For the Love of Nightwing

The Funeral

Dick's P.O.V.- 3 Months Later

       I woke up early that day. I dressed myself slowly, tying my black tie around my neck multiple times until I was satisfied. I wanted to look perfect today; I couldn't help but cry. Everytime I made a knot with the black, silk fabric I would shed a tear at the thought of how Dolly would love to tie my ties before big events.

      I buttoned the golden cufflinks on each of my sleeves. My dress shirt was white and my tux was black. Today was her funeral, we would have a national one for Blue Jay, but Dolly would only be celebrated by Gotham- as the daughter of Bruce Wayne, the girl everyone loved, the girl who volunteered with kids and the elderly, the sweet girl who raised money for animal shelters, not the girl who's saved the world more than twice.

      The story was that Blue Jay died protecting Dolly from the kidnapper, but Blue Jay was killed and Dolly was taken. Bruce and I had to make a public announcement as Batman and Robin about the tragic death of Blue Jay and how her funeral would be open for anyone who wanted honour the national hero. It felt nice to know I would be able to say goodbye to both parts of her.

       At the moment I was on my way to Dolly's funeral. I got into the black limo, unable to look at the spot across from me where Dolly sat the day Bruce adopted her. I ran a hand through my hair, sighing and tilting my head back. Bruce gave me a pat on the leg, his smile was sad, yet comforting.

    ~Time Skip~

       I sat in the front row of the funeral service. It was outside and all the citizens of Gotham were there. Everyone wore black, everyone was crying.
"She never finished high school." I mumbled, "She never went on a date. She'll never get married, she'll never have kids, she'll never have a job. She'll never do anything again." I tried to keep myself composed but there are some things even Batman and Robin can't do. I didn't cry until I saw Bruce was.

      "She was a great girl. She would've been so excited about the new team." Bruce whispered. He was referring to the Teen Titans- a new group much like our Young Justice League. I would be leaving for it in two months time, Dolly was supposed to come with me...

       I looked at the open coffin, getting the urge to go to it. Dolly looked so much like a Barbie Doll that if you didn't know better you would mistake the mannequin in the box for her. Granted we bought the best people money could buy to create a body for the funeral, but it couldn't have been to difficult. I chuckled to myself as I tucked a locke of plastic hair behind the fake ear.

      It looked just like Dolly, from the naturally rose dusted cheeks, to her bubblegum pink lips. Her fan of long, black eyelashes and her perfect nose. I knew that under those pale eyelids the mannequin held only glass orbs, but I knew that the real thing had cerulean eyes that could see into your soul and make you fall in love. I may be with Zatanna but I will always love Dolly. I wouldn't even have to think once to leave Zatanna if Dolly were here. No one compares to my DJ.

      I felt Zatanna come up behind me and wrap her arms around my waist.
"Hey, babe." She cooed.
"Not now." I told her as I squirmed out of her grasp.
"You aren't still hung up on her, are you? I mean, she's dead. You need to stop thinking about her and focus on me." She reasoned, once again taking ahold of my hand. I yanked away from her.
"We are done, don't ever talk to me again. You aren't welcome at my sister's, best friend's and love of my life's funeral." She pouted for a moment then stormed off.

~1 Week Later For Blue Jay's Funeral~

      I expected the second time to be easier, but it was harder going to another funeral for the same, but different, person. Instead of solid black today I wore a blue tie and sapphire cufflinks with another white dress shirt. Once again, I sat in the front row. I came today as Dick Grayson- they boy who came to honour the one who tried to save his sister, not her best friend or boyfriend, which is what I really was.

      There was no body, just a black coffin with a glass lid that portrayed all of Blue Jay's things. Her uniform was folded, the cape was folded in a way that showed off the cobalt blue that lined the inside. On top of her clothes sat her mask, beside the stack were her gloves, those were laid on top of each other with the thumbs overlapping. Next to her black shoes was three of her matching blue bird-a-rangs that were fanned out over each other. Then over that was her emptied utility belt.

     The rest of the team was there but they weren't in their suits. Wally walked over to me with a crying Artemis' hand in his.

     "Hey." He greeted glumly. I nodded in response. I looked at Artemis but it seemed that all she could do was cry.
"She- she can't be dead." Artemis stated between sobs, "I w-would feel it in my h-heart, wouldn't I-I?" I took her hand in mine just as a few other teammates sat down next to Wally.
"Who's this?" Megan asked Wally, pointing at me.
"This, guys, is Dick Grayson." Superboy's mouth fell open then formed into a frown.
"You're the boy who's sister got her killed!" Connor growled loudly, earning a few looks. That's when it clicked... I was the reason she was gone.
"That's me. It's all my fault." I sighed as I buried my face in my hands and began to cry.

       I felt a hand begin to rub my back.
"Dude! Not cool! Don't forget he lost his sister, too." Wally reprimanded.
"It's not your fault, Dick. There's nothing you, or Robin, could've done." Artemis whispered in my ear, although I didn't believe her.
"Where is Robin?" Aqualad asked, suddenly approaching us, "I have been looking all over for him but my efforts have been in vain."

    I laughed to myself- something I haven't done since Her disappearance. But something Artemis said stayed with me for years afterward: "She can't be dead. I would feel it in my heart, wouldn't I?" And I'll tell you right now... I didn't feel like she was dead; I just felt like she was gone and never coming back.

     A/N: OMG!!! That's another chapter... I'm so hype for this book. I can't wait to introduce you to my "new" character. Till then, thx for the reads, plz comment (it really helps). XOXO😘😘😘