Chapter Eight: Blüdhaven
Summary: Set after Justice League in the DCEU. Despite being so close to Gotham, Blüdhaven was not a city Bruce often visited but now he found in the city along with Diana. They were both following a lead when they came across someone from Bruce's past.
Diana had never been to Blüdhaven before. She never had a reason to visit the city in the past but now she found herself among the rooftops of the city along with Bruce, who blended into the night thanks to his suit unlike her. This had not been how she had planned to spend her evening but there were definitely worst places one could find themselves in. Looking over at her companion, Diana couldn't help but noticed the strange way Bruce was acting. something seemed to be bothering from the moment Victor had first mentioned the city earlier that day. Knowing Bruce, Diana knew he wouldn't talk. At least not yet.m
As her eyes scanned the streets below them and part of her thoughts were still occupied by Bruce's behavior, Diana almost failed to notice when someone else joined them on the rooftop. It wasn't until she heard someone who was not Bruce that she turned her attention to the newcomer.
"I didn't know you were coming to visit," the stranger said, his words clearly directed to Bruce, making Diana realize that they already knew each other.
Bruce was silent for a moment before answering. "Never been one for calling ahead."
"I know," the younger man said, crossing his arms over his chest, drawing Diana's attention to the bluebird insignia on his chest; which looked familiar for some reason. "What I didn't know was that you had a new partner," he added, and though she couldn't see his eyes behind the domino mask, Diana knew the young man was looking at her.
"Things change," Bruce answered simply.
The young man nodded. "They do indeed..."
Frowning softly, Diana's went from Bruce to the younger man and back. She was going to have to ask Bruce to explained what was going on.
Glancing at Diana for a moment, Bruce noticed the look on her face. He knew he had some explaining to do once they got back to Gotham.
"So... you want to tell me why you decided to come pay me a visit?" the young man asked, a small smile playing on his lips as he spoke.
"It's not a social call if that's what you're wondering," Bruce answered.
The young man shrugged. "It's never that easy with you," he said. "So, what is it?"
Before Bruce could reply, Diana answered. "Deathstroke. We know he came here after a meeting he had with a... common acquaintance," she added the last part not entirely sure as to how she should describe Lex.
At the mention of Deathstroke, the young man's demeanor instantly changed. "We crossed paths a while ago," he explained, fist clenching at the memory. "It's been a few weeks. Two or three perhaps. I don't the exact date," he said with a frown. "This meeting must have been with someone important if you came all the way here looking for him," he continued, adding that last part for Bruce. "You haven't bothered to keep tabs on him before..."
Repeating his words from earlier, Bruce simply stated. "Things change."
Not surprised by the response he got, the young man simply shrugged. "I'll let you know if I hear something," he said before he moved closer to the edge of the roof. "Though I'm sure it won't take him long to realize you're onto him," he added just before he leaped from the building.
After a moment of silence between the two, Diana turned to look at Bruce. "Are you going to tell me who that was?"
"Nightwing,"was all Bruce said and though Diana wasn't sure where she knew she had heard that name before.
After their meeting with Nightwing, Diana grew curious of the mysterious young man she had been in a Blüdhaven rooftop. Bruce had not said much about him even after she asked him about it some hours later and Diana knew not to push him, though she did voice her surprise at the fact that they were still in Blüdhaven instead of Gotham. Having heard Bruce complain about the city more than a few times she knew he did not like it yet something was still keeping them here and it was not just Deathstroke.
Pushing those thoughts to the back of her mind, Diana glanced up at the building before her as she got out of Bruce's car. They had been on their way back from dinner when Bruce decided to take a detour and not being familiar with the layout of the city as Bruce, Diana had no idea where they were.
"Just because you are Batman doesn't mean everything you do should be a mystery," Diana said just loud enough for Bruce to hear as he came to stand beside her.
Diana saw a small smile on Bruce's lips and had she not been looking at him; she would have missed it.
"One last stop before we go," Bruce answered as he led her into the four-story building.
With a small shrug of her shoulders, Diana allowed Bruce to lead the way. They were both quiet as they got inside the elevator, which stopped after a very short trip at the third floor.
Standing beside Bruce as he knocked on a door marked 3A, Diana pulled her coat closer to her. Not because she was cold but because she wanted to do something besides standing still.
It wasn't long before the door opened, revealing a young man with bright blue eyes and raven hair and to say he was surprised at the sight of them would have been an understatement. Bruce did not seem to be bothered by the awkwardness of the situation, unlike Diana. She did not know what was going on between the two.
"Dick," Bruce said, making the young man's attention settle on him.
"Right. Hey..." he said, giving Diana a polite smile; which she happily returned. "Want to come inside?" he asked, opening the door wider and stepping aside to allow them in.
Bruce motioned for Diana to walk inside before he followed her and as he closed the door behind them, Dick ran a hand through his hair not entirely sure as to what was going on.
