Two Steps Forward 🗣️

Omg

Every Iliad generals meeting in a nutshell (featuring Odysseus peak stress level' Agamemnon being himself, Menelaus trying to stop his brother from being himself and Diomedes cheering on for his angry war husband)

Octavian survived AU:

also, if Jason survived and was picked up by Octavian and his accidental adopted son.

his names Khan by the way.

khan: 8

"Well, for starters, you're hurt," Kahn said bluntly, motioning to Jason's chest. "Why'd you let yourself get speared anyway? That's pretty stupid."

Jason's jaw clenched as Khan pointed out the obvious. He didn't need a lecture from a kid, especially one who didn't know the full story. "It's not like I WANTED to be speared," he grumbled.

"And then you just lay in bed all day, not doing anything," Kahn continued, ignoring Jason's comment. "Doesn't seem very fun, does it?"

Jason bristled at Kahn's words. He was recovering from a serious injury, for gods' sake! It wasn't like he was just lounging around for fun. "I'm healing, smartass," he snapped.

Ghost!Bruce SuperBat: Chapter two, heat.

@cheffebear

@kittensniker-meh

@animatedmess

@hngryazn

@thequeenluffy

@lilibean96

@super-cold

@gothamizhome

@beanscreations

@kyistell

@s-ourbuns

Ghost!Bruce SuperBat: Chapter one, heart.

Bruce rushed to join the fight, dodging a flying piece of rubble and jumping onto a car. He had to be more careful then normal. Not because he could die- nope! Way past that train. But because getting hurt and not feeling it would mean he was basically instantly outed to everyone. Because Barry would panic and blurt it out.

Clark saw Bruce and noted him being more careful, but the other saw it as a good thing. That Bruce was finally taking his insistence on caring for himself to heart and being careful during the fights.

By the time, the battle was over everyone was tired, some taking a seat and others just straight away leaving. Clark went over to Barry and Bruce, Barry speeding away when he saw Clark, a nervous expression on his face. Clark saw Bruce looked fine actually, not tired at all. He was confused about that.

“Bruce?”

Bruce looked over to Clark, blinking through the new lenses in his suit and nodding. “Yes, Clark?”

“Why do you look less tired than everyone else?” Clark asked. “You look fine.”

Bruce cursed internally. He had not thought of that, he had slipped up. And he swore at himself for it. “Uh- you know.” Bruce said, fiddling with a clasp on his belt. “I’ve been taking it easy, like you said. Guess I’m really just taking things you say to heart today, huh?”

Clark, being himself, was just ecstatic his boyfriend was looking after himself. He pulled Bruce closer in for a hug, chin bumping against Bruce’s before  he yanked back, staring at the other.

Hr was so cold.

“Bruce? Your freezing, are you ok?”

“What?” Bruce asked, going ridged. He hadn’t planned about this. Hadn’t thought this through enough yet. “Oh, it’s nothing, I’ve just been out for a while Clark,”

“I’ll take you home and warm you up, God knows you need it. And when you take off your suit, I can hear your heartbeat, and it will all be good again, ok?”

Bruce winced, cursing himself internally for what he was about to do. He loved Clark all too much, and knew Clark loved him too. But his perfectly sculpted lie was crumbling down around him, and he needed an excuse to not let Clark near him. Not until he figured out how to tell him at least.

“Actually Clark! Uh- Barry and I needed to do something really fast, he was going to take me home after we did something at his, isn’t that right Barry?” Bruce asked, turning and gesturing silently at Clark to Barry with his eyes.

Barry seemed to get the message, as he hurried over and nodded. “Yep, sorry Clark. Just got to steal your man for a bit. Sorry! But the case calls.”

“Mhm, I’ll call you when I get home, love you, bye.” Bruce said quickly as Barry grabbed him and sped off.

Bruce didn’t get to see Clark’s expression.

As the two ran off Clark stood there, a ‘bye’ on his lips and a thump in his stomach at being shot down. He sighed, rubbing his head and watching the other two wistfully. He didn’t want to pry into his boyfriend’s life, but he hadn’t seen Bruce in a long while. And he has just spoken to him again! And now he wasn’t. it sucked. But Clark sucked it up and took off back to his apartment. He’d get to call Bruce later. He guessed.

