Disclaimer: Anything associated with the Titans' world belongs to Netflix, DC and HBOMax. I own only the circumstances
Spoilers: First few episodes of Titans Season 3
Summary: Dick gathers his thoughts after realizing Jason is the Red Hood
Title: Turned
Dick left after Jason did, going the opposite direction, the piece of red helmet in his hand. He needed to think things through away from the mansion; the younger ones hadn't yet settled in, still awestruck at the fact they were living in Wayne Manor. Dawn and Hank were fighting again.
He rode the bike faster as it climbed above the city pulling off at an old lookout. He leaned against the rock, his cape flung out over top looking down. Bruce took to the higher perches, while he stuck with the lower ones, hoping that connection with nature would bring perspective. He stared at the red plastic; the source of so many questions, with few answers.
Their conversation cast a different light on Bruce's outburst. No amount of drinking or pushing from Barbara should result in something like that. He was opaque in his emotions, hiding them under solid rock walls few could break through. If anything he would've just gotten on his jet, and left without a word disappearing for months. Unless it was some kind of breakdown; say if it was Red Hood that killed Joker, not Batman. And Batman found out about it? That would be enough to break Bruce. That his actions, or inactions produced a man that would turn away from his nature so completely is forcing Bruce to look in the mirror before he's ready.
The Titans appeared to be mellowing Bruce. It seemed like it was a mutually beneficial relationship. The younger members learned from the great Bruce Wayne how to be vigilantes, and their humour chased some of the past ghosts away. IF he were honest, Dick didn't realize how much damage the life had done to him, and how ill-equipped Bruce was to help him deal with it, and the same way as Jason. Until the moment he'd stood in the doorway at Wayne Manor he hadn't considered the depth to which Gotham was still in his blood, right down the marrow of his bones and he couldn't deny it anymore.
He should've caught Jason in time. Realized he wasn't ready to reunite with Batman. There was too much youth, cockiness, and immaturity. Too little brains, and learning when to use the fists. But Jason was an adult, and there was only so much Dick could do stop the questionable choices, and stubbornness. Gotham was where the action was, and that's where Jason wanted to go. Dick smiled to himself. "Now you know how I feel," Bruce's voice rumbled inside his head. "Where did you go?" he whispered to the night air. He left the question for another time, hoping maybe an answer might emerge once he figured the mystery with Jason was solved.
Self-recriminations complete, Dick was still left with more questions. How? Why? When? And what (if anything) did the textbook Dick found have to do with it, and the loft? He made a note to tell Gotham PD of all the aliases, and ask them to trace any substantial bank deposits. Selling drugs was a big deal in a city full of souls desperate for escape. And if he was truly bent, what do we do about him? "What needs to be done," Bruce's voice whispered again.
"No," Dick said out loud, glancing back towards the road to be sure he was still alone. He would fight for Jason, try to bring him back from whatever it is he got caught up in. But then he thought of the masked man in front of him. Drug-related or not, something happened to him, and he'd killed. He might be too far gone to bring under control. "I have to try… he muttered. He moved off his leaning post, and stored the piece of helmet in the back compartment of the bike. Now all he had to do was figure out how to tell his team, one of their own turned.
This might end up being a series of single fics (missing scenes/ reflective pieces) I'm leaving the status as incomplete for now
