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Roy shot an arrow as the fight began.
The Titans got a note that there would be a trade between powerful villains.
Roy really wished that person was wrong.
He was in the middle of his simple plan of telling Dick the truth when the note was sent.
Dick got in his leader mode and they all started to plan.
Okay. Roy knows he could’ve easily told the former boy wonder the truth a long time ago, but he never found the right time. There were always chances flying away.
Dick was fighting a person and didn’t see the gun that was pointing at him.
Roy saw it. Roy would’ve seen a direct hit to his…Nightwing.
Roy didn’t want to see that.
He reached for an arrow, only to see he ran out.
Roy jumped from the high point he was at and jumped in front of Dick as a shot rang out.
He heard someone call his alter ego. Oh yeah. They’re not civilians right now.
He heard a final punch and then his vision was filled with black and blue. That and a concerned face.
A beautiful concerned face.
Hands pushed at his wound, adding pressure.
He opened his mouth but he felt pain. This reminded him of the time he was shot during Outsiders.
“Don’t worry. You’re gonna be okay.” Dick promised.
Roy smiled and wanted to kiss him very badly.
He didn’t. He couldn’t. The fight raged on but all Roy could think about was missing his chance.
__________
Roy was thrown back into consciousness surrounded by voices.
“—you need to rest. You got hurt.” That sounded like Garth. It was hard to tell for sure because of the pain.
“I’m fine, Garth.” A voice said and Roy was pleased with his ability to know voices well.
The voice sounded like the person was trying to hide pain.
That alone told Roy who was talking.
“Dick.” Donna. That’s Donna. She said, “Staying by his bed won’t make him wake up any faster.”
“I…” Dick trailed off. How hurt is he?
Silence. What are they doing? Roy wants to open his eyes but he’s still so tired.
“Okay.” Donna said at last.
Oh. The Wonder Twins must’ve been having their no word conversations.
“Let me clean you up then.” Donna said.
Dick probably nodded.
Roy heard Garth and another pair of footsteps—Wally, most likely—leave. Are they okay?
“I really am fine, Donna. Roy—“
“Roy has been seen by the best. He’s going to be fine. He’s not as stubborn as you.”
“That’s not a hard thing to be.” Dick said.
Roy wants to wake up just to hit him on the shoulder playfully.
“What’s really wrong?” Donna asked.
Roy is confused. Dick always gets like this when one of them gets hurt.
He always sits beside the person until they wake up. Unless he's in a bed, too.
Roy thinks it’s because of his guilt, but Roy doesn’t want Dick to feel guilty about this.
“He jumped in front of a bullet for me. If he dies…if I never get the chance to tell him…“
“He’s not going to die.” Donna said with all the power of an Amazon.
“I should’ve been—“
“If you say “better”, I’m going to scream.”
“That would wake him up.” Dick tried to go for a joking tone but Donna must be giving him a hard look because he falls silent.
“You don’t have to be better. Sometimes, things happen. You were busy and your friend saved you.” Donna finished.
Silence again.
“Well, I should leave. Give you two a chance to talk.”
What?
Once again, footsteps hit the floor and leave.
A beat of silence. Then, “I know you’re awake.”
Roy finally got the energy to open his eyes. He doesn’t feel as tired anymore.
Dick’s face is still concerned and still beautiful.
Roy wants to wipe that look of concern off Dick’s face.
Roy wants to kiss that look of concern off Dick’s face.
Instead Roy said with a long and dramatic sigh, “Wow. I get shot and you don’t let me pretend to sleep. I’m sure you’re going to drag me to training now.”
He hopes Dick knows what he means by what he said.
Thankfully, he does.
Dick smiled. “No training until the doctors clear you. How are you feeling?”
“It isn’t your fault.” Roy pointed out.
Dick’s smile fell. “Roy.”
“No. Nope. Absolutely not. If you try to convince me this is your fault for my choice, I’m going to have to get out of this bed injured and get Donna.”
“You’d have to get past me.” Dick pointed out with a bit of his usual tone but most of it was lost.
Roy didn’t give him an answer. He just started to get up.
“Okay. Okay. You don’t have to get up.” Dick said. “Don’t upset your wound.”
Roy smiled, proud of himself. Then he remembered what he heard.
“Chance to tell me?” Roy wondered.
“What?”
“You were telling Donna you never got the chance to tell me something. What?”
Dick put on a fake smile. Roy knew it was fake because as genuine as it seemed, it didn’t reach his eyes.
“Nothing. It’s not important—“
“Dick.”
“—I love you.” Dick quickly said. He groaned. “I’ve loved you since we were kids and I just never found the right time. Everything was going on and then more things were going on and then.” Dick took a breath and Roy saw him close up. “I understand if you don’t feel the same. It won’t affect our friendship—“
“Shut up.”
Dick looked away.
“Look at me.” Roy called. “I’m injured. You have to listen.”
Dick met his eyes.
“Can I kiss you?”
Dick’s eyes widened but he nodded without any more hesitation.
They both leaned in and met in the middle.
The kiss was short but it felt like a million fireworks at once. It felt like candy. It felt like coming home.
Roy and Dick broke apart and Dick offered a smile—a genuine one, this time—and took a breath.
“How was that, Mr. Grayson?”
“Well, Mr. Harper. It was definitely worth the wait.”