Whispers

by Here_for_this

Summary:

Dick Grayson left home at 16. He never came back.

So why were there whispers in the hallway of a happy family?

What happens when once more the batfamily need Dick Grayson?

Chapter 1: Prologue.

Dick Grayson is a myth that’s it.

He’s never been seen, no one has ever talked to him. All they know is there is a room at the end of the hallway that has never been opened. Alfred doesn’t clean it, just looks at it and turns around. Bruce sometimes when he’s stressed or just having a bad week will just stand there looking at the door like it’ll fix all his problems.

Jason was the first to ask about the door, and when you want to hear the truth you go to Alfred.

The answer was always the same. “A boy used to live here before you, him and Bruce got into a fight, nasty words were said that we shall not repeat. When it was over the boy felt unwelcome and left”

Bruce wouldn’t talk about it never, not even on the most extreme circumstances. Never once did they see him reach out to Dick. Thayer how myths are made aren’t they?

Whispers of the past coming to the future.

When Jason took up robin and wondered if Dick would be happy with it he heard a whisper.

When running of to find his birth mother he heard whispers. His mind telling him he was just a knockoff, doing exactly what his predecessor did. He wondered if he ever got one, would he meet his little brother.

With whispers in his ear he ran.

 

Tim only came to help Bruce. He was there to be a placeholder, he knew that and accepted it. In his free time he tries his hardest to find the original Robin, because he could fix everything. He could help where Tim couldn’t. But he can’t seem to find him, it’s liked he walked of the face of the earth. He always ends the night disappointed.

Sometimes he walks by the living room and hears laughing. No one laughs in this home, but Dick used to. Some nights he falls asleep and dreams that his first friend would give him another hug.

He just wants everyone to be ok? How could that be a bad thing, he falls asleep to whispers in his ear and laughing in the halls.

When Damian arrives in his four year old glory he didn’t know what to do. He’s never had an older brother, or any sibling for that matter. So he gives him a pat on his head and continues on with his life. He hears proud whispers in the hallway.

When Jason comes back from the dead life is hectic and he feels it affecting him. He’s always tired, he’s always drained, he’s always just done. It becomes so bad that when Jason almost kills him, he ran towards the light. But he doesn’t, and he can’t still hear the whispers.

 

When Jason comes back he’s so angry, and then he feels nothing. Slowly he regains his emotions again more than just anger. After he almost killed Tim because of the green he cries and sobs likes he’s never before. He hears whispers of comfort wrapping around him.

After he returns to the family he’s happier, but he felt like something was missing whenever he feels like this the whispers come back and he feels better.

He apologizes to Tim for what he did. He plays with Damian and bakes with Alfred. Trying not to fight with Bruce is challenging, so he cuts back to only killing in extreme situations. Like years ago he sees Bruce walking back to in front of that one door, some things never change.

All Bruce could ever think about are his failures. It burrows itself deep into the back of his mind. All he could ever think about is his eldest son, the one he pushed so far he thought better to jump.

He knows his coping mechanism is causing more harm than solving anything, but he can’t stop. He sees the worried looks the children send him when he stands in front of the door.

Some nights he just sits down and blames himself for throwing dick away. He drifts off to sleep in his self hatred, but not before soft whispers of forgiveness are heard.

Chapter 2: Fight fight fight fight!

Summary:

Keep leaving comments guys I love talking to y’all!

“Sure Tim tam.” Jason says while punching a goon. He sees Tim run around the corner to the back of the group.

It was only supposed to be a minor drug ring they were taking out and Jason even promised not to kill anyone. Instead they intersected a shipment of Kahr PM40s and people not afraid to load and use them.

“I think I could do it and I bet most people in the family would agree” Tim says while hammering into the goons from behind. He lets out a grunt. Great a bullet nicked him just what he needed at the time!

“You’re forgetting the demon brat he would totally go against you, but I don’t need his help to win.” Jason yells with easy confidence as he dodge bullets and smashes head.

So enough they finish them up. Cuffing them up they counted fourteen on Tim’s side and fifteen on Jason’s.

“Shut up Jason”

Jason grinned a feral wolfish smile “You were saying replacement?” He walks right up to him and throws an arm around Tim shoulder. “I wanna hear all about how you gonna beat me”

Tim tries to shove Jason off him, but instead ends up aggravating his bullet wound. He stumble forward and Jason catches him.

“You didn’t tell me you got freaking shot replacement.” Jason guides him towards his motorcycle. “Those are the kinda the things you tell your partner, you know?”

“It wasn’t that important, I’m perfectly capable of riding my own bike and doing my own first-aid.” Tim says aggressively into Jason’s jacket as they zoom back to the cave.

“Sure,sure replacement.” He contacts Oracle who’s been watching them the whole time. “Barbie need some-“

“Medical attention I know. If yall could go one night without needing to be stitched or anything I’d be grateful.” She says in a dramatic manner.

Jason smirks behind the helmet. “You act like that’s the only way we get hurt.”

“It’s not but it’s the root problem”

“Talk to the old man not me.” Jason cuts through the traffic going a little slower than usual for the baby bird attached to his back.

Once he gets to the Batcave he lifts Tim, against his protest, and sets him down on a cot with his little brother whining the whole time. He shakes his head and steps out leaving Alfred, who just entered, to do his own thing. He goes to the Batcomputer to talk to Bruce to see if he found anything useful at all. Anything that could warrant a gunshot wound, that was a trick nothing would ever be enough to warrant a gunshot injury.

Jason would have half a mind to go and kill the man who shot Tim himself. Oh he already had a vision. He stopped himself from continuing, if he fantasized about it any longer the green would take over and he would actually do it.

He hears a grunt form in front of him.

“Hey old man took out the goons you wanted to deal with skulls still attached to his body don’t worry!” Jason says heavy in sarcasm and false cheer. “Anyways was babs able to hack through the systems?”

“Oracle successfully hacked through the systems and was able to collect most of their records before they were deleted.” Is what Batman basically said but with more grunts involved. Guys a real talker.

Jason nodded along to the information that was given. “I’m guessing give it a few days before we get anything?” He receives a grunt as replacement for yes.

“Cool see ya later old man, you know me places to be, people to scare, people to fire.” Jason strides away in full confidence and control.

“Bye Jason.”

The next week goes by without any interruptions. At least interruptions the weren’t expecting. Alfred continues to update Jason on Tim’s condition and the fighting battle to get him to put the laptop down. He also tells him about Damian and how his first day of kindergarten went. Swords fighting, crying, and more swords.

You never know if Barbra does it on purpose, but she calls at the worst timing. Once he was in the shower, another time he was running a meeting to make sure the new recruits don’t step out of line. Today she calls during my favorite part of the book Persuasion by Jane Austen.

He forcefully sets the book down and then apologizes to the book for setting her down so hard. He then aggressively picks up the phone with the intention to make whoever called him regret it.

“What?!” Jason basically shouts into the phone.

“You really want to take that tone with me?” Jason pulls the phone away from his ear like it might burn him. He’s dead. “I’ll forgive you this time cause I do interrupt your book. Now we need you in the back cave like right this moment.”

In that moment he thanks hid for still being alive. Runs out the dirt and hops on his bike. If he speeds he can make it there in about fourteen minutes. Or he go the actual speed limit, that makes Jason huff out a laugh under his motorcycle helmet he threw on.

He ends up speeding.

 

He pulls up to the front of the manor and meets to talk with Alfred first.

“ Ah Master Jason always a pleasure to see you show up on the moving death trap.” Alfred’s says in his most neutral voice but Jason can see the dislike for the motorcycle a mile away.

“Pleasure to see you too Alfie, is the news really that important?”

“I believe that’s for master Bruce to decide.” Jason scoffs like Alfred doesn’t influence Bruce decisions from left to right. But it’s ok cause it’s never done in malicious intent.

Jason hears little feet running down the stairs and sees the five year old launch at Jason’s legs. Taking a gasp for breathe after getting the wind knocked out of him he picks Damian up and laughs.

“How’s it going little prince?”

“I was sent to school and it was so fun! We got to play and I made a friend and I get to go back everyday Jason.” Damian continues to babble on about his week while Jason wasn’t there. He continues on his way to the Batcave and makes his way down.

At some point he sets Damian on the ground. He takes a place by the right side of his father at Tim to the left. Giving their full attention to Oracle who was over speaker at the clocktower.

“If you thought the last few years were rough boys, then grab you own wheel chair and sit down.” She takes a pause for dramatic effort and smirks. “We’re going to Bludhaven”

Notes:

I honestly don’t know what I’m doing there’s like no real plan for this. I’m assuming I’ll do around 30 chapters but idk.🤷‍♀️

You know I was going to write a chapter earlier then I had a notification that one of the books I read got updated. So guess what I did first.

