Birds of a Feather

5

I spent the night tossing and turning thinking about everything that happened today. I just couldn't make sense as to why Harley and the Joker would go out of their way to leave Gotham. It was common knowledge that the Joker loved to chase Batman no matter how many times he was thrown into Arkham Asylum. However, the one thing that kept sticking out in my mind was the fact that Harley called Nightwing my 'lover boy'. She talked about him as if he were my boyfriend, but I could just be overthinking it.

I looked over at the clock that read 1am and decided that after a cup of tea and maybe some more paperwork I would try sleeping again because clearly it wasn't meant to happen yet. I walked out to the common room in my pajamas and started to make my tea. I walked over to the heaps of paperwork that was scattered around the table and noticed they all were the same, criminal records of the Joker going after Batman and failing miserably. I sat down and looked at the most recent files and noticed they all had considerable death tolls. This was just another thing to add to my list of confusing events from the past 24 hours. As far as I've been aware the Joker has never told citizens to run because he didn't want them, he would kill just to get them out of the way. So why all of the sudden was he sparing lives? I spent the next half an hour scanning through police reports and Arkham's extensive history on the Joker finding nothing that could explain as to why he was here in Jump City. I thought about what Nightwing had said, that they were trying to get to him in order to mess with Bruce. While this was a likely theory, I still can't understand why they'd be all the way out here.

"Didn't know you'd turned into the obsessive one." Nightwing said from the doorway causing me to jump in my seat. "Couldn't sleep?" He asked as he slowly walked over to the couch.

"I thought I told you to get rest and to not put pressure on that leg." I said flatly, not in the mindset for the playful conversation I could tell he was trying to have. He sighed and sat next to me, too close for my liking. I didn't look at him instead continuing to flip through my stacks of papers even though I wasn't really paying attention. My senses were going into overdrive as he continued to look at me with pity getting closer by the second. I could slightly smell the scent of his old body spray that must have still been in his bathroom. As I got lost in my thoughts, I felt him place his hand on my knee.

"Raven we need to talk." He said quietly all hints of playfulness now gone. I looked up to meet his masked face and smirked. I didn't want to have a serious conversation with him, I didn't want to feel all of the betrayed emotions I felt when he left the first time again. "Do you wear that even when you're sleeping?" I said as I reached my hand up and flicked the corner of his mask, noticing that all he had on was a pair of old sweatpants and the mask. His hand caught mine and I could tell I was trapped into having this conversation. I sighed and took my hand back, desperately trying to hide the blush that had appeared on my cheeks. "Raven I..."

"I'm going to just stop you. I don't want an apology or your pity. I've been fine here by myself. I've read countless numbers of books, had the longest running record of keeping villains in prison, gone to countless numbers of charity events, even got to take some classes at the local college. I'm doing exactly what I said I wanted to do all those years ago, I'm getting to show the people that I can be good. Sure, there are days where I miss how things were, but I like to think that everyone does. So please don't think that I'm just a lonely little girl sitting here waiting to be rescued, I'm content here." I said. He looked at me in shock, I suppose not expecting me to say so much. Then he looked down at his hands and I could almost see the frustration radiating off of him. I'm sure my emotions were feeding off of his making me seem more irritated than I really was.

"No Raven, you need to listen. No matter how much you say you're fine and that you don't want an apology you deserve one. You deserve so much more than that but for right now that's all I can manage." He spoke slightly irritated, standing up despite me asking numerous times throughout the day to stay off of his leg. "Raven, I need you to know the reason I left." He said looking at me sadly. I could feel shame, which was throwing me off, I wasn't sure why he would ever be ashamed of himself. "I already know why you left. You told me the villains here just weren't tough enough and you wanted to help out in Gotham where they were getting out of hand. I supported your decision you really don't need to apologize." I said.

"Raven that's not why I left." He said quietly, sitting back down on the couch and putting his head in his hands. I waiting patiently for him to continue, noticing how his breathing was getting faster. I'd never seen him this emotional before, scared yes but never sad.

"I was scared. Everyone had left and back then I just assumed it was because of me not being a good enough leader. I know now that's not what it was, but it seemed right at the time. Then when Star broke up with me and left the next day, I knew I couldn't stay. I knew if she was gone you would leave, and I couldn't stand the idea of my whole team leaving me. So, in my head it made sense to be the one who left, even if it hurt my best friend." He said looking up at me, probably to judge my reaction. I remained expressionless wanting to hear the rest of what he had to say before I spoke. "Raven, I wanted to come back immediately. As soon as I got to Gotham, I remembered why I left. But once Bruce found out I was back; he took me back in to become a mentor for the new Robin and to help him with the crime rates. I couldn't escape and believe me I tried. In fact, I was trying to get back when Scarecrow found me. He's the one who gave Joker the idea to come here. Raven, I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry I left you all alone. It was selfish and stupid, and I just really hope you know I'll do anything for your forgiveness." He said. I nodded trying to take in the information. Just as I was about to respond the red lights and alarm rang throughout the tower. I sighed in frustration and looked over at the computer screen to see a picture of Killer moth.

"Doesn't he have anything better to do at 2am?" I mutter to myself as I go to turn the alarm off. I turned back around and started to walk to my room to change. When I reached the door, I turned around and saw Nightwing still sitting with his head in his hands. I walked back over to the couch and squatted in front of him. Years ago, me being this close to him would have led to something in the room breaking from the extra emotions. I gently put my hands on his and moved them away from his face. He looked at me with a sad look on his masked face and I did something I would never have had the courage to do before today. I gave him the tightest hug I've ever given someone. A part of me was sorry for him and another part of me just longed to have my best friend back. I could feel the shock run through his mind and then it subdued into a feeling of relief. I pulled back from the hug and stood up to go change again.

"Youstay here and rest your leg. I'll be back soon so we can finish our talk." Isaid with a gentle smile.