Jason & Dick

Weird Name

Weird Name

"Nightwing...? That's a weird name..."

"It's because I'm a hero. And heroes are weird. Especially with names. What's yours?" 

This conversation had started when Dick had been on patrol. He had been going back to the manor for the night after helping Batman, when he came across a boy huddled onto top of a shelf all by himself. 

"Got that right. Nightwing and Batman are weird names. Mines just normal...it's Jason Todd." the newly named Jason said, his face smug.

"Pfft." Dick puffed out his chest, earning a laugh from Jason. "They're cool names. And Jason is a cool name, too. What are you doing all the way up there?"

"It's not a hero name though. Your weird name hides your real name right?" Jason responded.

"Yeah. That's correct." Dick chuckled upon watching the younger boy. 

Jason shifted on the shelf and shrugged his shoulders. "Avoiding Batman so he doesn't tie me up again..."

"Tie you up? Why?"

"What's your name? I don't think I can call you Nightwing forever..." Jason glanced around then whispered, "I tried to steal the wheels off the Batmobile again. They just look cool and I enjoy vandalizing things."

"Well, my secret identity wouldn't be a secret if I told you my name, silly." Dick chuckled again, leaning in close when he whispered. "Really? You took the wheels the first time?"  

Jason pouted his lips. "That's stupid. Well don't blame me if I call you Nightwing when you're out of costume." Jason frowned, letting go of his legs so they dangled off the shelf. "One wheel. It's how he caught me in the first place and his mask was off so he had no choice but to bring me here. He tied me up though..."  

"One wheel is very impressive. You're brave, you know that?" Dick folded his arms, watching Jason closely. "He tied you up with rope? Like a prisoner? Did he hurt you?" Dick was already preparing a lecture for Bruce on how to treat children.

At that Jason's face illuminated from his child-like smile. "You think so?" Jason looked around the room again. "Yes. Yes and no. If he did then I wouldn't be here talking to you."

"What did he do to you? I would like some details." Dick walked closer to Jason, an intrigued expression coming upon him.

"He didn't hit me if that's what you think happened. I think...I think he put me to sleep because I don't remember getting here. I remember he looked mad so I tried running away from him but he grabbed me then everything went black. I woke up tied to a chair. That's it. Oh and some old guy untied me. I think he was his butler or something..."  

"Oh, I know he didn't hit you. He doesn't like to hit kids. Plus you would have a big bruise somewhere on your body." Dick leaned against the shelf, looking at him curiously under the domino. "Yeah. The old guy is Alfred. He's really sweet. Where'd you live before here? Do you have parents around?"

Jason face immediately became emotionless. "It wouldn't be the first time." Jason whispered and looked away from Nightwing. "I lived in the street and it used to be just me and my mom but I haven't seen her in a long time..."

"Ah, I see." Dick patted his knee. "I'm sorry to hear. If it makes you feel better, we'd be so happy to have you around more often. You seem like fun."

"I guess so but would he allow it." Jason asked. "I don't want to get in trouble by him again and end up blacking out again..."

"He'd allow it. I'd make sure of it." Dick said in a warm and friendly fine. "You won't get in trouble. I promise you."

"Then I'll stay. It's better than sleeping in a box." Jason hopped off the shelf and landed in front of Nightwing. "Uh Nightwing, isn't that suit uncomfortable for you? It looks tight..."

"Oh, you poor angel." Dick said pitifully, patting his head. "Nope. It's quite comfortable and snuggly." He smiled. "I know it might be too tight for your liking. Sorry."

"Angels don't steal wheels." Jason pointed out but he smiled. He tilted his head and walked a full circle around Dick, poking some parts of his body. "I didn't say I hated it. Why do you still have a mask on? What color are your eyes?"

"Well this angel does." Dick turned his head as Jason walked around him, holding down a laugh when he was poked in some areas. "You're very nosy, young man." He chuckled. "My eyes are blue. Are you sure you can handle my face?"

"You're so weird Nightwing." Jason said again but now he couldn't care less if he was actually weird. "What's wrong with that?" Jason asked, putting his hands on his hips. "I've never seen a superhero up close. Do you have powers? Or a sidekick? Are you his sidekick?" Jason eyes widened a bit and he looked excited. "Are you going to show me your face Nightwing? Go on, take it off. I wanna see your blue eyes!"

"No. I used to be his sidekick. I'm my own hero. And no, I don't have a sidekick. But get this, I'm really flexible and strong for a regular human." He crouched down to meet Jason's height. His fingers lifted the mask, revealing his face. "Better, nosy thing?" He smirked.

"Really? That's super cool! What about a vehicle? Do you have your own Batmobile? What about you're own hideout like this or do you share with Batman?" Jason stepped closer so he could see Nightwing's face but mostly his eyes. "I like them," he said simply after he looked in silence for quite some time. "And you're face is...weirdly pretty."

"I have a motorcycle." Dick said with a smaller smile, ruffling Jason's hair. "We share the same hideout. But sometimes I go to my own place add a few other places I know I'll be safe at." Dick studied Jason as Jason studied him. "Why thank you." He stood, stretching his legs. "Aww, I'm flattered you think that. You really are a little angel."

"Can I ride on it?!" Jason immediately asked, jumping up and down a bit. Aside from cars it was motorcycles that Jason liked the most. "So you don't live here?" Jason looked crestfallen. "I'll only get to see you when you go out dressed like this?" Jason smiled again but it was small. "And you're welcome. So will I be sleeping here in this cave?"

"I live here—on occasion—but I'm here quite often." Dick reached down and tilted his chin up. "No, no, of course not. You can see me whenever you'd like. Just tell Alfred and I'll come over in a jiffy. If that's what you want." Dick offered yet another smile. "No. You'll sleep in a guest bed. I can show you where it is."

"You're a lot nicer that Batman." Jason stated. "He doesn't seem to be quite as interested with me like you are...I don't think he even likes kids." The idea of seeing Nightwing whenever he would like made Jason smile again. "Okay. I would like that if you don't mind it. You can show me where I'm sleeping. I might get lost and I hate getting lost..."

"You kidding? He loves kids! He adopted me. He's really great with them, actually." Dick took Jason's hand and led him towards the staircase that led into the manor. "My name is Dick, by the way. Make one comment about it and I'll punt you down the stairs like a football."

"Were you my age when he adopted you?" Jason asked, walking with Dick out of the Cave. He frowned when he realized the cave was connected to a manor and he let go of Dick's hand so he could look out of one of the windows. "It's nice to meet you Dick." Jason looked over his shoulder at the male and grinned knowingly. "And it's okay. I'll keep my mean comments to myself."

"I was a bit younger than you." Dick thoughts ran as he reminisced on the old times. "He pulled me out of the juvenile center. I remember being so scared, I had been in the center for a few months, being bullied and abused everyday just after my parents had died." Dick sighed, looking down. "Bruce got me out and later on I became who I am now!"

They had now arrived at the guest room, Dick letting Jason entered and feed his curiosity. Jason's jaw dropped as he looked around the room. It is so big! he thought.  He saw the bed and ran to it, jumping face first into the soft material.

Dick laughed saying, "I'm glad your enjoying yourself. I can't wait to see you more." Looking at the clock he told Jason, "I'm heading off to bed. My room is down the hall if you need me. Night Jaybird."

Dick left the room, but not before he heard Jason whisper, "Night big brother"