As Dick jumped across the roofs on his way to crime alley, he liked to look down at the people, still going about their business at 2 am in the far below freezing weather. The closer he got, the less people he saw, and those he did see were either terrified, wearing close to nothing, or trying to hide themselves in shadow.

While he paid careful attention to those trying to conceal themselves and noted those that were terrified, he first talked to those wearing very little clothing. Prostitutes always knew what was happening on the streets (and rather liked Nightwing, but hey, didn't everyone?).

He leaped down from a fire escape and gracefully landed next to a woman in cracking red lipstick and a purple bra, which was mostly covered by a tight red dress. Her legs were exposed through the fishnet of her tights but even she had the good sense to wear a thick faux fur coat.

"You look cold."

She jumped, eyes widening, and shoved a clumsy hand into her bag for what he could only assume would be pepper spray, but immediately stopped when she saw who it was.

Her accent was heavy, her grammar was rough. and she smiled in what might have been a seductive smile if she didn't look so cold and tired, and replied "Nigh'wing, sweety. Long time no see, eh? What you doing down 'ere? I been hearin' that you're doing great up in 'haven, yeah?"

Dick, as he always did, smiled at her.

"Case brought me here. can you help me out?"

She pouted at him, and said "Maybe. Jus' no questions 'bout the job, 'kay?"

He nodded and continued with his query. "Do you know where the orphan kids like to stay at night?"

He had decided to take a different approach than Bruce. The simple truth was that people didn't notice these kids unless they had something to offer. And most of the time, no one thought they did.

She gave him an incredulous smile.

"You kiddin', babe? They're anywhere warm. Which ain't easy ta fin' this time a year."

She pursed her lips, finally giving it some thought.

"Ya know, I think some a them hang by that Chinese place on sevent'"

He beamed at her in thanks, and was about to leave when he saw her shiver and turn back to the street. He pulled a few large bills out of a small pocket on his chest, handed it to her, and was gone before he could see her reaction.

It took no time at all to reach the alley behind the aforementioned Chinese restaurant, where Dick immediately saw a group of kids on the cusp of being teens, huddled together for warmth. They shivered, even huddled as they were, but they all laughed at something one had said.

They started and collectively stood up when Dick landed in front of them. They all stood ready to attack, feet shoulder width apart, when the tallest made himself a bit taller and said "Da fuck do you wan'?"

Dick pulled his hands up in the universal symbol for "I'm not here to hurt you" but oddly enough, most of their muscles just tensed even further.

Dick didn't like that, but he chose to address the state of their conditions with Gotham's own vigilantes at a later date. For now, he just had questions.

"Don't worry," Dick said in his kindest voice, "I just have a few questions."

Tall kid put on his commanding face and quickly replied "Yeah? Why? What do you want?"

"I just want to know if you've seen a specific kid."

"Why? What are you going to do to 'im?"

Dick knew that there was no way to deal with this as the ominous vigilante the boy seemed to think he was. So he talked to him like a person.

Dick released his perfect posture and let himself sag against the wall. It caught them off guard and most released their posture in response. Tall kid, who couldn't have been much older than fifteen and was covered in scars. He glared, so Dick talked.

"Look, it's my little brother. We…" and because Dick was Dick, he told the truth. "We thought he died, but now, maybe he's back and he's so lost and we just want him back."

Tall kid blinked in surprise and replied. "You fuckers are crazy. Why the fuck would I 'elp you?"

"Because I just want to find my family. Please?"

A small girl who shared the same warm brown eyes as the tall kid nudged him, and he melted at the sight of those eyes. He closed his eyes, sighed, and looked back at Nightwing.

"Fine, what do ya want?"

Dick couldn't refrain from jumping in excitement and the kid rolled his eyes.

"Great! Have you seen a kid, probably around twelve, showed up like a month ago, bluish green eyes, black hair, about ye tall-"

Dick's description was cut off by the widening of all of their eyes.

Tall kid started to look shocked and pitiful.

Dick did not like that.

"Fuck. Man, that kid? Fuck. I'm sorry."

Dick cried out and took a desperate step towards the kid. Tall kid took a step forward, his hands out in a placating way, and he quickly continued.

"No! No," he breathed, exasperated. "Shit. Just, that kid, he's really, really fucked up."

Dick fought back tears of relief.

"And, well, you gotta know that his brain's not all there. But we" he gestured to the group "stay away. He's just… really messed up. And violent." Adorable brown eyed girl shivered, and her brother pulled her into his side.

"He sleeps in the actual crime alley, the one by tha' old theater some'imes, I thin'."

Dick hugged him, smiled at the little girl, and jumped back up to the roof.

—

Coldcoldcoldcold

So lonely. So afraid. so many eyes.

RedeyeslaughinghahahahahHAHAHAhahahahaha

THUDCRUNCH

STOP WATCHING STOP LOOKING LEAVE

burning

So cold.