(no subject)

[stealtherbat]

...well at least we got five minutes of mission this round. And look what I've been missing. I mean, it's been way too long since I've been thrown around by possessed teammates.

Comments

[hasnomentor]

It was fun wasn't it?

[stealtherbat]

Yeah. Definitely looking forward to round two.

[hasnomentor]

You mean if there is a round two.

[stealtherbat]

If I have anything to say about it, there will be.

[hasnomentor]

And I'll just win again.

[stealtherbat]

You took us by surprise. Next time won't be that easy.

[hasnomentor]

I'll still win.

[stealtherbat]

Keep telling yourself that.

[hasnomentor]

I will because it's the truth.

[stealtherbat]

Some truth.

[hasnomentor]

You can't stop the Reach. They're exactly what this world needs.

[stealtherbat]

Oh yeah. Experimentation and control. What a dreamland.

[hasnomentor]

And unlocking human potential. We need them. You'll see things our way eventually.

[stealtherbat]

Not if I can help it. I like my view of the world as-is.

[hasnomentor]

That's too bad. The world will be seeing it from our view soon enough.

[wing_of_night]

[No words, no sarcastic quips, just... have a hand squeezing your shoulder, Babs.]

[stealtherbat]

[ sfdjhfdg attempt at reassuring smile is go. Stop being such a worry wart, Dick, they'll figure something out.

...because that isn't starting to sound repetitive. Siiigh. ]

[wing_of_night]

[Hey, he can worry about his ex-fiancee's alternate universe self all hi wants. In fact... he sees your reassuring smile attempt - and right through it - and raises you a hug.]

...I'm sorry you have to go through this...

[stealtherbat]

[ There's a snarky comment on the tip of her tongue, but between the look on his face and the hug...

She's just going to hug him back. ]

We'll be stronger for it in the long run.

[wing_of_night]

[Given how long it's been since Dick has been allowed to hug a Babs, he's not letting go just yet.]

You're strong enough already. You shouldn't have to go through this. But, I know better than to tell you to sit on the sidelines. Just... be careful, okay?

[stealtherbat]

[ He can stay as long as he needs to. She'll even give his hair a decent ruffling, and won't even tell him not to worry so much since he won't listen anyway ]

Careful as I can be.

[wing_of_night]

[He pulls back just far enough to peel the mask off. Something's been bugging him ever since Young Justice even premiered. He knows there's all kinds of temporal and universal reasons against it, but dammit, Babs, he can't quit you.]

Promise me you'll be careful. I have spent years regretting what I didn't say to my world's version of you, and now, it's too late. I'm not going to miss that opportunity again.

I don't care what universe, what time line, know this. I - and all iterations of Dick Grayson - love you, Barbara.

and cue flailings jkhbgs

[stealtherbat]

Of course I promise, but--

[ But wait. Wait wait wait hold up. It's one of those things that she sort of knows already, from her mun more than anything, but actually hearing it is... Well, for once she's without a comeback. ]

I...

...I know. [ Somehow. Ish. Really, still processing. ]

:3 Let's just say neither Mun nor muse took the reboot well... and he's a hopeless romantic.

[wing_of_night]

[And... well, because he's freaking Dick Grayson, he leans in for a kiss. Nothing too passionate. He's all too aware that this isn't the Babs he was engaged to, and not only would it feel like cheating on his Babs, but stealing her from himself. Sorta. Still, he can't help but want a small peck at least.]

omg no I am right there with both of you lmao. effing universe o9

[stealtherbat]

[ A small peck is okay. Manageable. Kind of nice, actually, and she can't say that her thirteen-year-old self isn't giggling like a mad person in the back of her head right now. And even though she's fairly sure she's probably as red as her hair when she pulls back, she can't help but smile. ]

Yup. Poor Dick's love life is seemingly destined for heartbreak though.

[wing_of_night]

[For a while, Dick has to keep reminding himself that this is a younger and alternate version of his world's Babs, making him linger slightly before moving his hands to her shoulders.]

