The ride back to the Batcave was silent. Batgirl alternated between gazing out the window lost and sending looks at Nightwing that vacillated between angry and concerned. Barbara had no doubt discovered Dick's subterfuge, but that did not explain the concern. The icy tendrils of worry that increased during Batman's time on Rimbor intensified.
Tim sat with his forearms resting on his thighs and his hands between his legs. His entire posture suggested defeat. Batman knew he had never seen this Robin look so lost. He would have to have words with his latest partner – after he ascertained exactly what had happened while he was absent.
Bruce's most pressing concern, though, was his original partner seated next to him in the front seat. Batman had never seen the first Robin so quiet or so still – except after Jason's death.
He froze.
Someone had died.
Someone close to Dick, which narrowed it down not at all.
He felt his hands grip the steering wheel tighter. Out of his peripheral vision, he saw Nightwing turn towards him; Bruce forced himself to loosen his grip and focused on evening out his breathing. It would do no good for anyone if Batman lost his composure when the rest of his team had depleted their resources.
Dick, however, noticed right away; he always did. The change in his eldest's posture was slight, but enough to belie the previous silence. He leaned his arm against the door, rested his head on the back of his hand, and gave Bruce an embarrassingly fake smile.
"So, how was Rimbor? Did you get to see any sights?" Nightwing asked.
"If you count the gray walls of the cells and the smells of a barely legal prison, then yes."
Nightwing's face smiled a bit less forced. "You can't fool me B-Man. We all know you love dark colors."
Behind Bruce, Tim snorted and Barbara rolled her eyes. Nightwing grinned and the whites of his mask widened. Batman had never figured out how his son had managed to achieve that particular feat, nor was he fooled regarding the mental state of his eldest.
"I bet you spent time learning to sleep upside down from the prison bars, just to scare the guards."
Bruce neglected to reply, but he heard Tim muffle a laugh behind him.
Batman guided the Batmobile down the familiar winding roads to the cave. He parked the car, and his trio exited the car with the same lethargy that only Dick was trying to mask. Tim and Barbara left for the showers, and Bruce looked for Alfred.
There was no sign of the aging butler. No carafes of hot coffee or hot chocolate, no plates of post-patrol/mission sandwiches. Even the computer was off and cold. It was as if the cave hadn't been used in three months.
An icy feeling sank into Batman's gut.
No.
Not Alfred.
He turned to Nightwing, who hadn't run off to the showers but was leaning against a table next to the computer. "Alfred?" The word was choked out. Bruce could feel his throat tighten. He would not survive another loss.
Dick loosened his stance immediately and laid a steading hand on Batman's shoulder. "Hey, no. He's fine. He probably just didn't expect us back so soon."
The fear that had hardened in his gut loosened, but being this close to his son he could see the end of dark bags that hung under Nightwing's mask. He'd wager that when he sees the first Robin without his mask, he would see circles akin to black eyes. The fear turned to resolve.
"Who?"
Nightwing dropped his hand from Batman's shoulder and turned away. "Wally."
"I thought he retired." Bruce said and mentally cursed himself. He did not know the first thing about how to comfort someone, but he knew that was not the proper way to console his son.
"I forced him out of retirement," Nightwing spoke but directed the words towards a cave wall instead of Bruce.
Oh, Dickie.
"It wasn't your fault."
Nightwing snorted and shook his head, "No offense Batman, but you don't have a clue what happened." Nightwing turned around, and Bruce saw the anger that lined his son's face. "Take your platitudes elsewhere."
Bruce had been about to return the comforting gesture Dick offered him earlier, but he withdrew his hand when Nightwing whirled on him. Batman's gloved hand froze awkwardly in midair between them; he dropped it to his side.
A tiny pointed cough interrupted them. Both Batman and Nightwing turned their attention towards Tim, who had changed into sweats and an oversized red hoodie.
"I need to head home," Tim said as he glanced between the two of them. "It's been a few days, and I need to make sure the maids haven't noticed my absence. I'll see you tomorrow?"
