Nightwing

IT TOOK A LOT OF EFFORT to get to a place where they could talk like this again. He recognizes that he didn’t ever give Dick the credit he deserved for all those years he tried when they were younger.  Usually when something is bothering him he turns to talk to Roy, but when it’s about the archer he can’t exactly do that. While he’s trying to be better at this whole family thing, talking things with them might do some good, right? 

“I don’t know, Dick. We’ve been doing this for so long that I’ve lost track.” Jason turns away for a moment, unsure how to word what he’s thinking. He comes over away from the doorway to sit next to the older male though, sighing as he does. “I’ve never dated someone,  okay? I mean, shit, I’ve gone on dates, but nothing serious. I haven’t wanted that with anyone, so how do you just tell someone that?”

Getting to this point wasn’t easy, for either of them. For the longest time, Jason hadn’t been remotely interested in letting Dick into his life, never mind talking about anything that meant anything to him. He’s just relieved that times have changed so much, that they were able to work past everything and reach a point where Jason is willing to try and tryst him. That he’s letting Dick have another chance at being his brother -something he wasn’t good enough at the first time around, he knows. He’s determined to do better this time, though.

He stays silent for a moment as Jason comes to sit down, considering he predicament. Dick can’t say it’s an easy situation for either of them to be in, but he knows both of them - he’s seen the way they both light up when they talk about each other, and he knows it’s not just about sex for either of them. “So you’ve never dated. That doesn’t matter.” Dick assures him gently, a smile still on his face. “Just.. when you feel right about it, talk to him. I get that you guys are happy right now, but.. you could have something more, Jason. You deserve that. And I think at the very least it’s worth talking to him about it.”

[TEXT → GRAYSON]: You can never train too much. I miss watching you do so though, I’ll tell you that.

[TEXT → GRAYSON]: Oh? Send pictures. I could send you some of my own.

Lucas is waiting, still not all that impressed by everything he saw in this place. He wasn’t sure why he was here, but he wanted to see Dick so he would put up with it for now. He watches as people come and go from this lounging area, taking notes on who he knew and who to research more information on.

[TEXT → GRAYSON]: I wanted to surprise you. Come find me.

Now he was wondering if Dick was already running through the halls in search of him.  He wasn’t always the most romantic, but he does try to be in whatever way he could. He doesn’t move from the spot. He puts the phone away for now, but he does move away from the wall to look out the window down at the Earth while he waits for Dick to arrive.

[Text → Lucas 👨‍❤️‍💋‍👨]: I know you like watching me 😉maybe later [Text → Lucas 👨‍❤️‍💋‍👨]: Why send photos when I could just come and find you and you can see for yourself?

He can’t help but chuckle as he sends the messages. The last thing he ever would’ve expected was for Lucas to show up here - he doesn’t know if the man will stay for long or what’s going to happen, but for the time being he’s here and that’s all that matters. Using the security systems and sensors he begins to track the man down, making his way through the corridors as he works. 

[Text → Lucas 👨‍❤️‍💋‍👨]: You’ve definitely succeeded.

[TEXT → GRAYSON]: Tell me, is that all you do everyday there?

[TEXT→ GRAYSON]: I can see why you would be bored, there’s no room in that schedule of yours for some punching.

[TEXT → GRAYSON]: Did I mention there’s already crack on my screen? I hate this fucking phone.

It seems silly now considering they were both here. His daughter already left to explore the place, but he wants to surprise Dick with his arrival. He can’t imagine what it’s like to be stuck here. This was his first experience with seeing it, not sure how he feels exactly. It was sure different from the Carrier, that much he was sure of. 

The two of them have only recently put a label on their relationship, and he was happy. When they met, Lucas wasn’t sure they would end up here considering how long they were at odds when they first met. He flirted with Dick a lot back then, but now they have slipped into something comfortable together. He leans against one of the walls, a foot crossing over the other as his gaze looks down at the phone. How long would it take him to find him here he wonders.

[TEXT → GRAYSON]: I miss you too.

[TEXT → GRAYSON]: I guess it’s a good thing that I’m here then, huh?

[TEXT → GRAYSON]: Jenny is off exploring already.

[Text → Lucas 👨‍❤️‍💋‍👨]: No, I train too. [Text → Lucas 👨‍❤️‍💋‍👨]: I probably train too much actually but it keeps me busy. [Text → Lucas 👨‍❤️‍💋‍👨]: I just finished training actually. Probably due for a shower, I’m all sweaty.

He can’t help but grin as he sends those messages, curious as to what kind of reaction he will get. Lucas makes no secret about just how attractive he finds Dick - and if Dick’s honest, he can’t get enough of it. It’s not that people don’t tell him just how hot they think he is, but there’s something different in the way Lucas looks at him that just gets to him. They may be separated for now, but he has no doubt Lucas’ reaction will still be just as intense as if they were face to face.

