Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It started with the letter. Saturday morning, Chester Field, Virginia. She had run outside to grab the mail still in her pajamas, flipping through the stack of letters. Bill, bill, junk, magazine, university letter, bill, junk, junk, bill, magazine, junk…university letter?

She froze, her mind not fully processing what she just saw, flipping back to the envelope in question,

“GOTHAM STATE UNIVERSITY,” bold letters sat at the corner of the envelope next to the black and white logo. Just below the logo was her name written in bold red cursive ink, “Anastasia M. Harris-Pennyworth.” Followed by a golden “Congratulations!” across the center of the paper.

She blinked. The reality of the situation sinking in. Then she was running, her front door thrown open as she slid through the living room(narrowly avoiding an antique vase gifted by her great-uncle), her hand meeting the table just as she was about to hit her stomach.

“Dad!” He raised an eyebrow, amused smile at his daughters enthusiasm.

“Yes, Anna?”

“Dad!!” The stack of letter she had was now thrown unceremoniously on the table.

He rolled his eyes putting the coffee down, “I heard you the first time dear.”

“I got the letter,” she was practically vibrating waving the paper back and forth.

“You want to open that now? Or are you just going to freak out for a few more minutes?”

She rolled her eyes but ripped it open without another word, “Dear Ms. Harris-Pennyworth, I am delighted to inform you that the Committee on Admissions has admitted you to the Class of 20XX under the Early Action program.”

The second the words left her mouth she was flinging herself at her dad, the chair falling back with force. “Congrats kiddo.”

~
Anna M. HP @pennyforyourthoughts

JUST GOT INTO @GothamStateUniveristy

[A picture of the acceptance letter, Gotham State University is in the top left corner next to the school logo. Directly below is the name Ms. Anastasia, everything else is blacked out except for a golden yellow Congratulations]

Anna M. HP @pennyforyourthoughts
>@pennyforyourthoughts

Can’t wait to start in September! Any survival tips from gothamites?

Julia @CrownJules
>@pennyforyourthoughts

Don’t go out at night. Carry pepper spray no matter what. Trust no one.

Metropolis Sucks @GothamRules
>@pennyforyourthoughts

Honestly avoid clowns, and pray you aren’t targeted. If a guy with a top hat comes up to you and starts calling you Alice, RUN.

“Hrrrn” Batman @YesHeActuallySaidThat
>@pennyforyourthoughts

Don’t Come. It’s like hell here

Coffee Please Give Me Coffee @TimDrakeWayne✔️
>@pennyforyourthoughts

you seriously decided to tell us you got in over a tweet I am disappointed in you anna😤and to think I was going to buy you lunch when you came to visit🙄

Best Ass on the Force @DickGraysonWayne✔️
>@pennyforyourthoughts >@TimDrakeWayne✔️

She literally called us like 15 min ago tim, stop acting like you didnt kno

Blood Son @Damian Wayne✔️
>@pennyforyourthoughts >@TimDrakeWayne✔️ >@DickGraysonWayne✔️

This is sad even for you, Drake.

Julia @CrownJules
>@pennyforyourthoughts

Did-Did the Waynes just reply to some random girls tweet? What is happening??? How do they know you @pennyforyourthoughts we need answers

Anna M. HP @pennyforyourthoughts
>@pennyforyourthoughts

I have answers to those questions but I am actively choosing not tell you.

~

The letter was the start. Then it was the call. Gotham State University, despite being in one of the most crime-ridden cities of Gotham, was known for its amazing law program and practically nonexistent tuition, after all Bruce Wayne was known to just pay off random students tuitions without a second glance. And even if she didn’t go to a school in Gotham Bruce was bound to pay her tuition, she’s family after all.

The call was made the day after she received the letter. Her father, like any self respecting father with even an ounce of common sense, was a little more than worried for his daughter to be going to Gotham of all places for SEVEN years. But he respected her decisions. And so he called her mothers uncle who lived in Gotham. Alfred Pennyworth.

