into the crook of her elbow.

The silence allows the thoughts to trickle back in, whispering in the back off his mind.

You failed to notice your son was grieving. He deserved better than you as a father. You should have done better- NO!

Bruce inhales deeply to redirect his focus. Ground yourself Bruce. You know the drill.

His hands, the swab, the bed, Marinette... and Damian having a silent conversation.

Not now, they don’t seem to be harming each other. Come on, four things you can hear.

The bats chittering in the cave; humming from the batcomputer servers; Damian’s vocal tics.

“Soo….”

Marinette’s voice.

“Cool cave.” Bruce grunts in acknowledgment as Marinette barrels on.  “Did the cave come first or the house? Like, I’m assuming the house was built on top of the cave, but like, were you aware the cave existed when the house was built or was it something you found later and like ‘Woah!! This would be an amazing place for a superhero base’?” She deepens her voice to mimic Bruce’s then looks up at him with her bluebell eyes, waiting for a response.

Bruce struggles to remember the question, having been struck once again by the similarities in their appearance. Damian always looked more like his mother, Talia. Darker skin, green eyes, same mouth. But Marinette? Marinette had the black hair, blue eyes and pale skin of a Wayne.

“You…would assume correctly.” He throws the swab in the bin. “And I found the cave later.”

“Coool…” Marinette trails off, nodding while her eyes dart around the room.

Bruce keeps half an eye on Marinette as he prepares the needle, so he notices when their silent argument picks up again. They exchange so many glares, eye rolls and some pointed fingers that he’s not sure who’s winning.

Marinette lets out a big sigh and pouts at Damian as Bruce faces her to insert the needle. Damian must’ve won then. Bruce should get to know them better to determine whether ignoring their arguments is a wise decision or not going forward.

“Are you ready for this? Last chance to back out.” He really needs her to say yes. Everything about her screams she’s a Wayne, but Bruce has to be 100% sure; needs scientific proof that cannot be faked. Luckily, she nods again.

He focuses on finding a vein, but he doesn’t miss the way her eyes dart everywhere but at the needle near her arm. Bruce glances at Damian, hoping he could provide a distraction.

“There are a lot of bats down here. Did they all spawn in naturally or did you, like, import them to go with the Batman aesthetic?”

That’s ...not what he was expecting. But it seems Marinette has her own distraction covered. Was she into animals like her brother? Engage Bruce. Take her mind off it.

“Spawn in...?” You can do better than that.

“Yeah! Like in video games.”

Bruce raises an eyebrow and starts the blood draw. He opens his mouth to comment, but Marinette bulldozes over him. It reminds him of another little robin. From a long time ago…

“You know, that would make more sense. It would be so much effort to wrangle a bunch of bats from one cave to another. Not to mention expensive, although I don’t know how much a bat would cost or even if you could buy them. Seems a bit mean to the bats to displace them from their home just so they can fit some aesthetic. I mean you’re Batman. It would be rude not to have some bats around. And… you’re basically a billionaire so I guess expenses wouldn’t matter-”

“Mari!” Damian interrupted her spiel. “Father has finished. You don’t need to ramble on about the bats anymore.”

It’s true. Bruce has the full vial laying on the table and a piece of gauze pressed firmly to her arm. Marinette’s widened eyes flick between her arm, the vial and Bruce, mouth hanging open.

“Can you hold that while I dispose of these bits?” He asks Marinette, gesturing to the gauze. “The more pressure you exert, the less likely it is to bruise.”

Her hand replaces his, then as if her strings were cut, she collapses over her knees.

“Oh, thank god,” her voice is muffled by her legs. “I was about to start reciting stuff from that documentary we watched the other day.”

Bruce pauses. When did they watch a documentary together…? Have they been having secret meetings this entire time? His confusion goes unaddressed as Damian hops up onto the bed beside Marinette.

“You actually remember stuff from that!?”

Marinette shoots up, frowning. “Well yeah, you made me watch it like 3 times.”

