(Let’s face it: they all need Alfred. But left to their own devices…)
Dick:
It comes naturally to him, a perk of being a father (even if he isn’t on this Earth yet) and big brother figure to people within and outside of the Batfamily.
Unashamedly reads maternity books out of curiosity.
Cooing, babbling, silly animal sounds and corny jokes. He’ll be utterly annoying to grown-ups, but absolutely delightful to anyone below the age of 8.
Gentle disciplinarian.
Jason:
Protective. Even from himself. None of his weapons within a one mile radius (unless locked up in a Wayne Tech-grade safe).
Doesn’t mind being vulnerable around young’uns and will indulge their playtime fantasies. (*to toddler* “I’m, um… *looks around to make sure that no one else is around* Red Robin Hood.” But Alfred is around. He always is.)
Reluctantly pulls out Shakespeare from a shelf when asked by a toddler, “Will you wead me a bedtime stowy?”
Tim:
Takes baby-proofing to another level. (He prefers that things be on autopilot because he’s a busy, busy vigilante.)
But once in a while he can’t help himself and goes into Kid Mode. (Supervillain who?)
Sneaks kids into the Batcave for a “field trip” when Bruce isn’t around (and Bruce pretends he doesn’t know).
Actually enjoys helping with homework (even if he’s lazy to do his own).
Damian:
Hates it… Then pretends to hate it… Then actually finds that it pleases him.
Because he likes having a protegé (“Master Damian, he is four!” But he doesn’t understand why that matters since he canonically started training around that age.)
Is secretly fascinated by Lego and other “children’s toys” and somewhat surprised that swords and encyclopedias don’t fall into the same category.
When your adoptive father has trust issues with your crimefighting methods…
Red Hood:*running through a dark alley*
Red Hood: *stops abruptly and catches his breath*
Red Hood: *rolls his eyes at his little brother, who’s in the Batjet hovering above him* I don’t need to be monitored all day long, brat. I’m not a toddler. This is stupid.
Robin [on the Comm Link]: I know you’re not, Todd, because toddlers would know that “stupid” is a no-no word.
Batman: *clears his throat loudly* So unless anybody *glares at Tim for two whole seconds* has any more mythical creatures to suggest as a name for the new vehicle, we’re gonna stick with: the Warthog. How about it, Tim?
Red Robin: Nope. No more suggestions.
Batman: Hn. Okay, now if you’ll all –
Red Hood: *blurting out* Are you sure? How ‘bout “Big Foot”?
Red Robin: *gritting his teeth* It’s okay.
Nightwing: *trying to stifle his laughter* “Unicorn”?
Red Robin: *gripping his bo staff tighter* No, really. I’m… I’m cool.
Robin: *smirking* “Sasquatch”?
The Signal: *elbowing Tim* “Leprechaun”?
Red Robin: *elbowing Duke back and getting really annoyed* Hey, he doesn’t need any help, guys.
Spoiler: *yelling as she enters the Batcave* “Phoenix”?
Red Robin: *sighs and rubs his face in frustration* Guys.
Batman: *grinning* Barbara, what’s the name of that Mexican lizard? Eats all the goats.
Batgirl: *sarcastically looking it up on the Batcomputer* Uh, that would be the Chupacabra, Bruce.
Orphan: *drops down from the ceiling* Tim, Chupa-thingy, how ‘bout that? I like it. Got a ring to it.
Red Robin: *attempts to melt onto the Batcave floor*
Superman: *awkwardly pats the roof* Well. That was a long, silent car ride. Now I know how Dick feels.
You know any of his children would have music blaring and talking whether he contributes or not
Nightwing: *bops his head and taps his fingers on the dashboard to the beat of NSYNC’s “It’s Gonna Be Me”*
Nightwing: *takes an earphone out of his ear* What was that?
Batman:
Nightwing:
Batman:
Nightwing:
Batman: *clears his throat*
Nightwing: Oh, I thought I saw your mouth move.
Nightwing: *jams the earphone back in* A man can dream.
Nightwing: *checks the digital map and sighs* Five miles to gooo. Why do supervillain lairs have to be so far?
Batman:
Batman: Sync with bluetooth, code “A37”.
