The Batgirls

One of the perks of living in Gotham is that occasionally you’ll walk past a Wayne having the most batshit insane conversation anybody has ever had.

Walk past Dick Grayson on the street and hear him say into his phone, “I don’t think he’s anti-vax, but Superman is definitely not vaccinated.”

Stand outside of the downtown WE building and see Tim Drake walk out with his tall friend only to pause and say, “Hold on, I just got the mental image of Lex Luthor pregnant. Thanks for that.”

A lucky few who ride the same subway line as the newest Wayne edition, overheard Duke tell Stephanie that living in Wayne Manor is, “Alright, but when I moved in Jason and Damian gave me a knife and said I had to kill Tim. Said it was tradition.”

“It kinda is. Did you do it?”

“No!” Duke says, to the relief of the overhearers. “Get this…he stabbed himself.”

“…yeah, I should’ve guessed that.”

The downside to living in Gotham is literally everything else.

The batkids love “Uncle Ollie” because he’s the cool uncle who comes over and randomly throws things at them to catch in increasingly tricky intervals.

They’re flipping backwards over furniture trying to catch random little darts constantly whenever Oliver’s there to talk to Bruce about JL stuff. They need to catch the thing, which drives Bruce quietly crazy even as he acknowledges it’s a useful test of reflexes.

Uncle Ollie sometimes gets bold enough to try and throw shit at Bruce. This isn’t a good idea for several reasons.

Bruce; Duke and Cass are my angel children. They tell me everything.

Batkids; glaring.

Cass who never told B she’s died twice and fr has done some of the most insane shit; smiles innocently.

Duke who blew up a warehouse last night and replaced Jason’s grappling gun with a slinky; Thanks B!

Because no one would ever be able to convince Cass that her dying wasn’t a good thing. She can’t explain why the first time was so liberating but it was and that’s that. But the second time? Cass changed someone’s mind by dying and that’s worth everything.

I really like the idea of her continuing to see her death and life by extension as this tool to save others. Because first it saved her and then it saved her friend who’s to say dying won’t work again?

Yessss like does Cass want to die? Not anymore. Is she willing to die? Absolutely. It's a tool in her arsenal, a break glass in case of emergency tool, but a tool nonetheless. Not death, death is the worst thing that could ever happen to someone and she will fight with everything she has to prevent it. But HER death? If the price is worth it, then sure.

Someone else risks their life and Cass is so furious, tears streaming down her cheeks, that she doesn't talk to them for a month. The next day she takes 20 bullets to stop two mobs from shooting each other and just rolls her eyes sullenly through Bruce and Barbara's stressed lectures. She could have died sure, but she didn't want to, it was just a necessary risk to save lives worth more than hers.

Helena Bertinelli, orphan and CSA survivor, protecting the kids of Gotham city in her work as a teacher, in her home an adoptive parent and in her vigilante life as huntress, I need a minute-

Steph: You ever think about how Cass could be in this very room watching us at any moment and we would never know? Tim: Well I'm thinking about it now. Thanks. Damian: I would know. Cass: No you wouldn't.

My guilt will not purify me.

(Batgirl 2000 permanently altered my brain chemistry)

Okay imagine this; Cassandra with the same exact upbringing but the family somehow doesn’t know. She learned to talk and did the whole Shiva thing before meeting Bruce, and she knows Shiva is her mom.

Batman (talking to an assassin who he had to track down because for some reason every big name is staying away from Gotham, not that he’s complaining, but he’s worried); why is everyone staying away from Gotham?

Assassin (small enough to be scared but big enough to have helped train Cass); I am NOT getting near that psychopath! I don’t know how she got away, there, or even learned to talk! No way am I taking that risk, fuck off Bats, I’m more scared of her than I am of you!

Now the fam is even more confused. Everyone is trying to figure this out, Cass is laughing in the corner. (Maybe with Dami)

A few days later, Talia storms into the cave and bitch slapped Bruce, she turned and hugged Cassandra.

Bruce (holding his cheek because that woman has a mean slap); what was that for?!?

Talia; not telling me my daughter is okay! I should do more than slap you! My poor daughter, I’ve been so worried, so has Nyssa. I should have murdered him and taken you as my own the second we met. Of course, father would be furious, but you are much better than him. I assume your mother knows, considering my beloved is still breathing.

Cass; yes, mother knows, approves of Bat. Says it good branching out, got away, yay!

Talia; I did not expect that. Anyways, if you have trouble with your grandfather, just call. You left fair and square, I shall protect you, not that you need it. Be good, my child.

Cass preened under the praise and watched one of her adoptive League mothers leave. Talia and Nyssa were always nice to her, wanting to help but not being able to, she loved them. She refused to answer questions.

Incorrect DC quotes part 24: Batfam dynamics

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