When Lucas’ second set of messages come through he sits upright in bed, scrambling to grab for his computer. Within moments he’s hacked into the Watchtower’s security systems and accessed the internal surveillance, scanning cameras and sensors to find Lucas. As he searches he taps out another frantic message to the man, half-annoyed and half-thrilled at the news.

[Text → Lucas 👨‍❤️‍💋‍👨]: you didn’t tell me you were coming! [Text → Lucas 👨‍❤️‍💋‍👨]: Was this all to surprise me? I didn’t take you for such a romantic, Lucas. [Text → Lucas 👨‍❤️‍💋‍👨]: I’ll see you soon

Sending the messages, Dick lets out a sigh and flops back on his bed. He’d be lying if he said it wasn’t good to see his family again, and he’s glad they can all work through all of this together, but.. he misses his life. He misses his job, he misses his city, he’s worried about Blüdhaven and how things will be without him there. Most of all though, he misses Lucas.

It sounds a little childish to miss him when he hasn’t even been on the Watchtower for long, but he and Lucas have only just fallen into some kind of relationship together and the man has come to mean a lot to him. It was the most unexpected development and Dick never could’ve predicted they would wind up here, but they did - and right as they did, everything fell apart and Dick had to retreat to the Watchtower. He doesn’t even know what this will mean for them, when they’ll be able to see each other next, if Lucas will even wait for him, wait for all of this to be over.

Ridiculous, right? He’s like a silly pining teenager.

He lifts his phone up and taps out another message, a frown on his face as he sends it.

At Dick’s announcement, Bruce’s gaze faltered a little, nodding slowly to show his son he was listening. Part of him was glad to have Dick at his side, to be able to work with him, to keep an eye on him to ensure he was safe. On the other hand, he knew how important being part of the force was to Dick, how much he enjoyed having that ounce of normalcy in his life, how good of a cop he was and how beneficial having him around was for the BPD. It was a reminder of how difficult the decision to move to the Watchtower actually was, and why it was vital for them to find a solution as soon as possible. “I can talk to Commissioner Gordon,” he offered. “Make sure you still have a position when you decide to return.”

“It’s for the best.” Considering the situation on Earth, most of them were out of option, leaving the life they had forged on Earth. Although, she couldn’t relate to Dick’s pain but that didn’t mean she didn’t feel sorry for him. She wouldn’t tell him that though. “Well, you can drown your sorrow in alcohol,” she said, “or you can train with me. It’s been a while, you know.”

DICK GRAYSON

“So uh - I quit.” Dick states shortly with a sigh, looking up at them with a rather sombre expression on his face. Coming to the Watchtower under these circumstances is bittersweet - he’s glad he can keep working with the others and help them, but he knew he couldn’t keep up on the force if he came here. “Five years on the force. Five years, man. This sucks.”

Cassandra had a sad look on her face. “I’m sorry to heart that.” She told him before resting her head on his shoulder. “I’m happy you’re here though.” They were not exactly on a vacation but she liked having her family around. They were both busing going back and forth in Gotham and their respective base of operations that they don’t see each other on Earth as much as she wanted to.

All the loving birthday wishes from friends and those she considered family really made Diana’s day so much better. She hadn’t expected everyone to take time out of their schedules to wish her a happy birthday let alone to bring her gifts like Dick had. When he’s stopping her in her tracks, Diana’s grin only widens at the sight of the cookie tin, recognizing the familiar treat. “You don’t have to worry about that, then, because he woke me up with a lovely breakfast in bed. I can assure you it was very romantic.” Diana could never seem to put into words how grateful she was for the family Bruce had given her. It was no secret that the Princess missed her home dearly, unable to return to her mother and sisters. The promise she made of bringing peace to man’s world was something that made her feel a little less homesick, but Bruce and the kids were definitely a big part of that, as well. 

He’s offering the picture frame out to her and Diana is rendered speechless. Memories of the first time she met Dick begin to flood back to her; all the times the League would be in a meeting and Diana would have the young boy on her lap, watching as he colored away in an attempt to keep himself occupied. She thought back to all the times Diana would end up bringing a sleeping Robin to his room. There’s a tight feeling that overcomes her chest as dark hues shift between the gift and the male who was no longer the energetic young boy she’d met all those years ago. She’s welling up and doing a horrible job at hiding it as she reaches an arm out to engulf the male in a hug, squeezing him tightly in thanks. “Dick, I love it so much.” The Amazon pulls away to get another look at the drawing, free hand lifting to swipe away stray tears that had fallen. “Thank you. This is… so great. I can’t wait to put it on my bedside table.” She laughs, happy tears continuing to fall down her cheeks. “I can’t believe you kept this after all this time.” 

