AN: I'm back again after three weeks. I managed some things in my life and am happy to be back now. I feel like this is short enough to be a delayed chapter still and not a hiatus. So, sorry for the delay.

But I have a juicy chapter to make up for it. We are getting a lot of Dick/Nightwing stuff in this one and it's exciting. From a writing perspective, it's also the most complicated point-of-view I've ever written, and I hope I made it understandable. (Tell me if not.)

Warnings for: mentions/allusions to rape. Basically a nightmare. It's not very long nor graphic but I thought I'd give you a heads-up (yes it's about the dreaded Tarantula-scene). It somehow snuck in there and didn't want to leave.

Summer314: Bruce had his realization! I wanted to write him as a man who made mistakes out of his own flaws and not a malicious person. He gave the time machine to Tim as a safeguard because he doesn't trust himself with it.

Writing Cass, Stephanie and Barbara last chapter was a delight. I love the Batgirls! I'm happy you liked the parts with them, too.

You spotted the Grayson-reference perfectly. A plate of virtual cookies for that. I have a soft spot for that series. Dick and Helena are great partners in it.

16. Roommates

Ever since the jet had landed in Gotham, Dick, Jason and Damian were hiding out in one of Jason's safehouses. They blocked off any attempts Wayne made at contacting them.

Dick didn't leave the safehouse for more than a week. It wasn't safe considering that half the Gotham criminal underworld was still after him. Also, Nightwing was a constant depressed undercurrent in his head that used up all of Dick's mental energy. So, Dick spent most of his time asleep.

While sleep was less exhausting than being awake, it still wasn't peaceful. Dick had been having nightmares ever since his parents had died. He could see their shocked faces in front of him as they fell. The broken bodies. He dreamed of Juvie and the guards who had treated the inmates like trash. And he was plagued by almost being lobotomized by Professor Pyg.

As it turned out, sharing one head with a vigilante lead to a whole new layer of nightmares. Nightwing had been quiet ever since the funeral. But he couldn't turn off his dreams. There were nightmares of people dying in front of him. People he hadn't been able to save. Dying himself. Dick couldn't differentiate anymore between Nightwing's dreams and his. They blended into a messy homogeny.

But the worst nightmare came one particular night. The nightmare was little more than sensations. Harsh concrete under his back as rain poured down on him. Hands ghosting over his body. Taking what they wanted while Dick – no Nightwing – was unable to move. Shame because he should be able to do something. Shake her off. But he couldn't- He was-

Dick's eyes jerked open. He tried to stand up. Everything to shake this terrible nightmare. But his body was paralyzed. He still felt the hands ghosting over his body. Nightwing's depressed buzzing faded a bit, making way for naked panic. Dick laid there like this, feeling his own turmoil mixed with the other person in his mind.

It took minutes until Dick could move again.

"What was that?", Dick asked.

Nightwing didn't answer – as usual. Dick hadn't needed an answer though. He wasn't a detective, but he could guess what had happened to Nightwing. From the nightmare it was still very much an open wound.

"I'm very sorry this happened to you", Dick said.

His mind raced, trying to find the right words to say.

"If you want to talk, I'm here."

Dick felt stupid saying it. Of course, he was here. Their minds were chained together.

Nightwing stayed silent. Apparently, he didn't want to talk. Nothing new.

"Did you ever tell anyone about this?", Dick asked.

He suspected not. Nightwing seemed like the kind of guy to shove trauma into the back of his mind while distracting himself with the real world. Dick was like this, too. Too bad now that Nightwing's mind was the only thing that was left of him. There were no distractions anymore.

"It's not your fault", Dick said, "I hope you know that."

No answer. The turmoil stayed.

Dick decided to let it drop. He couldn't force Nightwing to talk when he didn't want to. So, Dick stood up and distracted himself through pacing. He took a long shower, too. Everything but lying down.

After a few hours, Dick could hear voices from the kitchen. Damian and Jason. They seemed to be arguing about something. Dick breathed out in relief. Finally, something to distract himself with. The hands didn't want to let go of him even after the hot shower that had turned his skin red.

"How about we spy on them? Should be fun", Dick tried to lighten the mood.

No answer. Dick sneaked towards the door and pressed his ear to the wood. Damian and Jason were definitely arguing. In the background, there was the sizzling of a pan. Maybe Jason's famous omelettes? Usually worth dying for but this morning Dick wasn't hungry.

