AN: Exciting things this chapter! Our messy family is finally reuniting! Some fun Jason&Nightwing-interactions. Someone needs to take care of N after all. Poor guy is still heartbroken.
I'm still quite behind on comments but be assured that I see all your lovely comment & I'm responding to them! :D
Warnings for: Some ableism from Damian with the r-slur falling during the scene in the Cave (he's still getting *character development*)
27. Homecoming
Jason took a deep breath as he drove up to Wayne Manor. Themis was sitting beside him on the passenger's seat, her arms crossed. Damian hadn't wanted to sit in the back at first, but Jason had told him that in America the most important people sat in the back while the peasants drove them. Damian hadn't complained then. Instead, he had entered the back with a raised chin.
"This is a bad idea", Themis said.
Jason said: "I'm not living with him. I'm just delivering the brat to him, and we'll be on our merry way."
Themis looked out of her window, watching the wide manor gardens: "He won't allow you to leave. You're still on his hit list."
Jason bit his lip. Themis might be right. Why should Bruce let Red Hood back into the world?
But Jason had trained in the Shadows so that he could go toe-to-toe with Batman. He had a chance now. Batman couldn't make him stay if Red Hood didn't want to.
Jason stopped the car in front of the Manor. The gravel crunched under the tires. He exited looking up to the old building. Jason had never noticed before how terrifying this place was. Just as uninviting as Gotham but still home somehow.
Jason rang the doorbell. Steps neared and the door opened.
Alfred looked at Jason, his eyes widening for just a moment: "Master Jason."
"Surprise. The black sheep is back", Jason opened his arms.
To Jason's disbelief, Alfred threw etiquette over-board and hugged him: "I was worried you had perished, Master Jason."
Jason bit his lip with guilt.
Heavier steps followed. Bruce appeared in the door. Jason was surprised that Bruce was here at this time, especially wearing an old sweater. Usually, he spent his days at the office and his nights in Gotham fighting crime. Dark circles ran under Bruce's eyes and his hair seemed to have more grey streaks than usual.
"Oh thank God, you are here", Bruce sounded exhausted.
Jason froze at that reaction. What had happened to the old man? He looked as if he had survived three wars while Jason had been away.
Bruce reached out for Jason's shoulder, squeezing it. The gesture was affectionate but also slightly awkward because neither knew where they stood now.
"Nightwing", Bruce called, "Look who's at the door. It'll make you happy."
There was a desperate edge to Bruce's voice.
Slow steps approached as feet dragged themselves over the floor. Jason frowned. No way this was Nightwing.
Jason was wrong. It was Nightwing standing at the top of the staircase. Their gazes met. Nightwing's eyes were rimmed darkly. Had he been crying?
Jason had no time to ponder because Nightwing was filled with energy suddenly. He slid down the bannister, cartwheeled at Jason and pulled him into a hug that punched the air out of him.
"I missed you, too", Jason said.
Nightwing looked up. He had been crying indeed. His eyes were watery and irritated. And he was wearing one of Wally's shirts? It was too flashy to belong to Nightwing.
"What the hell happened to you, N? You look like shit", Jason said.
Bruce shook his head, gesturing wildly. It was a warning for Jason not to mention it. But it was too late. Nightwing started sobbing into Jason's shoulder. It was one of those soundless sobs that always broke Jason's heart.
Jason frowned. Confused and slightly overwhelmed. He threw a questioning gaze at Bruce.
"He's been like this for three days ever since Wally broke up with him", Bruce ran his hand through his hair in pure desperation.
"West broke up with him?", Jason couldn't believe it.
These two had always been disgustingly close and sweet with each other. Wally had looked at Nightwing as if he was the most precious person on the planet. Why would West break up with him?
Nightwing's sobs intensified, and Jason understood Bruce's desperation now. This was bad. This was an emergency of epic proportions. Jason was glad he was back now though he wasn't sure how he could solve this.
"I didn't mean it that way", Jason rubbed N's back, helplessly trying to comfort him, "You look great. You are doing great."
He was trying to sound genuine. Nightwing looked up at Jason, pouting.
He signed: 'We both know I look like shit. Wally never want back like this.'
Jason truly was speechless now. He was about to deny it further when someone cleared their throat behind them. Damian. He stood there with his arm's crossed, and his chin raised. Demanding attention in a way fit for a little prince.
