Nightwing: Heartless

Part 49: A Death in the Family II

Nightwing knew something was wrong by the look on Blue Beetle's face. His scarab was probably feeding him information about the giant blue cyclone Flash, Kid Flash, and Impulse were trying to shut down. At first, Nightwing thought the bad news was that they couldn't generate enough kinetic energy to shut it down, but when the cyclone of energy shrunk and eventually dissipated, Dick knew it was worse. Nevertheless, he ran forward with the rest of his team, searching for someone he knew wasn't there anymore.

"Wait," Artemis cried, "where's Wally?"

"Artemis..." Flash walked towards her as Artemis fell to her knees, tears streaming down her face.

Nightwing couldn't bring himself to watch Artemis's heartbreak, looking down at his feet instead, fighting his own tears. Wally was gone. He was just here, and now there wasn't even a body to bury. He had known as soon as he only saw two speedsters Wally was gone, but now actually hearing it, seeing Artemis fall apart... it was too real. Too painful. He couldn't fall apart now, not here. He was the leader, his Team had won, at great cost. People would be looking to him, so he had to push his grief to later.

**
The lump in Dick's throat hadn't gone away since Wally had died. And now, watching Artemis knock on his parents' door, the lump just got bigger. He closed his eyes briefly and took Artemis's hand, preparing for the conversation ahead of them. Kaldur, Connor, and M'gann had offered to come but it was best if it was only Artemis and Dick. Family.

The door opened too fast, before Dick was ready, but would he ever be ready? As soon as Artemis saw them tears fell from her eyes, telling Mr. and Mrs. West all they needed to know. Mrs. West heaved a sob and pulled Artemis into a hug. Mr. West wrapped his arms around both of the women, shoulders shaking with his own sobs. Wally was their only child. Artemis pulled away first, wiping her eyes.

Mr. West noticed Dick and extended a hand, "Richard."

"Mr. West," Dick's voice failed, "I'm so sorry," his voice quivered, standing in front of Wally's parents. Mr. West shook his head and pulled Dick into the hug.

"Mr. and Mrs. West," Dick started. He and Artemis sat opposite them in the living room, hot chocolate in all their mugs. "I can't begin to say how sorry..." he trailed off and looked down. He couldn't bring himself to look them in the eye. In their tear stained faces. It was understandable if they blamed him. Nightwing was the leader, it was his decision that pulled Wally back in. His order.

"How did it happen?" Mrs. West asked softly.

"He died a hero," Artemis answered, voice thick, "he saved the world."

Wally's parents nodded, absorbing the loss. Mrs. West finally smiled, eyes glistening, "he's such a brave boy, it's what he always wanted."

Mr. West sighed, "we knew this was probably how it would happen." His voice was tired, defeated.

"Parents aren't meant to outlive their children." Mrs. West closed her eyes and put her hand over her mouth to keep from crying. "But most children don't put themselves in danger every day. Or put everyone else above themselves."

"He knew what he was doing," Mr. West said, "it was his choice. We raised our son to be too good."

"He loved you both so much," Artemis said.

Mrs. West smiled at them, "he loved you both so much too."

"If there's anything we can do," Dick started. It was a dumb thing to say, but there was nothing that would make the situation better.

Mr. West fixed him with a hard stare, "you can protect those other kids. Make sure they go home tonight and hug their parents. Then do everything you can to make sure Wally is an exception, not the norm."