Thank You to all our beautiful, amazing, talented participants! I have enjoyed so much good DickBabs this week. ^U^
As before, this event will be accepting works for another week. So if you have any last minute ideas, please donāt be shy! There can never be enough DickBabs in the world!
And finally! I do plan to continue this conversation event, but probably not until 2027 haha! So I look forward to seeing you all next year!
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Relationships: Ā Barbara Gordon/Dick Grayson | Tim Drake & Dick Grayson | Barbara Gordon & Tim Drake
Rating: T
Additional Tags: Batman: Knightfall | POV Tim Drake (DCU) | Command Line POV | Protective Tim Drake (DCU) | Hacker Tim Drake (DCU) | Case Fic | Thriller | Nightwing gets Taken (But Through a Computer)
Summary:
INITIALIZING BATCOMPUTER OS V2.1.10ā¦BACKUP NODE: WAYNE TOWERā¦
KNIGHTFALL CONTINGENCY RUNTIME: 11:21:36:22.456
Welcome Back, Littlebird.
@dickbabsweek25 Day 2: Vanishing | Convergence | Read at 2:17 A.M.
Summary: A retelling of Birds of Prey #8 from three other perspectives. Another experimental deal. More of an interview format.
On the Ground
Dinah Lance, the Black Canary
I was following my normal routineāfinish the mission then call Oracleāwhen I heard an unfamiliar voice echo across the comm.
A man's voice.
How interesting, I thought. Who could he be?
Oracle had been evasive pretty much the entire time I'd known her up to this point, and so any extraneous details like this naturally piqued my curiosity. We didn't talk much about romance, or rather she avoided the subject when I brought it up. She's annoying like that. I was going to grill this guy for all he was worth, but he gave me something without even thinking: a name!
Not his, unfortunately, but hers! The ever-so-mysterious-one herself. āBabs.ā Short for Barbara, I presume. Otherwise she yaps as much to everyone else as she does to me, which wouldnāt be surprising. I still think itās the real deal.
"Babs."
I cannot wait to use that against her.
The gentleman on the other end of the line seemed to wise up after that faux pas, and the best I got from him after that was "we used to date." Which...is pretty juicy in itself, but still tantalizingly vague.
My mental picture of Oracle has been sketched in a bit further, but I still can't make out the details. At least now I can call the woman who's been the near-omniscient voice in my ear for the better part of a year by her proper name.
"Pleased to meet you, Babs."
Oh, it's gonna be great...
Janice Mills, the Tiger Tamer
It was a big night, y'know? It was the first Gotham show without Gotham, which I knew made Mr. Haly real nervous since that was our big winter performance. It's kinda like farming, if you have a bad harvest it will screw up the rest of your finances. Gotham was our most profitable show by far, and it was the always the one we were told to go all out for. With the city under lockdown, we really didn't know what to do. We all just sort of hoped for the best. We'd just have to put on a blow out show! At least, that's what I thought.
But who listens to me? Nobody. Not even Princess, and she's just a big ol'kitty. The other three are good girls.
But yeah. Then, the evening before the big night, Mike took all of us aside and said the owner was coming in. Talk about under pressure, I'm pretty sure I was sweating diamonds in rehearsal!
I only met Mr. Grayson once before, way back just after he bought the circus. Honestly, I didn't really trust him at first. Who buys an old circus? Especially one as deep in the red as Haly's was back then. I'd only just started, and I really figured I was looking at a summer job because the place'd be out of money come August. Then this guy, this kid, shows up. Couldn't be a year older than me. And Mr. Haly makes the announcement that the guy bought the place! Then the craziest part was everyone cheered! It was something straight out of a Disney movie. I talked to him a bit the next day, but I wasn't real invested in what he was saying. Eventually, I found my place here once I met Ruby and Meadow, then we brought in Princess and Petunia and I was hooked for life.
After I'd been at Haly's a few months, someone filled me in on the story. That Mr. Grayson's folks were the star attraction here, years ago, but died during a show. Killed by some gangster. It was awful, even just telling you about it now breaks my heart. I don't know what I'd do without my Ma and Pop, but to see them get killed? I'd never even want to think about the circus again. But...Mr. Grayson is different. He saw Haly's not as the place they died, but the place they lived. So since he became this hotshot rich kid, he wanted to help out his roots. I love that.
The craziest part was the morning before the show, when Mr. Grayson asked me for a favor. To my shock, he actually remembered my name from the one moment we met a couple years before, and he said to me, "Ms. Mills, I'm bringing a friend of mine to the show tonight. She's had a rough go of things lately, and I want her to have a good time. If you spot us, can you do some tricks close to us? She loves tigers. All animals, really."
How. Cute.
Obviously, I said yes. How could you not? That night, once I spotted Mr. Grayson in the audience, I brought the kitties across to give them a better look, and also me. I was so curious about this friend. Once I saw herāwow! She's gorgeous. Red hair. Pretty face. Maybe I'm reading too far into things, but I saw chemistry. I didn't have the best view, but the way they were laughing with each other. That? You can't hide or fake that.
The rest of the show went great, it wasnāt a Gotham show, but it was a packed house. Something we hadnāt seen in weeks. I know it put Mr. Haly at ease a bit. Everyone else followed suit when he told us the next day that Mr. Grayson wanted to personally thank us for the great show, and that he was giving us a generous Christmas bonus.
I'll tell ya, that had to have been some date...
Harry Haly, the Circus Manager
Yessir, always good to see Dickie. He reminds me so much of his folks. Both, different ways.
He's got John's attitude. You set that boy at something, and by Jove, he will see it done. Just like his old man. If someone was ever stupid enough to tell John Grayson what was and was not possible, they'd be lucky if he didn't spit in their eye. I'd tell Dick that something was wrong at the circus, or we didn't make as much as we'd hoped, and he'd just tell me he'd find a way to fix it. And every time so far, he has.
Then there's Mary. He has has her heart. Mary found a place for everyone and everything here. She was quiet, but brought out the best with her few words. She made you feel welcome, loved, in a way that's hard to put into words. You had to feel it. To be here when she was here. Dick has that in spades. A good heart. I can't say the same, this ticker nearly put me in the ground last year!
These things came together that night in a way I don't think I'll ever forget. I ran into Dick and this young woman in a wheelchairāBarbara, I think. I was all giddy to see the lad, always am and always will be, but he was focused on the lass. To be expected! She struck me as a good sort, though I only had a few minutes to speak to her. Pretty girl, very pretty. I let those two get back to their date, but not fifteen minutes later Dick runs up to me in a huff.
"Mr. Haly, can you do us a favor?"
I chastised the boy for calling me "Mister Haly" as always, but for him I'd move the sun and stars. I asked him what he needed, and he said he wanted to use the big top after we close. Naturally, I figured he just wanted to relive old times, and more important it was his anyway, so I told him of course.
