Lost Stars

Chapter Twenty One

-Dick's POV-

"Where are you?" I asked, strolling around the apartment. 

"I'm out for lunch," Barbara answered, laughing about something in the background.

I frowned. "Who're you with?"

Barbara hesitated and said something to the people around her. "It's a work lunch. Duke and I are discussing things about the business and his father." Barbara chuckled again before quietly shushing Duke.

"Well, I thought we were going to go to the theater tonight," I pulled at my tie and tugged it off, "but if you're busy..."

"Yeah, I am. Thank you for being so understanding," Barbara said. Whatever jealousy I had quickly went away. I could hear her smile and how much she appreciated that I was leaving her alone. "See you tonight?"

I smirked and nodded to myself. "Of course." I hung up and took off my jacket. Staring out the window, the sun scorched my face and burned my eyes. I rolled up the sleeves on my white dress shirt, grabbed some sunglasses, and went outside.

It was a perfect, summer Saturday. Compared to the other beach-goers, I was vastly overdressed. I was still wearing navy dress pants and loafers. I looked like I belonged on a yacht instead of the beach. I considered dialing up Bruce and asking if I could throw a party on his yacht. That was always a summer staple when I was in high school.

I slipped off my shoes and carried them in my arm. I wiggled my toes in the hot sand and listened to the waves. It had been a while since I had just...relaxed. Being a hero was very stressful. Rarely did any of us get time off to do anything. If we did have time off, the time would be spent talking about serious business just like we were still working.

As I walked along the beach, I forced myself to stay away from any hero work. I put Red Hood out of my mind and thought about other things. Ever since my night out with the boys, Wally and I had been discussing his proposal to Artemis. He still hadn't done it, despite my advice, because he was apparently nervous she was going to say no.

While we both knew that Artemis loved him deeply, I could understand his hesitation. Artemis was not the housewife type. In fact, she was far from it. The fact that Artemis had been in a relationship for that long was surprising. She was not the type to be tied down. And Wally knew that. 

Artemis was very similar to a girl I knew. Barbara liked relationships, that's why we dated all throughout high school. But Athena was like Artemis. The more I thought about it, the more it made sense. 

Athena and I couldn't of worked out. She never liked relationships. Looking out at the water, I accepted the truth. Athena didn't want to be in a relationship. Even if she would've stayed in Gotham, there was a high chance we would've broken up anyway.

I walked past Gotham Goodies and chuckled to myself. I bought an ice cream and thought on fond memories. 

I remembered Barbara and I came to the beach for our second or third date. I had picked her up from her house as Commissioner Gordon interrogated and threatened me. We had gotten seafood and watched the stars on the beach. After a few serene moments, Barb tackled me into the ocean and we both returned home soaking wet. Later that night, we had to go out on patrol still wet and sandy. Bruce scolded us both.

Those were the days. Crime fighting was innocent and we were just kids. But then Barbara was shot. And Jason died.

Eventually, the sun went down. I had lost track of time. It was time to get back into being a hero.

I got into my Nightwing uniform and swung around Gotham.

In the alleys of the city, I saw a couple being held up by a man with a gun. They slowly handed over their wallets. I landed between the couple and the mugger with a smile.