Chapter Text
8 years ago, November
A lone bank robber ran through alleyways, constantly looking over his shoulder to see if anyone was following him. His accomplices were already taken down and in handcuffs, and Dick really thought he should know it was futile to run. He followed leisurely, jumping from rooftop to rooftop with Wonder Girl flying next to him.
It would be easy for Dick to just have Kid Flash get it over with, but where was the fun in that?
“Speedy” Dick said over comms. He saw the younger boy look over from where he was also following from the rooftops across the alleyway. “Take the shot”.
“Oh” Speedy said sheepishly from over comms. Dick frowned. “I uh- I kinda ran out of arrows”?
“Again”? Dick paused and so did Wonder Girl. Speedy also paused on the opposite roof.
“Hush Kid Flash” Wonder Girl said as said boy appeared on the rooftop, stopping right next to her. He had Aqualad, who was trying not to giggle, piggybacked on his back. “Speedy, how long have you been out of arrows”?
“Uh, like 15 minutes”?
“Speedy, Green Arrow told you to-”.
“I know, I know! Pack more arrows than you think you need and then double it” Speedy groaned, cutting Kid Flash off.
“Rob, do you want me to go pick up his arrows?” Kid Flash offered, shifting eagerly from foot to foot.
“No, it’s okay we can do it after we finish with this last guy” Dick said.
“Oops?” Speedy offered, not sounding remotely sorry.
“Speaking of this last guy” Aqualad said from where he was still piggybacking Kid Flash. “He’s getting away”.
“Oh yeah” Dick said. “Kid Flash, go get him”.
“Yes”!
“Aw man, come on Rob” Speedy complained as Kid Flash disappeared, leaving Aqualad standing there and only looking a little confused. Dick watched as the last robber was suddenly on the floor, Kid Flash standing over him with the stolen goods victoriously. He shot Dick a thumbs up.
A little while later they sat together on a rooftop, overlooking the police as they finished putting the last of the robbers in the back of cop cars. Dick kicked his legs back and forth over the edge of the rooftop.
“This was fun!” Aqualad said, chugging a water bottle. “I hope it’s always this fun”!
“As long as we’re together, it will be,” Dick decided. Because with them, when would anything not be fun?
-
Monday Night November 25th, -xxx1
“Nightwing is thinking of starting the case again” WALLY said casually as he watched Roy play video games. Roy paused the game and looked up at Wally from his spot on the floor.
“Really? Now?” Roy asked, setting his controller down. “Why”?
The League had given the team a case on Toyman. He had apparently turned a new leaf and was opening toy stores in several locations around the US. Their job was to see if Toyman was actually good or if this was just a ploy. They knew this case was a dud, it wasn’t anything real or important. But the League was testing them, making sure they could still function after everything that had happened this year.
“The next toy store opening is soon,” Wally said. “And Bird thinks that it’s been enough time since the war in Atlantis that Garth will be able to join us”.
“And- how is Garth doing?” Roy asked, now just turning off the game completely. Since putting the case on pause in September, Roy had been putting a lot more effort into his rehab so he hadn’t seen his fellow Titans much since then.
And Garth- Garth had been through a lot. They were all worried about him, but he seemed fine now. Wally wasn’t sure how much of it was an act or not, but they did their best to support him. They were lucky that Garth wasn’t the type of person to turn them away. He didn’t talk about it much, but he didn’t hide from them either.
“He’s doing better. He’s coming back to the tower more and he seems better” Wally explained, remembering that empty look in Garth’s eye the first time Wally had seen him after the war. “Do you feel ready to get back to the case”?
“Yeah I’m fine” Roy insisted as he sat next to Wally on the couch.
Wally knew this was true. He was very involved in Roy’s recovery, and Roy had been in outpatient rehab since May after struggling with addiction for like two years. Wally was proud of how much work he was putting into his recovery, especially after his huge relapse in April.
“Bird still has to talk about it with Donna and Garth, but I just thought I would let you know it’s coming,” Wally told him. Roy raised an eyebrow.
