Birds of a Fated Feather (Dick Grayson/Robin x OC) **OC VERSION**

Schooled

Chapter 2! Up a little later today but still on time! Y'know I always see those people talk about "Oh these Wattpad authors always tell the most horrific stories about why they're a little late on their chapters" and okay look it's not like "my house burned down" bad but my boyfriend of a year and a half dumped me literally just a few hours after I posted the first chapter, so I haven't had a chance to write anymore. I have like almost 10 chapters wholly written so that should hold me off for a bit but I have no idea when I'll have the capacity to really start writing again so bear with me, I still fully intend to finish this. Enjoy!

August 3, the day I officially joined the Young Justice League. I could hardly contain my excitement.

It had been decided that I would stay in Star City with Dinah (who I learned was Black Canary's real name) as her adopted daughter. My name would be Caitlin Lance; I'd get to live life as a normal human girl. We decided I could go to school the next school year. Between missions and training, I'd need time to accustom myself to this planet's history and science. I'd be tutored a few hours every week and be ready to start as a high school freshman when the time came.

We also discussed whether I wanted to share this human life with the team. Honestly, at this point, it's not like there would be much to share. The majority of my time would either be spent as Nightingale with the team or on my own studying. Admittedly, though, I was a little wary of meeting new people and figured when the time came to really start living my human life, I'd rather have the chance to have my own secrets than share everything with everyone all at once. Besides, I learned from Batman about the security risks that came with too many people knowing your alternate identity, even if you trusted them: it left more opportunities for villains to hurt those closest to you. Thinking back to the villains who hurt me, I decided it best to minimize the risk of that happening to anyone else.

"Recognized—Black Canary, 13, Martian Manhunter, 07, Nightingale, B07"

My heart was pounding in my chest. I was so nervous, but also really excited! It had been a while since I'd gotten to socialize with humans, especially ones my age. I couldn't wait to make new friends, but of course, as most young teenagers were, I was anxious. My time locked away had surely filled me with countless insecurities. Will they be able to tell I was tortured? Will I be able to hold a basic conversation? If they see me break down... what will happen then?

When I was held captive, there wasn't much to do, other than think. Of course, I'd think about my home, Haly's circus, and how much I missed everyone. I'd spend time wondering why all this was happening to me, and if maybe I deserved it. But I would also look into myself and think about who I was and what made me, well... me. Why was I so attracted to humans? Where do insecurities come from? Why do I feel things so deeply? These kinds of musings led me to be quite emotionally aware, even at 13. I hoped these skills would help me process my trauma and hopefully not be so much of a burden on my new team.

Black Canary cleared her throat as we entered to gain everyone's attention.

Dick gave me a lot of basic information on everyone beforehand, including their names and what they looked like, just to prepare me for all the new faces.

"Black Canary, Uncle J'onn!" Miss Martian ran up to her uncle and gave him a big hug.

"M'Gann," J'onn greeted, "I was... in the neighborhood, so I thought I'd see how you were adjusting."

"A few bumps, but I'm learning."

"That's all I can ask."

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Superboy start to walk away. He looked distraught.

"Stick around." Black Canary seemed to have noticed him too. "Class is in session."

Superboy turned back around and crossed his arms, an annoyed look present on his face.