InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Look behind you."

thete1 (thete1) wrote,
@ 2008-05-20 02:55:00

Current mood:	thoughtful
Current music:	Babbu Maan: "Kaavan"
Entry tags:	fan-fiction: all, fan-fiction: dc comicsverse, genre: yes, series: the young and the battish

A wondrous mirror
A wondrous mirror
by Te
May 20, 2008

Disclaimers: No one and nothing here is mine.

Spoilers/Timeline: References to older storylines. Veers AU after The Killing Joke.

Summary: Tim moves, Jason loves, Bruce fails, and excellent cocoa is consumed.

Ratings Note/Warnings: Sexual content which doesn't really have anything at all to do with the content some readers may find to be disturbing. Additionally, this is probably one of the most sugary things I've written in my life. If tooth decay is a worry for you, you just might want to give this a pass.

Author's Note: AU-ish sequel to "All the things of the world." I played around with the timeline, a little. This one still won't make much sense without the other.

Acknowledgments: Much love to Pixie, Mildred, and Jack, all of whom helped to make this much better than it would've been.

Story goes *here*.

Ads by Project Wonderful! Your ad here, right now: $0

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goddessleila
2008-05-20 06:36 pm UTC (link)

I think this is my favorite Jason ever. He's so... sweet, I think, is the word I'm looking for. Even when he doesn't get it, he's always trying, and he gets there in the end, and he's... well, in love. I love that he always thinks of Tim as "she," even when Tim herself wasn't sure yet, and I loved that he and Bruce could deal with each other as partners, as friends, both before and after Bruce's big revelation. Because they have coping skills now, and that's always kind of a good thing. I think that this is pretty much my favorite Jason/Tim story to date.

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thete1
2008-08-04 03:36 pm UTC (link)

I think this is my favorite Jason ever. He's so... sweet, I think, is the word I'm looking for. Even when he doesn't get it, he's always trying, and he gets there in the end, and he's... well, in love.

You know, I fell hard for that cranky little punk with a heart of gold from the first Jason issues waaaaay back when and the handful of later issues where he actually shows up -- as opposed to getting retconned into just another little bastard. He *is* sweet, and I have no power against him.

Though it helped that I was hormonal as all HELL while I was writing this, heh.

I love that he always thinks of Tim as "she," even when Tim herself wasn't sure yet, and I loved that he and Bruce could deal with each other as partners, as friends, both before and after Bruce's big revelation. Because they have coping skills now, and that's always kind of a good thing. I think that this is pretty much my favorite Jason/Tim story to date.

Ah, coping skills. Well, those slip a little in the sequel, but you're in teland now. Everything will work out just fine even if I have to keep writing until my damned fingers fall off.

Glad you liked! Thanks for commenting. :D

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	nilamarthiel 2008-05-20 09:52 pm UTC (link)
	Oh holy cow you are amazing. I'm totally going to read this when I get home, because I have schoolwork to do and I don't really want to fail. But boy, the urge to click is tempting. ;.; (Reply to this) (Thread)

	nilamarthiel 2008-05-28 01:26 am UTC (link)
	So, like. This made my heart dance a very happy dance. Really, ShadowValkyrie said it all. <3 (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	thete1 2008-08-04 03:51 pm UTC (link)
	hee I like making hearts dance rather a lot. spins your heart around the dance floor a few times (Reply to this) (Parent)

	petronelle 2008-05-21 01:23 am UTC (link)
	I feel like I've been sparring and dancing myself after that wild ride. My heart is going to be aching for them for a while; though Jason and Tim are certainly sweet, there's enough pain in the 'verse that I didn't drown in the adorable personfriends. Jason's new uniform made me smile with affection for his universe, his milieu, Bruce, and also you. (Reply to this) (Thread)

thete1
2008-08-04 03:53 pm UTC (link)

I feel like I've been sparring and dancing myself after that wild ride. My heart is going to be aching for them for a while; though Jason and Tim are certainly sweet, there's enough pain in the 'verse that I didn't drown in the adorable personfriends.

*beeeam* I'm so glad you enjoyed, my dear. Only hormones could have done that to me, so it's good that it worked as much as it did.