“How are we gonna get the League to let us-“?
“Bird said he would work on that with Donna” Wally said, not wanting to think about it much.
It was frustrating. The League was still treating them like children. Yeah, they had been kids when they started, but Wally was almost 21! And Roy, Titans A’s youngest member, recently turned 18. They were adults, they have been doing this for years. He understood the concern after everything that had happened this year (especially in April), but similar things had happened to the League and they didn’t have any restrictions.
The point was that Titan’s A didn’t need a League appointed chaperone. It was an easy case, they could do it themselves.
They went to sleep late that night, but Wally was on Thanksgiving break from University and Roy didn’t really have anything to do so it was fine. They both slept in Roy’s room in Uncle Hal’s apartment, because when have any of their friends forced the others to sleep on the couch?
Garth sleeping in the bathtub didn’t count, they were keeping him alive.
Roy had been living between Uncle Hal’s and Uncle Barry’s ever since the League had found out about him getting kicked out of Ollie’s. He had originally been staying at Donna’s apartment but Uncle Hal and Uncle Barry had insisted. Uncle Hal was currently off-world with the other five Earth Lanterns, and usually that meant Roy would stay with Uncle Barry, but Roy was 18 now and working hard in rehab so they felt better leaving him by himself.
He still invited Wally over today though.
Wally awoke in the middle of the night to a noise in the kitchen. He immediately turned to his left to see Roy also looking at him.
Someone was in the apartment.
They both got up quickly, Roy grabbing a bat that was leaned up against his bed. As superheroes, they always had to be cautious, and it would be weird if Flash and Red Arrow just appeared in a random apartment so a bat instead of arrows and Wally discreetly using his speed it was.
They went to the door of Roy’s room and Wally used his fingers to count down from three before zipping out of the room, through the kitchen and behind the intruder. Wally was about to hit him when-
“Uncle Hal?” Wally and Roy said at the same time and Uncle Hal jumped out of his skin.
It sure was Uncle Hal, but he looked exhausted. He was holding a bottle of water in one hand while the other was against his chest.
“Sorry did I wake you up?” Uncle Hal whispered.
“Uh, kinda? But it’s fine we’re just used to being careful” Wally told him, stepping around so that Uncle Hal could face both of them at the same time. He also matched Uncle Hal’s volume despite the fact that the only three people in the apartment were awake. Maybe Uncle Hal had a headache?
“Where have you been?” Roy asked, also whispering. “And why are you back so early”?
“It’s a long story. There was a war, and yellow lanterns and- you know what I’ll give you the details later” Uncle Hal told them as he turned on the kitchen light. Wally frowned.
Not only did Uncle Hal look exhausted, but he looked sad. Wally could see it clearly in his eyes and how it seemed to weigh on him. Wally watched as Uncle Hal pulled some blankets out of the linen closet and went over to the couch.
“Are you okay?” Roy asked, hovering after him and ready to help.
“And why are you making up the couch?” Wally asked. Uncle Hal knew that Wally would just sleep in Roy’s room, so it couldn’t have been for him.
Uncle Hal sighed and sat on the couch, his head in his hands. Wally and Roy kneeled down in front of him, Roy looking at Wally with wide eyes.
“Uncle Hal?” Wally asked. The last time Uncle Hal had been like this-
“There was another Parallax situation” Uncle Hal explained before freezing and Wally’s chest felt tight.
He remembered how Uncle Hal got possessed by Parallax in August (not that they knew that until later), and how Wally and Roy had insisted that something was wrong but no one would really listen, saying that grief changed people. Wally had been so sure he had lost Uncle Hal forever, that they would never be able to save him. He had to fight against him with the League and it felt like he was losing everything after what had happened with-
“Uncle Hal-“ Roy started, sounding devastated and Uncle Hal looked up in alarm. He was quick to grab Roy’s hand and squeeze.
“Hey, I’m okay. It wasn’t me, it was another Lantern” Uncle Hal explained. Wally felt his eyes widen and Uncle Hal looked like he didn’t mean to say that.