Obviously I read the book, and ignored the death threats that came from my own mind. Yay!

Spelling mistakes probably. I went to bed at 2:30 am and woke up at 5:30. I am dead inside.

Chapter 3: Hello, I was wondering if after all theses years you’d like to meet?

Summary:

They say eyes are the window to the soul. If that’s true then the mouth is the back door.

Once you learn where it is and how to find the key, you get overwhelmed by the emotions and thoughts that have been hidden.

Right now there was no key, or house needed. Because everyone can see the disdain on the vigilantes face.

“And why the heck would we go to bludhaven?” Jason being the first person to speak up says. In the background muttering can be heard from Tim on how he hates bludhaven and it’s a no good knock off.

At that Jason has to stifle a big laugh. Bruce raises his hand and once again the room goes silent.

“Thank you Bruce, as I was saying before I was interrupted. I looked through the files and it looks like they’ve been chasing a rogue assassin turned vigilante” Barbra says screen sharing images of what she found out.

“Looks like a classic case of brainwashing” she continues like she’s talking about her job at the library. “He ran away a few years ago after only being there a year, and now they’re gunning for him.” She finishes.

Looking over the pictures Jason grew more and more interested in the vigilante. He examined the documents that were found with a keen eye.

“So why did they have the weapons delivered here” Tim asks Barbra. Only half paying attention to the answer he received something about aiming for stealth and failing miserably.

Jason notices something, a name or at least the closest thing he had to a name. It was partially deleted but half of the name was still there, as he looked more closely he could see it wasn’t a name but a title ,Gray Son of, the rest was deleted.

Jason exited out of the file deeming the information useless for now but still shelves it for later. He files it in the back of his mind for later and exits out the folder. By the time he tunes back into the conversation a plan was already made. One that he missed completely.

Gods darn it.

He resigns himself to not knowing the course of action immediately until someone takes pity on him and run through the whole thing again. But for now he could prepare in general and that means getting gas.

God darn it again.

Once he's certain that important information won't be discussed any further he hops on his bike and heads to the gas station closest to his nearest safe house. It was two in the morning and he was tired and wanted to go to bed.

Obviously that means he sees two drug dealers walking behind some homeless kids who didn't make it to the shelter in time.

Is god even real at this point cause he doesn't seem to care about Jason sleep schedule.

He could just ignore the trouble that was about to arise so he goes and seeks with it. In the end he gives them directions to another safe house that he has close by.

By the time that he had everything situated it was about three in the morning. He let out a loud groan as he hit his bed already missing it for when he was going to have to leave for Bludhaven.

God darn it.

It took about three days to get everything in order to be able to take a week of to Bludhaven. Jason had to set up all his lieutenants and threaten a few people.

Tim had to cancel all his appointments, which his assistant was not very happy about. She wasn't exactly hesitant to show it either. If it wasn't Tim's building he might have gotten kicked out from the amount of murderous intent he was getting form her.

And Bruce, well Bruce does basically nothing during the day and it really shows. So he does the nice thing and buys a temporary house in Bludhaven to secure as a base of sorts.

All in all the week goes way to fast and Wednesday Bruce sends Jason a text telling him that he was going to the city that morning, and time would arrive that night.

Jason responds with a middle finger and a promise to get there at a reasonable hour.

He's such a liar. So like the jerk he is he arrives at exactly twelve in the dot. Which in vigilante terms is relatively early but he know that whenever not patrolling Bruce takes any opportunity to sleep.

That's what happens when you avoid sleep for six years of you life but oh well.

The next day is all about settling in and mapping out the territory. Tim finds scrapping a from news articles to instagram post talking about this mythical hopefully human being.

They notice that his patterns are inconsistent and not reliable for a plan of action so they ditch that idea quickly. That's night they settle in just patrolling and hope really, which Jason didn't have much of.

Still he went about his day and manages to squeeze in a quick nap and improving his mood in the process. Evening creeps closer and closer till it's time for him Bruce, and tim to suit up.

Working in Bludhaven was definitely a experience, it was like crime alley but everywhere he looked he saw crimes being committed in senseless violence.

By the middle of patrol Jason a Tim start a roof hoping contest, and he was winning no matter how much Tim disagreed.

He stood still the light atmosphere being replaced with a tension so thick you would need a saw to cut through it.

He looks around and there he finds a man staring at the. He takes a step out of the shadows and wow.

They say eyes are the window to the soul. If that’s true then the mouth is the back door.

Once you learn where it is and how to find the key, you get overwhelmed by the emotions and thoughts that have been hidden.

Right now there was no key, or house needed. Because everyone can see the disdain on the vigilantes face. It cause Jason to reel back and take a step in front of Tim shielding him from view.

In return Bruce shields Jason from view, some part of Jason is annoyed, the other part is grateful to be hid from the mouth that looks like it wants to sneer in disgust.

"What are you doing here?" That man whispers.

Notes:

I totally forgot I said I was gonna post today. So if it seems a little rushed, to those that are being nice the next one will be better. To the others that come to judge, suck it up.

Keep commenting I love hearing from y’all and I do nothing with my life.

I totally forgot to write the chapter, and when I did it got deleted, so yeah ummm yeah

Also should dick forgive Bruce I’m thinking not but that’s just what I’m leaning towards tell me what y’all want

Chapter 4: Oh father, please father!

Summary:

𝕴 𝖍𝖆𝖙𝖊 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖋𝖔𝖗 𝖜𝖍𝖆𝖙 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖉𝖎𝖉, 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝕴 𝖒𝖎𝖘𝖘 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖑𝖎𝖐𝖊 𝖆 𝖑𝖎𝖙𝖙𝖑𝖊 𝖐𝖎𝖉
- 𝕸𝖔𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓 𝖘𝖎𝖈𝖐𝖓𝖊𝖘𝖘

They say there are five sages of grief, denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. But dick could say he made a whole new one Apathy.

When the bats showed up n Dick radar he didn’t care, but he figured he might as well greet them. Possibly see if there was a reason that they were here.

That didn’t mean he has to be nice. Honestly that’s overrated too.

Still Dick Grayson gets off work early to plan. He walks down the street and sees a robbery in place, he keeps walking.

He looks up at the run down apartment building he lives in and lets out a deep sigh. He walks into the room to see his dog running at him.

“Who’s a good girl, Haley, you are!!” Dick Grayson says with a clear expression of joy. “Guess what Haley some people are in town today, you wanna come with me and say hi?”

Hayley lets out a bark of agreement and wags her tail. She starts making her way to the bedroom.

Dick sits back up from where he was leaning on the floor to pet Haley. He takes a moment to reflect on his life and how he got here. A year ago he was an assassin, wasn’t that laughable?

A year ago he was underestimated and that led to the downfall of the whole organization. But that’s not where his problems really started.

Ten years ago he was kicked out of his home. Ten years ago he wondered the streets in hope for a single phone call. Ten years ago he got a news paper and saw he was replaced, he had so much anger and frustration he ripped the paper on the spot.

Nine years ago he stood on a ledge hoping for death to come for his worthless life. Nine years ago Slade took him in and treated him like a son.

Seven years ago, Slade told him robin had died. And Dick Grayson mourned for a boy he never got to meet, for a death that happened over a loving name for him. He cries.

Five years ago, Slade asks him to kill a person he said he would think about it. He left that night and drove for hours wondering if he made the right choice.

Three years ago, he made a life in bludhaven and he was happy. He got a small job at a coffee shop and he interacted with people he knew everyday. He beams at the people he greets everyday and he loves so much.

Thats why it hurts sometimes much when he finally hears about the new robin. Well new to him, he learns that the boy has been around for two years and he never knew. His heart yearns to meet the boy wearing his family colors. But he doesn’t.

The next year is nice and calm, until he figures out his heritage in a more forceful way than he would like. By that he means getting kidnapped by the same people his grandfather worked for, he doesn’t smile for another year.

By the time he escaped he was prepared to throw himself off another building, minutes before he works up the nerve he sees a little puppy being chased by teenagers. He shoos the kids away and take the puppy with him. She barks and licks his face causing him to let out a laugh, and after a minute he sounds hysterical to anyone outsiders perspective. He just takes a minute to stand there and marvel at the pup in front of him.

“I’m going to name you Hayley.” And he smiles.

After a year together dick got his life together, he got a job in the gymnastics school after a gruesome interview. When he gets the job he celebrates with Haley and take her in the park. For a year it’s them two together everywhere, so when he starts engaging in more nightlife activities, how could he tell her to stay home?

Hayley barks at him to get a move on and change. He smiles again he ties the cape around her neck and puts her mask on. After all that he gets himself ready for the long night ahead of him. And hops out the window.

