AN: I'm here to resolve that cliffhanger! Fashionably late to the party. ;)
I've got some family commitments this week. So, I'm not sure if I'll make it Sunday. But don't be worried. I'm kinda late with this one because I already wrote the first draft of the next chapter together with this chapter (had to break it up to not make it too long).
But enough of that: Let's rejoin Jason in his misery.
BlueBird183: Danke! ^^^ Die Spannung ist nochmal angehoben worden – vor allem mit dem fiesen Cliffhanger. "Armer Jason, armer Nightwing" fasst es gut zusammen. Zum Glück musst du ja jetzt nicht mehr warten. ;)
31. Burn
Jason kept banging against the cell door. He had tried everything while Themis had been occupied with Nightwing's squirming body. Picking the lock. Shooting at it. He had even set a grenade. No result. That door was built to withstand anything.
Now, Jason had nothing left to do but to stare through that glass and watch as Themis tortured Nightwing's body to death. The black aura swarmed the icy cell obscuring most of Jason's view. He cursed it and was grateful for it at the same time.
Jason felt tears on his cheeks. He had been such an idiot. Themis had been littered with red flags and Jason had ignored them all. No. He had even egged her on, believing in this cruel version of justice.
"Todd?", a quiet voice murmured.
Jason crouched next to Damian. The boy was aware again. Jason let out a sigh of relief. At least, he hadn't screwed up both of his brothers.
"It's okay, little guy. I'm here", Jason gripped Damian's hand.
It spoke of Damian's exhaustion that he didn't complain about the nickname. Instead, he tightened his hand around Jason's.
Nightwing stopped squirming, the flow of black mass breaking. Themis stood up, looking directly at Jason. The black energy had completely overtaken her eyes.
The light turned back on. Apparently, the EMP had run out. Themis kicked against the cell door. To Jason, shock the door was thrown off its hinges and smashed through the opposite cell. Jason was glad the cell was unoccupied because that door could have taken someone's head clean off.
Themis' ability to kick that door off like it was nothing didn't speak for Jason's chances. Those doors were built to withstand any Gotham-villain. Nothing shy of an Amazon or a Kryptonian would be able to rip it open.
"Do you see it now?", Themis balled her fists, "How much pain your so-called brother caused? I gave him what he deserved."
"He didn't deserve any of this", Jason looked at Nightwing's motionless body.
His golden eyes were empty. Jason didn't know if Nightwing was dead. There was no heart that could give out for him. But what if Themis' powers had completely ripped his mind apart? Nightwing's mind had already been vulnerable before Themis' attack.
Jason looked at Themis. She was oozing with corruption. It had always been there to an extent. Only now could Jason see it. He wondered if he was corrupted to the same degree.
Themis steps left cracks in the stone floor: "Join me, Jason. I still want us to be partners."
"I'm not joining you. We were wrong. This isn't justice."
"Just because I did it to your brother?"
"We thought we could be judge, jury and executioner. That we knew who the irredeemable scumbags were. But we really don't. We are human, Themis. We shouldn't have that much power."
Themis balled her fists: "My power is objective. It takes a toll of the pain a person has caused. There is no fairer metric. How do you not get that into your skull?"
"Maybe justice isn't objective – or at least not that easy. It's not about total pain caused. It's also about the circumstances. The person."
Themis growled. She lunged at Jason, and he fell back. Jason took a katana from his back and held it out.
"You think your little sword can protect you?", Themis asked, "I've sucked all the suffering your brother caused into me. You have no idea how much he hurt this world, or you wouldn't love him."
"I've always known who N was", Jason held her back with his katana.
He tried to get a stab in, but the blade didn't pierce her skin. Themis kicked against the blade. It broke into pieces. Jason looked at the weapon in disbelief.
Themis' fist targeted Jason's head. He ducked, avoiding the blow. Her fist embedded itself in the glass of Poison Ivy's cell, making it crack but not break.
He took out his gun. Shooting at her. She growled at the bullets. But they clanged off her body as if she was Superman.
Themis grinned in triumph: "I have to leave it to your brother. I've never felt this great."
She lunged at him. The impact cracked the concrete under feet.
Jason knew that he couldn't defeat her by himself. She had grown too powerful.
But maybe he didn't have to fight her alone. The idea was outrageous considering that Jason had come here to kill these people. Now, they were his only hope.
"DAMIAN", Jason screamed, "Open the cells."
Themis swung around, trying to get to Damian. Jason threw a grenade at the cracked ground beneath Themis' feet. It exploded ripping the concrete floor wide open. Themis dropped down with the rubble. Jason caught a glimpse of the sewers beneath them. It would only hold Themis back for a little bit. But it had to be enough.
Damian ran up to Harley first. He opened her cell. Then Clayface. Jason opened the cells of Poison Ivy and Killer Croc.
"I know I don't deserve it, but I need your help", Jason's breath was racing.
"Now, you come crawling, Hood?", Poison Ivy crossed her arms as she sat on her cot, unimpressed, "Why should I help you?"
"Because Themis thinks that all of you are irredeemable monsters. If she wins this, she will hunt you down like a bloodhound and kill all of you."
"She hurt Zombie", Croc stomped into the hallway, "I'm getting my teeth into her."
Harley leaned down and picked up a baton from one of the downed guards. She twirled it in her hand, grinning. Ivy watched her with apprehension.