Now, what I did next was a bit...unscrupulous. I'll own up to that. But the thought of seeing the littlest Grayson back in the air was too much a sight to pass up, so I snuck a peak into the tent.
To say I was shocked would be to say that the Sun was hot. An understatement of the highest order. There was Dick Grayson, but he brought his little friend up there with him. The one who couldn't walk! And he was leaping through the air with her as easy as if he'd been doing it by himself. My jaw went straight through the floor and directly to hellājust like Zuccoābut then he did her one better. He had the girl do a transfer. I don't know what bit of madness overtook him, but the spirit of John Grayson was alive and well in that moment.
She swung over and--he caught her! She did it! She actually did it! If my jaw was on the floor before it came all the way around and smacked me on the head. I couldn't hear what they said, but I saw it in their eyes. In his, Mary's. For half a second, it was like she never left. That bit of kindness he did the girl, well, I think his mother would have been mighty pleased to see it.
They knelt there for a second, and I took that as my cue to exit. Bad enough I saw anything, I certainly wouldn't want to intrude on that moment.
Yessir, always does me good to see Dick Grayson. Gives me a chance to see old friends, too...
Notes & Continuity
Another little experiment. I usually do not like writing in or reading first person perspective outside of short bursts to express specific thoughts. There are numerous exceptions to that rule, but I generally prefer third person narratives. I wanted to break from that here, and try some full-on first person tales. It was BOP #8 because of course it was.
This had a couple different forms until I landed on one I liked. I knew from the jump that Dinah and Harry Haly would be the opening and closing characters, but there was no named third character to use. Therefore I introduce to you: Janice Mills.
Named after the Muppet and me cycling through last names until I found one that I liked. I wanted someone who didn't know either Barbara (Dinah) or Dick (Harry) to go in between their segments. It was between her and the clown, and I didn't like writing the clown.
On Harry seeing the transfer: this was mostly to have a more interesting ending than just "Dick is cool." I don't like the idea of other people seeing this part of BOP #8, I think it makes it less special, but this ain't canon. It's a reframing of a very focused issue to the background and side characters. Might as well have them see the fun parts!
Summary: Barbara thinks about what she wants from life.
Set immediately after Nightwing (2016) #99.
Better Than I Have Been in a Long Time
Barbara Gordon stared up at the ceiling as she stretched out on the floor, trying to ease the ache in her lower back.
All of the previous day she could feel the tension in her spine building. Now she didnāt just feel it, she felt it. Now, every time she moved her back felt like it was being chipped away. And so she was laid out on the hotel floor, trying to remain perfectly still.
The chip. That damn chip.
Haley was doing her best to help. She sat with her mama all day, and didnāt misbehave once. She just sat next to Babs, occasionally licking her hand or face.
My sweet lil girl.
She heard the window open, and looked over to see Nightwing slipping into their room. He looked at her, and asked, āBack?ā
She nodded.
Dick took off his mask and laid down beside her. āYou good?ā
āI will be. Itās not as bad as it was a few weeks ago, but itās not great.ā
āDo you need anything?ā
She shrugged, āIām okay.ā
Dick snuggled up next to her, careful to not disturb her spine. Since the Joker War, each day was a coin flip. Some, sheād feel well enough to be Batgirl. Others, she could barely get out of bed. It had been getting better recently, that was until today. Eager to change subjects, Barbara kissed the top his head. āHow did it go?ā
It was his turn to shrug. Dick had to confront his parentsā killer. Barbara wanted to come with him, but she just couldnāt do it now. Each move she made nearly brought her to her knees, she couldnāt even sit in her chair, forget trying to join him as Batgirl. Dick rolled to face her. āMelinda and I got him. Thatās all that matters.ā
She put her hand on his cheek, āGood. Thatās good.ā Haley ran up to lick her daddyās face. Somehow, she intuited that her parents were both in a bad state.
āFought Double Dare,ā Dick said, also wanting to avoid the topic at hand, āI think they swapped haircuts?ā
āGod, they always have to make things difficult.ā
āI know, canāt stand those two.ā
Barbara pulled Dick into her arms. āIām sorry I couldnāt be there.ā
āDonāt worry about it,ā he reassured her, āMelinda and I needed that. We had to take care of it, together. Close that chapter of our lives.ā She ran her hands through his hair. He sat up slightly, āhey, is that my STP shirt?ā
āYeah. Itās comfy. Also I bought this for you, so if you think about it, itās actually mine.ā
He gave her a mock dubious look, then fell back in her arms. It was good. Her life now. For a long time, she felt she was missing something. Her time as Oracle yielded her some of the most important people in her life.
Cass. Dinah. Dick.
Since she became Batgirl again, sheād mostly put those relationships aside. She wanted to start anew. Fresh. However, since her injury started flaring up, and the chip more inconsistent, she realized how much she missed her people. How much more vibrant her life had been with them. How much she loved them. Recently, sheād made an active effort to stay with those people. To be with Dick, to teach Steph and Cass. Sheād been in touch with Dinah, and she hoped that soon they could start doing missions again. So now, even despite the pain, she felt happy. She was surrounded by people who loved her, old friends and new. Dick and Haley. Cass, Stephanie, and Tim. Everyone.
The people who made her life so joyous, and so meaningful.
The people who made her happy.
Dick broke her contemplation with a kiss. āDo you want to try to get in bed? See if that helps?ā
āSure,ā she said as she very carefully brought herself to her feet. She wobbled, at first a tingle of pain came through her back, but after a few seconds Barbara was able to stand up. The ache remained, but it was far more manageable now than it was hours ago. Gently, she sat back in their hotel bed. āI should be okay.ā
Dick changed out of his Nightwing uniform, then curled up next to her. He brought her into a kiss, then pulled the blanket up over them.
Better than okay. Better than I have been in a long time.
Notes & Continuity:
Short one this time. Iāve been working on a theory on how to better line-up the Babs we see in New 52 and Rebirth and the one weāve seen since Infinite Frontier. Taylor had her be a lot more laid back than sheād been since 2011, and with IF came the recanonization of her various relationships. My goal was to come up with an in-universe explanation, namely that her becoming Oracle again reminded her of all the people she held so dear as the worldās information broker.
Itās just a theory, and so I wanted to do a little test run of it here to see how I liked the feel of that interpretation. I may do more with it in future fics if you fine people like this.
Also yeah, yet another DD reference. I am a menace, and I cannot be stopped.
Summary: Barbara and Dick spend a quiet morning together. She considers her feelings about her relationship, and how far sheās come since she moved back to Gotham.
Set the morning after my Day 6 story for DBW25, just before Nightwing (1996) #54. All very loosely, you donāt have to read that if you donāt wish.