“John? Guy? Jessica? Simon?” Roy asked and Uncle Hal shook his head. It could’ve been another sector’s lantern, but-
“Was it Four” Wally said, thinking about Earth’s fourth Green Lantern that had stepped in after Uncle Hal got possessed by Parallax. They called him Four because he refused to share his face or name with anyone. The League had referred to him as Green Lantern, but it always felt wrong to Wally.
“Yeah” Uncle Hal confirmed and Wally sat back almost dazed. “He’s sleeping in my room right now, so if you see him, be nice. I know the three of you didn’t get along, but he’s been through it”.
Both Wally and Roy nodded but- Four was back? Wally hadn’t seen him since he left Earth and restored OA. And they hadn’t left off on the best terms. Wally tried not to wince at the memory.
“He’ll be staying here a couple of days until we get him settled on Earth again” Hal explained. That made sense, Four had been gone since September. Would he even have his apartment anymore? He had left Earth rather abruptly, Wally didn’t think he put any rent money down.
“Is it- is it bad” Roy asked. Uncle Hal frowned.
“I don’t think so, but it’s pretty recent, so too soon to tell. He’s tough though, I’m sure he’ll bounce back. We can all talk more tomorrow, but try not to let him know you know” Uncle Hal said and they both nodded. After they were each given a hug, a tight hug, they went back to Roy’s room to let Uncle Hal sleep.
“He’s back” Roy whispered. “Just as we’re thinking of starting the case again”?
“I know,” Wally sighed as he laid back in Roy’s bed. “I’ll tell Bird tomorrow”.
Wally surprisingly fell asleep pretty easily, and both he and Roy woke up before Uncle Hal and Four, so they hid in Roy’s room until they heard movement in the kitchen.
Good. Wally was getting hungry.
“What are we gonna do about Four?” Roy asked as he stopped Wally from opening his room door.
It was a good question. Wally and Roy had just started getting along with Four when the thing that happened in September had happened. Wally wondered if Four was still mad about it. He had every reason to be. They had been stupid and selfish, and it had been important to him and-
“Uh. I guess pretend like it didn’t happen unless he brings it up? For now” Wally tried. “At least until we think of a better idea. And be nice! Uncle Hal said to be nice”! Roy nodded and the two exited Roy’s room.
Wally did not expect to see Four in the kitchen. Without Uncle Hal.
He went stiff when he looked in their direction. He was wearing an Air Force shirt and sweatpants that were both probably Uncle Hal’s, and Uncle Hal’s signature jacket. He also wore a cap that was pulled down low over his face, hiding the part of his face that his mask would usually hide and his dark hair. Wally could see bandages poking from his shirt color and on his left hand, disappearing under Uncle Hal’s jacket.
Wally had rarely seen Four out of the Lantern uniform, and had never seen his face. Seeing him in Uncle Hal’s clothes in Uncle Hal’s kitchen was weird. Wally had been so mad at him for a couple of (not very but kinda justified?) reasons, but one of them had been that he was mad at Four for replacing Uncle Hal. He now was better at seeing that it wasn’t all Four’s fault, but they were all in the same space together now and it was weird.
“Uh” Four said, scratching at his tanned face as he swayed a bit. His voice was scratchy, like he was going to lose it or had lost it. “Hi”?
“Hi,” Wally said numbly. Roy gave a little wave.
They all kind of just stared at each other for a second before Four grabbed the box of cereal on the counter and Wally took pity on him.
“Uh, do you like eggs?” Wally asked. Four paused.
“Yeah, I guess” he rasped out. Wally stepped forward and took the cereal box from him and put it away before pointing at the table.
“Sit” Wally said and Four did, Roy sitting across from him.
Wally poured Four a glass of water and set it in front of him before getting to work on the eggs. He had brought some from Central City because God forbid Roy actually go grocery shopping. While they were in the pan, he boiled some water and pulled out peppermint tea and honey.
“Here” Wally said, setting a plate in front of Four and Roy before setting his own and Uncle Hal’s on the table as well. He gave Four a cup of the peppermint tea. “For your throat”.
