Chapter Text
“B…”
“Help is on the way. You should rest.” Bruce absolutely doesn’t let the emotion he’s feeling bleed into his voice.
Bleed.
Poor choice of words.
Especially with the pool of blood beneath them, some of it already growing cool and tacky.
Dick tries to sit up, and raises a hand towards him, but his hand is shaking.
Bruce gently pushes his hand back and flips the lenses of the cowl down, leans forward. He keeps Dick’s hand in his.
“Stay still.” He’s been saying that for years.
“I’m glad you were there that night, B. At the circus. Those early years… they were the best…”
The noises around them seem to have faded, but he can barely hear the words.
“‘M tired.”
No.
This isn’t going to happen.
He refuses to let it happen.
“Nightwing.” He doesn’t have to force the command into his voice. It’s automatic. He knows there’s no way any of them would ignore it… except…
“Nightwing.” Louder this time.
There’s no answer. And he’s still.
“Dick.” It’s not a shout, but it’s louder than he would ever normally use their names, in costume, outside the cave.
Dick is still smiling, eyes closed, his hand loose now, in Bruce’s grip.