Summary: You awake in the manor, to the horror of yourself and the delight of others. What will happen to you now..?
Chapter 1. Chapter 2. Chapter 3. Chapter 4. Chapter 5. Chapter 6. Chapter 7.
Happy April fools!!! The joke is my writing schedule!
----
You were surrounded by a cloud. Soft, fluffy sheets swarmed you in its embrace, tugged you down into a gentle slumber.
You could barely make out a few words under the haze of a fever
“..... our… mate…!” One voice whispered, a trace of devotion in its words.
“Calm… vitals………to….okay.” This voice was grounded, trying to comfort.
In comparison to theirs, your own voice was weak, muffled. But you tried anyway.
“What…?” You muttered. The faces turned towards you. You squinted.
“Who…?”
One of the faces reached out. A hand rested on your cheek, stroking it, before moving to touch your forehead.
“Increase…dose.” Was the last you heard.
----
You woke up in a daze. Everything was hazy, and it took you what felt like several minutes to regain any sense of what had happened, let alone where you were. A subtle warmth nested close to your body, like that of a teddy bear. You pulled it closer.
Your head felt like it had been stuffed full with marshmallows. It was a weird mental image, but all you could think of. You reached out, feeling the texture of bandages around your head.
Well. You thought to yourself. That's not good. Your eyes snapped open.
Swiftly, you shoved the sheets off yourself, inspecting for injuries. The only bandage on you rested on your leg. You decided to leave it alone. There seemed to be some cuts and scrapes, which was expected. They were all treated though, which was not expected.
What was even less expected though, was the teen lying next to you on your bed. Strong features were softened by the pull of sleep, from whom you could only guess was Damian Wayne. The both of you were seemingly surrounded by bats and birds. They were all there, all six of them. Wait.. six? Didn't you have seven soulmates? You turned around in confusion, and made direct eye contact with the bat that rested on a nearby desk.
Ah. So that’s where Batman’s soul form went.
You froze, unsure of what to do with this new development. The bat just stared, watching.
You didn't run. You didn't hide. It was paralyzing, that stare, freezing you down to your very bones. What could you do in the face of eyes that saw all?
In the end you decided to gently tug yourself out of Damian Wayne’s clinging arms, inch by inch. It took longer than you wanted, but the method worked. You didn't look at the bat anymore, it scared you.
Done with your self inspection, you turned forward, finding yourself in an ornate room, about twice as big as the room you lived in at home, and triple as expensive. You slowly stood up, beginning to gaze around the room.
Shelves were lined with your hobbies, your favorite books lined the shelves, hell, they were even collector editions. You picked up a plushie that was lying on your bed. You twisted it around some.
“What the…?” You whispered.
It was completely identical to the one you had at home. Every mark was identical, down to the stitches and stuffing. How did they make them the same? …Were they the same plushie?
The worst part of it all was… the room felt like you. It felt familiar, as if it was you that had put it together, that you had designed it. Every detail, down to the colour of paint, felt like it had been designed by you. Just 100 percent more expensive. Well, except for one detail.
There were golden bars on the window.
They were the darkness in the familiar light that was your room. Out of place, as unnatural as the teen resting on your- The Bed. A part of you urged to investigate, the other wary of who you were rooming with. In the end, you came to a simple conclusion. It’d be better to leave the room.
You slowly slunked over to the opulent door, inch by inch, step by step. Your heart began to hammer, increasing its beat with every decrease of distance to your salvation.
You didn't look back. There was no point.
It was only when your hand rested on the handle, ready to pull it down and escape that you relaxed. Muscles unclenching, breathing deeper.
“You’re awake.”
Only to tense right back up. You turned around.
Damian Wayne was awake.
And… so were the soul animals. Or maybe they were already awake, just watching, staring.
His stare was piercing, hiding an emotion you couldn't quite comprehend. He wanted something, something you weren't sure you could give to him.
There was only one thing you could do, at that point.
The door slammed open. Short tight breaths kept you company as you escaped, deep into the darkness that is Wayne Manor.
----
Wayne Manor was a maze. It was a giant, sprawling beast, lined with corridor after corridor, hall after hall. You'd suck into one room to check if there were any escape routes, only to find more barred windows. The next room gave the same result.
These efforts began to tire you, the adrenaline fading out, leaving you alone with the aches and sores developed by the past few days. You blinked away the sleepiness. You couldn't stop now.
Or… Maybe you could actually, as you opened the door and came face to face with what could only be Wayne Manor’s butler.
“Good Evening.” He stated, giving no reaction whatsoever to your disheveled appearance, nor your horrified face. “My name is Alfred Pennyworth. I am the Wayne family’s butler.”
Ah… You paused for a moment. Well that confirmed it, didn't it. Batman was Bruce Wayne. Or at the very least closely tied. For him to be telling you this…Batman must think you'll never get a chance to reveal his identity. You weren't a threat.
