Reminiscence - A Dick Grayson Fanfiction

Chapter 18 - Error

AN:

I'M BACK! I'm here I swear, alive and all! I'm sorry for dropping off the map like this, but I didn't really have the energy and time to write... UNTIL NOW. Hope you're all staying safe and away from Covid. How the world has changed in a few years because of a virus, huh? Scary... Anyways, things are starting to get better here fortunately.

So, without further ado... on with the story!!! (~°-°)~*

~Frosty~

Set during the events of: Episode 4 (Drop-Zone)

פ×Oפ×

The Batcave

July 23

04:34 EDT

The sound of punches echoed through the cave.

"Focus!" a kick to the shin.

"I am!" Reaper raised his arms to block another powerful punch.

"Focus more."

Reaper grit his teeth. He'd just recently accepted his fate to play hero and he's already covered in bruises. Batman decided to start his training right away and because he saw that close combat wasn't exactly his forte, they were stuck doing just that. For days. Batman would disappear sometimes to fight crime in Gotham, meet with the League and of course, to debrief the sidekick team.

Right hook.

Reaper staggered back. "You know, you could dial down on the strength a bit. Or we could just stop so I can take a breath or something?" he gasped out as he instinctually jumped backwards, away from the assault, putting a reasonable distance between them.

"Don't back away. There's a reason it's called close combat training."

"But I need a break!"

Reaper could see Batman analyze his every move. It was obvious what he was looking for. Now that they were in a controlled environment, he wanted to see how Reaper could handle himself in a fist fight. He was looking for signs of professional training, looking for anything that would give him a clue as to who he really was. Using the promise of 'helping him' get better to his advantage. Who was he trying to fool? The Bat might really have seen something worth saving in him, but the sole reason he was here right now, was to study him like a science project, and Reaper knew it.

He really didn't understand his obsession with all of it though. Wasn't he just one of the crazy Gotham folk? He shouldn't have special treatment then. Was it his age that set the man off, or was it because of something completely different? Either way, something was kept from him, and he didn't like it. Batman knew more than he let on.

"The criminals of the world won't give you a break because you're tired."

Batman charged again.

That's the difference between Bruce Wayne and Batman. While they're technically one and the same person, they also aren't. Really aren't.

Left fist.

Reaper brought up a hand to knock it away.

"Nice block."

However weird it was, praise felt good, when given by a man he knew could take on the whole Justice League, but he doubted he'd ever see the Bat being sentimental while wearing the suit. This and the consciously created difference between the two personas is what made Batman even scarier for him.

The fight went on for few more minutes, until Alfred came walking towards them with a plate of cookies. Even the scary Bat needed his weekly intake of Alfred's chocolate chip heaven.