Nightwing: Heartless

Part 10: Wayne Manor

Dick parked his bike in Wayne Manor garage then hopped up the stairs to the main floor. He had an apartment off campus, so he split his time between there and the Cave. It surprised him how easy it was to forget how cold the manor could feel. It was big, yes, but it felt empty. Had it felt more like a home when he lived here?

"Richard!" Aldred greeted him from the kitchen, "I didn't know you were coming home this weekend." The old butler was only getting older, but in Dick's mind he hadn't aged a day. The smile wrinkles by his eyes and the white mustache on his lip were the only true markers of time.

Dick walked into the kitchen and gave him a hug. He was like a grandfather to Dick. "Not here to stay, Bruce asked me to bring Wally by and try out some new gear with Robin."

"And where is Wallace? I do hope he didn't arrive some time ago and I missed it."

"No, he's coming over in a few minutes. Are they downstairs?"

Alfred nodded but sat Dick down at the breakfast bar and set a plate down in front of him. "There's plenty of time for work later. How are your studies?"

"They're good. Third year is definitely more time consuming than second year, but the classes are better." Dick tore a pancake in half and started eating it. They were the world's best pancakes. No syrup needed, that's how good they were.

"I miss my days at university, studying literature and philosophical thought..." Alfred mused. "If you ever need a tutor-"

"I know where to find the best one," Dick finished and Aldred tapped his cheek affectionately.

"How is it possible you're over halfway through with university? Just yesterday you were-"

"Running around in green tights?"

Aldred laughed, "not how I would have phrased it, but, yes!" They both laughed and ate pancakes for a few more moments then Dick got up, not wanting to keep Bruce and Tim waiting.

He said goodbye to Alfred and took the secret staircase down to the Batcave where he was late to the party. Bruce was already working on drills with Tim, trying to improve his speed and agility. He knew they noticed his entrance but stayed focused on the task at hand. Dick leaned forward on the railing to watch.

"You're too hesitant," Bruce told Tim, "you keep dragging your left foot, giving me an opening."

A gust of wind came from behind Dick and he knew Wally was here. He was standing beside Dick in an instant. He grinned at his best friend, giving him a fist bump in greeting.

"Good to see you, man."

"Been ages since we hung out at Bat Manor."

"How's Artemis?"

"Stressing over a Vietnamese Lit paper. It is not pretty. You really saved me by getting me out of there."

The banter was as easy as when they were fourteen. Wally was still the funny man he always was, just a bit grown up now. It was crazy to think he was in a serious relationship. The old Wally would baulk at the idea but present day Wally had never been happier and Dick was happy for him and Artemis both.

"New jacket?" Wally asked, nodding to the red and black jacket Dick wore over a t-shirt. "You always wear your blue one," Wally added, seeing the confusion on his friend's face.

Dick turned away, "no, I lost the other one."

"You never lose things."

"There's a first time for everything." He tried to keep his face neutral but no one could read him better than Wally. Well, Batman could, but Batman would never ask about his jacket. He pushed the memory of where his jacket actually was out of his mind to keep Wally from getting suspicious.