AN: Not gonna lie: I worked on this chapter a lot. Writing and re-writing it. It was complicated to write because it is so important. In this chapter, the fight between Bruce and Jason is further fleshed out and how Nightwing fits into it. I hope I managed to make it clear - tell me if I didn't. It's essential for the character development for these three. But enough of that. I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Guest: You are making an interesting point! Principles are a major theme of this story. Jason and Bruce are led by them and neither of them is willing to budge – which leads to a lot of pain for them but also for Nightwing. This chapter fleshes it out further (the complicated stuff I was talking about).

3. From B to D

Batman was on his way to the Mountain. He had called the Team there to break the news to them. The President had agreed to the League's terms over videocall.

"And these measures will adequately restrain the detainee?", the President has asked.

"They will", Batman said, "While also allowing that he is still useful for the mission."

"The best of both worlds", the President had nodded in agreement, looking pleased, "I shall pass this on to my international partners. They will accept it with a bit of diplomacy."

Batman should feel relieved that their terms had been accepted but he couldn't muster up any enthusiasm. The League had done the heavy lifting. Now, they only had to hold a press conference to share the news with the public. Numerous Leaguers had requested for Batman to be there as Nightwing's mentor but he had refused. Batman had more important matters to deal with than answering pushy questions.

Like putting an inhibitor collar on his son. Batman sighed when he looked down at the offending item in his grip.

The team already waited in the mission room when Batman entered it. They looked nervous, Wally and Artemis had put Nightwing into their midst, building a protective wall around him. Nightwing's gaze was lowered to the floor.

"I assume the League made a decision", Kaldur took charge of the situation.

Batman again found himself grateful for the Atlantean's leadership. There had been rumblings in the League lately that Arthur wanted Kaldur to replace him as Aquaman. Batman could see it. Kaldur was ready. He had more experience than multiple Leaguers at this point.

"The President gave us certain conditions that allow Nightwing to stay with the League and the Team", Batman said.

Nightwing's head whipped up. There was fear in his eyes. He was searching for eye contact with Bruce, for reassurance.

Batman couldn't give it to him for now. He had to continue with this lie and it was easier with the cowl on. Batman ignored the feeling of guilt when he told the Team that the President had pushed these measures onto them without much choice. It was better for Nightwing to not know that the League – that Batman – had come up with them. Batman needed his partner to trust him.

Nightwing tensed with each condition that Batman explained. Batman could recognize Canary's warning in Nightwing's reaction. Nightwing seemed anxious, unsure. Bruce would reassure him once they were at home away from prying eyes.

"Any questions?"

"No questions", Artemis crossed her arms, "Just a complaint."

Batman sighed. He had expected this – especially from Artemis.

"How about the League grows a damn spine and tells the President to fuck off? Nightwing didn't do anything that warrants this. If you put these measures on him, you have to put them on me, too. The only difference between us is that the public knows."

Nightwing tugged on Artemis' sleeve, trying to get her to shut up. Batman silently agreed with Artemis. He had no choice in this though. Batman had used his limited room of manoeuvre to maximum effect.

"It was either this or a trial before an international court", Batman said, "The President would have delivered Nightwing to overseas authorities."

Nightwing grew even tenser at this explanation his hand digging deeper into Artemis' sleeve. Artemis seemed too shocked to reply. Batman could see the realization dawn upon her how earth-shattering this leak was.

"This incident is big", Batman said, "Big enough that we have to play the game. This includes presenting Nightwing as a League detainee to the public. A criminal whom we are only keeping for his usefulness and possible reform."

Nightwing's hand was dug so deep into Artemis' sleeve at this point that Batman worried it would rip. Eyes were resting on him as everyone was trying to coax Nightwing's reaction.

The former assassin straightened himself, letting go off Artemis' sleeve. His gaze turned blank and he nodded stiffly. Nightwing took a step forward and raised his chin to give Batman access to his neck - his movements mechanical.

Batman took off his cowl. Bruce didn't want to be Batman while doing this. Nightwing deserved as much.