"That's Damian", Jason said, his arm still awkwardly around Nightwing, "He's Talia's and-"
"My son", Bruce said.
He stepped outside, putting a hand on Damian's shoulder.
"Hello, Damian. I'm happy to finally meet you", Bruce said.
Damian crossed his arms, looking unimpressed: "I was told this was the house of a hero."
Bruce's face fell. Damian looked at Bruce's old sweater and Nightwing who had stopped crying for just a moment (thank God).
"You caught us in a bad moment", Bruce threw a glance at Nightwing.
"TT", Damian entered the house, brushing off Bruce's hand, "I may reside in this house. It is less opulent than I am used to but still acceptable."
Nightwing hurriedly wiped away the tears on his cheeks and crouched in front of Damian. He tilted his head as he watched Damian in curiosity.
'Little brother', Nightwing signed excitedly.
He even smiled despite his smudged face. Jason had to commend N. He was trooping on -taking Damian better than Jason had despite his current heartbreak. Jason hoped that Damian would be as welcoming. A shiny, new brother to smother with affection was exactly the distraction Nightwing needed.
"Get out of my sight, creature", Damian didn't even look at Nightwing.
Anger rose within Jason. Of course, the demon had to make it difficult. He couldn't just be happy that big bird was attempting to take him under his wing.
Nightwing's smile froze.
"Damian, don't call your brother that", Bruce scolded him in his dad-voice.
"This thing is not my brother. Todd is already outrageous to accept though I shall tolerate him because mother does. However, I refuse to entertain this delusion."
Nightwing stood up. His face turned blank as he walked away from Damian towards the stairs. N didn't show it, but Jason knew that he was hurt. Having your new, little brother – Bruce's biological son – question your personhood could do that to you.
Bruce glared at Damian. Damian raised his chin in response.
Nightwing walked towards the stairs. On his way, he almost bumped into Themis. Jason had almost forgotten about her, too deeply sucked into this family drama. She seemed transfixed, her glare resting on Nightwing. Jason didn't know what to make of it. Themis was being very weird. She had been for a while.
Nightwing tilted his head: 'Who are you?'
Themis stayed quiet, her glare intensifying.
Jason cleared his throat: "That's Themis. She's a friend."
'She partner you mention on summit?', Nightwing signed.
He signed so quickly that Jason wondered if Bruce even understood.
'Yep', Jason signed, purposefully angled so that Bruce couldn't see, 'She clung to my neck like a tick, and we survived the Shadows together. We have big plans for Gotham though you better don't tell the old man that.'
Nightwing frowned.
'Believe me, I was suspicious at first, but her sister used to be an A-R-G-U-S-agent. Explains her training.'
'A-R-G-U-S? She know someone call A-N-G-E-L-A?'
"He's asking if you know someone called Angela", Jason repeated.
Themis shook her head: "My sister worked with a lot of people. Can't know them all."
Nightwing tilted his head in the other direction, signing: 'Nice meet.'
"He told you it's nice to meet you", Jason said.
Themis didn't respond. Nightwing pushed past her, eager to brood in his room again.
"You still remember Taipei?", Themis asked.
Nightwing whirled around. His frame grew tenser.
"A lot of good agents died that day", Themis said, "So, are you at least ashamed?"
Nightwing's fingers twitched towards his palms. He pointed at himself and his currently dishevelled state as if it was answer enough. Then, he left.
Themis glared after him.
"What the hell, Themis?", Jason asked.
She shrugged, still glowering with barely concealed rage: "I was just asking a question. We're leaving. We have big plans."
Jason sighed, exhaustion deep in his bones. He could already see Bruce's desperation, Nightwing's depression and Damian's haughtiness. This was a recipe for disaster and somehow Jason had become the mediator to hold this disaster of a family together. He had hoped that Nightwing would take over this role again, but Damian was being difficult. Jason couldn't expect Nightwing to take Damian's hostility to play peacemaker. It wouldn't be fair.
Damian truly had managed to make the most enthusiastic, big brother he could have gotten turn away from him. Jason would be impressed if it didn't piss him off so much.
"Look, Themis. You can see that I have some family issues going on", Jason said, "I need to be there for them."
"So, you're blowing me off?"
"No, it means that I won't come with you now. But I'll meet you tomorrow at five. At the bar. You know the one and we'll hash things out."
