He's Back! But as our Den Mother?

Chapter 2: Even Heroes Can Cry

~Nightwing's POV~

The Bat Cave was dark, like usual. The Bat Computer gave off the most light as usual. Everything here was normal. Alfie was most likely cooking or cleaning and Bruce was most definitely looking through files. I walked off the Zeta platform and started heading towards the exit of the cave. I just wanted some sleep, or maybe to just wake up from this horrible dream. I took my mask off and threw it into the pile of masks Alfred has been nagging me about for months now.

"How did the debrief go?" Batman said without taking his gaze off the Bat Computer. Great, just perfect. I really didn't need to see him right now. Why can't he do things that I don't know involve not being Batman for once. I guess my silence wasn't the answer he was looking for because he turned in his chair facing me. His face changed from its usual frown to a look of concern. "Dickie? What happened? Are you ok?" The Dark Knight said standing up and walking over to me.

"I'm fine, why do you ask?" I said with a fake smile on my face.

"Dick, you're crying. What happened in the Watchtower." Bruce said, starting to go into Daddy Bats mode.

"Bruce, I'm fine really. Nothing happened." I said, trying to calm him down. I know I can trust and talk to him, but he's going to think I'm a loser, not worthy as his partner.

"Dickie, you do realize I have access to the Watchtower's security system. You don't need to tell me, but I will find out what happened." He said, grabbing my shoulder. This seemed to really get me. I didn't really notice my tears resurfacing. "Dick, I want to help you, but you need to tell me how to help." The Dark Knight removed his mask.

"Have you ever done something that the Justice League didn't like, have you ever done something that saved all of their lives, but they are mad about how you did it." I managed to say this to my mentor. I was trying to stop myself from all out dawling.

"Yes, it was our 4th mission as a team." Bruce said, looking to the air trying to think.

"Were they mad at you?" I said. Bruce looked back down to me a bit confused. He may be the world's greatest detective, but he is almost hopeless when it comes to emotions.

"I mean at first they were. They lectured me that I shouldn't go behind their backs and lie even if it was to save them and that's pretty much all there was to it. Why do you ask?" Batman said. I looked down to the floor. He's gonna find out eventually so better just get it over with now.

"The team was really mad at me after the mission." I said fiddling with fingers.

"Why? What are they so mad about?" He said looking into my eyes.

"Well after everyone found out about Kalder and Arty being alive and on our side, they have all been a little pissed. I expected that but it was far worse than I thought. When we got back, they started calling me a traitor, liar, and untrustworthy. Batman, they kicked me from the team." I didn't even realize that I was bawling till I felt Bruce's arms wrap around my body.

"It will be alright Dickie." Batman said, trying to hold his anger back. "I will go up to that watch tower and kick each and everyone of their asses." This made me giggle a bit through my sobbing.

"I'm sorry." It's all I could think of. "I'm so sorry for being so weak." I was supposed to be this symbol of hope and justice and here I am bawling my eyes out because my friends hate me now. How much more pathetic can I get?

"Sorry? Dickie, what are you sorry for?" He pulled me away from his chest and looked me in the eyes.

"I'm sorry for being so weak, I'm sorry your partner is so pathetic. How can I call myself a hero if I can't even take a few friends dropping me." I said as my tears increased.

"Dick, even heroes cry. Tears don't make you weak. Also don't pretend that these were just friends to you, Dick I know you saw them as your family." He pulled me into a tight embrace.

"I need a break. A break from them. A break from Gotham. Bats, what do I do?" I said, I was almost desperate.

"You could try looking for cities that need a hero. Try a solo act for a while, you could use time to think things over." Bruce said, "Now, Alfred said he was making chocolate chip cookies. Do you want to have a movie marathon while we eat?"

"Only if we start with Dumbo." This was always my favorite thing to do with Bruce, who cares if I'm 18 I can and will still enjoy a good old Disney Movie Marathon.

"Oh course Chum, wouldn't want it any other way."

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~Back at the Watchtower (Third POV)~

"What the actual fuck is wrong with you guys!" Wally yelled as the Zeta Tubes closed after Nightwings departure. "Do you guys even know how many times we have all fucked up? Wing has never treated any of you this poorly after one of your fuck ups. Heaven forbid he gets the same treatment."

"Wally, he lied to us. I could have killed Kaldur." Megan said, grabbing her arm to try and ease the tension.

"That was our fault, M'gann. You cannot blame Nightwing for this mission. Me, Artemis, and Wally, we all agreed to this. He may have come up with the plan, but we executed it." Kaldur said, walking to the middle of the group.

"Exactly! It's ridiculous that you are only blaming Wing for the mission. The mission that saved all of you guys and the entire world." Artemis yelled.

"God I can't take this. I'm going home. I don't know if I'll be back or not." Robin said walking to the Zeta Tubes and putting in the coordinates for the Bat Cave.

"Robin B20" A robotic voice echoed through the watchtower as the third robin left his team behind.

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A/N

Thank you so much for reading chapter 2. I'm sorry it's  kinda shit I wrote this at like 2am. I just wanted to grow Dick and Bruce's relationship a bit more and I wanted to focus more on nightwing in the story and go back to the team in a bit. So yeah, thats all for now, I'll be back soon!