That so doesn't go with your shoes...

"You'll never know if you can fly, unless you take the risk of falling. " [Independent DC Richard Grayson/Nightwing Roleplay Blog. Probably Semi-Selective. I'm mainly on mobile so this blog sucks most of the time.]

[incorrectbatmanquotes]

When in doubt, C4.

Jason Todd (via incorrectbatmanquotes)

[ofcoffinwoodarchived-blog]

[ofcoffinwoodarchived-blog]

”I find that lying just prolongs an unpleasant experience.”

Black Mask  Indie & Selective

[theearthlynightwing]

Highschool Sentence Starters

"So... What are you in detention for?"

"I saw you're having a lot of trouble in class. I can tutor you, if you want."

"Can I draw you? It's for an art project and you have the most perfect profile."

"Whoa, wait, you've never been to a real party before?!"

"Don't think I haven't heard you gossiping about me. Do you really think that?"

"Crap! I'm so sorry, I wasn't looking where I was going!"

"I'm new, and every other lunch table is full. Can I sit here?"

"Wait, you're a twin? There's TWO of you?"

"Hey! Back off would you?"

"Shut up, I'm trying to hear the teacher."

"I guess we're paired up for the 'robot baby' project. Nice to meet you."

"Why did you just let those bullies do that to you?"

"I don't want to talk about the bullies, okay?"

"You want me to do /what/ with you in the janitor's closet?"

"I'm not breaking into the school files, are you kidding me?!"

"So... wanna make out in some janitor's closet?"

"Does this make us Friends with Benefits?"

"Did you leave this love letter in my locker?"

[theearthlynightwing]

“A change of clothes would be nice.” He sat still for a moment before pushing himself off the couch. “I thought that couch was new.” He didn’t, but it couldn’t hurt to say something about it. “Are the clothes in the bedroom? Where have you been stashing my stuff, huh?”

[janitor-in-gotham-deactivated20]

With a completely serious face, “I have it in the closet, in the shrine I have dedicated to you.” She laughed before standing up and taking him over to her ‘dresser’ and pulled out a drawer, handing him his clothes. “Here ya go, honey~” 

[theearthlynightwing]

He raised an eyebrow at her joke about the shrine. “Heh. I wouldn’t be surprised.” He nudged her lightly before he gathered his clothes from her. “You want me to change here or no?”

[janitor-in-gotham-deactivated20]

Tommie smiled slyly. “Well, I would prefer for ya ta change here.” She touched his shoulder trailing down to his wrist. “But where ever ya like ta” 

“I missed you”

[theearthlynightwing]

“As you wish.” He set the clothes down and tugged his shirt off of his body. Rather quickly the wet shirt was discarded and replaced with the dry one, pants following in suit. “Thanks, Tommie. Dry clothes feel nice.”

[janitor-in-gotham-deactivated20]

Tommie smiled , “of course, anything for ya” She quickly gathered his clothes and took them to her washing machine. She threw in her clothes in as well before turning on the machine. Tommie moved back to Dick wrapping him up in a hug. She snuggled into his chest and sighed happy to have him back in her arms.

[theearthlynightwing]

He rested an arm around her, hand snaking around her waist and resting low on her hip. “Missed you, Tommie. Feels nice to be back. Though I’m feeling tired. Like I may pass out any minute now. So if we could hurry to bed…” He said, eyes drooping as he looked down at her.

[janitor-in-gotham-deactivated20]

“Hmmmm, right lets get ya ta bed.” Tommie guided him to her bed and throwing the covers over him. Combing his shaggy hair with her fingers, “I’ll join ya need to change though” she quickly slipped into some night clothes before slipping under the covers with Dick, snuggling into him.. “Goodnight dick tricks~” she pecked him before closing her eyes with her arms curled around him.

[theearthlynightwing]

He smirked at the sound of his old nickname in his ears, eyes already shut. He was asleep in moments all of his exhaustion finally getting the best of him. At first, his sleep was calm. His mind was empty. Then slowly all the things he had been avoiding by not sleeping hit him full force. There was the occasional flicker of what actually happened on his trip. But what happened there wasn’t as troublesome as the thoughts that followed. Failure. He had failed with his primary goal for his mission. Maybe that was important but he didn’t want to think about the lives lost because of his failure tonight. But now he saw his family dying. Because he had failed to save them. That was emotional pain. The kind that made him detached and quiet. The next pain was physical. And it made him scream.

