The ripe, red sun was slowly setting on the dark, western outskirts of Bludhaven as Dick Grayson pulled on his black eye-mask, completing his superhero identity, Nightwing.
In the living room of his small apartment sat a very sullen Timothy Drake. Tim was what Dick would call the equivalent of a "little brother" to him, linked by their namesake and by relation to the Billionaire, Bruce Wayne. The newest Robin was staying with Dick while Bruce was out-of-town on business with The Justice League, maintaining his role as the Dark Knight, Batman. At first Dick whined, complaining to Bruce that it would probably be better for Tim to just stay with Alfred, the family butler, close friend, and confidant. But it appeared that even Alfred needed a vacation sometimes, and was in London, visiting friends and relations. So Dick was stuck with the little brat.
To be fair, Tim really wasn't so bad, he was a really bright kid, good learner, a great Robin, but was a little too much for the 24-year-old to handle at times. Dick Grayson worked as an officer of the Bludhaven Police Department during the day, and was the city's nighttime vigilante in his virtual "free time". Dick wasn't very happy to spend his free "couch time" fighting over the remote, or entertaining the often times eccentric 16-year-old teenager.
"Come on, Nightwing! Let me go out on patrol with you." Tim begged as Dick walked out of his room, ready to leave.
"I told you, bro, not tonight. Now go park your little butt on the sofa, and see if there are some nice cartoons on." Dick smirked as he pushed Tim's shoulder in the direction of the sitting area.
"What?! I'm not some little kid!" Tim angrily pushed back, " I can fight beside you."
"Look, I'm too stressed out tonight to deal with watching your back as well." Dick's smirk turned into a firm set line as he tried to keep control of his temper. But Tim was stubborn and at the ready with words.
"You don't have to 'watch my back'! I'll be fine, I've been here before, I know the city, I've-"
"NO! No freaking way." Dick interrupted, " Bruce told you to listen to me, and you sure as hell will, if you know what's good for you." With that, Dick took firm hold of Tim's bicep.
"Wha-what...I..uh" Tim stammered as Dick led him back over to the couch, pushing him none-to-gently onto the cushions.
"Stay." Nightwing growled, "Good boy."
"Shut up." Tim groaned.
"Oh really?"
"Yeah."
"You know, that kind of attitude makes me think you're ready for-A NOOGIE!"
A second later Tim was pulled to his feet, locked in a tight arm hold, and felt a fist being ground into his raven head.
"Stop!" Tim screeched as he twisted in Dick's grip.
"Say uncle!" The older man yelled into his ear.
"Ugh, no!" The boy resisted.
"Say it!" The man knew he couldn't take much more.
"Fine, Uncle! Stop it! Uncle, Uncle, Uncle!!!" Tim was almost in tears, more from frustration than real pain, "Jerk."
"Sorry kid, consequences for back talk. But really, STAY PUT." Nightwing said seriously as he pushed a very red-faced Tim back onto the couch.
"And no pouting!" He added as he left the room. "Stay up as late as you want, I even left you money in case you wanted to order a pizza, but stay here." And in a flash, Dick was no longer in the apartment.