Rating: M for coarse language, graphic depictions of violence
Pairings: Dick/OC (both romantic & platonic), possible Donna/OC
Summary: Julia was raised to fight. Her mother was a vigilante, an ally of Bruce Wayne. By the time she was fifteen, Julia would tag along with her mother, Batman, and Robin on their nightly escapades. It also brought her closer to Dick Grayson. They were on the way to becoming High School Sweethearts. That is until the night of the explosion, the night her mother died. Julia left for college and never looked back. By 2018, she's living in Michigan tending to a stressful job as a detective. However, when Robin is spotted in Detroit, she makes her way to the bustling city and is reunited with the boy she once loved. The reunion is cut short with the appearance of a young girl-Rachel Roth. From then on, Julia goes on an impromptu road trip with a bunch of misfits, faces traumas from her past, and must confront the lingering feelings she still has for Dick Grayson.
Disclaimer: I do not own Titans, only my original characters
2008
….
It was a cold, wet, overcast day.
Her entire body ached, begging for her to lie down somewhere. She tried to ignore it as best she could. Standing out in the cold rain didn't do much to help with healing from her injuries. Julia sucked in a harsh breath and looked up at the other funeral goers. Their eyes were downcast, some wiped away their tears while the others remained silent. Her eyes moved to the figures of Bruce and Dick standing across from her on the other side of the casket. Bruce looked remorseful, the guilt slowly eating away at him. Dick could only stare at the scene before him in shock.
Julia felt a hand on her shoulder. Immediately, she glanced over and saw her father desperately trying to keep his composure. She wanted to comfort him. She wanted to do anything that would take his pain away. But she could only stare at him, eyes empty of any emotion. That's how she has felt this entire week; empty. Her mind was unable to fully grasp the realization that was playing out before her.
Her mother is dead. Her mother is dead.
She's been repeating those words over and over, like a mantra. It was torturous, but she deserved it. Julia was there with her mother in the warehouse. She saw the bomb was about to detonate, yet she didn't act fast enough and her mother died as a result. There was no way she survived it. Julia was fortunate enough to leave with a few minor burns and injuries. She passed out not long after the explosion and when she woke up the next day, Dick was sitting by her side. He had been there the entire night, refusing to leave her side. He had almost lost her in that explosion, he wasn't going to let her out of his sight.
The big task that had to be dealt with was the funeral. Julia's father had wanted to do the funeral while his daughter recuperated at the hospital. He thought it would have been better if she skipped it. Needless to say, when Julia found out she was furious. She made it quite clear that she was going to attend the funeral, even though her father and Dick tried to convince her otherwise. "I need to go." She told them. "I'll regret it if I don't."
Both were rather hesitant. Julia needed more time to heal. But how could they stop her from attending her mother's funeral? No, they couldn't do that to her. Now that she was here, a part of her wished that she was at home lying in her bed, but she had to be here. As much as it pained her, she had to be here.
The priest said the final prayer, signaling the end of the funeral. Julia and her father stood in place watching everyone say their final goodbyes. Her eyes were fixed on the casket, while her father's hand remained on her shoulder. The funeral goers exchanged few words with her father, while also trying to offer their condolences to her as well. Julia only nodded at them, she didn't even try to fake a smile. They didn't deserve it and she wasn't in the mood to put forth all of that energy.
Soon, it was just the two of them. Her father was the first to step forward. Bracing his hands on the closed casket, he leaned down and pressed his forehead against the casket. Julia watched in silence, seeing his lips moving-saying his final farewell to his beloved wife. Then, he kissed the casket. The sight alone should have brought her to tears. Except, her face remained unchanged; eyes were clear and still empty of any emotion. But it was her turn. She waited until her father had stepped away, giving her all the space she needed. Julia slowly approached the casket, her feet felt heavy-like she was walking in glue. This was it, the moment that it all had been leading up to.
It was time to say goodbye.
Julia stepped up and stared down at the closed casket. She thought about what her mother looked like, how much the explosion must have fucked up her appearance. The fact that her father declined an open casket was the only answer she needed. Her hands twitched, itching to open it. To see her mother one last time. The very thought made her feel sick to her stomach. Julia didn't want to see her mother like that, she wouldn't be able to get the image out of her head. The last image she wanted of her mother was when she was smiling and laughing. Not whatever was lying in this coffin.
Don't open it. She told herself, her hands balled into fists. Don't fucking open it.
Julia exhaled, her breath forming in clouds. Thunder rolled above, sending a chill down her back. She braced her hands on the casket, which was now slick with rain. Her lip trembled, forcing her to tense up. She didn't want to cry, not here. "Goodbye, mom." She said, softly. Then, Julia leaned down and kissed the casket.
That was it. She turned around and was greeted by her father, who began to lead them back to the car. She wanted to get out of there...fast. Waiting for them at the car was Bruce and Dick, which didn't surprise her one bit. Bruce took her father to the side, possibly to offer help whenever they needed it. Julia was surprised that her father didn't tell Bruce to piss off. She thought there had to be a part of her father that blamed Bruce for what happened. After all, they were all there to help him that night. Regardless, her father never expressed any bitterness toward his longtime friend. No doubt, Bruce was crippled with guilt over not being able to save her mother. That wasn't hard for her to tell.
She shook the thought away and glanced up at Dick, her first instinct was to fall into his arms and cry. That's all she wanted at that moment. For him to hold her, to tell her that everything was going to be fine, that he would never leave her. Instead, she merely stared at him, unsure of what to say.
Dick cleared his throat and carted a hand through his wet hair, "I'm sorry, Jay"
Condolences, that's all she's heard for the past week and frankly, she was sick of it. But her temporary annoyance was dissipated when he wrapped his arms around her and held her close. She felt her body lean into his hold, her face nuzzled against his neck. It was all too much. Being near him and Bruce, it was just making this reality all the more painful. Julia gathered herself and pulled herself away, her eyes were downcast-refusing to look at Dick. She felt his hand cradle her cheek, she kept her gaze where it was.
"I'll call you, okay?" His voice was so soft and quiet, it was soothing to her ears. "It's gonna be okay." He kissed her forehead, his thumb caressed her cheek, hoping to comfort her as much as possible.
Julia stayed in his touch for just a moment longer, then tore herself away from him and marched after the car. She said nothing to Bruce, he didn't even try to stop her. If blaming him would help heal her, then Bruce was willing to endure it. Julia got into the car, along with her father. She spotted Dick out of the corner of her eye, watching her with great concern, but she made sure to keep her eyes forward.
The sooner she leaves Gotham, the better it will be for her-for everyone.
A/N: Hope you all liked it! A review would be much appreciated!
