DC || Nightwing || DC || Nightwing || Leaving the Nest || Nightwing || DC || Nightwing || DC
Title: Nightwing: Leaving the Nest
Fandom: DC Comics / Arrowverse
Disclaimer: All rights concerning the Arrowverse reserved to Greg Berlanti and Marc Guggenheim, all rights for the comics reserved to DC. This fanfiction on the other hand is entirely mine. No money is made with this, though reviews are more than welcomed.
Tags: m/m, self discovery, found family, family fluff, f/f, m/f
Main Pairing: Jackson/Dick
Side Pairings: Kory/Kara, Clark/Diana, Bruce/Selina, Arthur/Mera
DC Characters: Dick Grayson, Kaldur'ahm | Jackson Hyde, Donna Troy, Conner Kent, Kara Danvers, M'gann M'orzz | Megan Morse, Koriand'r | Kory Anders, Selina Kyle, Bruce Wayne, Alfred Pennyworth, Barbara Gordon, Jason Todd, Stephanie Brown, Cassandra Cain, Arthur Curry, Mera Nereus, Thomas Curry, Diana Prince, Clark Kent, Martha Kent
Summary: The Teen Titans were splitting up, returning home to their former hero partners. Only that in Dick's absence, the Bat Family had grown a lot and he isn't sure where his place is. He just knows that it's no longer being Robin, Batman's sidekick. So he goes on a journey to find himself.
Nightwing
Leaving the Nest
If Dick was honest, it didn't come as too much of a surprise.
The Teen Titans had never been meant as a long-term arrangement. The team was a training school for the young sidekicks. The opportunity to learn from other heroes aside from the one they usually teamed up with. At one point, they all meant to return to their original partners.
Their teen years were coming to an end, Dick and Jackson were eighteen now, and it felt like the right time. The next part of their lives was awaiting. Work? College? Something. Forging their own paths as adults. Whatever that was supposed to mean.
And it seemed Dick was the only one to struggle with that. He'd never lost touch with Gotham City; Alfred insisted on monthly family dinner that even Dick had to make. But coming by once a month for dinner and moving back into the mansion were two different pair of shoes...
Only two months ago, Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle had tied the knot. Biggest celebrity wedding Gotham had ever seen, one of the biggest ones the US had celebrated lately. What a story book romance, the two philanthropists. If the newspapers knew that this was the love story of Batman and Catwoman they would probably use their minds.
The Teen Titans disbanded first and foremost because Kaldur'ahm – Jackson – was the adopted heir to the throne of Atlantis and as such was expected to learn certain etiquette. People were putting pressure on Aquaman about it. And Conner and Donna wanted to return to Superman and Wonder Woman's sides too, help them in and outside of costumes.
And here Dick was, back at Wayne Manor. A manor that, for the first time in thirty years, had a missus. Something that pleased Alfred immensely, he had noticed.
"When he was a young man," Alfred had shared with Dick on one of the first nights after Dick had returned home. "I thought... I was quite sure Bruce would be the last Wayne. So focused on his mission, with no distractions. No room for romance or anything."
"And now look at him," Dick had huffed out a laugh. "A wife and... four and a half kids."
"A half?" Alfred had raised one eyebrow at him.
"Well, Babs isn't up for adoption but I know she still spends as much time as she can in the Bat Cave and around here. Miracle Bruce hadn't tried to persuade Commissioner Gordon yet..."
It had earned him a laugh from Alfred and though the atmosphere had been light, it wasn't all entirely in jest. Dick had been gone for close to two years. When he'd left, he had been Bruce's only child. Sure, Cass and Steph had been there, on the sidelines. Living with Selina. But now Selina and Bruce were married. Selina was his step-mother now. And Bruce had adopted Cass and Steph too. And then there was Jason, who had become a part of the family while Dick had been away.
Dick had been gone for nearly two years and when he came back, his family had grown by four.
/November 2010, Gotham City\
"The Batgirls, huh."
"Wasn't really my call," Babs made a small noise. "Cass used to go by Orphan, but she no longer is an orphan. Steph was Spoiler, because of her dad. And... becoming Batgirl, it's... They're both stepping out of their fathers' shadows, embracing being part of... this family."
Dick tilted his head, a small grin on his lips. He didn't even have to say it aloud, she already knew.
