On The Darkest Night [2]

Never Be Alone

20
Never Be Alone
Season Two: Episode 11

It was late. A full moon hung in the Gotham sky. The view from the Wayne Manor was exquisite. Breathtaking, even.

Only problem was, Alister didn't belong there. Not at the manor, not in Gotham, and not on Earth. He belonged on Thanagar.

He stared into the sky. Hoping that if he looked past enough stars, he'd be able to see his home. His real home.

Alister sighed. A chilling breeze swept over him. He hugged himself but he didn't reach for his shirt. This was the only time he could stretch his wings out. When nobody else was around.

Alister jumped at the sound of the window opening. He turned and saw Dick Grayson crawling out. His eyes were still heavy. He must've just woken up.

"What are you doing?" He asked Dick. Alister turned away. He knelt down to grab his binder and his shirt.

"I woke up to pee and noticed you weren't in the guest room. Figured you were out here." Dick explained. He tried not to stare at Alister but he couldn't help it.

"Well obviously I'm out here to be alone. I..I'm thinking." Said Alister. He tried his best to fold his wings neatly for the binder.

The crooks and scrapes on his wings just wouldn't behave. They'd spent years being bound by force. That didn't seem to work anymore.

"Thinking about what? If you're worried about the Hawks, you shouldn't be. They've been doing this Justice League thing for a while now."

Alister shook his head. "I'm not worried. I'm just thinking okay?" He said.

Dick watched him struggle with his wings. He couldn't help but notice the way Alister's Golden brown feathers glinted in the moonlight. They made him look like an angel.

However, when his eyes slipped past Alister's wings and to his skin, he saw something else entirely. Scars. Hundreds of them. On his back, his upper arms, even on the outer bane of his wings.

Dick's brows furrowed.

Alister caught him staring. He sighed and dropped the binder. There was no use in trying to hide his body now.

"Just ask," Said Alister.

"Ask about what?"

"My scars. The ones you've been gaping at for a while now?" Alister hissed.

"I am curious but it's none of my business. Everyone has scars, some more visible than others." Said Dick. He forced himself to look away. Instead, he focused on the stars.

Alister gawked at Dick. He expected an interrogation. Something more Batman from the boy wonder. In the months Alister had come to know Dick, he never let anything go. So why start now?

Alister didn't know it then, but Dick just wanted to make him feel comfortable. Let him know that he wasn't the only screwed up kid on Earth. To let him know that he wasn't alone...

Alister carried Dick into the tower bridal style. "You're okay, Dick, you're gonna be okay. Just stay with me." He repeated on a loop.

Dick's head bobbed as he went in and out of consciousness.