You're in too deep. The shallow water you were born in has finally started to drag you down.
You're sinking.
You struggle to focus on what the butler is saying, but you remember some of it. Something about lunch..?
“I.. um, actually Alfred.” You pause, thinking of the right words.
He pauses too, taking a moment to observe you. “Yes? What is it?”
“I was wondering actually, if you wouldn't mind showing me to the exit? I don't think I should be here.” You fake a laugh, as if you could just wave the situation away.
“Ah. I do think that is something you'll have to talk to Master Bruce about yourself. If you'd like, I'd be happy to show you to his office.”
His office?
“Haha….” You smile. It feels as fake as you feel. “No thanks, I'd rather just go to.. um, lunch, was it? I wouldn't want to bother him anyways.”
“I rather suspect he’ll be coming down to see you anyways, now that you're awake.” The butler replied, matter-of-factly.
“...Actually I'm not hungry.”
The butler just raised an eyebrow.
You gave an awkward smile, turning away just as an awful stomping sound rang out, and a body collided with yours.
Your name was shouted, in such a gleeful tone, arms tightening around your waist in a collapsing hug.
“You’re awake!” The face of who could only be Dick Grayson greeted you, his soul animal fluttered down to your shoulder and rubbing its face against your cheek, just as clingy as its owner was.
“Ah. Hi.” You attempted. Oh god.
“I'm so happy to see you!” You attempted to grapple out of his grip, but it was like wrestling with an octopus, he perfectly countered every attempt you made with a grin, until he managed to pin both your arms to your back with a single hand.
“I was so worried for you! You’ve always been an expert at avoiding attention, but even the Joker isn't just someone you can avoid. You aren't still hurt anywhere, are you?” Grayson maneuvered you around a bit, checking you over in all different places. Even the robin was contributing, peering deeply to look for any ‘injuries’. You put a stop to it once he attempted to lift your shirt.
“Excuse me!” You protested. “Can you please stop pawing at me, we just met! And mind you, shouldn't you be aware of any injuries given that I've been treated for them here?!”
He paused, staring at you. You continued.
“Look, I'm sorry for shouting, but I've had a really bad night, and I'd greatly appreciate it if I could just go home.” The end of your sentence turned into a sort of a plea, desperation you were loath to reveal sneaking through.
If you played your cards right, perhaps they'd let you go home. Maybe with extra security or some nonsense, but you could still remain disconnected from this hellish family. That was what you hoped.
“Oh, little one, I'm sorry.” Dick Grayson replied, even more concern seeping into his face. “But you don't have to worry any more. After all…You are home.”
You stared at him for a moment.
“Haha.” You stated.
“You meant I am at your home, right?” You were breaking down. Denial was all you had left.
“No silly!” He replied.
“This is where you belong, where you've always belonged. You were always going to be with us, just as you should be. Otherwise, why would we have your soul animal?”
He smiled. It was a brilliant, searing sun.
It burned.
You teared up. You sniffled.
“Awww, baby.” He cooed, warmly stroking your cheek. “Don't worry. You'll always be with us now. Now and forever.” Soft condescension was reflected in his eyes. You couldn't bear it.
He rested his head on yours, eyes closed with a warm grin. His hug was tight.
The bandage on your leg throbbed.
----
You were not enjoying lunch. Oh sure the food was delicious and the view inside the manor was immaculate but that wasn't that problem.
It was the company.
‘I want to go home I want to go home I want to go home.’ You silently chanted in your mind, feeling sweat go down your cheek.
You had just barely managed to extract Grayson from you, as a matter of fact he was currently sitting right next to you, chair far too close to comfort with a beaming grin.
The atmosphere was very awkward, at least you would say so, as you were currently being stared down by some very eager faces. To your relief, not everyone had shown up yet (although if the butler was to be believed they would all be arriving very eagerly for dinner).
At the table was obviously Dick Grayson, but also Bruce Wayne, and… Tim Drake.
You didn't want to look at him, to face his betrayal, so you kept looking away, although that didn't stop his insistent gaze. Unfortunately your own turning away came with a caveat that was instead locking eyes with Bruce Wayne, which was somehow even worse. You silently wondered how noticeable your shaking was. Grayson’s hand sneakily grabbing your hand from under the table told you that it was very.
You managed to dodge any questions by simply pointing to your food whenever you were asked, an effort that the butler supported you in. It wasn't polite to talk with your mouth full, thank god.
You barely managed to eat enough of the food, it's delicious flavours landing like lead in your stomach.
“I’m finished. Can I be excused? I need to use the bathroom?” And hopefully find the nearest window to launch myself out of, you silently added.
“I’ll take you!” The joint voices of both Grayson and Drake called out, to their own surprise and subsequent glares.
‘Oh boy.’ You silently thought.
“Boys, boys.” The rich voice of Wayne called out, disrupting what was the beginning of an argument. “We can all go, I'm sure it's about time we take them to their room anyways.” Great, you officially had your own room. At least that meant you'd have some expectation of privacy… right?