Themis didn't look happy, but she turned to the door: "You better remember your priorities, Red Hood."
"I'm still on-board", Jason said.
Themis nodded and closed the door behind herself. Jason sighed and turned to his broken family.
"I wish to be shown to my quarters", Damian said.
Bruce crossed his arms: "The first thing you will do is apologize to Nightwing. I forbid you from addressing him in this manner. He's a person just like you, me and Jason and he deserves to be treated like one."
Damian looked scandalized: "You cannot possibly side with the Talon above me, father."
"Apologize", Bruce said.
"I refuse", Damian crossed his arms, "Mother's explanations portrayed Batman as the greatest hero on earth – the pinnacle of humanity. Do you know what I see? A pathetic, sentimental weakling."
"It is called compassion and treating your fellow human beings with respect, Damian."
Damian huffed and turned towards the stairs: "I demand to be shown to my quarters."
"I will prepare a room for the young master", Alfred said.
"Finally", Damian followed Alfred up the stairs.
Jason waited until they were gone and turned to Bruce: "What the hell happened to N, old man? Why the hell would West break up with him?"
"It's a long story", Bruce led Jason to the living room and sat down in his armchair.
Bruce told Jason about Wally's reasoning and the reaction of the League.
"Great. So, let me pick up the pieces they left", Jason stood up, "I take Nightwing. You take Damian. He truly is your son by the way. Not easy to care for either."
Bruce bit his lip. He looked like a lost puppy suddenly.
"How do I make sure things with Damian turn out all right?", Bruce said, "I don't even know the kid and we didn't have the best start. How can I be his father?"
Jason muttered under his breath, glad that he was too young to have any secret children pop up.
"You are used to difficult kids with Nightwing. just be patient with Damian as you would be with N."
"And you", Bruce said, "I'm used to difficult kids with Nightwing and you."
Jason halted. He felt his face drop, all his insecurities coming to the forefront.
Bruce stood up, approaching Jason: "You know that you will always be my son? Damian's arrival doesn't change that."
Jason's breath hitched. He had expected Bruce to throw him out after Jason – the troublemaker, the criminal, the Red Hood – had dropped off his blood son. Instead, they were making schemes on how to get their screwed-up bunch together.
"Funnily enough, Nightwing had the same fears", Bruce said, "I don't know what I did wrong to make both of you doubt me."
"That's ridiculous. You adore, N."
Nightwing had always been the good son. The loyal big brother. How could he not see that Bruce thought the world of him?
"I adore both of you", Bruce averted his eyes.
His usual awkwardness with feelings struck again. Jason could relate. N was the only person he could be open up to without throwing up sarcasm as a shield.
"I ran off", Jason said.
"But you came back", Bruce said, "Just like Nightwing did."
Jason could feel guilt rising in his chest. Bruce was under the impression that Jason would stay while Jason saw this only as a short stop to salvage his mess of a family. His real mission was still the pursuit of justice with Themis as his partner.
"I'll go talk to Nightwing", Jason said.
"Try to get him down to watch some movies at least. He's been holed up in his room all day", Bruce pulled a bag out of the cupboard and handed it to Jason, "These are the movies we haven't watched yet."
Jason opened the bag. It contained as dozen DVDs. All of them looked disgustingly cheesy. N would love it.
"Did you go back in time and rob a Blockbuster's?", Jason asked.
Bruce shrugged: "I got them from the bargain bin, but he likes them so-"
"You just suffered through three days' worth of bargain bin romcoms to cheer him up?"
"It was horrible", Bruce looked like he wanted to claw his eyes out, "I can't unsee it, but it was the only thing that kept him from crying. And he doesn't sleep so I barely slept and I'm so glad you are here, Jason."
Jason clasped a hand on Bruce's shoulder: "Considering that you took on this sacrifice you should be more confident in your parenting skills, old man."
Bruce didn't say anything. His thoughts were racing behind his eyes. Before he could reply, Jason left the room. This had been enough emotion for them today. Jason went up the stairs to Nightwing's room and knocked.
"N?", Jason said.
No answer. So, he shrugged and entered into pitch-blackness.
"You know that we have in the middle of the day?", Jason approached the windows and shoved the curtains aside.
An annoyed noise came from the bed. It was muffled from the pile of blankets that N was hiding under.
Jason grabbed the blankets and ripped at them. He revealed N's curled-up form. He had his phone in his hand.