A Lazy Morning
The shrill whine of her watch alarm brought Barbara Gordon out of her dreams of dancing and back to the weary world of the waking.
7:00 A.M. | SUN
She switched it off so as to not disturb her bedmate, and then took a moment to clear her eyes and place herself.
Dickās apartment. Dickās bed.
She came over last night under the pretense of mending the injuries he sustained during a fight with Double Dare, but it quickly turned into a date night. A movie marathon punctuated by love making. A bit of an indulgence, but one well earned in Barbaraās mind. They agreed they ought to be disciplined about their relationship, as both had serious responsibilities now. Barbara especially, given her place as the hero worldās premier information broker. However, she needed this. She was still a human being, still susceptible to stress. She still desiring affection.
What good was being in love if you never spend time together?
After a week trying to get Black Canary back home after she was lost in time, all she wanted to do was be away from her computer and all her stress and just have an evening to relax. To spend the night with her boyfriend, Dick Grayson.
Still gives me shivers to use the ābā word.
Of course, she would have preferred if Dick spent the night at her place. Barbara felt more at ease in her own bed.
Although this certainly isnāt a bad way to wake up.
They cuddled all through the night, and even as she woke she found herself in his arms.
Warm. Safe.
She yawned. He kept her so cozy that she was momentarily tempted to just go back to sleep. To just pull the blanket up over her face and continue to snuggle with Dick, but she knew she couldnāt do that.
You have to get up, Barbara. Itās time for your routine. Consistency is the key to good health.
She attempted to wiggle free, but didnāt have the hip movement. She was going to have to wake him up, but she would do so very gently and with love. She gave him kisses along his neck, and whispered in his ear, āDick, I need to get up. Time to let go, please.ā
After a couple repetitions of this, he stirred. Then he looked at her, smiled, and said, āHey.ā
āHey yourself.ā
āHm. Sleep okay?ā
āYeah, but I really need to use the bathroom.ā
āOh right. Sorry, Babs,ā he said. He let her go, stretched out a bit, and dozed off again.
She kissed him once more on the cheek, and then with great hesitation got out from under the blankets. Instantly, her naked body was hit with an oppressive cold, and she cursed herself for not at least putting on a shirt before bed. She took a second to adjust to the chill, and then sat up and lowered herself into her wheelchair. It may as well have been carved from ice. The empty spot on the bed already called for her return with the promise of warm blankets and cuddles from her lover, but she remained focused.
I can get comfortable once Iām finished.
She put on her glasses and took a sip of water from a cup Dick brought her last night, then peaked out the window to see how much snow they got. More than expected, but not quite a foot. Sheād be able to head home once the plows come through. Barbara grabbed her bag and rolled herself into the bathroom.
First things first, she still had the taste of lasagna on her tongue and a touch of acid reflux in the back of her throat. That had to stop, and two antacids, one thorough toothbrushing, and minute mouth rinse later, she was feeling minty fresh.
Next, her pills. Today sheād just need to choke down her supplement to prevent UTIs and a new anti-depressant Dr. Miller proscribed last they spoke. Barbara filled a glass with water, then gave herself a ābottoms upā in the mirror and downed the accursed things.
Then it was time for another unpleasantry, she had to examine her body for any injuries, especially pressure sores. Being a wheelchair user, she was constantly at risk of developing ābedsores,ā and the few times sheād had them convinced her to never let that happen again. Given she was still very active, it would be more due to over exertion than under, but regardless she had to be careful. Barbara pulled a small mirror from her overnight bag, and used it to look around her body.
Legs.
Back.
Donāt see anything, I should be fine.
Finally, the part of her morning routine she dreaded most: actually going to the bathroom. She used to be embarrassed by the whole situation, but the NML made quick work of any indignities she still had. Hard to be bashful living in the apocalypse. Still, she wasnāt comfortable, and expected she never fully would be. Especially not away from home, away from her supplies and all the time she needed.
It could be worse. At least Dickās bathroom is clean.
Public toilets were and always would be her true archenemy. Often an able-bodied woman would take the accessible stall, and Barbara would have to sit and twiddle her thumbs until she was done. Then theyād always have the nerve to scoff at her, like it was her fault they were keeping her from using the bathroom!
Whatever.
Barbara reached back into her bag, and brought out her catheters. She used two last nightāone right before her bath and the other after the second movieāand only had three left. That was another thing she had to worry about: supplies. She needed to cath five times a day, and so she always packed at least five, even just to go to dinner. She was always worried about not having one when she needed it. The No Manās Land had her hoarding catheters like they were gold and she still had to sanitize and reuse them. Now she could never quite feel comfortable unless she knew she had a full box.
As she was finishing up her routine, she noticed she left her sweater on the towel shelf.
That would have been useful an hour ago!
She muttered curses at her obliviousness as she reached over and snatched it up, then paused when she saw what she unintentionally covered up.
If it was a snake it would have bit me.
Beneath her fleece was a small stack of boxes, with a note that read, āBabsāin case you need them. Love, Dick.ā Three full boxes of fresh cathetersāthe exact ones she liked, down to the brand and model numbers.
How did heā¦?
She put her confusion aside, she could ask him about it once she was done. She got clean, then made her way back to bed. Though she was acclimated to the cold by now, those warm blankets still called to her. Her lover as well.
Barbara slipped under the covers, and no sooner had she done so when Dick scooped her up and into a gentle embrace. He gave her a little kiss on the head. āGood now?ā
āMm-hm,ā she purred.
āGood,ā he said as he gave her two more kisses. āSay, Babs, youāre really cold. Do you want me to get you another blanket?ā
āNo, Iām okay. You can warm me up,ā she said in a breathy tone. Their lips met.
Dick grinned when they broke their kiss. āSomeone woke up feeling frisky.ā
āMaybe just a little bit.ā She hesitated. She didnāt know what he was going to say, but she felt she should acknowledge it in some way. āDick?ā
āHm?ā
She drew tiny circles on his chest with her finger as she decided how best to phrase this. āWhatās all that stuff in the bathroom for?ā
āWhat stuff?ā
āYou know. The stuff.ā
His eyes narrowed, and it took him a second to come up with it, āI donāt knāOH that stuff!ā
āYeah. What made you buy all of that?ā
āOh, last time I stayed over I noticed you had all these medical supplies, so I figured youād probably want them for when you stayed here.ā
She looked him in the eye. āWhy?ā
Her question took him off-guard, but he never broke eye contact, āBecause I want you to feel comfortable here. He brushed his hand against her cheek, and a small smile formed at the edge of her lips. āI hope I didnāt weird you out or anything, Babs. I just thoughtā¦wellā¦I guess I just wanted to make this feel like as much a home for you as the Clocktower is. Whenever Iām around you, I feelā¦safe. I want you to feel the same with me.ā
His words hung in the air as Barbara searched his blue eyes. Just as Dick started to explain himself further, Barbara whispered the only response her brain could form in that moment.