"You can't be serious, honey. We shouldn't get involved in this", Ivy said.
Jason had forgotten that they were an item now.
"I owe Nightwing", Harley raised the baton, "And I want to smash that broad's face in. Come on, Ive. It'll be fun."
Jason wasn't sure about that. Ivy still looked apprehensive.
"You and Nightwing are more similar than you think, Ive. You both tried to set my head on straight when it came to Mr. J. I don't know if I would have realized how toxic was without you."
"Ugh fine", Ivy stood up, "But get this disgusting collar off me."
Jason approached her.
"Not you", Ivy said, "Harley."
Harley walked up to Ivy and picked her collar.
"I missed this", Ivy smirked as she held out her hand.
A vine grew towards Ivy's hand through the sewer grate.
"You are so hot like this, Baby", Harley said.
Ivy winked at her, letting more plant life sprout from the one vine.
"Basil?", Jason approached Clayface to pick his collar, "Will you help us?"
Basil was sitting on the floor of his cell, his body shapeless: "I can't, Hood."
The collar opened. Basil reformed into his hulking form. He seemed smaller than usual. Drawn in on himself. Themis' attack had shaken him.
"I don't want to go through this again", Basil was shaking.
Jason couldn't pressure Basil to help them. He wouldn't force that kind of trauma on someone.
"It's okay", Jason said, "Just get out of here."
Basil looked at Red Hood with apprehension. The realization hit Jason like a fist. Basil was terrified of him. Why shouldn't he? Jason had been implicated in his torture.
"I'm sorry", Jason said, "I never intended for you to get hurt."
He really hadn't. Basil Karlo had never been on Red Hood's list even in his darkest hour.
Basil frowned in confusion. He hurried to the sewer grate without another word, exiting by forming himself into a malleable mass.
"So, it's us against her", Croc balled his fists.
Jason went back into the hallway. Themis pulled herself up by the edge of the hole. Her hair was covered in dust and scraps marred her face. Jason had hurt her at least a little bit with his attack.
"I'll suck in the pain from all of you", Themis said.
"I don't think so, sistah", Harley lunged at Themis with her baton.
Themis tried to hit Harley in the face, but Ivy's vines shot out, pulling Themis' hand back.
Themis growled and ripped her hand out of Ivy's vine. Waylon attacked her with his fists. His punches barely threw Themis back.
"Why is she so fucking strong?", Harley cursed as her hits against Themis' head didn't even phase her.
"She sucked in all the pain her victims caused. Feeding off Nightwing really gave her a boost", Jason said.
"Zombie always acts so innocent but he's got some screwed-up baggage in his head", Harley smashed her baton against Themis' head.
It cracked. Harley looked down at her baton in disbelief. It had cracked into two.
"Now, this is seriously pissing me off", Harley said.
Croc lunged at Themis. His teeth dug into her biceps. He even drew some blood before Themis' punch threw him back.
"I have enough of this", Themis screamed at Jason, "Call back your creatures, you traitor."
"Who is the traitor? You tortured my brothers."
Jason felt rage rise within him. He took out his hunting knife and aimed for Themis' shoulder. She dodged to the side. Themis' fist came out of nowhere, hitting Jason's head. The force of her punch made Jason collide with a cell door. Stars swirled through his head as his helmet cracked. The broken fragments dropped to the ground.
"Shit", Jason looked at the pieces.
They were barely keeping Themis in check. Croc and Harley were attacking her directly, opting for blades and teeth instead of blunt force. Sharp edges seemed to at least draw some blood. They were only still standing because of Ivy.
Her vines shot out to hold back Themis' fists and to take the brunt of her punches. Themis growled in frustration as she was tangled in Ivy's vines. She took out her own katana, using it to slice the vines with one cut.
Themis' glare ended up on Ivy. She tugged at a vine, making Ivy lose her footing and stumble towards Themis.
"YOU", she screamed at Ivy, "I take you out and your little team is done."
Ivy fell back. She tried to deflect Themis' punches, but one stray punch managed to get through Ivy's defenses and knock her down.
"IVY", Harley screamed and lunged on Themis' back.
She scratched at Themis' face, barely even puncturing skin. Themis cursed, shoving Harley off her. She raised her fists, ready to rain them down on Ivy who was covering on the floor.
"Shit", Jason raised his gun and shot at Themis.
She growled as the bullets hit her body. They seemed more nuisance than real threat as they bounced off her. But they kept her from beating Ivy to a pulp, so Jason counted them as a temporary win. Ivy scooted back, regaining her breath from a safer distance.
Croc gripped Themis by the arm and kicked against the back of her knees. Harley used that moment to jump onto her back again. The force pulled Themis backwards to the floor.
She wouldn't be there long. Jason could already see her make attempts to get up. Only Croc's tail was keeping her down for now.
"We need a plan", Damian said.
Jason frowned. He hadn't seen the little demon approach.
"Get this around her neck", Damian held out an inhibitor collar.
"I'm surprised you are being a team player on this", Jason took the collar.
Damian was right. Jason needed to think for a change. Solve this with his brain instead of pure, righteous fury. Themis was so strong that no punch would take her down.
"I have to admit that I am not up to my usual capabilities", Damian said.
Jason noted the sweat on his forehead and his shaky limbs. He was still affected from Themis' torture. The last Jason wanted was for Damian to fight Themis in this state.