Nightwing stared at the wall while Bruce fastened the collar, his eyes glassy. Bruce worried that he was about to disassociate. He put his fingerprint onto the collar activating it. A green light turned on.

Bruce had hoped that Nightwing would protest against this. That he would show more emotions than just desperate resignation. But Nightwing was trained to endure. And he would endure this while ignoring his own discomfort.

West seemed to share Batman's worry. He put his hands on Nightwing's shoulders, muttering: "Stay with me. We'll get through this."

West squeezed Nightwing's shoulder in reassurance. Nightwing snapped out of it. He nodded stiffly again.

Batman continued, his cowl still off: "Aqualad and Ms. Martian in their function as team leaders are the only non-Leaguers authorized to operate the collar. Their fingerprints are registered in the system. I would recommend that you only deactivate the collar in exceptional circumstances though. Any deactivation has to be justified in the report to the President and will be scrutinized. Nightwing and whoever authorized deactivation would be in deep trouble if the President decided that it was unjustified."

"What if he hurts himself?", Kaldur was clearly side-eyeing Nightwing in concern.

The former assassin had closed his eyes. He looked humiliated as he visibly forced himself to keep it together. His fingertips dug into his palms. Wally gripped Nightwing's hands and opened them before he could draw blood.

"Not even then", Batman said, "I'm sorry."

The team seemed upset at this. Artemis looked like she was working hard to reign her anger in.

"But isn't this a danger for the Team?", Kaldur asked, clearly looking for a loophole, "Nightwing won't be operating at his fullest capabilities if he is inhibited. He won't be able to aid the Team nor civilians to his fullest extent. People could die because of this."

Batman appreciated the attempt but there was no way out of this: "The President decided that this is a necessary risk to take in comparison to the risk that Nightwing would pose uninhibited."

Artemis snorted: "This is bullshit. We all know that Nightwing could still kill a ton of people with that collar on. The only one who can put an effective inhibitor on him is himself."

Again, Batman found himself agreeing with Artemis. She was proposing exactly what Bruce would do if there wasn't so much baggage hanging on this.

"It's a PR measure. We assume that it will only hold for a few months before we can retire it", Bruce was eager to wrap this up, "Any other questions?"

The Team members shook their heads, looking saddened.

"Dismissed", Bruce said, "We are taking a break today."

Bruce turned to Nightwing, focusing on his son now that he had wrapped the situation up for now.

West was still there, whispering to Nightwing. Mostly about how everything would be fine.

"Let's go home", Bruce stepped next to them.

Nightwing was about to follow him when West gripped his sleeve.

West smiled at him softly: "Hey. I love you."

Nightwing didn't smile but he flung himself at West, hugging him. West held him close.

'I love you, too', Nightwing signed.

He didn't seem joyful but at least more functional than before.

"I guess I'm dating a criminal now", West joked, "Who knew I had a thing for bad boys?"

Nightwing allowed himself a chuckle. He turned to Bruce. Bruce put a hand on Nightwing's shoulder leading him to the zeta tube. The Dark Knight turned around, nodding at West. He deserved as much after the speedster had kept Nightwing from going over the edge this time.

Bruce allowed himself to be more optimistic, until Nightwing reached the zeta tube.

The voice said: "Nightwing – D1. Unauthorized."

Nightwing frowned in confusion and Bruce found himself sighing again.

"Your designation was changed. From B to D", Bruce stepped next to him and said, "Batman – 02. Request authorization for D1."

"Recognized. D1 authorized."

They arrived in the Cave. Nightwing tilted his head questioningly, expecting an answer from Bruce.

Bruce wasn't eager to explain this to Nightwing. It would only upset him more. Still, he had lied to his son enough today.

Bruce sighed: "D stands for detainee."

Nightwing coiled in on himself, any life Wally had breathed into him gone. How was Bruce supposed to fix this?

Nightwing felt weak. The moment the collar had been activated, he felt the energy drain from his limbs. They seemed heavier. Slower. Nightwing already knew the feeling. He had lost himself to panic the first time he had felt it. This time wasn't much better.