"Yeah, I do know how that sounds, coming from the OG Batgirl, who is like the only one not related to Bruce," Babs chuckled and took a bite from her burrito. "But speaking of my minions, what's it like living with them now? Having sisters?"
Minions? Dick had to chuckle at that. Babs was eighteen now, Cass two years younger than her and Stephanie another two years younger than Cass. The 'wise mentor' role suited Babs though, in Dick's opinion. The two of them had always been close, she'd been one of Dick's first friends. Batgirl and Robin, Batman's original sidekicks. Kids, back then.
"Steph can be a lot," admitted Dick after a moment. "Especially when her and Jason are arguing."
"Oh yeah," Barbara smiled. "But she does apply that 'lot' into being Batgirl too. She's... dedicated."
Dick hummed in agreement, his eyes on the streets below. The two of them had been on patrol, but it was a rarely calm night in Gotham. After two robberies, Dick and Babs went to get burritos and then retreated to one of Dick's favorite rooftops (who had a favorite rooftop? Bat kids did). It was nice, being out here together with Barbara again. Felt like old times. Few things did.
"I can't believe Harley left for college," whispered Dick into the night.
"Everyone deals differently with grief," Barbara shrugged. "When we... When we lost Beth, it was the first time Harley lost someone. And she realized that she wants to help. In a very different way than we do. You, Bruce, Cass, Steph, even Jason in a way, you all channel your grief into trying to prevent others from having to experience it. But Harley, she... wants to help people deal with the grief they already have. I think she's going to be a great shrink."
Again, all Dick could do was hum in agreement. Though he didn't entirely know if he had as much faith in Harley. At least not in that department. She'd been a brilliant acrobat, the two of them had spent so much time on the trapeze together, she'd really taken to learning all of his tricks. Because she used to be obsessed with the circus. She'd been there too, the day Dick's parents had died.
"What about you?" asked Dick suddenly. "I mean, we're... high school graduates now. I haven't even asked you what you're doing yet. Are you... following your dad's footsteps?"
"No," Barbara laughed out loud at that. "I mean, I respect my dad and all. I know he's trying to change the PD from the inside. But that's not me. I'm never going to be a cop. I started working at the library, actually. It's... It's a lot of fun. I've also been bonding with Jason more thanks to that; he spends so much time in the library reading obsessively."
"Nerd," whispered Dick beneath his breath. "Both of you."
"And you?" Barbara turned to fully face him. "What will you do?"
Wasn't that the big question? Dick wished he had an answer. Slowly, he lowered the leftover of his burrito. His brows furrowed as he mulled the question over in his head. He'd not been back for too long yet, just about two weeks or so. And so far, he wasn't any wiser.
"I honestly don't know, Babs," admitted Dick. "Everybody has these... these plans, but I don't..."
Barbara's voice was gentle, understanding. "Tell me about it."
"Jackson's back at the palace, learning everything there is to know for a prince-"
"Heh," Barbara snickered to herself. "You're dating an actual prince."
Dick's cheeks flushed at that. "So he doesn't really... need to prepare for a job. His job is probably going to be being king of Atlantis, which is... insane. Miss Martian and Starfire went to National City to train and work for Miss Martian's uncle, who runs the DEO. Supergirl moved with them, thanks to some connections, she got an internship at CatCo Worldwide Media."
And Conner and Donna went back to Smallville to finish high school and work on the Kent Farm, for now. Everyone had some kind of plan laid out for them. Guess Dick did too, in a sense. Oldest son of Bruce Wayne, heir to the Wayne fortune and Wayne Enterprise. But did he want that...? And besides, Bruce now had enough other kids to take care of that.
Babs bumped shoulders with him. "You know you don't need all answers just yet, Dick."
/December 2010, Gotham City\
Selina having her own sidekick was something that really needed getting used to for Dick. Sure, he had known about Jason being Catlad, but knowing it for a fact and seeing it were two different things. He wore black leather pants and a red hoodie with... cat-ears. To fit Selina's theme.
"Hey, Catboy," Dick grinned shamelessly.
"It's Catlad and you know it, birdbrain," Jason glared at him from beneath the hood.
Fifteen. When Dick had been fifteen, he'd already been Robin for three years, after three years of intensive training with Bruce. If he was being honest, Dick didn't like how quickly the new kids went out. Sure, they were older now than Dick had been when he'd first become Robin. But they lacked the training, the experience. There was no holding back Cass, that much Dick knew – she'd been raised and trained by a ruthless assassin. Training was not the issue with her.
