AN: I always come back.

Sorry for another long wait. Have a long chapter with some very loaded conversations to make up for it. The end is really close now. I can't believe it. But not too close because I feel like every time it gets simple, these people dig up one of their numerous personal issues. At least, they are healing. :,)

BlueBird183: Danke! Ich kann endlich antworten. Die Kapitel dauern momentan etwas. Armer Jason! Er ist an einem ziemlich dunklen Ort momentan (metaphorisch und weniger metaphorisch). Wir erfahren in diesem Kapitel, wie Nightwing reagiert! :D

Haha. Endlich hat Nightwing mal einen guten Tag! Er hat es verdient.

Mir geht es gut – dir hoffentlich auch! :D

34. Triangle

Nightwing was perching on the back of a truck as it raced along the highway towards Gotham. He was hidden behind a few crates to ensure that he didn't give the driver a heart attack. This form of travelling was getting exhausting. He wondered if he could get Bruce to teach him how to drive. The man was always busy though. Maybe Jason could do it.

Thinking of Jason made Nightwing tense up. Bruce had been tight-lipped about his little brother and Nightwing hadn't seen him after the fight in the Asylum. Apparently, Jason had brought Damian and him home, but Bruce hadn't revealed anything more.

Nightwing didn't understand. It wasn't like Jason to vanish while Nightwing was on the verge of death. He should have been one of the first choices to enter Nightwing's mind.

But Jason had been different recently. Absent. Angry. Nightwing had noticed how irritated Jason had gotten every time Bruce and Nightwing interacted in a familiar manner. As if he was jealous. It was ridiculous. Bruce loved Jason. Why couldn't Jason see that?

Nightwing could imagine why. Willis had been a horrible father. Jason barely mentioned him except in some (usually snarky) side comments. Nightwing could read the room though. Also, the clues scattered around Jason's childhood apartment had been enough.

Willis hadn't been there. He was still in prison after all those years. Jason had never visited him, but Willis' presence had still lingered. In the smell of booze and cigarette smoke that just didn't want to leave the apartment. In the fist marks that marred the drywall. And most dangerously: The gangsters who had tried to shake Jason down for money.

Nightwing had killed dozens of them. He had been more feral then. Barely even human. And he had done everything to protect Jason.

A clicking sound radiated from the truck. The driver had turned on his signal, changing the lane to use the exit.

Nightwing tilted his head at the sign. Fawcett City was there, all the way down. Nightwing could stay on this truck and move closer to Wally. Maybe he could even call Wally to get him. The idea was tempting.

But no. Nightwing had things to tie up in Gotham first. His family was the highest priority.

So, he stood up, made a step to gain momentum and flipped onto another pick-up truck that was staying on the highway.

He hid under the plastic cover that was hiding the cargo. It was dark enough for Nightwing to simply appear like a shadowy flash in the sight of the drivers.

Nightwing frowned when he recognized the cargo as a mountain of badly secured furniture. The edge of a table was cutting into his back. Nightwing winced. He really needed to learn how to drive. This was getting ridiculous. But it wasn't far anymore to Gotham and Nightwing was eager to see his family.

Nightwing entered the manor. He tilted his head when he was greeted by complete silence. It was midday. Bruce should be up from his post-patrol sleep by now and Damian didn't go to school.

Nightwing wondered if the boy was lonely. He had to be with only Bruce and Alfred around. Another reason why Nightwing wished that Jason was here. His little brothers had formed a bond in the League of Shadows.

Nightwing went up the stairs, knocking against Damian's door.

"Dami, I be back home", Nightwing said.

"Enter."

Nightwing opened the door. Damian was sitting on his bed with a book in his hand and his legs pulled up.

Nightwing smiled and pulled Damian into a hug: "Miss you so much, little brother."

He found himself emphasizing the word. The fact that he had two little brothers always made him excited. Nightwing had a family. His younger self hadn't even understood what that meant.

"Unhand me", Damian struggled like a cat, kicking out with his legs.

Nightwing let go off him after a few seconds.

"Just because I acknowledge you as a brother now, does not mean I desire…", Damian shuddered, "Contact."

Nightwing frowned. Damian was so different from Jason. Jason had sought out affection the moment Nightwing had proven himself as trustworthy. It was too bad because Damian was so huggable. But Nightwing wouldn't disregard his wishes.

"I always there for hug if you want."

Damian crossed his arms. He raised his chin. Nightwing had noticed the habit. Damian seemed to do it every time he wanted to indicate his worth.

"I miss you very much", Nightwing said.

"You were barely away."

Nightwing shrugged: "Still miss."

Damian frowned. He looked more than a bit confused at the idea of someone missing him.

"Where Bruce be?"

"Father has spent the whole morning in the Cave. He has forbidden me to enter", Damian huffed.

"Why?"

"I assume it is related to his feud with Todd."

"Jason? What happen with Jason?", Nightwing hoped he would get more out of Damian than Bruce.

Damian shrugged: "Father threw him out while you were… indisposed."

"Bruce not say much about Jason. Evade my questions."

Nightwing should have dug deeper at the time. But he had been too occupied with the daunting prospect of the interview. Dealing with whatever was going on between Bruce and Jason had been too much for him at the time.

A part of Nightwing was frustrated that these two just couldn't figure it out. That he had to play the peacemaker for them again. A far greater part of him was worried.

