Over at the Mind Palate site: a centuries-old recipe that even Bilbo Baggins has been caught baking, just before that infamous Adventure he ran away to. :)

this December I'll remember

Tim remembers the first time he met the boy with ice blue eyes. He was 9 years old at his parents gala for Christmas attempting to get away from the crowds as he was getting overwhelmed and his mother always said hide before tragedy happens.

He ran down the hall as soon as he was out of sight as every rich person in that room mingled what their fake smiles and scheming eyes like a predator looking for prey. Before he knew it he was on the balcony heart racing at the thought of being cold a weak by his parents for not lasting longer. Perhaps he should have played the sick child and snuck out too catch more pictures of batman and robin but would they even be out tonight?

Before he has the chance to spiral into his thoughts a voice catches his attention

"hello? Are you okay mister? You look really upset do you want to hug?"

He immediately turned around and found a 8 boy with ice blue eyes a scarf reminiscent of a snowflake with hair so dark then you it would be convinced you were staring into the void.

"uh yeah I'm fine don't worry just need a little breather there's not much oxygen for people my height"

The boy seemingly not convinced frowns promptly approached him and gave him a pair of little white reindeer mittens from his little backpack.

"here! Your hands are shaking so they're probably cold have these two warm them up! mommy and daddy say they are made for cold weather better than the normal ones!"

The boy seemingly proud of himself huffs and grins as if he accomplished a difficult task. He got closer and put his hands on the balcony railings tilting his head to the side and curiosity as he looks up seemingly deep in thought.

Tim having just noticed his shaking hands puts on the gloves and is surprised at their warmth washing him with a sense of calm. Looking at the boy now he quite curious as to what he was looking at so he approached looking the same direction as did the boy looking at the sky with his fog filled air.

"thank you for the mittens their really warm but if I may ask what are you looking at?"

"the sky.. it's nearly midnight and the stars aren't visible the clouds are in the way"

"oh sorry those aren't clouds actually it's the pollution Gotham has even in areas like these we don't escape from much of it"

Danny frowns in disgust as he digests the information looking at the ground and around as if trying to find something.

"so Gotham is really dirty then? Why don't they clean it it doesn't make any sense if not clean why litter the air is nasty!"

Tim chuckles as Danny makes exaggerated hands pointing at the sky and around them but the most exasperated look he has seen on the 8-year-old seemingly been offended on Gotham's behalf.

"actually Gotham is like this due to corruption wealthy families corrupt politicians the economy and so on would you like to learn about it some say Gotham is even cursed"

"well if it's cursed someone really pissed someone off. Do you think Gotham has sentience? Maybe Gotham was a person at some point and they really pissed off whoever put the curse on this city"

Tim nods thoughtfully smiling.

"perhaps if that's the case and that means batman and robin will fix it!"

"by beating them up? I don't mean to offend you but I'm pretty sure committing assault wont fix the issue. If anything it will take them to supernatural court!"

Tim at this point is laughing nodding along approvingly

"perhaps but at least they tried!"

"and miserably failed"

....

It continued like this every December every year he would meet the boy at the spot every December. They would talk about hypothetical situations and acting as if they're very real. They both agreed that if they saw Santa one of them would kick his ass for making his elves work without getting agreeing that is slavery and people like that do not deserve to have such a villain boss that pretends to be good!

every year the boy tell a very dramatic story with the end always being "and then he realized he was stupid and jumped into the chocolate to prove he's an idiot not stupid" and every time without fail he would make Tim laugh even when he was sad

Even now that Tim is 12 he can't help but smile every time he sees his friend making a dramatic entrance with confetti. Feeling a warm sense in his heart and feeling a bit sick in his stomach he shakes It off. She can't be sick on the one night he sees his friend. Robin is lost and he needed to help batman before he killed someone but just for this night he can rest.

"when will you stop doing that? My maid it's going to be confused from where the confetti came from"

"it's called a surprise. She needs some whimsy in her life let her play in the confetti instead."

"will you stop saying that every time you do something stupid?"

"incorrect what I'm doing right now is dramatic not stupid. Learn the difference smart ass"

Tim raises an eyebrow holding up a glass of water making a fluid motion pretending he's about to spill it on Danny as Danny promptly glares at him.