As soon as Barry knew him and Bruce were out of earshot, he set the other down with a frown, looking like Bruce plopped himself down onto the floor. Barry sat himself next to the other, giving his back a small pat as he thought.

“You know you’re going to have to tell him soon, right?” he asked Bruce, who seemed to be extremely interested in blades of grass right now. “I guess.” Bruce mutter, lifting his head to meet the others gaze. “But how am I supposed to tell him that? He’d be heartbroken. I can’t live with that Barry, I love him too much. He’s the nicest person you ever meet, what would you do?”

“Tell him the truth?” Barry tried, a wince forming at how that sounded coming out. Much worse than he intended, Bruce shot him a scathing glare.

“You, would you? You have no idea what this is like?”

“I mean,” Barry started, not wanting to provoke Bruce bur not wanting to be wrong. “I have died before-“

“But you were revived! I’m constantly half dead and mostly dying and you can revive me because then the magic would tear me apart and my atoms would lose their bonds with one another. Id cease to exist! God fucking dammit Barry.”

Barry paused, unused to the hostile outbreak of the normally cool and collected bat. He, very sacredly, pat Bruce shoulder. Like you would a stray cat.

Bruce just slumped back and lay against the wet grass, staring at the sun that used to burn his eyes. Barry watched him and made a face. “You’re lying in wet grass and staring at the sun.”

“And?”

“Well wet grass is unpleasant. And doesn’t staring at the sun hurt?”

“Barley anything hurts now.”

“well- ok, but could you stop?”

“Oh, I am so sorry, am I, the dead person, making you uncomfortable? Please.”

Bruce noticed Barry’s uncomfortable look and sighed, pushing himself up. “sorry, that was uncalled for. I’m just a little pissy- who wouldn’t be? I died less than a month ago. And now I have a family I have to tell, a boyfriend who’s going to have to have his heart broken, and I’m still figuring this out. Dick was using Constentine’s help with a case, he saw me, and we both just stared at each other for about two minutes. He didn’t say anything, but that’s one more person who knows, who doesn’t need to know. And none who do need to know are any closer to knowing. This really sucks!”

“Yeah.” Barry sighed, pulling Bruce into a side hug as he looked over Gotham. He almost snickered when a thought came to mind, looking down at Bruce.

“Ok, before I take you home can I ask you something?”

“Uh- I mean sure I guess.” Bruce shrugged. “if Clark’s dating you, and your dead, does that mean he a necro-“

“Die. Just die Barry.”

(Hello! Its me and I’m back with another chapter! Two in two days, wow, crazy right! Ok, just saying I edit grammar and spelling and try really hard on it, and whenever I post any fic, I make sure its atlas above 1,000 words just to make sure it’s a good read. Thank you for reading! If you want to be added to the tag list above just say in comments, id really appreciate if you told me things you like in comments, constructive criticism is always appreciated, and I hope you enjoy this instalment! Bow, the first one is linked at the top!)

Got inspired from this

Mer JL au:

Barry: Indo-Pacific Sailfish.

(These baby boys are the speedsters of the ocean, and their really cute. I love them, I love him, it works. I’m a big fish person if you can’t tell. And the retractable fin can be purple or blue, and its interchanges with the weather for him. Fast as flip boi.)

Dick/Richard: Four-Winged Flying Fish.

(I know everyone says he’s a flying fish, and I agree! But I’d prefer if people started naming which one. i know there’s at least six different types of flying fish, and I’d like that acknowledged. Anyway, I think the four wing suits him best. Their more powerful and look much cooler. Thanks for coming to my ted talk.)

Hi! Author’s note, thank you for all your support for the first part and second part of my story! I’m really glad you all are enjoying and apologise for the late chapter, I’ve just been de-motivated and tired. But I hope you enjoy either way! Please LMK any ideas, enjoy part three!

Every part I think I’m just going to try to add two more species of Mer, like I did in the first part. The first part will be linked under the people who asked to be tagged, if you want to be tagged PM me.

