Be Able to Hide the Anger

"Uhhh is she mad at me? I think she's mad at me," Tim asked gesturing to a very clearly upset Zatanna.

"Grrrrr."

"Uhh don't uh don't worry about her," Dick tried to mitigate the tension, "See, Zatanna and I have a um morning routine. It's kinda how we start our day and uh get everything on track. So, Zee here gets upset when uh she doesn't get to finish…the morning routine. Um yea…."

"Grrrr," Zatanna continued growling and pouting.

"Ah ok then. I'll just get right to the chase then. I want to join your team."

Confused, Dick and Zee looked at each other before looking back at Tim.

"Team? As in you want to join the police?" Dick asked.

"No. Your superhero team."

"Whoa whoa there, kid. Who says that we're superheroes?" Zatanna asked back, "He's just a detective and I'm a cute stage magician. Nothing super here."

"I figured you'd say that. But honestly, you two were so cool last night as Nightwing and Nightingale. Like, Dick over here was flipping and jumping and took out so many thugs. And Zatanna! Oh man a swing kick to the face and then a whole force push. You two were like the perfect team!"

"I mean that's great and all, and of course we're glad those two saved you, but sorry, Tim. You probably have the wrong people," Dick tried to deflect any inkling of his and Zee's true identities.

"You're really gonna make me do it huh?" Tim asked.

"…..Do what?"

"Prove that I know you two are Nightwing and Nightingale," Tim answered defiantly.

"I mean I really don't think there's any connection," Dick shrugged.

"Ok. Welp. After I saw you two last night, I went to the library to do some digging. I went through nearly every newspaper issue mentioning Nightwing. I sorta ignored Nightingale since there's barely any mention of her," Tim started explaining.

"Hey!...Uh I mean eh you're probably right," Zatanna interjected.

"Anyway, based all reports Nightwing started popping up about a year or so ago which led me to believe that he wasn't a local but more a transplant who moved in from somewhere. From the look I got of you, you looked like a pretty young guy. Still spry and in your prime. Lots of agility and acrobatics. And very fit. I estimated your age to be somewhere between twenty and twenty-six. Height is about six feet-ish give or take an inch. Dark hair obviously. Your armor looked pretty fancy and expensive. So, I started out looking at rich dudes in the area. But then I remembered you had mentioned the Nine-Nine. So, I looked up the staff profiles. By the way, why are Hitchcock and Scully still employed?"

"We don't know. Nobody does," Dick answered.

"Uhhh ok. Anywho, that's when I found your profile. Then it all started coming together. Twenty-one, perfect age. Comes from a family of acrobats. That took care of the training. And you are the current and sole heir to the Wayne fortune. That explained the money. From there, girlfriend was stage magician Zatanna Zatara though admittedly it took a while to accept that magic was real. And lastly, it wasn't that far of a jump to billionaire Bruce Wayne parading around as Bat-"

"Alright alright!" Dick interrupted, "You've made your point. Let's move on. What are you asking for again?"

"I want to be a hero. To join your team."

"That's uh….That's a tall order, Tim."

"Dick's right. Being a hero isn't a glamourous and adventurous as you think it is," Zatanna tried to reason with him.

"Yea, but I'm not in it for that."

"Ok, why are you asking then?"

"I just….I see you guys working hard and making a difference. When I found out who you and Bruce were, when I found out you were orphans like me, I kinda felt like I could grow and become better than what I am now."

"But what about your father?"

"Pft my father only comes around when he needs money or a lookout when he's pulling jobs. I barely know the guy. And I'm tired of going from orphanage to orphanage and then from foster care to foster care. Not a lot of people know what it feels like to be angry in your bones. I mean they understand of course. Everyone understands. But no one really knows how it feels. To feel abandoned even when you have a father right there. They just expect the little angry kid to move on. But then he doesn't. So they suddenly they stop understanding, and they pass you off. I want to learn from you two and from Bruce. How to hide the anger. How to practice smiling in the mirror. How to put on a mask."

"Tim that's….that's some heavy stuff. I can tell you right now though, it doesn't get any easier," Zatanna tried to console him.

"Right. But at least I'd be around people who know how it feels."

"….uh look even if I wanted to, I can't take you in here. I'll have to talk to Bruce," Dick offered.