"…I'm not gonna leave any of my stuff to these pricks", Jason said.

"It's just things, Todd. A warrior should pack light."

"I'm not a fucking warrior. I'm a guy who wants his motorcycle back."

"You shouldn't have left it with the Waynes then. Stupid mistake."

"Was I supposed to pack it into that jet? Directly next to Dick's coffin?"

Silence for a moment.

"Grayson can't go back to that manor", Damian said, "He is not in the right mindset for it."

Jason sighed: "He isn't himself."

"Of course, he isn't himself, you buffoon. He has another mind in his head."

Dick bit his lip. His brother had treated him like eggshells since his resurrection. It was annoying and exhausting. So, Dick forced a smile on his face and entered the kitchen.

Damian and Jason were sitting at the kitchen counter digging into Jason's famous omelettes. Dick felt slightly queasy.

"What are you talking about, Dami?", Dick ruffled Damian's hair.

"I got one in the pan for you", Jason said between bites.

"Nah", Dick's stomach protested at the idea, "I'm not hungry."

"We weren't talking about anything of importance, Grayson."

Jason narrowed his eyes at Dick's state: "You look like shit."

"How insulting Jason. I just took a shower", Dick tried to deflect.

"Did you try to boil your skin?"

Dick cursed inwardly. Of course, Jason would notice. He was incredibly perceptive.

"Nightwing has some fucked up nightmares and I don't want to talk about it."

Jason and Damian shared a worried glance. And there were the eggshells again.

"How about you lie down again, Grayson?", Damian said.

Over his dead body. Dick's mouth felt dry and sleep seemed like a trap right now.

"Nope", Dick dug through the fridge on his search for something to drink, "I think we should visit Wayne Manor today. Get your motorcycle, Jason."

"You spied on us", Jason sounded mock-offended.

"It wasn't hard to spy on you when you scream through the whole safehouse", Dick took a defiant sip out of a milk carton.

His mouth liked it but his stomach didn't.

Jason tried to be diplomatic – which was a miracle in itself: "Do you really think that this is a good idea for you to come to the Manor? Couldn't it make Nightwing more depressed?"

Dick snorted: "It's not like he can get even more depressed. Maybe it gets a reaction out of him. And it's not like we're going inside. We're getting the motorcycle and then we leave."

Jason sighed: "Fine."

"I still believe that this is a stupid idea, Grayson. However, I will come along to protect you", Damian raised his nose.

He was adorable.

"Thank you, Dami", Dick's smile was genuine this time.

Jason lowered the car window at the gate to Wayne Manor.

"Good morning", a voice said from a sound system.

"Jason Todd and company. I am here to get my motorcycle. You rich pricks don't need another vehicle."

"Surely, Mr. Todd", the voice sounded like Alfred.

Nightwing perked up at the edges of Dick's mind. Maybe going to the Manor was the right thing for Nightwing. Or it would blow up in their faces.

Jason drove up to the giant building. His motorcycle was still parked in front of the building.

It looked surprisingly shiny. The British butler – Alfred – stood beside the vehicle, his hands folded behind his back.

Jason had barely stopped the car, as Dick's hands moved towards the door handle. Dick frowned, trying to get his movements under control again. But something pushed against him. Someone. Dick wasn't in control of his body anymore as Nightwing ripped open the car door, hurried towards the butler and pulled him into a tight hug. Alfred seemed surprised but he quickly regained his composure and put a hand on Nightwing's back.

"Alfred", Nightwing sounded relieved.

"I'm very glad to see you alive, dear boy", Alfred said, "Even if the circumstances have been less than ideal. I know of your predicament."

"I missed you", Nightwing said.

Dick had no control over his (their?) voice anymore.

The depressed undercurrent around Dick's mind lifted, making way for a deep affection. Their body felt lighter suddenly. Nightwing loved this man like a grandfather. This Alfred wasn't his grandfather but he was the closest approximation Nightwing had.

Dick pulled himself back even further. He truly was a passive spectator in his own body now. But he didn't mind this time. Nightwing deserved to have this.

Jason left the car, watching them closely.

"We're just here to get my bike", Jason said.