At least Jason didn't get thrown at criminals. Though then he was the criminal. Semi-criminal? Dick never entirely knew how to think of Selina. The definition of gray. She wasn't a hero but she wasn't a villain either. She stole, but in the beginning to better orphaned children's lives, and now to right wrongs. She stole stolen treasures back to return them to their rightful owner. It was funny to Dick, that Bruce – who seemed so stuck in his black and white thinking – had fallen for her of all people.
"So... what great treasures did you and Selina nick today?"
Dick walked over to Jason to sit down next to him. They were on the rooftop of the Wayne Manor, Jason still wearing his Catlad get up after getting home. Hood down, it didn't look much different than a normal outfit though. But Dick knew that under the red hoodie, he wore kevlar. Bruce wouldn't let any member of the family go out unprotected.
"Eh," Jason shrugged. "Money from the Falcone family, redistributed to some orphanages."
"Good work," Dick nudged his younger brother slightly.
"It was nothing," Jason looked eager to show off. "Last month, Selina and I were in Keystone City. We teamed up with the Rogues – did you know that Selina is friends with Captain Cold? Who is so cool. No pun intended. But he's awesome."
Dick had not known that, actually. But he supposed it made some sense. Captain Cold was probably the most infamous thief the US had. Well, now Dick was just imagining all famous thieves having regular meetings of sorts, like a club. ...Then again, the Justice League existed as a club of adult heroes and the Teen Titans existed as a club of sidekicks, so... why not.
"This must all seem... small now, huh," Jason's voice was soft and he wasn't looking at Dick. "I mean, you spent like two years fighting alongside a demigoddess, four aliens and the freaking prince of Atlantis – which, I have so many questions about, actually."
"Small is not..." Dick frowned. "It's no the right word. It's not like I feel above this. Gotham is my home. But... it does feel... like I'm taking a step back... Not because of the demigoddess and the aliens. But because of... me. Who I am. Or who I was."
"Ye—eah? What's that supposed to mean?"
Jason and Dick turned around at the voice, watching Stephanie walk up to them, closely followed by Cassandra. The two girls were wearing casual clothes. They walked over to the boys, Steph sitting down next to Dick while Cassandra sat down next to Jason.
"You guys are different than me," Dick motioned at Cass and Steph. "You two have Babs, an older sidekick who's teaching you. You've been a team from the get-go. A team of equals. But... it was different for me. When I started out as Robin, I was younger than you guys and I was... the only one. Bruce was Batman and I was his backup. I followed his lead. Clear hierarchy."
"And you... don't like that there's all of us now?" asked Stephanie confused.
"No, that's not..." Dick frowned annoyed, unsure how to put his thoughts. "I left to join the Teen Titans. And I became a leader myself. I wasn't the backup, the sidekick. I was the leader of a team of equals. And now I'm back here, where Bruce's word is final, where he's more than just the leader. He's the hero, we're the sidekicks. And I don't... I don't know if I can really go back to that."
"Mh," Jason leaned back some, tilting his head back to look up in the sky. "I think I get that. I mean, not that I've been there or anything. But I guess it must be very different, having been on that other team and now coming back here. Bruce does have his... strict rules and everything under the Bat-mantle seems to be going according to his will."
"He says, when he has been enviously watching us whenever Cass and I go out on patrol with dad," Steph turned to smirk at Jason knowingly. "Ye—ep. You've been known."
Jason flushed and glared at Stephanie, even as Cass nudged him with a broad grin of her own. Mh.
/January 2011, Gotham City\
"Am I in trouble?"
Dick raised his eyebrows, trying for nonchalant even as he entered Bruce's study. Next to Bruce stood Selina. It felt like being in trouble, after Alfred told him that Bruce and Selina wanted to see him once he got home. Selina smiled at him, looking reassuring.
"Not trouble, no," Selina shook her head. "Bruce and I have been talking and... we both noticed that you don't exactly seem... happy. You have been challenging your father's authority a lot lately when you guys have been out in the field together."
"So I am in trouble," Dick frowned, looking at Bruce.
"I'm not a fan of it," Bruce grumbled. "But I acknowledge that you're not coming from a place of pure defiance. You have... different ideas, different plans. Not bad ones, but different ones."