"Really?" Tim perked up.

"Uhhhh excuse us, Tim. Dick, bedroom, now!"

Zatanna got up from the couch dragging Dick with her. Stomping towards the bedroom, she pushed him in and shut the door behind her.

"You're not actually considering this are you?" she asked.

"I mean…."

"Dick! You can't bring Bruce a new kid just after Jason died. It's it's crazy. He's still in mourning!"

"I get that. Honestly, I am too. But I think there's something unique about Tim. And maybe he'd be good for us, y'know in the healing process."

"He's gonna think you're insane."

"C'mon, Zee. I think you can give him at least a little more credit."

"You're insane."

"C'mon Bruce!" Dick pleaded.

"You seriously think I'm going to take another boy under my wing after what happened with Jason?"

"I mean look it is a bit soon, but maybe y'know, he can help us heal and uhhh move on."

"Hmmm."

"Bruce, I shoulder as much guilt over Jason as you do. And every day I wish things had gone differently. But Tim is smart. He figured out all our identities using simple data mining in less than ten hours. He's got a fire in him. He's got determination. I think we can make him into something."

"….We can't just take in every kid we think has potential."

"I know I know. But we're inspiring people. That's the goal whenever we wear these symbols on our chests. This kid is inspired by us to try and do the right thing. The least we can do is give him the tools so that he can live up to his potential. And y'know, we'll learn from our mistakes."

As father and son argued over accepting Tim into the family, Diana stood by at the side munching on a plate of nachos. She then handed the plate over to Zatanna who took handful before offering Tim a bite.

"So, are they always like this?" Tim asked.

"Yup. Lots of back-and-forth dialogue. They're each other's sound board. Normally they talk in circles a bit longer, but I think Dick is wearing him down. What do you think, Diana?"

"I'd say so. Honestly, I'm just happy to see him not moping. For Hera knows how long it's been wake up, deal with Wayne Enterprises, come home, beat up criminals, and then stay up all night down here before sleeping in one of the cots. We don't even sleep together anymore. I don't even remember the last time he touched me."

"Ewwww TMI Diana!" Zatanna cringed.

"What? You and Dick make love pretty much every day."

"Yea but you and Bruce are like…are like our parents. It's weird!"

"That's…..that's really sweet of you to think of us like that," Diana smiled softly.

"Yea well, you and Bruce have been there for Dick and me through some tough times. I really appreciate it. The argument could be made you saved our relationship back during that whole Mystik U debacle we had."

"I'm sure you and Dick would have worked things out together. I simply added a little nudge."

"Even so, it's still wonderful and great support from you. We're all still growing and having strong parental figures like you, Bruce, and Alfred greatly impacted our lives. We needed a family, something that TIM COULD USE TOO Y'KNOW!" Zatanna shouted at Dick and Bruce.

"I'M WORKIN ON IT!" Dick shouted back.

Massaging his forehead, Bruce finally stood up and walked over to Tim. He eyed the boy up and down before crossing his arms. Tim stood completely still awaiting the final verdict from the caped crusader.

"Rule number one: You give me everything you got," Bruce started.

At this, Tim grinned gleefully but immediately wiped it off his face. He put his arms at his sides, his feet together, and straightened his back.

"Rule number two: You then give me more."

"Sir, yes, sir!" Tim saluted.

"Rule number three: I make the rules."

"Watch out for that last one, kid. It's a doozy," Dick joked.

Rolling her eyes, Zatanna lightly elbowed him.

"And you," Bruce pointed at Dick, "You're going to help me train him."

"Of course. I'll be with him every step of the way."

"Good. Tim, go upstairs. You'll find Alfred waiting to help settle you into the manor. He'll lay down the ground rules," Bruce gestured to the elevator.

"Oh this is gonna be so cool! Thank you so so much! You won't regret it," Tim excitedly ran up the steps.

Diana smiled before walking over and leaning onto Bruce's shoulder.

"Getting soft in your old age," she kissed his cheek.

"Kind of ironic, isn't it Dick?" Bruce asked, "With Jason you were vehemently against taking him in. Now it seems like the roles are reversed."

"Circumstances are different. You and I won't be able to live with ourselves unless we can prove that we can do the right thing. In this case, it's being able to mold Tim into a good man."