NSYNC: *starts blaring on the Batmobile speakers*
Nightwing: *takes off both earphones and grins at Bruce*
Batman: *grins*
Red Hood: *gets in and slams the Batmobile door excitedly* Thanks for picking me up, Big Bro *takes off his helmet and shakes his hair dry* Some kid from Crime Alley stole one of my tires, pretty impressive, actually – *rummaging through his jacket pockets for a USB drive* Plus there’s this cool new album that Roy wants us to check out, so turn that 90’s boyband crap off for just a sec – Hey, want me to transfer to the – the –
Red Hood: *finally notices Batman on the passenger seat and sullenly says* Yo.
Batman: *grunts*
Red Hood: *rolls his eyes*
Nightwing: *sees his brother’s reflection on the rearview mirror and grins* If I’d told you, would you have gotten in?
Red Hood: *muttering* Tss. Could’ve walked home. I have safehouses everywhere.
Nightwing: *cups an ear* What was that?
Red Hood: *crosses his arms* Nothing! Just shut up and drive.
Nightwing: *smirks*
Red Hood:
Batman:
Red Hood: Look, I’m sorry, I didn’t know you’d be –
Batman:
Red Hood: *looks out the window* Never mind.
Batman:
Nightwing:
Red Hood: *tapping his foot awkwardly* Sooo… You let Golden Boy drive this thing. Neat.
Batman:
Nightwing: *trying to stifle a giggle*
Red Hood: Dick, you can just drop me off right here –
Batman: No.
Red Hood: *frowns*
Batman: *extends a palm towards Jason* The drive.
Red Hood:
Red Hood: *reluctantly drops it on Bruce’s palm*
Batman: *plugs it into the console*
Nightwing: *to the Comm Link, smiling from ear to ear* Alfred? Yeah. Extra plate on the dinner table, please.
Thirteen songs from “Harper’s Mix” later…
Nightwing: So lemme get this straight: You were just on my case for listening to 90′s music, and now you’re going gaga over –
Red Hood: *skips to the next track* Ssh, Goldie. This one?
Batman: *listens to the intro for 1.5 seconds*
Batman: “Unchained Melody”. 1955. Todd Duncan –
Red Hood: Wow.
Nightwing: Don’t you mean the Righteous Brothers?
Batman: – sang the vocals for the film “Unchained”.
Red Hood: You are officially old.
Batman: *grinning wistfully* My mother used to hum it to me.
Nightwing:
Red Hood:
Batman: *still grinning wistfully*
Red Hood: *clears his throat* That’s, um, swell. Hey, if you get this next one, I’ll concede and declare you King of –
Radio: *skipping tracks randomly*
Red Hood: What the –
Radio: *rewinds and fast-forwards by itself, then plays “Basket Case” by Green Day*
Red Hood: That wasn’t even on there!
Radio: *in a chipmunk voice* Jason Peter Todd, also known as the Red Hood, we summon you –
Red Hood: *points a gun at the console* AaaAArRggh –
Nightwing: *swerving the Batmobile slightly* Calm down, Little Wing!
Batman: Timothy, enough.
Radio: *erupts into belly laughter*
Radio: *wheezing* Y-you sh-should’ve seen your face, Jay. *sighs contentedly* What time are you guys getting here? I’m bored and hungry.
Red Hood: And dead meat. *crushes the tiny camera suctioned to the window*
Red Robin: *sinking deeper into the passenger seat of the Batmobile*
Red Robin: *sighs contentedly* Just me and the Batman. It’s been a while, huh? Remind me again why I haven’t been hitching a sweet, sweet ride with you these past few months?
Batman:
Red Robin: Could it be because of your endearing silence? Nah. It can’t be that. We both enjoy it.
Batman: *smirks*
Red Robin: Perhaps I simply don’t need to? I mean, the Redbird’s great and all, but this is the freakin’ Batmobile.
Batman: *fondly shakes his head ever-so-subtly that if you blinked you’d have missed it*
Red Robin: *presses a button on the dashboard, opening a compartment full of CDs* How about your nostalgia for… outdated tech?
Batman: *gives him a pointed look*
Red Robin: *holds his hands up as if in surrender* Hey, no judgement.
Batman: *swiftly swerves the Batmobile into a dark alley*
Red Robin: What *going through the CDs* do we have *takes a couple out* here?
Batman:
Red Robin: “Cassandra’s Ballet Recital”. Neat. Did you get to see it?
Batman: *nods fondly*
Red Robin: Me, too. I was in the middle of chasing a killer android, though, so I had to watch it from the rooftop of the opera house.