"It's okay, little demon. I still respect you."
Damian huffed: "I do not require your respect to be validated, Todd."
Jason chuckled. He refocused on the plan. It was taking shape in his head. He turned towards Ivy who was still on the floor.
Jason asked: "Are you okay?"
Ivy was holding her head, still regaining her bearings on the floor: "Still okay enough to kick your ass if you come too close."
"I need you to get this on Themis' neck while she's distracted", Jason held the collar out to her.
"Fine", Ivy snatched it with one of her vines, "You better have a plan because I'm not losing my girlfriend to that psycho."
"You won't. I'll get us all out of here", Jason said.
He needed to succeed for his own peace of mind. Jason couldn't see more people die because of him. He would need to hit Themis where it hurt.
"Hey, Themis", Jason screamed, "If your justice is so objective, why don't you use your power on yourself?"
"I'm righteous", Themis shoved Croc off her and got up, "I don't need my powers to know that."
"Or are you just scared?", Jason said, "I'm not scared. What do you see when you look at me? What is my aura?"
"You are drenched in blood, Jason, but I saw something in you", Themis said, "A thirst for justice that rivalled my own. I was wrong. You can't trust anyone with blood on their hands."
"Don't bullshit me. You only befriended me to get to N."
"In the beginning", Themis said, "But you drew me in with your mission, Jason. Too bad that you don't have the conviction to go through with it."
"I'm brave, Themis", Jason held out his hand, "I'll face judgement."
Themis frowned. She hesitated.
"Come on", Jason taunted, "Judge me. Or are you scared?"
"The only one who should be scared is you", Themis approached Jason, "It might kill you, Jason."
Jason raised his head. Maybe a part of him welcomed this. There was something enticing about Themis' powers. The idea that she could just burn your sins out of you.
She gripped his hand, her grip branding itself into Jason's skin. He screamed as Themis pulled a dark red energy from him. Not black yet. He wasn't that corrupted. Memories crowded Jason's mind, but he focused on the mission in front of him. He had always been good at tunnel vision. Finally, it aided instead of hindered him.
"What do you see when you look into the mirror, Themis? What is your own aura?", Jason's eyes met her completely black ones.
"I don't see my own aura", Themis said.
"I don't believe that", Jason nodded at Croc and Harley behind Themis, telling them to stand ready, "Shall we test what you see?"
With that, Jason grabbed Themis' hand and tried to push it towards her own face. Themis growled, intensifying the power that ran into Jason. Jason suspected that she had held back before. Some sentimentality she still felt for him. It was the only reason he was still standing. Maybe Themis hadn't lied completely when she had called Jason a friend.
Harley and Croc came up behind Themis. They grabbed her arm. Together they forced Themis' hand onto her own cheek. Themis screamed in agony. Her hand was surrounded by energy. A dark black that didn't know where to go as it flowed from Themis back into Themis again.
Themis' own hand was searing into her cheek, singing her flesh. Jason felt sick at the smell of burning flesh. No other victim had taken physical damage from Themis' powers. This was different. All the pain Themis had drawn into herself at once.
"NOW, IVY", Jason screamed.
Ivy's vine shot out, wrapped around the collar. Themis stopped her powers, catching her breath. She screamed when the vine pushed the inhibitor around her neck. The black withdrew from Themis' eyes.
Themis glared up at Jason, pure anger radiating from her gaze. But there were also tears on her cheeks, mixed with blood.
Jason nodded at the burn mark on Themis' cheek: "It must be agony. You feel all the pain your powers pulled out of everyone else."
Themis growled: "So, what now, Jason? You are the shining hero? You were ready to do the exact same things I did."
"You are right. I went too far for a mission I had no right to. I became a monster", Jason said, "A part of me has to thank you. You showed me today that I don't want to become that person."
"It's too late", Themis said, "They'll be terrified of you, Red Hood, once word about this comes out."
"Then, maybe it's time to retire the Red Hood", Jason said.
Themis scoffed, glowering at Jason from behind the glass: "You are weak, Jason."
"Maybe", Jason said, "But at least, I didn't get burned by my mission for justice."
Themis screamed, punching against the glass wall. She looked like a wild animal, brimming with rage.
"Did it make you feel good? To make Nightwing suffer? Is the world a better place now?", Jason asked.
"I feel very good about making him squirm on that ground", Themis spit back.
"Paula is still dead and from the things you told me about her, I don't think she would be proud of you now."
Themis' fists banged against the glass again. She cursed after Jason as he walked away, towards the icy cell. His steps felt so heavy.
"He is dead", Themis screamed, "I tortured him to death and he deserved it. The world is better off without him. I won."
Jason didn't want to hear this. He couldn't bear it.
In the cell, Croc and Harley were crouching at Nightwing's side. Croc teared into Nightwing's straitjacket and threw it to the side. Nightwing's eyes were ripped open, the gold dull as if it was covered in a sheen of ice.
"We don't know what's going on with him", Croc looked up at Jason.
"Maybe he's just disassociating", Harley said.
"We hope he is", Jason said.
"He better not be dead. I'm not friends with weaklings", the tremble in Croc's voice betrayed his true feelings.
Jason nodded: "I'll bring him home."
Jason picked Nightwing up, straining under the weight. Nightwing's head fell back. His body was a deadweight. But Jason didn't complain. It was his fault that Nightwing was in this state. They didn't even know if he was still alive. If he could be fixed. No. Jason couldn't go there. The implication was too horrible to even consider.