He of course planned to shock the other vigilantes, that’s why he asked for their names even though he already knew them. For a moment everyone stares at eachother.

He looks up and down at Bruce and sees every change he’s ever made. Mostly to two people hiding behind him. He tries to look over Batman’s shoulder to get a better look at them but Bruce blocks him.

They just stand there sizing each other up and staying silent. Then everyone hears a bark and he turns to look at Hayley putting a finger over his mouth.

She ignores him.

Instead she happily trots forward with not a care in the world. She heads directly to robin and sits right in front of him demanding head pats.

Robin ,ever suspicious of a trap, slowly reaches down to pet her everyone watch’s as Hayley slowly melts to her charms.

“Bitewing your supposed to be on my side, what are you doing we’re supposed to look mysterious!” He whines out loud abandoning the original plan in an instant.

Thinking that Hayley would come back to his side was obviously wrong. Instead she look at him trying to convey the ‘what can you do’ attitude she has.

Seeing that getting Hayley back wouldn’t work he looks at Batman and smiles.

“Sorry bout that, she’s very friendly except when she’s not.” He laughs and he hears the red helmet guy snort behind Batman.

“So then, what did you guys need from me?” He chirps.

Trying again to gesture Hayley to get back to his side. She ignores him.

“Yeah we got some intel that somehow involves you,” red speaks for the first time. “Some people transporting guns in Gotham to apparently be used against you”

He nods along but keeps his eyes on Batman.

“Those people are obsessed with me, it was flattering until it got weird honestly.” He says clapping his hand together in false glee. “Anyways because you have information on people trying to kill me I might as well introduce myself!”

Hayley walks back toward him and stands like how they practiced to introduce themselves.

“I’m Nightwing and this is my beloved dog Bitewing” he says. Gesturing to himself and the dog standing beside him. “And it seems we’re going to be seeing each other for a while.”

Notes:

Yoooooo yall requested and I delivered.

Let me just say this, if yall want a chapter you have to comment it, my life is hectic and I will forget this book is even here if yall don’t ask me to post.

So yeah also I love comments and I love talking to yall, throughout all of it there is one person who commits on every chapter of you know who you are great if you don’t I’ll give you a shout out next chapter.

Anyways I love you all bye 😘 ✌🏽

Chapter 5: No one said that the past wouldn’t come to the future.

Summary:

I look at the world for a different angle
People change,
Even Satan used to be an angel.

—— NF

Ok first off, the dog is adorable. Tim could see why Nightwing brought her on patrol with him.

She defeats enemies with cuteness. If anything ever happened to her, Tim would kill everyone and then himself. He vowed as he continued to pet Bitewing after her introduction.

Tim gets on his knees to be able to pet her better. Bitewing in turn barks and starts to lick his face. Tim lets out a loud laugh and everyone turns to look at him. Interrupting whatever staring contest they had going on.

Nightwing walks toward him with a soft smile on his face.

"She likes you." He says

"I don't know why," Tim says suddenly feeling very self-conscious.

Nightwing in turn puts a hand on his shoulder and kneels by him to pet Bitewing.

"She's a great judge of character." He says softly. And Tim has never felt lighter than he does now. He looks to Nightwing and beams.

Red Hood lets out a very dramatic cough, which nobody is surprised by.

“Now that the little bonding session is over, we have important matters to discuss.” Red Hood says heavy in sarcasm.

Tim and Nightwing look at each other and slowly start to get up, much to Hayley’s dismay. She let out a loud bark to verbalize her disapproval.

“Of course Hood, wouldn’t want this little play date to be for nothing, right robin?” Nightwing looks over to him with a beaming smile on his face. Tim has no choice but to beam back.

“Right!” He says to cheerfully for the thirty hours he’s been up.

“Right, I have a safe house near here if yall don’t mind?” Nightwing offers them. “We could use it as a more private place to discuss things”

Batman gives his first nod of approval for the night. And Tim, Tim’s just happy he can keep hanging out with Bitewing. She’s adorable!

Then with no warning Tim sees Nightwing take a running start and leap of the building. Not even bothering to see if the bats were following, of course the were, and Tim sees Bitewing click her own paws together and take a running start.

Tim almost falls of the building trying to catch Bitewing, only to see her leaping across the rooftops with the things on her paws giving her an extra bounce. Tim lets out a sigh of relief for the dog and immediately gets his grapple hook ready to follow.

He see Batman already following him closely and Red Hood getting ready to jump. Tim of course follows.

By the tim reaches the safe house he’s out of breath from Nightwing who’s showoff and doing flips the whole time. Tim’s pride couldn’t let not try to do the same things. He fell multiple times and each time Nightwing caught him and gave him advice.

Halfway there he could do two flips in a row!

Hayley continued to trail behind them happy for the workout.

It turns out that the safe house is an apartment in the top floor where they sneak in through the window. Cause Batman’s to cool for doors.

Tim learned that before he moved in with Bruce and almost gave him a heart attack because he entered through the window.

To this day Tim still doesn’t know how he fitted.

Tim steps into the apartment and isn’t impressed or disappointed. The whole thing really just lacked personality. Even when getting a safe house ready you put little things that might make work go faster, or things you just like.

It doesn’t necessarily had to be something that connects you to your civilian identity, but regardless it makes the hideout feel a little more homey. Less empty.

Makes you forget your alone.

“This is it people, no one can hear us!” Nightwing gestured around while Bitewing jumped on the couch to take a nap.

Tim moves to the table and take a seat while Batman and red hood prefer to stay standing. Nightwing goes and takes a seat across from him.

“Few days ago got a shipment of weapons tons of them, took out the people delivering them relatively easily but we got som documents pertaining to an assassination attempt happening soon.” Tim says mostly reiterating the points brought out in the earlier conversation.

“No need to be dramatic little bird we all know they’re aiming for me!” Nightwing says without a care in the world and laughs.

“Why are they targeting you?” Batman says completely opposite of nightwings attitude, instead radiating a tense body stance.

“Oh you know seen them around here and there.” Tim sees nightwing gesture this way and that way.

Automatically his respect grows for him, it had been awhile since someone outside the family dared to talk back to Batman.

“You can cut the crap.” Red hood speaks up.

“And what would I be cutting out hood?” Tim sees the most innocent face ever coming from nightwing.

“We know you were an assassin, and then turned vigilante out of what the goodness of your heart?” Instantly Tim can see red hood trying to goad nightwing into a fight.

So he turns his head to look at nightwing who hasn’t moved during the whole conversation.

“So maybe I was hood ever think I didn’t want to be there, or is that to big of a thought for little red riding hood.” Tim has to cover his mouth to keep from laughing at his snark.

Meanwhile Batman stands in the corner or the room tired enough to know to just let it play out.

“Really cause when I read part of the file it looked like you were the model student, couldn’t stand being anything less than perfect couldn’t you, Grayson” Hood says with enough poison in his voice to kill a elephant.

Right about that moment is when time started slowing down for Tim.

He could see everything happening.

He could see nightwing tense up at the last world that fell out of Red Hoods mouth.

He sees red hood tense as he sees the impact the words had on Nightwing.

Tim also sees the first knife of the night slicing through the air.

Notes:

So I really wanted to get this chapter out sooner, but I’m homeschooled and I’m trying to finish 11th grade right now.

And I have 2 parties this week and I leave for a vacation in a few weeks. So I have to prepare for that.

Yay visiting family members I only see every few years. So yeah 👍🏽

Chapter 6: Feels like I don’t even know me.

Summary:

𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎’𝚜 𝚊 𝚟𝚘𝚒𝚌𝚎 𝚒𝚗 𝚖𝚢 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚍, 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚜𝚊𝚢𝚜 𝙸’𝚖 𝚋𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚘𝚏𝚏 𝚍𝚎𝚊𝚍

—Happy Song

So maybe dick was a little crazy. Maybe throwing a knife out of pure anger at a person who has backup isn’t the smartest thing he’s ever done.

But everyone is a little crazy, right? So maybe his action leaned towards suicidal more than crazy. To do what he does every night you gotta be a little suicidal.

But back to the main point, he doesn’t throw the knife at full force. Instead he uses a technique primarily used for intimidation tactics. And though the bats are not easily scared it will make them wary of him.

And that wasn’t the original goal of the whole meeting them, but darn does he has a temper. Or maybe he’s just realized that he doesn’t have to put up with people’s crap forever.

When dick was younger his need to be a people pleaser often contradicted his volatile temper. Being trained by multiple assassins did nothing to calm him down.

He can compartmentalize but right now the compartment is full. So full in fact it’s over flowing.

So what have we learned.

One throwing knifes at people who actively outnumber you and are trained in fighting, isn’t only idiotic it’s basically suicidal.

Second, it’s time to clean out his mental compartment.