"I took the liberty of polishing it, Mr. Todd", Alfred said.

Nightwing reluctantly pulled back from Alfred. He looked at the manor.

"It looks exactly like I know it", Nightwing smiled fondly, "Like home."

"May I give you a tour, Mister Nightwing?", Alfred said.

"I don't know", Nightwing sounded unsure suddenly.

Dick tried to send encouraging energy towards him. It was weird. Being nothing but a presence in the back of someone's head. Dick felt weightless. Like he had felt in the void.

"It would be an honour", Alfred walked towards the house.

Nightwing followed. Dick could feel his trepidation. It dissipated the moment, Nightwing stepped into the entrance hall.

He laughed and pointed at the ceiling: "I broke that chandelier when I was a kid. Unintentionally of course."

Alfred chuckled: "I can imagine that this house was far more lively in your timeline."

"Yeah", Nightwing said, "You couldn't go a day without Tim and Damian fighting over something. They broke so many vases. You, or rather my Alfred, made them sweep the shards up every time – and the rest of the floors for the entire week. And Cass loved to sneak after us. We never saw her if she didn't want us to. She loved to freak us out. It was…"

Nightwing broke off. The depressed undercurrent spread in their shared head again. Dick could barely shield himself from it. It was hard to know sometimes where Dick's mind ended and Nightwing's began.

"It sounds very special", Alfred said.

"It is- was."

"How about we continue our tour?", Alfred said.

They went into the dining room. Nightwing zeroed in on the grandfather clock. He ran his hands over it.

"I broke this one, too. Intentionally this time. I was pissed off at Bruce."

"You seem like quite the rambunctious family."

Nightwing chuckled: "We were a family of troublemakers. But it always worked out… until it didn't."

Nightwing bit his lip. The depressed undercurrent continued to rise. Until it wasn't an undercurrent anymore. Dick felt himself paralyzed by the strength of the emotion. It had never been this intense. Probably because Dick had never allowed Nightwing to take control.

"I'm sorry, Alfred", Nightwing's voice broke and he hurried towards the stairs.

Nightwing barely paid attention just wanting to get away. He ripped a door open on the first floor, pressing his back against the wood and closing his eyes. Nightwing was gasping for breath as he tried to get his emotions under control.

"Don't be stupid", Nightwing pressed his nails into his palms, "You've survived worse than this."

It didn't help. Nightwing's breath grew quicker and louder. Dick felt lightheaded at this point. He tried to push against Nightwing's mind. To take control again. But he slammed against an iron will.

Dick wondered if Nightwing could take over every time he wanted to. The vigilante probably had been trained in some freaky mind things and he needed to have the willpower of a madman to do what he did. It was strange to be at someone's mercy like this. Nightwing could just hijack Dick's body and run away with it. But the vigilante didn't do it even if it would be his only way to regain a life again.

"Hey", a soft voice said, "You are having a panic attack."

One word raced through Nightwing's mind: Dad.

Wayne gripped Nightwing's biceps and led him to the bed. Nightwing sat down.

"Five things you can see", Wayne sounded like he was talking to a son.

Nightwing seemed to move on autopilot. He rattled off five things. Wayne asked him for five things he could hear. They continued like this until they had gone through all senses. Nightwing's breath slowed down. He opened his eyes.

Dick felt relieved as well when Nightwing opened his eyes and they could see again. Wayne's face was directly in front of them. There was a deep-seated worry in his eyes. Dick noticed the wrinkles in Wayne's face. The man looked old.

Nightwing tensed. He wrapped his arms around himself, his eyes darting through the room.

It didn't seem remarkable to Dick. It was clean like the rest of the house with a bed, a dresser and a desk. Crème tones. Nothing too exciting.

"I missed you", Wayne said.

Nightwing scoffed: "How do you even know it's me?"

"You ran into your room instinctively", Wayne said, "I gave you my childhood room in our timeline and moved into my parents' room. Here Brucie never left it."

"It's not mine."

"It will always be yours. I feel like a visitor here. And to be honest: It was far more interesting when it was yours. You made the house so much more colorful, Dick."

"Apparently not colorful enough", Nightwing muttered, "I'm not Dick anymore. I'm Nightwing now to distinguish me from the poor guy I'm mindmelted with."

Bruce looked down at his hands: "I'm sorry for that."