“Mmhmmm.” Damian says it with a raised eyebrow and more sass than Bruce has ever witnessed from the boy. “And how many times have we watched Demon Hunters?”

“Hey! I wasn’t complaining.” The punch to Damian’s shoulder catches him off guard and both Marinette and Bruce scramble to stop him from falling off the bed. Bruce positions himself between the two, waiting for Damian to pull out a blade and retaliate. But…he’s not retaliating…

He’s just...glaring at Marinette. Her hands are hovering around her brother as if worried he might fall again; despite the fact she pushed him in the first place.

“Sorry about… that…” Marinette apologises, unfazed as Damian slaps the hands away. Instead, she sticks a finger in his face, “but do not try to guilt me with that masterpiece!”

“Ok! That’s enough.” Bruce forces the two apart before the argument can escalate further. Both heads whip towards him with matching pouts. He takes the hand Marinette is still holding the gauze in and presses it firmly back into her other elbow. She ducks her head in apology, but Bruce waves it off. “The test will take approximately 30 minutes. I’m going to wait down here for the results, but you two can go back upstairs if you’d rather.”

They look at each other for a minute, deliberating.

“Upstairs”. They simultaneously respond.

“Ok.” Bruce sticks a plaster in place of the gauze when he finally voices his earlier thought “Should I be worried about you two hurting or killing each other?”

“Tt. We will be fine Father.” They grin at each other. Bruce isn’t sure if he should be concerned or not.

“Yeah, he’s right. Oh, and uh-.“ she looks down with a sheepish grin, nervously scratching the back of her head, “Sorry for rambling earlier, you probably didn’t want to hear all that.”

Damian promptly smacks the back of her head.

“OW!”

“Damian!!”

“She asked me to!”

“No I didn’t-!”

“But you said -!” Marinette shoves a hand over Damian’s mouth.

 “I know what I said! But I meant tell me when I’m being unnecessarily apologetic, not smack me in the back of the head.” His eyes narrow at Marinette as she lowers her hand.

“Right, ok. Damian, don’t do that again. And Marinette, please don’t apologize.” Bruce’s voice is stern as he tries to establish some level of control over his children, but his memories soften it as he addresses his daughter. “I rather enjoyed it. You reminded me of my eldest when he was a child. He used to ramble a lot as well.”

“Really…?” A little smile creeps onto her face.

Bruce can’t help but mimic it as he nods. “Yes. He should be in the manor today if you would like to meet him, along with most of my other children. Your siblings I suppose”

“Oh, uh.” Her smile disappears and her eyes widen. “I wasn’t planning on staying that – MMMPH.”

Damian wraps one arm around her shoulders and drags her back into his chest. He keeps the hand of the other clamped over her mouth. “Tt. She doesn’t know what she’s talking about Father. Mari is staying long enough to meet everyone.”

She squeaks, wriggling in his arms. Squeaks.

“If I must interact with these imbeciles daily then so will you.” He hisses at her, as she tips them backwards onto the bed. “You will become part of this family. I don’t want to lie to them about you any longer!”

Marinette tenses, then falls limp on top of Damian.

“Please don’t hurt each other.” Bruce says, leaving the twins to start the blood analysis. They’ll be fine. It looked more like a siblings playfight than a sparring match. And he couldn’t see any weapons so the chances of either getting seriously hurt is slim. Hopefully. He’ll be able to hear if something goes wrong. And it allows him some time to think.

Damian wants his sister to be part of the family. Damian voluntarily called us a family. Again.

Has Bruce mentioned how proud of his son he is? He lets himself feel the happiness bubbling in his chest, unencumbered by any watchful eyes.

The rumble of an engine echoes through the cave and Bruce wipes some dirt from his eye. (Yes, it was just dirt. He’s Batman, what else would it be?). He makes sure the programme is running correctly then turns to face the newcomer.

-----------

Part 2 | Part 4

[stillnotsquashed]

*over comms*

Bruce: Dick, Damian, I need you to report to the Batcave immediately.