[janitor-in-gotham-deactivated20]

Tommie had waken up when he started tossing and turning. She quickly wrapped her arms around him, petting his face and gently caressing him to calm him. But he didn’t he started screaming. With tears in her eyes, she started shaking him awake.“DICK! WAKE UP!!!”

[theearthlynightwing]

He did wake up, eyes wide with agony and panic. It took a moment for those eyes to find Tommie. His breathing was fast and heavy. His hands were shaking as he brought them up to hold her face gently. “T-Tommie? I’m sorry.”

[janitor-in-gotham-deactivated20]

She petted his face gently as she smiled softly. “I’m here, everything is ok, love.” She pecked at the corners of his eyes, peppering his face with tiny kisses. “Do ya wanna talk about it? Speaking about what happened can help purge what’s snarling in your mind….”

[theearthlynightwing]

“No.” He withdrew his hands from her face, still shaking as he shifted from his spot next to her to the edge of the bed. His feet rested on the floor and his hands rested on the back of his neck. “Go to sleep, I’ll join you in a couple minutes. Please don’t argue.” He glanced at the clock. It wasn’t too early yet.

[janitor-in-gotham-deactivated20]

Tommie shifted and wrapped her arms around him, hugging him from behind. She stayed like that for a few moments before kissing behind his ear and shifted back to lay under the covers. Her hand curled I his shirt keeping a grip on him as he sat. A silent fear that he would leave again, laid behind her quiet actions. She hated that he never trusted her to help him when he got like this; always shutting him out, not condoning in her. Sometimes she felt like a toy to be played with than his girlfriend.

[theearthlynightwing]

He had intended to leave. The only thing that stopped him was that he looked over his shoulder and saw her there. So he didn't leave straight away. Once she had actually gone back to sleep and her grip fell from his shirt, he slipped out of bed. Pecking her temple gently, he murmured a few words. "I love you. I'm not leaving for good. I just need to clear my head. I'll be back before you wake up." His hand brushed through her hair. He grabbed his jacket and headed for the door. Just to go on a quick walk to get things sorted out.

[theearthlynightwing]

“A change of clothes would be nice.” He sat still for a moment before pushing himself off the couch. “I thought that couch was new.” He didn’t, but it couldn’t hurt to say something about it. “Are the clothes in the bedroom? Where have you been stashing my stuff, huh?”

[janitor-in-gotham-deactivated20]

With a completely serious face, “I have it in the closet, in the shrine I have dedicated to you.” She laughed before standing up and taking him over to her ‘dresser’ and pulled out a drawer, handing him his clothes. “Here ya go, honey~” 

[theearthlynightwing]

He raised an eyebrow at her joke about the shrine. “Heh. I wouldn’t be surprised.” He nudged her lightly before he gathered his clothes from her. “You want me to change here or no?”

[janitor-in-gotham-deactivated20]

Tommie smiled slyly. “Well, I would prefer for ya ta change here.” She touched his shoulder trailing down to his wrist. “But where ever ya like ta” 

“I missed you”

[theearthlynightwing]

“As you wish.” He set the clothes down and tugged his shirt off of his body. Rather quickly the wet shirt was discarded and replaced with the dry one, pants following in suit. “Thanks, Tommie. Dry clothes feel nice.”

[janitor-in-gotham-deactivated20]

Tommie smiled , “of course, anything for ya” She quickly gathered his clothes and took them to her washing machine. She threw in her clothes in as well before turning on the machine. Tommie moved back to Dick wrapping him up in a hug. She snuggled into his chest and sighed happy to have him back in her arms.

[theearthlynightwing]

He rested an arm around her, hand snaking around her waist and resting low on her hip. “Missed you, Tommie. Feels nice to be back. Though I’m feeling tired. Like I may pass out any minute now. So if we could hurry to bed…” He said, eyes drooping as he looked down at her.