The phone rang. Once. Then twice. And on the third ring a familiar British voice was heard, filtering through the phone speaker,

“Alfred Pennyworth, how may I help you?”

“Hi Alfred,” William greeted the man, leaning back with a smile, “It’s been a while how are you doing?”

“Oh my, I’m doing quite well,” He could practically see Alfred’s shocked expression, “William, its good to hear from you, I do hope you are doing well I just spoke to Anastasia yesterday, she told me the news about her getting into Gotham State University.”

“That’s nice, I guess she called after I left for work,” he paused, “I’m actually calling about her. She’s excited, she’s going to be heading down a few months before school starts to get settled in at Gotham and find a job.”

“She’s going to be staying at the apartment Daphne owned, the one in Gotham Heights. She’s pretty set on staying there since it used to be her Daph’s place.”

“I see, I take it you’re calling me so I can keep an eye on her while she’s in Gotham,” Alfred says with a small laugh.

William sighs, “Yeah, but you don’t have to if it’s too much, I just want to make sure there’s someone trustworthy in Gotham in case something happens while she’s there. I know there’s Bruce, and the boys but you’re her only blood relative left besides me. And…”

“Not to worry, I will keep an eye on her, I’m sure Master Wayne is already creating a position for her at Wayne Enterprises as we speak.”

“Thanks Alfred, and give Bruce my thanks as well, I’m sure he’s going to be keeping an eye on her even if I tell him not to.”

“Yes, yes, Master Wayne see’s you as family so it’s to be expected.” The man trailed off into a different topic and the men continued to speak for nearly an hour before the call ended.

~

Months after the letter(and the call), Anastasia was packing her bags and loading them into her dad’s pickup truck, they had discussed taking a flight down but ultimately decided on driving down, just to spend a few more hours together before being apart for months at a time.

The typical 6 hour long trip was lengthened to 8 hours, with frequent stops at mini land marks or cool spots they passed on the ride. It was beyond relaxing, spending time with her father.

“I dunno dad, I’m pretty sure Bruce is more of a mother hen then you are,” Anna was currently going through the pictures they took and editing them, to post, “He’d probably have me stay at the manor if I wasn’t so set on staying at moms old place.”

“I’m just worried because of how dangerous Gotham is,” William reached over and squeezed her shoulder, “I know we visit pretty often but your still my baby. I still can’t believe your leaving for university already.”

“I know dad,” she put her hand on his and squeezed back with a smile, “I know.”

~

Anna M. HP @pennyforyourthoughts

[A picture of a man with brown hair,specks of gray present, looking over at the camera with a soft smile, it looks like he’s on the verge of tears]
Dad’s getting sentimental and making me want to cry😭

Best Ass on the Force @DickGraysonWayne✔️
>@pennyforyourthoughts

Awww. He’s gonna miss you a lot 😢, i remember bruce having a breakdown when I first decided to move to blud

Coffee Please Give Me Coffee @TimDrakeWayne✔️
>@pennyforyourthoughts > @DickGraysonWayne✔️

I remember that, im p sure he still checks your bedroom every night even when ur not here out of habit

Best Ass on the Force @DickGraysonWayne✔️
>@pennyforyourthoughts > @DickGraysonWayne✔️>@TimDrakeWayne✔️

rly?? he still calls me every night to make sure im not dead, i didnt kno he still checks my room

Chapter Text

Chapter Two

“Gotham’s as gloomy as ever,” The sun was going down and people were clearing from the streets, a dark cloud was looming over the harbor.

“What were expecting sunshine and rainbows? I’ve seen a Gothamite hiss at the Sun before dad,” Anna laughed leaning against the car window.

“You could’ve gotten in to Harvard, and you chose GSU,” his tone was teasing but she could hear the bit of seriousness in his voice.

“It’s to late to go back now dad, I just have to go with the flow and pray I don’t screw up.”

“Even if you do,” his words fell off as he tried to find the right words, “screw up I mean, I’ll always support you, just don’t give up.”