"You do not know what happened", Damian said.

"Then, tell me."

Damian huffed again: "I do not wish to. Obviously, father does not view me as an essential part of this household so I shall not engage in this issue."

"You part of the family, Dami."

"Father does not view it that way."

"Bruce have hard time show emotion. He love you very much."

Damian scoffed.

"Dami", Nightwing softened his voice, "You ever hear of brother solidarity?"

"I have never heard of such a ridiculous notion."

"It mean that we have special bond – you, Jason and me. We protect each other. We tell each other things we not can tell Bruce. We always there for each other. You can tell me what bother you. I not judge. I be your big brother. It my job help you."

"Tt. If we are to have this brother solidarity, why did Todd sell us out?"

"Jason do what?"

Damian tensed, as if he had revealed more than he wanted to.

"Come on", Nightwing nudged him.

"You would not believe me. Your loyalties lie with Todd."

"My loyalty be to this family, and you be part of it."

"Still, Todd shall always come first. Father sees it as well. It is the reason why he does not wish to tell you the truth."

"I always believe you, Dami."

Damian stayed silent, his jaw clenched. Nightwing recognized a losing battle when he saw one. He stood up, ready to give Damian some space.

Only now did he see the little booklet that was lying in the corner. It was discarded on the floor face-down - its pages spread open as if Damian had just thrown it away.

Nightwing frowned and picked up the booklet.

Damian jumped up: "Do not-"

It was too late. Nightwing had already seen the small figure with the red, grey and black costume. There was a little R on his chest.

"This be you with your hero costume?", Nightwing asked.

"Give it back to me", Damian jumped for the book.

Nightwing let him take it.

"You draw very good, Dami."

"It is stupid."

"Not stupid", Nightwing said, "You going be Batman-partner."

"I shall not be", Damian said.

"He say no?"

"He did not need to say it", Damian said.

"You need ask him", Nightwing said, "You already have name?"

"No", Damian's answer came very quickly – too quickly.

Nightwing tilted his head, but he decided not to press it. Damian had a right to his secrets.

"I talk to him", Nightwing said, "I try fix. You can count on me, Dami. I show you."

Damian didn't answer. Nightwing approached the door.

"I saw the interview", Damian's voice was quiet, "You were very brave."

"Thank you, Dami."

Nightwing carefully closed the door behind himself.

Bruce was hunched over the desk in front of the Batcomputer, trying desperately not to think about the way his family was in shambles. Jason had betrayed them, and Bruce couldn't deal with Damian at the moment. He had barely even time to process the fact that he had a biological child. Everything had happened so quickly, and Bruce was always putting out multiple fires. Batman and Gotham didn't know peace.

Quiet steps came down the stairs. Damian had repeatedly attempted to sneak in.

"I told you that the Cave is forbidden, Da-", Bruce halted when he saw Nightwing.

How long had he been away? Bruce had lost track of time in his musings. Sloppy. He should have expected Nightwing to be back.

The interview had happened yesterday evening with an explosion of articles in the morning. Bruce was still analysing the response to it, evaluating the situation as it unfolded.

"Damian right. You really hide in here."

"I'm working", Bruce turned back to the screen.

It showed a number of articles, more popping up by the second.

"Nightwing Tells Harrowing Story of Abuse – What is the Court of Owls?"

"Lex Luthor Slandered by War Criminal"

"Lex Luthor Revealed as a Supervillain: The Accusations in Detail"

"Wannabe-Justice League Spreads Conspiracies on National TV"

"How we as a Culture Failed Nightwing"

Nightwing frowned: "What this be?"

"I wrote an algorithm to map all the pieces of news that were written about the interview", Bruce said.

"A what?"

Bruce pursed his lip in displeasure at Nightwing's lack of computer expertise. A gap that was far too big for the skillset of a vigilante.

"I'm trying to find out how public opinion on you has been impacted by the interview. Currently, the articles are 38% positive, 23% neutral and 39% negative."

"That be good, right? Less people hate me now."

"Still too many", Bruce's face darkened, "We need to-"

"B", Nightwing put hand on Bruce's shoulder, "I appreciate that you do this for me but you not need. I tell my story. I proud of how I tell. People can do with what they want. I do my part."

Bruce turned around: "If we want that team of yours affiliated with the League then-"

"We not want be part of League. We want be our own", Nightwing said.

Bruce frowned. The Titans had mentioned their desire to be autonomous in the interview. He had written these statements off as youthful overconfidence. Most superheroes sought to be affiliated with the League. Even the Team – despite all its independence – had always been a JLA-subsidiary.

Bruce probed further: "Running an independent team is a lot of responsibility."

"We can do it", Nightwing sounded sure of himself.

Bruce had rarely heard him talk like this.

Interesting. Apparently, Nightwing had really set his mind to it. Bruce didn't know what to make of this, but he had learned the hard way that he couldn't contain Nightwing. The boy did what he wanted even if Bruce would rather keep him close for his own safety.

"Do you have resources? Intel? A leader?"

"I hope that Donna want lead."

Bruce kept his face blank. Nightwing might have increased his confidence, but he still wasn't confident enough. Not in the way Bruce needed him to be.

"The Amazon doesn't have enough experience and she is aware of that", Bruce said, "With time, she will be ready to step up – but not yet."