And... it's really past time for me to admit that I have a kink for redesigning uniforms. *shakes head at self* I... canon says it's okay? *smooch*

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	ladyvyola 2008-05-21 12:33 pm UTC (link)
	There is no reasonable way to respond to this story, this whole universe, except for -- ::flails:: ::flail flail flaily flail:: And perhaps the icon of the thighs of doom. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	thete1 2008-08-04 04:00 pm UTC (link)
	There is no reasonable way to respond to this story, this whole universe, except for -- ::flails:: ::flail flail flaily flail:: And perhaps the icon of the thighs of doom. ahahaha Both excellent responses. Lord knows this Tim would has spent many hours both flailing and thinking about the thighs of doom. And so has Bruce. siiigh Oh, Jason! (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	ladyvyola 2008-08-04 04:33 pm UTC (link)
	A question - You have a story or two about a list Dick has made up of people allowed to have sex with Tim that he accidentally tells Roy about, right? I'm not imagining it, am I? If not, could you point me to them before I ~~fall down all dizzy~~ start running around in frustrated circles? (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	thete1 2008-08-04 04:59 pm UTC (link)
	hee You're not imagining it. Enjoy! (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	ladyvyola 2008-08-04 06:38 pm UTC (link)
	Yay! was not imagining it Yay! (Reply to this) (Parent)

	(Anonymous) 2008-05-22 02:19 am UTC (link)
	That was brilliant. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	thete1 2008-08-04 04:03 pm UTC (link)
	Thank you, anonymous! (Reply to this) (Parent)

	sageness 2008-05-22 09:18 am UTC (link)
	loves loves loves loves loves So complicated and sad and hot and tender and wonderful! ♥ (Reply to this) (Thread)

	thete1 2008-08-04 04:04 pm UTC (link)
	loves loves loves loves loves So complicated and sad and hot and tender and wonderful! ♥ beam I'm so glad you liked it! I was incredibly hormonal while writing, so it's good to know that it works for people who aren't all up their own uteri. hugs you (Reply to this) (Parent)

Part 1

shadowvalkyrie
2008-05-22 05:22 pm UTC (link)

This is the ultimate story of Jason love, right? I'm not sure someone that perfect can exist without spontaneously making rainbows and birdsong appear on his way through grimy Gotham backalleys, but it sure is soul candy to read! ":-D The way he thinks of Tim as she before Tim does herself and his tolerance of everything... Awww.

Also, batfamily domesticity that kind of works! *amazed*

Dick is also just brilliant here. Jumping to Jason's (supposed) rescue, being all confused about Tim and really slow on the uptake, and generally sending off cuteness vibes. (Also, I'm perving on his hair. Totally. But don't tell anyone.)

"Ooh, and somehow that reminds me -- Kory says hi."
Heh. Oh -- Kory. "Leer at her for me a little? I just don't have the chops for it these days."

My suspicion is that she'll take that as the compliment it is. *loves Kory lots*

Also, I couldn't stop laughing at Dick's recurring blue cocktail dress. I love the fact that cross-dressing is canon for the entire batfamily!

Jason smiles ruefully and finishes stripping down, and then forces himself to detour toward the robes instead of just wandering over naked. *Tim* is in the same shorts, t-shirt, and trainers she was in earlier, after all, and -- yeah. Woman-friendly environment. They can *do* that.

But... but... naked Jason! It doesn't get any more woman-friendly than that! (Well, except if you manage to get the entire Batfamily naked at once in the same room via clothes-stealing aliens, or something. I can't see why Tim wouldn't approve! But that might just be me.)

And Tim and Jason together... Just... *incoherently happy* So good together! *warm fuzzy feelings all around*

And of course Tim has massive issues, but it says a lot that the issues he/she has in any other given story are usually worse than the transgender one here.

And her voice cracks on his name, making it sound like a weapon in the air between them, something that could hurt him, hurt them *both*

*deep sigh* That's one beautiful sentence.

Alfred and the thermos-kept cocoa give me the same reaction they did Jason, though: avoid thinking about it. *lobotomizes self*

Jason's references to his past... I wished I could somehow believe in that course of events a little less. Sadly, I can't. (It's one of the things that are clichéd for a reason.) I'm never sure whether it's good or bad to see him all calm and reasonable about it, though.