"Are you looking at what I think you are looking at?", Jason grabbed the phone.
N tried to get the phone back but Jason used his height and held it up. He looked at the screen, discovering a camera roll. Jason scrolled through the photos. Wally was in each of them, be they with the Team, Nightwing or by himself. Nightwing had a folder of photos labelledwith a heart emoji.
"Okay", Jason pocketed the phone, "I'm putting a stop to this."
Nightwing made an annoyed noise and tried to pull back the blankets. Jason put his foot on them. Nightwing snarled.
Apparently, big bird had decided to be immature today. Usually, they were in reversed positions, but this was a unique situation. No one had broken Nightwing's heart before. Wally had been his first boyfriend. No wonder that Nightwing was acting out.
Jason decided to play into it. He raised up the plastic bag and shook it. The DVDs clattered against each other.
Jason tried to sound enticing: "Look what I got here, N. A whole bag of romcoms you haven't seen yet."
Nightwing sat up. He looked at the bag with a tilted head. His cheeks were a teary mess and black blood clung to his lips and palms.
"Come on", Jason ruffled the bag, "I know you can't resist. So, how about you stop crying under the blankets and cry into my shoulder on the couch like a civilized person instead? Good idea?"
Nightwing reached for the bag. But he stopped himself.
Nightwing's teeth dug into his lips as he signed: 'You should leave, Jason. I poison.'
"That's bullshit."
Nightwing flinched at Jason's loud voice.
"You aren't a burden to me", Jason said.
'Burden to Wally.'
"I doubt it, but I haven't talked to West. I'm talking about us. We've always supported each other. I would be dead without you. You cared for me, and I cared for you."
Nightwing's teeth dug deeper into his lip.
"We make a deal: If you are poison, then I am, too. And poison can hang with poison."
'You not poison', Nightwing protested.
"Good. Then, you aren't either."
'Not fair.'
Jason smirked: "Life is not fair. We've always kicked it in the ass together though. So, now let's watch some garbage movies, baby", Jason tried to lighten the mood, "But first you really gotta wash that blood off your face."
Nightwing frowned as he reached for his lip. He stood up, entering the bathroom. The water ran. N came out a few moments later, the blood washed away.
He signed: 'They not garbage movies. They very funny, romantic and emotional.'
"Sure, big bro. Or should I call you little bro now that you're over a head smaller than me?"
'Mean', Nightwing flung some water from his dripping hands at Jason.
Jason put an arm around Nightwing's shoulder. It felt like old times before this whole mess.
They sat down on the couch. Jason threw in the first DVD. Nightwing was particularly clingy today and put his head on Jason's shoulder. Jason didn't mind. It was soothing after months of tedious League-training.
The random movie Jason had pulled out of the bag A Summer in Portugal was as cheesy as Jason had expected. It was amusing though to see Nightwing so invested in the movie. Jason found himself nodding off multiple times but forced himself to stay awake. At least, the pictures were pretty and Nightwing calmed down.
Jason got himself popcorn for the next movie and a beer for the next one. He fetched another beer to get through the fourth movie, but no one was counting.
"I miss you, Jason", Nightwing said.
Jason smiled when he noticed that his brother was verbal again.
"I missed you, too."
Nightwing turned back to the TV: "This movie very good. You have admit."
"It's a masterpiece."
Nightwing glared at Jason's obvious sarcasm. Jason was glad Nightwing had found enough energy within himself again to partake in the teasing.
They finished watching their fifth movie when Jason found himself yawning. Enduring this for three days had to be Batman's most impressive feat. Nightwing truly had both of them wrapped around his pinky finger and he didn't even notice.
"We can continue this tomorrow but I gotta get some shut-eye now", Jason stood up and took the DVD out of the player.
He switched back to live TV. The news were on. Jason frowned. He had barely learned about what had happened in the world the last few months. Jason was about to switch the TV off when the reporter mentioned Lex Luthor.
Nightwing tensed. They exchanged a glance. Jason sat down on the couch, feeling a dark sense of foreboding.
"Luthor should be arrested by now", Jason said, "Didn't the League publish that intel?"
"They do. It publish all Luthor money transactions. For assassinations. For the Light. For Project Titan."
Why wasn't Luthor arrested then? Jason stared at the TV.