Nightwing tilted his head: "Then, maybe Gar can do it. He use be on superhero team."

Bruce cringed at the idea of the young shapeshifter leading the team. Garfield meant well but he was the worst choice.

"He is too immature and rash. Relies almost completely on his powers. The worst choice you could come up with."

Nightwing winced. Bruce did not pull his punches. He needed to nudge Nightwing into the right direction without pushing anything onto him. Nightwing needed to see it himself.

Bruce said: "You need someone experienced who can keep a cool head in stressful situations. Someone tactical who is skilful enough to still be a threat without powers."

"Just because you not have powers?"

"Powers make you cocky. A leader cannot allow themselves to become complacent. There will be situations where your team's powers are inhibited. If your leader is harmless in those situations, they failed."

Nightwing frowned. He looked more doubtful now.

"Look, B. We figure it out… somehow. You believe in us?"

Bruce sighed. He did trust the Titans as long as the right person led them. And there was only one right choice. Bruce cursed Nightwing's conditioning for making him unable to see it.

Nightwing had learned so much with Jason, Bruce and the Team. Maybe even from Deathstroke – which Bruce would never admit aloud. But his vision was still limited. The Conductor's hook still in his head. Bruce hoped that the Titans could help him uncover it.

Bruce had been called too overbearing a father. Bruce had learned by now though that Nightwing needed to learn his own lessons.

"I do", Bruce said, "You proved yourselves capable."

Nightwing's face lighted up. He swung his legs as he sat on the edge of the table, letting his excitement show. It was infectious. Bruce kept his face blank.

"This is a serious matter. You can't take this decision lightly", Bruce said.

"I understand", Nightwing's legs stopped swinging, "I believe that we can do good as Titans. The League be great, but we need more hero teams."

Bruce nodded. Nightwing was right. Batman himself had long identified a weakness in the current defence of their world. The League was the first and last line of defence they had. If it fell, the earth fell, too.

The Lantern Corps might watch over the earth, but they couldn't mobilize every resource at hand to protect just one planet. They would always put the good of the entire galaxy over one planet.

The earth needed another network of heroes. Batman had seen that. But he had never found suitable candidates to work on such a team. Could Nightwing and his Titans be the solution to this security dilemma?

The father in Bruce disagreed vehemently. If any villain was strong enough to take down the League, Bruce didn't want his son to be next in the line of fire. But Batman knew that the Titans were the best option. They had already proven themselves by taking down Luthor and crippling the Light significantly.

They had firepower with an Amazon and a Tamaranean on their team. Beast Boy was a wildcard. His various forms could be used in endless situations. Cyborg was invaluable with his ability to tap into any computer network. And Nightwing had the strategy and ruthlessness necessary to pull off a large-scale plan. With some backing, they could develop into a force to be reckoned with.

But they all were so young. Bruce didn't want to shift this burden onto them. But if there ever was an enemy who could take down the League, Nightwing would always fight. There was no way he would keep his head down. Not when people were dying around him and his loved ones in danger. The least Bruce could do was support him.

"Fine", Bruce gave in, "I'll fund your superhero-team."

Nightwing's face lightened up as he pulled Bruce into a hug: "You be best, B."

Bruce stayed stoic. He wondered if he had just condemned his son to death. Batman had accepted that he would most likely die young, the moment he had joined the League. It was a risk he was ready to take. Seeing his son accept it, too, was terrifying.

Was this how Alfred felt? It was horrible.

"I'm not funding your team for fun", Bruce said, "I need you as a failsafe – in case the League is indisposed for any reason."

Nightwing tensed: "But nothing happen to you. You be the greatest heroes ever."

Bruce wanted to smile at the youthful optimism, but he couldn't find it in himself. He knew first-hand that the League wasn't as infallible as Nightwing assumed it to be.

"We need a contingency if it comes to the worst. There may be a day when your team needs to step up. Do you understand that?"

"I do, Batman."

Nightwing had straightened, answering with complete clarity. If he knew anything, it was a mission.

It made Bruce ache. A part of him wished that Nightwing had retired with Wally. Focus solely on his recovery. Reinstate his civilian identity or come up with a new one. Get some kind of formal education. It was a pipedream.

"Good", Bruce squeezed Nightwing's shoulder.

He tried to focus on the now. On the joy that radiated off Nightwing. Bruce would fight. He would take enough precautions to ensure that the League would never fail. If Bruce failed, his son would suffer. So, Batman would expand his contingencies, train his fellow Leaguers harder, channel more funds into the League. Everything for the sake of his son's life.

He would do it later. Now was moment of happiness. So, Bruce allowed himself to smile. This was a big day for Nightwing, no matter what the future held.

Nightwing remained on the edge of the table, his legs swinging, while Bruce picked a random case file. He could barely concentrate on the content, too distracted by his racing thoughts.

And that warm feeling in his chest. He recognized it as pride. Bruce had felt it more often in the last two years for his children than the entire rest of his life.

Nightwing said after a while: "I talk to Damian."

Bruce hummed. Nightwing was hitting all the sore emotional pressure points today. He tended to do that.

"He be very sad even if not want show. He believe you not love him."

Bruce's hand felt tense as he flipped the pages of the case file. He had hugged Damian after the fight in the asylum, relieved that the boy – his son – was all right. But it was hard to express affection to Damian in situations that weren't life and death.