Dick: Why?

Bruce: A witch said she was going to take my first born and I don’t know if adoption are magically binding.

Jason: If adoptions aren't magically binding then surely the fact Damian was surgical removed from Talia and hatched from a tube of goo matters too.

Tim: Yeah. She might have to wait until you have another child.

Jason: But surely Bruce could just insist on c-sections from now on.

Dick: Guys...

Damian: I refuse to believe the nature of birth matters.

Tim: These things matter to witches.

Dick: Guys!

Tim: Come on, Dick. I am not saying the witch doesn't see him as B's, just that she doesn't see him as born.

Stephanie: Why doesn't one of us just call Zatanna?

Dick: Guys! Adoptions are magically binding. The witch is chasing me right now!

[tremendouskryptonitementality]

Bruce. Meet Marinette

Part 2!

First | Next

------------

I’m late, I’m late, I’m soo late!! Marinette thought as she sprinted down the hallway. Dami’s gonna be pissed.

She’d decided to work on one of her commissions to distract herself after patrol. Fortunately, the distraction worked brilliantly to make her forget about revealing herself to the bats. Unfortunately, it worked so well she ignored the alarms she’d set to remind her to leave – all six of them. It wasn’t until Tikki violently nudged her out of her artistic flow that she remembered her promise to Damian, and now she was late.

After rounding one last corner she could see the door to Bruce’s study. If she concentrated, she could hear her brother’s voice on the other side

“- decided to just get on with it myself. I assume -”

She didn’t bother to knock as she flung the door open.

“I MADE IT!” she shouted as she shoved herself through.

Now her friends would call what followed a MarinetteMoment™ because after sprinting through the manor, her foot decided now was the perfect time to trip on absolutely nothing. Her face once again met the floor with a thunk and a small crack.

Owww.....

“Tt. Perhaps I should have mentioned she is a walking disaster.”

That little –! Marinette groans as she rubs her nose to ease the tingling and check for blood. She’s clean. Phew, one less thing to deal with. She pushes herself up and glares at Damian.

“Rude…” Marinette mumbles while Damian just snickers at her predicament.

“Am I wrong??”

“…No. But you didn’t have to out me like that!”

Damian pointedly looks at the floor, then the door, then at her with raised eyebrows. “Tt. You outed yourself.” He crosses his arms and sticks his nose in the air. Mon Dieu, he can be so annoying sometimes.

Marinette closes the door behind her with a huff. When she turns back around, her eyes meet the piercing gaze of her father. Who doesn’t know that he is her father. Or that she existed. Is he mad? Wait no, he looks more shocked. Stunned…surprised maybe? Is it getting hot in here? It feels hot. She needs to move. She needs to do something. She needs to –

“Hi, I’m Marinette, Damian’s twin sister.” She blurted. Nailed it. Now keep the momentum going. “I don’t know what he’s told you yet so… uh… Nice to... meet you?”

That…works. She sticks her hand out with the last sentence. Bruce (Dad? Father? Mr Wayne? Ew no, that’s way too formal. Bruce will do for now) grips it and gives a slow handshake.

“Are you…ok?” Bruce’s eyes flick to the floor and back to her face. “After… After that?”

“What? Oh! That? No, I’m fine. That happens a lot. I’m used to it by now.” Marinette cannot control the nervous giggle that escapes her. ‘That happens a lot’ uggh! It’s true, but the Batman does not need to know about her affinity for tripping over nothing. She is a very capable superheroine thank you very much.

Get it together Marinette. She scolds herself. This is your first official meeting with your father. It HAS to go well.

He’s nodding. That’s … good, right? Well, he still looks confused as hell, but she’d guess that’s to be expected. Ok. Need to find something to break the ice –

 “Your name is Marinette.”

