I have returned after some struggling with this one too. I don't feel as strong with this one, but I liked it.
To those of you who have read and reviewed, thank you! Your support is amazing!
DISCLAIMER: BATMAN AND WONDER WOMAN BELONG TO DC COMICS. ALL OTHER JL, TT, or MENTIONED DC HEROES BELONG TO DC.
Persephone looked up when Aphrodite entered her garden. The goddess of Love and Beauty didn't seem to mind her poisonous plants, and it made the other goddess wonder if Aphrodite really was more than a pretty face.
"What brings you to the Underworld, Aphrodite?" Persephone questioned as she turned her attention to the water hemlock she had been encouraging.
Aphrodite peered over Persephone's shoulder at the plant, "I simply came to talk. I've been watching over Diana, as I'm sure you've noticed. My favorite Amazon has certainly been visiting you often."
The Queen of the Underworld straightened and her steeled gaze met Aphrodite's beautiful blue eyes, "Is there a problem? I have never put any pressure on the Princess, and she's my Champion as well as yours. Though, as her step-mother, I feel that I am catching up on time that has been denied me."
Aphrodite giggled, "Oh dear cousin, I did not mean any disrespect. I'm glad that Diana has someone else to love her." The strawberry blonde-haired goddess took Persephone's hands, "She's going to need all of us soon. Olympus will not be happy, should Diana give everything to them."
The poisonous plants suddenly doubled in size and Aphrodite took a step back in presence of the Queen of Curses. The goddess of Love and Beauty didn't have time to scold herself for showing fear; this was the woman that chose Hades as her husband, she was feared even by Zeus.
"Should Olympus have a problem with how I protect and serve Diana, they can come to me." Persephone's steeled gazed turned icy and her voice when she spoke, was filled with dark power.
"I merely came to applaud you on your work, and warn you. Should they come for you, I shall speak in your defense." Aphrodite promised and all the shadows left Persephone's face.
"I will hold you to your word, cousin. How about a visit to the baths? I have some new oils."
A beautiful smile brightened Aphrodite's face, "Of course! I thought you'd never ask."
Tim had learned early on that there was a way to do things in Gotham. Batman set the bar and everyone else followed his example. At first, that's all Tim had ever wanted; he wanted to be like Batman. Then he learned how Batman was made. It had hurt him, to know that his Father was constantly fighting the darkness to protect the innocent child that died when Thomas and Martha Wayne were killed.
Being Batman was a difficult role to play, and Tim respected Bruce for it all the more, but from personal experience, being Robin hadn't been easy either. Batman had rules, not only about how to protect Gotham, but how to protect oneself, and as Batman led by example, Tim could only watch as his mentor and father isolated himself. Tim had to come to terms with the fact that being a Robin, being one of Gotham's protectors meant being alone. It was an idea he struggled with, and to be able to measure up to his older brothers, Tim kept his inner war to himself.
It was easy after he got used to it. It was easy to compartmentalize and shove all of his problems into a neat box and continuously promise that he was going to deal with it eventually. Eventually. That became his favorite trick. As long as he convinced himself, there wasn't a struggle. Tim had become used to how he had to handle being one of Gotham's protectors. And then Bruce began dating Wonder Woman.
Tim had always admired her, she was strong and smart and beautiful. He had a tiny crush, so it made sense to him that his mentor and father figure couldn't even withstand her charms. But Tim noticed immediately, that Diana did something so few other women had ever done; made Bruce happy. So Tim, wanting his father to be happy, pushed himself even further as Red Robin so that Batman could have more free time. And of course, it had made him reckless.
It was a memory he held on to because even though it ended with a lecture, it came from the most unlikely person. He'd gotten himself captured by a sorceress, and she had turned him into an actual bird. He didn't remember much of his time as a bird, he remembered what came after. Wonder Woman.
Her blue eyes were filled with concern and worry, "Are you alright Tim?
"Yeah. Thanks, Wonder Woman."
Her smile was one of relief, "Good." Then her gaze hardened, "What in Hera's name were you thinking? Do you have any idea what that witch could've done to you?"
"I was only a bird," Tim argued.
"Circe is not known for her kindness to any man that she turns into her beasts. Had I not been able to get to you, Tim.." Her voice trailed off and she pulled him into a hug.
It had shocked him, Diana had only been around for a few months, but it was like she already fit in. Tim knew it. Alfred knew. Richard and Cassie were on board too.
She released him and looked at him again, "Tim, promise me that you will not push yourself."
"I'm a Robin, I was trained by Batman and Gotham needs everything I can give."
"But not everything you are. Its noble, what you chose to do for Bruce, but I will never ask him to stop being Batman. I love him, all of him. And he would never forgive himself if something happened to you."
"We knew the risks when we put on the masks," Tim countered.
Diana nodded, "I know. I believe each of you to be honorable because you did, but I also know that you should not-" She paused, "Tim, I'm not trying to tell you to stop being a Robin. I'm telling you to be careful. Don't be in such a rush to be Batman. Only one man can ever truly be the Dark Knight, and there's nothing wrong with that. Just, be Red Robin, and don't rush. Don't be in such a hurry to be anyone but yourself." She smiled again, "You've already taken the Robin mantle and made it your own. And he'd never say it, but he's proud of the man you've become."
Tim cherished that memory it was how he reminded himself that he was his own person and as he looked from Batman's disapproving gaze to Damien's arrogant one, he held onto it tighter as Diana's perfume surrounded him.
"You might think I made a mistake, but I didn't. I made the right call." Tim argued. "You've been so busy trying to figure out who used magic on Alfred that you're chasing all the wrong leads. You want to bother the magical community, fine. Do it. I'm going to protect Gotham, and if I team up with Red Hood once in a while to get it done, oh well. I'm not giving up on Jason."
"Jason made his decision."
"Jason is still your son, even if you don't want to admit it. That makes him family, and I won't become him, don't worry about that, but I also won't become you, Bruce. It's not all or nothing with me. Not anymore. Not ever."
"You're an idiot Drake, Father-"
"Damien, when you're older you'll understand where I'm coming from." Tim turned his attention back to Batman, "You want your isolation and your mission fine, but don't expect me to follow it. I don't want to be you, Bruce."
"You're nothing like Father." Damien spat.
Tim grinned, "I take it as a compliment." He pushed passed them and as he walked by Batman he muttered, "That means I'd never push the woman I loved away."
Diana smiled at Persephone, "Thank you."
"For?" The goddess inquired.
"Helping me. Allowing me to do this."
Persephone nodded, "But have you been feeling well? This is your fourth ability, Diana. I'm beginning to worry."
The Amazon met the goddess's gaze, "I am still myself, Persephone."
The Queen of Curses took Diana's face in her hands, "If anything ever begins to change, you tell me."
"Of course."
The Queen of the Underworld returned to her garden and paused. A scroll was waiting for her on the gates and she took it. She opened it upon seeing her mother's handwriting. She pondered a moment and then headed for her husband's throne room.
"Husband, my mother has requested that I meet with her for lunch."
Hades was going over a scroll, "Do you plan on joining her?"
His wife nodded, "I think I will," she approached him, "will you be fine without me?"
He nodded, "A few hours isn't that bad, wife."
Persephone nodded and disappeared again. Hades was alone for less than a minute when Hermes appeared, "You've been summoned to Olympus, Lord Hades."
Hades' dark eyes were focused on the messenger before he stood, "I'll be there shortly."