Work Text:
Dick was working when it happened; ‘It’, being apocalypse no.326.
He knew something was wrong when agents started running around in a panic, on what should have been a normal Thursday afternoon. It was confirmed only a moment later when all the TVs in the office were turned to the news, and he watched a harried reporter update the masses about an unknown race of aliens attacking the planet.
To make things even better, the aliens were apparently going after any and all law enforcement officers which, much to the distress of his coworkers, meant their office would probably come under attack any minute.
Dick rolled his eyes and sighed; People were dying, but he’d seen too much to not be desensitized to it all. He also knew the Justice League protocols for this situation; A hero would be dispatched to every likely target and they would be responsible for protecting the civilians there. All in all, Dick was calm.
At least, he was calm until his phone started to ring. It was his personal phone; The one that no one who knew him as Neal knew about. He sighed, unfortunately he knew exactly where this was going.
He picked up the phone and was greeted by Babs frantically talking, leaving him no room to get a word in, “Nightwing, this is a code A2. You have to break cover and handle the New York FBI building. We have too many leaguers off planet and we’re calling in everyone who’s cover is less than a level eight. I’ve linked you to the Flash if you need backup, but he’s covering all Central’s police stations; So try not to call him unless it’s an emergency. Oracle out.” The call cut out.
Dick stared at his phone, bemused. He’d known it was coming the second he heard that ever so familiar ringtone, but he still felt guilt curdle his stomach. He’d never wanted to break cover like this; He’d been hoping he could talk to his friends on his own terms. He wanted to laugh; He’d even made plans to tell them two weeks from now. The aliens couldn’t have waited two weeks!?
Sometime during Babs’ call Peter had managed to get the office into some slight semblance of order. He’d gathered all the agents in a corner, and was handing out instructions calmly. Dick was impressed; It was a clear sign of his character, that Peter had enough respect from his agents to overpower the natural instincts that were probably screaming at them to run, or hide, or arm themselves.
Yet, not a single agent was doing that; rather, they were listening to their boss. The only people Dick had ever seen command that kind of respect were himself and his fellow heroes.
Dick sighed and, knowing what he had to do, stood and walked up to where Peter was standing at the front of the room. He waited until Peter turned to him and asked, “Neal?”
Dick took a breath and dropped his mask; for the first time being himself, rather than Neal Caffrey, in front of the office; in front of his friends. “Peter, I-. Just-” He shook his head and took a deep breath, before turning to the rest of the agent, “Agents.” He nodded to them, “I understand we’re dealing with a crisis right now, but I need everyone’s attention for just a minute.
Peter rolled his eyes, “Now’s really not the time Nea-”
Peter was cut off by Dick raising a hand and speaking, “No, Peter. This actually has to do with our current situation.” He turned to face the office at large. It was so silent you could hear a pin drop.
All eyes in the room were on him. Dick took another steadying breath, “Currently a single member or associate of the Justice League has been dispatched to every likely target of the alien invasion.” He paused, “As for this office…” He took a breath; there was no going back from this, “Oracle, the coordinator for Gotham heroes, as well as the Justice League, during world threatening events anyways, has instructed me to break my cover to cover this building.”
All eyes were glued to him, and the air was still. It seemed like the office was holding its breath. Dick swallowed hard, “I’m the hero Nightwing. I was undercover here to weed out corruption. Believe me, I didn’t want to reveal my identity like this, but I have no choice.” He paused, expecting to be hit with a million questions, but there was only silence.
Dick cleared his throat and continued, “As a gesture of good faith… My real name is Richard Grayson-Wayne.” There were several gasps; it was the first noise other than his voice since he’d started talking several minutes ago. It was almost relieving, “I know that I’ve lied to all of you, and for that you deserve nothing but the whole truth; meaning both of my identities. But I will let you know, if you leak this information… Well… The Justice League has several members that can wipe all this from your memory.” He grimaced, “I truly hope it doesn't come to that though.”
Dick leaned back on a desk behind him, and crossed his arms over his chest, “I’m sorry I don’t have time to explain more right now, but we have work to do. When we get through this I promise to sit down and host a nice long question and answer session. But for now, I’m sorry.”
Dick turned to face Peter; the agent’s face was blank, “Peter, I’m gonna have to take over here.” He said apologetically, receiving a short nod in response.
Dick turned back to the crowd, “Everybody got it?” He asked. There were several nods and yesses from the agents, and Dick turned to Peter, “Peter?” He asked.
Peter swallowed thickly, “Really?” He asked quietly.
“Yeah. Uh, surprise?” Dick responded awkwardly.
The corner of Peter’s mouth ticked up, and he rolled his eyes before turning towards the agents, “Okay.” He cleared his throat, face turning serious, “You heard the man; everyone, listen up.” Peter turned back to him, and Dick looked out over the faces of the agents.
There was a mix of fear, anger, shock, betrayal, and confusion. He grimaced again; this situation sucked, “Okay.” He said, straightening up and clapping his hands, “I’m gonna pull off a quick change, and I want you all to split off into three groups. Group one needs to get every civilian in the building out, group two needs to collect weapons, and group three needs to make this office a battleground where we’ll have an advantage. Move desks, cover windows, whatever it takes. Everybody got it?”
There were more nods, and Peter spoke up from next to him, “I’ve got it… Dick. Go change.”
Dick nodded gratefully, and ran off to the bathroom. In the end stall there was a panel where he kept a spare uniform. He quickly changed and, after a minute of debate, walked back out into the office in full uniform sans mask. This situation sucked, but he would do his best to protect the people he’d come to think of as friends. It also didn’t hurt that he’d get a chance to show off a little; after all, any Flying Grayson would always be a performer at heart.