She blinks up at her da– Bruce, whatever. Is she meant to respond to that….? He didn’t say it like a question. A quick nod is enough, right? Ok, next –

Damian pushes between the two of them, effectively breaking their handshake. He rolls his eyes at them both, muttering something about them being ‘socially inept’ then turns to Marinette.

“I told him about your death, the fact you were hiding from the league and therefore reluctant to get involved here and the fact I convinced you to get involved anyway.” He counts each point off on his fingers.

Now Marinette is the one to roll her eyes. Dami didn’t convince so much threaten to drag the entire family to Paris which would’ve ended horribly!! She’s willing to bet at least one of them would’ve died...which is a rather morbid now she thinks about it. She would’ve been able to bring them back! …but no one needs the added trauma…

“Sounds about right.” She absentmindedly rubs her nose then leans around Damian to ask Bruce. “You got any questions?”

Bruce releases a huge breath, causing her to tense in anticipation of the probable landslide of questions he’s about to throw at her. She’s about to be interrogated by Batman. Alya would give anything to be in her shoes right now. Marinette on the other hand would give anything to not.

“Many. But I believe Alfred would tell me I’m being inconsiderate if I bombard you with all of them right off the bat.”

Oh.

No Batman interrogation?

Lovely. She allows herself to relax.

“For now, I would just like to know about your current living situation and whether you would be alright if I perform a blood test.”

Ooo… Well, that’s not the worst thing he could’ve asked.

“Father!!” Damian hisses. Obviously, he disagrees.

Marinette pulls him away from Bruce by the shoulder. He glares at her, evidently annoyed at her interruption. Why did he push for this if –? Never mind. The two of them can talk about that later.

“It’s ok Dami.” She pats his shoulder and faces Bruce.

“In answer to your first question. I – Well I was, uh, adopted by a couple about 4 years ago. They’re amazing though, honestly! They showed me how to live life outside of the league. Obviously they don’t actually know about the league. But I was kinda, well- homeless for a bit and they saw that and wanted to help.” Memories flood back to her of nights where the three of them watched movies or played video games with the smell of hot cocoa and whatever Papa baked that day lingering in the air like a warm blanket.

I should do something after this to show Mama and Papa how much I appreciate what they’ve done for me. She thinks, a soft smile gracing her lips.

“Mari!”

“Huh! What?” Oh right! She was in the middle of a conversation. “Oh! They run a bakery. Best bakery in Pa-France!! They let me help out sometimes.”

His brows twitch together slightly, so she uses the happy memories to form her most blinding smile. Maybe he didn’t notice her slip up? She made Damian agree to keep the fact she’s living in Paris a secret for as long as possible. If the Waynes find out, and they are as overprotective as Damian keeps telling her, they might go investigate in Paris and- well she’s had that thought process already… Moving on!!

“In answer to the second question, what exactly do you want to test in my blood…?”

“Just a paternity test. It’s not that I don’t trust Damian –”

“It’s just that you are immensely paranoid and have to verify every piece of information for yourself.”

Marinette’s mouth falls open in shock at Damian’s interruption. Wow, still telling it how you see it, Dames. Never change.

“Tt. That’s one thing you two have in common at least.” Marinette spins and full-on glowers at Damian. I take it back. Shut the hell up Damian!!

He just smirks. Again!  

Before she can launch herself at him, Bruce clears his throat to draw both their attention.

“Damian, stop antagonising your…sister.” He says with as much authority as he can for someone who looks like they went head-to-head with Chloe’s opinions, and she ripped their lifestyle apart. Although she’s trying not to do that as often anymore…

Bruce shakes his head and focuses on the twins. “The blood test. Will you do it?”

“Yes, I will.” Marinette replies, putting her feelings aside side for now. “Where do you want to do it?”

Damian responds before Bruce has the chance.

“The Batcave.” He nods at himself and walks towards the grandfather clock in the corner.

“Damian!” Bruce growls. Damian faces him with a scowl matching the one on his father’s face.

“Tt. Father did you forget that Marinette and I grew up together? We were both told that our father was “The Batman” so my calling you Father obviously indicates that you are also Batman. I am not foolish enough to reveal such an important secret.”