Four brought a hand to his throat before redirecting it to grab the tea and take a sip.
“Thank you” he said quietly and Wally just nodded as he took his seat.
Uncle Hal came out of his room a couple of minutes later with wet hair and a towel around his shoulders. He grinned at them and sat down in the empty chair between Roy and Four after grabbing some water. Thankfully he looked much better than last night.
“Thank you Wally” Uncle Hal said and Wally grinned. Roy made an annoyed noise.
“How do you know I didn’t make it, huh Uncle Hal?” Roy asked. Uncle Hal looked unimpressed.
“It’s not burnt. And Torchie is almost done with his and hasn’t fallen over dead yet” Uncle Hal said. Wally and Roy glanced between Uncle Hal and-
“Torchie?” Roy asked, amused. The part of Four’s face Wally could see was bright red as he took another sip of his tea.
“Is that his official Lantern nickname?” Wally asked.
It had been easier when there was one Green Lantern, but by the time they had three things had gotten confusing. Because asking for Green Lantern to do something over comms always got a response of “which one” or multiple or none of the Lanterns doing said thing, each Lantern had been given a nickname.
Uncle Hal had been the one to give the nicknames, and did not hold back with his new found power. John had been given the nickname Problem Child or PC, and Guy was One-Hit. They had been the only other Lanterns at the time, so they had retaliated by giving Uncle Hal the nickname Captain Crybaby (or CC) after hearing the story about how Uncle Hal had told Uncle Barry his secret identity. Simon had later been given the nickname Vroom, and Jess was Braincell.
But Four hadn’t been on Earth when Uncle Hal was freed from Parallax. Wally was sure they hadn’t been able to interact until whatever war the Lanterns had been fighting happened.
Wally didn’t count Four fighting Uncle Hal when he was possessed. That wasn’t Uncle Hal.
“Yep! Torchie because he’s the Lantern’s Torchbearer” Uncle Hal explained. It made sense, he was the last Green Lantern for a bit.
Fou- Torchie looked away.
“Hey, it could’ve been worse,” Uncle Hal teased. Torchie tilted his head in thought and then shrugged.
“Yeah,” Torchie said softly. “I could’ve been Captain Crybaby”.
Hal rolled his eyes and Roy laughed.
“You think your friend is dying one time and no one ever lets it go. Whatever. What are your guy’s plans for today” Uncle Hal asked before whirling on Torchie. “You don’t get to have plans. Your plans are to rest”.
Torchie saluted Uncle Hal as Wally checked the time.
“I have to do some stuff for school but then we have a meeting with Titans A” Wally said. Roy frowned.
“I won’t make it to that today, I have some rehab stuff to do” Roy said. He would probably be changing his schedule too in order to get back on the field.
“That’s fine. One of us will catch you up” Wally reassured him. “What about you Uncle Hal”?
“I have to check out a report on this whole war thing, but other than that we’ll both be regrouping with the other Lanterns today” Uncle Hal said. Wally got up and started gathering plates.
“I can do the dishes,” Torchie said, standing up too. Wally was about to tell him that he had it handled, but Uncle Hal stood up and took the plates from Wally with one hand and put his other hand on Torchie's shoulder.
“I’ve got 'em. Go get started on your school stuff Wally. And you-“ Uncle Hal said as he guided Torchie to the couch and made him sit down, “need to rest. Roy do you need a ride to rehab stuff”?
“I can drop him off,” Wally said and Roy nodded. Uncle Hal frowned but nodded.
“Alright, I’ll see you guys later?” Uncle Hal asked and they both nodded the affirmative. They grabbed their bags and other stuff they would need before leaving the apartment, saying their goodbyes to Uncle Hal and Torchie.
They didn’t get very far when Uncle Hal called out to them.
“Wally, Roy” Uncle Hal said as Wally and Roy stopped in their tracks and turned to him. He was quick to close the gap between them before continuing. “About what happened to him- if we could keep that between us. You know how the others can get”.