Third maybe he should actually work on that temper instead of trying to push us to the back of his mind, because obviously that isn’t working. He knows that because of the knife in his wall.

This is why he can’t have nice things.

Dick breathes out a heavy sigh. His shoulders feeling heavy. Looking up to the vigilantes in his apartment, he gives them a tired smile.

“Sorry bout that won’t happen again.” He says sitting down at the table again.

But the damage is already done.

He could see the stiffness in the bats shoulders. Good, no matter what they thought a line was drawn, and hopefully for everyone’s sakes it wouldn’t be crossed.

“Tell me what you need” he says to them. Looking at none of them he pulls his phone out to make notes.

Sue him, his ADHD is a jerk.

Batman walks forward his footsteps quiet on the hard wood floors.

“We need to know what you know.” His Ex-Father demands.

“Then I guess we better get started.”

They talk for hours deep into the night. Just the four of them, dick avoids getting into the before assassin and dives right in.

He told the about the brainwashing and the torture. He told them where the main warehouses were if still in use. He identified the supplier and possibly the fence.

By the end of the night they knew everything he knew. Without compromising his identity obviously.

The rising sun reminded the group that they do have things to do. After about half a hour more they said there goodbyes fully believing this would be the last time they saw each other.

( ꈍ꒳ꈍ)

Dick gets on with his life after they leave. He goes to work at his job, and takes Hayley on their regular walks.

And life goes on.

ᴛᴡᴏ ᴡᴇᴇᴋs, ᴡᴇʟʟ sᴇɴ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛʜᴇ ᴀᴅᴅʀᴇss ғᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴜsᴛ ᴅᴏɴᴛ ʙᴇ ʟᴀᴛᴇ.

ᴡʜʏ ᴡʜʏ ɪs ᴛʜɪs ʏᴏᴜ sᴀʏɪɴɢ ʏᴏᴜ ɴᴇᴇᴅ ᴍᴇ ᴍʏ ᴅᴇᴀʀ ʙᴀᴛ （๑ ᷇ 𖥦 ᷆๑)♡

ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ᴍɪɴᴅ ᴡᴇ ᴅᴏɴ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ᴀɴʏ ᴍᴏʀᴇ

ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴀɴᴛ ᴊᴜsᴛ ᴛᴀᴋᴇ ɪᴛ ʙᴀᴄᴋ! ɪ'ʟʟ ʙᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ಥ_ಥ

sᴛᴏᴘ ᴅᴏɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴇɪʀᴅ ғᴀᴄᴇs

ʙᴜᴛ ɪᴛ's ʜᴏᴡ ɪ ᴇxᴘʀᴇss ᴍʏ ᴇᴍᴏᴛɪᴏɴs ʅ(｡◔‸◔｡)ʃ

ɪᴛs ᴡᴇɪʀᴅ

ɪ ᴡᴀs ᴋɪᴅɴᴀᴘᴘᴇᴅ ᴀᴡᴀʏ ғʀᴏᴍ sᴏᴄɪᴇᴛʏ ғᴏʀ ᴀ ʏᴇᴀʀ ɪ'ᴍ ᴀʟʟᴏᴡᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ᴡᴇɪʀᴅ ⊹⁺⸜(ᐡ⸝ɞ̴̶̷ ·̮ ɞ̴̶̷⸝ᐡ)⸝⁺⊹

ᴅɪᴅ ʏᴏᴜ ʙʀᴇᴀᴋ ᴏᴜᴛ ᴏʀ ᴅɪᴅ ᴛʜᴇʏ ʀᴇᴛᴜʀɴ ʏᴏᴜ? ᴄᴀᴜsᴇ ɪ'ᴅ ʀᴇᴛᴜʀɴ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛᴏᴏ

ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏʀᴋ ᴍᴀʏ ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ᴋɴᴏᴡ (˵•̀ᴗ - ˵ )

ᴛʜɪs ɪ ʀᴇᴅ ʜᴏᴏᴅ ʙᴛᴡ ɪ ғᴏʀɢᴏᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴛᴇʟʟ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛʜᴀᴛ

ɪ ᴀʟʀᴇᴀᴅʏ ᴋɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏ ᴏғғᴇɴᴄᴇ ʙᴜᴛ ʀᴏʙɪɴ ɪ ᴍᴜᴄʜ ɴɪᴄᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴇ ʀᴇᴅ (｡•ᴗ•)ﾉﾞʏᴏ

ᴛʜᴀᴛs ᴡʜᴀᴛ ʜᴀᴘᴘᴇɴs ᴡʜᴇɴ ᴀ ɢᴜʏ ᴛʜʀᴏᴡs. ᴋɴɪғ ᴀᴛ ʏᴏᴜ.

ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴡᴀs sᴏ ᴛᴡᴏ ᴡᴇᴇᴋs ᴀɢᴏ ɢᴇᴛ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛɪᴍᴇs ʀᴇᴅ ಠ_ಠ

ʏᴏᴜ ɢᴀᴠᴇ ᴍᴇ ᴛʀᴀᴍᴀ

ᴀɴᴅ ʏᴏᴜ ᴘᴏᴋᴇᴅ ᴀᴛ ᴍɪɴᴇ ᴛʜᴇ sᴀᴍᴇ ɴɪɢʜᴛ

Jason doesn't respond to his messages after that. Ignoring all the memes dick sends him and leaving him on read.

During those two week he started preparing for the mission. Upgrading his gear and restocking on thing that got even remotely low.

He changes Hayley’s outfit to be more durable and comfortable only the best for his princess.

Three days before the raid started they meets up at a safe house in Gotham.

Everyone is gathered around the table with oracle on the phone.

“Where do yall need me” dick asks

“Second floor work your way down, hood will start at the bottom and work up” he points to the floors he wants them on. “Robin and I will start in the middle securing the guns”

Dick takes in everything and then prepares to leave.

His heart beats in his chest. For years he had dreamed of being able to fight by his father again. This time there were others there, he wasn’t apart of the family.

That’s what he wanted though, to be left alone. So why does the thought bake his heart heavy.

Everyone climbs onto there individual vehicle, except robin who climbs into the Batmobile. The drive to the bust is filled with chatter, most of which comes from him and robin.

They talk about everything and nothing. Robin tells him about the math assignment that he hates.

Dick reveals that he was in the running to be an exemplary in math and could help. He’s getting attached and he knows it.

On the topic of school he discovers that Tim likes mystery novels and Jason loves old classics dick never bothered to read which dick told him, and promptly receives a lecture on the importance of her books.

Calling him an uneducated heathen. Dick has never been more offended and tells him that he was a little busy.

By the time they make it to the warehouse a full blown debate is going on about reading and math. Still going even as they climb of their motorcycles and Robin and Batman out the car. They all walk up to the warehouse and take there positions.

“Be quiet.” Batman says “And get ready.”

Notes:

I am back!! This is being written on the road because I’m stuck in the car for awhile, yay. So yeah recommendations people I need them I don’t know what I’m doing, I was bored when I became a write! Have a great week my peoples!!

So update, my family doesn’t know I have a account on here so guess who’s paranoid. Yeah that’s fun.

Anyways the texting part was the most fun to write cause it’s literally me and my sister. Anyways let’s play 2 truths and a lie!!

I got into a car crash when I was 10 and spent six months in the hospital

No one in my family knows about my AO3 account and I send the books I write to my sister who doesn’t know I wrote them. ✌︎˶╹ꇴ╹˶✌︎

And I hate dogs

Chapter 7: Book of you & I

Summary:

𝓓𝓸𝓷'𝓽 𝓽𝓮𝓵𝓵 𝓶𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽'𝓼 𝓲𝓽'𝓼 𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓻
𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓫𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓸𝓯 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓘
𝓝𝓸𝔀 𝔂𝓸𝓾'𝓿𝓮 𝓼𝓬𝓻𝓲𝓫𝓫𝓵𝓮𝓭 𝓸𝓾𝓽 𝓶𝔂 𝓷𝓪𝓶𝓮
𝓐𝓷𝓭 𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓼𝓮𝓭 𝓶𝔂 𝓯𝓪𝓿𝓸𝓻𝓲𝓽𝓮 𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓮𝓼.

ʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴏғ ʏᴏᴜ & ɪ
- ᴀʟᴇᴄ ʙᴇɴᴊᴀᴍɪɴ

I descended onto the third floor, my escrisma at the ready. The dim lighting cast long shadows, but I knew every corner of this warehouse. Batman and Robin were handling the middle floor, their movements a well-oiled machine. Red Hood was starting at the bottom, his... unpredictable methods a wild card.