Damian spins the hands on the clock to the correct time and a section of the wall swings open to his right. He disappears inside as Bruce looks at Marinette in question.

“It’s true, I already knew.” Bruce’s expression changes to a mix between relief and concern at her confirmation. “And even if they only told one of us it wouldn’t’ve mattered anyway because we shared everything.”

Marinette misses the soft look that briefly flashes across Bruce’s face as they follow Damian into the lift. She slots herself beside her brother and they descend.

 Why did Damian have to say that? Sure. She may be a little paranoid, but other people are meant to discover her flaws after a couple of months of knowing her! Well, preferably never. But definitely not within the first 20 minutes! Her plan for this meeting was to introduce herself with a good first impression. Crippling paranoia and catastrophising are not good first impressions. Nor is the fact she’s a major clutz!

She’s a trained assassin for goodness sake! She should have more coordination than she displays. And she does! As Ladybug. But being Ladybug involves harnessing good luck, which has to come from somewhere and apparently the universe decided that somewhere was her day-to-day life as Marinette. Unless Adrien was around, in which case they managed to balance each other out. So being a superheroine? Fighting akumas? Easy! Best coordination and strategy a girl could ask for. But waking up on time for school? Walking up a flight of stairs without falling flat on her face!? She has a better chance of becoming friends with Lila! And that is never ever going to happen. That bi –

OW! Marinette glares at Damian.

“What was that for!?”

He shrugs at her, in that weird nonchalant but pissed way of his and pokes her side again. Well two can play at that game! Marinette jabs a hand towards him, but Damian grabs it with a victorious grin. Dammit! He yanks her closer and digs a couple fingers into her side.

“Wait, Damian! NO –” She lets out a giggle as Damian keeps gliding his fingers over that spot and she’s trying to yank herself away and –

Mon Dieu it is NOT fair that she is this ticklish! She’s trying (and failing) to suppress giggles while shoving Damian away and finally gains enough distance to pull a manoeuvre that always worked on Jason after he discovered her ticklish spots. The twins end up on opposite sides of the lift, panting heavily, while Bruce looks on in a mix of wonder and devestation. They’re both still laughing as the lift dings, signaling their arrival.

Bruce exits first. Marinette and Damian are both still quietly laughing as they follow Bruce out.

“Thank you.” Marinette whispers as she bumps Damian’s shoulder.

Damian nudges back with a quiet, “Always.”

Nah, I was right the first time.

Never change.

-------

Part 1 | Part 3

[loomingspector]

The song 'When I grow up' from the musical Matilda, but make it the kids talking about their future.

8 y/o Dick: "When I grow up, I will be tall enough to reach the branches. That I need to reach to climb the trees. You get to climb when you're grown up"

7 y/o Tim, gossiping with Bruce at a gala, they're both hiding from: "When I grow up, I will be smart enough to answer all, the questions that you need to know, the answers to before you're grown up."

newly adopted Jason: "When I grow up, I will eat sweets every day, on the way to work and I will go to bed late every night"

Damian, finally feeling safe at the manor: I will wake up when the sun comes up and I will watch cartoons until my eyes go square and I won't care 'cause I'll be all grown up."

Baby Bruce, talking to Alfred one night. "And when I grow up, I will be brave enough to fight the creatures, that you have to fight beneath the bed each night to be a grown-up"

And I feel like the last part fits baby Bruce talking to a grown up Bruce. "Just because you find that life's not fair, it doesn't mean that you just have to grin and bear it. If you always take it on the chin and wear it, nothing will change"

Giving him the push to try and help Dick and the other kiddos to not become like him. To grow up with love instead of the overwhelming grief and sadness that he's grown up with.

[tremendouskryptonitementality]

🥹 This fits so well I love it!

[tremendouskryptonitementality]

Bruce Finds Out

This part one of the fic! I've posted some background information it might be helpful to know before reading. Enjoy!

