Nightwing Fanfic

This is a blog where I put the fanfic that I have read that are Dick Grayson centric (either as nightwing or Robin) and post my opinion to it

[hood-ex]

My brain made a record scratch sound as soon as I read Dick's inner dialogue in The New Titans #113.

"I’ve been fighting for so long. Have I forgotten what it is to live? Is that what came between us, Kory? Have I been immersing myself in work so I wouldn’t have to think of anything else? Have I been trying to control everything and everyone so things wouldn’t… slip through my fingers again. That somersault [the one he performed the night his parents died] was my rosebud, my last moment of real innocence. When that awful gunshot rang out, my childhood instantly ended. I was still in tears when he [Bruce] took me into his home. He gave me a new life. A good life. Maybe it wasn’t the kind of carefree child’s life I had till then, but it was thrilling and scary and fun. And even now I wouldn’t trade it for anything… except if I could just see my parents one last time to let them know how much I love them. And still miss them."

Because even though Dick admitted he would want to tell his parents he loved and missed them one more time, he didn't mention bringing his parents back to life, which immediately made me think of Devin Grayson's inner dialogue for Dick in Batman: Gotham Knights #14.

"You’re not an easy man to be close to, Bruce. As much as you may care about any of us, I know you’d trade it all in a heartbeat if you could have your parents back. And I’ve never really admitted this to anyone, but I don’t think I would. Trade, I mean. And I don’t think I’m ready to see your face if I told you that, which is why I’m never gonna send this letter. But I wouldn’t trade this for the world. Love, Dick."

Which then reminded me of this scene from Infinite Crisis #4.

[nightwing-centric]

Pedi-cure my Blues

Summary: Bruce has had custody of Dick for two months and the boy hasn't smiled once yet, still lost in his grief; but when he sees a woman with painted toenails Dick lights up with excitement.

“Can I have blue toes?”

“You can have whatever colour toes you want,” Bruce promised.

Content Warning: None

My Opinion: I promised something shorter! This is a cute, short story with Kid Dick and Bruce. This is complete fluff, good dad Bruce and cute baby Dick.

In the end it has a small feature of the Justice League but honestly, its mostly Bruce and Dick beating the cutest duo ever. You feeling down, just read one of the angsty fics i recommended before and cried your eyes out? This will cheer you up for sure!

[nightwing-centric]

All The Small Things

Summary: Crossing his ankles propped on the table, jostling his helmet next to him, his mouth quirked up. “At least I’m not you, who sees the idiot as some sort of pseudo father figure.”

Dick choked on his coffee, and Damian sputtered and took a step back. “What?!”

“You heard me.” He thumbed in the direction of Dick, who clumsily tried to mop up the hot liquid staining his shirt and scalding his skin with a crusty dishrag that smelled like mildew. “You see him in a way you don’t your own dear old dad.”

Damian’s cheeks darkened in a deep flush that even reddened the tips of his ears. “You don’t know what you’re talking about!”

After Bruce's return to the Bat, Dick and Damian have to deal with just being brothers, but things are just a bit too messy to be that easy

Content Warning: None

My Opinion: Damian & Dick tag with Dick Grayson is Damian Wayne's parent. What more could you ask for?

This fic does a good job of exploring the complex relationship of Dick with Damian. He is his dad and his brother and his Batman but also not anymore. And throw Bruce into the mix, with the added guilt of it all. It's just *chef's kiss*

I really love fics that explore this dynamic and I'm shocked to see this is the first Dick & Damian fic i have recommended. but not the last one!

Tomorrow AO3 is going down for abt 10 hours so i think it's the perfect time to download this fic (and others i have recommended) while you wait for ao3 to go back up!

[temperamentalaquarius]

I love that in Bruce's wildest fantasies his parents can live but the Graysons do in fact have to die because he cannot fathom living without his emotional support orphan

[nightwing-centric]

I constnaly think abt this. Dick wouldn’t trade what he has for the past. And (not shown in this panel) he thinks Bruce would.

And I just, it kinda devastates me just thinking abt it, abt how much love and devotion Dick has for Bruce, and sometimes he thinks it’s not reciprocated and he thinks Bruce would trade his current life for his parents life and he kinda made peace with that.

With feeling like maybe he will always love Bruce more

[nightwing-centric]

the long walk

Summary: His brothers don’t want to see him. No one does. Not after Spyral. Not after the lies. And Dick wants to scream that it’s not his fault; it never was. But he can’t.

So he doesn’t. He’ll be fine alone anyway.

OR: Post-Spyral. Secrets are revealed. Traumas are addressed. No one is happy.