The reporter continued talking: "…to address the severe accusations, Lex Luthor gave a press conference in Metropolis today. He was severely attacked by Pulitzer Price-winning reporter Lois Lane who was present in the room and had to be escorted out after causing unrest."
The program cut to Luthor standing in front of a podium with camera flashes illuminating his face:
"Regrettably, accusations of contracted assassinations, inhuman experiments and white collar crime have been made against me. The Justice League – our dear protectors – have published a supposed record of my financial transactions. I can assure you that none of these heinous crimes were committed by me."
"We have it right here on paper", Lois Lane cut in, "Who do you believe you are fooling, Luthor? The League busted a facility and found evidence of human experimentation and even bodies."
The camera was now tilted to show Luthor and Lois. Lois had stood up, her face shining with a determination to defend the truth.
"Regrettably, these crimes were committed by a rogue subsidiary of Lexcorp without my knowledge under the leadership of a Dr. Hagen. I am ashamed that this could happen under my nose. Of course, I cooperate work with law enforcement and the Justice League to uncover these heinous crimes."
"You are lying, Luthor. Hagen is your employee. Your lead scientist. He doesn't do anything without your orders."
"Do you have proof for that statement, Ms. Lane?", Luthor's voice turned sharper, "Dr. Hagen was interrogated by ARGUS and confessed to working on his own, personal pet project without my knowledge."
Lois scoffed: "You can't get out of this Luthor. The evidence is too severe. Accept it."
"The evidence?", Luthor shook his head, "I am sorry to inform you that I am not the villain you make me out to be. The League was fooled with this supposed evidence as much as I was."
"The flash drive showed your personal transactions, Luthor. Billions of dollars funnelled into illegal activities."
"And how was that flash drive obtained?", Luthor said, "The League failed to mention that it obtained this flash drive from a known war criminal."
Lois frowned. Apparently, she had not been privy to that information.
"Yes, the so-called evidence was supplied to the League by the Talon known as Nightwing who is responsible for hundreds of murders. He has a history of enacting political assassinations of influential people, most infamously the Taipei-massacre. This tampered flash-drive was his attempt to frame me. He fooled both me and the Justice League."
The volume in the room rose. People were screaming questions at Luthor. Lois still glared at him.
"It doesn't matter where the evidence comes from", Lois raised her voice, "No one can fake this data so thoroughly. I looked at it. It's watertight."
"Would you like to rephrase that, Ms. Lane? Am I hearing right that you condone war crimes?"
Lois scoffed at the League in logic: "You won't get away with this, Luthor. I'll make sure of it."
Luthor signalled one of his bodyguards: "Could you escort Ms. Lane outside? She seems very hysterical today."
Jason couldn't believe what he was seeing. He reached for the remote and was about to cut this bullshit off. This couldn't be true. Luthor couldn't get away with his crimes just because he threw Nightwing in front of himself like a scapegoat. The authorities investigating this had to be smart enough to see it, right? Right?
Jason's hand came up empty. The remote was already in Nightwing's hand. He looked livid, his hand clutched around the remote. The tortured plastic budged under the pressure. Nightwing snarled and threw the remote at the TV. It broke through the screen, pushing the TV off the cupboard. The device shattered on the floor with a loud crash.
Jason stared at N. Then at the TV. Then at N again.
"Holy shit. Did you just do that?", Jason said.
Nightwing looked down at his hands as if he couldn't believe it himself: "I do."
"How does it feel?"
"Good", Nightwing said.
Jason didn't know where that had come from. His big brother had never been a particularly angry person. Jason would call it progress though. At least, Nightwing was showing his anger instead of suppressing it.
Hurried steps approached. Bruce must have heard the crash.
He stopped in the doorframe, his gaze ending up on the broken TV: "Jason, what did you do?"
"I can't believe it, old man. Why are you accusing me?", Jason jumped up at this injustice.
Bruce frowned.
He looked at Nightwing in disbelief: "You did?"
"I very sorry, Bruce", Nightwing lowered his head.
Bruce shrugged: "Well, at least you're speaking again. That's progress."
"You're not pissed at him for smashing the TV?", Jason protested.
Bruce shrugged: "I'm a billionaire."
Jason shook his head: "Gross. Stop casually flaunting your wealth, old man."
Nightwing looked like he wanted to smash more things. Apparently, he was working through a richness of emotions today.
