New

Chapter 1

This city, he loved it, he could sit and gaze at the skyline all day, even in the pouring rain. Lightening crackled in the distance and he took that as his queue to get down from his vantage point and blend in closer to the ground. It didn't take him long to do so and he found himself patrolling the shadows until his Comm watch chimed. "Yep?" He answered, avoiding the monitor

"Nightwing, where are you?"

"I'm on patrol,"

"Are you forgetting something?"

"If it was that important I would remember..." He trailed off as he realised what his old mentor was referring to, "shit, I'll be there in an hour,"

"You're lucky it only starts around then,"

"How'd you know I'd forget old man?"

Bruce laughed, "old man? Says the prodigy with Alzheimer's,"

"Ah shut it," Nightwing retorted, closing his Comm and starting home, not to his home, to the Wayne manor, where his formal wear awaited him.

He arrived drenched at the Batcave, receiving an equally drained look from Alfred at the doorway into the manor. "A robe, master Dick," he stated, holding the navy garment out to Dick as if it were rotting food. "Thanks Alf," Dick smiled sheepishly

"Mmm, don't mention it," he replied blankly, disappearing. Dick peeled his sticky super suit from the sweat on his skin, breaking various suction seals that tugged uncomfortable on his body hair. His mask came off last, and he placed it, whilst shivering, on top of the soggy heap before slipping the robe around him. The fuzzy fabric was warm and comforting against his skin and he walked inside, his hair dripping, much to Alfred's distaste, onto the wooden floorboards. "Perhaps a towel, master Dick,"

"I'll use one in the bathroom, I'm going to shower,"

"And clean that mess afterwards I presume?" Dick smiled with some concern and a raised eyebrow. Alfred blinked slowly with a shake of his head and disappeared once again to sort out another of Dick's messes. "I see you finally decided to show up," Bruce came down the corridor behind him and Dick turned, facing a similar smile to earlier. Bruce had a towel around his neck and patches of shaving cream still left on his face, "uh, Bruce, you got a little something.." Dick gestured, with a grin, to the same spot on his own face

"Go get ready," Bruce scowled and Dick exited with a laugh to the quarters permanently put aside for him, where his suit and shoes lay waiting on the bed he never used. The steam from the shower bellowed around Dick and spilt out the doorway around him like a cloud when he emerged, drying his hair off with a towel, another around his waist. The room smelt of musky cologne and soap as he dressed and used his towel to enhance the shine on his shoes. He fixed his bow tie in the mirror before going to leave, where Alfred was waiting for him at the door, "master Bruce wanted me to check that you are presentable,"

"What's your verdict then?" Dick raised an eyebrow

"You're hair is still wet,"

"It will dry,"

"Are your teeth clean?"

"Do you want to smell?" Dick flashed Alfred a smile, however the old man was far from amused, his expression remaining blank. "I would rather not, master Dick, for my peace of mind however, I would request you have some gum," Dick frowned, knowing he had none on him, "here, master Dick," Alfred handed him a piece and disappeared, as usual, leaving Dick to adjust his cuff links, collar and pants and walk down to meet Bruce at the car. "That wasn't an hour Dick," Bruce commented snidely, "in fact you're actually on time,"

"Don't seem so surprised," Dick smiled, striding in front of Bruce and into the car, throwing him a wink before the chauffeur closed the door in his face, much to the mild amusement of Bruce, and Alfred behind him. "What time do you expect to return master Bruce?"

"When Diana decides it's appropriate I suppose, don't wait up Alfred,"

"I'll still be home when you get back master Bruce, wish lady Diana a happy birthday on my behalf and enjoy your evening,"

"Enjoy your peace and quiet Alfred," Bruce flashed a rare smile as he climbed into the front seat.

"No peace and quiet after master Dick presents himself," Alfred muttered, returning indoors as the car rolled off, crunching across the gravel.

They pulled up to the high rise building shortly after leaving, even with a stop to collect Tim and Damian from the hairdressers on the way. Bruce rolled his eyes when he noticed Dick gazing out the window with an exaggerated goofy gawk on his face, causing Tim to snigger but Damian refused to condone Dick and sat with his fathers signature scowl and his arms folded across his chest, his blue eyes burning like drills into Dick's back. He promptly received a shove from Tim and the two scuffled in the back before they were peeled apart from each other by Bruce and the driver. Dick leant cheekily against the car roof, looking over at the pair with a falsely innocent smile. Bruce flicked his dagger stare towards him, receiving an amused shrug while Damian wormed from his grip, kicking Tim in the shin and running up the stairs into the lobby. Tim cursed, tore himself from the driver's hold and, despite the throbbing on his bone, flew after Damian, accompanied by severe death threats. Bruce let a gruff sigh gurgle from his throat and, thanking the driver, he started off, mentally adjusting his common apology for whatever trouble the two of them were going to or had already caused. Dick followed with a chuckle, waving a hand to the car as it left the curb. Inside, shocked hotel guests being used as hiding pillars were scattered throughout the usually composed and elegant lobby. Various members of staff stood around, trying desperately to wrangle the two boys, however they looked more terrified than they were capable of controlling the pair. "Boys!" Bruce boomed. The two of them straightened suddenly and looked at each other, the whites of their eyes glowing from the sockets. The guests hurried from the firing zone and the staff fell back into their places, stammering," Mr. Wayne," & isolated the two boys on the Persian carpet. Bruce glared from one of them to the other and walked slowly to the counter, only releasing them from his gaze when he arrived. He spoke quietly with the clerk and subtly pushed a selection of bills across the mahogany desk and nodding apologetically, directing himself to the lifts. "Come." He commanded. Tim and Damian hurried in after him, shoving to get past each other before Bruce tore them apart to opposite sides of the elevator and Dick stepped in, facing the door with a grin tugging at his cheeks.