"Except….I already know I can raise a good man," Bruce smiled before placing a hand on Dick's shoulder, "I'm looking right at him."

"…..Thanks, Bruce."

"A good man? He's the best man. He's my man!" Zatanna kissed Dick on the cheek as she hugged him from behind.

"Should we tell them?" Diana asked coming up from behind.

"Diana! It's too soon!" Bruce chastised.

"What's the difference? You're gonna tell the rest of the team soon anyway. The decision's been made. Dick and Zatanna are here right now. Besides, don't make me get my lasso. I know in your heart these two are your favorites."

"….Tell us what?" Dick and Zee asked in unison as they looked at each other with puzzled glances.

"Sigh. Well," Bruce began, "the league has unanimously decided to induct the entire original team in as full members. You, Zatanna, and the others are going to be official members of the Justice League."

There was a momentary pause as Dick and Zee processed what Bruce had just told them. The big time. Real genuine Justice League heroes. They weren't going to be sidekicks or afterthoughts anymore. Of the two, one practically jumped with glee. The other was oddly not very enthused.

"Really? Full membership? The whole shebang?" Zatanna eagerly asked.

"Yes. All the perks. ID cards, uninhibited access to the Watchtower," Diana listed off.

"But also, a public introduction including a press conference. As leaguers, you'd be well-known heroes across the entire world," Bruce warned.

"Oh my gosh Dick! We made it! We made it!"

She hugged him and practically jumped in circles. Dick to his credit let her drag him along and jumped with her to supposedly share her glee. Bruce noted Dick's rather indifferent response and looked to Diana for guidance. She only shrugged.

"Maybe he needs a little time," she whispered.

"Ok, well," Bruce turned back to the couple, "it's a big decision. Really think about it. Technically, we weren't supposed to tell you until next week. I guess that gives you another week to consider."

"All of us? Really?" Dick asked.

"Yes. The original eight members. We even agreed to let Roy er Red Arrow back into our ranks, but he's been particularly difficult to contact."

Sensing her beloved's distress, she simply hugged him tighter and kissed his cheek. Something bothered him, and she knew it would be a conversation they'd have with just the two of them.

"It's um it's an honor. Really. Thank you, Bruce, Diana," Dick meekly smiled.

"Dick and I will let you know of our decisions as soon as possible. We really appreciate you guys telling us. We just need a little time," Zatanna stepped in.

"Of course. Take all the time you need."

Back at the Arconia, Dick and Zee decided to take the rest of the day off thanks to all the hubbub with Tim. When they got home, Zee brewed some tea and settled on the couch. Wanting to relax, Dick rested his head in her lap while she scratched and massaged his scalp.

"You wanna talk about it?" she asked, "We don't have to if you don't wanna."

"…..I'm kind of torn," he answered.

"Hmm."

"It's weird really. I've dreamt of this ever since I started out as Robin. I waited so long to hear him say those words. To hear him tell me that I'm joining the League."

"And yet…."

"And yet, I don't feel….anything. I'm not excited or hyped up about it. I feel kinda stale."

"Oh? And why's that?"

"I just….I don't know if I'm ready for that kind of stage just yet. Joining the League means putting my face out into the world. Well, my masked face but still. It's kinda a big leap going from protecting Bludhaven to protecting the world."

"You feel a little out of scope, don't you?"

"Yea I do! I mean weirdly enough I just want to focus on one thing at a time. I want to stay small. Well, I'm still protecting a whole ass city but I don't want to be pulled in all directions like a fire in Venice or a flooding in Thailand or a giant alien in Peru."

"You're gonna be called to those anyway though."

"Yea but at least for now, I like being a bit under the radar. Course it'd be nice if the police recognized me as a friend here in Bludhaven, but I want to stay grounded for a bit. I want to help the little guy. Both metaphorically and literally. There's still so much to be done around here. Sure I crippled the big distribution of HFS and WHPHY, but I still don't know who the Big Man is. And gah there's still so much corruption in the police. We're just barely weeding those crooks out."

"Yea that does seem like a lot to do. But, hey you should be proud of what you've accomplished. It's been just over a year and you've enacted so much change in this city. You're doing a great job."

"Right. Thank you. But I need to do more. I feel like I can do so much more."