"Okay, I think someone needs to deal with that anger", Bruce said, "We're meeting for a little sparring session in the Cave and you can tell me what happened."
"Bring the brat", Jason said.
"Damian?"
Jason frowned at Bruce's surprise. Shouldn't Bruce have already gone up to the brat and attempted to parent him? Bruce had probably locked himself in the Cave instead, eager to hide himself from any emotional challenges. The old man truly was hopeless sometimes.
"He's part of this fucked-up family now. And if he's anything like you, he likes to work off his anger by punching things, too", Jason said.
Bruce sighed: "We're meeting in five."
On the plus side, Jason wasn't tired anymore. Seeing N smash a TV had been very energizing.
Bruce put on the Batsuit quickly. It felt reassuring to wear a protective layer. He had already told Damian to come down, the boy only scoffing in response. But he had started to get dressed for training. Bruce had stood there, unsure what to say. Then, he had left. Maybe Damian would respect Batman more than Bruce Wayne.
Steps approached. Nightwing and Jason were coming down the stairs, restless energy surrounding them. Both were in costume, Jason in his Red Hood-get up to Batman's dismay.
At least, he wasn't wearing the helmet. Instead, there was a katana strapped to his back. Nightwing looked at the blade with curiosity.
"You won't believe the sick new moves I learned", Jason grinned, "Talia trained me herself."
"Talia trained me, too", Bruce said, "She's a good teacher."
Jason made a face: "I don't want to know how she trained you."
Nightwing beelined for the training mat. He looked restless, his leg buzzing with nervous energy.
"Someone is pissed off", Jason muttered as he joined Nightwing on the mat.
They both went into a fighting stance. Nightwing took out his escrima sticks.
"I'm gonna show you who is boss with my new katana", Jason grinned.
"Show me", Nightwing said.
Jason lunged at Nightwing. Nightwing flipped over him and kicked at Jason's back. Jason whirled around and blocked him.
"Good, Jason", Nightwing said, "You faster."
"Can someone tell me what made you smash my TV?", Bruce asked.
Jason kept most of his focus on Nightwing telling Bruce about Luthor's press conference.
"Luthor get away because everyone hate me", Nightwing threw a frustrated punch at Jason's shoulder.
It connected. The younger was pushed back but regained his footing quickly.
Batman frowned. He pulled up the footage of Luthor. This would be a problem. Luthor connecting the evidence to Nightwing had cast serious doubt on its validity. Again, the League was losing because the Light was willing to play dirty while the heroes were not.
Batman wrote a message to Wonder Woman on his League communicator:
"Are you with Donna Troy?"
"We are on our way to Themyscira with the saved Talons."
"Did you see Luthor's press conference?"
"Yes."
"We need a counternarrative to Luthor."
"I'll talk to her."
Bruce nodded in satisfaction. He looked up, watching his boys.
Nightwing was clearly holding back. Jason exploited that. His katana cut into Nightwing's shoulder. Nightwing tilted his head in surprise at the rapidly closing wound.
"Stop holding back", Jason said.
His footwork was indeed lighter, and he wielded the katana with a precision in which Bruce could see Talia's touch.
"Fine", Nightwing cartwheeled to the side, avoiding Jason's slashes.
He hit his escrima stick against Jason's shin, making him trip. Nightwing was behind Jason immediately, putting an escrima stick against his throat.
"Jason dead."
"I missed this", Jason said.
"Miss, too", Nightwing said, "You not need miss if stay though."
Jason's smile tensed. Batman filed the reaction away for later examination. Jason played dirty. He kicked against Nightwing's knee making him let go.
"See? We're not over yet", Jason grinned.
"Pathetic display", Damian scoffed from the top of the stairs.
His gaze wandered over Batman, his back straightening. Apparently, the cape and cowl inspired more respect in Damian than Bruce Wayne's dad-sweater ever could.
"As the natural successor to the Batman-title-", Damian strutted down the stairs as if he owned the Cave.
Batman frowned wondering where Damian had gotten this idea from. He never even had considered training a successor.
"-I demand to prove myself by vanquishing my rivals. I have already bested Todd-"
Jason interjected: "When, Demon brat? I don't remember us ever sparring directly."
"Your incompetence with the katana was proof enough", Damian huffed, "The creature is supposed to have bested Deathstroke. So, I shall best the creature."
