Titans Among Us - Dick Grayson

iv . Aqualad

Being in the tower was hard for all of the old Titans. The ghosts in the walls making it exceedingly difficult to relax. However, Avery hasn't found herself tossing and turning with nightmares of the years passed until everyone had moved back in. Alone in her old bed, the poor girl shakes and quivers as old images flood her unconscious mind.

Richard, being the night owl of the group, found himself worried as he could hear her shuffling through the walls. His old room was right next to hers, they had been in such close proximity since they were kids. It's this incessant worrying that lead him to her door. He knocks softly, not receiving an answer. Despite knowing she wasn't in the best of moods with him, Dick opened the door and stepped inside. Out of habit, his eyes quickly dart around the room in case any danger lurks in the long shadows. His eyes soften when they land on the girl, her eyebrows scrunch up and mouth forming a prominent frown as she twists in the sheets.

"Aves," He calls to her, stepping closer. She doesn't wake, seemingly trapped in her own fear. He tries again, now right at her bedside, "Avery come on," Richard persists. He reaches out to touch her, "It's just a dream wake-"

5 Years Ago - Avery's POV

It was a straight run, road robbery. A woman screams as the thugs begin dragging her husband out of the car.

"No, no! No! No!"

"Dad!"

The thugs start rummaging through the man's pockets when I throw a birdarang, a metallic whipping noise flowing through the air until it cuts the man. He drops the wallet and yells. The other thugs pull out their weapons as Robin and I make our descent.

As Richard takes on the one closest to the man, I pick the two near the family in the car. I grab the first man's wrist, twisting it behind his back. He grunts and attempts to kick me, before he can lift his leg high enough, I jab him in the stomach making him double over in pain. The other man tries to grab me, making me elbow him in the side, quickly turning back and pushing the first man down so his head hits the concrete, knocking him out.

The second man lands a punch to my ribs when I'm not looking. I whip around and sweep his legs from under him. Standing in his wrist, I dig my heel in and make him release his weapon, kicking it to the side. I pick the man up by his collar and slam him into the car he came here in. He groans as he lets his body collapse.

I look up and see Robin has taken out one of the men, three still remaining. I turn to the family in the car, "Stay in the car, kid. We got this."

The older child looks at me in bewilderment, "We?"

On queue, Hawk and Dove walk up next to the thugs car, "Hey, losers." Hawk greets, making me chuckle.

"Oh, fuck!"

The fighting quickly escalates, my three companions taking one thug each while I approach the victim. I nudge him, "Sir, are you okay? Can you hear me?" I ask carefully, not wanting to move him if he's at danger of getting more hurt.

The man coughs and nods his head, "Yeah yeah I'm... I'm good."

I give a small smile, linking my arm around his and supporting his back, "Let's get you up," I lightly grunt as the man puts some of his weight on me, allowing me to assist him to his car with his family.

Once I get him settled his wife looks at me with tears in her eyes, "Thank you."

I smile but before I can reply I hear Dove calling me, "Blue! Watch out!"

As I turn and see one of the thugs rushing as me, weapon in hand. I know I won't have time to prepare myself. As I brace for the impact, Robin extends his staff, hitting the guy in the back of the leg making him drop to the floor. The bird then gives him one hit on the head for good measure before looking to me, nodding. I return the gesture and we disappear into the night as we hear sirens wailing in the distance. As we walk a soaked body lands in front of us, I give Wonder girl and Aqualad a smile.