āI love you.ā
Dick giggled a bit, then rubbed his forehead against hers, āI love yāā
āNo,ā she said, pushing him away just far enough so she could make eye contact again. āI mean Iāwell, what I meant wasāā
Dammit! All those years in the library and I canāt even explain basic emotions?
She had to blink back some tears, then tried again, āDick, thatā¦that really means a lot. Youāitās justā¦well youāre right. Iām not really comfortable in public spaces, andāI mean not, oh!ā She had to take a deep breath to maintain composure.
A very fine use of the English language, Babs.
Her perfect recall brought a myriad of bad memories to the front of her mind, of being made to feel different or somehow burdensome.
āHey,ā Dick cooed to her, āitās okay.ā
She swallowed, blinked a few times, then kept it simple, āThat was really kind. Youā¦I really love you. I donāt know how else to say it.ā She kissed him. āThere, thatās another way. And so you know,ā she said as she snuggled back up to him, āthereās no place on Earth I feel safer than I do right here. In your arms.ā
She felt Dickās heart jump at that last bit, and he started giving her kisses on the top of her head. āBabs, Iām really glad to hear that. I love you too.ā
They laid there for a while longer. Dick would occasionally give her very gentle backscratches or a kiss on the forehead. She just listened to the gentle rhythm of his heart. It soothed her.
Safe.
That word kept creeping into her mind.
She didnāt know for certain how Dick meant it, but in her mind it occupied the same space as the word āwarm,ā and was just as vital to her.
She often remembered the night when she could not feel either of those things. The empty agony in her lower body, and the all-consuming cold of the hospital.
Before, she enjoyed the cold. She loved watching snow fall in Gotham City. Sheād always leave her fan on while she slept, even in winter. A chilly day made her feel refreshed and alive.
Since, she couldnāt stand it for even a moment. Every time she fell asleep without layers upon layers of blankets, sheād wake up having nightmares.
The smell of ammonia. Of gunpowder.
The hum of fluorescent lights. Of laughing.
The pain in her abdomen. Of the wound.
All of it would come back the moment she got cold. And so she hated being cold.
It had been very, very cold during the No Manās Land.
She spent the winter sleeping in heavy clothes under 5 blankets, and she still couldnāt get warm. There wasnāt a single night she didnāt wake up freezing in the pitch darkness, convinced that somewhere in the shadows something was watching her. That she could hear laughter outside her home. Every morning sheād have to remind herself that this was home, and that she wasnāt at Gotham General.
She was starved for emotional warmth even before the NML. Barbara struggled with making friends, let alone going on dates. Part of her assumed sheād never find someone who would love her. After a particularly disastrous date where she was nearly robbed, she even accepted it. Love was not in the cards for her.
Then Dick came back in her life. It was slow at first, and it was mostly nice to just have a friend again, but over time they grew closer. He took her flying, one of the greatest nights of her life. He came to find her during the Cataclysm. Over and over he showed her how much he cared for her, and after a particularly tense night toward the end of the No Manās Land, she finally admitted she cared for him too. He agreed to go at her pace, and they started to go on dates.
I started to fall in love.
Dick Grayson is very warm person, physically and emotionally. Cuddly. Affectionate. He was kind to her. Gentle with her. Heād do everything he could to make her feel comfortable, like buying her supplies without needing to be asked. Ever since they started sleeping togetherāthat is literally sleepingāsheād be able to wake up without fear. His warmth, his companionship, it made it so she could rest without fear of waking up in Gotham General on the Night. The intimacy was just as important for her. She didnāt just feel loved, she felt desired as a sexual being. His love, his open and honest affection for her, made her feel safe.
Thatās how she meant it. Maybe sheād ask him, though now she just wanted to listen to the steady rhythm of his heart.
He gave her a little squeeze, āwhat do you think of turning this into a lazy day? Iāll make us some breakfast, then we put on another movie?ā
āI donāt know, Dick, I really ought to go home. Who knows how many missed messages I have.ā
āYouāve earned some time off, I think.ā
āYeah, last night!ā
āNah, little more than that.ā
āI donāt think so.ā
āIf thatās the case then you sure are taking your time leaving,ā he chuckled.
āToo comfy to get back up.ā
āA likely story,ā he said as he caressed her back.
She looked up at him, and those eyesāthose damned blue eyesādid their job. Whatās another couple of hours?
āI guess they do need to clear the roadsā¦maybe a lazy morning,ā she muttered. Then raised her hand as she continued, āBut I have to leave by two at the latest! I donāt want to drive home in the dark.ā
āThatās fair.ā
Barbara propped herself up on her elbow, āso, Hunk Wonder, youāve got me alone for a few more hours, any suggestions on what we should do?ā
āI have some ideas,ā he said as started to kiss her along her neck.
She bit her lip, then leaned forward and whispered in his ear, āI like your thinking, but I can do you one better,ā and moved her hand down along his chest and beneath the covers.
āāJust a little bit frisky,ā she said, lying.ā
āNot a lie, Iām just on a different scale. A five for me is a nine for you.ā
āIs that so?ā
She brought him into a long kiss before she finally said, āIt is.ā
They spent the rest of the morning in bed, and then the early afternoon watching more movies before Barbara finally left just after two-thirty. Her departure was reluctant, but she felt more refreshed than she had in weeks.
I really should do this more often. If only for the free lasagna.
She snorted.
Dick would appreciate that one.
Notes & Continuity:
Last yearās Day 6 became my sort of fluff nothing story, so I wanted to come back and retroactively add some substance to it. I always like writing Barbaraās feelings about things as Oracle (as Batgirl, I got less than nothinā), and so I decided having her introspection would be the best of both. Consider this her inspiration for writing that letter she leaves for him in Shrike.
Not a lot of Dick here, but given heās been over represented in my stories this month, I think thatās fine.
I tried to be as accurate as I could with the medical aspect, though I am far from an expert or even knowledgeable beyond what I gleaned from my research on the topics. I wanted it to reflect the reality without feeling exploitative in any way, so I went with as dry an explanation as I could without getting into too much detail. Barbaraās everyday struggles and annoyances are something thatās always alluded to in the text, but I wanted them shown here. These are the things she has to deal with. They should be represented respectfully and accurately. I tried to the best of my abilities to do so, and hopefully, I succeeded, but Iāll leave you fine people to judge that.
Summary: Batgirl tries to sort out her feelings while she and Robin face off against Magpie.
Set after Day 3ās story.
Avoidance
Batgirl sat alone atop one of Gotham Cityās innumerable grotesques in the very early morning, weighing her next decision. Waiting for her friend.
Friend, and that is all.
