Teen Titans Fanfiction
Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans, its Production Company, Affiliates, and/or Sponsors. The plot line and any minor characters belong to me; similarities between major characters and any living person are unintentional.
ALONE
Richard Grayson wasn't particularly fond of Bruce Wayne. He was as close a father as he had and had taught him some valuable life skills. He had also helped shape him into who he was today, but that still didn't mean that they were particularly close. If you took away the past five years when they'd been missing, they hadn't talked at all since Dick had moved to Jump City. The argument they had had, had been petty at best, but just enough to ensure the eventual blow-up that caused him to leave. And he had left with a telling to never to return. It wasn't a particularly fond memory.
But as many resources as Dick had back in Jump City, where his Nightwing persona lurked, as much as it felt like his pride and dignity were about to be crushed, Bruce Wayne aka. Batman, Bats, The Dark Knight – he was still more experienced, more resourceful and no doubt still all together too knowing. Fortunately, as annoying as this was, occasionally it could be useful. And standing at the dark gates leading up to the mansion at around five o'clock in the hope that Batman had not started his nightly patrol, Dick hoped this would be one of these moments.
"Master Dick, the gates are open," came a voice through the crackling box.
He smiled, remembering one of the good things about Wayne Manor. "Thank you, Alfred." Slipping through, Dick stalked up, keeping his eyes focused on the Manor, his jaw tightening with every second. He loved the man as a father and respected him to no end, but any amount of like he had held for him had faded over the years.
Because loving someone doesn't mean you necessarily have to like them.
The door was open when he got there, Alfred exactly the same in his starched suit, stiff, prim and proper, his eyes lighting up as they landed on him. "A pleasure to see you, Master Dick, after all these years. I presume you're here to see Master Bruce?"
Dick chuckled. "I could be coming here to catch up on the good times, Alfred. You don't need to sound so ominous."
"Both you and Master Bruce are masochists. Talking about the good times doesn't particularly interest you. However, I'm always available for a cup of tea in the kitchen. Otherwise, you will find him in the cave." With a bow, Alfred spun round and seemed to almost glide off.
Dick sighed, running his hands through his dark hair. Even though they weren't related, he remembered going to all the events where he wasn't just Bruce's protégé. To them he was his son and they always commented on how alike they were, except in mood. "If they only knew the darkness within," he muttered, before squaring up his shoulders and striding towards the hidden entrance. It was like he had fallen through a time portal like she had once done, except it was going to the past instead of the future. Nothing had changed. Not the wallpaper or the pictures or the slight stiffness in the entrance. The Bat Cave was the same if a little more advanced – high tech computers and weapons littered the room. The dead dinosaur was also a new feature.
"Nightwing." The voice was soft, hard, cold, a reminder of so many things he'd tried to leave behind.
"Bruce," he said quietly. "My name is Richard. Or are you so wrapped up in Batman you can only remember the facades?" There was silence. Dick turned round slowly, his eyes alighting on the feared Dark Knight. He looked tired. A few streaks of silver in his hair, bags under his eyes. But he was just as he remembered. Tall, dark, proud. "It's been a while. I was testing out the new name."
Bruce gestured to a seat. "Sit."
He remained stubbornly standing.
The old Bruce would have scowled and demanded him to sit, wanting to assert his authority. This Bruce just shrugged and slid into the one next to the computer, his posture stiff. "What do you want, Dick? I'm going to assume this isn't a social call."
"It's been over five years."
"It's been over five years for everyone, but I don't see you trying to visit them. Wally keeps asking, but you don't seem to have the time to visit him. And you're a bit to prideful to forget the past just because a few years have passed."
"Bit hypocritical, Bruce."
Bruce's jaw tightened. "What do you want? I'm busy, and unless you want something, I suggest you follow my instructions from several years previously and leave me in peace."
Dick rolled back onto his heels and crossed his arms, staring at the man in front of him. "What did you do to Starfire?" Bruce didn't move. "What did you do to her?"
"Did you know she petitioned to change her name? The word brought up too many painful memories. None of the citizens accepted it."
"Bruce…"
"I didn't do anything to her. The rest of the Titans and yourself did enough."
"She visited you. Stayed with you for a while." He stalked over and leaned down, resting his hands on the arms of Bruce's chair.
Bruce leaned backwards, threading his fingers together as his eyes glinted. "I didn't do anything. She came to me for guidance on how to prevent herself from collapsing. She was dying. Emotions may make up a Tamaran, help them control their abilities, but that means they feel everything so much more strongly. The more pain she felt, the more her body began to destroy itself. I simply helped her find a way of controlling her abilities while suppressing her emotions so she was able to live." His smile was broken. "You should be thanking me. If I hadn't helped her she would have been dead long before you returned from whatever planet you decided to hop off to in order to gain a free vacation."
Dick reared back. "We were drugged." He scowled.
Bruce shrugged once more. "Believe that if it makes you feel better. But that drug you're talking about can be easily broken if the person's will was strong enough. Your will just wasn't strong enough. Meaning that whatever feelings you may have for Koriand'r were obviously either not strong, or you were just to weak to face up to the idea and preferred hurting her over fear of hurting yourself." Bruce growled. "Now get out. You got what you wanted. I can't help you with anything else. I don't know who supplied the drug and frankly, I don't care. You made your bed – now lay in it." He spun around to face the computer and began to frantically type.
Dick remained for only seconds before turning round and running out, fury building up inside of him. "This isn't the end." He muttered as soon as he heard the gates clank behind him. "This isn't over."
AN: Thank you to all faithful reviewers - without you this story probably wouldn't have continued. Since exams are now over I have more time so I will be updating more regularly so don't worry - hopefully this will have been one of the longest waits between updates. Again, you are all fabulous!
Readingissotheitthing,
Floaging