He threw a side glance at Deathstroke who was still hanging out in his cell. Slade waved at Damian with a shit-eating grin. Batman was growing increasingly suspicious of Deathstroke's compliance. They needed to transfer him to the Watchtower soon before the authorities would take him over.
Nightwing's face darkened at Damian's words, but he lowered his escrima sticks and walked towards the stairs: "I not fight you. You a child."
"I am not a child", Damian said, "I am Damian al Ghul, the heir to the demon."
Damian took a wooden stick from the training rack: "Less efficient than my usual weapon but this shall suffice."
Nightwing was at the feet of the stairs.
"FIGHT ME, CREATURE", Damian screamed, "I demand a match."
He turned to Batman: "Force your pet to fight me and I shall prove myself worthy."
Batman froze. He didn't know how to react. Damian was a storm of feral emotion that only a very entitled child could have. Reigning that in required – Batman shuddered – parenting.
Damian threw the wooden stick at the back of Nightwing's head. The former assassin swung around and caught it.
They looked at each other. Damian let out a battle cry and lunged at Nightwing. His foot aimed for Nightwing's head. Nightwing fell back into a bridge and flipped himself up on the stairs towards a handstand. His foot hit Damian's chest, making the boy crash to the floor.
Nightwing jumped down from the stairs, putting the edge of his hand to Damian's throat.
"Damian dead", his voice was flat.
Damian let out a battle cry again and made attempts to jump up, but Nightwing held him back down.
"Yield", Nightwing said.
"Never", Damian screamed, "I was not defeated by you."
Batman approached them: "This is enough, Damian."
"But father-"
"You don't need to prove yourself to me. You just need to be civil to your brothers."
"They aren't my brothers – especially not that thing", Damian screamed, "They are below me."
"Aren't you the one on the floor?", Jason looked amused at seeing Damian be taken down a peck.
Nightwing let go off Damian. The other jumped up and lashed out again. Nightwing grabbed Damian's wriest.
"Let go of me, you retard."
Nightwing flinched at the insult, but he kept his hand firm around Damian's wriest: "Make let go."
Damian screeched and struggled. He even scratched the side of Nightwing's face, the wounds healing immediately.
"You not can", Nightwing's voice was flat.
"Nightwing", Batman tried to take control of the situation again, "This is enough."
Nightwing ignored him, looking down at Damian: "Yield."
Damian bit his lip. There were tears in his eyes.
Nightwing let go. He crouched so that he was on Damian's eye level.
"I know what it like. You feel like weapon. You more than that - even if not know yet. I there if you want talk. Be big brother if you need", Nightwing lowered his voice, "Before that, watch your tongue."
Damian looked like he wanted to scream something back, but he stayed quiet.
"I not be dehumanize in own home. Have enough of that outside", Nightwing stood up.
Batman found himself overwhelmed. He opted for the stoic look instead. The image of control – while he was clearly lacking it.
Nightwing turned to Batman: "I text Canary. We meet soon."
Batman simply nodded. Nightwing left. Damian hurried up the stairs once he was gone. Bruce suspected that he would cry once he was in his own room, but Bruce didn't know how to deal with that.
"A+-parenting, old man", Jason scoffed, "You could have talked to him before this whole disaster."
"You've seen him. He's an entitled brat."
"And you're his dad. You've gotta deal with that instead of avoiding it."
Bruce sighed internally. Without another word, he went towards the Batmobile. With his family in shambles, he needed to solve some crimes. At least, he knew how to do that.
Donna sat next to Diana in the cockpit of the Amazonian jet. They were piloting it to Themyscira with the Talons on-board. Diana didn't trust the government to not capture them.
Donna could see the glistening water below. Themyscira was near. Home. Donna's chest ached with longing.
"I received a message by Batman", Diana said, "About the press conference."
Donna's hand tightened around the controls.
"He wants you to speak up publicly against Luthor", Diana sounded worried.
"I will", Donna thought of the body of her friend, safely secured in the hold, "This bastard deserves to face justice. The truth must come out."
"Are you sure, Donna? Speaking up about this traumatic time cannot be easy."
"I am sure", Donna said, "He won't get away with it and an Amazonian ambassador speaking out against him is harder to brush off."
"You are being very courageous."
Donna threw a side glance at Diana: "I miss home but I don't want to stay secluded there forever."
"I understand."
"Really? No fear about me venturing out to man's world?"