The boy was so restrained. Bruce didn't know what he wanted most of the time. Damian wasn't like Nightwing or even Jason who sought out affection more openly. He was a puzzle that Bruce didn't know how to solve. And if he was honest with himself: He had barely attempted to pick up the pieces.

"Damian is my son."

It was factual and as close to an emotional statement Bruce could get. Bruce trusted Talia but Batman would always double-check any claim. So, he had done a secret DNA-test that had confirmed Damian as his boy.

It hadn't changed much. DNA didn't mean much to Bruce. If it did, then Bruce would never have taken in Nightwing and Jason.

Hell, Bruce's relationship with his only biological son was in shambles – if it even existed at all. Somehow, the Talon he had adopted was the most agreeable of his children. Probably the biggest indicator as to how little blood meant.

Bruce wanted to change things. To get close to Damian (and maybe even Jason?). But it was so hard. Bruce didn't know how to adapt to these two.

And he didn't even know if he wanted to try with Jason anymore. If Red Hood had betrayed Batman, Batman could have dealt with it. He would have accepted it as another part of their ideological war.

But Red Hood had not been the perpetrator. And Bruce had not been Batman. Instead, Jason had betrayed Bruce in his own home.

Bruce didn't know if he could forgive that. Alfred, Clark and so many others called him paranoid. But how could Bruce not be if his own son had torn their family apart from the inside?

Nightwing continued: "Still, you lock him out of Cave."

Right, Damian. They were talking about his youngest. Bruce was still too devastated by Jason's betrayal to process any other emotional problem.

"He is not part of the hero life."

"He want be though. He want be Batman-partner."

Bruce frowned. He hadn't expected Damian to have heroic aspirations. It showed again how out of the loop Bruce was when it came to his youngest.

"You are my partner", Bruce deflected.

"I have team now. We both know that I not can be in Gotham much anymore. Damian be capable and he want help."

"He's a child."

"A child assassin", Nightwing said, "He have blood on his hand. Blood be force on him."

Bruce didn't answer. Nightwing undoubtedly knew what he was talking about. It wasn't surprising that these two had formed a kinship.

"It destroy him if he not get chance redeem himself."

"He's a child. Children don't need to be redeemed."

"You right", Nightwing's face softened, "He not believe it though. He need chance for prove."

"It's dangerous."

Bruce didn't want to push another one of his children into the line of fire.

"Look", Nightwing gripped Bruce's shoulder, "Damian already part of this life. The Shadows force him in. You not can keep him out. This time, at least he make choice himself."

And there it was again. His children making choices that made Bruce tense in terror.

Nightwing continued: "He will sneak out. He already do. So, best you can do is give him safe en-vi-ron-ment. And not forget: You protect him. I protect him. Jason do, too."

Bruce balled his fists: "Jason isn't protecting anyone."

He pulled out another case file before he could lose his temper. Any mention of Jason had that effect on him, and Bruce didn't want to let it out on Nightwing.

Nightwing looked like he was about to ask about Jason.

Bruce cut him off: "And Damian is not the hero-type."

"He save me", Nightwing said, "You be surprise, Bruce. Also: You think I be hero type two years ago? You have bad judgment sometimes."

Bruce bit his lip. He would be offended if anyone else accused him of bad judgement, but Nightwing had always pushed Bruce into directions he had not seen himself in.

"Just give Damian chance. He good boy", Nightwing said.

"You hated him. He didn't even treat you like a person."

"Before. Not now. We talk about it like mature people", Nightwing tilted his head.

Bruce scoffed. That was unmistakably Alfred's brand of sass.

Nightwing chuckled: "You talk to him. I know you."

Bruce stayed quiet. He wouldn't give Nightwing the satisfaction.

Nightwing bit his lip. He looked like he was contemplating something.

Bruce sighed, putting down the case file. He looked at Nightwing, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

"About Jason. What happen with him? You look like you angry at him."

Bruce gritted his teeth and picked the case file up again. The blurry text was suddenly very appealing.

"We'll talk about this later. I'm busy."

Nightwing snatched the case file away.

"Really, Bruce?", Nightwing showed the file to Bruce, "I sure Condiment King vandalize grocery store can wait."

Nightwing hid the file behind his back. Bruce felt a bit embarrassed when he saw the picture of the store aisles covered in mustard and ketchup. Why couldn't he have grabbed a good old triple homicide?

"Bruce", Nightwing repeated, "Where Jason be? I find out anyway. Not make me investigate."

And Nightwing would. The confrontation was unavoidable. But Bruce was terrified of it.

Jason wasn't Bruce's son anymore. But he was still undoubtedly Nightwing's brother and always would be. Would Bruce lose Nightwing, too, because he had thrown Jason out?

Bruce didn't know if he could take losing two of his children. They had become a staple of his life in the last years. A source of chaos and comfort that Bruce needed. He couldn't go back to the lonely life he had led before.

Bruce sighed, deciding to face the confrontation head on: "I threw him out."

Nightwing's face fell in shock: "Why?"

"He allowed Themis to abduct Damian and you. He brought her into this family."

"He not do on purpose", Nightwing said, "He fight her when she hurt Damian and me. He get us home."

Bruce balled his fists: "Do you know what happened in the asylum?"