“Yes. Yes. Always follow your dreams, keep trying and you’re bound to succeed, you’re so sappy,” She rolled her eyes as he made the turn into Bristol.

“Bet you, Tim and Damian are fighting when we get there,” William joked.

“No way, they just got in trouble for fighting,” her dad gave her a look and she smiled, “Bet you Dick is trying to get Tim to sleep and Damian is going to drug the coffee to help.”

“Ooh that’s a good one,” He turned into the driveway stopping at the large gates in front of the manor.

~
Anna M. HP @pennyforyourthoughts

[Large black gates with a mansion in the back, the gate has a small emblem that says “Wayne Manor”] Finally in Gotham! Staying with @WayneOfficial until I get settled in!

Wait let me ask my mom @shesaidno
>@pennyforyourthoughts

WHO ARE YOU??? How are you even allowed to stay at WAYNE MANOR?? You literally just showed up out of no where??

Anna M. HP @pennyforyourthoughts
>@pennyforyourthoughts >@shesaidno

I am who I am. The real question is who are YOU

“Hrrrn” Batman @YesHeActuallySaidThat
>@pennyforyourthoughts >@shesaidno

PLEASE @pennyforyourthoughts we just want to know if @BruceWayne adopted another kid 😭😭

Anna M. HP @pennyforyourthoughts
>@pennyforyourthoughts >@shesaidno >@YesHeActuallySaidThat

LMAO 😂 I’m not another one of his, I’ve known him since before he took in @DickGraysonWayne Bruce is more of an uncle to me

Best Ass on the Force @DickGraysonWayne✔️
>@pennyforyourthoughts >@shesaidno >@YesHeActuallySaidThat

Bruce can only wish she was his daughter, she might actually b the first person in the family to actually make it through college without dropping out(*cough cough*@TimDrakeWayne*cough cough*

Coffee Please Give Me Coffee @TimDrakeWayne✔️
>@pennyforyourthoughts >@shesaidno >@YesHeActuallySaidThat >@DickGraysonWayne✔️

Do NOT lump me in with you people. I’m a highschool drop out, ur a college dropout. We are not the same

Coffee Please Give Me Coffee @TimDrakeWayne✔️
>@pennyforyourthoughts >@shesaidno >@YesHeActuallySaidThat >@DickGraysonWayne✔️

AND you dropped out b4 me so idk why ur judging

Anna M. HP @pennyforyourthoughts
> @pennyforyourthoughts @TimDrakeWayne ✔️

TIM STOP-

The Wayne Family @WayneOfficial✔️
>@pennyforyourthoughts

You’re there already?? I thought you were coming tomorrow?? I’m not even at the manor rn-🤴

Anna M. HP @pennyforyourthoughts
>@pennyforyourthoughts >@WayneOfficial✔️

No it was today. You guys are helping me unpack tmr

Anna M. HP @pennyforyourthoughts
>@pennyforyourthoughts >@WayneOfficial✔️

Where are you??

The Wayne Family @WayneOfficial✔️
>@pennyforyourthoughts >@WayneOfficial✔️

Central City, decathlon comp -🤴

Anna M. HP @pennyforyourthoughts
>@pennyforyourthoughts >@WayneOfficial✔️

Ooh!! Good luck

“Hrrrn” Batman @YesHeActuallySaidThat
>@pennyforyourthoughts >@shesaidno >@YesHeActuallySaidThat >@DickGraysonWayne✔️

This whole thread is a rollercoaster from start to finish

Gotham Gazette @GothamGazette✔️

Who is Mysterious twitter user Anna M. HP? This twitter user has had many interactions over the past few months with the Waynes and is now supposedly spending the week at Wayne Manor. When asked about her relation to Bruce Wayne, the user responded with “Bruce is more of an uncle to me…” Click Here To Read More

The Gordon Godfrey Show @GordonGodfreyOfficial✔️

Tim Drake-Wayne dropped out of high school and is unashamed to say it. How is Bruce Wayne raising his kids, with two drop outs, he must be so disappointed. I’ll be discussing this tonight on the Gordon Godfrey Show tune it 8 pm EST

The Wayne Family @WayneFamilyOfficial✔️
>@GordonGodfreOfficial✔️

Literally no one cares. Tim dropped out like 2 years ago thats some old ass news your reporting. And dick dropped out to be a police officer. If you have something to say, @ us next time. -🧟♂️

~

“Alright, grab what you’re going to need for the week, we’ll leave everything else in the truck,” William said as the car rolled to a stop in front of the manor.