Tagged:

@ancientdreams-in-a-modernland

Part one linked: Clark finds himself a friend. Bruce finds himself a meal ticket.

Chapter Two: Clark almost gets caught. Bruce tries to communicate with him.

chapter four: Clark finds the family. Bruce needs a nap.

Enjoy the story!

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

The meeting, in fact, was a fluke. It was called automatically when one of the members got hurt and it sent out an alert which called the meeting. Barry didn’t get hurt per se. he just decided it’d be a fun idea to try out-swim a boat and crashed into it. So, the alarm went off because he got a blood nose. Clark was upset but decided to just continue on with his day.

He went back to the reef daily to look for Bruce. He honestly missed the other, they never really spoke, but he felt listened to when they were together. Well, he liked to think he was listened to. He had spent the morning in his apartment writing a report. It wasn’t the most fun, but by the time lunch rolled around he was definitely ready for a break.

He heads off on his way to the reef again, holding his pad and trying to memorize the flash pattern he figured out last time from Bruce. When he got there, he weaved in and out of coral, taking note of the damage, it had sustained. “not good,” Clark mumbled, running his fingers over a part that had a particularly nasty gash in it. He winced.

Clark saw a flash of black and turned with a grin. Seems Bruce had been looking for him too. Bruce sat perched on a piece of coral, looking down his nose at Clark intimidatingly, as if still trying to show Clark they weren’t buddy-buddy. Clark thought Bruce was being funny, a little bit dramatic. Until he saw a flash of silver behind the other. Peaking over Bruce’s shoulder was a Mer-pup, no older than 12, starring at Clark. He clearly wasn’t the same species of Bruce, not even close to it.

Dick was a four-winged flying fish Mer, silvery blue in colour and absolutely stunning. He had short, thick and plentiful black hair like a dark crown contrasting with his tan skin. He had a freckle under his eye, and when he made eye contact with Clark he waved slightly, wings twitching absentmindedly.

Clark waved back, staring at the pup. He was surprised Bruce had a pup, let alone one that seemed too attached to him. He was about to speak but heard a quiet. “hello.” From Dick. Clark didn’t know he could talk. “Uh- hi? What’s your name? kid?” he asked, about to swim closer, Bruce coiled himself. He was normally ok with Clark, but this was the first time Bruce brought his pup to meet him. He was a bit more hostile than usual.

Dick frowned and nuzzled under Bruce’s chin till he calmed down, before responding. “I’m Richard. But everyone calls me Dick.” He said, grabbing Bruces hand.

“My dad told me you’ve been meeting with him?” Dick asked, curious.

“Yeah,” Clark said feeling slightly confused, but mostly intrigued. “You can communicate with him? How?”

“Flashes,” Dick said, pointing at Bruces tail. As id sensing it, Bruce twitched his tail, flicking Dicks finger while Dick chuckled.

“I had to learn to decipher them quick, you know? He did take me in.”

Clark’s expression softened at Dicks words, eyes flicking to Bruce, who looked at Clark as if daring him to hurt his baby. “So, he isn’t your biological dad?”

Dick held back a laugh at that, staring at Clark. “Were two different species completely? That’s ridiculous. He took me in when my parents passed. Even if he doesn’t speak English, he understands it. He’s a good dad. For the most part.”

Clark smiled. It was cute, seeing the small bright pup talking to his dad. Who was currently eyeing Clark like if he fucked up his guts would decorate the ocean floor. Clark knew he was being tested. And he was not going to lose this time. Not now, not ever.

“You hungry, kid?” he asked with a smile. “oh, yeah! Dad said the fish here are good. And that he doesn’t have to catch them because you do- “

Bruce covered dicks face with his tail, a small flush dusting his cheeks.

“ - . ~  - - -  /  -.. ~ ..  ~ -.-. ~  -.-“

Bruce flashed, giving the pup a look, as he made an embarrassed face. Dick huffed and stuck his tongue out, but Clark got the idea and went to go grab some fish.