[janitor-in-gotham-deactivated20]

“Hmmmm, right lets get ya ta bed.” Tommie guided him to her bed and throwing the covers over him. Combing his shaggy hair with her fingers, “I’ll join ya need to change though” she quickly slipped into some night clothes before slipping under the covers with Dick, snuggling into him.. “Goodnight dick tricks~” she pecked him before closing her eyes with her arms curled around him.

[theearthlynightwing]

He smirked at the sound of his old nickname in his ears, eyes already shut. He was asleep in moments all of his exhaustion finally getting the best of him. At first, his sleep was calm. His mind was empty. Then slowly all the things he had been avoiding by not sleeping hit him full force. There was the occasional flicker of what actually happened on his trip. But what happened there wasn’t as troublesome as the thoughts that followed. Failure. He had failed with his primary goal for his mission. Maybe that was important but he didn’t want to think about the lives lost because of his failure tonight. But now he saw his family dying. Because he had failed to save them. That was emotional pain. The kind that made him detached and quiet. The next pain was physical. And it made him scream.

[janitor-in-gotham-deactivated20]

Tommie had waken up when he started tossing and turning. She quickly wrapped her arms around him, petting his face and gently caressing him to calm him. But he didn’t he started screaming. With tears in her eyes, she started shaking him awake.“DICK! WAKE UP!!!”

[theearthlynightwing]

He did wake up, eyes wide with agony and panic. It took a moment for those eyes to find Tommie. His breathing was fast and heavy. His hands were shaking as he brought them up to hold her face gently. “T-Tommie? I’m sorry.”

[janitor-in-gotham-deactivated20]

She petted his face gently as she smiled softly. “I’m here, everything is ok, love.” She pecked at the corners of his eyes, peppering his face with tiny kisses. “Do ya wanna talk about it? Speaking about what happened can help purge what’s snarling in your mind….”

[theearthlynightwing]

"No." He withdrew his hands from her face, still shaking as he shifted from his spot next to her to the edge of the bed. His feet rested on the floor and his hands rested on the back of his neck. "Go to sleep, I'll join you in a couple minutes. Please don't argue." He glanced at the clock. It wasn't too early yet.

[theearthlynightwing]

“A change of clothes would be nice.” He sat still for a moment before pushing himself off the couch. “I thought that couch was new.” He didn’t, but it couldn’t hurt to say something about it. “Are the clothes in the bedroom? Where have you been stashing my stuff, huh?”

[janitor-in-gotham-deactivated20]

With a completely serious face, “I have it in the closet, in the shrine I have dedicated to you.” She laughed before standing up and taking him over to her ‘dresser’ and pulled out a drawer, handing him his clothes. “Here ya go, honey~” 

[theearthlynightwing]

He raised an eyebrow at her joke about the shrine. “Heh. I wouldn’t be surprised.” He nudged her lightly before he gathered his clothes from her. “You want me to change here or no?”

[janitor-in-gotham-deactivated20]

Tommie smiled slyly. “Well, I would prefer for ya ta change here.” She touched his shoulder trailing down to his wrist. “But where ever ya like ta” 

“I missed you”

[theearthlynightwing]

“As you wish.” He set the clothes down and tugged his shirt off of his body. Rather quickly the wet shirt was discarded and replaced with the dry one, pants following in suit. “Thanks, Tommie. Dry clothes feel nice.”

[janitor-in-gotham-deactivated20]

Tommie smiled , “of course, anything for ya” She quickly gathered his clothes and took them to her washing machine. She threw in her clothes in as well before turning on the machine. Tommie moved back to Dick wrapping him up in a hug. She snuggled into his chest and sighed happy to have him back in her arms.

[theearthlynightwing]

He rested an arm around her, hand snaking around her waist and resting low on her hip. “Missed you, Tommie. Feels nice to be back. Though I’m feeling tired. Like I may pass out any minute now. So if we could hurry to bed…” He said, eyes drooping as he looked down at her.

[janitor-in-gotham-deactivated20]

“Hmmmm, right lets get ya ta bed.” Tommie guided him to her bed and throwing the covers over him. Combing his shaggy hair with her fingers, “I’ll join ya need to change though” she quickly slipped into some night clothes before slipping under the covers with Dick, snuggling into him.. “Goodnight dick tricks~” she pecked him before closing her eyes with her arms curled around him.