Red Robin: *rummaging* Hmm. “Dick’s Mix” – way to be creative, Richard – “Classical Concertos for Teens” – which I assume belongs to the brat – “Suicide Squad” film soundtrack – Jason’s current obsession –
Red Robin: Is this Duke’s? *holds up a yellow-colored CD* I’m taking this *stuffs it into his backpack* I dig his jam – “Oracle” – Wait, wait, wait… Don’t tell me –
Batman: She doesn’t know –
Red Robin: *already stuffing it into his backpack* Mine! Just in case, y’know, I need to blackmail either of you. Her voice is pretty awesome, though. Watchtower acoustics really did her a favor.
Batman: *nods in agreement*
Red Robin: *back to rummaging* What else, what else… “Cats”? Really, Bruce? Is Selina even into broadway?
Batman: *shrugs*
Red Robin: “Clark’s Country Playlist”. Superman carpools to warzones with you?
Batman: I play it here, he listens from above. Says it helps him focus.
Red Robin: *rubbing his chin* Maybe I could try that with Kon…
Red Robin: “Purple Haze” – witty, Steph, but I don’t think you even knows who Jimi Hendrix is – “Oldies but Goodies” – which is, coincidentally, Alfie’s name on my phone, ha ha – *reaches the bottom of the compartment*
Red Robin: I guess… that’s got it.
Batman: Tim…
Red Robin: *staring blankly ahead* I remember now –
Batman: Tim, I –
Red Robin: We were on the way to the Iceberg Lounge to bust Penguin and his crew, and I was getting so pumped that I jammed my CD into the player, but you took it out 10 seconds into “London Calling”, crushed my CD with one freakin’ hand, and threw it out –
Batman: *swerves the Batmobile to a stop* Red Robin –
Red Robin: – then we got into some argument over how stupid my music was, so I got out and – and –
Batman: TIM.
Red Robin: What?!
Batman: We’re here.
Red Robin: *sighs wearily and grabs his bo staff from the backseat* Yeah, okay, I’m sorry. Let’s go kick some criminal butt.
Batman: You won’t need that.
Red Robin: *frowning in confusion* What? *looks out the window* And why are we at the Wayne Memorial Theater?
Batman: I asked Lucius to help me put a little something together.
Red Robin: I don’t –
Batman: It’s not that I didn’t like your music, Tim. Just… bad mood, bad timing.
Red Robin: … The anniversary of your parents’ death.
Batman: *nods solemnly*
Red Robin: Bruce, I…
Batman: I hope you still like “London Calling”.
Red Robin: Yeah, but –
Batman: Because we’re about to watch a 4D screening of The Clash in concert.
Red Robin: We’re not… patrolling?
Batman: How else was I supposed to get you to hitch a sweet, sweet ride with me?
Red Robin: *haphazardly wiping tears from his eyes* Wow. Great timing, allergies.
Batman: *ruffles Tim’s hair* Let’s go, son.
Robin: *puts his backpack on the backseat of the Batmobile, does a last minute check of its contents, and sits on the passenger seat*
Robin: You and Kent’s dad don’t need to linger, Father. Just drop us off at our HQ and be on your way.
Batman:
Robin: *checking the contents of his utility belt compartments one by one* Oh, wait! Pennyworth forgot the – Oh, no, he didn’t – Shurikens, grappling hooks, brass knuckles – Ugh! These dumb chocolate-covered “gummy bears” that Superboy insists I carry with me – *doesn’t notice a USB drive fall from one of them*
Batman: *picks up the said USB drive* Hn.
Robin: *still talking more to himself than to Bruce* – and I’m fairly certain that I’ve sufficiently sharpened my knives, unless Todd’s device was subpar –
USB drive: *with the phrase “bearable noise” scribbled on its surface*
Robin: – make sure to feed Goliath before releasing him. He knows which island we’ll be on and will follow as previously instructed –
Batman: *plugs it into the console*
Speakers: *start playing… a lullabye*
Robin: – and tell Drake to stay out of –
Robin:
Robin: *angrily disconnects the drive and slumps down on his seat* You weren’t supposed to hear that.
Batman: Damian, I –
Robin: *looks out the window* No one is supposed to hear that.
Robin: *muttering* Stupid, stupid *while banging his head against the headrest*
Batman:
Batman: *reaches out to block Damian’s head* I’m sorry, son.
Robin: *slaps his hand away*Just drive.
Batman:
Robin:
Batman:
Robin:
Robin: *quietly*When I slept over at the farm,Mrs. Kent sang it to Jon while she was putting him to bed.
Batman: *glances at him*
Robin: It was annoying.
Robin: Childish.
Robin: *lip quivering* Weak.