The walk was just about as enjoyable as lunch.
So it was horrible.
Wayne Manor was an abyss, a dark void that stretched on and on and on. How any of the residents navigated it on any consistent basis was a complete mystery to you.
What was worse was Grayson’s insistent questions and rambles, often countered by Drake’s own questions and counters. It felt less like a conversation and more like a tug of war. It even became a literal tug of war for a bit, as Grayson’s tugging at your hand prompted Drake to do the same to your other.
Thankfully, you arrived at The Room before things got too out of hand.
You stared at it. It was right beside the room you woke up in the morning. That was not a good sign.
Grayson flung open the doors, shouting out a joyous “Welcome home!” that you tried your best to ignore.
The Room was beautiful, was your first thought.
It was like some sort of bird paradise. Countless places for birds to land, pillows lining the room. In the very middle lay a gigantic bed, lined with what looked to be the softest cushions you had ever seen in your entire life.
But the windows were still lined with golden bars. Just like the room you awoke in.
And beside that bed, was Damian Wayne. But for once, a Wayne family member’s attention wasn't fixated on you, instead, it was on his arm, where a little, fluffy, bird rested.
It was a dove.
----
Reader's soul animal reveal AYOOOOO yes I planned it to be a dove from the start, isn't that cool, also the bars on the windows are golden because reader is quite literally a bird in a gilded cage, please clap.
Where was Damian during the whole lunch? Keeping Dove Reader company as well as the other birds. Bruce didn't want to overwhelm and Damian is always particularly concerned with the welfare of animals, so it's like getting two birds with one stone (okay that's admittedly an odd metaphor in this context).
Heyyyyy. So uh, I guess I took a while?
Okay I'm sorry.
I have three excuses. I'm very recently dealing with very unfortunate family matters that sucks. Also, I kinda just fell out of the fandom for a bit because I got sucked into a different one (dude why does Zelda have so many fanfics). And finally I just had writers block, I invested so much time into thinking about the journey of getting kidnapped forever that I just didn't think too much about the aftermath haha.
But! I did write other short Batfam stuff! And I really wanted to post that, but I felt it wouldnt be what everyone wants, so I held off. Now that I've updated, I'm free to! So you hopefully that's fun.
And I think I'll make a short separate post for this, but I'm not going to add any more people to the taglist. It's very difficult for me to manage, and I'll shortly be sorting out my ao3 so people can get update notifications without any faff.
Thank you to everyone who reached out, I am in fact okay, and very happy I managed to write this chapter.
Taglist: @moonchild-artemisdaughter @jjsmeowthie @madine11-blog @xxrougefangxx @hadesnewpersephone @neerathebrightstar @mel-star636 @jaythes1mp @rosecentury @lov3vivian @gaozorous-rex-blog @victoria1676 @vrsin @silverklaus @ryukyuin @kurai-hono-blog @thisisafish123 @isawyourbrowserhistory @ain-t-no-way-bsfr @realifezompire @lunaluz432 @nickey-diano @sukiiluvs @sara0055 @alleakimlala @kdidgg @paperhermits @alishii @emmbny @sirenetheblogger @fantasy-angelo @andrasia @vinnvinnvintage @nyra-42 @armystaysatnct @beyond-your-stars @starsdotalk @adeptusxia0 @jailbimbo @yandereheros @sxftiebee @i-have-three-feelings @toast-on-dandelioms @lyl-3 @sitepathos @pato-spoiler-27 @ghostdoodlen @phoenixgurl030 @problematicreblogger
@sociallyakwardpanda @imaginarydreams @zanzie @yuyuzi-ling @soriansick @f1lover4ever @kiikkey @elizzsush @raincxtter @luoyi85 @yune1337 @erikasurfer @thekingofsimps @chaosbeanuwu @snowy-violets @nommingonfood @yandere-enthusiast @nb-babygirl @demonqueen-1 @h0rr0r-10ver-69 @winter67890-blog
I’m obsessed with the fact that Penelope is convinced that Colin sees her the way everyone else does and that their friendship on his side has been pity, while in reality he holds her in the highest respect, values her opinion above anyone else’s, thinks of her as often if not more than his own family, seeks her out at social events because he enjoys her company so much, is sincerely surprised and hurt when she accuses him of being embarrassed by her, and thinks she’s joking when she calls herself a spinster, because he sees her in a light that no one else does, one that he doesn’t even fully understand, but he sees her
Am I the only one who noticed how legit FERAL the RRB are in some of the Multiversus lines? Me and my buddy @sketchoco got so many clips of them with dog noises it’s not funny. Got Butch growling and whining multiple times, one Brick bark, and Boomer barking multiple times lmao.
Coincidence? Probably. But I still find it funny.
I'm convinced some of you need to go rewatch the Powerpuff Girls movie, there's a reason they're on sight with Mojo Jojo.
