“Y/N? We’re going out! Don’t hide in there!” My mum called up the stairs, her voice laced with playful exasperation.
“Where would I go? I have no life *to* hide with. Eat, sleep, read fanfiction, occasionally poop… that’s the extent of my existence,” I retorted, keeping my tone light.
A chuckle drifted up from below before the door clicked shut. Once she was gone, I reached under my bed and pulled out my battered diary.
Date: 16/08/18
I haven’t actually *traveled* into the Batfamily universe yet, but when I do, I’ll be sure to document it. Assuming I don’t die first. Or get murdered by Damian… or Jason.
-Y/N
I tucked the diary back under the bed and flopped onto my mattress. As I rolled onto my side, a sickening lurch seized me. It felt like falling.
I opened my eyes and, well, I *was* falling. Shit. I was going to die before I even got to experience interdimensional travel. I braced for impact, face-first onto cold concrete. But it didn’t hurt. I landed awkwardly, scrambled to my feet, and glanced down at my clothes. Definitely not my usual Batman-themed pajamas. I was wearing my black Harry Potter tank top – ‘I solemnly swear I’m up to no good’ scrawled across the front – paired with my worn black jeans and Converse.
“Hey, kid, you see something fall over here?” A gruff voice asked.
I turned around to find Red Hood standing behind me, arms crossed. “If you’re asking about something plummeting from the sky, yeah, probably me.”
“What?” He asked, brow furrowed.
“I fell from the sky,” I clarified, feeling my cheeks flush with embarrassment.
“Yeah, fell,” Nightwing chimed in, appearing beside Red Hood with a characteristic grin.
“Yeah,” I said awkwardly.
“So, are you an angel?” Nightwing asked, his voice dripping with a terrible attempt at flirtation.
“You have about as much charm as a slug,” I deadpanned. I paused, debating whether to spill the beans about my origins. “Fuck it. I know who both of you are without the mask, and that’s only because I’m from another dimension where all this is made up and I’m completely obsessed with it.” The words tumbled out in a rush.
“Come again?” Nightwing asked, looking bewildered.
“She’s from another dimension,” Robin stated flatly, appearing from the shadows.
“How did you understand that?” Red Hood demanded, turning to Robin.
“What? I spoke pretty quickly,” I said, confusion lacing my voice.
“I’m good at listening,” Robin said, his tone dismissive. “And if you really *are* from another dimension, who are these two imbeciles?” He gestured dismissively at Red Hood and Nightwing.
“Richard John Grayson,” I said, pointing at Nightwing. “And Jason Peter Todd,” I continued, pointing at Red Hood.
They both stood frozen, mouths slightly agape.
“Who’s he?” Jason asked, gesturing toward Robin.
“Damian al Ghul Wayne,” I stated flatly.
“How do you know all this?” Dick asked, his voice laced with shock.
“Like I said, I’m from a different dimension. Did you not hear me?” I asked, exasperated.
“Who’s Red Robin?” Jason asked.
“Timothy Jackson Drake,” I told them, rolling my eyes.
“Who said my name?” Timothy asked, appearing on the rooftop with a speed that was unsettling.
“Me. Where have you been?” I asked, genuinely curious.
“Coffee called my name, and I answered,” he stated with a smug grin.
“Blah, coffee,” I muttered.
“Jason, hold my to-go cup,” Timothy said, handing Jason a paper cup.
“What are you going to do, Tim?” Dick asked, watching Timothy with a wary eye.
“Teach her to love coffee,” Timothy declared, pretending to roll up his sleeves and charging straight at me.
I let out a yelp and just before he reached me, I was on the floor of my bedroom.
I quickly pulled out my diary and wrote:
Date: 16/08/18
Dear Diary, I successfully traveled into the Batfamily universe and was almost beaten by Tim because I don’t like coffee. It's going to be a long trip.
-Y/N