My focus narrowed to the fight, each strike and block a precise motion. I'd worked with Batman for years, and the memory of our partnership still lingered. We'd been a team, a unit, a family. I pushed the thought aside, focusing on the present. The thugs on this floor were no match for me, and I took them down with swift efficiency.

As I worked my way down to the second floor, the sounds of the fight grew louder. Batman's voice echoed up from the middle floor, his commands crisp and authoritative. Robin's "Got it, Batman!" followed, and I smiled grimly. They were a good team and tiim, he was a natural fit for this life.

When I reached the second floor, I met up with Batman and Robin. We worked together seamlessly, our movements practiced and deadly. Batman took point, his martial arts skills on full display. Robin flanked him, his agility and quick reflexes allowing him to dodge and weave around the thugs. I brought up the rear, my escrisma taking down anyone who got too close.

For a moment, it felt like old times. We were a well-oiled machine, working together with precision and ease. But the anger simmering beneath my surface wouldn't let me forget – this wasn't the same. We weren't a team. Not like we used to be. I'd been pushed aside, left to forge my own path. The memory still stung.

We cleared the second floor, and I continued down to the first, meeting Red Hood in the midst of his own battle. His eyes met mine, a flash of amusement crossing his face before he refocused on his opponents. I raised an eyebrow, impressed despite myself. Jason's methods might be unorthodox, but he got results.

I joined the fight, my staff slicing through the shadows. Jason's grin grew wider as we worked together, our movements a fluid dance of violence and precision. We were an unlikely duo, but we made it work. The thugs didn't stand a chance.

As we cleared the warehouse, the adrenaline began to wear off, and the weight of our task settled in. We'd done this before, but it never got any easier. The aftermath would be messy, but for now, the fight was all that mattered.

Batman and Robin joined us, their faces set in determined lines. "Let's get out of here," Batman said, his voice low and commanding. "We've got what we came for."

I nodded, my eyes meeting Jason's. He gave me a small smile, and I knew he understood. This wasn't over. Not by a long shot. But for now, we'd done what we set out to do. We'd taken down the bad guys.

The four of us walked out of the warehouse, the city darkness swallowing us whole. I fell back, letting the others take the lead. My eyes locked onto Batman's retreating form, a familiar ache stirring in my chest. Some wounds never fully healed.

The post mission debriefing went exactly how he remembered, just with more people attending. That being said he was bored the whole time, resorting to sit up side down to even try to listen to the words coming out the big bats mouth.

Death woul be more merciful than sitting here a listening to the same facts being said six different times for three hours. By the time the debrief was done, dick wa practically jumping off the walls in unused energy.

Apparently though, when they were all fighting Robin had enough time to give oracle access to the whole system, which unfortunately wasn't much.

Which they should have expected from it only being a rest stop for the guns. Only part of information was on there, including what times the guns where being shipped to them. And the town of which they came from.

Which wa good and bad, because what they found next showed how desperate they were for dick back.

"What do you mean?" Dick asks oracle.

"Apparently you were one of kind just the way your biology is made up of, so they're trying to recreate you basiclly."

Everyone in the room was speechless. Sure, he was impressive and he didn't fight to bad either. Going out of there way just create another him is just obsessive.

"If the knock offs are anything like him we're gonna have a bunch of idiots running around." Red Hood says trying to defuse the tension in the room.

It didn’t work.

“I guess I better get going” Dick says making his way to the window. “I got a long drive ahead of me and what not.”

He says giving a vague excuse. When really he just wanted to go have a panic attack in peace.

The drive home was relatively peaceful and in fact calming for him. It gave him a moment just to breathe, just him and his dog on a motorcycle heading home from work.

That sometimes left unexplainable bruises. For a minute he could just be normal and not feel like a weapon that people molded him to be.

It was freeing.

But it also gave him time to reflect. It still hurt no matter how much he pretend to ignore it. It hurt to feel replaced like you weren’t good enough.

It hurt to pretend it didn’t hunt every waking hour. Like he never wondered that if he hadn’t gotten kicked out would he be going back to the manor?

Would he get a hug?

Would he be happy?

He’ll never know, because he did get kicked out.

He did leave the manor.

He hasn’t received a hug in years.

And he wasn’t happy, but he wasn’t going to go home.

And that’s that.

Notes:

ɪ'ᴍ ᴡʀᴏᴛᴇ ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ᴇᴀʀʟʏ ᴄᴀᴜsᴇ ɪ ғᴇʟᴛ ʙᴀᴅ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪ ᴛᴏᴏᴋ ᴀ ᴡʜᴏʟᴇ ᴍᴏɴᴛʜ ᴛᴏ ᴡʀɪᴛᴇ ʟᴀsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ. sᴏ ʏᴇᴀʜ ɪ ғᴇᴇʟ ᴀ ʟɪᴛᴛʟᴇ ʙɪᴛ ɢᴜɪʟᴛʏ

｡°(°¯᷄◠¯᷅°)°｡

sᴏ ʜᴇʀᴇ's ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ. ᴛᴇʟʟ ᴍᴇ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ɪ ɴᴇᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴡᴏʀᴋ ᴏɴ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄᴏᴍᴍᴇɴᴛs ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ... ᴏʀ ᴍᴀʏʙ ᴊᴜsᴛ ᴛᴀʟᴋ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴇ ɪ'ᴍ ᴋɪɴᴅᴀ ʟᴏɴᴇʟʏ ૮( ᵕ̩̩ - ᵕ̩̩ c)ა

Chapter 8: No cracks, no breaks, no mistakes, NO PRESSURE.

Summary:

I had to go reread my last chapter cause I literally forgot what happened and also people did I ever give dick a job cause I forgot. Also if I didn’t tell me what job to give him cause i want more options.

Do you ever just sit down somewhere and just think of everything you need to do, but when you get up it feels like your feet are stuck in concrete?

Like your chained down and have no choice but to stay down?

When dick got home from the mission he was having one of those days. He peeled off his suit and sat on the couch to take Hayley’s vest off and then promptly passed out.

Maybe it was to the emotional torture he put himself through in the last few weeks, but he just felt tired.

The next morning he called out from work, which wasn’t unusual he called out at least once a week. So much so that jokes were being made around his workplace.

Mostly that he never showed up, which is totally unfair! He shows up, sometimes.

You miss a day or two and suddenly you’re the butt of every joke.

But really it’s not like dick could complain, he’s was never there to hear them.

Dick continues grumbling while lazily eating a bag of potato chips on his couch. He resisted the urge to pout, because he was a grown man, in a very grown up house, doing very grown up things, and has a very grown up job.

He was too old to pout, even in the comfort of his own home or what he called the run down apartment he lives in.

Dick sits up and considers his next move, if he ever did move.

He could leave permanently and he doesn’t know what’s stopping him. Seeing the family he could’ve had is too much for him right now.

Like his brain is hitting the self-destruct button and nostalgic button at the same time. Soon enough it’s gonna start a fire he can’t put out.

He could stay but what then? Keep his distance, trust that his family wouldn’t put all there effort into figuring out every little thing about him.

Soon enough have his past revealed then run away in shame of being a murder and coward.

He lets out a wet laugh, both choices sounded horrible to him. One sounds like it’s gonna end in a panic attack and the other sounds like it’s also gonna end in a panic attack. Might as well just sit here and enjoy his calm while it lasts.

He could enjoy the calm or he could wallow in his misery, the second one definitely sounded better to him.

(The Batfam right now)

“Hear me out, we could just leave him alone” Jason stated. Batman’s grunts out a negative. And Tim well Tim’s inclined to agree. With bludhaven only a little less than a hour away having a potential enemy that close to the family could be dangerous.

But on the other hand Nightwing seemed to show no inclination to hurt the family. He only seemed to react but never really started any fight.

Maybe he was a relatively peaceful vigilante, as much as one can be.

Tim thought about the situation with Nightwing, weighing the pros and cons of reaching out to him. He didn't want to dismiss the possibility of having an ally in Bludhaven, but at the same time, he couldn't shake off the feeling that Nightwing might be hiding something.

"I think I should talk to him," Tim said, breaking the silence in the room. "See if he's willing to chat and get to know us better."

Batman's gaze lingered on Tim, his expression unreadable. "Be cautious."

Jason raised an eyebrow. "You're really going to go solo on this one? Fine, but don't come crying to us when it all blows up in your face."

Tim nodded, already making up his mind to visit Nightwing. "I'll go hang out with him, see where things go. Maybe we can find a way to work together."

As Tim stood up, Batman spoke up, his voice low and cryptic. "The night has many voices, Tim. Listen to the silence between them."

Tim felt a shiver run down his spine as he nodded and headed towards the door. "I'll go see what I can find out. Wish me luck."

As he left the Batcave, Tim couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and trepidation. What would Nightwing be like in a casual setting? Would he be friendly and open, or would he remain aloof and guarded? Only time would tell.