Content Warning: Some suicidal idealization

My opinion: As the summary says, this fic is post-spyral, meaning after the Grayson comic. In this one, Bruce straight up sucks, which i generally don't love, but i think its hard to write a good dad, trying his best Bruce when talking abt Spyral and post-Grayson. he kinda sucked on those comics

I do love this one fic tho, because i think it does a good job of addressing what happens in those comics. This is more on the angsty, super sad side, so if you're looking for a tear-jerker fic this one for sure delivers. I think it does a good job of addressing the trauma and showing the kind of person Dick is.

It is Hurt/Comfort, so there are some really cute, sweet moments between the batkids. Give it a try if you have the time!

[nightwing-centric]

Omg now that I have woken from my slumber (depression maybe idk) I have so many fics I want to recommend but I don’t know if there is like, a professional way to do it.

Like should I recommend one per day or something like that? I just wanna dump all of them and be like “Here! Read please!” But like then I would run out for a while I guess

[nightwing-centric]

Outlast the rain

Summary: During a routine patrol, Dick’s glove malfunctions and he almost falls to his death. Bruce redesigns them. Problem solved, right? Only Dick is refusing to take the new pair. AKA Trauma is irrational, but love endures all.

Day 4: Dick Grayson’s Eldest Daughter Syndrome & “Catch me.”

Content Warning: Implied/Referenced Rape

My opinion: This is more self-indulgent than anything. As I mentioned before, I love fanfics that deal with the Tarantula situation and the aftermath.

I also love Bruce trying to be a good father. I will never recommend a fic where Bruce is a shitty dad that stays abusive, that is not my cup. He kinda sucks, but he is trying in this fic and that's what matters. There are also really sweet moments with the other batkids.

I highly recommend giving it a try, especially if you are looking for a fic on the longer side

[nightwing-centric]

Modus Tollens

Summary: Dick is cursed to kill anyone he touches

Content Warning: none

My opinion: Angst my beloved. This is a sweet, hurt/comfort, touched starved Dick. If you want sweet moments between Dick and his family, then this is for you. I think this fic does a really good job of combining angst and comfort and doesn't mischaracterize any character, which is a problem i have with some batfam fics. If you have time and want to maybe cry a little i highly recommend giving it a try

[nightwing-centric]

your continental divides

Summary: When running doesn't work and working doesn't work, home is the place you go where they have to take you in. Dick's home has never been Gotham; it's always been the people.

Content Warning: Rape recovery and everything that comes with it

My opinion: so, I’m a sucker for fics that talk about what happened with tarantula. Since dc won’t address it I need the fics to give me the comfort. This is heavy and intense. It is sad, but there is a happy, or at least hopeful, ending. Dick has to learn how to receive the help he needs but he gets there. If you want something long, with hurt/comfort this one is for you!

[nightwing-centric]

Sink or Swim

Summary: Dick is peacefully basking in the sunlight when he hears a child’s screams for help.

Trigger Warning: depiction of violence

My opinion: so, I’m obsessed with merpeople in any fandom, and I’m sure someone out there is too, so this one is for you!

What if, Dick Grayson was a Merman? And, what if Slade was a hunter? Also, what if he had a good relationship with his kids, one of them who is about the be saved by one merman? This is not a slash fic, btw. While I was pitching it I realized it could be read like that, but no. This is just some cute story of Dick Grayson being an amazing guy, no matter the species. It’s cute, I didn’t cry with this one, but It does has some sad moments. Overall is really fun, and cute and if that didn’t convince you please consider: mermaids

[nightwing-centric]

Birdsong

Summary: After getting a face full of Scarecrow’s newest toxin, Dick isn’t haunted by his typical nightmares. No. This one has little green pixie boots. AKA Batman: Ego but make it Robin.

Nightwing 60th Anniversary Bingo: Drugs & Toxins

Trigger Warning: talks about suicide and encouragement for a character to commit suicide

My opinion: This is one of my favorite Dick Grayson Fics. I have it bookmarked and downloaded too. It is heartbreaking at parts but with a happy ending. I Love character studies, and at the end of the day this is what it is. I think it does a good job at showing Dick as the complex character he is, and at exploring some of his emotions. I highly recommend giving it a read. Beware tho, you might cry

[nightwing-centric]

Beat My Heart Just Like A Drum

Summary: Bruce takes in a bat pup after finding it on his desk in the Cave.

He wasn't expecting to wake up the next morning with a human child.

Trigger Warning: none

My opinion: You just read the most heartbreaking fic? You feel like crying for days and you need a fic to wash down the sour taste? Don’t you worry, I bring you this cute story! It’s a fun and creative story with a cute tiny shapeshifting Dick. This is really just fluff. It’s Bruce becoming a father and there is nothing cuter than that! It also has a sequel, and I also loved it! If you have time and wanna end up feeling like your heart my explode from cuteness, please read!