Clark knew the other adult was embarrassed, but he couldn’t help but smile to himself as he hunted. He was slowly building trust with the other. He knew Bruce talked- well communicated with his kid about him when they were home. He knew Bruce had a kid now. Hell, since dick spoke English maybe he could get dick to write what the flashes were- or even just the key so he could learn to talk with Bruce on his own.

When Clark got back, he gave dick a fish and Bruce the rest. Bruce, as per normal, ate in regal silence. Simply enjoying his meal. He reluctantly let Clark sit next to his Pup, eyeing the two frequently as they spoke. But Bruce knew his pup needed someone to talk to. Especially if he couldn’t offer that part to him. So he let the two talk.

Meanwhile Dick and Clark were working. Clark had handed Dick his JL pad. Probably against the protocol, he knew it. But he took it to the personal notes side. Dick had walked him through what the flashes meant, helping write down some of the basic words then a key for an alphabet. Dots were short and sharp flashes, lines were flashes that lasted a second, after each letter the light would flicker, and after a word the flashing would stop for three full seconds. 

It was incredibly helpful to Clark.

Dick did enjoy his fish, not as much as his dad but he had a thought that his dad came here mostly to look at the other, bright mer. The fact that his father was an excellent hunter was not lost on him.

When it got dark dick said his goodbyes, smiling at Clark and tagging along with his father as they swam off. Clark was about to turn and leave when he caught Bruce’s eye. Bruce had looked over his shoulder to Clark, and Clark felt the air knocked out of him when before Bruce disappeared with his pup into the dark, he smiled at Clark softly.

And gave him a little wave.

Ivy: Hey, bat-brats! Which one of you do you think is Batman's favorite child? I want an answer.

Batman (hanging upside down, tied up with a vine whip): They know I have no favorites. You’re a weed for asking them that. None of you have to answer her ridiculous question.

Nightwing: He's right… Because it's obviously me who he favors the most.

Red Robin (shaking his head): Oh, Nightwing… No.

Robin (prideful): It's obviously me! Nightwing, humble yourself.

Red Robin: I figured you’d believe that. I'm his favorite child, I took care of him when he was more depressed than usual.

Batman: I wasn't that depressed.

Red Hood (walking over to a hot dog stand): It’s cute you think that, third child.

Red Robin (insulted): What’s that supposed to mean?

Red Hood: Nightwing is the oldest, Robin is the baby, I am the black sheep middle child, and you were the one born by accident because your parents forgot to wrap it up.

Robin: Exactly.

Red Robin: That’s not true! Robin was literally conceived because Batman used a bad condom!

Batman: You didn’t hear that, Ivy.

Ivy: Oh yes, I did.

Red Robin: You’re the fourth child, Robin, that he had at his geriatric age!

Batman: You don’t have to insult me; having kids at that age isn’t old!

Ivy: How old are you?

Batman: Harlot, how old are you?

Ivy shrugged enjoying the the bat-kids continued arguing.

Robin: Oh yeah well... you're short!

Red Robin: You're short!

Robin: Cause I'm a kid! you're an adult and short! I can grow!

Red Robin: There's no guarantee of that and either way I'd still be his favorite!

Robin (jumping up and down): LIES! ALL LIES!

Nightwing walked closer to Ivy with a grin.

Nightwing: I'm his favorite, though. Because I was the cutest, the first one, and he chose to have me.

Ivy (pinching Nightwing's cheek): You’re my favorite at least.

Batman: Stop touching my son! And just because I say that doesn’t mean he’s my favorite!

Red Hood (walking past the group holding a hot dog): I’m guessing it’s not me.

Batman: Well… I mean, I do care about you a lot, Red Hood. If you died again by the hands of any villains here, I’d lose control of myself again, so you know… yeah.

Ivy (smirking): Look at that! Hey, Hood, looks like you're the favorite child!

Red Hood: What?

Red Robin and Robin (the oldest having the other in a headlock): What?!

Nightwing: Papa, why?

Batman: I didn’t even say he was! I have no favorites; you’re all favorites! I love all of you- and that’s not what I wanted to say either.

Ivy sighed happily, snapping her fingers to cause the vines to release Batman, dropping him to the ground.

