Nightwing: Heartless

Part 32: Father & Son Fight

Dick pulled through the Wayne Manor gates. Bruce had been weird all week, more silent than usual on patrol. He didn't even say anything when Dick had told him Tim would have to take his place the other day when Dick went to Lia's concert with Will.

"Richard!" Alfred greeted with a hug. Dick was bigger than the old man now but he always felt like a kid again when Alfred was around. "How are you, my boy?"

"I'm good, Alfred."

"Mm-hm," Alfred hummed with a twinkle in his eye. Dick didn't know what it meant exactly but it was nice to see the old butler in a good mood. "Dinner's almost ready."

"You need any help?"

"I'm quite alright." Alfred turned in the direction of the living room. "You hear that, Mr. Drake, Richard always offers to help."

Tim popped his head in, rolling his eyes, "I did the dishes all week!"

The old man laughed and winked at Dick before moving to the oven. Tim came into the kitchen and sat on a barstool next to Dick. It was moments like these Dick missed living here. Bruce walked in just then, still wearing a suit from the day, standard guarded look on his face. He acknowledged Dick with a curt nod. Dick gave one back, a little confused.

"Thank you for making dinner, Alfred," he said, "Tim," Tim straightened, "good job leading the Team at Lexcorp."

Tim was visibly surprised but suppressed a smile, "thank you." Dick clapped him on the back then opened his mouth to tell Bruce about a hunch he had that Deathstroke was involved with the Light but Bruce turned his head before he could get any words out. That settled it, something was going on. Tim looked from Dick to Bruce then back to Dick, looking for answers. Dick gave a shrug, he didn't have any answers.

"Is everything okay, Bruce?" Dick asked. It wasn't unusual for Bruce to be gloomy but this felt different, this felt aimed at him and only him. If it was trouble with the League he would talk to Dick about it, get advice, so fortunately whatever was putting him in this mood wasn't intergalactic. Out of the corner of his eye, Dick saw Alfred giving him a warning look.

"I don't know, Dick, should I be?" Bruce shot back.

"Is this about when I didn't answer my phone? I said I was sorry."

"And why didn't you answer your phone?" The man stared down his adopted son.

"I was... busy."

"Do you know what you say to me, when you don't answer your phone?" Bruce's tone could cut steel. "It could actually mean a few things. The first is obviously disrespect. For me, for the people of Gotham that could be dying. It could mean you're over this life, which would warrant a longer conversation, not an unanswered phone. It could mean you're already in a battle, or in a meeting, but you usually cancel the call if that's the case, letting me know." Bruce slowly walked towards Dick. The kitchen had gone silent. "And the final thing it could be, the thing that immediately jumps into my mind... is that you're in trouble. Bleeding, alone somewhere, unable to get to your phone, just waiting on me to find your body. Think about that the next time you blow me off for a girl." Bruce turned on his heel and walked out of the room before Dick could fully process what just happened.

Dick looked to Tim's wide-eyed expression and Alfred's knowing look. So Alfred knew... something, too. Dick climbed down from the stool and followed Bruce to his study. Dick waited in the doorway with crossed arms. "I was going to tell you," Dick finally said.

Bruce sighed, his back still to Dick. "I don't need constant updates on your love life, Dick."

Dick put his hands in his jeans pockets. "The thing is, I kind of wanted to tell you."

That got Bruce's attention. He stood across from Dick, arms crossed over his chest, his face a mask. "What are you saying, Dick?"

"I'm saying I like her."

"And?" Bruce cocked an eyebrow. "What? She's the one?"

"I'm not saying that."

"Then what, Dick? I've never kept you from experiencing girls, even a relationship with Zatanna, but our agreement was-"

"-The mission comes first. I know, Bruce, and it still does. Will doesn't change any of that."

"Doesn't it?" Bruce stalked towards him. "Imagine there's an emergency. Bomb about to go off, you get to the scene and see 'Will' is there amongst the civilians. Bomb is getting ready to detonate. 5, 4, 3, 2- what do you do?"

Dick looked away. He knew the right answer, and he knew the actual answer. Bruce could tell as soon as the question left his mouth. He sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, "she does change things, Dick." The older man placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "She makes it more dangerous for you to be in the field. More danger for you, her, and your teammates."

"So, what?" Dick knocked Bruce's hand away, "I'm supposed to be alone forever? Like you? Is that what you want for me?"

"I want you to stay alive. You can get a good lay without risking your life-"

"It's not about that, Bruce! Jesus, we're not even..." Dick ran a hand through his hair, "I like her Bruce. I didn't mean to like her, but I do and I don't know what to do about it."

"That's simple. Cut it off."

"No."

"There's no sense in getting attached this young, Dick."

"Then when? Bruce, I don't want to be a carbon copy of you. What if I want to settle down at some point?" Bruce raised his eyebrows. Dick had decided years ago he didn't want to be Batman, that was part of the reason he needed to go off and be Nightwing, but he hadn't known the idea of being Bruce Wayne was so unattractive until now. Or, he hadn't fully realized it, but he was sure once he said it outloud. Looking around, Bruce Wayne had a perfect life: money, success, a purpose, but Dick knew the truth. Bruce was a traumatized, lonely middle-aged old man that recruited kids into a dangerous line of work to make himself a family

Bruce sighed again. "It's better for everyone if you only attach yourself to people in the life," Bruce held up his hand before Dick could retort, "have you told her?" Dick's silence gave him his answer. "The longer you let the relationship go on without telling her will just make it a bigger betrayal of trust when you do. And no," Bruce held up his hand again, "you can't go around telling girls your secret identity. And yes, it is a lose-lose."

"You can't tell me what to do anymore, Bruce. I won't grow up if you make every decision for me."

"You're right. But when this... phase blows up in your face, don't come to me for help." Bruce clapped Dick on the shoulder and passed him to walk through the doorway. "Oh," Bruce turned back, "so when do I get to meet her?"

"You want to?" Dick raised his eyebrows.

"Of course. If you won't break it off maybe I can scare her off."

Dick chuckled, "she's tougher than you'd expect."

"We'll see."