Nightwing scoffed: "Must be annoying. You thought you were rid of me only for pesky me to show up again."

Bruce reached for Nightwing's hand. There was an intensity in his gaze.

"I never wanted to erase you. I'm so sorry for that as well. I thought about undoing it. Going back."

"Then why don't you?"

"Because it wouldn't be fair."

"Don't tell me anything about fairness, Bruce. You lost that right long ago."

"I know. I don't deserve any kindness. But Dick and the other people in this timeline do. They have lives of their own. I can't erase them while also risking that I screw up this cosmic mess even more."

Nightwing bit his lip. He was silent for a while, hate simmering through his mind.

"I get it", Nightwing said after a while, "I still hate you. But Dick is a good guy and the others as well. They don't deserve to potentially end up as disembodied voices in other people's heads."

"You don't either."

"Could have fooled me."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean", Nightwing forced out every word, "That you obviously hate me."

"I don't hate you. I love you. You are my son", Bruce strengthened his grip around Nightwing's hand.

Nightwing ripped his hand away: "Then why wasn't I good enough? And don't lie to me, Bruce. I was never good enough for you. No matter what I did. Dick is a great guy. I'm sure you're happy to have a better version of me now."

Bruce stared at Nightwing with an open mouth. He visibly struggled to regain his composure.

Dick was surprised as well. Apparently, it was common to have an inferiority complex towards other versions of yourself. Dick had always though he was the less cool version of them. Nightwing was a vigilante after all. And Dick was the former delinquent who had pulled himself together for an average, insignificant existence. It was strange that Nightwing was envious of him.

"You were far more than just good enough. I'm so proud of you and I'm sorry that I never showed it enough. I was an ungrateful bastard, as Jason would say. And Dick is great, but he isn't my son. You are. I took far too long to get that into my stubborn head."

"Then, why did you do it? Why did you erase me as if everything I was – everything we went through – didn't mean anything? And what about our Damian, Jason, Cass? All of them. They are gone because of you."

There was a deep itch in their chest. A pain that didn't want to go away. Nightwing was hurt on a fundamental level and Nightwing's pain was Dick's pain now, too.

Wayne closed his eyes, taking a deep breath: "I never wanted to erase you. I wasn't thinking clearly. I was missing my parents and-"

"I miss my parents, too. And you don't see me screwing up the universe."

"I always wanted my children to be better than me. It's the reason for everything I did."

"It was all for nothing in the end", Nightwing sounded defeated.

"Maybe", Wayne lowered his gaze again, "I threw away my family. A great thing I had. I get that now. But at the time I thought that I was helping you."

"By erasing us from existence? What a great help."

"I thought that you would be better off without me. After Damian's birthday - our fight - I felt like a toxic presence to everyone around me. I felt like I was pulling you down. So, I removed myself from your lives and invertedly I caused the very outcome I feared."

"How self-reflective of you."

Wayne sighed: "I had a lot of time to think."

"I won't forgive you. What you did to me – to them – can never be repaired."

"Not without harming a whole timeline of other people", Wayne agreed, "I don't expect your forgiveness. You don't owe me anything."

"Good because you won't get it."

The throbbing in their chest had grown stronger. Dick understood it now. No matter what Wayne did, it would never go away. This kind of pain would stay. Some things could not be forgiven.

They sat there in silence for a while. Dick felt himself get restless. The disembodied feeling left him hazy and vulnerable to emotion. There was nothing to hold on to. It was no wonder that Nightwing had become depressed. Being like this 24/7? Dick couldn't imagine.

Nightwing pulled his arms around himself: "I have nothing now. I am nothing now."

Wayne bit his lip, seemingly thinking about his answer: "You aren't nothing. You are only nothing if you allow yourself to be."

Nightwing narrowed his eyes: "I don't care about your advice."

Dick suddenly felt a pull on his mind. Nightwing was urging him to take the wheel again. Dick pushed himself forward, this time no one keeping him away. Dick took a deep breath when he had control over his body again. He moved his limbs carefully – testing them.

Wayne was watching him closely. He knew that Nightwing wasn't at the wheel anymore. Dick could read it in his gaze. He stood up, not sure what to say to Wayne.

"I think it's better if I – we – leave now", Dick said.

Wayne said: "I'm sorry for what I did to both of you."