“Of course Uncle Hal” Wally said, because even though he and Torchie didn’t get along, Wally wouldn’t- he wouldn’t expose something so sensitive to the League. “None of it was your fault, so it isn’t his either”.
Roy’s rehab was now in Star City, since his old one in Coast City had been destroyed when the city had been, and a new one hadn’t been built in its place. Wally had thought Roy would want to change it to somewhere else, but Roy had been fine with the location.
“I’ll call you when I’m done” Roy promised before Wally could ask him to. They had done this many times before. “Are you staying at the Tower tonight”?
“I can. It would be good if we all did, I’ll ask the others” Wally promised and Roy grinned.
Wally waited for Roy to enter the building before running back to Missouri.
-
Tuesday November 26th, -xxx1
DICK met with Donna and Garth on Titans A’s floor in Titans Tower. They had already been talking when Dick arrived, both stopping and smiling at him when he walked in.
“Hey Nightwing” Donna greeted as Garth waved. “You’re late”.
“I know, I know,” Dick said easily. “Bad example, but I had to deal with some Bat stuff”.
Today Bat stuff meant that he had to stay back at work for a bit. He was an EMT so he couldn’t just clock out whenever he wanted, but his friends didn’t know that. They couldn’t know his secret identity because the League didn’t know Batman’s secret identity. And knowing Dick’s would make it easier for them to find out Bruce’s.
He hated it, but he understood why he had to do it.
“So what’s up” Garth asked, but Dick could tell he knew what this was about.
“I want to start the Toyman case again,” Dick told them. Donna frowned.
“Not that I don’t agree with you Bird, but the League were the ones who paused the case. They won’t just let us restart it because we want to” Donna pointed out, sounding frustrated.
“I know, but the League won’t let us do any other cases until we finish this one and prove ourselves to them” Dick said.
The League had given them an easy case to slowly get the team back on their feet, but Dick felt like the League was making them prove themselves, as if they haven’t already done so several times over the years. It had been a tough year for them, with Wally taking on the Flash mantle after Barry had “died”, Roy relapsing hard in April, everything else that happened in April and what Dick had done in June. And now Garth was dealing with everything that happened in the war in Atlantis.
The League wanted to make sure they could work as a team again. The League was afraid that one of them could die. Dick understood, but he felt like they could be trusted after all they had done for and with the League. They weren’t kids anymore.
“The Toyman case seems like a dead end,” Garth pointed out. “The League just gave it to us because they won’t trust us with anything else. We should be investigating the attack instead”.
They had been checking out Schott’s Dallas grand opening when the event had been interrupted by someone in a high tech suit. Yeah attacks happened all the time, but the mech had Kryptonite. Kara had gotten hurt. People had died. But the League wasn’t even looking into it, citing it as a one off incident.
“I think the attack and the grand opening are connected” Dick said and the other two frowned.
“But there wasn’t an attack at the Florida grand opening” Garth pointed out and Donna nodded.
The Florida grand opening in Miami had mostly gone according to plan, besides the fact that Kara and Garth had to cover for Wally and Four who- no, Dick wouldn’t think about it right now. The whole thing had become a dead end since then.
“They had Kryptonite. They knew Kara was gonna be there” Dick pointed out. One stipulation for Titans A to be able to be active again was that Kara join them for the case, which they didn’t really mind.
“Do you think Schott is behind it or someone else?” Donna asked and then paused. “Well if it’s him, he has to be working with someone else. Or at least he’s being supplied”.
“That’s the part I’m still piecing together,” Dick admitted. “But we need to continue the case so we can get more information”.
“I’m all for it,” Garth said firmly. “Is it just us three, or are we getting the whole band back together”?
“Wally is doing something for school and running late, but he should be here soon. Roy had rehab stuff and won’t make it to the meeting, but he’ll stop by later today and we can ask him how he feels about joining then” Dick explained. Dick knew Wally was onboard since Dick had brought up the idea with him first. Usually that’s something Dick would do with Donna but- Dick was trying to help Wally feel more included with team decisions. The way the League treated them like children bothered Wally the most, especially since he had taken up the Flash mantle and had been working with the League, but wasn’t allowed to actually be a part of the League. “We aren’t gonna include Kara”.