"I... guess," Dick shuffled around a bit. "I've gotten used to being the one in charge, the one to come up with the plans and have others follow my lead."
"I... understand that," admitted Bruce after a moment. "I'm used to being in charge here, in Gotham. But being with the Justice League, with other heroes with their own plans and ideas... It's still rough sometimes. And I know I would be frustrated if I gave up being Gotham's hero in favor of playing part of the team with the Justice League full-time."
That was slightly unexpected. "Oka—ay... So..."
"We want to help you," offered Selina. "What do you think you need, Dick? You've always been a very self-sufficient kid, ever since we first met. I feel like you have a better idea as to what you need than either of us do. And I also admit that Bruce and I have been... distracted, with our other kids, our night time jobs and day time celebrity persona to be put up."
Dick looked up with a small smile. He'd always felt like Selina got him. It was hard for Dick to think of Bruce and Selina as dad and mom, because his parents had been good people, it had not been all that many years since they'd died and Selina had only just gotten married to Bruce. Cass, Steph and Jason had an easier time adjusting to it, because their parents had either been dead longer or abusive, or both. For them, Bruce and Selina were the positive parental figures they needed.
"I think I need to stop being Robin," admitted Dick after a long moment.
He saw the hurt flashing over Bruce's face and he knew that was the reason he hadn't said it before, even though he'd felt that way for a while now. Selina rested a gentle hand on Bruce's shoulder. Always knowing when he needed her. The look on Bruce's face softened some.
"I will always be grateful for what you taught me and our time as Batman and Robin was... it was not just formative, it's also something I cherish... But I need to... I think I need to find myself," Dick paused for a moment. "I became Robin to honor my parents' legacy and to avenge them. I got justice for them and Robin became something bound to you, being your partner, following your legacy. But I think it's time that I make my own path, find my own identity."
At that, Bruce nodded with more understanding. "What do you plan on doing?"
"Everyone else just went back home and I..." Dick bit his lower lip. "I think I want to visit them. Take some time off to travel, visit my friends and see what they're doing with their lives post Teen Titans and then... Maybe come back here, maybe find a different path, I don't know yet."
"Take a year off for travel, "Selina nodded pleased. "That's not unusual after graduation."
"Yes," Bruce nodded his agreement. "Take the time to find yourself. Just know that I'm... proud of you, Dick. You turned into an exceptional young man and whatever you decide on, I know it will be impressive and I need you to know that you have our support."
Dick smiled and walked around the heavy desk just as Bruce got up. They hugged, tight and warm and Dick felt all of the support he needed. Selina ran her fingers through his hair before joining their hug. Yes, he knew he had their support in whatever he was going to do next.
/February 2011, Gotham City\
"You will be missed," Alfred smiled, warm but sad. "You only just returned home."
Dick latched onto him with a bone-crushing hug. "I know, Alfie. I'm sorry. I just..."
"You need to find yourself," Alfred heaved a sigh. "And I will be proud of whatever young man you find during that search. And you will not miss family dinner."
"Of course not," Dick grinned and ducked his head.
They had thrown a little goodbye party for him. It was nice. Made leaving feel worse. He huffed out a laugh as he got tackled in a hug from either side by Cassandra and Stephanie. Even though he'd only lived with them for two months now, he still had come to feel closer to them both.
"We're gonna miss you," Steph gave him a particularly hard squeeze. "It's so nice having a brother."
Jason grunted and glared at her. "I am literally standing right here."
"An older brother," clarified Cassandra in sign-language.
"No. No. I said what I meant," Steph turned to stick her tongue out at Jason.
"Be good to Babs, don't give her a hard time," Dick grinned, ruffling both girls' hair.
"Speaking of Babs," Barbara stepped up. "C'mon, I wanted to show you two something."
She exchanged a look with Dick, smiling at him, before leading Cassandra and Stephanie away. The three of them waved goodbye at Dick as they left him alone with Jason.
"Well, that seemed intentional," Jason watched them go and turned to Dick. "What's up?"
"There's one last thing I wanted to do before leaving Gotham," Dick opened his backpack to pull something out and handed it over to Jason. "Here. I want you to have it."
For a moment, Jason looked confused. Until he unfolded it and realized it was the Robin suit.
