Three times they realized Dick came back with unexplainable abilities... and next time will be the one time Dick explained.
One: Not mind control, but vertigo.
Two: He's got a blurry face, I've got a spiral.
Three: For your eyes only (well, your's and Helena's apparently)
Three: For your eyes only (well, your's and Helena's apparently)
Damian had requested his presence for patrol. Dick, though he would love to deny it, had been avoiding his family for the last week. Ever since the voice modulator debacle, he started dodging the rest of the family. He didn't want them to ask questions, he just wanted to continue to ignore that part of his life. But Damian asked, and Dick was a sucker for his Robin.
He was met with the expected amount of disdain. The pit of self-loathing grew in his chest, when Jason scoffed at his presence, throwing an off handed remark about finally showing his face. Tim added, his voice heavy with spite and something Dick couldn't put his finger on, "at least it will be nice to have an extra pair of hands."
Dick didn't start to regret joining them until roughly half an hour in. The patrol was quiet, expected for a Tuesday mid-fall. The messages, appearing like neon spray paint, sporadically around the city started to catch his eye. A billboard flickered, the sign for a clothing brand changing out for a message about system updates. The messages grew in numbers, slowly becoming more aggressive.
The, "call me" across Bruce's chest, nearly broke Dick's resolve.
Two hours, Gotham half lit by these messages and Dick finally broke. "Both of you have phones!" He yelled to the sky. "But fine, we can do it today."
There was a flash of blue and out steps two men, one in all black and the other in a mix of white and gold. "Sweetheart," the one in black called, spreading his arms wide for a hug.
Dick rolled his eyes, "I meant later." He muttered. Behind him Bruce and Damian landed, followed closely by Jason and Tim. They had closed ranks slightly when Bruce had noticed Dick's strange behavior. Damian didn't say but, he knew from almost the very beginning, but neglected to share, it's not like they needed to know. The man in black ignored the audience, "Come give Daddy a hug," he wiggled his fingers in a beckoning motion.
Dick made a choking noise, blush creeping up his neck.
Jason whispered "the fuck" to one on in particular.
"Come now M," The white and gold hero chastised, "don't embarrass our son."
Dick sighed, "You were stalking me for this?" he asked, ignoring the pointed look from Bruce.
"I wouldn't say stalking," a female voice added, startling Bruce, Jason, Damian, and Tim. Huntress was leaning against the edge of the roof, watching carefully.
"M," The man in black nodded, his voice stuff and body tense.
"Midnighter. Apollo." She nodded to the one in black then the one in white and gold, "And it's Huntress now." She added.
"I am aware." The man – Midnighter- said. Jason glanced back to see the two men had moved to flank Dick. "Is there a reason you're being Huntress here in particular?" he asked. There was an undertone Jason couldn't put his finger on.
Huntress didn't rise to the bait, "Oracle reported an energy surge in the area. Between that and the increasingly threatening yet thoughtful messages around the city, I figured it was one of you two."
"What messages?" Batman demanded.
"Nothing," Dick said while Huntress waived him off.
"You can't see them." She said, ignoring Dick's scowl.
There was a tense pause, where neither elaborated. "Well," Apollo stretched, glancing to Midnighter then back at Nightwing, "We're going to take Wing for the night."
Cries of "What?" and "No." came from the other Bat's.
"You guys don't need me for patrol," Dick interrupted. "Red pretty much said it earlier, I'm just an extra for the night anyways."
"System repairs shouldn't wait." Apply said, sending a knowing look to Dick.
"I will get the handcuffs." Midnighter added, his voice edging towards playful, but face still hard.
Dick couldn't catch his own smile, "I knew it was on purpose." He hissed, jabbing Midnighter with a finger. Midnighter waves a hand, a blue door generates a few feet away. Apollo disappears first, with a quick look to Nightwing.
"I'll you later," Dick cocked a smile and tossed them a salute. "let me know if you need backup." He tacked on, disappearing after Apollo before anyone could put up another protest.
"Should I be concerned?" Huntress called, before Midnighter could leave.
The man studied the four members of the bat family before turning to Huntress. "No, updates required due to recent damage from attempted control."
"Manually?" Huntress asked, now sounding concerned.
Midnighter scoffed, "Do not begin to pretend to care," he said, shooting a look at everyone on the roof. "But rest assured, his safety is and will continue to be a top priority." The man turned on a heel and marched through the blue door disappearing with a flash of light.
"Huntress," Bruce growled.
The woman raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "You're the one who forced him undercover." She said her voice matching the hardness of Midnighter just the moment before, "Don't be surprised when he comes back a bit different." The woman jumped from the roof without a goodbye.
"The fuck?" Jason said again, and Tim couldn't help but agree.