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It wasn't the first time Dick had looked himself in the mirror and felt like a total utter fraud. Bruce had told him not to do this. Not to pick up the mantle. But Dick had quickly figured out that wasn't an option. It leaves everyone in limbo.
The dialogue is taken directly from Superman/Batman #76. It's written from Clark's perspective of the change. There are several comics that focus on Dick's inner turmoil over this decision but I wanted to provide his perspective on this particular exchange. Hope you enjoy.
It wasn't the first time Dick had looked himself in the mirror and felt like a total utter fraud.
Bruce had told him not to do this.
Not to pick up the mantle.
He felt Nightwing and Robin, Dick and Tim, could handle things as themselves. Dick isn't sure if it's because Bruce doesn't think he can handle the responsibility of Batman or if he doesn't want to Dick to bear the responsibility. Probably a little of both.
The very idea had been laughably unreasonable. The moment people caught wind that Batman was gone they all went bat shit crazy. Pun intended.
Dick hadn't believed Clark when he'd been told. Still kinda doesn't. No matter the tests or any other proof given to him Dick just couldn't say with one hundred percent certainty that Bruce was gone. Dead
But he was gone. Dick could say gone even if Tim still couldn't.
Everything was a complete disaster. Jason had put on the Batsuit, the city had been nearly burned to the ground, and Damian and Tim almost died. Nothing really got better until Dick put on the suit and essentially did what Batman does best. Laid down the law, and kicked the ass of anyone who got in his way.
What made it even worse, is Dick had been right. Gotham needs Batman, and it had to be him. Bruce's last request of him, the one thing Dick had been more than willing to agree to, and he had to disobey it and be the one thing Dick felt completely unworthy of.
Dick had tried to keep a low profile.
Between Tim leaving and trying to learn how to deal with Damian he didn't want people making an already terrible situation worse by questioning his every move.
He had every intention of informing the League of the change when this settled.
Then the Scarecrow happened.
The first big thing to happen since he'd officially taken the role.
He had planned everything so that no one would see him. Of course Scarecrow went rogue and Dick was forced to adapt. The camaras caught him.
There was no way the League didn't know now.
He knew there would be a response. He wasn't sure who would show up first to confirm what was going on.
He wasn't surprised it'd been Clark. That wasn't the surprising bit.
Clark intercepted him on patrol. Damian was still healing from getting shot, leaving Dick alone. Probably for the best.
Dick had seen Clark when he was upset but this was very clearly something else. He suspected he may know what but he had hoped Clark would understand why.
"What are you doing?" Clark's tone is clipped, he's barely holding it together.
Dick knows he should be careful with his answer. He knows that Clark lost his best friend, Dick knows how much that hurts. But, he's tired. He doesn't want to deal with this too.
"I don't understand this- what do you mean what am I doing?" Dick lets a little of his frustration seep into his tone. "I'm honoring him, I'm carrying on his legacy."
"Then carry on his legacy. Do it. Be the man he raised you to be. But not in his uniform."
Dick's suspicions are confirmed. Of course that's what this is about. Clark's timing just happens to be the worst. Dick doesn't really have the patience to explain why he does the things he does. Bruce never did, why does he?
"You think I like this?" Dick snaps, he can feel unshed tears building. But now isn't the time. "You think I didn't agonize over having to be- you think I want to do this?! The world needs Batman."
A muscle twitches in Clark's neck. "Yes it does. But he's gone. What you're doing is grotesque."
There's an anger in his words Dick isn't familiar with. He can sense the obvious danger. He isn't sure what Clark may do if this goes much further.
Dick puts his hands up. "Calm down-"
"You knew him better than anyone. Better than me." His voice catches on that word, it bothers him. His tone just becomes more and more aggressive. "And you know… His disguise was Bruce Wayne. He was Batman. You're parading around in his skin."
Dick could say he agrees with Clark. He knows this, that's what it feels like. This whole thing feels wrong in every possible way. Clark doesn't give him a chance.
Before Dick can register how close Clark has gotten, how the anger has gotten more visible, etched in every feature of his face, Clark has a grip of his cape pulling him forward. Dick grabs his arms out of instinct not that he could get out of this if he wanted to.
His eyes glow red to match how livid he must feel. "You're going to take it off." There's a tremor that runs through his arms, that shakes his fists. "Take it off!"
"I'm not. This is something I need to do. That I have to do." It takes everything in Dick to keep his tone calm and level. Part of him wants to match, to scream and fight but he knows better and Bruce wouldn't want that. He reaches down for his belt. "Clark."
"You reaching for something?" Clark asks, practically spits. "Is there anything on that belt that's really going to stop me?"
"Clark" Dick repeats, his voice unchanged. He needs Clark to let him go or this will go too far for both of them.
"He's gone Dick. You're going to have to LET HIM GO!"
"CLARK!"
It seems to be enough. Clark blinks and then lets Dick go staring at his hands. Dick widens the distance only slightly.
"I know you lost your father. And you're angry. You can do anything in the world but you can't bring them back." Dick sucks in a breath before continuing. "I lost my father too. And this is something I can do."
He can't seem to look Dick in the eye. The all encompassing rage replaced with anguish and sorrow. A broken man who lost his best friend.
Something inside Dick breaks a little more at the sight.
Dick doesn't get a chance to say much else before Clark flies off. Dick doesn't see the point in seeking him out.
He needs time. They all do.
It's a couple of weeks before he sees Superman again. In general, really.
Superman isn't out saving people or going to League things or anything really. Dick has to applaud him for taking the leave. Dick feels like maybe he should but there's too much at stake. He can't right now. Not with everything in limbo.
He doesn't hear Clark come in, but he knows he's there and Clark knows that too.
"Hello." Clark greets simply, recognizing the tension.
Dick doesn't turn around, he continues to pull on his gloves and fix his cowl. "Hey."
"You sealed the cave?"
"The cave was his. This has to be mine." Dick answers, turning to face him, there's clear guilt and a desire to mend the fence.
"That's wise." He tells him simply.
Dick smiles lightly. "Thank you."
"There's only a handful of people in the world who knew Bruce was… knew who Batman was. Just a handful who knew how it started for him." Clark looks at the cowl on display. Dick had been unsure what else to do with it. It felt wrong to repair and wear it, to bury it with him, to get rid of it, or to even to store it away somewhere safe. "But, I know from how they spoke of him… They didn't understand."
Dick watches closely. He was the first to say that outside of him and Alfred there was hardly anyone that understood what Bruce had been really trying to do as Batman.
"He wasn't a creature of Vengeance." Clark continued. "He wasn't trying to avenge the death of his parents by lashing out at every criminal he could find."
"No." Dick agreed. "He was grateful. He'd been spared. He was repaying a debt."
Clark nods. "Yes."
"You two.. Had that in common."
"I'm sorry, Dick. I'm sorry I questioned your actions. But it might not be the last time. We're bound to disagree. That happens when you work together."
Dick smiles wider. "That right?"
"It is."
Dick sticks out his hand. "I look forward to that, Superman."
Clark grasps his hand. "Me too, Batman."