"W... What?" Jason nearly swallowed his tongue. "Why?"
"Steph wasn't wrong. You have been side-eyeing the sidekicks," said Dick softly. "I know you like being Catlad, but I thought... maybe you'd want to try on being Robin. It doesn't have to be permanent, but maybe you want to... see for yourself. To find yourself."
"Are you... sure?" Jason tilted his head and frowned at him. "I know what it... means, to you."
"That's exactly why I want you to have it," Dick knew his smile was somewhat pained. "I don't think that Robin is what I need anymore, but because it means so much to me, I... don't want Robin to die just because I'm moving on. You don't have to, but..."
"Okay," Jason nodded slowly. "No, I can... I can do it."
"I know you can," this time, Dick's grin was more uplifting. "And keep an eye on the girls. And on Bruce. I know he's supportive of me leaving, but I do... worry about him."
"I'll do my best," promised Jason – and Dick believed it.
/March 2011, Amnesty Bay\
Dick's first step had been an obvious choice. Amnesty Bay. To see his boyfriend. His entire face lit up when he jumped Jackson and kissed him. Jackson yelped and was quick to grab Dick by the underside of his thighs to hold him, though he too was spotting a grin.
"Hey, pretty bird," Jackson whispered against Dick's lips. "I missed you."
Dick smiled and leaned down to properly kiss his boyfriend. "And it's okay you're here?"
"Can't prep twenty four seven," Jackson slowly put him down. "Arthur spoke up for me and got me three weeks vacation to stay at the lighthouse with his father."
The two of them linked fingers before they walked into the lighthouse together. Inside were three people waiting. Two of them, Dick already knew – though only in costume. They looked different in casual attire, particularly Aquawoman, wearing a soft pastel dress instead of the armor.
"Robin, it's so nice to have you be here," Aquawoman immediately went for a hug.
"Thank you for having me, ma'am."
"Oh, no, none of that, you call me Mera while you're here."
"Thank you... Mera," Dick smiled. "I'm Dick, it's nice to officially meet you."
"So you're the Bat's prodigy, out of mask," Aquaman rested a hand on Dick's head, ruffling his hair. "How long until your old man's gonna trust us with his name?"
Dick made a face at that. "I... don't know. He's a bit paranoid about the secret identity. Sorry."
"Arthur..." Mera rested a gentle hand on her partner's arm. "I'm sure he's just trying to protect his own family. You, everyone else on the Justice League, have powers. The Bats are... human. That comes with a certain vulnerability. And depending on what the rest of his family looks like..."
She turned slightly, looking at the fifth person in the room. Thomas Curry, Aquaman's human father. His human, vulnerable father, who would be easily taken as a hostage or murdered. Arthur wavered a bit at that. It was Thomas who broke the awkward tension, by clearing his throat and getting up to offer his hand to Dick. Dick grinned, gladly shaking it.
"I gather my grandson's quite capable of fighting for himself, but I need you to know, young man, that if you hurt him, we two are going to have a problem."
"No intentions of hurting Jackson, sir," promised Dick amused.
"Now, let's get you settled in and then Jackson can show you around Amnesty."
Living with Aquaman and Aquawoman. That was going to be fun. Though Dick still wished he could get to stay in Atlantis. Alas, his physiology was not suited to live there.
/April 2011, Amnesty Bay\
Dick woke up to the sun tickling his nose. The scent of the ocean flooding in through the open window. A lazy smile spread over his lips as he stretched out. And then he curled back together, his head resting on Jackson's chest. Blinking, Dick looked at his boyfriend. The smile turned more pleased and he started tracing the tattoos on Jackson's arms.
"Morning, pretty bird," Jackson's voice was rough with sleep.
"Good morning, Kal," Dick leaned over to kiss him. "You know, I think I could really stay here."
"Really? I didn't realize you liked Amnesty Bay that much."
"Not Amnesty Bay. Just... right here. In your arms. In this bed."
Jackson huffed out a laugh and wrapped an arm around Dick's shoulders, pulling him closer. "That's a blatant lie. You've been getting restless in Amnesty in general. You would not be able to just stay here in this very bed, not doing anything, Richard."
It was weird, but Dick kinda really liked it when Jackson called him 'Richard'. The only one allowed to do so. Smiling to himself, Dick leaned in to steal another kiss from his boyfriend.