I know you can get through this. But remember, you're not alone. You have the team, and the rest of the Bat-Family backing you up. I just wish I could be there to help in person.

I would say that it'll get better eventually but this IS DC :\

[stealtherbat]

[ And this is actually a real smile, not one of the half-faked Don't Worry So Much ones from earlier. ]

You are there. Not with the same experience, maybe, but give it time. He gets better by the minute.

[ Just don't tell him she said that or she'll never live it down. ]

Eh, at least I have Dick from the height of his game here with me.

[wing_of_night]

[He grins and musses the hood. Seriously, wearing a hood around him is just asking to be messed with.]

Hey, I didn't get there alone. I had some of the best teachers and teammates anyone could ask for.

[Oh, this one isn't going to let you live down you calling him 'good.']

Game? Is that what he's calling it?

[stealtherbat]

[ heyyyyy watch it. Lucky for him, any irritation is purely show as she readjusts. ]

Well, that might help, too. Someone's gotta keep you in line.

[ No one said anything about 'good' nope, never, denying everything. ]

It was my idea. He didn't object though.

[wing_of_night]

Yeah. I keep Alfred busy to be sure.

[Wink and elbow nudge.]

Of course not lmao

[stealtherbat]

It's a wonder he still has time for the rest of us.

|3

[wing_of_night]

You know, now that I think about it, I don't think I've ever seen him eat or sleep...

[Mock thought pose go! And then... snap!]

He's a robot! It all makes sense now!

[stealtherbat]

That would explain his ability to keep up with us. No normal butler could manage that and have dinner prepared on time every night.

[wing_of_night]

To be fair, I think he fixes dinner once a week and then reserves it every time Bruce and I show up at 5 am after a patrol as some sort of punishment.

[stealtherbat]

Given how often you're actually around for meals, it wouldn't surprise me. I'm just waiting for the day when he starts hiding snacks in your suits.

[peckish4action]

... I'm sorry.

Just because I can...

[wing_of_night]

[Hear that in the distance? ...Well, not too distant anyway. But yes, there is another Dick hiding somewhere with a boombox blaring "Kiss The Girl."]

.... >.< NO YOU CAN'T. You are not allowed to make me laugh after this ep!!!1!

[peckish4action]

[... other!self, that is just-- it's-- asnotuaoea WHEN HE IS THINKING HOW TO SAFELY RETRIEVE HER AND EVERYTHING.]

Thankfully, her voice is fine.

[He has no idea what he'd do without Babs's advice and occasional verbal slaps upside the head, okay?]

This is Dick. Humor in dark times is his THING.

[wing_of_night]

[That's all the more reason to do it! C'mon! You know you want to! Trust me... you... us? JUST SHUT UP AND KISS HER!]

[...also, he's going to just turn up the volume in response.]

That is so very true. Sob. OR BREAKING THINGS.

[peckish4action]

[And then he has to eat his words from the tag because... Babs is gone, now, isn't she.]

[THOUGH WHEN HE GETS THEM BACK, KISSING HER MIGHT SO BE A REAL POSSIBILITY.]

[stealtherbat]

[ GDIT DICK sgfdlkjbhagfldjhbfagldhjbgfd

FACE IN HANDSSSSSSSSSSSS ]

[wing_of_night]

[Listen close and you might even hear Dick singing along with the 'sha la la la's~]

[stealtherbat]

[ Mortified. Going to go crawl into a cave now to mourn the loss of her eardrums. ]

[wing_of_night]

[NO! This cave is already occupied by a very smug-looking Dick and boombox.]

[stealtherbat]

[ Smug and about to get brained by his own boombox. ]

[wing_of_night]

[Totally worth it.]

[stealtherbat]

Don't be. You didn't know any more than the rest of us did going in.

We'll fix it.

[peckish4action]

It was my job to know.

But I'll - I'll get you all back. Stat.