"Oh now I understand. You still think you're shrouded under Bruce's shadow."

"Huh?"

"Think about it. You were sorta public as Robin. I saw that newscast when they first took you to the Hall of Justice. You looked so cute with your big eyes smiling at the prospect of seeing the League. But you were still Batman's partner. Now as Nightwing you want to continue building up your own legacy, your own story. You want to help fix a city and make your own mark first before joining the big leagues hmm?"

"I uh well maybe?"

"Hey, I get it. Firstly, I'm one hundred percent certain they didn't vote you in because you were Batman 2.0. They voted you in because you have proven yourself over and over again how great of a hero you are. You're strong, brave, compassionate, quick-witted. You're all those wonderful things. In their eyes, you've earned this right."

"But Zee…OW."

"Ah ah ah! What did I say about butts," she teased after she pinched his butt.

"This running gag is getting a bit overused, y'know."

"Anyway! I'm guessing that you consider Bludhaven as sort of a personal project of yours. You want to see it through and basically put a big ol' Nightwing stamp on this city. That is perfectly fine. I understand if you don't feel like you're ready. There's nothing wrong with sticking down here and protecting the little guy from drugs and mobsters. I'll be right by your side."

"Hold on!" Dick exclaimed sitting up, "What you do mean we?"

"We. As in you and me. Mister and Missus. We're a team, Dick."

"No no wait a minute. I saw you in the Batcave. You were ecstatic. You could practically jump for the hills. I can feel it, Zee. You want to join the League."

"I mean yea of course I do. But I don't want to leave you. I'm here to support you in every fashion. If I join the League, our schedules might not overlap and we might not see each other often. And I don't want that."

"But what do you want? Truly?"

"I want to be with you."

"Right but what do you want in regards to the League?"

"I want to be able to honor my dad. And you know me. I don't particularly mind the attention. I'm in showbiz. I'm a celebrity. Joining the league won't change that. But it would allow me more opportunities to help people. Nightingale is cool, but I want to be bigger, y'know? I want to be able to inspire. On one of my first shows, a little girl came up to me saying she wanted to be just like me. And I feel like as a public Justice Leaguer I can reach other girls like that. It would be amazing for me to follow in my dad's footsteps and be someone folks can look up to. It's what I want, but I vowed never to leave your side…"

"Hey hey," Dick leaned forward to cup her cheek, "Don't let me be something to hold you back from what you want. You deserve a spotlight as grand as that. I know a thing or two about wanting to inspire and if that's what you want I will support you a million times over. You're beautiful, sexy, smart, strong, fearless. You embody wonderful characteristics that everyone should emulate. Go for it. Join the league."

"But….us? Our time will be divided more than ever."

"Heh. Yea. I think for the first time ever, we want different things."

"Y-yea."

"But hey, you're not planning on moving out any time soon, are ya?"

"Never."

"Then, it's settled. You join the League and let the world know who Zatanna Zatara is. I'll take on a bigger leadership role with the team. That way I'll be a liaison to the Watchtower and we'll see each other more."

"I don't know how often that will be though."

"Every minute counts. Even if we only have enough time for a single kiss in the hallway, I'll take it."

"But what about you? What about Dick Grayson? Once I go public, you're going to be swarmed."

"Please. I lived that life throughout our teenage years. So what if TMZ tries to film me in a candid moment? They'll have to catch me first."

"….We're really doing this, aren't we?"

"Absolutely. I can't wait to brag to all my friends I'm sleeping with a Justice Leaguer hahaha."

"Oh stop! Hahahaah."

"Speaking of sleeping together," he grinned.

Dick grabbed her waist and picked her up right off the couch. Instinctively she wrapped her legs around him. He pulled her into a hungry kiss biting her lip a little.

"Heheh Diickk," she laughed.

"I suggest we continue our poorly interrupted morning routine, wouldn't you say Ms. Justice Leaguer."

"I must say Mr. Team Leader, I like the way you think."

Laughing and kissing, Dick carried Zee back to their bedroom where they remained for the rest of the night…and into most of the next morning.