Notes:

I’m currently getting into other fandoms like

Omniscient readers view point

Teenage mercenary

Solo leveling

Tomb raiders

Windbreaker

Dr stone

Bungo stray dogs

And other things soon maybe I’ll make a fanfic in those

Tell me what other fandoms I should look into

I was starting off this chapter and I paused and was like

When did this become about my depression?

Also I have no excuse for not writing, I just didn't want to

Chapter 9: We could be hero’s

Summary:

So yeah it’s been like two months and I really don’t know what happened, I swear I poster the last chapter yesterday so yeah. Let me update you on me I’m still

Chaotic, caffeinated, controlling and my least favorite one…

Alive!!!!!

Anyways let’s get on with it

 

“I sometimes wish I’d never been born at all”

—Bohemian Rhapsody

“Laugh and cry with me
Fly that high with me
See that sunset
And the sunrise
The world looks so good through our eye!”
— Together we stand

“The mind sucks.

It’s gonna lie to you and claim it’s telling you the truth. It’s gonna ignore all the evidence around you and come to its own conclusion.

It’s not your fault.

It’s not your fault that you were hurt so bad, that everything is a threat. It’s not your fault, that even though you try not to be there’s a deep fear inside you that you can’t get over.

It’s not your fault, do you know why you cry when you get angry? No truly angry.

You cry because you care, you care to much and people have used that.

Every time you get angry is because you cared, and you cry because that care was used against you.

That’s just how it works, Dick.

You’re gonna cry.

But think of it as a reminder that you still are able to love.

You still will get angry.

But it’s cause of the injustice.

You’re still being lied to.

The biggest lie of all is saying your ‘fine’”

Dick still remembered that talk with Slade. In fact it burned in his memory. It was after a failed training day. He was feeling homesick and crappy. He wanted to cry and scream and sleep. He wanted everything to stop.

Slade sat him down on the training mats and asked him how he was doing and all dick said was ‘fine’.

They both knew he wasn’t.

He cried.

And just like now all alone in his empty apartment, he cries.

He cries for the boy who used to be. The one that believed in only good and bad. He cries for the boy who wanted a father. He cries for the boy that turned into a weapon.

He gets a notification on his phone of a bird sighting.

‘Great’ he thinks, ‘just what I wanted.’

Nightwing stood on the rooftop, his eyes scanning the cityscape below. The wind rustled his suit, and he breathed in the cool night air. He'd received a notification on his comms device that Robin was in Bludhaven, and he'd come straight from his house to meet up with him. The city lights twinkled like stars below, and Nightwing felt a sense of familiarity and comfort. He'd patrolled these streets many times before, but tonight felt different. Tonight, he had a sense of anticipation.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows. Robin, with his bright red and black suit, grinned at Nightwing.

"Hey, Nightwing! I've been looking all over for you," Robin said, his voice friendly and familiar.

Nightwing chuckled, a hint of amusement in his tone. "You've got a knack for tracking me down, Robin. What's on your mind?"

Robin walked closer, his eyes sparkling with determination. "I think this is time we put our differences aside and worked together. We both want the same thing – to protect this city and its people."

Nightwing raised an eyebrow, intrigued but also cautious. He'd worked with Robin before, but he knew that Bruce wouldn't necessarily approve of their partnership. The thought made him hesitate. He didn't want to go behind Bruce's back, but at the same time, he couldn't deny the potential benefits of working with Robin.

"What makes you think I'm interested in teaming up?" Nightwing asked, his tone neutral.

Robin took a step forward, his determination evident. "Because we're both trying to protect this city. We can learn from each other, cover each other's backs... You know, the usual superhero stuff."

Nightwing sighed inwardly, knowing that Robin's words made sense. But he couldn't shake off the feeling that Bruce might not be pleased about this partnership. He glanced around, half-expecting to see the Dark Knight looming in the shadows.

"I'm not sure," Nightwing said finally, his voice measured. "I'd need to know more about what you have in mind."

Robin pulled out a small notebook from his utility belt and flipped through the pages. "I've been tracking some patterns in the city's crime stats. I think we could work together to take down some of the bigger players."

Nightwing's eyes lit up with interest, despite his reservations. He listened intently as Robin outlined his plan, impressed by the young hero's strategic thinking. As they discussed the finer points of their plan, Nightwing's hesitation began to fade.

The hours passed quickly, and before long, the sun was starting to rise over the horizon. Nightwing and Robin stood on the rooftop, watching the city come alive.

"I think this could work," Nightwing said finally, a sense of excitement building in his chest. "But let's keep this between us for now. You know, just in case."

Robin grinned, relieved. "I knew you'd see things my way. And don't worry, Nightwing. Your secret's safe with me."

Nightwing smiled wryly, knowing that he was taking a risk by partnering with Robin without Bruce's knowledge. But he also knew that this could be an opportunity to make a real difference in the city.

The two superheroes shook hands, sealing their tentative partnership. As they stood there, the city lights twinkling behind them, Nightwing felt a sense of hope. Maybe this was the start of something good.

"You know, Robin," Nightwing said, as they parted ways, "I think this could be the beginning of a beautiful partnership."

Robin smiled, his eyes shining with excitement. "I'm counting on it, Nightwing."

As Nightwing watched Robin disappear into the night, he couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation. He knew that this partnership wouldn't be easy, but he was willing to take the risk. For the first time in a long time, he felt like he was part of something bigger than himself.

The city was full of possibilities, and Nightwing was ready to take on the challenge. He turned and leaped off the rooftop, his cape fluttering behind him. The wind rushed past him as he soared through the night, feeling alive and free.

He landed softly on the ground, his eyes scanning the streets below. The city was quiet, but Nightwing knew that it wouldn't stay that way for long. He smiled to himself, feeling a sense of anticipation. He was ready for whatever came next.

As he walked away from the rooftop, Nightwing couldn't help but wonder what the future held for him and Robin. Would their partnership be successful, or would it end in disaster? Only time would tell, but for now, Nightwing was excited to find out.

Notes:

I’m playing stardew valley and my boyfriend is Sam and tomorrow we will get married. So guess I gotta live till then. Darn it

Chapter 10: Someone’s gotta win and lose

Summary:

VILLAIN INTERLUDE.

WARNING ITS AN OC. TW OBJECTIFICATION KINDA

𝓘 𝓭𝓸𝓷'𝓽 𝓬𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝓲𝓯 𝓲𝓽 𝓱𝓾𝓻𝓽𝓼,
𝓘 𝔀𝓪𝓷𝓷𝓪 𝓱𝓪𝓿𝓮 𝓬𝓸𝓷𝓽𝓻𝓸𝓵,
𝓘 𝔀𝓪𝓷𝓷𝓪 𝓹𝓮𝓻𝓯𝓮𝓬𝓽 𝓫𝓸𝓭𝔂
𝓘 𝔀𝓪𝓷𝓷𝓪 𝓹𝓮𝓻𝓯𝓮𝓬𝓽 𝓼𝓸𝓾𝓵.

--- 𝓒𝓻𝓮𝓮𝓹 𝓫𝔂 𝓡𝓪𝓭𝓲𝓸𝓱𝓮𝓪𝓭

In the shadows of Gotham City, a figure sat atop a throne of twisted steel and darkness, her eyes gleaming with an unquenchable ambition and a healthy dose of sass. The Court of Owls, once a secret society feared by all, now bowed to her will. And honestly, it was about time. She had taken it over with cunning and ruthless precision, eliminating any opposition and molding its members into her loyal followers. It was almost too easy.

Her gaze drifted to a photograph on her desk, a smirk spreading across her face as she gazed at the image of Dick Grayson. Oh, Nightwing. She had a plan for him, and it involved a lot of begging. He would soon learn to do her bidding, and he would do it with a smile. Or else.

She remembered their last meeting, the one where he had almost killed her. It was a mistake he didn't even remember, but she did. She remembered the pain, the fear, and the anger. But most of all, she remembered the spark of admiration she had felt for him. He was a worthy adversary, one who would be stop at nothing to protect the city.

But that admiration had quickly turned to resentment. He had let her live, but he hadn't even bothered to finish the job. It was a mistake she wouldn't make again. She would make sure to take care of him, to break him, and to mold him into the perfect servant.

As she sat in the darkness, her mind racing with schemes and strategies, a soft beep echoed through the room. One of her loyal followers had entered the chamber, awaiting her instructions.

"Your Excellency," the follower said, bowing deeply. "The Nightwing has been spotted in Bludhaven, teaming up with the Robin. It seems they're growing closer, putting aside their differences for the sake of the city."

The figure rolled her eyes, a sarcastic smile spreading across her face. "Oh, how cute. They think they can take on the big bad world together. Bless their hearts."