His senses were duller. Nightwing could look into the bright light of the Zeta tube without any mask to protect his eyes. When they reached the Cave, Nightwing didn't hear the patting of tiny feet over stone that signified the presence of rats in the Cave. It felt quiet. Empty.

Nightwing's fingers dug into his palms. This collar, it made him feel like he couldn't breathe. And Nightwing didn't even need to breathe. Apparently, the League classified him as a detainee now. The collar, the change in his zeta designation – all were designed to contain him. The change in designation hurt more than Nightwing could have expected. He had been a B before like the rest of the Team. Part of a team of heroes.

Nightwing had never felt like a true hero. He had killed too many people and saved too little to deserve that privilege. But being a part of the team – seeing Artemis as a hero – had given him hope that he could get there. That he was on a path to redemption. He just needed to fully dedicate himself to the team and to being Batman's partner. Be the best approximation of a hero that he could be.

Talons lived long. Maybe Nightwing could look back at himself in decades and see himself as a hero. Or at least a good person. Now, he knew how naïve he had been.

The collar and this new designation reminded him that he was far from a good person. That he wasn't even close to being on the path to redemption. Wasn't worthy of it – yet. Not after there was a giant stain on him now that everyone could see. Everyone had seen what Nightwing had done. Taipei was only the tip of the iceberg. His lowest point.

Nightwing had been sent to so many assassinations, but Taipei had been a slaughterhouse. How could anyone ever view him as an aspiring hero after seeing that?

The League certainly didn't going from the collar and the change in designation. Nightwing had gotten cocky. He had believed that he had done everything to be at least a good person. Someone worthy to walk the path of redemption. The collar reminded him that he wasn't a good person at all. He didn't deserve that label after everything he had done. And he needed to do a lot more atonement to reach even a glimpse of goodness.

Nightwing had struggled to go from a Talon – a tool - to a person. How could he believe that he had become a good person so quickly? No. Nightwing didn't deserve it and he had to work even harder to prove himself as one. Give up everything of himself to get rid of the stain that clung to him. Dedicate himself completely. And maybe – if he was lucky – he deserved that redemption eventually. He just needed orders on how to proceed.

"Hey", Bruce looked at him with worried blue eyes, opening Nightwing's hands before he could draw blood: "You're going to need to wear gloves."

Nightwing bit his lip. He hadn't noticed that he had been doing it again. Bruce returned with gloves, holding them out to Nightwing.

He wanted to protest at one of his coping mechanisms being taken away. Nightwing knew that it was a bad coping mechanism. Black Canary, Wally, Artemis, Bruce, Jason – everyone had told him so. But it was still a coping mechanism and Nightwing needed it. He needed the pain to ground himself when he felt like he didn't have any control.

Nightwing didn't protest though. He put on the gloves, accepting that he didn't have any power in this situation. Didn't deserve it – yet. He just had to do what the League and his mentor wanted from him. The actual heroes. Nightwing didn't have any right to refuse them anything. Not when everyone could see the blood now that was clinging to him.

Nightwing had to be useful for them. If he couldn't be a hero, he could at least serve them. Nightwing knew how to serve. And maybe they could help him redeem himself once Nightwing had proven himself enough to them.

Nightwing flexed his fingers. Testing his movement. Everything was so weak – even moving his fingers. Nightwing's skin felt itchy. He had felt weak without his claws, but this was truly debilitating. Nightwing had been stripped off anything that was even remotely useful about being a Talon. The claws, the healing factor, the enhancements. He was only left with the sucky parts: The weakness to the cold and the trauma.

How could he serve if he didn't even function to his full capabilities? How could he prove that he could be good? That he was a useful tool to the heroes? Nightwing hadn't been enough with his Talon-powers. And now they wanted him to work even harder in his weakened state. Nightwing didn't understand. All of this was confusing.

"Come here", Bruce held out his arms.

And Nightwing did. He hid his face in Bruce's shoulder. Nightwing should be angry at Bruce. Maybe? At Jason, too – for leaving him to himself after his whole world had been shattered. He assumed that normal people would be angry in this situation. But Nightwing didn't have the right to be angry. Not when he had screwed up so much that the League had had to remind him of his place. That he wasn't even close to redemption.