"I used to be terrified for you, Donna. I still am but I've seen you grow. And don't forget that twas a time when I myself needed venture out", Diana smiled, "The heart of a hero cannot be contained."
Donna laughed. She had missed her sister.
"I also suspect that you will not be alone in your quest", Diana said.
"I hope so. I think I can persuade the other Titans. Starfire is in search of a new home. Garfield is eager to prove himself and Victor is lonely. Maybe they will even speak out against Luthor."
"They are very brave", Diana said, "Them saving the Talons showed it. I think your intuition is correct. You are leaving someone out though."
"Nightwing is hard to read", Donna said.
"All the Bats are."
"Do you think he would speak out against Luthor?", Donna asked.
"I do not know. His heart is in the right place though he has shown a tendency to not speak up for himself when he needs to and Lex Luthor is a very powerful man."
"I hate how these people talk about Nightwing. They have no idea what he's like."
"Only Nightwing can tell his own story", Diana said.
"The question is if he's ready", Donna bit her lip, "I'll talk to him."
"I will contact Lois Lane. She will be interested in this piece."
Donna nodded in satisfaction. Lois Lane was the right person to publish their story. Diana had often called her the real champion of truth.
They landed the jet on Themyscira. Dozens of Amazons welcomed them. Donna found herself in an embrace with her sisters. She hugged Hippolyta with tears in her eyes. Donna was home.
The Amazons helped the Talons out of the plane. They seemed hesitant, their claws moving towards their palms at the unknown environment.
"I am Hippolyta, queen of the Amazons. This is Themyscira, our island", Hippolyta stood in front of them, "We have already offered sanctuary to other Talons. I can assure you that you are safe here. We will harbor you as long as you are in need of it, and you are allowed to leave if you wish to do so."
"Hippolyta is telling the truth", Donna spoke up, "You are safe here. No one will hurt you."
Donna felt the Talons' eyes on her. She could hear some of them whisper to each other.
"You were captured with us", one of them said.
Donna nodded: "We escaped together."
She saw a few nods. They recognized her. Not everyone did though as many had been unconscious.
One of the Talons stumbled towards her.
It was the man who had clawed his hand into Donna's leg in fear: "I recognize you. You saved me. Thank you."
Donna smiled at him: "You are welcome."
The Talon smiled back.
"You can follow me", Donna led the Talons towards the sanctuary.
She frowned in surprise when dozens of steps followed her. The Talons trusted her. Donna hadn't disappointed them. Maybe she could be a hero after all – especially with the right team beside her.
In the evening, Donna carted the gurney with her friend's body to the cliffside on the edge of the island. Only a sole olive tree grew near the edge. Donna looked at the sea, listening to the quiet rush of the waves. The sun was setting.
"I promised you that you would have a place here", Donna spoke to the covered body, "I keep my promises."
Donna took a shovel and pushed it into the soil under the olive tree. She dug quickly.
Once she the hole was deep enough, she uncovered her friend's body and carefully laid it into the ground. Tears were in Donna's eyes as she closed the grave again.
Donna put a stone marker to the head of the grave. Io – Themyscira's blacksmith – had sculped it for her.
The marker said: "Here lies a friend, a hero & an Amazon in heart."
Donna's tears fell when she put a hand on the marker. She had decided against putting Talon on the stone. Talon had never been a proper name. Only a designation associated with pain. Donna's friend had died too quickly to choose her own name, so Donna had tried to do her spirit justice on the stone.
"It's peaceful, isn't it?", Donna looked towards the night sky as the sun had set.
The light of the moon was soft. Comforting. Donna hoped that nature had embraced her friends' soul and laid it to rest.
"I hope you like it", Donna gave the stone a final touch before she turned back to the heart of the island where her sisters were waiting.
Donna was home but she still had a mission in man's world. The truth would not be buried.
AN: Did I have tears in my eyes when Donna buried her friend? Yes, I did.
Nightwing had two moods in this chapter: Crying like a tsunami or pissed off like a hurricane (where did those come from?). And good for him. He deserves to let out his emotions after months of bottling them up.
Fun fact: "A Summer in Portugal" (Ein Sommer in Portugal) is a real (obscure) German TV romcom that probably was never translated into English but who is counting? I'm surely not. Did I watch it? Yes. The pictures are very pretty. Do I fall more on the Jason- or Nightwing-spectrum of enjoyment? You decide. ;)