Nightwing: Heartless

Part 18: Post Impulse Entrance

Nightwing and Robin stood behind Batman's chair as they monitored the Neutron situation in Central City. It was one of those situations the Bat Family was no help with, it required super powers. Which is why all three breathed a sigh of relief when the Flashes, all three of them, neutralized Neutron. Nightwing had cleaned out a room for Impulse at the Cave. The Allen's were a little too freaked out to offer their home at the moment, but the kid didn't seem to mind, he seemed happy to get to know the other Team members.

"You handled tonight well, Nightwing," Batman said with his accustomed gruffness. Nightwing nodded in acknowledgement. He couldn't let Batman know how much he still craved his approval. "Robin," Tim straightened, "you need to go over fighting tactics for speedsters." Tim deflated.

"Do you...do you think you could work with me?" Robin asked. Nightwing could tell he was fighting the urge to look at the ground.

Batman pushed his chair back and stood up. "I shouldn't need to."

Nightwing watched Robin look away to hide his face before dejectedly heading over to the fight mats to start practicing. Batman walked in the opposite direction to the elevator and pulled his cowl off. Nightwing shot a look in Robin's direction and motioned for him to wait, he would be back in a minute, then slipped into the elevator with Batman. Batman stood straight and looked ahead; Nightwing leaned against the panel on his back, not quite sure what to say.

"Batman," he finally started. Batman silenced him with a look, but it just made Dick angry. Why did he still have so much power over him? He had become his own hero.

"Batman," he said again, more firmly. "You're being too hard on Robin."

"It'll keep him alive."

"No, it will crush his spirit."

"Then maybe he isn't cut out for this."

"Bruce," Nightwing let his emotion into his voice. Batman finally turned to face him. "You can barely stand to look at Tim. What do you think that's doing to his psyche?" No answer. Nightwing pushed himself off the wall. "I know you're scared-"

"-I'm not-"

"-You are," Nightwing said firmly. "But pushing him away..."

"Enough, Dick." In this moment, Nightwing didn't see a superhero, he saw a man that was tired. And hurting. "He doesn't need me. It'll only get him hurt."

Dick reached for Bruce's arm, "that's where you're wrong. I know it's hard after Jason-"

"Don't." Bruce jerked his arm away and closed his eyes. The elevator doors opened and he rushed out, leaving Dick alone as the doors closed again.

Dick took off his mask and pinched the bridge of his nose. He didn't know what to do; he couldn't make Bruce feel. All he could do was watch him push Tim away, punish Tim for being alive while Jason wasn't. It fell to Dick to compensate, even though he knew he couldn't, he knew better than anyone no one could replace the need for Bruce's approval. But what other option did Dick have? He shouldn't have to be Batman and Nightwing, but he couldn't let Tim grow up too fast either. Maybe if he focused his energy on Robin he could outrun his own grief.

The doors opened again and Dick pulled himself together, plastering on an easy grin. He grabbed a ball off the wall and tossed it at Robin who spun and caught it easily, smiling in pride.

"Nice catch," Nightwing said as he jumped down to the mats, "show me what you've been working on." He watched Robin work through fight combinations, fixing his form here and there and offering pointers. An hour had passed in no time.

Dick tossed a bottle of water to Tim and put away the equipment they had used. "You know, you did good with Impulse tonight."

Tim scoffed, "yeah right. He ran right past me."

"Which lowered his guard. I couldn't have gotten the jump on him otherwise."

That improved Robin's mood, "really?" Dick nodded and Tim straightened with pride. "Thanks, Dick."

"No problem. Now hit the showers. You kind of stink." Dick dodged Tim's kick easily, laughing.

"So you're leaving?" Tim acted nonchalant but Dick could tell he was disappointed. He knew what it felt like to feel alone in this big house.

"Yeah, but tell you what. The carnival's this weekend, why don't you come with me?" Tim snapped his head back to Dick and grinned, nodding. Dick's phone buzzed from his civilian jacket. He pulled it out: do you want to have dinner with me and my friends tomorrow? Sounds good, he texted back.

Tim raised an eyebrow but kept his mouth shut as he walked past Nightwing to the elevator.