“The bet’s still on right,” she asked, dragging the suit case up the steps and knocking on the door.

“Yup,” he looked like he was going to say something else but the door swinging open cut him off.

“Anna!” Stephanie greeted with a smile pulling her into a hug with a quick wave to William before pulling Anna into the house.

Distant yelling could be heard from the kitchen but the three paid no attention to the voices. “You said you’d model for the brand right? We have a few mock-ups that I want you to try on.”

“Steph I’m tired, and don’t you have patrol in a little while?”

“Oh right! Are you hungry? We already had dinner but there’s left overs if you want some,” Steph stopped mid step spinning around and pulling her to the kitchen.

“Alright you girls can do whatever it is you’re doing, I’m going to bring the suit cases upstairs,” William grabbed the suitcases, dragging them up the stairs.

“What are the others doing?”

“Tim hasn’t slept in a few days, they’re trying to get him to go to sleep willingly but I’m pretty sure damian put tranquilizers in his coffee.” Steph shrugged as they made it to the normally pristine kitchen. It was now suspiciously quiet considering how loud it was moments ago. Stephanie gave her a look slowly opening the door to find a shattered glass on the floor with Tim on Dicks back and Damian smirking triumphantly with his hands crossed.

Quickly snapping a picture Anna cleared her throat and the boys turned to her, Dick grinned, and Damians smirk fell.

“Hey!” Dick whisper-yelled with a small wave, before his lips turned downward, a small sign of remorse, “Sorry, we just got him asleep.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll say hi to him later, I’m just grabbing something to eat before heading upstairs, it was a long car ride,” She waved him off stepping over the broke glass on the floor and opening the fridge.

~

Anna M. HP @pennyforyourthoughts

[The picture is of 3 boys in a modern kitchen with a sleek white granite counter tops, a spotless stove and stainless steel refrigerator in the background. There is a shattered coffee mug on the tile floors the tallest boy has another sleeping boy on his back, he looks somewhat concerned for the pale black haired kid. The youngest has tan skin, pitch black hair and a proud smirk looking at the two.] Tim passed out mid coffee, he really needs to get his act together 😂 @DamianWayne✔️@TimDrakeWayne✔️ @DickGraysonWayne✔️ @BruceWayne✔️

CEO of WE @Bruce Wayne✔️
>@pennyforyourthoughts

They look so adorable! Thank you for this picture I’m going to frame it in my office, it’s extremely lit

Sir this is a Waffle House @StephB✔️
>@pennyforyourthoughts >@BruceWayne✔️

BRUCE disrespectfully WHAT THE FUCK

I’m New and I Dont Like it @DukeThomas✔️
>@pennyforyourthoughts >@BruceWayne✔️

Why would you ever think that is something OKAY to say

CEO of WE @Bruce Wayne✔️
>@pennyforyourthoughts > @DukeThomas✔️ >@StephB

What? I’m being hip with the kids

Anna M. HP @pennyforyourthoughts
>@pennyforyourthoughts >@BruceWayne✔️

🤏this close to deleting this thread

Got-ham @No2.0
>@pennyforyourthoughts >@BruceWayne✔️

Bruce is such a dad idk how Im supposed to feel. This is peak dad right here, embarrassing your kids on twitter 🤣

Wait let me ask my mom @shesaidno
>@pennyforyourthoughts >@BruceWayne✔️

stop focusing on the fact the bruce is trying to be ‘hip with the kids’ and start focusing on the fact that he frames pictures of his kids

Metropolis Sucks @GothamRules
>@pennyforyourthoughts >@BruceWayne✔️>@shesaidno

what about the fact that tim was literally so sleep deprived he passed out in the kitchen???