Ivy (holding out her hands for the cuffs): Petty revenge is enough for me. You can arrest me.

Nightwing chuckled, escorting Ivy away as Batman stood up, his face flushed. He walked off, his cape flapping, while his other sons ran after him.

Robin: You love us all, just say that!

Batman: No.

Red Robin: Say we’re all your favorites again!

Batman: No.

Red Hood: I knew you loved me!

Batman: Shut up!

Need that happiness.

Happiness Will Come To You.

SuperBat Mer au: story one

Part one linked: Clark finds himself a friend. Bruce finds himself a meal ticket.

Chapter Two: Clark almost gets caught. Bruce tries to communicate with him.

Part three linked: Bruce shows off his pup and Clark learns to communicate.

Chapter Four: Clark meets the family. Bruce needs a nap.

Part five linked: Bruce is gone. Clark has to find a pup, and Jason gets netted.

Chapter Six: Bruce starts to heal, Clark is firm about his family.

Part four of Jon and the Wayne’s: poker night.

“Alright,” Jason said, grinning. “Place your bets, demon.”

Damian glared at him, hands tightening on his cards. “I am not losing to you again, you human scratching post.”

Tim hummed absentmindedly sitting next to Jason, more focused on his book then on the game.

“Wow. You guys are really mean at this game.”

Damian looked to Dick, taking a sip of his water while assessing his cards.

“Grayson, are you in?”

Rick smiled, putting his cards down with a hum. “Oh I fold harder than if my own weapon shatters my skull, Dami.”

“Wow.” Jason rolled his eyes, looking over his hand at Dick. 

“Dramatic much?”

“Okay.” Damian said with a sigh after assessing his cards. “I’m in. Duke?”

“I thought I mentioned I’m not very good at this game.” Duke mumbled. It didn’t help that his eyes lit up every time he got a really good hand. He tried sunglasses but they reflected his hand to everyone else.

“Ok.” Tim said, still not putting down his book. “I’m all in.”

Jason pinched the bridge of his nose, looking over at the other. “You don’t have any money left.”

Tim shrugged. “Oh, I know. I just didn’t want to leave the circle yet.”

“And I call it,” Jason said, turning his head to Damian. “What do you got?” 

Damian smirked and looked up, putting his cards down. “Watch out disappointments, because I am straight.”

Tim snarked under his breath.

“Not what Jon thinks.” 

Before Damian could kill him Jason cleared his throat.

“Well hope back in that closet because I have a full house, bitch.” 

“God damn it!” Damian said, throwing his cards down in a huff.

“There there Dami it’s alright.” Dick smiled, rubbing his back.

Damian hugged at him and looked through his lashes scathingly.

“That was my budget for more animals.”

Dick gasped and turned to Jason with a frown.

“You barsterd.”

“Go cry to Wally about it.” Jason monotoned at dick.

“Can I please be done now?” Duke asked, sitting back.

“Yeah, I’m done too.” Damian scoffed.

“I’ll keep playing.” Tim said absently.

“You don’t have any money.” Jason scoffed.

Tim thought for a minute.

“I could beg my suit-“

Jon walked in to find the other sitting on the floor of the batcave. He went over to dick and sat down next to him. “Hey, what are you guys doing?”

“Getting robbed.” Damian snarked.

“Hey kid,” Jason asked, turning to his new victim. “You know how to play?”

Jon stared at him blankly, pausing before saying airily.

“I don’t remember.”

“You got money on you?”

“Yeah.”

“Sit down I’ll deal you in.”

Dick turned incredulously to Jason.

“Wha- hello? What do you think you’re doing?”

Tim looked up, folding his books page.

“I don’t think he knows how to play Jay.” 

Jason turned to face Tim, raising an annoyed eyebrow.

“So? You don’t know how to play this game either-“

Dick cut Jason off with a scoff.

“Yeah! And now he has no money.”

“It’s ok.” Tim said. “I don’t need to buy… food.” He trails off, thinking.

“It seems you maaay be trying to take advantage of him.” Duke mused.

“That’s not very honourable, Todd.” Damian said.