I would be too if my first ever interaction was someone using me, my naivety to the world, after being created at most two weeks ago, my desperation to fix things, and be loved to help build his volcano lab and complete his plan to enslave a town on a promise of that love. And he still lives in that lab as a constant reminder! And he won't stop trying to destroy the damn town! I would've lost my shit at my grown age, so I don't blame the five year olds not being chill either.
by the bird and the bee
ft. platonic soft! yandere batfam! x gn! neglected reader
✮ MAIN MASTERLIST ✮
— TRIGGER WARNINGS !
- lowercase writing, emotional neglect, allusions to sexual assault, prostitution & physical abuse, kidnapping, alcohol abuse, drugging, themes of depression, dissociation, vague traumatic events, mentions of murder, amnesia, other warnings would be added soon.
— SYNOPSIS !
who would have thought that living with your rich, billionaire father and endless supply of sisters and brothers would actually end up being the worst thirteen and a half year of your life?
when your mother was taken away from you at the ripe age of five, you were forced to live at the solemn wayne manor with nobody to accompany you but the butler, alfred pennyworth.
there, you learn that giving up was better than trying to gain the attention of your ever-growing family. so you left, and never once tried to look back at the decades of neglect they left you with.
but when alfred, your kind caretaker, had started leaving clues of your sudden disappearance; that's when they all take notice and then on starts the ultimate race of chasing freedom, and escaping what once was your gilded cage.
little did you know your mother's dark past manifests itself at the worst of times.
— CHAPTERS ! ; 48k+ words
00. — oh, please leave me be.
01. — because you only notice me once i'm out the door.
02. — and you don't even remember my face?
03. — i need a drink, away from everyone.
04. — mors tua, vita mea / your death, my life.
05 : 01. — a halo in the pit of darkness.
05 : 02. — to be his child is all i want.
— DRABBLES ! ; #series: again &. again
dick grayson calling you his baby bird
why now? (yan! damian wayne)
brutus (villain au concept)
brutus: out for blood
what if you were never neglected?
just a taste (yan! conner kent - suggestive)
laughter is the best medicine (yan! dick grayson, jason todd, tim drake, damian wayne)
to you, my greatest passion (non-neglected au-verse)
brutus: both arms cradle you now
bruce finding your graduation picture
how to be a heartbreaker! (yandere harem)
mea culpa (mini chapter)
conflicting comfort scene with jason todd
dialogue spoilers related to above drabble
more about jason todd and hurt/comfort
dick and his baby blue eyes
time travel au concept
sharing the same features with damian
brutus: the only fucked up thing in this world is you
cause you're takin' it like a champ, sweetheart! (yan! conner kent - suggestive)
brutus: just a burning memory (yan! conner kent)
young, just us?! (yan! young justice au)
that's my type! (yan! john constantine)
dick's miley cyrus eyes
you shoving their neglect in their face and it backfiring
model reader concept
why can't we return to what we once were?
— ASKS ! ; #series: again &. again
dick's spiral into yandere-ism
leaving gotham, resenting alfred, changing last names
your mysterious identity &. conner being your love interest
dick seeing you as a child & damian's need to be your favorite
damian and his cool, matching bracelets
does dick close the door on you? nah, he doesn't even know you were behind the door
wally west as your love interest
you care now?
conner as your angry, protective bf
jason trying his damn best to be a brother to you
calling bruce by his last name only
calling alfred your dad ft. jealous bruce
how are damian and jason obsessed towards you
their nicknames for you
how bruce and damian would try to bond with you
will you still go to college after being kidnapped?
will the series have a happy ending?
why does damian hurt you? and why do you justify his actions?
the family stalks you even in-game
how tim is in the series
what are the characters' ages in the series?
what if you were hypersexual?
how feral is dick in the series?
— INCORRECT QUOTES ! ; #a&a: incorrect quotes
yan! villains kidnapping you
hostage situation
how to become a target to the wayne family
dick and you miscommunication trope in a nutshell
— FANART ! ; #a&a: fanart
happy birthday by @luffyadolover
diary by @luffyadolover
another reason they're broke &. finished art by @oh-nowo-i-got-uwu
a take on the reader's appearance by @luffyadolover
reader trying to study ft. the batfam's endless calls &. finished art by @ghostdoodlen
reader finding bruce and damian watching a movie by @luffyadolover
again &. again mv by @luffyadolover
reader and their playlist by @luffyadolover
a comic panel by @lucioleestolie
conner and reader flying through the skies by @ghostdoodlen
when all of a sudden, i hear this agitating noise by @punpunsonny
villain au reader by @lazyemmy
a&a oc: emile by @questionthegrapevine
graduation pic, conner comfort, and mirrors by @ghostdoodlen
neglected &. non-neglected reader by @lazyemmy
jason calling you his angel by @ghostdoodlen
alfred gives you a christmas gift by @luffyadolover
my own art teehee by me
male reader interpretation by @yukiyee-akian
dick being clingy by @lazyemmy
brutus reader interpretation by @plkjnb
reader cosplaying as mabel pines by @mothintheskies
— TAGLIST ! ; taglist is under construction!