Tim Drake is my spirit animal @waynestan15204
>@pennyforyourthoughts >@BruceWayne✔️>@shesaidno >@GothamRules

he’s honestly such a mood with the amount of coffee he drinks I wouldnt be surprised if he had coffee running through his veins instead of blood

~

Years of knowing the Waynes has lead Anastasia to come to a few sound conclusions. Number one, they are ALL crazy, no matter how sane they may look(ex. “Does Batman have a humiliation kink? Because that would explain why he hasn’t defeated joker yet” -Duke Thomas the ‘sane’ Wayne). Number two ask(or just mention) and Bruce will, nine time out of ten, just give it to you(ex. “I can’t go on this school trip because it’s like $400”, Bruce who wasn’t even apart of the conversation handing a card over, “Just use whatever you want”). Number three, the Waynes have the self preservation skills of a squirrel on crack(read: they have no common sense whatsoever). And number four, Jason’s room is by far, the best room in the manor, it’s always warm, has an endless supply of books, and (as much as Jason likes to deny it) he doesn’t kick you out when he finds you curled up on his bed.

So, as any sane person who has common sense, when Anna found herself awake, at one o’clock in the morning with an urge to read, not wanting to walk down three flights of steps and across half the manor to the library, she found her self wandering down the hall and into Jason’s room. With large hand carved mahogany bookshelves that reached from ceiling to floor surrounding the room, it could easily pass as a library.

Anna walked through the room examining the various books, most were in pristine condition and looked as though they were bought yesterday despite being years old. The shelf closest to the bed however, held old, beat up, practically falling apart books that were probably decade old. She remembers giving him a good portion of the books over the years, most of them were given to her by her grandpa or mom, and when she came to visit she’d leave them with Jason. ‘Romeo and Juliet’, ‘Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’, ‘Anna Karenina,’ ‘Hamlet,’ and ‘Carmilla’ are the most beat up copies, on the middle shelf with broken spines, peeling covers, and sticky notes poking out from every corner.

Looking over the shelf again a frown slowly began to replace her smile. The book she wanted wasn’t there. ‘Don Quixote’ was the first book that she had ever given to Jason. She remembers staying up till two or three in the morning reading with him putting little notes in the margins of the pages. They shared the book because when she came to visit she only had one copy and it was more fun to annotate together. By the end of her time in Gotham the book was left with Jason with a promise that when she came back he’d return it. Corny sure, but Jason had just been taken in by Bruce, he didn’t trust anyone and that book is what broke the ice between them.

So she began to browse around in search for the book. She’d went through most of the book shelves before realizing that there was a stack of books on the nightstand and kicking herself for not checking there first.

“Don Quixote,” she read the title aloud, it was a paperback copy that seemed to be just a page flip from would falling apart. She settled her self at the foot of Jason’s bed, criss cross with a blanket around her shoulder.

~

Jason would be lying if he said he didn’t like what he saw when he walked into his room. He’d be lying if he said that he was annoyed to see Anastasia wrapped in his blankets, at the foot of his bed, with the same beat up old book she had gifted him all those years ago. He’d be lying if he said his heart didn’t skip a beat when she turned to face him, eyes flicking from yellowing pages with bright sticky notes that held their messy scrawl in the margins, smiling brightly, small wrinkles forming at the corner of her lips when she gave him a wide smile.

He’d be delusional if he said that her voice didn’t send blood rushing to his cheeks, if he said his hands weren’t clammy just from the way she looked at him. Her words were drowned by the sound of his own heartbeat, beating so loudly that he wouldn’t be surprised if she heard it from across the room. He gave her a weak wave when his mind finally processed her greeting.

“You okay there Jay?” Her head was barely tilted to the side.