Croc watched Jason like a hawk. It struck Jason how protective the man was over Nightwing.
"I guess the squad came together after all", Croc bumped Harley's shoulder, his body still tense, "Didn't expect it after you stabbed us in the back last time, Quinn."
Harley grinned: "I'm always open for surprises, Crockie."
The growly laughter reverberated through the halls.
"Hey, Ives", Harley yelled, "You wanna join the squad?"
"I don't associate with people", Ivy spit out the last word.
She had waited in front of the cell, her arms crossed impatiently.
"Isn't she lovely?", Harley squealed.
"As lovely as a cactus", Croc muttered.
Harley pressed a kiss on Nightwing's forehead: "Get better soon, Zombie."
She ran after Ivy who was already approaching the sewer grate. They both vanished through the opening.
Croc was still there, staring at Jason in his unnerving way.
"What do you want?", Jason walked towards the hole in the ground, Damian at his heels.
"I assume you need help getting him through there", Croc climbed down the ladder.
Jason felt stupid for not thinking about this. He maneuvered Nightwing through the opening. Croc caught him.
"Give him back to me", Jason said, once he and Damian had joined Croc in the sewers.
Croc ignored Jason's request. Nightwing looked tiny in Croc's grip. Fragile. He wasn't supposed to look like this.
"This is your fault", Croc said.
Jason flinched. He didn't dare respond because Croc was right.
"So, you better make sure he gets fixed", Croc said, "If I don't see him jumping around town by next month, I'll hunt you down, tear out your throat and eat you for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Do you understand?"
Jason nodded, his throat constricted. Croc was being deadly serious about his threat. They walked towards the exit of the sewers.
"I found these in the asylum", Croc handed a pair of clawed gloves to Jason, "Give them to him from me."
"I will", Jason said, "We'll get him back, Croc. I promise."
Croc allowed Jason to take Nightwing and vanished in an alley without another word.
"And what now?", Damian asked, "How are we supposed to fix the crea- Nightwing?"
"We need Bruce's help."
The manor was the last place Jason wanted to go to. But they had no other choice.
Bruce awoke when first rays of sunlight streamed through the window of the living room. He felt well-rested for once though his back was aching from where a cushion had dug into it. His mind needed a moment until all the memories flooded it again.
It had been Jason. Jason had betrayed them all.
Bruce jumped up, his legs still shaky. He held himself up on the couch moving to the next wall.
"ALFRED", Bruce yelled, "DAMIAN."
"I am quite all right, Master Bruce", Alfred entered the living room, his head bandaged.
Bruce looked at the bandages: "What happened to you?"
"Nothing serious. I was merely knocked unconscious by Master Jason's accomplice. I am worried about Master Damian. Themis abducted the young master."
Bruce's hands dug into the wall, his knuckles pale: "Jason. He betrayed us. I never thought that he would. I let him into my home, Alfred. I called him family."
"I am sure that Master Jason has a reasonable explanation-"
"He mixed sleeping pills into my food, Alfred. His accomplice knocked you out and abducted Damian."
"You think they would harm the boy?", Alfred looked scandalized.
"Themis? Definitely. Jason? I would have denied it yesterday, but I feel like I know him less than I thought. He planned all this with her. He took me out so that they could get Damian. What do they want with him?"
Bruce clawed at his hair, feeling like control had already slipped out of his hands. His family had broken apart. It should have never come to this. This new family Bruce had built was supposed to be safe.
"Where is Nightwing?", Bruce asked.
"I tried contacting him, but the boy is not answering", Alfred said.
Bruce frowned: "He should already be back from Washington by now. There is something up with him."
Bruce picked up his phone. He called Nightwing multiple times only to be met with nothing.
Terror washed over Bruce. Had Nightwing betrayed him as well? It shouldn't be possible. Nightwing was incredibly loyal. He had tailed Batman for weeks after they first met in an attempt to learn from him and protect him from Cobb. He had come back after his grueling undercover mission. And he had never taken up Deathstroke on that apprenticeship even after most of the League had turned its back on him.
Nightwing's loyalty could not be called into question. Who Nightwing's loyalty belonged to, was the crux of the issue. Jason would always have the highest priority for him. Even when he didn't agree with Jason's plans, Nightwing kept his little brother's secrets and pulled him out of trouble if he needed it.
But would he go along with a plan to drug Bruce? Bruce didn't know. Nightwing was a wild card in this situation.
"Themis was awfully unpleasant towards Master Nightwing", Alfred said, "Maybe she is after him."
It didn't make any sense. Jason wouldn't work with Themis if she was after Nightwing.
Bruce cursed that none of his boys carried any trackers anymore. He stumbled towards the grandfather clock, turning the pointers until it opened.
"I need to find them."
"Are you sure this is wise, Master Bruce?", Alfred asked, "You are still weakened."
"It's just sleeping pills. Some sleeping pills aren't going to keep me from finding my-"
A key rattled in the door. Bruce hurried towards the entry hall, Alfred at his heels.
Damian entered first. His face was paler than usual and his steps shaky. Bruce hurried towards him and pulled him into a hug. Damian went stiff.
"I'm so glad you are okay", Bruce said.