[theearthlynightwing]

He smirked at the sound of his old nickname in his ears, eyes already shut. He was asleep in moments all of his exhaustion finally getting the best of him. At first, his sleep was calm. His mind was empty. Then slowly all the things he had been avoiding by not sleeping hit him full force. There was the occasional flicker of what actually happened on his trip. But what happened there wasn’t as troublesome as the thoughts that followed. Failure. He had failed with his primary goal for his mission. Maybe that was important but he didn’t want to think about the lives lost because of his failure tonight. But now he saw his family dying. Because he had failed to save them. That was emotional pain. The kind that made him detached and quiet. The next pain was physical. And it made him scream.

[janitor-in-gotham-deactivated20]

Tommie had waken up when he started tossing and turning. She quickly wrapped her arms around him, petting his face and gently caressing him to calm him. But he didn’t he started screaming. With tears in her eyes, she started shaking him awake.“DICK! WAKE UP!!!”

[theearthlynightwing]

He did wake up, eyes wide with agony and panic. It took a moment for those eyes to find Tommie. His breathing was fast and heavy. His hands were shaking as he brought them up to hold her face gently. "T-Tommie? I'm sorry."

[vdante]

Robin and Batman Dick Grayson and Bruce Wayne | Batman and Robin Eternal #02

[theearthlynightwing]

Koriand'r: Dick, you smoked pot? Were you high when you married me?

Damian Wayne: A lot of people ask that.

[theearthlynightwing]

“A change of clothes would be nice.” He sat still for a moment before pushing himself off the couch. “I thought that couch was new.” He didn’t, but it couldn’t hurt to say something about it. “Are the clothes in the bedroom? Where have you been stashing my stuff, huh?”

[janitor-in-gotham-deactivated20]

With a completely serious face, “I have it in the closet, in the shrine I have dedicated to you.” She laughed before standing up and taking him over to her ‘dresser’ and pulled out a drawer, handing him his clothes. “Here ya go, honey~” 

[theearthlynightwing]

He raised an eyebrow at her joke about the shrine. “Heh. I wouldn’t be surprised.” He nudged her lightly before he gathered his clothes from her. “You want me to change here or no?”

[janitor-in-gotham-deactivated20]

Tommie smiled slyly. “Well, I would prefer for ya ta change here.” She touched his shoulder trailing down to his wrist. “But where ever ya like ta” 

“I missed you”

[theearthlynightwing]

“As you wish.” He set the clothes down and tugged his shirt off of his body. Rather quickly the wet shirt was discarded and replaced with the dry one, pants following in suit. “Thanks, Tommie. Dry clothes feel nice.”

[janitor-in-gotham-deactivated20]

Tommie smiled , “of course, anything for ya” She quickly gathered his clothes and took them to her washing machine. She threw in her clothes in as well before turning on the machine. Tommie moved back to Dick wrapping him up in a hug. She snuggled into his chest and sighed happy to have him back in her arms.

[theearthlynightwing]

He rested an arm around her, hand snaking around her waist and resting low on her hip. “Missed you, Tommie. Feels nice to be back. Though I’m feeling tired. Like I may pass out any minute now. So if we could hurry to bed…” He said, eyes drooping as he looked down at her.

[janitor-in-gotham-deactivated20]

“Hmmmm, right lets get ya ta bed.” Tommie guided him to her bed and throwing the covers over him. Combing his shaggy hair with her fingers, “I’ll join ya need to change though” she quickly slipped into some night clothes before slipping under the covers with Dick, snuggling into him.. “Goodnight dick tricks~” she pecked him before closing her eyes with her arms curled around him.

[theearthlynightwing]

He smirked at the sound of his old nickname in his ears, eyes already shut. He was asleep in moments all of his exhaustion finally getting the best of him. At first, his sleep was calm. His mind was empty. Then slowly all the things he had been avoiding by not sleeping hit him full force. There was the occasional flicker of what actually happened on his trip. But what happened there wasn't as troublesome as the thoughts that followed. Failure. He had failed with his primary goal for his mission. Maybe that was important but he didn't want to think about the lives lost because of his failure tonight. But now he saw his family dying. Because he had failed to save them. That was emotional pain. The kind that made him detached and quiet. The next pain was physical. And it made him scream.