-----------

There are three sharp knocks on the door.

“Come in.” Bruce calls without looking up from his paperwork. The door to his office in the Manor opens then closes.

“Father, do you have a minute? I have an urgent matter we need to discuss.”

Ah, Damian. Bruce frowns as he looks up to where his youngest stands stiffly on the other side of his desk. “Of course Damian. Is everything alright?”

Damian has his hands clasped behind his back, his eyebrows furrowed in concentration. His eyes are cast downwards, which isn’t unusual for Damian but causes Bruce to tense all the same. He gets out of his office chair and rounds the desk towards his son. Damian jerks his head towards the small seating area in the corner of the office and Bruce takes the cue to sit on the sofa. He gestures for Damian to take a seat beside him, but he chooses to remain standing behind the coffee table.

“Damian – “

“I have a twin sister.” Bruce’s brain takes a mini vacation after his son’s interruption.

“what….” The word rushes out of him.

Damian looks at him directly in the eye this time and says with utmost confidence “I have a twin sister.”

“I…You’ve never… I – what!?” Bruce stares at his son, searching his face for…something. A twin sister!? He has another biological child? A girl. That he never knew about. Who presumably also grew up in the league. With Damian. And he didn’t know! What the – 

He takes a deep breath in and runs his hands down his face. Focus. What is most important right now?

“You’ve never mentioned a twin sister before.” Close enough. Surely if Damian had a sister in the league, she would’ve been sent to Gotham with Damian.

Damian breaks his gaze to stare out the window.

“Tt. Initially, I did not think you deserved to know of her.” Bruce frowns again. He would’ve helped to get her out of the League if only Damian had asked. Unless they didn’t get along well. He’s broken from his thought as Damian continues, his voice quieter. “I kept it a secret because I realised you did not deserve to lose another child before you even had a chance to get to know her.”

Bruce’s eyes snap back up to his son. Oh…

“Damian….” He trails off, unsure what to say next.

Damian evidently does not have the same problem as he returns his fathers gaze with a hardened resolve. “Two months before I arrived in Gotham, she was sent on a mission. She didn’t check in on time, so Grandfather sent some of his assassins to find her.” He clenches his jaw. “They reported that she had been killed and had the photographic evidence to prove it.”

There is no emotion in those last words.

It’s like he’s giving a post-patrol report, not recounting the instance of his twin’s death.

His twin. Who is …. dead.

Bruce slowly gets to his feet to avoid startling the boy – because he is just a boy – and pulls him into his chest.

“I’m so sorry Damian.” Bruce whispers.

Damian lightly grasps his father’s shirt and rubs his fingers along the hem while Bruce cradles the back of his head. The two stand there for a while, soaking in each other’s presence.

Damian pushes out of the hold. He turns away from his father, trying to subtlety wipe a tear from his cheek.

“Tt. It doesn’t matter now.” Damian sniffs.

No. No no. Damian will not inherit his inability to process emotions. Bruce places a hand on Damian’s shoulder to turn him around and talk about this … this … revelation.

“Damian –”. He starts with a firm voice but is interrupted when Damian shakes his hand off and violently spins around to scream at him.

“No Father! It does not matter because she survived!”

Bruce’s mouth falls open in shock. His eyes find Damian’s as they start to glisten.

“I found her. Well, no. She found me. Five months ago. And I ran all the tests and it’s definitely her and she’s alive and I couldn’t believe it so I ran more and –”

Damian is throwing his hands all over the place as his words turn into giddy hysterics. Bruce loves the fact his son is able to display his joy and childlikeness so freely nowadays, but he won’t get any useful information if Damian continues like this.

“Woah, woah Damian slow down. Breathe for me for a second, ok?” Bruce catches his hands, ensuring his grip is light so Damian can pull away if he wants to. He squeezes each hand intermittently to try and help Damian focus his thoughts. And maybe to can focus his own.

Damian stares at their interlocking hands for a second before giving Bruce a quick nod.