Nightwing broke off the hug.

He looked at Bruce, signing: 'What do I wrong?'

Bruce seemed confused.

Nightwing signed more desperately: 'Tell me what I can do be better. Show I can be good. Please.'

"You didn't do anything wrong", Bruce's hand rested on Nightwing's shoulder – a comforting weight.

Nightwing tilted his head in confusion: 'But why?'

"You mean the measures? They have nothing to do with you. It's just about politics and PR."

Nightwing shook his head. This didn't make any sense.

"You are doing so good. You are the best partner I could ask for."

Nightwing froze in surprise. Batman had never complimented him like this.

It still didn't make any sense. The League was telling the public that Nightwing was something dangerous. They hadn't even tried to defend Nightwing nor said anything good about him. They had presented him as a weapon to be contained and used. Surely, a good person – or at least someone on their way to redemption - would have been worth defending? Nightwing obviously wasn't. This meant he had done something wrong. Hadn't been good enough.

"We are doing this to protect you", Bruce explained, "We know you. We know that you are a good person. The public and the President don't. So, they want reassurance after seeing that leak. Do you understand what I mean? It's not about you as a person but about appearances."

Nightwing took some time to think about this. It was hard. The cognitive dissonance was getting to him. Maybe it made sense? But logic was hard to comprehend when that damn collar was so tight around his neck and Nightwing just wanted it off and his claws back and-

Bruce looked desperate, his hands tightening around Nightwing's shoulders: "I failed you and I'm sorry. I understand if you don't trust me anymore after this. What do I need to do to persuade you that nothing has changed?"

Nightwing tilted his head. Thinking. This conversation – this whole day – was too much. Nightwing felt unsure. Confused. He didn't know what to believe anymore about Bruce, the League or himself. It hurt to be marked as something despicable, something to be detained.

Nightwing just wanted to prove that he was good. That the collar wasn't needed to keep him from being evil. He wanted it so badly that his chest felt hollow.

And now Bruce was asking him these complicated questions when Nightwing wanted a solution from him.

"What do I need to do?", Bruce asked.

Only now did Nightwing notice how strong Bruce was. Nightwing felt so weak in comparison. A pathetic nothing who couldn't be a hero nor a villain because any of these things would mean control. Agency. Nightwing didn't have it - never had it. The only thing he could do was prove himself to the people who had actual control. The people who would judge every little sliver of him. Every little mistake Nightwing made and eventually judge whether Nightwing was allowed to redeem himself.

Nightwing closed his eyes. Trying to block Bruce out. He couldn't do this. Whatever Bruce wanted from him. He didn't know the right answer. He just wanted some clear instructions – damnit.

"Nightwing", Bruce's voice grew harsher, "Tell me what I need to do to regain your trust."

Nightwing's eyes flung open. Bruce's demanding tone got through to him. Batman must have understood Nightwing's need for direction. He had been kind enough to give an order to Nightwing.

Nightwing thought. Frowning. Surely, Nightwing was the one who had to prove that he was trustworthy? Why would Batman be worried that Nightwing didn't trust him? Nightwing didn't deserve to give out trust. He was the one who had to beg for it. Dedicate himself completely to prove his worthiness.

Except - if Nightwing truly was a good person like Batman kept insisting, then he was worthy of giving out trust to other people. Nightwing understood Batman's test now. It was complicated like the Dark Knight himself. But Nightwing understood his mentor's thought process after a year by his side.

Despite the collar Batman had put around Nightwing's neck, his mentor thought that Nightwing was a good person. Good people were worthy of giving out trust. Batman felt like he had failed Nightwing. (And maybe there was a small part of Nightwing that was disappointed in Bruce.) So, he wanted to prove himself worthy of Nightwing's trust again. Show that they were still good partners despite the collar between them.

Nightwing nodded to himself. Proud for understanding what Batman wanted. He had to give Bruce an opportunity to prove himself.

Nightwing's hands trembled when he signed: 'Solve fight with Jason? I need you both.'

Signing this felt right. Bruce making up with Jason would prove that Nightwing was important to him. That Nightwing's trust was something valuable.