Nightwing shook his head, sounding hurt: "No one tell me."

Bruce took a deep breath. He told him about all the villains Jason had slaughtered. About… Harvey. Thinking about Harvey led to a deep ache in Bruce's chest. Batman should have reformed him – saved him. Jason had forever taken that opportunity from Bruce.

The longer Bruce spoke, the more disappointed Nightwing looked. Bruce could barely look at him.

"Harvey be your friend", Nightwing sounded sad, "I very sorry."

Bruce nodded slowly, feeling numb: "Jason went into that asylum ready to enact his plan with Themis. He was ready to execute everyone inside, including Harvey."

Silence. Nightwing fiddled with his clawed gloves.

"I understand, Bruce. But he change his mind. He stop Themis."

"It doesn't change anything."

"He make mistake but he try fix. I understand why you angry, Bruce. I disappoint with Jason, too. But you really want exclude him forever when he learn his lesson? Maybe you just both need time."

"You don't understand, Nightwing. This can't be fixed. Jason isn't my son anymore."

"Why, Bruce? Because of Harvey?"

"You don't know everything."

"Then, tell me", Nightwing's voice rose.

"Jason mixed sleeping pills under my food to take me out. In my own home. It was him and me sitting down for dinner and Jason used that opportunity to-", Bruce broke off before the utter sense of violation he felt could creep into his voice.

Nightwing was frozen. Bruce was waiting for his reaction. He was expecting ridicule. Jason hadn't harmed Bruce. The sleeping pills hadn't hurt Bruce in any way. Still, Bruce couldn't get over this loss of control Jason had put him through. The terror Bruce had felt upon waking up. The possibility that he had lost another family just because he had allowed himself to trust the wrong person.

Nightwing's eyes were wet. Without another word, he hugged Bruce. It was one of these enveloping, comforting hugs.

For the first time, it felt like Nightwing was comforting Bruce and not the other way around. Usually, Bruce didn't allow himself this kind of weakness but now he let sink into the hug. He hid his face in Nightwing's shoulder.

"I understand, Bruce", Nightwing muttered.

And Bruce frowned in confusion. He had expected Nightwing to automatically side with Jason. To storm off and free his little brother. But no. Nightwing was still here for Bruce.

Bruce sounded confused: "You aren't angry? It's Jason."

"Jason violate your trust, Bruce. I understand why you feel hurt. I feel hurt, too."

Bruce looked up, gauging Nightwing's expression. He looked genuine. A tinge of wetness in his eyes.

"Where Jason be now?", Nightwing asked softly.

"He turned himself in with the police", Bruce pulled up the security feed from the police station.

Nightwing tilted his head as he observed the video. Black blood clung to his lip as he chewed on it.

"What do you think?", Bruce asked.

"Jason be in pain", Nightwing muttered, "He punish himself. He see that do wrong."

Bruce watched the video again with fresh eyes. He could see what Nightwing was saying when he set his anger aside for just a moment.

Nightwing's fingers twitched towards his palm: "He not can go to prison."

"He deserves punishment."

"And you not believe we can solve this as family?", Nightwing sounded careful – fragile.

It broke Bruce's heart because Bruce couldn't make him feel better. Forgiving Jason… Just the thought made Bruce feel sick.

"Jason stopped being family the moment he violated my trust."

Nightwing's fingers dug into his palms at this point. He looked utterly defeated.

"You know, B, I be scare of this for long time. You and Jason fight for so long and now your fight destroy our family."

Bruce didn't know how to answer.

Nightwing ran a hand through his hair. He paced around with restless energy. Bruce didn't know what to make of it.

"Jason need apologize", Nightwing muttered to himself, "We get him out. He come back. He apologize and make up to you, Bruce. And then we fix and we can be family again."

"I don't want to forgive him", Bruce said.

Nightwing shook his head, his pacing accelerating: "Not possible. I not lose family again."

Bruce felt anger rise within himself: "Jason destroyed our family the moment he sold us out to a psychopath."

She had been in the Manor. She had overwhelmed Alfred and taken Damian. She might have passed Bruce by as he had laid unconscious on that sofa. One cut to his throat and Bruce would have been dead.

Gone without a fight. Gone without the possibility to protect his children. Just as helpless as he had been in that alley over 30 years ago.

Jason had done this to them. Done it to Bruce. Jason had made Bruce feel this helpless again.

Nightwing stared at Bruce, looking too shocked to speak.

Bruce added: "Themis could have killed us all. You, too. She almost tortured you to death. Do you know how much it hurt to see you like this?"

'What you want me do?', Nightwing signed, 'Choose between both of you? I not can choose. So, you need fix.'

"I'm not asking this of you."

'Not directly. But what I suppose do with my brother in prison?'

Bruce stayed quiet. He didn't have an answer.

Nightwing shook his head: 'I go get him out. And then you talk about it. I make you talk about it. I make you fix it."

"You won't do anything of this nature", Bruce raised his voice, "Jason is a psychopath. He doesn't belong in this family."

'You know Jason good enough for know not true. A psychopath not go to prison because feel guilty.'

"Of course, you are taking his side again", Bruce spit out.

He couldn't help but feel the resentment bubbling up.

"You are always defending him no matter what he does. Jason made his own grave. Now, he's lying in it. Let him."