[hashtagonlyingotham]

#OnlyInGotham can you judge how sober your friends are by how much they focus on how Red Robin's damn cowl looks like a condom #ItsBeenLikeAnHour #StillHaventStoppedLaughing #IThinkOneOfThemPassedOutFromLaughingTooHard #SoDoneWithThisShit

[theearthlynightwing]

“A change of clothes would be nice.” He sat still for a moment before pushing himself off the couch. “I thought that couch was new.” He didn’t, but it couldn’t hurt to say something about it. “Are the clothes in the bedroom? Where have you been stashing my stuff, huh?”

[janitor-in-gotham-deactivated20]

With a completely serious face, “I have it in the closet, in the shrine I have dedicated to you.” She laughed before standing up and taking him over to her ‘dresser’ and pulled out a drawer, handing him his clothes. “Here ya go, honey~” 

[theearthlynightwing]

He raised an eyebrow at her joke about the shrine. “Heh. I wouldn’t be surprised.” He nudged her lightly before he gathered his clothes from her. “You want me to change here or no?”

[janitor-in-gotham-deactivated20]

Tommie smiled slyly. “Well, I would prefer for ya ta change here.” She touched his shoulder trailing down to his wrist. “But where ever ya like ta” 

“I missed you”

[theearthlynightwing]

“As you wish.” He set the clothes down and tugged his shirt off of his body. Rather quickly the wet shirt was discarded and replaced with the dry one, pants following in suit. “Thanks, Tommie. Dry clothes feel nice.”

[janitor-in-gotham-deactivated20]

Tommie smiled , “of course, anything for ya” She quickly gathered his clothes and took them to her washing machine. She threw in her clothes in as well before turning on the machine. Tommie moved back to Dick wrapping him up in a hug. She snuggled into his chest and sighed happy to have him back in her arms.

[theearthlynightwing]

He rested an arm around her, hand snaking around her waist and resting low on her hip. "Missed you, Tommie. Feels nice to be back. Though I'm feeling tired. Like I may pass out any minute now. So if we could hurry to bed..." He said, eyes drooping as he looked down at her.

[theearthlynightwing]

“A change of clothes would be nice.” He sat still for a moment before pushing himself off the couch. “I thought that couch was new.” He didn’t, but it couldn’t hurt to say something about it. “Are the clothes in the bedroom? Where have you been stashing my stuff, huh?”

[janitor-in-gotham-deactivated20]

With a completely serious face, “I have it in the closet, in the shrine I have dedicated to you.” She laughed before standing up and taking him over to her ‘dresser’ and pulled out a drawer, handing him his clothes. “Here ya go, honey~” 

[theearthlynightwing]

He raised an eyebrow at her joke about the shrine. “Heh. I wouldn’t be surprised.” He nudged her lightly before he gathered his clothes from her. “You want me to change here or no?”

[janitor-in-gotham-deactivated20]

Tommie smiled slyly. “Well, I would prefer for ya ta change here.” She touched his shoulder trailing down to his wrist. “But where ever ya like ta” 

“I missed you”

[theearthlynightwing]

"As you wish." He set the clothes down and tugged his shirt off of his body. Rather quickly the wet shirt was discarded and replaced with the dry one, pants following in suit. "Thanks, Tommie. Dry clothes feel nice."

[theearthlynightwing]

“A change of clothes would be nice.” He sat still for a moment before pushing himself off the couch. “I thought that couch was new.” He didn’t, but it couldn’t hurt to say something about it. “Are the clothes in the bedroom? Where have you been stashing my stuff, huh?”

[janitor-in-gotham-deactivated20]

With a completely serious face, “I have it in the closet, in the shrine I have dedicated to you.” She laughed before standing up and taking him over to her ‘dresser’ and pulled out a drawer, handing him his clothes. “Here ya go, honey~” 

[theearthlynightwing]

He raised an eyebrow at her joke about the shrine. "Heh. I wouldn't be surprised." He nudged her lightly before he gathered his clothes from her. "You want me to change here or no?"

[theearthlynightwing]

She flushed at his protective, and somewhat possessive tone; she always did have a weakness for that. “I’m more afraid that they’ll take ya away.” She kiss him again, a little longer as to familiarize herself with his taste again. “I missed you more” she challenged. 