“You said you found each other. Five months ago.” Bruce clarifies as he lets go. “Can you expand on that?”

How did they find each other? Five months is a long time. Why didn’t Damian tell him sooner? Is she in trouble? Hurt? Is she with the League? Has she been with them this whole time?

Damian glances up at him. He takes a deep breath then begins his explanation.

“She’s been hiding from the League. It’s…complicated. Well not really, but that’s her story to tell. Not me.  When I found her, she believed that if we told you there would be a higher chance of the League finding out she is alive and then she’d be dragged back or they’d kill her again or something worse…” He trailed off, his shoulders dropped, and his eyes gained a haunted look. Bruce was about to reach out, say something, when Damian pushed his shoulders up and back and stared directly into Bruce’s eyes without a hint of the previous emotion.

“At first I agreed, but then I realised that the very thing she feared might destroy the life she made for herself would in fact make it so much better. It took three months, but I finally convinced her that being part of this family was worth the risk. And that you lot knowing about her would actually be more help in protecting her life than letting her brave it alone.”

Bruce is so proud of him. He pushes down a watery smile before remembering he was trying to set a good example for his son. He let the corner of his mouth tick up and his eyes to crinkle, then places a hand on Damian’s cheek.

“Thank you, Damian.” He whispers as he strokes his cheekbone. Damian’s eyes widen before he looks down and leans into the touch.

“I wanted you to know first.” Damian admits quietly. Then he pushes Bruce’s hand away and says in a voice full of venom. “But know if you mess this up, I will never forgive you. The only reason I voted not to tell Todd of her return first is because he pissed me off last week.”

“Language.”

The half-hearted reprimand is followed by two realizations. Jason met Damian in the League. Jason knew his daughter. He must’ve done. And he doesn’t know her name. He hasn’t asked for the name of his daughter. He calls himself a father. Well, only one of those issues can be solved right now.

“Damian what is her name? Can I meet her?”

The little frown almost stops Bruce’s heart for a second. Does she not want to see him? Wait no. Damian just said he had convinced her to do the opposite. Damian withdraws his phone from his pocket and unlocks it.

“Actually, we agreed we would do this together.” He says scrolling through a text chain.

Did his daughter chicken out? Or did she do research on him and decide that he in fact was not a suitable father.

“But we also said we’d tell you at 4 o’clock today so when she didn’t show up, I decided to just get on with it myself. I assume she’s just running late –”

The door behind them flies open with a bang.

Both vigilantes whirl round, ready to face the intruder. In shoots a teenaged girl with blue-black hair and wide, bluebell eyes. His mother’s eyes.

“I MADE IT!” She shouts.

Said girl immediately trips over nothing and faceplants onto the hardwood floors.

Bruce jerks forward with a wince.

Damian simply relaxes from his pose and turns back to his father. “Tt. Perhaps I should have mentioned she is a walking disaster.”

A soft groan emanates from the floor while Bruce stares open-mouthed between the two children. His two children. A headache is already forming behind his eyes.

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Part 2 is now up!

[tremendouskryptonitementality]

The Fic

I have no title for it atm, I hate naming things...

Anyway! Just a few things I wanted to explain in terms of background. (This won't include everything, I don't want to spoil stuff but I'll try to update as I go)

Key things to know!

It's maribat!!!

Damian and Marinette are twins who grew up in the League together

Jason was in the League at the same time so essentially helped raise both of them

Events occur (it shall be explained, don't you worry). Marinette becomes Ladybug in Paris and Damian is sent to Gotham to become Robin

The batfam (excluding Jason and Damian) do not know Marinette exists

Pretty much all of my batman knowledge comes from fanfic so don't get annoyed if the characters are a little ooc. You have been warned!

The twins are around 15 so Damian has settled into Gotham and isn't as aggressive.

In terms of miraculous ladybug, this takes place before hawkmoth is revealed, around season 2 or 3. Lila is still Lila.... unfortunately