I hope you enjoy please review
Disclaimer: I do not own Young Justice or DC
"Nightwing?" The tall, tanned, green eyed red head spoke softly.
Dick turned toward her from where he sat beside her on the couch "Yeah Starfire?" He tilted his head indicating he was interested in what she was saying
"What is your backstory," she asked cautiously
Dick shook his head "I already told you guys" he sat back eyeing the rest of his new team members. Raven sat on the opposite end while Cyborg occupied the recliner across the room and Beast Boy was perfectly content on sitting on the floor in the middle of the room. All eyes were now on him "I keep my identity a secret." He finished
"Yeah but you can tell us something man" Cyborg tried to reason
"Everyone has told at least a little bit of where they came from except you," Raven added
Dick rolled his eyes from behind his sunglasses. He cared for his new team members. Especially Kory, something about her felt comforting. But by nature, he still had a tight guard up around all of them. He had only known them for 6 months after all, and he didn't really want to explain to them how he used to be Robin even though as news reports had told him Batman had already brought a new Robin into the ring. Dick knew as soon as he saw the newsreel that it was Jason. Batgirl seemed better than ever, taking over his old role as Batman's "right-hand man".
"That's enough, I'm here now we are a team and that's all that matters," Dick informed them calmly
Beast boy shook his head "Awe come on Nightwing, your our leader and I think you should at least tell us something!" Beast boy or Garfield the youngest member of his Teen Titans pleaded
Dick gritted his teeth "I said that's enough!" He spoke sternly looking at everyone in the room
They looked surprised at his sudden outburst. "Wow I just sounded exactly like Bruce" he mentally scolded himself "I'm going to my room, nobody follows me" he spoke standing and walking off
When he entered his soundproof room he immediately locked the door and went toward his large computer, typing in a couple codes he was brought to the Gotham security cameras. The lobby of Gotham Elite Apartments to be exact. Looking at the time he knew she would be walking home around now. Hopefully to find what he had left her. Just as he had predicted Barbara came into focus walking into the building. Gary the doorman stopped her handing her the brightly wrapped gift that Dick had dropped off earlier, in full disguise of course so nobody would recognize him.
He literally threw on the disguise, dropped off the gift and left Gotham all within 15 minutes of arriving. There was no way he was going to risk someone recognizing him. Barbara entered the elevator and Dick quickly switched cameras going to the street cam, he couldn't see into her room, but he could see the balcony and if he knew Barbara she knew how he thought.
A few minutes passed but Barbara emerged from her bedroom stepping onto her balcony, she leaned on the railing casually looking at the cars below before directing her attention right at the camera a soft smile played on her lips, she gave a small wave letting him know that she knew the gift was from him. And although she couldn't see him, he waved back. Dick saw the faintest of tears forming in her eyes.
Dick knew this was because he had finally assured her that he was alive and safe, he hated that he was the cause of her tears, hated that he could hug her, hated that he couldn't continue their birthday tradition and kiss her. But this was something he had to do, something he had to prove he just hoped Barbara understood that.
Artemis pulled the cake that had "Happy 17th Birthday Barbara" unscripted on top with red frosting out of the fridge, setting it on the counter she examined it, ensuring that it was still in perfect condition.
"That cake looks delicious babe," Wally said as he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her cheek
Artemis let out a light chuckle leaning into him "Thanks, the bakery next to the college did a great job"
Wally removed his arms and moved standing next to her "Hey I'm sure if you had time to make one it'd taste as good" he took his finger and began moving it toward the cake.
He was stopped when Artemis quickly slapped it away "Not until Barbara gets here!" She scolded
Wally rolled his eyes "Awe come on!"