To Bruce's surprise, Damian put his arms around him and hid his face in Bruce's chest. Bruce frowned, running his hand through Damian's hair. The boy had never sought any comfort from him. It was a surprising but not unwelcome change.
Jason entered next. Bruce could spot the guilty look on his face immediately. The source was clear. Nightwing was cradled in Jason's arms, utterly lifeless. Jason visibly strained with the weight.
"What did you do?", Bruce raised his voice.
His doubts regarding Nightwing evaporated. He didn't know how the former assassin played into this, but he had obviously been hurt. Or maybe he was dead. No. Bruce wouldn't accept that.
Jason opened his mouth but closed it again.
"What is going on with him?", Bruce asked.
"I'm not sure."
"Give him to me", Bruce approached Jason and pulled Nightwing out of his arms.
He strode with determination, ignoring the aftereffect of the drugs.
"Shouldn't Master Jason instead-"
"The day I can't care for my son is the day I'm dead, Alfred", Bruce reached the entrance of the Cave.
"None of that, Master Bruce", Alfred stepped in front of him, "Let him rest in his own bed."
"We don't know what is going on with him."
"Any tests you want to run on him, you can run in the comfort of his own bed. He has to be cold. The Cave won't help him in his predicament."
Only now did Bruce notice how cold Nightwing's body felt. It made him feel hope that Nightwing was simply in stasis.
"Explain", Bruce told Jason while he carried Nightwing up the stairs.
Jason told him everything in a detached way, as if he was telling a mission report. Bruce tried to listen as if he was receiving a mission report. He would break apart if he approached this like a father. If he dwelled on the state of each of his boys. (Jason's betrayal, Damian's haunted look and Nightwing's utter stillness.)
He had to be Batman now. Batman put Nightwing down onto the bed, tugging him in.
"What were you thinking, Jason?", Batman turned around, growing to his full height in front of Jason.
"I was wrong. I see that now."
"And what did it take? You killed people tonight. You killed Harvey. Your little brother is traumatized. And Nightwing? We don't know if he's even still alive."
Jason looked at Nightwing's still form, biting his lip: "He's strong."
"He is", Batman strutted out of Nightwing's room, "But his mind was already vulnerable before the attack. We don't know what Themis' powers did to him."
"What are you doing, Master Bruce?", Alfred asked.
"Getting the EEG from the Cave. We have to measure if he still has any brain activity", Batman said.
Alfred's face fell: "You believe the boy might be dead?"
"I don't know, Alfred", Batman snapped at the butler.
"He'll be fine, right?", Jason sounded so terrified, so young.
It would have tugged on Bruce's heartstrings, but Batman had no patience for it. Wordlessly, he got the machine from the Cave and carried it up the stairs. Jason followed on his heels.
When they returned, Alfred had changed Nightwing into more comfortable sweatpants and a T-shirt. Batman sat down on the side of the bed and prepared the machine. Jason stood in the doorway unsure what to do with himself. Damian was in a similar position. He hadn't moved from the empty doorway, his eyes glued to Nightwing.
"Nightwing will survive, right father?", Damian asked.
Batman continued setting up the machine. He didn't have the energy to reassure Damian. He was barely keeping it together himself while he fastened the electrodes to his eldest's head.
"How about you take a shower and go to bed, Master Damian?", Alfred was shielding Nightwing from Damian's view.
Damian didn't answer. Alfred gently grabbed him by the shoulder and led him out of the room. As always, Batman was thankful for Alfred's support. He wouldn't know what to do without the man even if he couldn't verbalize it.
The room was quiet while Batman finished the set-up and started the test. Batman let out a deep breath when the lines appeared on-screen.
"His brain is still working", Batman found his eyes growing wet.
He wiped the tears away before they could fall. His fingers dropped down on Nightwing's eyelids, closing them carefully so his boy could rest.
"So, he's disassociated?", Jason asked.
"Probably", Batman allowed his mask to slip, gripping Nightwing's hand, "Come on, son. You can come back."
Batman had taken care of most of the damage. Now, Bruce could allow himself to show grief.
Jason stepped closer: "We need you, N. You're home. It's okay."
Nightwing didn't move. He didn't move for the next hours while Jason and Bruce sat at his bedside. At some point, Alfred joined them.
Bruce didn't let go of Nightwing's hand, rubbing circles over his skin. He hoped that the gentle touch would ground Nightwing and bring him back. But he didn't even stir.
At midday, the rage that had been building in Bruce, escalated. His head swerved around to Jason who was still in his tattered Red Hood uniform.
"Get out", Bruce said.
"What?"
"You heard me right", Bruce raised his voice, "GET OUT."
"Bruce-"
Bruce let go off Nightwing's hand and built himself up in front of Jason: "What you did to me was already hard to stomach but the way you hurt your brothers? The victims you tortured to death in Arkham?"
"Themis did-"
"You worked with her. You didn't blink an eye at her idea of justice. No. You enabled each other on and planned to torture defenseless people to death. Harvey-", Bruce took a deep breath, thinking of his old friend, "He is dead because of you. You chose him to die."
Thinking of Harvey was too painful now. Bruce couldn't help Harvey anymore. An opportunity that Jason had forever robbed him off. He needed to focus on Nightwing if he wanted to keep his sanity. On Damian. Alfred. The people he could still protect.
"I'm sorry."
"Sometimes sorry doesn't cut it, Jason. Leave your key when you go out."