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Re: Part 1

thete1
2008-08-04 04:18 pm UTC (link)

This is the ultimate story of Jason love, right? I'm not sure someone that perfect can exist without spontaneously making rainbows and birdsong appear on his way through grimy Gotham backalleys, but it sure is soul candy to read! ":-D The way he thinks of Tim as she before Tim does herself and his tolerance of everything... Awww.

*ahahahaha* You... are not wrong. It's just that he's a *city* boy, and if you postulate that he swings both ways -- as one *must* -- well. He's *Jay*. And I'm going to stop trying to defend myself, now, because he's *Jay*. And that's all there is to it.

Dick is also just brilliant here. Jumping to Jason's (supposed) rescue, being all confused about Tim and really slow on the uptake, and generally sending off cuteness vibes. (Also, I'm perving on his hair. Totally. But don't tell anyone.)

Dick is glorious and wonderful and he should always be leaping to *someone's* rescue. Well, not Babs. Babs doesn't *like* that. But someone's. *pats Dick* And -- I perv on his hair *all the time*. Because it's thick and floppy and once upon a time he wore it long and made my heart beat a little faster. Mmmmm, Dick.

Also, I couldn't stop laughing at Dick's recurring blue cocktail dress. I love the fact that cross-dressing is canon for the entire batfamily!

*ehehehehe* ME TOO. IN CASE YOU HADN'T NOTICED. Oh, Bruce. You have so many *wonderful* kinks...

But... but... naked Jason! It doesn't get any more woman-friendly than that! (Well, except if you manage to get the entire Batfamily naked at once in the same room via clothes-stealing aliens, or something. I can't see why Tim wouldn't approve! But that might just be me.)

*laughs* It's gotta be tough to be this Tim. She doesn't know whether to feel inadequate or *too* adequate, as the case may be. Though I agree that more Jason and Bruce nudity could only help in the long run.

And of course Tim has massive issues, but it says a lot that the issues he/she has in any other given story are usually worse than the transgender one here.

Tim and his/her/I have no *idea* issues... I'm sure I'll get tired of writing about them *one* day, but that day just isn't today.

*deep sigh* That's one beautiful sentence.

:D

Alfred and the thermos-kept cocoa give me the same reaction they did Jason, though: avoid thinking about it. *lobotomizes self*

*snicker* Alfred ALWAYS knows. EVERYTHING. JOIN ME IN MY TRAUMA.

Jason's references to his past... I wished I could somehow believe in that course of events a little less. Sadly, I can't. (It's one of the things that are clichéd for a reason.) I'm never sure whether it's good or bad to see him all calm and reasonable about it, though.

There are *multiple* reasons why I set this story relatively far along in Jason's Robin career. It would've killed me in the *bad* way to write Jason younger with the life he pretty much *had* to have had...

(Reply to this) (Parent)

part 2 (Sorry)

shadowvalkyrie
2008-05-22 05:23 pm UTC (link)

As to Bruce/Jason... (I kind of have difficulties seeing them as anything other than together, whatever the circumstances.) So damn painful!
Bruce was breaking my heart before the big reveal, radiating loneliness all over the place, but after that... *cries for him a little* It seemed pretty obvious from the start and I was surprised Jason hadn't gotten it. Though of course I see why Jason didn't want to get it. He was so trusting...
In a way, it makes for a less fucked-up relationship and a saner dynamic to not have them have had sex. Not even having known about Bruce's desire probably changes Jason's entire personality, shifting his self-perception away from the whole hooker thing a little. But on the other hand, it makes Bruce more like the way he was around Dick, maybe even more repressed and unhappy. He seems vulnearable and human, somehow, less like the omnipresent shadow he usually is.

"Watching you love, Jason. Watching your happiness, your pride in her, your care... it brought everything to the surface, everything I'd been burying and -- most of the time I didn't even *think* of my -- my *other* feelings for you, Jason. Most of the time I was satisfied with loving you as a partner, as my *friend* --"

This shows again that platonic love is the most depressing thing in the world -- and so not a working concept. And I'm not sure what it says about Bruce's character: that he has incredible self-deception skills, or that he's a better person here than I usually give him credit for.