Her grip on his hand tightened. “I rather have little sleep with you than all the sleep in the world without you.” Grinning mischievously, “I do recall the majority of the time ya stayed over, we didn’t get much sleep anyhoo~”

 Her other hand petted his cheek, and she looked at him softly, “Please stay with me; I’ll get lonely if ya don’ and I’ll cry, loudly” It was dirty, but she’ll go to extremes to keep him there tonight in the least. 

He stared at her. “That’s an unfair thing to use on me, Tommie. But fine. You win. I’ll stay the night.” Dick blinked and ran a hand through his hair. “My apologies ahead of time if I keep you up in the not exciting ways.” He forced a bit of laughter and gave a little shrug.

[janitor-in-gotham-deactivated20]

Tommie smiled in victory, “I’ll make sure you make it up to me then~” She purred in his ear, before snuggling into him. His beard tickled the side of her face and neck and she giggled at the feeling. “Wanna change? I have a few of yer clothes here still, and yer gettin’ my new couch damp” She smirked slightly. 

[theearthlynightwing]

"A change of clothes would be nice." He sat still for a moment before pushing himself off the couch. "I thought that couch was new." He didn't, but it couldn't hurt to say something about it. "Are the clothes in the bedroom? Where have you been stashing my stuff, huh?"

[janitor-in-gotham-deactivated20]

“That’s sweet of you.” He gave a tiny grin at her small kiss. “I’m not going to let anyone take you away regardless of my appearance.” His tone was rather protective and cold for that single sentence. Then it returned to being level as it had been since he returned.

“That’s life.” He nodded a little bit. “I didn’t mean to be away for as long as I was.  Missed you.” He glanced up at her and laced his fingers together, resting them in his lap.

“I’ve been fine.” His eyes met hers, visibly tired. “Tommie, I don’t know if that’s best…I’ll keep you up.”

She flushed at his protective, and somewhat possessive tone; she always did have a weakness for that. “I’m more afraid that they’ll take ya away.” She kiss him again, a little longer as to familiarize herself with his taste again. “I missed you more” she challenged. 

Her grip on his hand tightened. “I rather have little sleep with you than all the sleep in the world without you.” Grinning mischievously, “I do recall the majority of the time ya stayed over, we didn’t get much sleep anyhoo~”

 Her other hand petted his cheek, and she looked at him softly, “Please stay with me; I’ll get lonely if ya don’ and I’ll cry, loudly” It was dirty, but she’ll go to extremes to keep him there tonight in the least. 

[theearthlynightwing]

He stared at her. "That's an unfair thing to use on me, Tommie. But fine. You win. I'll stay the night." Dick blinked and ran a hand through his hair. "My apologies ahead of time if I keep you up in the not exciting ways." He forced a bit of laughter and gave a little shrug.

[janitor-in-gotham-deactivated20]

.”

He stood there, allowing her to hug him. Slowly a single arm fell around her. Just for a moment to pat her back. Her words did not phase him. Nothing seemed to. “Missed you too. Glad to be back. Happy to be alive.” He laughed again, the action still being forced. “Please stop crying, Tommie. Everything is fine.” His hands ran through his scruffy beard and then his wet hair. “Am I allowed inside?”

His words sounded so…robotic. So distant. It wasn’t like he was even there with her. Tommie knew well, too well this is a sign of trauma; a disassociation, a means of distancing oneself from pain, especially emotional pain. It might take him hours, days or weeks to go back to ‘normal’. She held him, tears still streaming down. She pulled back, wiping her eyes of tears before shakily bending down to pick up the roses, taking care to even pick up the petals. 

Cradling the flowers, she took his hand and pulled him into her shabby, dingy apartment. Behind him, she locked the door before taking his hand again and guiding him to the couch. It was a ‘new’ couch, her old one broke during…..a temper tantrum. It was lumpy and ratty, she sewn some patches into it. 

She placed the roses on the coffee table, and headed to the bathroom to get a towel. She draped the towel over his head, started to dry his hair. Her hands cupped his breaded cheeks, threaded her fingers through his bread, petting him. 