[nightwing-centric]

Taking Flight: A Tragicomedy in Four Acts

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Sinopsis: John and Mary Grayson die; Dick becomes Robin. This is everything that happens in between, a/k/a, how Gotham City ripped one family and identity from Dick and gave him another.

An origin story in the Rebirth spirit, weaving together threads from Tec #40, Dark Victory, Robin: Year One, New 52, and more.

Dick just wanted to go back to the circus, to go back to his normal life, waving to crowds and flying through the air. But instead he was in a giant cave under a giant mansion in (outside of?) Gotham, swiftly becoming part of a billionaire's cobbled-together family and trying to solve a murder. And the worst part? He sort of liked it.

Content Warning: none My opinion: After recommending some fluff Birdflash I'm legally obligated to recommend some Angsty Dick and Bruce (as father and son, don't be weird) so here it is! is long, yes, but so worth it! So, what am I bringing you here? Court of owls, Dick and Bruce learning how to be a family, Alfred being great, some guest appearance of Clark Kent and Bruce being a good dad (just what we need <3) I'm begging you to read it pretty please. Also, it's part of a series, you don't HAVE to read the other fanfics but I honestly recommend you do it. the series only has 3 fics, this being the first one. in the third one you will get to see Dick and Wally getting to know each other and becoming friends, so I highly suggest you read all 3 of them

[nightwing-centric]

I Wanna Shoop, Baby

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Sinopsis: Talking over Bruce's attempts to desperately stop the unwanted laughter, Dick said, "I don't really understand what my soulmark means. It doesn't have any hints about their identity, so I just memorized the words instead."Bruce fought for control and took a deep, sobering breath. “Whoever your soulmate is, I can’t decide whether I hate them already or need you to meet them.”“Need me to meet them?”Bruce chuckled—he chuckled—and said, “Dick. I have a feeling the two of you are going to be a particularly troublesome pair of best friends.”

Content Warning: none

My opinion: Today I bring you some nice Birdflash. What do we have on the menu? well, I'm glad you asked. it comes with Soulmates, specifically “First phrase they say to you”-mark, some fluff and humor, mutual pining (one of my favorites), Romani Dick, and some slight sexual jokes. You wanna read something but don’t know what? or, did you just read a very angsty, heart-breaking fanfic and after crying for some hours in the dark you wanna now read something more light? Well, search no more, this fic is for you! honestly, its really entertaining so if you have time you should def read it

P.D: My phone is shit so I had to delete almost every app I have, I'm writing this on my computer so it's gonna look different than my other posts.

[nightwing-centric]

Hard Truths And Other Realities

Content Warnings: None

My opinion: so, you might have noticed that this one doesn’t come with a sinopsis and it’s because this time I’m recommending you a whole series. Now, you might think “a whole series? Idk, I’m not sure, it could be a lot” and sure, it can be, but I seriously recommend this so hard. Like, I re-read it almost every month I’m not even kidding. It’s pretty good. It’s angsty, has some beautiful moments, brotherly love, Bruce being a shitty father but he’s learning I swear. It basically it’s about what Dick Grayson does after being fired of being Robin. Dick learning how to be a brother, Bruce learning how to make his mistakes better. It can be long, sure, but it’s soooo worth it, if you have time trust me on this one and read it! You will be doing yourself a favor, I promise you!

[nightwing-centric]

Crystalline

Sinopsis: A long weekend kicks off in the worst way when Dick has an accident. Bruce is used to handling emergencies, but it’s a bit harder when it’s his son instead of a stranger.

Even if he’s not a father. Because he’s not, right?

Content Warning: none

My opinion: nothing but a concern father. I just love so much stories with good dad Bruce and Robin Dick Grayson. This is basically Bruce learning how to be a dad and the responsibilities that come with that. I mean, you should’ve consider that raising a kid with acrobatic background might be a little harder that raising a normal kid. I love the “kid Dick Grayson gets hurt and Bruce panics” and of course the “Dick Grayson used to get on top of chandeliers” if you just read a really sad story this might cheer you up!

[nightwing-centric]

Bad Decisions And Artful Consequences

Sinopsis: Dick Grayson sneaks out at night to hang out with his friends- an amalgamation of rambunctious teenagers who may or may not have accidentally become a graffiti based street gang.

Understandably, his brothers are concerned.

Content Warning: None

My opinion: this for me is a must read. It’s one of those fanfics I revisit every once in a while bc I enjoyed it so much. Is a reverse robin fic, which is one of my favorite tags, it’s also civilian AU. It has Dick/Wally, one of my fav ships, it has the batfam bonding, Dick doing teenager shit, like graffiti, which I always appreciate. It’s honestly very good, please give it a read if you have the time. Also, it’s not really angst. It’s not completely fluff, has a fight scene and a hospital scene but it’s not the type of fic that makes me cry so it’s all good