Chapter Text
A wave of relief takes me when I finally get visuals on her. She’s alive.
Obviously, I wouldn’t have gotten very far in my efforts to get back on patrol if she had died. It would’ve proved to be incongruous to my efforts.
Obviously.
I only wished I knew this earlier and was spared in the indignity of asking for help. I embarrassingly sent him three messages and I had even called him. Fortunately, I’d only asked Dick if he could help. It would’ve been worse if I had to cave in and as Drake, or God forbid Todd, for help.
It’s clear to me that some sort of tracking device is necessary now, not just a bug to listen in on her conversations. It’s what I should’ve done from the start. Mother would be disappointed in me.
I wait until she enters her building before I grapple away. My phone vibrates. It’s a message from Dick.
Dick Grayson
I heard about the fight you and Dad had.
Maybe you should hang out with her to learn more about her?
I don’t think the whole bug thing is working out.
I was going to reply, but I feel I have met my quota for embarrassing myself for the night. I ignore his last two messages. My phone vibrates again, just as I was about to close it shut.
Dick Grayson
She skinned her knee pretty bad. It looked pretty gnarly.
Can you drop off some bandages at her place?
I’d do it myself, but I just got something I need to do back in Blüdhaven.
I cocked my brow. I know he had his own gauze and bandages in his belt. We all do. Perhaps it had slipped his mind to get it to her, or he ran out. I know that Dick wouldn’t do something that harebrained as to force me to make friends. That very thought made me shake my head. I sighed and rubbed my neck. It’s not as if I was going to do much today, with the patrol ban and all. I might as well get her the bandages.
***
I wake up in my bed to find a small first aid kit on my side table. It only takes me a second to remember my unfortunate accident in Blüdhaven because my entire body aches with soreness. Seriously, this is embarrassing. Why is my entire body locked up just because I fell once? I’m seriously out of shape. Next to the kit is a small drink and a note.
9AM. MEET AT LAB. - R
He knows too now? I groan into my pillow and kick my mattress in frustration, but that doesn’t do good things for my battered knee. Nightwing recommended that I change the bandages in the morning anyways, so I get out of bed to start on that.
———
I get to the lab at 8:55. It’s better not start any arguments this time, since I know I’m going to be in for an earful once Robin finds me.
When the elevator dings open, I walk out. He gives me a scrutinizing look and then motion towards the chair for me to sit.
“What do you want out of this arrangement, Acharyi?” His arms are crossed.
Oh wow. I guess he’s going to be reasonable today. No lecture inbound for me. “I want to publish my paper on the Fear Toxin. I want to synthesize something to combat it.” I cross my legs and my hands, unconsciously mimicking his posture. It’s too late for me to undo it when I notice, but he didn’t seem to notice it himself.
He nods. He looks at me again with a piercing stare. Is it possible to get frown lines? He looks so angry that I see his masseters clench and unclench, like he’s trying to calm himself down. I had quite literally see the veins in his forehead, like he’s some kind of cartoon character. I guess there is a lecture inbound, then. “I see. Explain to me what part of this goal requires you to travel to Blüdhaven? What business do you have there?” It looks like he wanted to follow it up with a ‘who do you work for,’ but he exhibits a not before seen bit of self control and bites his tongue.
“There’s a house over there in Blüdhaven. My aunt had keys to it. I think something is in there. I don’t know what’s in there exactly, but if it’s more research, then I’m willing to bet that It’ll be what I need to finish what my aunt started.”
He seems to mull what I’m saying over, and I ca finally see his shoulders drop. They’re still tense, everything about him always is, it’s like he’s expecting to be throw into battle at any given moment, but less so than before. After a long stretch of silence. He starts to speak again.
“I am not allowed to go on my daily duty in patrol as a result of this unfortunate and deeply unpleasant arrangement. The sooner you’re gone, the better. You feel the same way about it. So, let’s make a deal. Let’s work together to get away from each other as soon as possible.” He extends his hand.
I put mine forward and shake his firmly.
“The sooner I don’t have to see you, the better..”