Artemis laughed as she made her way into their living room Wally following close behind "She should be here any minute now"
Wally nodded "How does she seem to be holding up? This is her first birthday without Dick since they were 9"
Artemis nodded "Yeah I know, I texted her this morning and she seemed okay. Then again it's kind of hard to read someone's emotions through text message"
Wally was about to respond when there was a knock at the door
"That must be Barb, I'll get it" Wally quickly ran to the door opening it to reveal Barbara "It's the birthday princess!" He exclaimed cheerfully wrapping her in a hug "Happy Birthday Barb" he pecked her cheek in a friendly manor as they pulled apart
She smiled "Thanks Wally" they entered the apartment
"Happy Birthday BG" Artemis smiled hugging her "We got you a cake "she lead her into the kitchen to show her
"Awe you didn't have to do that" Barbara smiled
Wally nodded "Yes she did we never get cake"
Artemis rolled her eyes "I'm lucky he hasn't devoured it yet!"
"How has your day been?" Wally asked nervously sticking his hands in his pockets
"Amazing!" Barbara grinned widely
Artemis scrunched up her eyebrows, sure she didn't expect Barbara to say her day sucked just because her best friend had been missing for 6 months with the possibility for him not being alive at all, but she didn't think she'd say her day had been amazing. It appeared as if she wasn't lying either
"Really?" She asked
Barbara nodded biting her lip "I came home from school and my doorman told me a package had been dropped off for me."
Artemis and Wally nodded
"It didn't have a name on it, but he said it was from a guy with red hair, brown eyes and wearing a blue ball cap. I don't know anyone by that description. Anyways I went upstairs, opened the package cautiously of course and inside was a pack of Hershey's kisses and a post-it note that said Sorry I can't be there hope all is well... I'm okay"
Wally gasped "It was from Dick! You guys have that weird birthday kisses thing! Dick sent you a package, he's alive" he smiled widely hugging both girls in his arms and spinning them around rather quickly
Once he set them down they had to take a moment to recover from the dizziness
"Baywatch, I think your more excited about this then Barb" Artemis rubbed her temples
Barbara laughed "Honestly I almost cried" she admitted
Wally smiled "Awe, personally, I'm honored that he used red hair as his disguise. Means he's thinking of me"
"Or Barbara "Artemis reminded
"Or he could have a new redhead in his life." Barbara added "Point is" she sighed happily "He's alive, at least for now and that's and that was a gift enough to make my birthday amazing. I just wish I knew where he was, so I could do the same for his birthday "she paused "Although I know him, and I know for a fact he's probably been hacking into Gotham's street cameras and checking in on Bruce, Jason and I"
Artemis nodded "Your probably right, well I guess this calls for even more of a celebration" she clapped
Wally's head immediately perked up "You mean we can eat cake now!"
Artemis laughed "Yes Wally we can eat the cake"
The three sat enjoying their cake when Barbara's phone lit up
Quickly she picked it up, smiling at the screen
"What's got you smiling again?" Artemis grinned
"Is it Dick!" Wally asked excitedly
Barbara shook her head "No, a guy I've been talking to from my gymnastics team" she explained
Wally's smile dropped
Artemis glanced over at her boyfriend then quickly picked up on the awkwardness "Is he nice?" she asked
Barbara took a moment but then nodded "Yeah, he is" she said quietly sending a text back before setting her phone back down "Do you guys want to catch a movie?" she asked changing the subject knowing how weird this probably was for Wally even though Dick was just her friend.
Dick slowly shut his bedroom door, it was late now the tower was empty. He figured most of the Titans had probably either ventured out for the night or were in their own respective bedrooms winding down. He turned a corner toward the kitchen jumping back when he bumped into something or should he say someone.
"Kory hey, sorry I didn't think anyone was out here" he scratched his neck
Starfire shook her head "Oh no, it's quite alright Nightwing. I was just going to prepare myself some dinner in the kitchen"
Dick nodded "Yeah I was going to do the same." He was quiet for a moment "Hey, umm want to go get something together. Like at a restaurant or something?"
Starfire shrugged while nodding her head "I would gladly"