"It' not that I'm not glad to see you. Again," Dick said, arms crossed over his chest as he spoke. "But I thought you would have gone back to Gotham after our chat the other day..."
At his words, something in Diana's mind clicked. She knew who this young man was. He was Nightwing, whom she had met just a few days ago. Bruce did not seem to be interested in recruiting the young to the team that was certain. If he was he would have said something of that she was sure.
"I wanted to speak with you before we left," Bruce answered Dick's unspoken question, also drawing Dick's attention to his companion.
"Right," Dick nodded. "I'm Richard by the way," he said turning to Diana, offering his hand for her to shake.
"Diana," she said before releasing his hand.
"So she's your new partner?" Dick asked Bruce, something resembling amusement in his eyes.
"Teammate," was Bruce's simple reply.
"Teammate?" Dick asked, not sure if he had heard correctly. "Really?" he continued glancing at Diana for just a second before turning his attention back to Bruce. "Don't take it wrong, but you were the last person I would imagine in a team..."
Whatever Bruce was going to say, died as his eyes settled on something behind Dick. Or rather someone. Diana's gaze was quick to follow Bruce's and noticing this Dick turned around to find Kori standing there, looking like a deer caught in the headlights. Her bright red hair and emerald eyes were sure to get people's attention but he knew it had been her otherworldly tanned skin which caught Bruce's attention.
"You know, I have a team of my own," Dick said, trying to stop the situation from becoming awkward knowing that Bruce wasn't exactly fond of beings from other worlds. "Well, partner. Since it's only the two of us..." he continued, pointing to Kori then to himself.
As Dick spoke, Kori wasn't sure what to do with herself. From her time on Earth, she had come to realize that not all humans were fond of beings from other worlds. She knew what had happened with the Superman, the last son of Krypton. Not everyone had liked him, some even feared him and then he died. The world became a much darker place because of that, not that someone living in Blüdhaven would have noticed, the city was already as bad as it could be... But then he came back and saved the world, or rather, helped save the world.
"I'm Diana," the Amazonian warrior decided to speak first to the young girl since Bruce seemed to only be capable of staring at the moment. "It is nice to meet you."
After a moment Kori replied. "I am Koriand'r," she said, smiling softly as she spoke, knowing that if Dick had invited the two strangers into his home then they did not mean any danger. "It is most nice to be meeting you."
Diana smiled at Kori's speech manner. She sounded so propper.
"She's polite," Bruce said, voicing Diana's thoughts, as his attention went back to Dick.
"Unlike most people I know..." Dick murmured under his breath. "Look, I know you're not fond of beings from other worlds. You have made that very clear in the past," he added and Diana couldn't help but wonder what was the history between them. "But this is something I'm not going to let you mess up for me."
"I wasn't going to," was Bruce's short reply. "You should bring her with you next time you come to visit. Alfred will want to meet her," he continued, his words implying he knew more than he let on. "Well, we should get going."
If anyone had asked, Diana wouldn't have denied that she was a little surprised by Bruce's words. He was not acting in the way she had expected given the situation but she had to admit that she didn't have all of the facts.
"I thought you wanted to talk..." Dick said, though if he was being honest he was not stopping his former mentor if we wanted to leave, though he would admit that he would be sad to see Diana go. She seemed really nice.
"That can wait until later," Bruce stated before he made his way towards the door with Diana right behind him.
Dick glanced back at Kori for a second before following the pair. "If you say so..." he said as he stood in the doorway.
"It was lovely meeting you, Richard," Diana smiled.
"Likewise," he said before the pair left before closing the door.
As Dick made his way back to Kori, she realized he was frowning. "Was their visit not pleasant, Richard?" she asked as she made her way over to him.
"I would describe it as surprising," he answered, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "But I'll admit, it's nice to see Bruce again."
"His friend Diana is most nice," she said as they both settled on her couch, Kori resting her head on his shoulder.
Dick nodded. "True... but I still can't believe he is part of a team," he chuckled, shaking his head slightly in disbelief. "It's been a while since he worked with someone other than Alfred."
"That is good... yes?" she asked, looking up at him as she spoke.
"Yeah, that's good," Richard nodded, placing a kiss on her cheek, making her smile. "The job is easier when you have someone to help you."
"I can see the logic behind that... but I do prefer working with you."
"And I with you, best partner I ever had,"
Kori raised an eyebrow at that. "Better than Batman?"
"I would say so," Dick nodded in response. "Why? You don't believe me?"
"I have no reason to doubt you," she smiled, leaning up to kiss his cheek before standing up. "I'm going to be," she said as Dick held her arm as she stood up, answering his unasked question. "You could join me if you're not otherwise occupied."
He shook his head. "I don't have plans for the night," he said with a smile, allowing Kori to pull him up from his couch and lead him to their bedroom.
Authors note: Hi there! Thanks for reading this chapter. I apologize for not uploading a new chapter in quite some time, life has been chaotic this last couple of weeks.
PS: I hope you guys have a Happy New Year!