"I guess you're not wrong..." Dick sighed and collapsed back onto the bed. "I just..."
He didn't know what to do with himself yet. He enjoyed staying with Jackson and his family, but having to stay back and watch the water-based heroes go out there and save people – in a manner that Dick was just unfit to help, even if he had a costume, or name, yet – it had him antsy.
"Our time here is limited, pretty bird," Jackson's words were gentle.
Right. Yeah. Arthur and Mera had only stayed a couple of days before they'd returned to Atlantis. Arthur had been by a few times since then. But Jackson would have to return to Atlantis soon too. Because Jackson was proud to carry his adopted father's legacy, as Aqualad and and as prince of Atlantis. In a way Dick couldn't. He never wanted to be Batman, that much he knew. And while he respected and loved Bruce, he also knew that this wasn't the life for him.
"This was nice..." Dick heaved a sigh. "But I don't think that I can find what I'm looking for here, in your arms. Guess I'd make a horrible house-husband, huh?"
"You would," Jackson laughed and pressed a kiss to Dick's temple. "Though I think you'd be a great dad. Between your siblings and the team, you're really good at that..."
"Mh..." Dick grinned and tilted his head. "Who knows, maybe, one day. For now, I gotta figure myself out... And I think I gotta do it somewhere else, where you don't distract me with your... eyes and your arms and your smile and your everything..."
He trailed kisses down Jackson's neck and chest, until his boyfriend laughed softly. "I get that, you know. I didn't... think you'd just move into the lighthouse for good. But..."
"No buts," Dick leaned up to peck Jackson's lips. "I managed to be a Teen Titan and still see my family once a month and make getting to know my siblings work. We can make a long-distance relationship with, Kal. We got our communicators and we'll meet, regularly. Right?"
Jackson leaned in to meet Dick half-way for another kiss. "Right, pretty bird."
/April 2011, National City\
Dick tilted his head back and took a deep breath. Ah, smog, loud car noises, hastily walking people who didn't pay attention to each other. A big city. So much more his pace than the calm little ocean-side town of Amnesty Bay. The next second, he got tackled by a semi-truck. Well, an excitable Kryptonian who sometimes forgot her own strength when hugging her friends.
"Dick! You're here!" Kara carefully put him down again. "Sorry about that. Come, come!"
She grabbed all of Dick's bags and then his hand and pulled him along. Time to spend some time with the girls. While she pulled him along, he tried to look at as much of the city as he could.
"I was honestly surprised that you didn't move to Metropolis, or something."
"Metropolis is Clark's turf," Kara turned to smile at him, adjusting her fake glasses. "I... don't want to be in his shadow. We will always be family, in name too, you know. But I want to make my own mark. In my own city. The Daily Planet is Clark's. Cat offered me an internship at CatCo and... and I really want it, Dick. I know it may sound like I'm just copying my cousin, but I'm not. This is what I want, for myself. The truth is something we value in our entire family and I want to be a part of bringing the truth to the people. This is going to be mine."
Dick hummed and nodded at that. They finally reached the apartment building. All the way up, Kara excitedly talked about CatCo and about what she had come to love in National City so far.
As soon as the elevator door opened on the right floor, the next semi-truck collided with him. "Dick! You're finally here. We have wanted to show you the city!"
Kory didn't put him down as quickly as Kara had. M'gann limited herself to a smile and a wave. Out of the team, Dick had probably been the least closest to her. Kara carried Dick's back inside, motioning for him to follow her into one of the bedrooms.
"It's a three-bedroom apartment and since we're still looking for another roommate, you actually have a bedroom to yourself," offered Kara. "For however long you want to stay here."
"It's just... a few weeks," replied Dick. "But thank you, guys."
"Anything. We'll always be the Teen Titans," Kory smiled at him. "Even if the team doesn't officially exist anymore. The bond we forged is one that will last."
Which sounded all the more heavy as she held hands with her girlfriend Kara. Honestly, power couple goals, in Dick's opinion. The Tamaranean princess and the last Kryptonian girl. Kara flushed and grinned before kissing Kory's cheek ever so softly.