Bruce tensed. His hands were digging so tightly into Nightwing's shoulders that it started to hurt. Bruce didn't even seem to notice, too caught up in his thoughts.

Nightwing looked up at him. Hoping so desperately that Bruce would promise him to resolve things with Jason. To show Nightwing that he was a good person worth fighting for. Not something monstrous to restrain. That Nightwing's attempts to redeem himself in the last year had been worth something.

Bruce kept standing there, his features growing increasingly helpless. And Nightwing knew what the answer would be. Nightwing steeled his features, making sure they were completely blank. Brought all of his coping mechanisms up.

"Jason is killing people", Bruce said, "And he's stubborn. I can't let this go. Not even for you. There has to be something else I can do?"

Nightwing shook his head, blinking back tears. He didn't deserve to cry. Not yet. He had to prove himself worthy first. He had to channel all his energy into keeping Batman and the League satisfied. Be useful enough to be worth something.

"Our fight has nothing to do with you", Batman said, "It's about principles. I can't compromise them – not even for family. I'm sorry."

There it was again. Bruce telling him that all these bad things had nothing to do with Nightwing. That it wasn't his fault. Nightwing refused to believe that. If it had nothing to do with him, why was it hurting him so much? It had to be a punishment. A punishment for not earning his redemption yet.

Nightwing hadn't understood Bruce's train of thought at all. It had been a test. A test of Nightwing's resolve. Whether he would be arrogant enough to overestimate his worth.

'I understand', Nightwing signed.

He forced his face to stay blank. Nightwing had to be humble and do what was demanded of him. He wouldn't make the mistake again of asking anything from Bruce. Not before he deserved it.

Nightwing folded his hands behind his back. Showing Bruce that he was ready to follow orders now and to earn freedom, trust, and affection. He ignored the hurt that was growing within him. Hurt at Bruce playing mind games with him that would make Cobb jealous.

Bruce's face crumbled. He put an arm around Nightwing's shoulders. Nightwing forced himself not to lean into the touch. He didn't deserve it.

"I keep failing you", Bruce said, "I promise I'll make it up to you. Win your trust back. How we watch one of these movies you like so much? Relax a bit after this hellish day."

Nightwing didn't understand what the purpose of this proposal was. He simply agreed. Bruce and the League had their reasons. Nightwing was barely a person and still a Talon underneath. Talons weren't designed to understand, just to follow. Nightwing wasn't ready yet to question anything. So, he would follow like he had been taught. Obedience would eventually earn him the opportunity to redeem himself.

Bruce didn't know how to deal with Nightwing. He had tried his best to reassure him that there was nothing wrong with him. Had downright begged Nightwing to give Bruce an opportunity to prove that their partnership was still strong despite these restrictions. Of course, Nightwing didn't trust him after Bruce had put a collar around Nightwing's neck that was designed to weaken him.

But Nightwing had asked for the one thing Bruce couldn't give. Bruce couldn't bend his codex. It was the only area where Batman was an idealist. And now Bruce had screwed it up.

Nightwing didn't trust him anymore. Instead, his son believed that Bruce was lying. That this was a trick Bruce was playing on him. A challenge for Nightwing to prove himself – when Bruce was the one who had to prove himself after he had let Nightwing down so badly. It was a mess of misunderstandings that Bruce couldn't solve.

So, Bruce planned to cheer Nightwing up with the things that usually made him happy. A cheesy movie and his brother if the first one didn't work.

It turned out that the movie didn't work. Nightwing was sitting perfectly straight on the couch while one of his cheesy movies played. Normally, he let himself go when watching them. Chuckling when something funny happened – or at least what counted as funny in these movies. Bruce could only roll his eyes at these things, but he found himself watching them anyway because they allowed his son to escape for a few hours. And seeing Nightwing relaxed like this was enough reward for Bruce. This time, it didn't work though. Nothing Bruce could do was enough.

Alfred hovered around them, acting busy. The butler stared at Bruce disapprovingly and tilted his head towards Nightwing. Bruce wanted to scream. What was he supposed to do?