'I not take side', Nightwing's cheeks were wet, 'I just-'

He broke off, letting his hands drop.

Bruce couldn't keep the anger back: "Would you have helped him with the Arkham-plan if he had asked you?"

'You think I torture people to death?'

"If anyone could get you to, it would be Jason", Bruce spit out.

Nightwing bit even more sharply onto his bottom lip. The pressure looked unbearable.

Nightwing signed rapidly, anger apparent in his gestures: 'I want you get along. I want you fix your mess. I tired be between you because you keep fight. I not be good enough for make you get along.'

Bruce sighed, feeling some of his anger evaporate. He had done exactly what he had tried to prevent: Let his anger towards Jason out on Nightwing.

'It hurt me', Nightwing signed desperately.

He looked up at Bruce as if he couldn't believe that he had just admitted that.

"It's not your responsibility to make us get along", Bruce tried to sound comforting, "This is between Jason and me. It has nothing to do with you."

'It be my responsibility because you not do", Nightwing was sobbing at this point.

Bruce's heart dropped into his stomach. He couldn't bear these emotional confrontations. They took too much out of him.

Nightwing turned around, hurrying towards the stairs.

"What are you doing?", Bruce asked.

'Get Jason out. Make you apologize each other. Fix.'

Bruce sighed, feeling tired to the bone. Nightwing could push as much he wanted, Bruce would not accept Jason's apology.

"You can't make us fix it", Bruce sounded calm again, "You need to accept it."

Nightwing growled: 'I not accept lose family.'

He slammed the entrance to the Cave shut behind himself.

Bruce ran his hands through his hair. He slumped onto his office chair, allowing himself a few stray tears.

The worst part about being detained was the boredom. Slade spent most of his days doing exercise in the limited space of his Watchtower-cell. He was in the middle of doing two hundred push-ups when the cell door opened. Black Canary and Green Arrow entered. Slade continued his push-ups, ignoring them.

Canary cleared her throat: "Get up. You are being transferred to the authorities today."

"Exciting", Slade counted aloud, finishing the last fifty-three.

Green Arrow scoffed in annoyance. Slade grinned and stood up. He allowed Canary and Arrow to cuff him. Fighting them at this point would be too much of a hassle. Escaping the Watchtower was possible, but Slade didn't have the tools necessary at his disposal currently. Blackgate would be more convenient just because it wasn't surrounded by the empty void of space.

Canary and Arrow led Deathstroke out of the cell, where a bunch of federal agents waited for him. ARGUS. Slade suspected that Waller had her hand in this.

The Conductor was led out of the cell next-door. Apparently, it was transfer-day for him, too. He would have a hard time in Blackgate with his weak powers and pathetic nature.

Slade watched the man out of the corner of his eye.

The Conductor's face was twisted into a sneer: "You cannot do this to me. Do you not know who I am?"

The ARGUS-agents exchanged a gaze, shrugging.

"Unacceptable. I am a part of the Light. Get Luthor on the phone right now. He will get me out of here."

"Luthor is in FBI-custody", one of the agents said.

Slade smirked at the image of Luthor behind bars. Served that arrogant peacock well. The kid had truly done it. Somehow, Nightwing had seen this impossible mission through to the end.

Slade couldn't help but feel a sense of self-satisfaction. Cobb and Batman might have laid the foundation for the kid's skills but Slade had truly pushed him out his comfort zone. Without Slade, Nightwing would have stayed a leashed attack dog forever.

The kid was in Slade's debt. But Slade was mercenary enough to recognize that he owed the kid, too. Nightwing had finished Slade's mission and his greatest enemy with it. Luthor's empire had taken a devastating hit.

Slade understood the nature of transaction. He would pay his debt.

The Conductor paled: "B- But how? He is Lex Luthor."

"Those Titans-kids gave quite the interview. Everyone is talking about it", the agent said, "Lois Lane's article was the final push."

Slade frowned. He hadn't expected Nightwing to fall back on the power of PR. It was a counterintuitive strategy to anything a Talon had been taught. The kid had learned indeed.

As impressive as the kid's achievements were, Slade couldn't let this debt stand. It was humiliating. Almost as humiliating as Nightwing beating him in front of the Light. Next time they met, Deathstroke would show Nightwing his place again. He was still the best mercenary in the business. Nothing could change that.

Slade narrowed in on the Conductor who was still arguing with the agent. Canary and Arrow seemed annoyed by the sight. Their hatred for the Conductor was radiating off them. It was distracting them.

Deathstroke subtly shifted closer. The Conductor was screaming and trashing, yelling for an attorney. Slade scoffed. The guy had already dug himself into a hole the moment he had admitted in front of multiple federal agents that he was part of the Light.

And if the federal agents didn't get him, then Luthor would. The Conductor's statements about Luthor would only harden the case against the billionaire.

Slade would be quicker than all of them.

The mercenary struck out. His hands were cuffed behind his back, but his legs were free. One high kick to the Conductor's neck was enough.

Crack.

The man went down. Canary and Arrow were on Slade immediately. They pushed him to the floor, pulling his cuffed hands sharply behind his back. It would have ripped the arms out of the sockets of a normal man.

All the efforts were too late. Slade had reached his objective.

The Conductor was lying on the floor, his eyes glassy. His neck was twisted, irritated. After all the torment this man had inflicted, one kick had been enough to take him down. How anticlimactic. It would be poetic if it wasn't so pathetic.