A few weeks later, Nightwing was typing away at the computer in the Cave. He scrolled through the Team roster to get a look at the new members. He still felt a little heartbroken that the original eight were essentially breaking up. Wally and Artemis decided to retire and finish out graduate school in California. Rocket opted to join the League to work alongside her mentor, Icon. Surprisingly, Conner, M'gann, and Kaldur chose to also remain on the team. That worked out fine for Nightwing as some familiar faces along with Barbara, Kory, Kara, Garth, and Tula would help him whip the newbies into shape.

Tim was steadily improving his skills as the latest iteration of Robin. Donna had brought in yet another young Amazon named Cassie Sandsmark. She was strong and had a lot of pep to her. Her being the new muscle would help tremendously as Donna was considering dipping her hand into politics.

A while ago, as Nightwing dealt with fake Joker, Ted Kord passed away. However, he was working on some sort of alien scarab which somehow attached itself to a kid named Jaime Reyes. Now, to his credit, Jaime embraced the technology and power and accepted the role of Blue Beetle 2.0. Another addition was L'gann aka Lagoon Boy. According to Zee, they've worked together in the past, but she wasn't particularly fond of him. Guess, Aquaman felt that L'gann matured enough to officially join the team.

As it turned out, Karen and her boyfriend Mal figured out that M'gann and Conner were superheroes. Man, this whole secret identity thing was getting harder and harder. Really compelled to be a superhero, Karen studied under Ray Palmer as a research assistant and developed her own tech to become Bumblebee. Mal joined as a sort of secretary to the team to be closer to her.

Last of the newbies was Garfield Logan. In a surprising twist that even M'gann couldn't predict, Garfield obtained shape-shifting powers thanks to receiving M'gann's blood transfusion all those years back. Unfortunately, Queen Bee enthralled his mom to drive straight off a cliff killing her. M'gann was the only family he had left, so now, he joined the team as Beast Boy with the ability to shape-shift into virtually any animal on the planet. Like Tim, he was still raw in terms of training, but that was what Nightwing was for.

Walking up from behind, Conner patted his friend on the back.

"How we lookin….Captain?" the half-Kryptonian asked.

"Well, we're not the 2007 LSU Tigers," Nightwing answered.

"Hmm we got some playmakers."

"They're good. But they're not a team. Not like us."

"Then let's beat them into shape."

Nightwing and Conner entered the main hall with all Team members in attendance. Everyone stood at attention facing the former Boy Wonder and his companion. Interestingly, Conner looked mildly miffed as he noticed M'gann standing very closely to La'gann. Something to follow up on later, Nightwing noted.

"Ok, Team," Nightwing addressed everyone, "Mission briefing starts-"

"Recognized: Zatanna Zatara 2-5. Recognized: Rocket 2-6"

Everyone turned towards the Zeta tube to see the two newest League members enter their old stomping grounds in the cave.

"Justice Leaguers in the HOUSE!" Mal called out, "You girls forget to Zeta to the Watchtower?"

"What can I say? We're slumming it," Raquel answered.

"Speak for yourself, Raq. I'm on a mission," Zatanna corrected.

The Mistress of Magic strode confidently passed Mal. Everyone else seemed to part giving Zee a direct path to her objective. As she got close to her destination, she grabbed Nightwing by the neck and pulled him in for a kiss. Not one to turn down a kiss from his girlfriend, he held her waist and pushed deeper into her lips.

"GASP."

"WHOA."

"DAMN…"

The crowd's reaction was slightly mixed. The OGs of the crew simply rolled their eyes. Cassie and L'gann were shocked as such open displays of affection. M'gann tried to cover Garfield's eyes. Barbara just smirked while pulling out a stopwatch to see how long these two horndogs would go at it.

When they finally pulled away, Zee leaned towards his ear and whispered.

"Happy Birthday, Boy Wonder."

"Say it backwards," he whispered back.

"Evah a Yppah Yadhtrib, Ym Evol," she purred.

"Now it's a lock."

AN: Heyo! Firstly, I'm very very sorry for this really heavy-dialogue/expositional chapter. I just needed to knock out a lot of season 2 set up in one fell swoop hahhaa. But hey, I snuck in that classic Chalant scene at the end! That's gets me bonus points, right? lollolol. We have one last mini arc coming up before we hit season 2 territory. Thanks to all for sticking with me in this story and I hope we can continue to enjoy the ride!