“….new fashion statement?” She joked hollowly. Tears hanging onto her eyelashes. It was nice just having him there. There was a part of her that was enraged that he left again, but at least that time he didn’t just disappear. At least he told her he was leaving…but he was gone so long. So very long.  A stray tear rolled down her scarred cheek. 

[janitor-in-gotham-deactivated20]

“Yer always my pretty boy, Dick. Even if ya have some facial hair.” She smiled softly, pecking his lips for but a moment. She chuckled lightly, “I don’t know, maybe havin’ ya look like a ‘shabby caveman’ will keep others from snatchin ya away from me.” 

She threaded her fingers through his hair, combing out tangles. “I’ve been very busy,” She sighed deeply, leaning against him, her arms wrapped around him snuggling into his side. “More breakouts are happening and they hold or slash my check until the repairs are fixed. I really need a vacation. Being trapped inside Arkham while Joe and Black mask is runnin’ around isn’t exactly fun. I had to clean up a lot of Co-worker’s pieces and blood lately…..” It has became a regular thing for her to do, sickly she getting use to cleaning up the blood and gore of people she was knew. “Oh well……That’s life.” 

“I…Have ya been ok? ya don’t need ta tell me what happened…but…” She sighed shaking her head. She leaned her head against him with a long pause. “………stay with me, tonight? Please?”  

[theearthlynightwing]

“That’s sweet of you.” He gave a tiny grin at her small kiss. “I’m not going to let anyone take you away regardless of my appearance.” His tone was rather protective and cold for that single sentence. Then it returned to being level as it had been since he returned.

“That’s life.” He nodded a little bit. “I didn’t mean to be away for as long as I was.  Missed you.” He glanced up at her and laced his fingers together, resting them in his lap.

“I’ve been fine.” His eyes met hers, visibly tired. “Tommie, I don’t know if that’s best...I’ll keep you up.”

[janitor-in-gotham-deactivated20]

.”

He stood there, allowing her to hug him. Slowly a single arm fell around her. Just for a moment to pat her back. Her words did not phase him. Nothing seemed to. “Missed you too. Glad to be back. Happy to be alive.” He laughed again, the action still being forced. “Please stop crying, Tommie. Everything is fine.” His hands ran through his scruffy beard and then his wet hair. “Am I allowed inside?”

His words sounded so…robotic. So distant. It wasn’t like he was even there with her. Tommie knew well, too well this is a sign of trauma; a disassociation, a means of distancing oneself from pain, especially emotional pain. It might take him hours, days or weeks to go back to ‘normal’. She held him, tears still streaming down. She pulled back, wiping her eyes of tears before shakily bending down to pick up the roses, taking care to even pick up the petals. 

Cradling the flowers, she took his hand and pulled him into her shabby, dingy apartment. Behind him, she locked the door before taking his hand again and guiding him to the couch. It was a ‘new’ couch, her old one broke during…..a temper tantrum. It was lumpy and ratty, she sewn some patches into it. 

She placed the roses on the coffee table, and headed to the bathroom to get a towel. She draped the towel over his head, started to dry his hair. Her hands cupped his breaded cheeks, threaded her fingers through his bread, petting him. 

“….new fashion statement?” She joked hollowly. Tears hanging onto her eyelashes. It was nice just having him there. There was a part of her that was enraged that he left again, but at least that time he didn’t just disappear. At least he told her he was leaving…but he was gone so long. So very long.  A stray tear rolled down her scarred cheek. 

[theearthlynightwing]

He sat quietly on the couch, not noticing it was different than the last time. He sat silently as she left for the bathroom, not saying a word until Tommie broke the silence. “I haven’t shaved in awhile.” He offered her a small smile, drying hair hanging in his eyes. “I’ll be back to that pretty boy from way back when soon enough.” He said, his tone too level for his own comfort. Dick cleared his throat. “Then we can go out more and people won’t think you’re with a shabby caveman.” He stared at the floor for a moment. A rather lengthy moment. He was debating asking whether he would ask to stay the night or leave. It was probably best he didn’t have her join in on his nightmares.

“How have you been?” His head tilted for a moment, a small glimmer of his old self there for a few seconds. His hands ran up through his beard and into his semi-dry hair, pushing it out of his eyes. “Probably busy, right?”