Canary put more weight on Slade's back while Arrow restrained Slade's legs. Slade let them do it, not even attempting to struggle.

"Do you have no shame, Deathstroke?", Canary was infuriated at the murder happening in front of her eyes.

Deathstroke rolled his eyes. She should get over herself. It wasn't like anything valuable was lost.

"You're Nightwing's therapist, right?", Slade said.

"I used to be", Canary tensed.

Slade filed the information away in his head. Interesting. Another way in which Nightwing had distanced himself from the League.

"Tell Nightwing that our debt is settled now", Slade said as Arrow and Canary pulled him towards the zeta-tube.

Canary frowned: "What is your business with him?"

There was a hint of concern in her voice.

"He's not like you heroes."

Arrow frowned: "You think he's going to become a villain?"

Slade scoffed: "Seeing the world in heroes and villains is so dull. He could be a great villain though – if he wanted to. The way he made all of you follow the rules of his little game without you even knowing."

"Let's wrap this up", Arrow pulled Slade to his feet.

"You played his game, too. You are the one going to prison", Canary said.

"Not for long", Slade shrugged, "We all know how it goes."

"At least, your trial will be over quickly now", Arrow looked at the Conductor's dead body, "Can't get more damning than that."

Slade shrugged. He was quite satisfied with the way things had turned out. Some prison time was nothing compared to the satisfaction of seeing Luthor go down.

And maybe there was a miniscule part of him that was glad that Nightwing wasn't dead. It certainly would be less entertaining without the kid around to make things interesting.

Jason had barely moved the past few days. He had mostly laid on his cot waiting to be brought in front of a judge so that he could be transferred to Blackgate. Jason made himself no illusions where he would end up. All the supervillains were locked up in Blackgate – the only prison in America designed to hold lunatics with powers. Red Hood was very much a supervillain, and he would probably get the highest sentence possible because he had refused an attorney.

Red Hood had confessed to all his crimes when the police had interrogated him, only keeping quiet about Batman and Nightwing. Everything Nightwing had been involved in, Jason had taken the complete blame for. N didn't need more criminal baggage clinging to him.

Jason would get several lifelong sentences anyway. What would be another 50 years?

"Jason", a quiet voice said.

Jason turned his head to see Nightwing in front of his cell. He hadn't noticed the Talon approaching. Jason must be getting rusty.

"What the hell are you doing here, N?", Jason raised his voice, "What if they see you?"

Nightwing tilted his head as if to say: 'Really, Jason?'

"Never mind. I still don't get why you are here", Jason's voice was dripping with bitterness.

"Get you out of course", Nightwing approached the lock and picked it with his claws.

"I'm not leaving."

"Ridiculous, Jay", Nightwing said, "You come with me."

"No, N. I'm staying here. There is nothing you can do about it."

Nightwing's face darkened. He kept picking at the lock. It looked more like obsessive scratching now than a genuine attempt to open the door.

"Stop it", Jason said.

"Make me."

Jason jumped up, approaching the bars: "This is my decision. You can't take it from me."

Nightwing halted: "You throw your life away."

"I deserve it. I tortured people to death N. People who couldn't defend themselves."

"I know what you do", there was simmering anger in Nightwing's voice.

It made goosebumps rise up on Jason's arms. He had never heard N talk like this.

"I'm sorry", Jason said.

"You allow Themis get to our family. You hurt B very much. You betray him."

"I know. I don't deserve you."

"So, you just give up?"

"lt's about accountability."

Nightwing's face darkened: "Take accountability for your family. You destroy it. You and Bruce because you always fight and you not compromise."

"I know that I deserve to be punished", Jason raised his voice, "That's why I'm here."

"And what do it solve?"

"I'm not above the law."

Nightwing scoffed: "We never act in law and the law never do anything for us. Even Batman not do. He just not admit."

"Why are you even here, N? You are obviously angry at me. Just leave me here to rot."

"Not can."

"Why?", Jason lowered his voice.

Nightwing bit his lip. He looked uncomfortable with Jason's question.

"I get you out", Nightwing deflected, "Then you talk with Bruce. You apologize each other and fix family."

"It doesn't work like that. You can't force it, N."

Nightwing crossed his arms: "Bruce already say that I not good enough for make you fix it."

"I'm sure he didn't say it like that."

"He not need say. I understand what mean."

Jason sighed. Nightwing was stewing in some heavy abandonment issues.

"I'm sorry, N. I know that things were hard for you lately with Bruce and me fighting."

Nightwing looked towards the ground.

Jason came closer to the bars: "You were hurting from the leak and Bruce and I made it worse by not supporting you as much as we should have. We were involved in our little feud – and I in my mission."

"You jealous because Bruce and I get along."

"I was – every time I saw you interacting. I was stupid", Jason said, "You deserve to have a Dad, N."

"You, too. He love you. Why you not see that?"

Jason shrugged. Now, he was the one who had been asked an uncomfortable question. Unpacking his daddy issues wasn't Jason's favorite activity.

"You're scared of our family breaking apart?", Jason asked.

Nightwing nodded.

"You don't need to. Maybe our family is less intact than we both want it to be. And maybe it's not like some model family in some glossy magazine. But Bruce loves you and he's there for you. I'm there for you, too. You can visit me whenever you want. We can still have our brother day."

