Prompt: Comfort
Fandom: Young Justice
Characters: Dick and Babs
Rating: K
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
He heard her footsteps behind him, but didn't bother to stop walking. He didn't want to talk. He wanted to go back to Blüdhaven. He wanted to mourn his best friend's death by himself. It was all too much.
"Richard." She called softly.
Dick noticed that the footsteps had stopped. He turned to her, not making eye contact. "What Barbara?" He asked. His voice was distant, cold almost.
Barbara sighed softly. "Richard, are you okay?" It was a stupid question. She wasn't even sure why she asked it. Of course he wasn't okay. Wally was his best friend, and now he was gone. The redhead almost wasn't sure who it affected more, Artemis or Dick.
"Just peachy." Dick retorted, sarcastically. "I just want to go home. I'll talk to you later." He said.
Before he could turn back around, Barbara took another step toward him. Noting that he didn't move away, she closed the distance between the two of them. "What I mean is…are you going to be okay?" She asked, finally finding the words she wanted to say.
"Yeah. I'm always okay." He said, looking up at the redhead and forcing a weak smile.
Reaching up, Barbara pulled her cowl back. This wasn't a time for identities or secrets. This wasn't a job for Batgirl; this was a job for Barbara Gordon. The best friend of Richard Grayson, since, well, forever it seemed. She reached up and gently tugged Dick's mask off. They were alone. He didn't need to hide.
"Barbara!" He snapped, grabbing for his mask.
"You're not getting it back. You're not hiding. You're not going to be like him." She said, and they both knew who she was referring to – their mentor.
"I have nothing to say. Wally's dead. He is, was, my best friend." Dick said. It was strange referring to Wally in the past tense. "He's gone. I'm never going to be able to joke with, or laugh with, or talk to him again!" Dick said, a single tear rolling down his cheek. He didn't want to be weak, especially not in front of Barbara.
"I know, I know." Barbara said softly, her arms wrapping around Dick comfortingly, pulling him close to her. "But it's going to be okay, I promise." She muttered.
At first, he tensed up in her arms. He wasn't a child. He didn't need to be comforted. But after a few seconds, he gave it. Dick held her close, savoring the comfort she provided. It was a nice change to have someone comforting him for once. "Thanks Babs." He said, pulling away and offering a smile. "I just need some time alone." He finally said.
Barbara nodded and handed him back his mask. "I know you do. But you know where to find me." She said, offering a smile. "I'm always around."
"I know Babs, I know." He said, nodding as he slid his mask back on.
And with that, they both turned and walked their separate ways. There was nothing more to say, nothing more to do. While the pain in Dick's heart still remained, he felt a bit better.