His hands were tied by his own code and flaws. Bruce wished he could be the kind of parent his son needed but he had just himself. He wasn't good enough in this department.

So, Bruce had swallowed his pride and texted Jason. Ignoring their fight for now. He was their secret weapon. Bruce needed him to fix this because he didn't know how to comfort Nightwing anymore.

The doorbell rang. Jason always rang the doorbell as if he didn't have a key. A petty way to reinforce that he didn't fully belong. Why couldn't Jason understand that he would always belong here? He just needed to stop murdering people. How hard could it be?

Bruce couldn't allow himself to spiral into this again. Nightwing was their first priority this time.

"Jason is here", Bruce said.

Nightwing hummed, barely reacting to the information. Bruce had been worried before but now he was really worried. Nightwing was always excited when Jason came to visit. He always hurried to the door, ripped it open and hugged his little brother. This non-reaction was terrifying.

Bruce stood up and walked to the door. He opened it. Jason stood there, in a leather jacket. Thankfully not the one he wore as Red Hood.

Jason glared at Bruce: "What's with that bullshit press conference?"

Bruce frowned. Not understanding.

"The one about Nightwing being a danger and the League containing him as a detainee? All those fucked-up measures? That he is a useful tool for the League's missions. What the f-"

He had completely forgotten the press conference that the League had given after they had struck their deal with the President.

Bruce shushed Jason. Nightwing didn't need to hear this again. Jason looked incredulous.

"He's in the living room", Bruce said.

"He didn't come to greet me?"

"He isn't well and-", Bruce hated admitting this weakness – especially in front of the boy whom he had fought less than a day ago, "I don't know what to do with him anymore. I need your help, Jason."

"Suddenly, my measures are desired?"

Bruce sighed: "Come on, Jason. We are better than this. Nightwing needs us to keep it together, at least for now."

Jason bit his lip: "You are right. We are Jason and Bruce. There is no reason for us to fight."

Bruce hummed in agreement. They were Jason and Bruce. Their vigilante identities were irrelevant for now.

Jason entered the Manor, walking towards the living room. Nightwing was still sitting in the same position they had left him.

"Hey N", Jason leaned over the couch, "What are you watching?"

Nightwing shrugged.

Jason jumped over the backrest of the couch, putting his arm around Nightwing's shoulder.

"Don't I get a hug?", Jason asked.

Nightwing turned to Jason, stiffly putting his arms around him. Jason ignored the stiffness for now.

"I'm sorry", Jason said, "I should have been there for you earlier. I screwed up."

Nightwing clenched his arms around Jason, pulling him closer. He hid his face in Jason's shoulder.

"That fight between Batman and I should never have impacted you. I'm sorry it did and it won't happen again. I promise. I'm here for you now."

To Bruce's surprise, he heard a quiet sob. The sobs grew louder until Nightwing's body was shaking with them.

"Just let it out, N", Jason said, "It's OK."

Bruce sighed in relief. Jason had the special touch. Bruce had no idea how Jason did it. He opted to just watch and let Jason work his magic. He really was a Talon-whisperer.

"Tell me what you are thinking", Jason said.

Nightwing looked up, his face wet.

He signed: 'I not good enough for be redeem.'

"That's bullshit, N."

Nightwing pulled at the collar, looking troubled.

Jason looked up at Bruce: "Didn't you tell him, B?"

"Of course, I did. I told him that I trust and that he is a good person. He didn't believe me."

Nightwing shook his head, signing: 'It lie. It has to be lie.'

"Why do you think it's a lie, N?", Jason's voice was soft.

Nightwing bit his lip: 'League defend good people. Why not defend me?'

"It's just for PR, N. I know it hurts but-"

Nightwing shook his head, more insistent: 'Why not solve fight for me? Bruce and you. I not worth it.'

"This has nothing to do with you", Jason grew desperate as well.

Nightwing shook his head again. He jumped up, glaring at them: 'You not need lie to me.'

"No one is lying to you, Nightwing", Jason stood up as well.

Nightwing's face grew blank again. He didn't believe them.

'I understand', Nightwing signed, 'I try better.'

