-Barbara content :D-

"Hey, guys?" The redhead asked, voice cracking as he sat across from Jason. Horrified, he cleared his throat, getting out his homework. "Can we talk?"

"What's up?" Tim asked, leaning into the fridge.

"Just--" He cleared his throat again. "So, uhh..."

"Dick?" Bruce hurried in. "Have you taken your meds?"

"YES!" The boy gasped, exasperated, heating up his hot cocoa.

"Good. Oh, James. Are you here to do homework or are you staying?"

"I don't know yet." He croaked. 

"Well, you're welcome to stay, just let your dad know."

"Of course."

"BRUCE! You didn't ask if I took my meds! Don't you care about my health? Or Tim's?" Jason ordered.

"Jason, did you take your meds?"

"No."

"Do that right now." Bruce ordered. "Tim?"

"Way ahead of you."

"Good. Uh... you boys doing homework?"

Jim winced. "Uh, yeah."

"Good. Good... something bothering you, Jim?"

"No."

"Are you sure?" Bruce asked, trying to make it sound friendly, but in reality, he was a bit worried about the boy.

"No, all good."

"Oh yeah, you wanted to say something?" Tim asked. "=

"Uh no, just..."

"Come on, you can say whatever it is." Bruce encouraged.

"Oh,I just wanted to look around in the attic. look through some old stuff."

"Uh, sure..." Bruce said, very conscious of the lie. "Go ask Alfred from the key whenever you want."

"Thanks..."

"Are you sure that's it?"

"I don't know. yeah. I'm just gonna do my homework." Jim said.

"Alright then...." Bruce said, turning away. "You know you can talk to me right?"

"Yeah, of course..." He replied.

"Okay. Good luck with the homework, Boys."

"Uh, thanks." Jim waited a few seconds and, unable to help it any longer, he hurried after Bruce.
"Wait!"

"Hmm?

"Uh, Can I tell you something? He asked, voice warbling yet again.

"Sure," Bruce said, assured now that Jimmy wanted to talk. "Shall we sit?" He nodded, trailing after Bruce into the office. His throat was tight, and his shirt felt itchy. Bruce sat behind his desk and invited the kid to sit across from him. "What can I do for you?"

"Uh, so. Damian and the others are boys?" James croaked.

"Yes, I am aware of that." Bruce replied.

 "Well, uh, I'm not."

Bruce frowned. "A boy?" 

"Uh huh."

The corners of Bruce's mouth twitched up. "are you a girl?"

"Yeah." She squeaked.

Bruce hid his face in his hands. "And I was starting to think I'd never get a daughter." 
a blush crept up her cheeks until she was bright red, blinking at the floor and watching thin tears wobble around her vision.
"Do you have a new name you want to use?"

"No-- well... not yet but..."

"It's okay, take your time."

"Well, I was thinking maybe... Since I was named after my dad, I thought I should take my mom's name. but I don't know how dad would feel."

"We don't have to tell your father if you just want to try it on?" Bruce suggested. "From James Gordon Jr too..."

"Barbara Gordon." Barbara said.  "...jr."

"I love it." Bruce told her. "I'm proud of you, Barbara."

"Thank you." She felt a shuddering tear drop to the carpet and quickly looked away. "sorry."

"what for? Barbara! I'm happy!"

"I just, I'm not like the guys." She felt a huge lump rose in her throat. "I thought you'd think was a predator or--" She swallowed hard. "Or a faker, or that I..."

"Barbara." He held her shoulders firmly like he would Dick during a meltdown. He didn't fully understand, But he'd gone to Tim's Diversity speech at his school, and had read some twitter threads, so he hoped he+

 could cope.
"No one who says that is worth being around. We'll support you, and though I can't lie and say I know what it's like, I know that you have a future."

"But it's going to be hard..."

"Yes, it probably is." Bruce admitted. "But you and the boys each other-- I mean, they'll help you; their bat-sister."

"But what about dad?" She croaked, desperate to get everything out, if only to get it off her chest and justify her tears.

"I know he loves you. He always will, and he loved your mother too. I promise it will be okay." Bruce promised. "He might need some time to think it over and adjust, but you can always come here if you need support."

Barbara swallowed. "Are you sure?"

"Of course! J-- Barbara! We care about you." He stood up off his knee, looking down at her proudly. "and if he says anything about your gender... I can talk to him." 

a few second long gap held the silence, and Barbara threw herself around Bruce's waist with a bear hug.

She quickly pried herself off, embarrassed. "That didn't happen. just-- thanks!"

Bruce pulled her in again in a gentle hug, her head to his stomach. "You're one of the family Barbara. You don't have to thank us."

"Okay too mushy!" She protested jestingly, pulling away and sniffing, wiping the last of the water from her eyes. "You're such a softie!"

Bruce ruffled her hair. "Just for my kids."

"I'm thirteen!"

"Oh, right. hey we ought to get you something  to stop your voice from dropping, shouldn't we?" He smiled,  ruffling her hair again.

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Bruce had been uncomfortable for almost a week now, Barbara wanted to wait to tell the others, meaning he was forced to call her by her old name and pronouns. It was even awkward on the job.

"Hey Squirt! watch it!"

"You watch it!"

"Leave this to me and boss, kiddo."

"You're only Thirteen!"

"Still a teen!" 

"No,  Batb-- Sh-- He's right." Bruce said. "Robin, I have a different job for you."

"HA!" Dick Ginned. "I get a special job!"

"Sure! You're special Job is to stay out of the way!" Barbara Laughed.

Bruce noticed She had been more animated and excitable since she'd come out to him. "Robin, I need you to work on disabling the alarms While B-- Batboy and I go this way. let me know when your brothers get here."

"Aye Aye captain." Dick muttered. "Bye guys!"

Bruce lead the way down the hall, listening to Barbara as she traipsed behind him. "I think I'm gonna come out tonight. When we get home."

Why did she have to say this when he was Batman?? Trying to regulate his alter egos, He nodded and glanced over his shoulder. "You're doing well... batgirl?"

Barbara let out a little squeak, but she wasn't injured. She had a hand over her mouth. freezing for a few seconds and then jumping ahead to catch up with him.

"...Thanks, B."