She agreed to meet Robin on the roof of Wayne Tower to discuss the future. No doubt, the Boy Wonder hoped, their future. Yesterday, as Dick Grayson, he sent her a text asking if sheād like to come to dinner with him. As Barbara Gordon. On a date.
Friend, and that is all.
She continued to roll those five words around in her mind, to become comfortable with them. She needed to explain to Dick that she didnāt feel for him the way he felt for her. That he was her friend, and that is all. She didnāt want to be harsh about this, but she needed to be firm. Not just for him, but for herself as well. In the not-quite-two years sheād been Batgirl, Barbara had grown much closer to Dick. Theyād been friends as long as theyād known each other, but since they became the ādynamite duoā as the Gazette called them (not the name I would have chosen, but I suppose itās too late now), she started to consider Dick to be her best friend. She didnāt want to compromise that or give him the wrong impression or any other confusion. She just wanted to explain to himā
Friend, and that is all.
āYes, that.
Still, there was another thought creeping through her mind. It had been lurking there for a long time, since she became Batgirl, in fact. No matter how she tried, Barbara could not eradicate this pest of a thought.
Maybeā¦
A dangerous word, though innocent it may seem at first. In truth, it was a dagger, a sword, or a scalpel, used to mince otherwise reasonable minds into madness. Into thinking that just because they wanted something, they should have it. Not examining the consequences of the desire, late alone the obtainment.
Maybeā¦
ā¦she did like him. He was nice to her. He made her laugh. He would believe in her when others wouldnāt. Heād been there for her during some difficult times, and that meant a great deal to her. Plus it was always good to have someone who understood what it was like to swing from a jumpline, or throw the cuffs on Killer Moth.
Maybeā¦
ā¦though he was also very annoying, occasionally condescending, and not quite as mature as he thought he was. And while he was warm and kind and open with her most of the time, he was also given to bouts of self-loathing so severe heād push those closest to him away. In those moments, he could be very cruel. Then there was the matter of distance.
What am I thinking? No! Itās not even a question! It doesnāt even make any sense! Heās about to go Hudson Uāto Upstate New Yorkāa three and a half hour drive on a good day. Seven hours in total, every time Iād want to see him. I barely tolerate riding the bus for thirty minutes!
Batgirl shook her head, and felt a deepening chill crawl up her spine. No, she absolutely had to stick to her guns about this. Logistically, it just wouldnāt work. Romantically, better to not screw up a good thing. They were friends. Great friendsābest friends, evenāand that was all she needed or wanted from this relationship.
Because I donāt want a relationship.
Which this isnāt.
Beyond the common use of the terāgod, Iām going to screw this up.
As Barbara continued to twist her own words against herself, she heard an almost imperceptible footfall behind her. āTook you long enough,ā she shouted as she jumped up to her feet.
āExcuse me for being a good friend,ā Robin said, dripping with sarcasm. He brought out a bag with two Krazy Kreme donuts from behind his back, and offered them to Batgirl.
āWell, in that caseā¦ā
āYeah, thatās what I thought.ā He crouched down and sat next to her, but left it at that. Each took a treat, but ate them in silence. Both were waiting for the other to talk first. Neither wanted to have to explain their feelings. Ten, fifteen seconds. Robin folded up the bag and put it in an empty pouch on his belt. Twenty, twenty-five. She finished her donut. Just before thirty, Dick broke. āYou see the Gators won last night? Good game, good game.ā
Basketball? Youāre pivoting to basketball?
āIām more of a Bulls girl,ā she brushed off. It was now or never. If he was already trying to change the subject before the subject was even broached, this was going to have to happen right now. āSo, about the other night. Not the Gators. Theā¦umā¦message you sent me.ā
Robin tensed up. āBabs, Iāā
āDickāā she said, simultaneously.
They laughed nervously with each other. Eager to speak their thoughts, and hopeful win over the other to their point of view. Dick tried again, āBarbara, I care about you.ā
āAnd I care about you too, butāā
āI didnātāā
āāI donātāā
āāwould you justāā
āListen!ā
āAt least let me say myāā
Before he could finish or she could cut him off any further, there was a ring in her ear. Police radio, a crime in progress.Ā
What?! Not now!
She tuned her headpiece while Robin took a device from his utility belt. Hostage situation. Club Onyx on 32nd. Magpie. She wanted the clubās gold disco ball. One patron injured so far. The crimefighters looked at each other. Robin spoke first, āWhat kind of idiot makes a disco ball out of gold? Then what bigger idiot brings it here?ā
āIt wouldnāt be Gotham if there wasnāt some ostentatious prize being trotted around the city.ā Batgirl stood up. āBefore we go, I really think we shouldāā
Robin just smirked, āItās only three blocks; weāll talk on the way,ā then dove off the tower. He fired his jumpline, then swung off toward the scene of the crime.
Typical, just when I needed a quiet moment.
She leapt after him, but he was already far ahead of her.
Heās in no rush to talk, I see.
She caught up just as he reached the neighboring building overlooking the club. Robin was already halfway off the roof. āAbout the other night,ā she started, not wanting to let the issue hang over a potential fight or become a distraction, āI donāt know ifāā
Screaming from the night club broke her train of thought. The state of her and Robinās personal lives (and their potential intertwining) became a topic for a later time, and both young vigilantes set their minds to the task at hand. Robin pointed to the front of the Onyx, and Batgirl nodded. They had become so proficient at working together that they no longer needed words to formulate a course of action. They parted, and Batgirl swung over and landed on the roof of the nightclub. She found an access panel, then set to work picking the lock on it.
Wonder what Dad would think of this part of my job? Jokeās on him, Iāve been picking locks to the junk food cabinet since I was eleven.
The moment the final tumbler clicked, she slipped in through the hatch and into the office loft overlooking the dancefloor. She climbed out into the rafters, and took stock of the situation.
Margaret Pye, a.k.a. Magpie. One of Batmanās earliest foes, originally defeated during his first meeting with Superman. Violent. Obsessed with shiny objects. Currently monologuing about how the club has mistreated her āprecious pretty-pretty.ā
Ten goons in total. Two on the back door, two on the front, two on crowd control, two on collecting valuables, two on taking down tonightās trophy. Tough breakdown.
Maybe one hundred patrons? Tuesday. Slow night.
Robinācanāt see, unless?
While Magpie was ranting and raving about this most recent slight against her ownership of all things shiny, Robin burst through the front doors, knocking out both guards. While the two gunmen working the crowd and the two keeping everyone organized turned to engage Robin, Batgirl ran along the support beams to fight the lackeys in the back.