"Promise?"

"You'll always know where to find me", Jason said.

"I still can get you out. Whenever you give sign."

"I need to be here. At least for now."

"Why?"

"Because the mission made me a monster. Red Hood turned from a champion of Gotham's people to a tyrant who slashed himself through Gotham's underground."

"You not Red Hood. You be Jason Todd."

"Jason Todd mixed those pills under B's food. As much as we want to divide ourselves from our alter-ego, it doesn't work. That's why I need to stay here."

Nightwing turned his head away, clenching his jaw: "You save me, Jason. I owe you always."

"You don't owe me anything", Jason said.

"If you not find me, I become villain."

"No, you-"

"Not lie, Jason. I be right there ready for be mold. Just need right person come along – someone like Black Mask and I be a monster forever. But you take me in and teach me be human. You good person. Good person not sit in prison for whole life even if make very bad mistake."

"It's my decision, N."

Nightwing tilted his head, frowning. He seemed surprised by Jason's insistence, less inclined to brush it off. Jason sighed in relief. It was hard to argue against N busting him out. Not when freedom and the life of an outlaw looked so appealing.

Nightwing paced in front of the cell, thinking out loud: "If Red Hood find me today, like I be years ago in that alley, Red Hood take me in? Red Hood show me that I be human? Or Red Hood kill me for be monster?"

Jason felt himself tense. It was a loaded question. He had always prided himself on treating Talons as human. On seeing behind the façade.

The Red Hood who had tortured people to death in Arkham wouldn't take the time to look behind the façade. He would see a threat – something inhuman. He would see the murderer of Themis' sister. He would seek revenge.

Jason wished it wasn't true but he couldn't trust his scewed judgement. Red Hood was unpredictable. An unstoppable force in pursuit of his bloody mission. Red Hood – Jason – needed something to keep him in check. Accountability.

Nightwing tilted his head in the other direction. His face fell when Jason didn't respond. The long silence was answer enough.

Nightwing stumbled back.

"I'm sorry, N", Jason felt like a broken record.

N's face turned into a blank mask: "You be right. You need this."

"I never wanted to hurt you."

"Too late, Jason."

The coldness in Nightwing's voice raised Jason's hackles. It made Jason feel sick.

"I not can fix this. You need fix."

"You are right", Jason said, "This is my problem, N. I understand if you don't want to see me-"

"Stop there, J", Nightwing said, "I visit you. Nothing keep me away. And you give me sign if feel like ready and I take care for get you out."

"Thank you, N", Jason said, "I love you. Saving you was the best decision I ever made. I want to be that Jason again."

Nightwing bit his lip, tears filling his eyes: "Love you, too, J. Very much. I hope you find what you look for."

"I'm closer to him than I was a few days ago. But I need time", Jason said, "I'm scared that I'm turning into my father."

"You not be Willis. You too good for be. Always. Willis would not stop himself. He would keep hurt people."

Jason bit his lip. He wished that he could believe Nightwing.

"I'm proud of you, N", Jason said, "I heard about your interview."

Nightwing lightened up: "I proud that you come back from abyss."

Jason chuckled, tears in his eyes: "Quite the fancy word you got there, N."

"B say often. He be very dramatic."

"Good old B", Jason shook his head, "What are you gonna do now? My life is pretty much set at least for the next few years."

"I go Fawcett."

"You're getting your man back", Jason teased.

"If he want me back."

"He'd be an idiot if he didn't."

Nightwing chuckled: "I pretty sure he want me back because he try kiss me last time we see."

"Tried?"

"I stop him. I not ready yet."

"But you are now?"

Nightwing nodded, the energy returning into his movements: "Also have to make Wally wait for bit because he dump me."

"Playing hard to get?"

Nightwing grinned. Jason had barely seen this expression on him. He was seeing a lot of things in Nightwing for the first time.

"Just a bit. Wally right for dump me because it what we both need. But he also need learn that he not can just dump me. Make sense?", Nightwing tilted his head.

"In your overly convoluted way that is influenced by a mixture of Batman-strategy and romcom logic?", Jason teased, "Don't worry. It makes sense, N. This is the kind of ninja-strategizing that West is into."

"Good luck, Jason. I visit soon."

"Good luck, N. I hope you two dorks get it together."

Nightwing reached for Jason's hand through the bars, squeezing it. Jason cherished the brief contact. It would be a long time until he would receive it again.

N pulled back and vanished in the shadow. Jason sighed and fell back onto his cot. He had no right to feel sorry for himself. Not when he had chosen this solitude. Jason was doing this to rediscover his old self. His better self.

Jason could always end it with a signal to N but that would mean giving up. Jason Todd wasn't a quitter.

AN: You can rip me apart for keeping Jason in prison. *hides* He has a lot he feels like he has to atone for. But he still has the Nightwing-out if he wants it.

Poor Bruce. You really hurt your dad, Jason!

At least, Slade killed the Conductor. Maybe I don't have to hide under my keyboard after all.

Next chapter, we'll finally have the long awaited Birdflash-reunion (I already have some scenes written hehehe). Nightwing is on his way to Fawcett. Will Wally want him back or did he play too hard to get? (We all know the answer to that one ;)

Also, the truly burning question on everyone's mind: Will Nightwing meet Josh?