He left the room.

Jason hid his face in his hands.

"Why is he like this? Why doesn't he believe us?", Bruce asked.

Jason raised his face again. He looked tired.

"Try to see it from Nightwing's perspective: He has dedicated himself to the League for the past year. Trusted that he can become a hero as long as he does what the League and you tell him to do."

"He can", Bruce said, "He is doing so well. I'm so proud of him."

"Then, his past leaks and the League puts all these measures on him. The League says all these things about him. What is he supposed to believe?"

"That it is just for the public."

Jason shook his head: "Nightwing doesn't respond to words. He responds to action. You have to show him that you mean it. He is confused when words don't line up with action. Probably because of all those mind games Cobb played. You can tell N whatever you want, if you don't show it to him, he doesn't believe you."

Bruce had to grudgingly admit that Jason's understanding of Nightwing was impressive. He would probably never be able to match that kind of bond. Not with his less than desirable people skills.

Bruce groaned: "And he wanted me to show it to him by solving our fight."

Jason seemed surprised: "And you didn't budge? That's cold, old man."

Bruce scoffed: "Don't act like you are innocent in this. This is only going on because you keep killing."

"And because you keep being a prude about it."

Bruce was about to protest but he opted to stay silent. This didn't help anything. They would fight again and Nightwing would still be sad and confused. What a perfect dilemma they had manoeuvred themselves into.

Jason threw up his hands: "You are right. We are both jerks. And because of our thick heads, Nightwing is fucking miserable. He needs us and all we are doing is fighting."

Bruce crossed his arms. Jason was right. It was both their fault. Awareness alone didn't lead to a solution though.

"I can't give you any leeway on this, Jason", Bruce sighed, "I became Batman to protect life."

"And I became Red Hood to protect innocents and punish the scumbags who deserve it."

Neither of them said anything. There was no engagement anymore between them. Bruce had already said his piece without any result and Jason had as well.

Jason shook his head, almost amused: "Of course, N had to tie his personal well-being to us getting along."

Bruce found himself humming in agreement. They were two opposing rocks. Firm in their positions and unwilling to budge. And Nightwing was the unpredictable force making things complicated for all of them.

"I'll investigate that leak", Jason said, "Find out where it comes from. Get payback. It's the only thing I can do for him at the moment. I won't step down. Not even for him. I'm sorry."

Bruce could imagine what this payback looked like.

"No killing", Bruce said, "Just investigating."

Jason snorted: "I can do what I want. Those fuckers destroyed my brother's life. Death is the least they deserve."

"Jason", Bruce's voice was a warning.

"Stop me, old man."

Bruce didn't react.

"Thought so", Jason walked towards the exit, "You wouldn't want to upset him even more."

Jason was using Nightwing as a dirty trick. Bruce wouldn't fall for it.

"There is a line where I won't hold back anymore – no matter my feelings or Nightwing's. You better don't cross it", Bruce straightened his back.

"I'll send you a postcard when I do", Jason left the room.

The front door was slammed shut a few moments later and Bruce could hear a motorcycle engine roaring.

Bruce sat down in his armchair, feeling even older than before.

"Would you ever consider arresting Master Jason?", Alfred asked.

"What am I supposed to do if he leaves me no choice, Alfred?"

Alfred's turned blank: "Very well, Master Bruce."

Alfred left, his shoulders slightly more hunched than his impeccable posture usually allowed. Bruce stayed in his armchair hiding his face in his hands.

AN: I hope this chapter was clear and not some jumble of inner doubts. These three and their issues make it complicated. No one is completely in the right or wrong. Everyone is just incredibly flawed. Jason and Bruce with their stubbornness and Nightwing with his tendency to internalize everything. I feel like Jason explained Nightwing's issues well (Who else but the #BestBrother himself? ) Tying his own self-worth to Bruce's ability to resolve inter-personal conflict wasn't N's best idea.

Ahhh these three. They give Alfred so much grey hair.

Next chapter there is more plot progression now that the conflict is fleshed out. But let's be honest here: Aren't we all here to read about these three being disasters? ;)