Two men, the smaller one giving orders while the larger looked over the crowd of terrified college students. Stay back; weāll shoot. Template stuff. Riddler or Two-Face, these guys were not. As the short one raised his rifle to issue further threats, Batgirl leapt down and landed with her full weight on his chest. Before his partner could even try to aim his weapon, Batgirl ducked under his arms, then levered the rifle from his hands. āI suggest you stand down,ā she said as she disassembled the gun.Ā
Rather than take her advice, the pig spat at her and pulled a switchblade from his belt. āTry that again, and Iāll feed ya yer tongue.ā
They never take the easy out.
Batgirl shrugged, then faster than the oaf could perceive, dismantled him. His swing was so sloppy she could have just stepped out of the way, but instead she blocked his strike, then pushed his elbow in the opposite direction. The shock of pain was enough to get him to drop the weapon as he howled in agony, but she needed him out. Batgirl delivered an uppercut to his jaw, and followed that with multiple kicks to his chest, and ended with a knee to his groin. Before his face hit the concrete floor, Batgirl had unlocked the back door and began funneling club patrons outside and away from danger.
Hopefully that gave Robin enough time for his end of the deal.
She dashed back to the main room, and Dick had already disposed of two more henchmen. Enough people had escaped to take some of the pressure off, but they were still in danger. The duo met in the center of the dance floor as Robin dropped a third goon. āMagpie is erratic and prone to fits of violence. We need to end this fast,ā he said as he dusted his hands.
āAgreed, get the rest of these people out,ā she replied, āIāll deal with Mags.ā Together, they brought down a fourth, then Robin started to move people out the back door. Batgirl laid out the two men trying to take down the disco ball. They were a bit pudgier and less impressive than the others, and more importantly didnāt have rifles on them. āYou people are really willing to risk going to prison for twenty years over this chintzy bit of wretched excess?ā goaded Batgirl.
Before she could throw out another quip, Magpie grabbed her from behind, screaming, āIām willing to do whatever it takes to protect my pretties! Theyāre mine! My babies!ā
āWell,ā she said as she broke the crazed criminalās grasp, āhave fun fighting for custody from Arkham.ā She evaded slashes from Magpieās talon nails, but Margaret was a much nastier combatant than Barbara initially gave her credit for. Thrashing, spitting, cursing. Eventually, however, Mags overreached, in this case literally. She went for a grab, but Batgirl caught and twisted Magpieās arm into a lock, then kicked in the back of the knee, and drove her into the ground. After some one-handed handcuffing, Magpie was ready for transport.
Batgirl and Robin finished evacuating the building, tied up their dance partners for the evening, then left all eleven at the doors of the nightclub. The Dynamite Duo slipped out just as the police burst in.
Together, they made their way back to the building overlooking the Onyx Club, still not ready to discuss tonightās topic, but fresh out of excuses. Or at least, thatās what she thought. As Barbara took a deep breath to prepare herself, Dick started, āSo, thatās six for me, five for you.ā
āHuh?ā
āSix bad guys for me,ā he said as he pointed to himself, then turned his hand, āand five for you. I win tonight.ā
āExcuse me?! Itās more like five and half for you, five and a half for me, but I brought down Magpie. Therefore, I win.ā
āMm, nope. Donāt think thatās true.ā
āDonāt thinkāit doesnāt matter what you think! I won! I helped you with that one guy!ā
āMaybe, but I brought him down.ā
āSo what? I could bring you down in three moves if I wanted to!ā
Robin shook his head, āI doubt that.ā
A devilish grin came to Batgirlās lips, āIāll bet you a hundred bucks I can.ā
āHa! Iāll bet you two hundred you canāt!ā
The grin became a scowl, āokay Dickie Rich, youāre on.ā Sheād had it with his attitude.
First: Batgirl pulled Robin into a kiss.
Second: she swept his leg out from under him.
Third: she lowered him to the ground.
āPay up, Dick.ā Still in shock, Robin pulled out two one hundred dollar bills and held them up. Batgirl snatched them from his grasp. āThat was for that move in the subway however long ago.ā She helped him back to his feet.
āSo,ā he started, āis that a preview for the talk weāve been avoiding?ā
Batgirl cringed.
Damnit, I let my ego outrun my brain.
āNot really,ā she said with great reluctance. āActually, Iām sorry, Dick. I really shouldnāt have done that.ā
āHey, I didnāt miāā
āThatās not the issue. That wasnāt appropriate, andā¦I donāt really know how to put this now.ā
āBarbara, all I want to do is take you to dinner. Thatās all.ā
She turned, and walked a few steps from him. āI understand that, and I think itās very sweet, but the thing Iāve been trying to say all eveningāā
He put his hand on her shoulder, āYou donāt want to?ā
She took his hand off of her and held it in hers, āNo, itās just that I donāt want to compromise our friendship. In like, what, two months, itād become a long distance relationship anyway. You donāt want that. Trust me.ā
āI donāt think one date would compromise our friendship anymore than stolen kisses.ā
God. Damn. It.
āThat was payback, so it doesnāt count,ā she reasoned. She then looked him in the eye, as she had to salvage the point of the conversation, āBut yeah, youāre right. I think we need to be a bit more professional going forward. I donāt know many friends whoāve kissed each other this much.ā
āYouād be surprised, some of the Titansāwell, I think Iāll save that for some other time.ā They laughed, but it was of a more defeated character than the nervous chuckle they shared earlier. Robin looked down at the flurry of police below them, āItās not going to be weird and awkward between us now, right?ā
āOf course not! It was already weird and awkward before.ā Robin looked at her, mortified. She fluttered her eyes a bit, and very quietly said, āthat was a joke.ā
āOh.ā
āIt was a joke!ā
āYeah, I heard you. Anyway, youāre right. For the best.ā He heaved himself to the edge of the building, something thatād normally be a very bad sign for someone who was just rejected, but here was understood to mean he was ready to leave, āBabs, Iāllā¦umā¦Iāll talk to you later. Have a good one, be safe, all that.ā
āY-you too, Dick.ā
With that, Robin swung off into the night, and Batgirl started kicking herself.
Dear LORD, that couldnāt have gone worse! He was trying to get my goat, and I just waltzed over and handed it to him! What was I thinking? I need toā¦oh god I donāt know.
Batgirl sat down, alone, in the early morning, weighing how best to clear the very confusion she wished to avoid in the first place.
It looked to be a very long summer.
Notes & Continuity
I will not lie to you, this week was hell. Not the writing, but the things I had to deal with otherwise. If I finish D/B week at all it is a miracle.
This story came to me as Iām reading Batgirl: Possession, a prose novel Iāll do a review of once I finish it. I wanted some of that awkwardness and those messy feelings from Robin/Batgirl. Also a lot of surprise kissing, which is not good but is pretty consistent between them since like 1975.
Finally, I cheated a bit with Magpie and brought in her claws from more recent cartoons and comics. I usually try to avoid such indulgences and stick strictly to the comics, but also like Magpie doesnāt have a particularly interesting weapon aside from those? I donāt think anyone cares aside from me, but I figured I ought to own up to it regardless.