"don't you dare stickman mystery cards I bite"

"I'm rich"

"and I'm Rick"

"what does that have to do with anything??? That's not even your name!"

"really? And I thought your name was Tim but turns out it's rich"

"that's not what I meant and you know it"

"then try harder"

Tim smacks Danny while laughing as Danny promptly bites his croissant that he took from the gala and Tim gasps

"betrayal!"

"the one and only"

"you know how much would it take for me to bribe you to stopping"

"clear the skies and make me see the stars from Gotham"

"never mind I cannot bribe you I know my limits"

"eh not my fault you can't handle my wonderful self"

"I can handle it just fine! I'm just curious to see how much it takes to bribe you"

"good luck Sam tried that and failed"

"you're the most stubborn 11-year-old I met"

"you met other 11-year-olds?"

Danny raises an eyebrow as if to say to stop lying

"yes I do!"

"Jazz says people that lie go to jail"

"well lucky for me I'm not lying"

"Jazz says people with hallucinations end up in the hospital"

"I'm not hallucinating!"

"then who's the other 11-year-old you know?"

"...."

"jail"

"fine fine you caught me what's my penalty?"

"next year you take me to see the stars"

Tim stops and thinks for a moment

"actually that's not impossible I could convince my parents to make a multiple day gala for guests to stay and we can sneak out and take a few buses out of Gotham until we reach the borders and watch the stars together!"

"then it's a deal if you don't uphold it then your parents will find out you got attacked by a wild animal!"

"should I clarify the animal is a menace society and a space nerd?"

"No! That would blow my cover don't you dare"

Both boys laugh as Danny hits Tim on the shoulder before getting interrupted by jazz screaming down the hole

"DANNY MOM AND DAD SAID WERE LEAVING"

"awww already we barely just got here agh okay you better keep your end of the deal because you know the consequences if you don't"

"you sound like a corrupt businessman"

Danny makes a face of disgust before quickly hugging his best friend and waving goodbye to him.

But little did they know that would be the last time they would see each other in a long time.

....

Tim is 19 now and honestly the whole day season doesn't feel the same every year he would go back to Drake manor sitting at the spot he and his best friend would always meet at remembering the promise and sighing deeply as he stares at the mittens that have been gifted to him the first time they met but this year he was with a young justice determined to have a good time in comparison to the chaos that is usually Wayne manor celebration.

They were in New York on a tall building where a party or more accurately a cozy get together is being hosted by one of Bart's civilian friends. It was going smoothly and he decided to go near the rail of the top floor balcony when suddenly someone nudged him he looked at the side only to recognize the person's eyes immediately.

"noticed you were cold here have these instead"

"Danny?! Oh how are you I haven't seen you in a-"

Danny promptly turns around and smacks him with his long hair that he just noticed. Damn... And that hair is longer then his and all of the Waynes combined

Danny softly laughs and Tim feels his stomach getting butterflies and his heart racing faster old feelings resurfacing and looking at the face of his childhood best friend looking at him with the most amused and mischievous eyes known to mankind

"that's for ghosting me and not keeping your promise stickman mystery express"

Tim finally relaxes and smiles at the face of his old friend

"yeah I guess I deserve that how are you danny? Long time no see and what's with the long hair last time we met I remember you mentioning how jazz's hair practically you reached the floor and what a hazard it was"

"I decided to become the hazard instead"

"Mood"

Danny turns back to him looking at him with a soft expression and eyes full of warmth that Tim thinks things are getting a little too warm despite the fireplace being in the middle

"how have you been Tim honestly I'm surprised you're here but I'm glad you are"

He feels a Rush on his face and suddenly he can't speak English because looking at his friend now he's gorgeous more than he remembers since they were kids honestly he thinks this might be some trick from a fae. But before he can say anything he decides to snatch his hair and wrap it around his neck using it as a scarf

Danny looks at him with him a exasperated expression clearly wanting to laugh and question him

"I'm cold okay? If I need mittens I need a scarf too to match"

"damn okay fashionista snatch my scarf instead of my hair next time okay?"

"why is it a wig?"