She was gonna be pissed at him but- if the cases were tied, then they could do serious damage to her. They had basically targeted her during that fight, and while Kara was strong (much stronger than him really) Dick wanted to avoid her getting hurt if he could.
Avoid her getting ki-
“And Four’s- yeah” Dick said awkwardly. Garth looked away with a wince and Donna looked down sadly at her hands.
The last time they had seen Four- it had been a disaster. They had messed up and hadn’t seen Four since. Dick didn’t think anyone on Earth had.
“It's going to be harder to convince the League to let us continue the case without Four,” Donna pointed out and Dick sighed.
The other stipulation to them taking the case was that they were accompanied by a League member, and Four had been that League member. Dick had been a bit offended that they had someone who had only been doing the whole Hero thing for less than a month “chaperone” them, but at least Four was in their age range so it didn’t feel like they were getting babysat.
“I think the problem is more if he would wanna work with us again”. They all turned to see Wally leaning against the wall, backpack slung over his shoulder. “Four’s back”.
“What? How do you know?” Dick asked as Wally took a seat next to Garth.
“Uncle Hal and the other Earth Lanterns got back last night, and this morning Four was in Uncle Hal’s kitchen. He’s staying with Uncle Hal until they get his living situation figured out” Wally explained. “But uh, I don't think he’s gonna wanna work with us”.
“It doesn’t hurt to ask” Dick said and then hesitated. “Donna”?
Donna had been the closest one to Four besides Kara. The two of them were always flirting, with lingering touches and smiles shared across the room. Dick had honestly thought they were going to end up dating, which he was honestly happy about since Four was way better than any of Donna’s past partners (which wasn’t very hard unfortunately). Of course with what happened Dick was sure that was over but- well Donna would be the best option out of the five of them.
“I can ask,” Donna said slowly. They made eye contact, and she nodded at him firmly and he dropped it. She was sure about her decision, there was no reason for Dick to keep asking about it.
“I would recommend after Thanksgiving break” Wally said, not looking at any of them. “Don’t jump him. Give him time to settle in”.
“That’s not a bad idea Wally” Dick said and Wally grinned before his eyes widened.
“Oh and he got his Lantern nickname!” Wally said before cackling in delight while the three of them leaned in excitedly. “He’s Torchie now. Cause he’s the Torchbearer of the Green Lanterns”.
Dick smirked while Donna covered her hand with her mouth.
“Better than calling him a number” Garth said with a shrug but Dick could see him fighting laughter.
“Hey uh,” Wally started nervously, and Dick turned to look at him. “Did we talk about Titans West yet”?
Donna and Garth gave Wally a look and Dick sighed. The Titans were one big group that also had subgroups. Titans A was made up of Donna, Dick, Wally, Garth, and Roy while Titans B was made up of Victor, Rachel, Kori, Karen and Gar. But they had four other Titans that were close in age to each other that didn’t have a subgroup and were supposed to be their own but-
“I still don’t think they’re ready” was all Dick said. Garth frowned.
“They’ve been doing good, they just need some more confidence” Garth argued. “Putting them on missions could give them that con-“!
“No” Dick said firmly and Garth’s face went blank. “They still need more time. If we put them out before they’re ready they could get hurt”.
Or worse-
“Welp I guess that’s it for this meeting” Donna said with a smile, her eyes flickering to Dick. “I have some work to do. You know, photography and stuff”.
“Yeah I’m gonna check in with Titans B” Wally said, standing up before disappearing. Donna grabbed her bag and camera from her room before she gave both Dick and Garth a hug, promising she’d be back soon.
Garth opened his mouth to say something but Dick beat him to it.
“How are you doing after- you know?” Dick asked. “If you need more time you can rejoin la-“.
“No, I'm fine! Really” Garth reassured him. “If anything, restarting the case will get my mind off of it. Gives me something to do”.