@.lilyalone, @.secretomelettetroops, @.earlqurl, @.simpingfor-wakasa, @.amber-content, @.ruiroku, @.okaybutfullhomo, @.trasshy-artist, @.obsessedwithromance, @.jjsmeowthie, @.fairy-lenaa, @.ilovvmyhusband, @.6uuyuuhgy, @.plsfckmedxddy, @.lavender-moony, @.sweetheart-era, @.chemicalsandghosts, @.darling006, @.starringyau, @.samanthahanes, @.rosecentury, @.jaythes1mp, @.pi1nkl0ver, @.i-thirsty-boy, @.sharks-are-cool-l, @.silverklaus, @.samanthathanes, @.traumaramacenter, @.maddimoon, @.anxrq, @.thedarknesslord, @.h0rr0r-10ver-69, @.lazy-idate, @.cupids-pretty-boy, @.alishii, @.mel-star636, @.sitepathos, @.freakyotaku059-blog, @.dirtydiavolo, @.sunbleachedantlers, @.24hrsoflanii, @.ceramic-raven, @.une-lueur-dans-la-nuit, @.tdickensstuff4, @.thickerthanthieves, @.arlandvery, @.distressed-lezbo, @.bunbunboysworld, @.bellethesleepypotato, @.naina326, @.nebuluma, @.alliwantisadonut, @.alishii, @.kusakiguzen, @.sirenetheblogger, @.emmbny, @.ryukyuin, @.solkara, @.starsdotalk
PREV PART Trigger warning: (past, current) mental + physical + emotional neglect, (name) pretends everything is fine, talking down of oneself, Reader isn't out towards the batfamily yet, mental gymnastics, disabilties are finally talked about, guilt, I think this is my longest chapter yet, pls tell me if I missed any warnings main m.list series m.list
When you woke up your body felt sluggish as you try to remember what happened, you must have a fever, why else would Alfred be at your bedside sleeping. Seeing him there reminds you of the times your heart ached for his comfort, for the times you wished he would finally stand up for you. But he didn’t, he never takes your side.
Their reaction to you passing out must’ve been extreme, because the moment you tried to manoeuvre past Alfred Dick was there, standing in front of your door with a panicked expression. “You shouldn’t get out of bed,” he says with an attempted smile. It just makes you narrow your eyes and spitefully stand up. You ignore how the room spins and how your pain spreads to your neck and fingertips. It’s almost as if Dick can sense your discomfort (it would be a first) because the moment you lose your balance he’s there to keep you standing straight. “you really are stubborn.”
His words weren’t meant to make you flinch, but they still did. You don’t trust him, and you might never, anything negative from him puts you on edge (even if his statement is true). You never know how any of your siblings will react, and quite frankly you always found Dick the most difficult from all of your siblings. Impossible to read and always wearing that fake smile, he always used that smile when he interacted with you, keeping his real smiles for his true family. “Don’t touch me,” you hiss, raising your voice enough to wake Alfred up and enough for Dick to step back.
“(name),” he whispers as he moves towards you, checking your temperature with his hand not allowing you to flinch away from him. “Good, no fever….” Yet your eyes look anywhere but at his.
“Now that you’ve done the bare minimum to keep yourselves from wallowing in guilt,” you start, ignoring how Alfred’s face falls, how Dick’s breath becomes ragged and uneven. “I want you both to leave, I need to change for school.”
“You don’t seriously think you are going to school,” Dick says as his eyebrows furrow, his arm crossed on his chest. “not after passing out like that.”
You laugh, you couldn’t help it. Now they want to care for your health. “Didn’t you guys not send me to a hospital after I was viciously beaten and possibly had internal bleeding?” you shot back, and finally they look guilty. Their guilty faces and nervous ticks make you smile, finally you feel heard. “I pass out quite often, especially since then, I am going to school so get out, I’m going to be late.”
“At least let me drop you off,” Dick says before Alfred can protests. “it would make sense, Damian’s classes are in one of your school buildings today.”
You laugh. “Oh, he doesn’t want to be seen with me. Don’t you know?” But when you see Alfred’s nails digging in his palm you start to feel guilty. Perhaps Jason’s right and you are being a piece of shit. “But fine, I suppose, just get out I need to do my hair and put my uniform on.”
They listen, but once you close your door Alfred and Dick stare at each other. Having a conversation with each other with just their eyes. You are hiding something about your health, and they’ll force to the doctor if they must. “I’ll brief Damian of the plan,” Dick tells Alfred. “I’ll try to get more information out of them.”
Alfred nods and sighs; “Duke has been helpful but evasive, but it’s clear he doesn’t trust us.”