"I need to know if he'll be okay. You need to tell me when he wakes up."
"If he wakes up", Bruce said.
"You'll fix him, right? You'll find a way to fix him?"
Bruce sighed, running a hand through his hair: "I'll use all the resources at my disposal to wake him up again."
Jason nodded. Without further complaints, he left the room and walked down the stairs. Bruce heard the clattering of keys on a wooden surface. Jason must have left them on the side table in the hall. The door slammed shut.
"Sir?", Alfred re-entered the room, "Did I just hear Master Jason leave?"
"He won't come back", Bruce said.
"Master Bruce-"
"No, Alfred. He lost the right to call the Manor his home."
"He did not intend to-"
"He betrayed our family to a hostile outside agent. He killed Harvey. Nightwing is in this state because of him. There isn't any excuse."
"He brought his brothers back home", Alfred said.
Bruce bit his lips. Jason had looked remorseful. But it was too little too late.
"Call Wally West", Bruce said.
Alfred frowned: "You think young Master Wallace can pull him out of it?"
"I hope so", Bruce muttered.
He had tried and failed to get Nightwing out of his situation. Bruce's sole presence wouldn't be enough. Even Jason's wouldn't be.
"They broke up. What if he does not wish to come?"
"He will come", Bruce said.
Wally sat on the bed of his dorm room, huddled into three blankets and far into his third carton of ice cream today. Even a rewatch of his favorite cartoon couldn't cheer him up.
A key rattled in the door and Josh entered. He sighed at seeing Wally in this now familiar position, frowning at the ice cartons piled up on Wally's side table.
"Did you already eat two of these things?", Josh sounded incredulous.
"I have a fast metabolism", Wally stuffed more ice cream into his mouth.
Josh sat down on his office chair, turning to Wally in a manner befitting a supervillain: "Okay, dude. You need an intervention. This is getting out of hand."
"I'm mourning."
"You broke up with him."
"I didn't want to. I had to."
"Yeah. Because of some mysterious circumstances. I still think this is an elaborate ruse so that I won't uncover that your mysterious boyfriend – who I've never seen by the way – doesn't exist."
"He exists", Wally took another scoop out of the ice cream to underline his point.
He wasn't sure though if Josh had gotten his point.
"I've never even seen a picture of your boyfriend."
"He doesn't like taking pictures."
It was half true. Nightwing didn't like taking pictures when he wore the glamour charm. So, the only pictures Wally could potentially show Josh would be Nightwing in Talon-form. That particular detail would be hard to explain to his college roommate.
"Well, what does he look like?"
"Black hair and blue eyes", Wally said, "The most genuine and sweetest smile you've ever seen."
"All right", Josh took out his phone, "I can work with that."
"What are you doing?", Wally ran to Josh's side, peaking at the screen.
"You keep refusing to come to the parties I try to drag you to. So, I had to get creative."
Josh opened an app on his phone.
Wally's eyes widened when he recognized it: "You made me a Tinder-profile?"
"It was Alicia's idea. She thinks you have confidence issues", Josh held out his phone, "So, look how many cute guys have already swiped right on you. You're a real hit on here. You don't need to make up a fake-boyfriend."
"He's not fake", Wally took the phone, looking through the pictures.
"I saw some guys with black hair and blue eyes. You want a rebound, Wally?"
"I don't want a rebound. And none of them look like him anyway."
"Tough crowd", Josh put down his phone, "So, what is the plan? Moping and eating ice cream until you die?"
Wally plopped back down on his bed: "I'm not talking to you anymore. You and Alicia suck."
Josh laughed.
"I'm focusing on my studies", Wally crossed his arms, "I don't need a dating life. I'm a responsible student now."
"Sure, West. Don't blame me for your lack of game though."
"I have so much game that I've dated multiple ninjas."
"Oh, we're making up more imaginary people now?"
Wally threw his head back in frustration. He winced when it hit the wall. Josh's laughing grew louder.
Wally was about to reply with something snappy when his phone buzzed. He frowned at the unknown number but still accepted the call.
"Master Wallace?", the voice said.
"Alfred?"
The butler told Wally about what had happened to Nightwing.
"Wait, he's not waking up?", Wally asked.
"I fear he is not, dear boy."
"I'm coming", Wally was up in an instant.
Josh looked at him in confusion.
"It's an emergency. My boyfr- my ex is not doing well", Wally said.
"Didn't you break up with him because you couldn't deal with his shit anymore?"
"It's serious", Wally picked up his things and hurried out of the dorm room.
Once he had exited the building, he ran to Gotham.
Alfred had opened the Manor door before Wally could knock. He led Wally up to Nightwing's room where Bruce was sitting at his bedside, glowering over him. Nightwing looked like he was sleeping, his eyes closed. It was an unnerving sight. Nightwing never slept. Only when something had worn him down to the core.
"He's been like this since yesterday", Bruce said, "He's never disassociated this long."
Wally stood there awkwardly: "What do you want me to do? Kiss him awake like Sleeping Beauty?"
It was more a joke than a real suggestion. They were exes. You didn't just kiss your ex on the mouth even if he was in a situation eerily similar to Sleeping Beauty. It would be creepy as hell.
Still, Wally was hoping that the door wasn't completely closed on them. He needed Nightwing to make a move though. To take initiative for their relationship. Too bad that Nightwing wasn't moving at all currently.