In the ending, I'm really damn glad that Jason doesn't give up on him entirely, even though I'm still incredibly sad for Bruce. It feels so wrong (in the bad way) not to have them in love, though Jason and Tim are of course still as sweet as cream cake with marzipane topping.

As always, I could still ramble so much more, but there's so much in this story, as always, and I could never catch all of what I love if I tried. *ignores world in favour of story reread*

But you will make Bruce happier again next time, right? *puppy eyes*

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Re: part 2 (Sorry)

thete1
2008-08-04 04:35 pm UTC (link)

As to Bruce/Jason... (I kind of have difficulties seeing them as anything other than together, whatever the circumstances.) So damn painful!
Bruce was breaking my heart before the big reveal, radiating loneliness all over the place, but after that... *cries for him a little* It seemed pretty obvious from the start and I was surprised Jason hadn't gotten it. Though of course I see why Jason didn't want to get it. He was so trusting...
In a way, it makes for a less fucked-up relationship and a saner dynamic to not have them have had sex. Not even having known about Bruce's desire probably changes Jason's entire personality, shifting his self-perception away from the whole hooker thing a little. But on the other hand, it makes Bruce more like the way he was around Dick, maybe even more repressed and unhappy. He seems vulnearable and human, somehow, less like the omnipresent shadow he usually is.

Yes, *that*. Most of the time, I really can't imagine Bruce being *capable* of holding back around Jason. It just doesn't *compute*. But if I postulate that it *did* happen that way -- *somehow* -- it leads to some interesting character dynamics, *starting* with Jason being much healthier within his own mind. Given that he *was* a pretty street kid... well, it would've been kind of impossible for him to escape that kind of treatment before Bruce picked him up. And I *always* thought that one of the reasons canon!Jason was so angry and screwed up was that he was stuck with the knowledge -- from a *very* young age -- that even Gotham's greatest hero 'only' wanted him for his ass.

This shows again that platonic love is the most depressing thing in the world -- and so not a working concept. And I'm not sure what it says about Bruce's character: that he has incredible self-deception skills, or that he's a better person here than I usually give him credit for.

*laughs* How about both? I think Bruce is a good, good man who gets tripped up -- a lot -- by the fact that he can't help falling madly in love with the beautiful people who surround him in one way or another. But if he had just a *little* more control...

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Re: part 2 (Sorry)

thete1
2008-08-04 04:38 pm UTC (link)

In the ending, I'm really damn glad that Jason doesn't give up on him entirely, even though I'm still incredibly sad for Bruce. It feels so wrong (in the bad way) not to have them in love, though Jason and Tim are of course still as sweet as cream cake with marzipane topping.

Well... there's a reason that there's a sequel. *laughs* I'm weak in the face of Bruce's woobie. WEAK, I say. And yes, I do indeed make Bruce a little happier. Because it's teland, and I can do what I want.

Thanks for the great feedback again!

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	(Anonymous) 2008-06-01 11:49 pm UTC (link)
	I enjoyed this a lot. I like the way Tim and Jason are making Batgirl and Robin steadily more theirs as the story goes on (and the ways Bruce and Barbara are helping them along, in their own special ways). If you do write a sequel, I'm rooting for more Tim/Bruce (inter)action! -sb (Reply to this) (Thread)

thete1
2008-08-04 04:47 pm UTC (link)

I enjoyed this a lot. I like the way Tim and Jason are making Batgirl and Robin steadily more *theirs* as the story goes on (and the ways Bruce and Barbara are helping them along, in their own special ways). If you do write a sequel, I'm rooting for more Tim/Bruce (inter)action!

:D I'm glad it worked for you! I'm hopelessly in love with the Batfamily in all of its incarnations, and I'm always trying to make that come through, to make everyone else love them in ways that are at least *similar* to the ways in which I do. And when you add in their alter egos... well, I can't help loving identity porn in its various... guises. Heh.

As for Tim/Bruce action and interaction... well, *do* check out the the sequel. I don't *think* you'll be disappointed.

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