Dick nods, and he can’t help but think; ‘Who would? If they knew what we did?’
“He’s honouring (Name)’s autonomy,” Dick acknowledges as he brushed his hair back with his hands. “more then we have ever done…”
Awh, the poor bats are becoming self-aware, and guilt is weighing heavy. Too bad that it isn’t enough to compensate for your pain.
You, who had quickly done your hair (honestly you tried, it looks terrible but it is too much for you to handle right now, so it’s alright) and put on your uniform, was now in the kitchen, grabbing a quick bite to eat and make some lunch. It was important to nourish your body after such a health incident. You need to take care of yourself, alright? Otherwise Maria and Duke would absolutely hound you on this. You just wish Cassandra wasn’t here, analysing your every move. “You’re in pain,” she says simply. “you have been for a while.”
“Wow,” you say without thinking, looking over your shoulder slightly amused. “you’ve only noticed now?”
“I’m not talking about mental pain,” she says, and that makes you freeze, dropping your lunch box in your bag and you couldn’t be more glad about getting one with an extra safety lock. “you are ill.” You chuckle, you couldn’t believe it. Cassandra knows, and she has known for a while. “Is it because of Jason?”
You turn around as you place your back on the counter. “What has Duke told you?” you aren’t angry with him, no, whatever he told them, it doesn’t matter. He’s just trying to help. “Or is that just a small personal theory?”
“A theory, Duke has been evasive with his answers,” she admits, her eyes narrowing as she tries to read your body language. But it comes up the same as always, on edge, in pain and angry. “said that he wouldn’t break his future sister’s trust.”
“Huh, so Brucie is adopting him,” you comment.
“But he has told us the full story about what Jason did,” Stephanie says, coming into the room pretending as if she hasn’t been eavesdropping from the moment she realised Cassandra was trying to get answers out of you. “I’m sorry, if I knew-”
You scoff, cutting off her sentences. Your eyes watering, you always wanted acknowledgement of what happened. You wanted these girls to tell you what your family did was wrong. But it’s too late now, and Cassandra could read that. She could see your shoulders tense, biting your lip as you try and keep your breathing steady. You feel unsafe, and she wonders if she didn’t ignore your pain. If she realised the damage they were doing to you, would you be happier? Would you be healthier?
Oh, having a moral compass can be quite difficult, can’t it?
“I don’t want none of your apologies,” you tell them, your eyes look dull and they feel lifeless. Something Stephanie often saw with the victims her father created. Is she just as bad as her father? At this point she would say to a degree. And if you will allow her to, she’ll do anything to make it right. But there is no time for that, Dick is here to drive you to school. “and our conversation is done, Cassandra, be sure to keep your mouth shut.”
While Stephanie hasn’t heard the whole conversation you two had (and could you really call it a conversation?) Cassandra obviously asked something about your health. Something that you have hidden from them all, even legally.
Well illegally, seriously, how did you perfect replicating Bruce’s signature? Even Tim couldn’t replicate it to that degree, if he were to compare your falsified signature with one of Bruce’s actual signatures it barely has any differences (Barbara would love to learn from you). The ink only looks thicker on your falsified one, Bruce always kept his pen-strokes light and precise.
But there is no time to ponder about that right now, they need to focus on you actually getting into Dick’s care. He bugged it with one of his earpieces so that the bat-family could analyse you interacting with Dick and Damian. The two you always interacted with the most before Jason’s attack, but even that was limited.
When you got into the car, you notice how Damian was sulking. Something you’ve never seen him do, besides that one time that Bruce scolded him loud enough that you could hear him from your room. You ignore him and buckle yourself in, joining him on the backseat. “Don’t you want to sit in the front seat?” Damian asks confused, and you shake your head. No way in hell are you sitting next to Dick.
“I don’t like the passenger seat.” Liar, liar pants on fire~!
Damian’s eyes narrow and scratches the skin under his nail. ‘huh,’ you think, absentmindedly. ‘we have similar anxiety ticks.’
With that Dick drives away, trying to build up a conversation. But truly, you couldn’t give a shit. You’re texting with Duke, you have chemistry the first hour, and you want to make sure that he knows that you don’t blame him for letting Bruce adopt him and such. That you just hope that he would keep your back and stay close to you when he joins the family.
Truly, aren’t you embarrassed by this? How insecure can you be?
‘Ofc, I won’t! I swear I’ll explain everything once B signs the papers. Thank you for not being mad :)’ The text makes you smile, once Duke swears something, he keeps that promise. He’s more trustworthy than your mother, she always had her fair share of secrets.
‘I could never be mad at my favourite brother, and you didn’t out me so that makes me not being mad a lot easier /hj’ you sent back before closing your phone, closing your eyes in as you feel stress leaving your body. You’re excited to see him again, you can’t wait to tell your friends about Duke joining your family. It would make your time left there a lot more bearable.