@dickbabsweek25: Day 3: I crave your touch | You have to leave
Rating: Mature (sexual content)
Summary: Dick sees Barbara for the first time since her back surgery.
This story takes place a couple of days before Nightwing (2011) #1 as well as Batgirl (2011) #1.
Old Habits, Fresh Starts
It had been a time of change, though more of 'restoration' than 'evolution.' Of returning to his roots while uprooting his life. A year ago, Richard āDickā Grayson wore the cowl of his adoptive father, and claimed the identity of the Batman. Now, he was preparing himself to retake his own mantle, Nightwing. A name he created for himself to escape the shadow of the Batman.
Never expected I would be escaping from myself.
Recently, heād been working on his new apartment. Always the rolling stone, he had just moved from a ritzy penthouse in the center of Gotham City, to a quiet loft in its heart. From overlooking the financial district, to a working class neighborhood.
Exactly what I needed.
As Batman, there was a need to be a looming figure in Gotham, a symbol that covered the city from Amusement Mile to Gotham Harbor. But as Nightwing, he felt more connected to the people of Gotham than its geography. Making connections. Building trust. That is what Nightwing meant to him, and so that required a baseāa homeācloser to the community. Something heād been sorely missing for a while.
Though it wasnāt just his status as a neighborhood hero that had suffered, it was also his personal relationships. During his time in the big chair, he let many of his friendships atrophy. He and Tim hadnāt hung out for a while. He couldnāt even remember the last time he spoke to Roy. Even Damian had been spending more time with Bruce.
Then thereāsā¦her. Itās been weeks, and she still hasnāt said a word.
Barbara.
Last they spoke it was on very odd terms. Her baby brother tried to kill her, and Dick (as Batman) had to bring James, Jr. down. There was a moment between them. Intimate, in a way. She was hurt, and Dick scooped her up and held her so tenderly. For just a moment, any of the fights theyād had evaporated, and they were in love again.
At least that was all I could think about. āI love you, Barbara.ā Over and over again in my mind. Both a whisper and a symphony. She was the only person that mattered in that moment.
Soon after, she went silent. At first Dick was worried, she hadnāt even said goodbye, but Bruce assured him that she was on private business. She was fine, but needed time alone. Out of respect, Dick dropped the issue, but it was killing him to not know where she was.
He had to speak to her about what happened, if only for his peace of mind. Moreover, he felt something was missing from his life, namely his friends. Like there was a gap in his mind where his friendships should be. He came to the conclusion that he wasnāt maintaining the ones he had nearly enough, and that he ought to make time to forge new ones.
But first, he needed to clear his mind.
Dick surveyed his neighborhood from his picture window. Despite the looming threat of rain, Gothamites were going about their business. Dry days were a luxury in this city.
Gotham mentality: get as much done between the downpours. I like that. I think Iāll do the same.
He locked the door to the loft, then went on a walkabout of the neighborhood. Clouds gathered overhead as he chatted with an old guy sitting in front of the bodega. He felt a few raindrops when he played a pick-up game with some kids from the community. Finally, he heard thunder as he bought a slice to take home. Maybe not a productive day from Bruceās perspective, but he got a start on getting to know his neighbors. Becoming a part of a community. Getting some good pizza. And all while just missing the rain.
Canāt put a price on that last one in this town.
He was, however, exhausted, and decided that the moment he walked in the door, heād just kick off his shoes and go to bed. Heād try out his new suit tomorrow evening, though he still wasnāt completely sold on the red.
Itās a nice upgrade, but I miss the blue.
As he continued the fashion debate in his mind, he unlocked and opened the door to his apartment, only to see a figure illuminated by candle light sitting on his couch. Dressed in all black, book in one hand with a glass of wine in the other, Barbara looked up from her novel, gave Dick a very subtle grin, and purred, āGood evening, Mr. Grayson.ā
āBabs, Iāā
It didnāt register at first, as it was something so impossible that Dick never expected to see it again. But in the half second between opening his mouth and fumbling out those words, he noticed that Barb had her leg crossed over her kneeā¦and was bouncing her foot. His eyes swept the room, looking for that ever-present piece of equipment that had been a part of Barbaraās life for years now. It was gone.
āBarbara, are youāis itāwhat?ā
Her grin grew into a smile, tears welling at the edges of her eyes. Dick could barely stand up. He made it to the couch and nearly collapsed next to her. He put his hand on her knee, and then she brought that leg down.
Under her own power.
Dick looked at her, but said nothing. Neither spoke for what felt like hours. Eventually, she took his hands, and then he brought her into a great hug, and finally the tears came through his shock. They held each other for a while longer, but Dick broke the silence. He had to know.
āHow?ā
āItās complicated. I had an operation. Not sure if it is permanent, but I wanted to try.ā She broke the hug to make eye contact. āIām sorry I left without saying anything, but if you canāt tell, Iāve had some trouble putting this into words.ā
Dick shook his head. He had about a billion more questions that he needed to ask, but for now he just wanted to hold her. To live in this moment with her. āI can appreciate the entrance at least.ā
Barbara giggled. Her hair seemed to glow in the candlelight. āI was hoping to meet you at the door, but someone just had to take their sweet time getting home.ā
āThatās me, making life difficult.ā He rested his head against her shoulder. She finished her wine. Dick reached for her glass, āI can get you a refill.ā
āOh, donāt start that with me, Dick.ā She got off the couch, and stood at her full height. Dick nearly wept. āI amāand always have beenāperfectly capable of getting it on my own,ā she said, triumphantly.
He watched her walk around the kitchen, taking the scenic route to the open bottle of red sitting on the end of his kitchen table. She took it, and leaned against the counter as she refilled her cup. She smiledāthat smileāswirled the wine slightly as she set the bottle back, then took a sip. Barbara gestured to Dick a come hither motion. āI want you to try this,ā she said, her voice almost at a whisper.
Dick shook off any lingering awe at the sight of her walking, then traced her path to join her. She held up the glass in front of him, but when he tried to take it from her, she pulled it away. āI think youāre forgetting something.ā
āHm?ā
āWhatās the magic word?ā
āRight, may I please take a sip?ā
She gave him the glass as he wrapped his other hand around her waist. Her back twitched when he touched it. āIām still very sensitive,ā she murmured.
āSorry, Babs,ā he said as he took a drink. āMm, thatās good.ā He looked at her again, and the awe returned to him. Barbara. Standing. Sharing a drink. Outside, the rhythmic tap of rain started along the window.