Bruce nodded but noticed the last question was directed toward his eldest.
"Get some rest, Tim. The next two weeks Young Justice will be on alternating vacation weeks. You're up first. You've earned it." Dick replied with a noticeably tight smile.
"You too." Tim said and headed up the stairs before Nightwing could reply.
"Baby Bird's right, Boy Wonder. We've all earned some rest." Barbara said as she returned from the changing rooms wearing yoga pants and a green sweater. "I've got to get home. I had to withdraw from some classes last semester, and I'm retaking them this summer. Do me a favor and don't schedule the next invasion during the middle of midterms."
"I'll send a message to the neighboring star systems and let them know." Dick's tone was teasing, but Bruce knew his son well enough to see his heart wasn't in it.
Apparently so did Barbara because the smile fell from her face. "Get some rest," she ordered before heading up the stairs to the manor. Bruce wasn't sure if she started storing a car here, or if he would have to track down a missing Ferrari in the morning. He had more pressing concerns.
As the secret doors closed, Batman returned his attention to Nightwing, who was no longer pretending he was relaxed. His posture was rigid and coiled. Bruce looked at him at a loss for the proper words or actions. He opened his mouth to speak, not sure what would come out, but Dick beat him to it.
"Save it, Batman. You'll have my report on everything you missed tomorrow."
His son clearly didn't want to talk about anything. Dick truly chose the worst of him to emulate. Well, tough. Batman had spent the last six months in a nine by nine cell worrying about his family, his city, and his team, only to return to have his fears confirmed regarding his son.
"Will the report also include a section on your mental health?"
Nightwing's arms crossed, and the whites of his mask narrowed. "There's nothing to report."
Batman felt the pit of cold fear melt and shift into anger. "You do not get to decide what a report includes, Nightwing." Batman growled.
The shorter vigilante's face hardened. "I'm not interested in your protection, Batman." Nightwing spat the last word like a curse.
Bruce froze.
"I haven't been since you got Jason killed," Nightwing finished.
"Robin died because he disobeyed direct orders." Warning laced Batman's words. He stood over Nightwing, daring him to continue.
His former partner met him head on. "Keep telling yourself that. Jason died because you failed him."
"Enough," Batman growled.
"I don't wear red and yellow, and I'm not in your precious league. You don't get to order me around." Nightwing threw the words at Batman and headed towards the cave's garage. Out of instinct, Batman grabbed the retreating figure's arm. Nightwing pulled his arm and turned towards Bruce. There was a brief millisecond when Bruce was almost sure that Dick was going to collapse into a hug, but the instant was gone too quickly, replaced by a face hardened into anger.
"I don't need you. I never needed you." Nightwing sneered. "And I definitely don't need your failed attempts at fatherly concern." Dick's face shifted into something ugly. "You'd be a disappointment to your parents."
Bruce felt his muscles tense and his hands form into a fist. If this conversation continued, he would do something he'd regret.
"Get out!"
"With pleasure," Nightwing spat as he strode towards his motorcycle. He hopped on and sped out of the cave without looking back.
Batman stormed towards his dormant computer. He needed to know what transpired while he was absent. Batman had just gotten through the third password on his system when a quiet cough sounded behind him.
"I do believe a shower and rest are in order, sir."
Batman would have ignored the butler's presence, but Bruce missed him, so he compromised on a grunt of acknowledgement.
"Your endeavor to be informed of the previous six months' events is admirable. However, the stench radiating from you and your suit is not. I daresay, Master Bruce, did they not allow you access to any cleaning facilities."
They hadn't, and Bruce had stopped noticing his own smell long ago. He knew there would be no arguing with the butler on this point though, so he headed towards the showers.
Alfred's voice made him pause and turn around. "I take it Master Dick has sought accommodations elsewhere."
There was a look of disappointment on his surrogate's father's face, and Bruce could offer nothing to dispel it, so he simply nodded before continuing towards the locker room.