The follower looked up, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Shall we take action, Your Excellency?"

The figure leaned forward, her eyes glinting with excitement. "Oh, yes. It's time to show them what we're made of. Prepare the Court for the next phase of our plan. It's time to expand our reach and show the world our true power. And as for Nightwing... let's just say he'll be getting a special invitation to join us. One that he won't be able to refuse."

The follower nodded, backing away slowly before disappearing into the shadows. The figure's gaze returned to the photograph, her mind whirling with possibilities. Dick Grayson would soon be hers, and she would use him to further her own ambitions. The thought sent a thrill through her, and she couldn't wait to get started.

She would make him pay for what he did, for leaving her to die. She would make him beg for mercy, and she would enjoy every moment of it. The city would tremble at her feet, and Nightwing would be her loyal servant.

The darkness seemed to grow thicker, more oppressive, as she sat in her throne. But she didn't notice. She was too caught up in her own thoughts, too caught up in her own ambitions. And as the minutes ticked by, the city outside seemed to grow quieter, as if it too was holding its breath in anticipation of what was to come.

She began to outline her plan, step by step. She would start by infiltrating the city's infrastructure, using her agents to gather intelligence and sow discord. She would then launch a series of coordinated attacks, targeting key landmarks and institutions.

The heroes would be caught off guard, and they would struggle to respond. But she would be one step ahead, always anticipating their moves and countering their attacks. And when the dust settled, she would be the one standing, the one in control.

The figure's eyes gleamed with excitement as she thought of the chaos that was to come. She would stop at nothing to achieve her goals, would crush anyone who stood in her way. And she would emerge victorious, the most powerful person in the world.

The city would be hers, and she would rule it with an iron fist. The heroes would be broken, defeated, and humiliated. And Dick Grayson would be hers, a tool to be used in her quest for power.

The thought sent a shiver down her spine, a thrill of anticipation that she couldn't ignore. She would make it happen, no matter what it took. And when she did, the city would never be the same again.

As she sat in her throne, she felt a sense of satisfaction. She had come a long way, and she had achieved so much. But she knew that she was just getting started. The real challenge was yet to come, and she was ready for it.

Notes:

Hello guys I’m back in the horse. Updates will be more regular now I think 🤔🤷🏽‍♀️😉

Expect one every 2 weeks.

Also that’s it. Hope you enjoyed it.

If you have anything you want to see happen in this book tell me. I leave it to yall to direct the plot.

Chapter 11: Tester for chapter 17. Vote with me should this be written in?

Summary:

Help me decide if this exert should be add to the story!!

No hard feelings honest opinions only!

Notice this is only a rough draft of part of a future chapter.

Once voting is done this chapter will be deleted for the actual next chapter

“What do you want?”

“I don’t want anything from you.” Bruce responded calmly.

“Bullcrap everyone wants something.” Dick shrugged off Bruce’s hand. How it got to his shoulder he doesn’t know. But the touched burned his skin and his discomfort grows.

Vulnerability something everyone is almost completely capable of, right?

“Your right, I want my son.” Bruce says hesitating on whether or not to try and touch him again. At the end he decides boundaries should be respected.

“Your sons not here.” Dick makes a move to walk away.

“If he was here though I would tell him how proud of him I am.”

Dick stops.

“I would tell him that I’m sorry over and over again”

Dick doesn’t breathe.

“I would tell him that I love him even though I haven’t seen him for years I think about him every day”

Dicks shoulders shake with silent sobs.

“I would tell him all about his brothers and how he was the reason I even adopted them”

“I would tell him about how they look up to him so much even though they never met him”

“I would rap him up in the biggest hug I could and he would have to beg me to let go of him”

“I would tell him that I don’t care what he’s done as long as he came back!” Throughout his speech Bruce slowly walks back up to dick.

“Please can you please tell me where my son is” Bruce begs grabbing dick and turning him around to face him. He grabs him by the arms prepared to either let go or give him a hug.

This time the touch didn’t feel like fire. It felt desperate for love, for family, for him. And this time dick gladly accepted and returned it full force. As he looked at his father he broke down crying and he for the first time in years he told his feelings honestly.

“Your sons right here,dad” a sob interrupts dicks sentence. “And he doesn’t know what to do”

And Bruce gave him a hug.

“That’s alright son.”

Notes:

What do yall think?

Chapter 12: F. Forget me

Summary:

I’m not angry anymore for what you did, But who does that to a kid?

— Highlights, Sasha Alex Sloan

“No I asked for a side of potatoes.”

“Sir those are potatoes” Dick said trying not to role his eyes.

“No they aren’t” the customer whose name is Octavian responded. “Look at them, they don’t look like potatoes at all.”

Now here was this kid who’s only about two years younger than dick himself complaining about getting what he ordered.

Why dick became a waiter he’ll never know.

“That’s because there mashed, sir” Dick said.

“I didn’t ask for mashed I asked for potatoes”

“I’m sorry sir but we don’t serve whole potatoes. We serve mashed, if you would like you can choose another side?” Dick said offering an alternative.

“No I’ll just keep it now cause it’s here.” Octavian said arrogantly head up picking at the side he complained about for ten whole minutes.

Dick could practically feel the steam coming out his ears. He wanted to slap a ——-. (Author could not bear the thought of cursing but I think you know what word I mean)

Instead he calmly walk to the back after being sent away by Octavian.

Ah restaurant Haven. Where contrary to the name is not a haven.

Where the pay is bad, and the customers are even worse, and your colleagues want to make you throw yourself of a bridge.

Working am I right, but c’est la vie.

Instead he called up his civilian bestie Darla who was an absolute sweetheart.

He pulls out the recent burner phone he only got yesterday out of paranoia that someone was tracking him. But whatever.

(Guys let me give you some help when your fighting with a girl and she say “you know whatever I don’t even care anymore” she does care. She just thinks that your not worth her explanation anymore and not worth arguing with you)

Anyways, he types in her number to his phone and when she pick up immediately starts ranting.

“Darla oh my god do I want to throw myself of a cliff right now. There’s this guy who didn’t know that mashed potatoes are in fact potatoes. And on the other side a me there’s this guy who’s hitting on a girl like twenty years younger than him!”

In the background there screams could be heard saying something like “Get your crap together John”.

“Darla the wife came back, this guy will be lucky if he even gets to sleep on the couch”

Dick walks to the back alley behind the restaurant and catches his breath.

“Anyways how’s your day going?”

“My name not Darla”

A quiet curse can be heard leaving Dicks mouth.

“I’m sorry?” Dick says.

“Don’t be this was more entertaining than what I was about to do.”

“Oh what were you about to do?”

“About to tell my board members than we are not selling Wayne branded microwaves.”

This friends is where dicks panic really set in. I mean who accidentally calls their father?!

I’m sorry ex-father.

Back to the story, dick promptly hung up on Bruce and throws his phone into the nearest trash can.

For security reasons, of course not cause his first reaction to panic is aggression and the only thing he could take his anger out on is his phone, hypothetically.

But that’s crazy. No he did it for security reasons.

Security. Reasons.

Ok?

Good.

Then from the trash can his phone rings with the number he just called.

Should he answer? No he’s in hiding…forget that he’s gonna answer.

It’ll look more suspicious if he doesn’t. At least That’s what dick tells himself. So he take a deep breathe and grads his phone of the top of the trash can.

“Hello Kevin’s cremation service you kill him we grill them. How may I help you?” He says into the phone.

‘Oh my god I’m such an idiot’ he mouths to himself.

Bruce Wayne lives in Gotham when is it an ever good idea to make joke encouraging murder.

“I think we were talking a sec ago and I just wanted to make sure everything thing was fine” Bruce says with a hint of worry in his tone. If dick was more of an idiot he probably would have believed it.

“Yeah yeah all good, I um gotta go now so imma go” Dick says into the phone. “Yeah gonna go” and hangs up again. Before throwing the phone at the wall.

“I’m such an idiot” he says to himself. “If I could die right now that would be great” placing his head into his hands. “Seriously god just kill me now”

Hahahahaha….no.

Getting up he goes in search to buy a new phone.

And gives up a few steps in. Yeah Dick would rather just go home and get a nap. Who needs a phone or money? Or being a real person?

If you ask him he could live without it.

（＾_＾）With Bruce Wayne.

“Boss everything ok” one of the people at the table asks who Bruce can’t bother remembering their name or position.

“Yes of course” Bruce says looking around the table. “A little problem with a wrong number. Nothing major.” He says putting on a stupid smile.

“Let’s get back to the meeting.” He says pulling the folder they gave to him a little closer. “I don’t care how profitable you say it will be we are not making microwaves.”