āIām glad you like it, consider it a housewarming gift. Maybe youāll stay here long enough to finish it.ā
He chuckled, āwell, if we work together we might be able to do that tonight.ā She took the glass, and drank deeply. He refilled it. He couldnāt take his eyes off of her. āItās good to see you again, under better circumstances.ā
āIād say. I also prefer being able to walk and not being stabbed in the legs.ā
Dick hesitated. She was trying to make him laugh, but all he could think about was that night. Heād been waiting for an opportunity to talk about it for weeks, to tell Babs how he felt about her, and decided now was as good a time as any. āI thought I was going to lose you,ā he choked. He caressed her side, ever so gently. āNow, to see you like thisā¦ā
She held his hand, then kissed him on the cheek, āitās good to see you too, Dick. I missed you.ā That bit of affection brought back a deluge of his happiest memories. Of climbing Wayne Manor, of racing through the subway, and of course, of flying. He kissed her forehead.
She looked into his eyes for a long moment, then brought him into a proper kiss. The sort of embrace they hadnāt shared in years. He could taste the wine. They broke off for just a moment, but the passion that laid dormant between them was already reignited. They denied it, breathing together for a few seconds, but then gave in.
Kisses down her neck.
Gentle bites on his ear.
Papers on the table swept aside. The bottle too.
Her shirt discarded.
His pants likewise.
The gentle rain became a storm.
The wine seeped into the grout of the kitchen tile.
The candle flickered on in the darkness.
The table.
The floor.
The wall.
The couch.
A quarter past the Witching Hour, Dick and Barbara were snuggled up on the couch, listening to music together. She sat propped up on her elbow, humming along and running her hand through Dickās long, black hair. Her orange locks enveloped him. He wanted to talk to her, to express all of these he felt since they parted, but too often had he ruined a perfect moment like this with worry about the past or future. Just this once, he decided to remain in the present.
Barbara is safe. She is walking. Itās a miracle, and Iām just going to embrace it.
They couldnāt stop smiling at each other. Lovers again. In love again, he hoped.
Barbara yawned, and nestled herself into Dickās arms. He wished this moment could last for all time. Once more, she kissed him on the cheek, and gently whispered in his ear, āGoodnight, Dick.ā
He turned slightly to properly kiss her, āGoodnight, Babs. I love you.ā Though he smiled at her, she just looked at him for a moment. Then she put her head down, and went to sleep. Dick held her close, slowly succumbing to his exhaustion. The rain had died down.
Just after noon the next day, Dick awoke with a cramp in his back and no Barbara. He looked around the loft, but to his disappointment, she had already took off. He sat up, and was going to start to tidy the living room from the night before when he saw a note on the coffee table.
Bad sign.
He picked it up, wary of whatever it might say, and read it.
Dick Richard,
Iām sorry I couldnāt say this in person, but I felt a note would give me a chance to explain myself more clearly. Last night was very special, but Iām not sure that this is something we should pursue. I intend to become BG again, and to do so Iām going to have to focus on improving myself for a while. Iām not in the right space for a relationship, and I do not want to compromise our friendship with hurt feelings. You mean a lot to me, and you always will, but for now I think we should remain friends.
- Barbara
P.S. - Sorry about the wine, Iāll send you another bottle soon.
His heart sank, but he should have known when she didnāt return the āI love you.ā He trudged to the kitchen to throw together a bowl of cereal, not feeling up to bothering with a full breakfast. He noticed that Barbara cleaned up the wine, which was a nice gesture.
I shouldnāt be sitting around, feeling sorry for myself. Not only is it a waste of time, itās selfish.
He poured milk over Crocky Crunch as he took stock of the situation. This was a period of great change. Of restoration. Of returning to his roots while uprooting his life. Of revitalization, and perhaps that was the best way to think of it. Heās going back to his roots, and so is she.
If weāre starting over, maybe it should be a true fresh start. Leave that moment, leave last night, behind us. Try to make something new.
Batgirl and Robin. I wished.
Oracle and Nightwing. Always.
Batgirl and Nightwing? Of that, Iām not sure.
He watched the flow of people meander around his building while he chomped away at Crockys.
I think Babs has the right idea, actually. Iāve been so concerned about not maintaining connections, but maybe itās me. Instead of worrying about everyone else, I need to put my house in order.
Put Nightwing in order.
Dick finished his cereal and rinsed the bowl in the sink. Enough with the prep work. He was as ready as heād ever be. There was a briefcase stashed away in his bedroom closet, not dissimilar to one Alfred sent him many years ago. Dick retrieved it, then brought it down to the living room. With great purpose, he opened it, and brought out the new black and crimson uniform of Nightwing.
Still not sure about the red, but itāll do.
Itās high time Nightwing made his grand return, and maybe Dick Grayson with him.
Notes & Continuity
Apologies for the late posts, my whole week got upended and now Iām playing catch-up. Oh well, I suppose.
I decided I needed to have some New 52 representation. I know, I know, pox upon the name. Not my Barbara, etc etc. But for one thing I am doing these N52 retrospectives, and so I was in a 2011 mood. And for another, as much as I donāt want Barbara as Batgirl again, Iām enjoying Gailās run so far. Itās not what I want, but it is well done.
However, I felt something was missing from her crossover with Nightwing in #3. We didnāt see them reunite after her surgery. I needed to see his reaction to her walking around. That to me is the one justification to keeping TKJ after a reboot while having Babs be Batgirl, to see the reaction of people she loves when she stands up. The moment with Jim in the first issue nearly drove me to tears, but almost no one else got that. Regardless of if making her Batgirl was the right callāI donāt think it wasāwe gotta at least use it to its fullest potential.
The other thing that stuck out to me was this panel from Batgirl (2011) #3.
Now perhaps Iām reading way too much into it, but I do think thereās a lot ofā¦conflict bubbling up that whole issue. Dickās hesitation makes meā¦suspicious. Again, probably reading too much into the dialogue, but when I saw this I thought, āthereās a story to be told before this.ā
I tried to thread the needle as much as possible in terms of continuity. With the New History saying Infinite Frontier is aligned across the New 52 and Post-Crisis, I felt I had room to work in some allusions to New Earth stories, but I tried to keep it tasteful. Stuff we know happened. Black Mirror is canonized several times over, and BOP #8 is referenced in dialogue during Grayson. Beyond that, I didnāt mention the Titans or anything. So, I think it mostly lines up with both? And again, still should be in-line with the NH.
Chapters: 1/1
Fandom: DCU (Comics)
Rating: Mature
Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence, Major Character Death
Relationships: Barbara Gordon/Dick Grayson
Characters: Barbara Gordon, Dick Grayson
Additional Tags: Time Loop, Temporary Character Death, Whump, Angst, Hurt Dick Grayson, Barbara Gordon is Oracle, Barbara Gordon Needs a Hug, Angst With a Happy Ending
Summary:
Something is trying to kill Nightwing.
Something has already killed him.
Oracle will stop at nothing to make things right again.
