Today is going to be perfect!

Dick had already made the declaration 100 times, and was going to make it 100 more times. He'd yelled it before the sun rose and was going to keep yelling it until the sun set and the declaration became a fact: today was perfect! Because today was Damian's birthday and his boy deserved it. He deserved a day without pain, a day without disappointment, a day where he could be happy and be himself and not be judged for it. Damian deserved a perfect day.

"Okay, let's go down the checklist!" Dick announced as he rubbed his hands together and paced the length of his room. His stomach was tight with nerves: after less-than-stellar 11th and 12th birthdays, this was his last chance to prove to Damian that birthdays were something worth celebrating.

"Again?" Wally groaned from his perch on Dick's computer chair. The speedster was slouched, arms dangling like limp noodles as he lazily rolled him back and forth. "We've gone through it a million times already."

"I recall you going through your own checklist a million and one times when it was Irey and Jai's birthday," Dick snapped, pausing in his pacing and crossing his arms. Dick could already feel a wall of defense come up: Damian and Wally had never gotten along and Dick often found himself stuck between them, defending one's actions to the other. It was upsetting the amount of times Dick had to verbally attack his friend - a grown man - in defense of his kid brother but he didn't know how to make them get along. There relationship was nearly as bad as Damian and Tim's.

"That's different," Wally said, folding his own arms. Dick quirked an eyebrow.

"How?"

"Well for one, Jai and Irey are my children-"

"And Damian's my little brother, what's your point?"

Wally clenched his jaw. "It's just different."

Dick sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose and hopes of stopping the oncoming headache. Today was going to be a happy day and no dumb rivalries was going to get in the way.

"Wally, I know you have your problems with Damian. I don't understand them but I know they're there. But can you please put them aside and help me? This is really important." Wally huffed but Dick could practically see his walls lowering. Dick smiled a bit. "And hey! Irey is attending the party, right? Don't you want it to be perfect for her? Make sure your kid has a good time?" Wally rolled his eyes but sat up straighter, eyes a bit brighter at the mention of his little girl.

"Okay, okay, you broke me," Wally joked, holding his hands up in a surrendering gesture. His hands dropped, slapping against his thighs as he held Dick's gaze. "But I still think you're doing too much. As long as Daddy Bats is there the demon will be happy."

"I know, and trust me when I say Bruce is going to be there, even if I have to put him on a leash and drag him out of the cave." Wally chuckled at the image. "But Damian deserves more. And more he shall have!" Dick grinned and wave his hands with the bravado of a famous magician. "So Wally, the checklist if you please!"

Wally flew through the checklist, barely giving Dick enough time to confirm each item before moving on. And yet, Dick couldn't find it in him to be annoyed or upset. His stomach was too tight for that, his heart tripping over itself as dawn's colors painted the sky. It was early. It would be a while before the Manor awoke and even longer until Damian awoke: Alfred's special tea had assured that.

"...and that's it."

Dick started, snapping his attention to his red headed friend. "That's it?"

"Yup," Wally murmured, popping the p. Green eyes scanned the paper one last time before quick hands crumpled it. With a flick of his wrist, the paper went flying and landed in the small waste bucket across the room. Wally pumped his fist into the air and whooped.

"Wally!"

"No more list, no more list!"

Dick pursed his lips at the chant, remembering similar words coming from his own mouth when he was helping with the twins' birthday. To be fair, Wally didn't have 2 failed birthdays to make up for and all future birthdays riding on the line.

"Okay, okay, I get it: no more list."

"Yes!"

Dick playfully rolled his eyes and flopped onto his bed. His stomach was still tight but there was truly nothing else he could do. Alfred would start making Damian's favorite breakfast meal soon, they'll eat and play some games as they waited for Damian's friends. Then they'll be off to the zoo as a surprise party was set up at home. They'll come back, surprise Damian, he'll be happy and the day will be perfect.

Dick sighed heavily.

That was the plan and nothing was going to distract him from it. Today was going to be perfect.

This world was too bright, the sounds too loud, the atmosphere too happy. It was unbelievable, almost overstimulating, to her. The people smiled and laughed freely, looking as if they'd never experienced a day of strife in their lives. It was a world of security, a place of hope. And this place - this beautiful, beautiful place called Metropolis - was making her sick.

Every smile made her stomach turn, every friendly greeting made her heart hurt, and every concerned look had her temper rising. She was a warrior: she could take care of herself. She didn't need the pity of people who didn't know half of what she did.

It wasn't fair .

Her world was war torn. Everything was dark and dreary, and there was either grim silence or the sounds of death. It hadn't always been that way; once it was like Metropolis, with happy people and a happy queen. But that was over 6 years ago and things had gotten too "dangerous" and her mother was forcing her to seek refuge here.

Here: where her mother once lived.

Here: where her mother once loved.

Here: where her father was.

Her body tingled at the thought. Her father: the man who still held her mother's heart, the star of all her stories. Her father. He was here on this bright planet somewhere. Names filled her head, all the people and places her mother told her to look for.

Metropolis - Superman, Jump City - Titans, Gotham - Batman, Watchtower - Justice League, Blüdhaven - Nightwing.

Blüdhaven.

Nightwing.

Blüdhaven was where she had to be, but she had no idea how to get there. She would find out though. Even if she had to break cover and take to the skies, she would get to her father. Forget Superman, forget this bright city: she'll find him on her own and then she'll be okay.

She was going to meet Nightwing, Richard Grayson, her father today and nothing would stop her. Today was going to be perfect.