“But sir”

“No that’s a no”

“But the profits”

“Still a no”

The room goes silent in Bruce Wayne denial to the pitch.

“We’re not doing any Batman merch either” placing his head into his hands. Across the table another person take back the folder he was about to hand to Bruce.

“Why anyone would want to walk around with a furry’s logo over their t-shirts?”

“But the profits” Another woman protested weakly.

“Forgets the profits, this is a matter of my pride we are not selling the furries stuff” he says with a determined tone.

It was a known fact that Bruce Wayne would rather dies that sell Batman merch.

And he was going to keep it that way.

Notes:

Here is the promised chapter. It took awhile cause I wasn’t feeling the ✨ VIBES ✨

Chapter 13: I only see my goals

Summary:

I only see my goals
I don’t believe in failure
—7 years

Jason Todd, was in Bludhaven on a mission to track down a major drug dealer who'd been causing trouble in the city. He was patrolling the streets, looking for any lead on the dealer's whereabouts. He didn't expect to run into Nightwing - literally. They bumped into each other in a narrow alley off Freak Street. Both were dealing with low-level crime in their own ways. Nightwing was using his acrobatic skills to stop a petty thief from stealing phones. Red Hood was taking a more aggressive approach, dealing with taggers who were spray-painting graffiti on a dumpster.

"Whoa, watch it," Nightwing said, catching himself against a wall after colliding with Red Hood.

"Oh, look what we got here. The great Nightwing," Jason said with sarcasm. "You lost your way or something?"

Nightwing rubbed his shoulder. "I guess we both had the same idea about cleaning up Bludhaven. What're you doing here?"

Jason shrugged. "I'm hunting a drug dealer. Heard he's been causing problems in Bludhaven."

Nightwing raised an eyebrow. "A drug dealer? You don't usually come to Bludhaven for that kind of thing. What's the dealer's name?"

"I don't need help tracking him down," Jason said, a bit defensive. "But since you're here, maybe you can stay out of my way."

Nightwing smiled wryly. "I'll try to do that. But if this dealer is causing trouble in Bludhaven, I might need to know more."

A young troublemaker in a black hoodie started shooting at both of them with a poor-quality pistol - thinking he could play them against each other. Red Hood rolled his eyes. "Amateur hour."

Working together like they'd planned it, Nightwing did a flip off a trash can and landed behind the troublemaker. Red Hood aimed his dual pistols - "You wanna play?" The troublemaker froze. Together they disarmed him. Nightwing handcuffed him.

"Thanks for the assist," Nightwing said, breathing easily.

"Sure, buddy. Didn't need help though," Jason said sarcastically.

The troublemaker they'd caught was wanted for a series of small-time robberies in Bludhaven. Chief Bowman wanted Red Hood to stick around for a day or two - to make sure things were "stabilized."

## Taking Down the Drug Dealer
That night, Nightwing and Red Hood got a lead on the drug dealer's location - an abandoned warehouse on the docks. They decided to take him down together. Nightwing led the way, using his acrobatics to get onto the warehouse roof. Red Hood followed, covering the entrances with his pistols.

They swooped in. The dealer was holding court with a bunch of armed goons, packaging drugs for distribution. Nightwing took out the goons with swift kicks and flips. Red Hood aimed his pistols, telling the dealer, "You wanna play?"

The dealer panicked, trying to flee. Nightwing cornered him against a crate. "No escape."

Red Hood walked up. "You caused a lot of trouble in Bludhaven."

The dealer surrendered. Nightwing cuffed him. "We'll take care of this guy."

Chief Bowman arrived to take the dealer into custody. "Thanks for taking care of this, guys."

Nightwing nodded. Red Hood just grunted, "Mission done."

Notes:

Decided to do just a simple mission. More feelings can make their debut next chapter

Chapter 14: Hate u, love u.

Summary:

Sometime I hate every
Single stupid word you say
Sometimes I wanna slap your whole face! - True Love by Pink

So maybe dick was a idiot. Why was he just accepting his ex-father and his family so easily into his life.

The mission with Jason basically proved it. Seeing how easily he gave in, ultimately confuses him to no end.

He was thinking about this so much it showed in his dreams.

He was tired that night, like worn out tired, like if I died now I wouldn’t really mind tired. And in those fits of exhaustion is when he never sleeps easy.

It’s starts with him on the side of the road with his old motorcycle he used to have when he was sixteen next to him.

Promptly after meeting Slade he got rid of it, the motorcycle just didn’t feel as meaningful.

He remembers this moment in time well. It was right after he left the house and didn’t know where to go, eventually he ran out of gas and parked on the side of the road before ultimately deciding to call Slade.

He runs his hands over the bike, and dispute not seeing it in years it felt right. Something’s you never unlearn and this was definitely one of them.

When he took his eyes off the bike he could see a person watching him from afar.

Or rather sixteen year old Dick in all his glory.

“Hi” he’s says. He’s not unfamiliar with these kinds of dreams. He’s been at this exact scene before and he knows what to expect.

“Let’s not do that.” Young him says. Covering his mouth in a yawn.

“Do what it’s called being polite, usually you great a person and there suppose to greet you back” Dick smiles a sharp tooth grin.

“Why are you hanging out with them” young him says. Deciding to skip all pleasantries and get right down to business.

“Why not?” He asks is retaliation crossing his arms he’s posture showing that he was getting defensive.

“You know why” Young him also never fully answers the question.

Dick sighs into the night. Maybe just for tonight it would be good the think about everything fully.

“I think he’s changed.”

“You think he’s changed?” Younger him repeats incredulously.

“You didn’t see it like how I did.” He says trying to explain his reasoning.

“No! No. That’s not how we work.” He says partially screaming. “I’m you and your me, I see everything you do and right now I don’t understand how you think he’s changed?!”

Dick stands there and takes it. And admits that maybe he can see the reasoning his younger version has.

“The night when they first came to bludhaven, they recognized me as a threat and he instinctively move to cover Jason and Tim” He pauses knowing the words he’s about to admit to are going to hurt. “He never did that for us.” He quietly admits to his younger self and the moonlight.

The younger one of the town walks up beside dick and just stands. “Even if he did change and you see it clearly now, and he loves them, doesn’t that mean we just weren’t worth changing for too?”

The words hit like a punch to the gut. Because that was the main problem wasn’t it. In the end they just weren’t worth it.

Quietly he concedes “Maybe”.

(*´-`)

Dick wakes up abruptly from his dream with tears streaming down his face. What was he going to do?

He gets up from his bed to make himself a bowl of cereal. He only has the mental capacity to make that for his meals, planning to make anything else was too mentally draining and taxing. He preferred for his food to come out a box already made thank you.

Maybe he should invest it Kraft Mac and cheese.

You know what they say processed foods make the world go round.

On second thought that didn’t sound right.

Maybe he should invest in better food.

Yeah, in his nightmares.

In his living room he can hear Hayley waking up and barking already demanding her morning walk.

He gives he a small smile as she whines at the door giving him her best puppy eyes.

He relents and quickly finishes his cereal and goes on to put on his shoes and pick up the leash from the dresser in his room.

As he walks into his room he realizes it’s in desperate need of some cleaning.

That’s a problem for later.

And by later he means when he’s dead. But knowing some people that would raise him back just to spite him *cough* Nico do Angelo *cough*.

So by died he means never.

Absolutely not.

Finally he makes it to the door and manages to get the leash on his very excited dog.

They walk out the door.

For the most part he lets Hayley lead him around. The good thing about knowing a city by the back of your hand is that wherever his dog leads he know the way back to his apartment.

So he lets her wonder, with him periodically going on his phone and then looking at Hayley and the process repeats.

Eventually they slowly start making their way back. With Hayley insisting on smelling everything she smelled on the way there. The walk all in all only took about two hours which isn’t too bad, but when dick really has time and Hayley knows it’s, These walks can last for a good couple hours.

On the journey back to the house he couldn’t help but feel threatened.

Like suddenly he became the prey and the predator was coming for him. Now with his paranoia he just wants to go home even more.

For some reason he felt like that wasn’t the best idea.

He didn’t know why.

Notes:

So did I just go MIA yes yes I did.

Do I regret it?

No not particularly.

But here’s the next chapter I wrote it in a airport running on three hours of sleep 🫩

Enjoy!!

This is unedited to so pls don’t judge.

Also we are no where near the end of this book ugh it’s gonna take so long.

Anyways comments are appreciated tell me what you would like to see in this books future!!!

Notes:

I hate myself.

Listen I don’t even know if I’m going to continue this, odds are I’ll forget it’s here.

If I do forget and it’s been a couple days drop a comment call me out. I don’t mind!

Thanks for actually taking time to read this crap, cause let’s face it you’ll probably had better things to read.

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 5 of Mostly song fics