The thought of not being alone withyour ‘family’ anymore made your frown disappear. But it returned the moment you got closer to school. “Drop me off here,” you say, ignoring how Damian’s hand itches. Clearly wanting to grab your uniform jacket. “my friends are waiting for me.”
Dick nods, knowing he shouldn’t push you. You’ll just shut down even more, and it would become even more difficult to re-connect connect with you. He could feel bile rise in his throat the longer he thought about what he has done, about the behaviour he has been complicate in. Oh, but how can he make you see that it was all for the best? How can he make himself see that it was all for the best?
He can’t, he should be on his knees begging for your forgiveness, but he knew that it wouldn’t be enough. He just doesn’t know what to do.
He doesn’t know where he went wrong.
“That was a disaster,” Damian says when he can see you running up to your friends. Dick sighs, but he agrees. Damian knows it, he can see the disappointment on his older brother’s face, it makes him angry at you. But at the same time, why was he angry at you for their behaviour? Why did he give up your love for Jason when he was clearly in the wrong? Is it because of his time in the league, or is there still hatred in his body for you just simply existing?
Oh, what can the bat-family do when all they’ve done is estrange themselves from you? Can they redeem themselves, or will Duke take their place? Will your friends take their place besides your side?
With Duke you would still be apart of their family, but if you were to estrange yourself further from them, go no-contact and acknowledge your friends as your family and only allow Duke in your life they would have no excuse to try and make you understand their side. To try and get you to forgive them.
Because if they right their wrongs, you’ll have to love them. Right?
NEXT PART well, I am using this chapter as a distraction, my grandpa is getting better already tho! And I'm allowed to visit soon, so he's out of any danger zones, if you have any feedback do tell me. I have too many ideas of how to transition to the full yandere part and my brain needs to slow down fr.
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I'm tired of the powerpunk girls. Maybe it's because I see them everywhere when I look for ppg or rrb content but I'm sick of them.
And it hurts because I use to like them a lot but now I can't stand them anymore.
OP hiding a whole poem in the tags
Eywa's fleecy little lamb — the blood sacrifice of Her chosen one
Yep EXACTLY!! someone give me regency era Schroeder yearning for Lucy.
Like maybe they were engaged to marry when they were kids ny their parents. Lucy was happy about it obviously but Schroeder wasn't.
So it's the same dynamic between the two as we are used to. Then one day, either Lucy's parents changed their mind and cancel to engagement to marry her with someone more powerful. Or another gentleman start courting her and Schroeder get jealous. And Lucy is hesitant at first but them when she get to know her new suitor she realised she liked the attention and she's so sure Schroeder isn t interested that she just start moving on.
Oooh the angst when Schroeder realises it.
Y’all don’t understand how much I need YEARNING SCHROEDER
I need a regency au of grown up Schroeder/Lucy where he is DESPERATE FOR THIS WOMAN. I need a scene of them dancing together. I need a scene of him playing a composition that’s secretly a love song to her at all ball or party while everyone dances.
I need this man posted up at his piano or in his bed like THIS:
YEARNING FOR HER
"tonowari and ronal adopt spider" this, "jake and neytiri learn to move past their trauma and See spider" that. enough! "ta'unui clan sees the little human boy who begged for their lives and decides to adopt him" when???? "ta'unui olo'eyktan/tsahik lets him cry on their shoulders" when???? "ta'unui olo'eyktan/tsahik sees him after a2 in awa'atlu and sees the way spider is very clearly not coping with his ptsd and immediately goes 'please come home with us. we will love you and we will take care of you.'" when?????
I love the idea of the posh and wealthy Bridgerton siblings falling for their spouses in the spouse friend group au. Penelope and Simon constantly have to translate. They have a running competition about whose Bridgerton is the poshest. Eloise is offended at first until Philip points out that for his birthday she bought him first edition versions of some of his favorite books.
Eloise: Well I certainly wasn't going to give you a 2nd or 3rd edition! (shudders).
Philip: Just for that remark, you get another point.
OR
Sophie (staring at the ring Benedict is proposing to her with): I can not wear that thing.
Benedict: I told Anthony that I should have gone up a carat size!
Sophie: Ben, I'm pretty sure they could see that rock from SPACE! There is no way in hell I can wear that on my finger while working.
Benedict: Oh then that's no problem! I can reserve the store for us tonight to pick out a proper one! (turns around to call the jeweler).
Sophie proceeds to add two points to his score.
OR
Penelope (opening Colin's fridge): Colin, why do you have four kinds of cheese in your fridge?
Colin: I know it's sad but the store was out of the good Brie and Wensleydale so I'm a bit short today.
Penelope: I'm adding a point for every cheese in your fridge plus the two you mentioned.
This ask reminds me of @newtonsheffield lavender haze au, which I highly recommend.