Robin: *covers his face with his arms and bends over his knees, his body trembling*
Batman: *places a hand on his back* You’re not any of that, son.
Batman: But once in a while, it’s okay to be all of it.
Robin: *looks up at his father and wipes his eyes with his cape, sniffling*
Batman: *reaches for the USB drive where it fell near the console and plugs it back in*
Speakers: *play the lullabye again*
Batman: Besides, it’s been a while since I’ve listened to something this relaxing.
Robin: *takes one last look at his father before looking out the window, glassy-eyed and grinning*
~ • ~ • ~ • ~ • ~
@tmntchickadee , thanks for the idea. As you can see, I, um, ran with it. I was going for funny, but I think it ended up more “therapeutic”. I love music. It’s intimate. It can help heal. And I wanted each of my favorite Batkids to have a moment that’s uniquely theirs with their father. (Bruce could use them, too.)
Sincerely,
a-wayne-at-heart/incorrect-batfamily-quotes
Alfred: *dabbing sweat off his forehead as he emerges from under the Batmobile*
Alfred: *swipes a finger on the glistening hood, then grins with satisfaction at the absence of dust on it*
Alfred: *raises an eyebrow as he spots a flickering, red light on the backseat within the vehicle*
Alfred: *gets inside to check it out and finds that it’s being emitted by a tiny bulb wrapped in a note, which he spreads open as his eyebrow goes impossibly higher*
Note: *in cursive* “Enjoy the ride”
Seat: *jerks, pushing him from behind the knees, causing him to sit down, then reclines itself*
Batmobile: *reconfigures itself into a stretch limousine*
Dick: *entering with a tray of cookies* 🎵You came along just like a song and brighten my day –
Alfred: Master Dick, what on earth – ?
Barbara: *handing him a cup of tea* 🎵Who would have believed that you where part of a dream –
Kate: *tips an imaginary hat off to Alfred* 🎵-– Now it all seems light years away –
Jason: *tapping the dashboard rhythmically* 🎵And now you know I can’t smile without you –
Damian: *revving up the engine* 🎵I can’t smile –
Jon: *squeezes in with Damian at the driver’s side, to the latter’s utter annoyance* 🎵-– without you!
Steph: 🎵I can’t laugh *cackles* and I can’t siiiiinnnngggggg –
Ace and Titus: 🎵*howl in unison*
Tim: *zombie-walking after Steph*🎵I’m finding it hard… ZzZz –
Jason: *slaps him awake*
Tim: – to do anything!
Duke: *wide-eyed in amazement as he piles into the limo with the others*🎵You see I feel sad –
Duke: Hold up, I’m sorry, how are we all fitting into this thing right – Oof!
Luke: *elbowing him* 🎵-– when you’re sad –
Harper: *finger-gunning at Alfred* 🎵I feel glad –
Cass: *gives Alfred a soft hug* 🎵-– when you’re glad –
Selina: 🎵If you only knew what he’s *points at Bruce and rolls her eyes* going through –
Bruce: *clears his throat*
Bruce: *in a gruff and monotone voice* Alfred, we just can’t smile without you.
Clark: *lifts the corners of Bruce’s mouth into a grin with his fingers*
Alfred: *wiping joyful tears off his eyes* A vacation! I’ll be gone a week, my ridiculous children. You’ll all survive, as always.
Alfred: And might I remind you that this was your idea?
~ • ~ • ~ • ~
For some reason, I was thinking of Bruce singing to Alfred and Barry Manilow’s hit came to mind. Thank you, @tea-coffee-cats-law !
In the middle of a jungle mission (and both of Red Robin’s legs are broken)…
Robin: Well, we definitely can’t leave Drake!
Red Hood: We have to. Timbo, I’m sorry –
Red Robin: No, you’re not.
Red Hood: I am, actually, which, whatever, but –
Robin: *cocks and aims a gun at Red Hood* We are not leaving Drake!
Red Hood: Uh, what do you even think you’re doing?
Robin: I AM TAKING COMMAND!
Red Hood and Red Robin: *look at each other*
Red Hood and Red Robin: *laugh hysterically*
Red Hood: Oh, my goodness gracious! *wipes tears* Okay. Thanks, Little D. I think we needed that.
Red Robin: *clutching his stomach* We did. We really did.
Damian would be the first to recommend leaving Red Robin behind
^ Partly why his two older brothers find the situation hysterical. (He’s changed a lot, though. I think he’d be more protective of his family – including Timmy – by now.)
incorrect-batfamily-quotes 