"No", Bruce was dead serious, especially now, "Talk to him."
"Why do you think I can get him out of it? I broke his heart last time I saw him."
"Because Jason and I failed", Bruce stood up and left the room without another word.
It was as if Bruce had dropped a bomb. Wally took in a deep breath. Which chance did he have if Jason of all people had failed? If anyone could pull Nightwing out of this, it had to be Jason. Not the boy who had left him.
Wally took the seat Bruce had vacated. He gripped Nightwing's hand.
"He's desperate, isn't he?", Wally muttered.
Naturally, Nightwing didn't respond. It had been a while since Wally had seen him this way. He looked at peace.
"You do look like Sleeping Beauty", Wally teased, "You know that I spent the last week crying about you? It's stupid because I was the idiot who broke up with you. But I miss you so much. And I kept imagining you climbing through my window like the ninja you are and asking me to get back together. It would be the sign I was waiting for. The sign that you believethat you deserve a happy relationship."
Wally felt stupid for talking to an unconscious person. But Nightwing was apparently caught up in his head or his mind was broken. Outside stimuli could only help him come back. So, Wally would keep rambling.
"I know you deserve to be happy. I just need you to see it yourself. And you coming to me? It would show me that you believe in yourself. You want to know a badly-kept secret?", Wally took a deep breath, stressing the words, "I love you. That hasn't changed even after our break-up."
He looked at Nightwing, examining him for any reaction. There was none. Wally deflated. Maybe a part of him truly had hoped that this would be like Sleeping Beauty with true love saving the day. But love couldn't magically fix a person.
"Me loving you was never the problem, right?", Wally squeezed Nightwing's hand, "You know that I love you. The problem is that you don't love yourself. So, I think the problem is somewhere in that head of yours. It always is - and I mean that in the most affectionate way possible. You are a little mess."
Wally stopped talking. He had nothing left to say anymore. So, he stood up and got one of the cheesy books from the shelves. It seemed to be N's favorite from the way it was almost falling apart, dozens of pages dog-eared and words circled. Wally wondered if Nightwing had asked Jason about their meaning.
He sat back down and started reading. Wally gave a different voice to each character, making his reading as passionate as possible. Nightwing would love it if he could hear it.
Wally chuckled to himself a few times while reading. The story was really cute. No wonder N loved it. Maybe seeing so many romcoms with Nightwing had given him a sweet tooth for those stories, too.
Wally rubbed his hoarse throat after more than an hour of reading: "I hope you can hear my performance because I'm tearing myself apart for you here."
He continued reading but put down the book when his throat got too overwhelmed. Nightwing still hadn't stirred. It made Wally think. Bruce had tried. Jason had tried. Wally had tried. None of them could have roused Nightwing from his disassociated state.
If Wally had learned anything from being Nightwing's boyfriend, then that Nightwing's problems were never external. They always laid within himself. Sometimes, Wally couldn't even attempt to understand what was going on in Nightwing's head.
The realization felt like running against a brick wall with superspeed. Of course. There were ways to understand.
Wally jumped up and hurried out of the room, almost bumping into Batman on the way.
The man glowered down at him.
"The problem isn't with any of us", Wally said, "It's in his head. We need a telepath."
Bruce frowned. He didn't say a word before he turned around and strode towards the Batcave.
Wally waited around at Nightwing's bedside while Bruce got into contact with M'Gann and J'onn. He continued reading to him, his throat hoarse.
After a while, someone cleared his throat from the side. Wally flinched, his head swerving around at superspeed. Batman wasn't the one in the door. No. It was a little boy who looked suspiciously similar to Bruce with darker skin and piercing green eyes instead of blue ones.
Wally said: "I expected Batman but you're just as quiet as him."
"I was raised by the League of Shadows. Of course, I am able to thread silently", the kid raised his chin and approached the bedside, "How is Nightwing doing?"
"No change", Wally said, "And you are?"
"I am not the interloper in this house."
"Fair enough", Wally held out his hand, "Wally West. It's nice to meet you."
The boy ignored Wally's hand: "And you are related to the inhabitants of this estate in which capacity?"
"I'm Nightwing's boyfr- ex-boyfriend", Wally said.
"Curious. I assumed that ex's would not see each other after the termination of their relationship due to mutual emotional pain."
Wally's head was spinning. Who was this kid?
"You're right on the emotional pain but Nightwing and I are still friends and I care about him."
"The crea- Nightwing was quite devastated about the termination considering his incessant sniveling."
Wally perked up: "He was upset?"
"Very much so. What a pathetic display."
Wally didn't know what to think about that. He didn't like that Nightwing had been hurting. But it was also flattering that Nightwing had missed him. At least, Wally hadn't been the only one who had allowed himself a little breakdown these past days.
"I still didn't catch your name, kid."
"Damian Al Ghul-Wayne. The heir to this humble estate and the League of Shadows."
"Wait", Wally's thoughts were racing, "If you are an al Ghul, then-"
Weird. Wally hadn't expected Batman to be into bad girls. Maybe it shouldn't have surprised him considering all the saucy stories about Batman and Catwoman's rooftop adventures.
"So, you picked up another little brother, huh?", Wally turned to Nightwing.
"He is not my brother. He is merely an associate", Damian protested.
"You're just as emotionally stunted as your dad."
Damian huffed.
