Simple (Nightwing Fanfic)

Chapter Nine

TW / CW
-death mention
-fighting
-mention of poison
-explosion
I have probably missed some, so my apologies!!

----

Dick was sitting at the base, numbly bandaging his injuries. Slade would occasionally glance over warily, eventually walking over. Slade rests his hand on the younger's shoulder,

"You couldn't do anything about it, kid. But.. you still did a good job, even if it was so stupid."

Grayson lowers his head, his bandaged hand closing into a fist, shaking in pure emotion. The male felt so disappointed in himself. Yes, the man was dead, but he wouldn't even receive a proper burial. He shook off Slade's hand, standing up and looking up at the elder.

"Don't compliment me or I'll start to think you're growing soft."

Dick walked away, closing the heavy door to his room behind him.

-Line Break-

Tim pulled on his cowl, jumping onto his bike and riding off into the night of Gotham. Bruce and Damian were already on patrol and Jason was well.. off being Jason. The boy swiveled between the traffic, leaning down and gaining speed as he zoomed through the streets. The former robin was at a loss. He had all the speculations about Dick, but no evidence to support it. Other than the obvious encounters with the mercenary. He groaned, making his way to a Zeta-Tube. Entering an alley, he slowed the bike, riding it towards an abandoned photo booth. Maneuvering his bike, he allowed himself to be scanned, teleporting him to the Watchtower. He was met with instant chaos as the two teams had to now share the grand headquarters.

Sighing, he was suddenly met with burst of wind,

"Hey Bart"

"If it isn't Red Robin! We've missed the ol' bats around here."

Tim chuckled, shooing him away as he walked further in. Cassie met his gaze for a second before continuing her conversation with Megan, who must have been visiting with Conner. Surprising enough, he saw Jason lounging on the couch, talking with Artemis and Wally. Things were still rocky between everyone. Primarily towards the bats. There was a lot of misinformation going around and just overall, secrets. Tim hesitantly sat down next to Jason, causing a surprise from the older.

"Thought you would be patrolling with the other two tonight?"

"Decided I needed a break."

Wally smirked, nudging into the conversation, "Coming from you? What happened to the Tim Drake I know?"

The small group shared a small laugh, Tim's cheeks reddening at the truth of his words,

"Alfred has been telling me to consider some time to just be a teenager."

Artemis shrugged, leaning into Wally, "He isn't wrong. You don't always have to be the hero."

"But Dick is still out there.."

The boy's response made everyone grow tense, even to the others listening from a distance. Despite the tensions after the Invasion, Dick's disappearance was still concerning. It was clear to be more of a concern for those close to Dick, but they were still all a team. Wally glanced between them, leaning forward to place his hand on the boy's shoulder,

"As someone who has known Dick for so long.. I can promise you this. He's a survivor. He won't let a simple explosion take him out. Nor would he allow Deathstroke to be the one either. And.. it's okay that you haven't gotten him back yet. What matters is that you're trying, right? So.. take a breath."

Tim nodded his head, clearing his throat, "Yeah.. you're right."

Wally smiles, leaning back into the couch as Tim does the same. As the night goes on, Jason is constantly glancing at the younger male, curious to know what is going on inside his head. Suddenly, Tim jumps up.