"You already said that", Dick said.

He walked towards the door.

"Take good care of him", Wayne said.

Nightwing scoffed in their shared head.

"I will", Dick simply said.

He was serious about this. Nightwing and he needed to work out some kind of arrangement.

They couldn't go one like this. Not when pain and trauma were eating Nightwing alive. And when they destroyed Nightwing, they would destroy Dick as well.

'Arrangement?', Nightwing sounded skeptical.

"We can't keep being a depressed mess", Dick muttered to himself (or rather Nightwing?) after he had closed the door behind himself.

'You mean I can't keep being a depressed mess. I'm sorry for dragging you down.'

"You aren't dragging me down. Whether I like it or not, we share a body now. I felt what it was like to be in the back and it's not fair to do this to someone 24/7."

Nightwing stayed quiet. Dick was worried for a moment that he would retreat again but the feeling he radiated was pensive rather than depressed.

Dick reached the ground floor. Damian, Alfred and Jason were drinking tea together. They stared at him. Jason was evaluating Dick like a bomb that could go off any second.

"It's me again", Dick said, "Nightwing had an intense discussion with Wayne."

'That's one way to put it.'

Dick had missed the comments in his mind. It had almost felt empty when Nightwing had been quiet.

'Wow. I should feel flattered, mind-melt-buddy. I rarely get that I should talk more. Usually, people want me to shut up.'

Dick was relieved. Nightwing would never admit it but talking things out with Wayne had changed things within him. The pain was still there but Nightwing must have gained a new perspective to speak again.

'Never.'

Dick chuckled. Nightwing had the tendency to act like a petulant child sometimes.

Damian and Jason exchanged a glance.

"What?", Dick pointed at his temple, "We have interesting conversations in there."

"I can imagine", Jason shook his head in amusement, "Two Dicks? What a hellscape."

"Jerk", Dick muttered, "Why do I hang out with you again?"

"Because you love me, Dickhead. Or should I say Double-Dickhead?"

"That was terrible, Todd", Damian finished his tea and looked at Alfred, "Thank you for your generosity, Pennyworth. Me and my companions shall be on our way."

"Surely, young Mr. al Ghul. The door is always open for you", Alfred led them to the front door.

Dick was glad to leave the mansion. Jason turned on his bike and put on his helmet.

"I'm driving the car", Dick said.

"Which one of you?", Jason asked.

"Very funny."

Dick wondered how many mind melt-jokes he would have to endure from Jason from now on.

'One every five seconds', Nightwing said.

"Probably", Dick answered as he put on his seatbelt.

Dick started the car and drove towards the gate.

'I don't want to come back here anymore', Nightwing said in their head, 'I- You are right. I guess it was good to talk with Bruce. To know why he did it. But I think it's time to leave this chapter of my non-existent life behind me.'

"It's not a non-existent life."

'I'm a voice in the back of your head.'

"Not anymore", Dick said, "Like I said: We should come to an arrangement about how we share this body. It isn't perfect but it's the best we can do."

'You want to throw your life away for me?'

"I think of it more as making house rules with your roommate", Dick drove the car through the gate – away from Wayne Manor, "We'll figure it out."

'Wow. I don't know what to say.'

"It's not like I'm completely altruistic about this. There is a shit ton of people still after me and it can be beneficial to know a vigilante who can beat them all up. Would you help me with this?"

Nightwing chuckled: 'Is this even a question? I've been doing this since I was eight.'

"You scare me sometimes", Dick muttered.

Nightwing full-on laughed now. Dick forced himself to focus on the road.

"You scare me sometimes, Grayson", Damian said, "This is so strange."

Dick had barely paid attention to him during his little talk with Nightwing.

"I guess you'll have to get used to it, Dami. And also to me not being me sometimes."

Damian stayed quiet for a while.

Then he said: "Don't be silly, Grayson. I'm more than suited to deal with two of you."

AN: So, Nightwing and Bruce had their whole confrontation. :,(

I keep writing Bruce&Dick fallout fics for some reason. Except for my Talon!Dick fanfic. They are adorable in that one and Bruce is a chaotic Dad to Dick and Jason.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter and that this bonkers point-of-view was understandable. We are close to the end now. I estimate 1-2 chapters now. Let me shed a bittersweet tear.