“Yeah, yeah. Ok kid, I bet 100.” Jason said, turning back to Jon who was inspecting his cards.

Jim looked up blankly, before responding.

“Hmm. I guess also a hundred.”

Dicks head snapped to Jon.

“Woah- hey kid no-!”

“No interrupting.” Jason shot at dick.

“What do you got?”

Jon looked at his cards, before looking back up. He turned them. “Is this anything?”

“Oh.” Tim said. “Hey he won.” 

“No he didn’t.” Jason sighed.

“Oh.” Tim said, picking up his coffee. “Hmm. I don’t know how to play.

“And I have two pairs. So I’ll be taking that.” Jason said, leaning into the middle and scooping up the money. He grabbed the deck.

“Jason! This is disgraceful.” Damian said, glaring at him.

“I don’t think you’re being very fair.” Tim shrugged.

Jason rolled his eyes and dropped a fifty in Tim’s lap. “Shut up, go buy yourself something pretty.”

Tim nodded, pocketing it. “Ah. Hey thanks.”

“Can we play again?” Jon asked.

“Kid,” Jason smirked. “If you’ve got money we can play all day if you want.”

“No! No. Ok? I am putting a stop to this.” Dick said, standing up. 

“You back up,” Jason started. “Or I’ll tell Wally how much money you lost.”

“…sitting dooooown. Carry on.” Dick smiled, strained.

“Exactly.” Jason turned to Jon. “You bet first kid.”

Jon looked at his cards, merely a glance.

“Ummmm. Can I bet 500?”

“Woah.” Tim said, eyes widening as he finally put down his book and picked up his mug, ready to watch this tv shit.

“Kid, why?!” Dick asked, exasperated and concerned. 

“Mmm.” Jon said, unfazed. “500s my favourite number.”

“Okay,” Jason said nodding. He was getting into this. “I raise you, 200.” He said, thinking that was a high bet.

Without pausing or faltering Jon just said.

“I raise you 500.”

“Uggh.” Damian huffed, knowing his best friend was loosing all his money.

“Oh my god!” Dick groaned, massaging his temples.

“And I call it,” Jason said, smirking at the newbie. “You ready for this?”

Dick on the side sighed.

“Please god tell me you have nothing.”

“Four of a kind.”

There was audible groaned around the room as Jason leaned forward to collect his money.

“How do you even look yourself in the mirror Jason.” Damian snarked.

“Like this.” Jason said, then flipped them off with a smile.

“That’s true actually.” Tim said, “I’ve seen him doing that.”

“Nice try kid?” Jason smirked, putting his hand on the pile. “We can try again if you want-“

Jon placed his hand on Jason’s, eyes glinting and that blank expressing staying the same, but with a new aura.

“I have a royal flush.”

 The room went dead silent.

“Huh?” Dick finally broke the silence. Damian just gaped at his friend.

Jason stared at the cards in front of Jon, fuming.

“What”.

“Pretty sure that’s the highest.” Jon said, letting himself a smile. “Four of a kind is only the third highest.”

“Uhmm.” Dick said, unsure what to do.

Tim looked quizzical and questioned.

“I thought you said you didn’t know how to play?”

“Did I?” Jon asked, folding his money and counting the bet.

“I can’t remember.”

“Did you just hustle me.” Jason growled, glaring.

Jon looked at him, and smiled.

“I don’t know Jason.” He quipped. “Did I?”

“He hustled you!” Dick whisper yelled happily.

“This games more fun then I thought.” Duke said offhandedly.

“You sneakily little punk ass.” Jason said, stareing at him.

“Oh, and Jason.” Don said friendly.

“You might want to check the mirror you’ve got some egg on your face.”

“Ohhh! He’s dead!” Dick celebrated.

“Well done Jonathan.” Damian said, offering him a quickly masked smile.

“He hustled you! You idiot!” Dick cackled.

“Shut up!” Jason spat, embarrassed. 

“Haaaah.” Dick wheezed.

“I can’t breath-“

part before this: Jon sets Jason up.

part after this: Bruce is an accident or slut

Tagged:

@klance-one-standing