Dick studied him for a moment, but Garth didn’t seem to be lying so Dick nodded.
“Okay. But if you need anything-“.
“I know,” Garth said with a smile. “I think I’m going for a swim, but I’ll see you later okay”?
“Yeah” Dick said lamely, just watching Garth leave. He should say something, he should apologize, he-
He doesn’t move until a couple of minutes after Garth entered the elevator.
He gets in the elevator and presses the button for the top floor. There was a lot to think about. The Toyman case, how it was connected to the attack, how he could do more to help his teammates since they had all fell apart, how they would get the League to give them the case again and what they would do if they didn’t, what-
“Hi Nightwing” Connor greeted the second Dick stepped off the elevator.
What he would do with Titans West.
Titans West was a complex topic. They originally were supposed to start team activities earlier this year but- yeah. That had really put a pause on everything. The only thing that changed was that they added M’gann onto the team in July when she had first arrived on Earth, but besides that nothing had been decided with the team. Dick was the one who would make decisions about the team, and as much as Dick hated disappointing Jackson, Joey, Connor, and M’gann, they just weren’t ready. What happened had really set them back.
“Hey Connor” Dick greeted with a smile, hoping that would be it-
“Anything new regarding Titans West?” Connor asked and Dick tried not to let his exhaustion show. Good thing he always wore the domino mask.
“Sorry Connor, nothing about that yet. But!” Dick said quickly when the kid looked disappointed. “I can say that we know for sure that Four is back”!
Connor visibly perked up when he heard that. Dick knew he was fond of the fourth Green Lantern, and the two of them continued the Arrow and Lantern friendship tradition that Ollie and Hal started. It was surprising since Roy was closer in age to Torchie than Connor was, but Roy had taken Wally’s side in not liking the new Green Lantern.
“He’s back? Wh-“?
“I can’t talk right now, but let’s talk later okay?” Dick said before stepping around him quickly.
“But Bird-“!
“Oh and he goes by Torchie now!” Dick called over his shoulder as he made his way through the living room and through the kitchen. Connor didn’t follow.
“Hi” Kori greeted from where she sat on the counter. “How did your meeting go”?
“I- as well as it could’ve” Dick admitted as he walked over to her. She pulled him into an embrace and rested her chin on his head, rubbing a soothing hand up and down his back. “Garth and I fought, kinda”.
“That’s- unusual” Kori said. “What does kind of mean”?
“It was about Titans West” Dick sighed and Kori hummed in acknowledgment. “I don’t think they’re ready, but he thinks they should be out on the field and- you should’ve seen them, Kori. It was almost like they were afraid to bring up the topic with me- that’s never happened before. It’s the only reason Garth and I didn’t actually fight, but if he hadn’t been hesitant- he shouldn’t have been hesitant”.
Since when have they not been able to talk to each other about everything? Since when had they hesitated to share their opinions with him? Sure on the field they followed orders, but they (usually Roy) would argue with him if they (usually Roy) thought his orders were stupid.
“Bird,” Kori said, getting his attention. “A lot has changed. A lot of bad things have happened to you guys this year- I think nobody wants to make anything worse”.
“I- yeah. I guess so. I just miss how it used to be” Dick told her sadly.
He missed when they were younger, when their biggest worry was math class and if they were all free to have a sleep over that weekend.
“I know. I’m sorry” she said softly. “As for Titans West- whatever you decide, I’m right behind you”.
“Thanks Kori,” Dick said softly, resting his face in the crook of her neck. They stayed like that for a while, until Kori had to leave to train with the rest of Titans B.
He was glad he had her, she was always amazing, but now that she wasn’t here Dick was alone with his thoughts again. But not for long. He felt someone come into the kitchen and sit on the opposite counter behind him. He didn’t have to look to know who it was.
“Do you think I’m doing the right thing? With Titans West” Dick asked softly.
“I think you are. You’re just trying to protect them. No harm in that”.
Dick sighed and relaxed.
“Thanks Little Wing”.