I'm going to be completely honest I haven't thought that far into their relationships or the au in general, but I love the thought of the spouses only group chat just keeping score of whose Bridgerton does the most rich people posh shit. Anthony is currently in the lead. Daphne has the lowest score only because Simon won't add points for certain things because he has done some of those things. The others have to call red cards on him sometimes and then give Simon points. The Bridgertons never know their actual scores because their lovers will sometimes add points without telling them.
I have thought about how the two groups officially run paths.
I am also going to slightly redact one of my statements from my previous post. Michael and Francesca are friendly with one another. They were distantly acquainted at best when she was dating his cousin but when they got engaged and John later became sick, they bonded into a friendship. He doesn't know the rest of them though.
Lady Danbury throws a charity ball, and the boys have to go since they are the heads of their families. They beg and bribe to bring the girls as plus ones because going alone is just asking for matchmaking mamas to throw their daughters at them. The girls finally agree when Simon reveals that it's a masquerade ball so their faces will be covered.
Well guess who was also at the charity ball.
The group kind of splits off once they're at the party. Gareth and Lucy go raid the desert table before Lady Danbury pulls them to the side.
Standing next to Lady Danbury is a middle-aged woman with two others, her children most likely.
"Gareth, Lucy, this is Lady Violet Bridgerton and her children Gregory and Hyacinth," Lady Danbury introduced.
The group talked for a little while, mainly about the four in university and how their studies were going. Lucy didn't miss though how Gregory kept sneaking looks at her.
At one point Gregory whispered something to Hyacinth who only smirked at her brother and held out her hand. Gregory rolled his eyes before placing some money into the outstretched hand. Hyacinth counted it before nodding.
"Gareth I do love this next song coming on. Come dance with me." Without waiting for answer Hyacinth dragged Gareth off.
Violet only smiled and nodded. "Oh yes the next dance is so much fun. Lucy you must join in."
"Oh, I don't know the steps," Lucy said. Gareth how dare you leave her alone with his matchmaking grandma.
Lady Danbury taps her cane to the floor. "Nonsense! Gregory can lead you can't you boy?"
Gregory nods, holding out his arm for her to take. "Of course. Shall we?"
Phillip pulls Penelope off to go see what plants are around the conservatory.
"Look at all these plants Pen!" Phillip sounded like a kid in a candy shop. He excitedly pointed to some Penelope roses. "Here's your flower!"
Penelope giggled. "You know Pip I think you take the term wallflower to a whole new level."
"Hush Pen."
As Phillip continued to show her all the different plants, Penelope couldn't help but feel like someone was staring at her. Which was weird, she was never noticed at these things growing up. Discreetly Penelope began to look around and oh no. Here she thought she be unrecognizable now. The last thing she needs is for a scene to happen and her mother find out she's here.
Penelope grips Phillip's arm gaining his full attention.
"Pen?"
"I think I've been found out."
Phillip fully turns, blocking most of Penelope's small frame out of sight. "Your mother?"
"No, the Bridgertons." Penelope gestures.
Phillip follows and sees a young woman Penelope's age and a man about Michael's age. "Which ones are they?"
"Colin and Eloise."
Phillip looked back down. "Weren't you close with them?"
"You know after that huge fight with Mama I basically ghosted everyone, I knew from high society including them. If they find out I'm here now they'll make a scene. There is no sublte bone in either of their bodies, in the whole family."
Phillip begins to tug Penelope along again. "Well, I guess we'll keep moving.
Michael and Sophie head off to dance.
During one of the dances you are supposed to switch off partners. Sophie finds herself practically swept away with how quick her new dance partner switched her from Michael.
"I apologize," he said. "Francesca wanted some time to talk to Michael."
Oh, Sophie knew of Francesca. She was engaged to Michael's cousin when he passed. During that time period when Michael wasn't with one of them, he was with her.
Sophie looked over her shoulder. None of Micahel's usual flintiness was there as he whispered something to Francesca.
"I say those are some lovely tattoos you have."
Sophie turns back towards her new dance partner bewildered. Did he seriously say lovely and tattoos in the same sentence?
"Who are you?" Sophie asked.
"Benedict Bridgerton," the man said.
Benedict. Sophie's knows that name too. He was in some of Penelope childhood stories. "The nudist?"
Meanwhile Simon and Kate kind of take it all in from the side lines.
"I see why you wanted all of us to come along," Kate joked as she watched all the older women look on in disappointment from seeing her next to Simon. "They look absolutely visous."
"They most certainly are," Simon said, his eyes still on the crowd.
Kate was about to say something else when a voice cuts her off.
"Basset!"
Simon turns towards the voice, the first smile he had all evening lighting up his face. "Bridgerton!"
A man the same age as Simon rushes forward and the two embrace. Behind him is one of the most elegant looking young ladies Kate has ever seen.
Bridgerton. Kate has heard that name before, but where? Maybe a story from one of the others? Bridgerton, Bridgerton, Bridgerton. Oh. "Bridgerton? As in the eight siblings who all share one brain cell?"