“’m fine,” he finally knocks him self out of whatever that weird bout was, leaning against the door frame, “What ya reading there?”

“You know full well what I’m reading,” she looks back to the open book seemingly satisfied with his response.

“Care to explain what y’re doin’ in my room?” Pushing off the door frame he finds his confidence again, taking large strides towards her.

“You horde all the good books in here.” She waved the beat up copy of ‘Don Quixote’ to add emphasis.

He moves to grab the copy from her but she backs up pushing him away with her foot, “The library has better copies of the books, why on Earth would you need my copy.”

“Your room is way closer, the library is downstairs and across the manor. And technically speaking it was mine first,” she starts scooting further back to avoid any further attempts, “And besides I like to see what little us wrote.”

He gave her a look, she was now in the middle of the bed, the book securely between her fingers, “Technically you gave the book to me like 8 years ago, it’s mine. And we were kids why would it matter what we wrote back then.”

“Don’t act like you weren’t rereading it, the book was on your nightstand, don’t worry I left your bookma-AH”

He grabs her foot(that was barely poking out) and pulls her back to the bottom of the bed, plucking the book from her hand, “That’s cheating Jay!”

“Is it cheating if rules were never set?” He plops him self down next to her with slightly raised eyebrows.

“You bats and your stupid loopholes,” she grumbles.

“You’re about to be going to school to become a lawyer and your bitching about loopholes,” he laughed, “Hypocrite.”

“I hate you,” she reaches over to take the book back from him, he lets her take it, instead opting to put a hand on his heart and the other on his forehead in a victorian style swoon.

“I can’t believe this,” he gives a dramatic sob, “being insulted in my own bed.”

“Yeah, yeah cry about it all you want Jay,” she opened the book back up, “How was patrol?”

“Same as usual,” he moved to lay down at the top of the bed, “No breakouts recently, it was pretty chill.”

“Any injuries? Are you okay?”

He huffed, “Like B would let me leave the cave with anythin’ severe.”

She gave him a look.

“Don’t worry, ‘m fine, No injuries, jus’ a few minor bruises.”

“Jay.”

“I said I’m fine,” he stops her before she could say anything else.

She’s quiet, contemplating her actions, almost deciding against saying anything, “It’s getting closer to the anniversary of your ‘death’ in a few weeks you should slow down.”

“It’s not that big of a deal,” he snaps, “and why does it matter to you anyway, around this time you normally cut contact with everyone around now.”

The words came out almost as quick as the regret that flashed across his face when he realized what he said. Anna’s breathing stopped for a second, he sprang up, apology on the tip of his tongue.

“Jay,” whatever he was planning to say was forgotten, “I know I probably wasn’t the best friend these past few years. You could’ve used someone, that wasn’t your family by your side. But I just couldn’t do anything. Everything was happening so quickly then. I know I shouldn’t be making excuses but…”

She could feel her mouth go dry, but willed herself to keep talking, this was a conversation 3 years overdo, “I’m sorry. You’re one of my best friends, I should’ve been there while you were comatose, and I should’ve done more then call when you woke up. But I was scared.”

“Anna-“

“First grandpa died and then mom, and then you were put in a coma. I was scared that something might happen when I finally came. I didn’t want to lose you too. And I know you were suffering, I know. It’s just when I finally came everyone was so happy, and you didn’t want to talk about it, and I put it off, and now it’s been three years and I just. I’m sorry, Jason.”

“You know that isn’t your fault,” he reached over putting his hand over hers, “I shouldn’t have said that. Everyone keeps telling me to slow down, take a break, they keep acting like I’m made of glass. And you were the fourth person to tell me today.”

“I know you were mourning your mom when everything happened, I’d be more surprised if you managed to figure everything out when I was like that.”

“I swear I wasn’t trying to ignore you guys, it just happened,“ he squeezed her hand and the two fell into a comfortable silence.

“You know what they say, ‘stab the body and it heals, but injure the heart and the wound lasts a lifetime.’ ”

“You’re the only person I know that would quote Mineko Iwasaki.”