/April 2011, National City\
Dick tried out what the girls had found for themselves. Kara's job for Cat Grant was hard, because it wasn't yet what she wanted, it was the first step toward it and so far mostly getting coffee and keeping Cat's schedule straight for her. Meanwhile, Kory and M'gann had started training at the DEO to work under Director J'onzz. That was a good fit for the two of them, they were alien refugees on this world and they wanted to show that aliens weren't a threat, that they could live and work together, they wanted to do good. Dick didn't like the military-esque set up of it all.
"Oh, that's just dorky even for you guys," Dick laughed.
Kara was floating in front of the wall, adjusting a frame. Framed was an article, about National City's Very Own – Supergirl and Starfire. The picture, taken by CatCo's very own Jimmy Olsen, showed the two young heroines kissing while flying after a rescue. Cat had really embraced the women empowerment of National City gaining their own heroes, two leading ladies (Miss Martian preferred to do her DEO job and not do the superhero gig here).
"We are being icons, Dick!" Kory glared, very half-hearted. "We're changing things."
"Exactly," Kara nodded wildly. "Little girls all around the city are looking up to us. We're the heroes here. Not the... sidekicks. I'm not just that adorable young kid following around Superman anymore. I'm a young woman, making a mark for herself."
Dick hummed to himself, collapsing back onto the couch. That sounded right for him too. He couldn't be Batman's sidekick anymore. He knew that returning to Gotham City for good wasn't an option. Here, in National City, he'd tried some things on for size. They didn't fit. Not yet.
/May 2011, Smallville\
Back to the small town. Smaller even than Amnesty Bay. It literally had 'small' in its name, for crying out loud. Alas, this was where Dick would find his best friend. Not that he'd tell Babs so, she would probably pout about it. But Donna, ever since they'd started the Teen Titans, she had become his best friend, like a sister – maybe more so than Cass and Steph so far.
"Hey," Dick smiled and wrapped his arms around Donna. "How are you? Are the cows nice?"
"Honestly, the cows are adorable and I like them a lot," Donna laughed against his neck. "C'mon."
The farm looked nice. A large, welcoming house, a big red barn next to it. Endless fields around it. In front of the farm house stood Donna's family, awaiting Dick. It was the first time Dick was meeting Wonder Woman and Superman out of costume. She was still as regal and royal as she was in her armor, but him? He looked... like a whole different person. So soft, in his flannel, with the glasses and the gentle, warm smile. Just like a regular friendly farmer.
"Welcome to the Kent Farm, Dick. I'm Clark."
So casual. So... normal. It just wasn't what people would expect of Superman. Superman was grander than life, so how could he be a normal person, right? Dick smiled and shook hands with Clark, then with Diana and lastly with Martha Kent, Superman's adopted mother.
"If you want to hear embarrassing childhood stories about the first Superboy, then find me."
"Oh, I will absolutely take you up on that offer, ma'am."
Clark flushed and looked dismayed at that. "You're undermining my authority, mom."
Martha laughed, her eyes crinkling. An ordinary human woman, who had raised the most powerful man on the planet. Kinda blew Dick's mind, if he was being honest. Conner stepped up to him and wrapped an arm around his shoulders, steering him inside.
"C'mon. Smallville isn't big, but Donna and I are gonna show you every last corner of it."
"And then we'll put you to work," tagged Diana on, a smirk on her lips. "You're not living here entirely for free. Batman made us promise not to let you slack off, so you'll get your fair share of chores around the farm as long as you're staying here."
Dick nodded his agreement. "That is only fair, ma'am."
/June 2011, Smallville\
"You know what, I do not actually mind this whole farm gig."
"That is such a blatant lie, you should be ashamed and Alfred should wash your mouth out with soap for it," Donna laughed and threw a ball of hay at Dick. "You hate small-town life."
Dick grunted as the hay hit him. "Okay, yeah. But the farm thing? Farmers are hot."
He jerked his thumb over to where Clark and Conner were working, causing Donna to make a displeased noise. "Please don't. I may struggle with calling Clark 'dad', but... still... weird."
Dick snickered and then sat down on the hay. The laughter faded and he turned to look at the farm. It was nice here. But everything he'd been doing for the past month, it all felt like distractions.
"Dick," Diana's voice always seemed to demand attention. "Do you have a moment?"
"For Wonder Woman? Any time," Dick hopped off the hay. "What's up?"
Donna exchanged a look with Diana before she left the barn to head toward Conner. It had been nice, the past couple of weeks. Spending time with Donna and Conner, living a 'normal' life out here at the farm, in a town so small everyone knew each other's names. Yes, he absolutely would go crazy living here for good, but for a short while, it was... nice.