"So, you're here to watch over him? That's adorable", Wally said.
"I am here for his protection. I do intend to honor my debt."
"Debt?"
"Nightwing sacrificed himself to protect my life", Damian said.
"Of course, he did", Wally shook his head in Nightwing's direction, "He wouldn't be himself if he didn't."
Damian stood there, his arms crossed.
"You want to sit here?", Wally patted on the bed.
Damian approached and sat onto the mattress with as much dignity as he could muster. He reminded Wally of a cat. Just as prickly but still cute.
"He will return, will he?", Damian asked.
"I don't know. We're planning a rescue mission in his mind."
"I demand to join."
Wally frowned: "Kid-"
"Do not patronize me", Damian said, "I was attacked by the wrench as well. I know what her powers feel like. However, my mind was strong enough to withstand her powers and return to its full capacity. I am the most qualified to save Nightwing."
There was something moving about the kid's rousing speech. He was trying to act unaffected, but Wally could see that he was very much upset.
Wally shook his head: "You know I get jealous sometimes."
"Jealous?"
"I am an only child but seeing how close you stick together makes me really want to get a sibling. Nightwing loves being a big brother. He's so good at it. He makes me want a gremlin of my own to reign in."
"Todd betrayed us."
Wally's smile fell. Batman had told him about that.
"I'm sorry, kid."
Silence for a while. Wally focused on the feeling of Nightwing's hand in his. It was grounding.
"I understand why Nightwing has withdrawn", Damian's voice was shaky, "The powers- They were cruel but possibly they were just punishment after all."
Wally didn't know what Damian's deal was but he could guess it considering that Damian was of the League of Shadows.
"She tortured you, Damian. You are a child."
Damian stayed quiet.
The door opened. Wally and Damian looked up as the Martians entered together with Bruce and Conner.
"Conner?", Wally frowned, "You are here?"
Conner shrugged: "Emotional support for M'Gann. I thought you broke up?"
"We did", Wally said.
"Sure", Conner looked at Nightwing's hand in Wally's.
Wally cleared his throat, carefully putting Nightwing's hand back on the mattress. He should probably stop acting so close with his ex. Who knew if Nightwing even wanted Wally back after Wally had broken his heart?
J'onn stepped closer: "I am doing a tentative examination of his mind."
Wally stood up. It was awkward being in a room with M'Gann and Conner. M'Gann looked down at her shoes, shuffling her feet.
"I never apologized to you personally", Wally said, "I'm sorry for faking my death."
"Nightwing destroyed this team", Conner said.
"It was my decision", Wally said, "I wanted to help him, and I did. It wasn't easy for me."
M'Gann scoffed.
Wally continued: "Really. He was very clear about leaving me a choice. He didn't… seduce me into it like some treacherous snake. And the mission worked. We saved hundreds of lives. He did."
"You're a complete sucker when it comes to him", Conner said, "He could talk you into anything and you wouldn't even notice it."
That was just unfair.
"Well, I grew a spine and broke up with him for my own sake", Wally said, "And it's not like you aren't a sucker for M'Gann. Some people are just worth it."
Conner didn't answer. Apparently, he didn't know what to say.
"I'm only here in a professional capacity", M'Gann said, "Our friendship died the moment he pretended to kill you."
"I didn't know you could hold a grudge like that, M'Gann", Wally said.
"I didn't either", M'Gann said.
J'onn returned from his psychic analysis. He frowned, confused.
"What did you see?", Bruce asked.
"His mind is a mess, but it is strangely calm considering the strain it went through recently. I just couldn't get through his mental defenses."
"I thought his mental defenses were weak", Bruce said.
"They are", J'onn said, "I could push through, but it would just put further strain on his mind. I think you should handle this delicate operation, M'Gann. Your telepathic capacities far exceed mine."
"I'm not the right person for this job. I doubt he appreciates someone in his mind who despises him", M'Gann said.
"You just need to keep the connection open for someone to slip past his mental defenses."
"Who should this be?", Bruce asked.
J'onn said: "It requires a special kind of connection."
"Jason", Wally said.
"No", Bruce said, "I'm his dad. You're his boyfriend. One of us should do."
"Just a reminder that I'm not his boyfriend anymore", Wally said, "What if he sees me as a threat now? I hurt him the last time I saw him."
The thought broke Wally's heart all over again.
"I demand to be allowed in", Damian said.
"No", Bruce said, "You were only hostile to him."
Damian crossed his arms. Wally took pity on the kid. There was obviously something eating away at him, and it had to do with N.
"He can't harm", Wally said, "We just need someone N lets in. The more people go in, the better our chances. And he can't resist a little brother."
"We can't take too many people", M'Gann said, "It would overwhelm his mind. You, Batman, Damian and I are the limit."
"Then, let's do it", Wally rubbed his hands, "Let's save him."
AN: Bruce and Jason breaking all our hearts. Nightwing this whole chapter was just like: "Nope. I'm out. Let's see how this story chugs along without me."
He was sorely missed – especially by Wally. Wally pining over Sleeping Beauty-Nightwing while also being like: 'Why does everyone believe we're still dating?' is giving me life.
Also, I'm weirdly invested in the Josh-subplot now. He must believe that Wally has completely lost it. Good on him that's he's still trying to help Wally with his game. :D
And Dami was just a little duckling this chapter. That precious boy is coming to some realizations.