Dick has no doubt he’s one in a long line of people who have wanted to celebrate the day with Diana. It’s no secret she’s widely loved - and she deserves it, she’s an amazing woman, kind and generous and loving, she treats people with an amazing amount of care and it’s difficult not to care for her. But Dick’s known her for so long now. She’s more than just a friend, more than just Wonder Woman. She’s a mentor, someone he can look up to, someone who’s been such a prominent figure for him since he first came into Bruce’s life. He doesn’t just want to wish her a happy birthday, he wants he to know what all of those years mean to him. That she’s someone he considers family, she always has been and she likely always will be.

Dick planned this out weeks ago. Well, most of it. He knew Diana’s birthday was coming up and he wanted to make sure he was ready for it, so when he left for the Watchtower he made sure he had her gifts with him. He wasn’t going to let this keep him from celebrating the day with someone who’s become so important to him throughout his life.

He makes a beeline for Diana the moment he sees her, a wrapped present in one hand and tin of Alfred’s cookies in the other. He’d agonised for days about what to give her - it’s hard to give a good gift to someone who either has everything they want, or is dating a man who can afford just about anything in the world - but when the thought finally struck him, he knew it was the perfect gift. “Diana!” He calls to get her attention as he hurries over to her, a wide grin on his face.

JASON HATES THE WAY HIS BROTHER is smiling about this, not sure why it was so amusing to him. It seems terrifying to admit having feelings for anyone like that, especially considering he has never had an actual relationship. He wonders if Roy was part of that reason, but it wasn’t something to dwell on now. He couldn’t stay lost in his own thoughts for too long. He just doesn’t know if he deserves to have something happy, but he was selfish, holding onto every moment he had with the archer anyway. 

“Well what if it’s just about sex for him?” Jason suggests although he was in denial considering how often the two were clinging to each other. It was obvious there was more to it, and he sighs. “I don’t think happy is something the universe wants for me, but thanks anyway. Ideally if I were to end up with anyone, I’d like it to be him.”

Dick probably shouldn’t be smiling the way he is but he can’t help iit. He can remember a time when he and Jason couldn’t get through a conversation without an argument, or worse when Jason wouldn’t talk to him at all. Now, here they are - talking about something that’s bothering Jason, trying to work through it. It’s been a long road, and there’s still things they both need to work through, but.. Dick’s glad they can have this again. He’s glad that Jason will let him in enough to help him.

"You really think it’s just about sex for him? Jason..” He sighs and shakes his head, waving for Jason to come and sit beside him. Whether he does or not is up to him, but Dick wanted to put the offer out there anyway. “The universe doesn’t have to want it. The universe can keep it’s opinion to itself, the crap it’s put is all through.” He looks over at Jason, a fresh smile on his face. “What makes you think all of this would go wrong for you if you told him that instead of me?”

“Are you wreaking havoc on Bruce’s systems?” He asks with a chuckle as he steps over to the desk with two mugs of coffee in hand. One’s for him - he’s having trouble sleeping, but that’s nothing new for him - and the other’s for Tim. He has no doubt his brother has been up for way too long and Dick’s going to convince him to get some sleep soon - but for now, they can spare some time to hang out.

Taking a seat beside the other, Dick takes a look at the screens, raising an eyebrow at the sight of what Tim’s working on as he holds one of the mugs out to him. “How’d you find this stuff?”

“WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?” Jason asks his older brother when he finally speaks up since entering the room. He looks at him with a confused look, eyebrows knit together until it all makes sense. Dick was asking about Roy, which wasn’t any of his business, but he knows that this was a conversation that would happen eventually. Roy was friends with his brother for some reason, that was how they met after all.

The look on his face softens. “Shut up, how could you know?” He goes silent for a moment turning to look away before glancing back at Dick in defeat. “So what if I like him? Why would I ruin what we have going on and possibly our friendship to tell him? There’s no way to say he would feel the same, and I don’t want to risk it. Also, what made you so curious?”

Dick raises an eyebrow at the other’s question, but doesn’t say anything for a moment. He just watches his brother put the pieces together, waiting for the moment that the penny drops - and when it does, he can’t help the smile that spreads across his face. It’s nice that they’ve found each other, that they’re so comfortable together, but Dick wants them to have more than that - he wants them to be happy. God knows they both deserve it.

He chuckles and shakes his head. “I’m pretty astute, Jason. I notice things. I dunno, apparently I make a decent detective.” Dick smiles and tilts his head to the side, watching the emotions play out in his brother’s reaction. “Why are you so sure you’d ruin it by telling him? What makes you so sure he wouldn’t feel the same?” He shrugs his shoulders. “What can I say, i care about you guys. I wanna see you both happy.”

“Have you told him yet?” He asks Jason with a slight grin on his face, looking over at him. There’s one advantage to being stuck on the Watchtower - the whole family is here too, so he can finally spend some more time catching up and making sure they’re doing okay. Which, in Jason’s case, apparently means bothering him about his longstanding relationship-but-not-relationship with Roy.

Of course he can bug Roy about it too, but Jason’s his brother - that comes first. “I’m talking about Roy, for the record. It doesn’t take a genius to see what’s going on there.”