"Batman said that the reason you're here is because you're... trying to find yourself."
"And my wife and I thought that maybe... You'd like an adult's input," tagged Superman – Clark – on as he walked into the barn to join them. "You've been trying to find guidance among your peers, but I think they are, just like you, finding their own path for now. Partially guided by those before them and partially making space for themselves."
Dick hummed. That was actually a good approach. He just hadn't really... With Arthur, he didn't feel close enough and the young king of Atlantis was always distracted by his duties too.
"How did you... decide who you want to be, as heroes?"
Diana laughed softly, linking fingers with Clark. "Well, for me, he... took some of the decision away. It was the Daily Planet that picked my name for me. And I liked the ring of it, Wonder Woman. When I became Wonder Woman, it was... after watching a news report on Superman. The only hero on the world back then. And I thought, that was it. Red and blue, the colors of a hero."
"Now, they've kind of become... family colors," Clark smiled. "Though both Conner and Donna took to red only... But yes, there's a connection, a value to it. And for me... Someone else picked my name too. But the motivation to be a hero was always there for me. I just... I went out there, I did it, before heroes were big, when I was... all alone. I just knew I had to do good."
"But... between knowing you have to do good, and becoming a hero..." Dick trailed off.
"You know my home-world exploded," Clark's voice was more serious now. "I have... information about it. Documentation, of our culture, language, religion, family, everything. I studied it... obsessively, as a teenager. Back on Krypton, we had heroes. One famous one, he... his stories inspired me. He inspired me. His stories gave me the guidance to what I could become."
"Really?" Dick looked at Clark in awe. "What... What was his name?"
"Nightwing, would be an accurate English translation of his name."
A hero who inspired the greatest hero of their world. Well, that was impressive. Diana offered him a smile and rested a hand on his shoulder, gaining his attention.
"I'm sure you'll find your way, Dick. From what Donna told us, you already are a great hero."
/July 2011, Blüdhaven\
"Where do you want this box, Dick?" asked Conner loudly.
"I don't know," called Dick back from the living room. "What does the label say?"
"Uhm, hold on a second. Ah, I think it says bathroom," replied Stephanie.
Jason, M'gann and Cassandra were carrying in a couch that Dick had found three streets over. Sure, Bruce's money would pay for the greatest and most expensive furniture he could want. But after relying on Bruce's money for the past year of traveling and self-finding, Dick thought it was time he did things himself. Blüdhaven was going to be his new start, he was going to earn the money for everything himself, make his own mark in the world. Kory and Kara made victorious noises from the bedroom, prompting Dick to check in on them. They'd been putting together his bed for him.
"Thanks everyone for helping me out," Dick smiled.
"Anything for you, pretty bird," Jackson laid an arm around Dick's waist and pulled him close.
"You know what, I like that Nightwing keeps with the bird-theme and I'm not losing the nickname."
"That is genuinely the lamest reason to pick a name I have ever heard," commented Donna.
It wasn't. Clark's story was. He had been such a big inspiration for Dick, a beacon of light in the dark world of Gotham City. To take on the mantle of Nightwing, carry on a legacy from Clark's lost world – he'd asked permission first and Clark had expressed that he would be honored.
Barbara tapped him on the shoulder, gaining his attention and pulling him a bit aside.
"Okay, so, I took the design suggestions you gave me and did the best I could with it. I still think it looks kinda tacky, especially the thing with the finger stripes. But it's as resilient as any Bat suit."
She handed him a box and Dick was eager to open it. What Clark and Diana had said, about red and blue... If red was what Donna and Conner went with, then Dick would go with blue. And black, because he was still a member of Batman's family. A black and blue suit with a bird on it.
"Nightwing," Dick whispered as he held up the suit. "It's absolutely perfect."
And it was. And so was his tiny little apartment that looked pathetic compared to the Wayne Manor. But he'd been relying on Bruce for too long. Now, Dick was going to rely on himself. As Nightwing, he was going to forge his own path. No longer a sidekick but a hero himself.
~*~ The End ~*~
Author's note: After writing Bruce and Selina's love story, I REALLY wanted to work more with the Bat Fam and figured it's time to move Dick out of the nest ;D