Danny need gasps in offense smacking him as they both start laughing. It's like not a day has gone by and they are still kids teasing and joking with each other is Danny drags him near the fire place to meet the rest of his family young justice is on Tim with a smug look that means they figured out something and are about to tease him earlier but that's a problem for future tim

Young justice looks at Tim with the young man that they heard was his childhood best friend holding hands together as if they were Odysseus and Penelope reuniting. The idiots may not know it yet but they get the feeling they will see more of each other in the future

hey do you wanna see the idea I had for a tattoo just kidding of course you do

Raise the Red Lantern (Zhang Yimou, 1991)

Backstage at John Galliano, Spring/Summer 2008

'The Princess and the Pea' collection, Givenchy by John Galliano (ss 1996)

Villainous Woes

AKA "Inspired by that one post where Danny is adopted by a B-rate villain (like Kite-Man) except it's Harley & Poison Ivy and they love their little Eldritch toddler" prompt! And the Batfam side-eyeing the hell out of the women because what was that??

There's just so much potential!!

Maybe Harley's collaborating with Batman and Nightwing to take down Joker, they're in the Batmobile while driving to his potential hideout. Harley's in the front with Batman because, surprise, they're both catty and Harley likes to rib Bruce for dropping out of med school. Meanwhile, he makes snarky comments about her becoming a 'reformed' criminal. And then her phone starts the muffled choir of the Barbie theme song. She's like, "Hi, baby!! Hi, sweetheart!!" Batman and Nightwing then hear, clear as day, this unholy screeching like eighteen kazoos in various pitches.

Harley just laughs and says fondly, "Oh, are you tired, baby?? Mommy will be home soon, honey. " There's more screeching until Harley makes kissy noises at the phone and hangs up. Batman's face is deadpan as ever but Nightwing's face is pale.

"Oh, Danny's just a little tired. He gets grumpy if I don't read him bedtime stories." She shrugs as if to say kids, amirite? and Batman offers a grunt while Nightwing laughs weakly in the back. Once they're back at the Batcave, Dick is like, Bruce, what the hell was that?? A demon baby??

Or the time Poison Ivy is fighting Red Robin and Spoiler!! She's got them tied up with vines, monologuing about that one CEO about to dump 80k gallons of toxic waste into the Gotham Harbor, when Eric Satie's Gymnopedie No. 1 rings out from her pocket. She excuses herself for a moment, but Red Robin and Spoiler can still hear her say softly, "Yes, my love? I see. Of course, sweet boy. I love you as well." Then Ivy hangs up. Turns back to the vigilantes and says, "I apologize. My son is feeling unwell, so we'll continue our conversation at a later time." Batman finds them two hours later talking amongst themselves, did you know Ivy has a son?? Is it Harley and Ivy's son??

And when Selina Kyle comes over for a girls' night, she's met with wine, charcuterie, and a shrieking writhing mass of bright green tentacles.

"Danny's just hangry," Harley assures her. She's got The Thing in her arms and disappears into the kitchen while Ivy's setting up a horror movie on the TV. Sure enough, the screaming petters off. When Harley comes back, there's an actual toddler in her arms - chubby arms and legs intact. Overall, it's an uneventful night. Danny turns into goop at one point but Ivy just scoops him up into a bucket-like cradle. Selina does, however, call Bruce on the way home saying, Harley and Ivy have a goop baby. Yes, Bruce, goop!

Fast-forward maybe 15-18 years and Danny (former Goop Baby) is now in college because both his moms have Doctorate degrees. They empathize the importance of getting a good education, of exploring his academic interests, without being part of the Gotham Rogue gallery. So, he never actually meets any of the Batfam.

But then Danny meets (Robin) Damian, who's attending Gotham-U as a pre-med major. They hit it off! Danny ends up attending a family dinner with Bruce, Selina, Dick, Tim, and Damian. (Maybe Jason, Duke, Steph, Cass, and Babs are busy doing other stuff.) So, Bruce is interrogating conversing with Danny and Danny's like, "Oh! My mom talks about you sometimes."

And Bruce is all cordial, smiling and prompting, "Oh?"

"Yeah, my moms are Dr. Harleen Quinzel and Dr. Pamela Isley."

Tim splutters into his drink as he chokes out, "Goop baby??" (he'd been stalking Bruce when Selina talked about her girl's night) while Dick simultaneously shouts, "Demon baby???" Danny's confused because he's literally never met any of these people? And they're calling him goop and a demon??

(Bruce just feels very, very old. The Goop Baby is all grown up and going to college with his baby? Jesus. Just the thought makes all his joints ache.)