Chapter Text
Going through many situations in his lifetime, Dick Grayson knew lots of people. His most memorable years, other than being Robin, was back at the circus.
The fun but semi-lonely times were still fresh in his mind as he patrolled Gotham. The young man did miss those days but he was glad they were over. He couldn’t imagine a future as a showman forever.
Then again.
When he gets old, where does Nightwing go?
Shaking his head, Dick decided not to think about that for now. He was twenty seven, single, and in his best shape and mindset. No point in thinking about his future when all there was is the present.
Speaking of the present, it was a cold night, no surprise there. It was mid December and almost midnight. The clouds were threatening to snow, or at the very least hail.
At least that was something to look forward to.
As Dick took painfully slow steps across the roof top, another pair of footsteps soon echoed behind his. Then followed a voice
“You walk just the same.”
Whoever it was, was a female. A capable one if she were able to sneak up on him like that. So, cautiously, the masked vigilante spun around.
“I’m sorry?”
“You sound the same, just.. manlier.” The mystery feather-walker commented. Then smiled. In this darkness, he couldn’t see her clearly. She wore mostly black clothing and a hood covered her eyes. “Wait, you’re taller than me? Jeez.. it’s really been that long. What happened to my little Richie?”
It clicked, well, almost. Dick had almost forgotten that teasing, mocking tone. Back from his circus days. Back when…
“Cmon! Richard, really? Not even the nickname you don’t remember?” She laughed again before taking down her hood. She looked different of course but he would recognize that scar anywhere. Y/N L/N.
“Holy- *Y/N?* it’s been what?- fifteen? Seventeen years? You look… incredible, wow!” That’s what Dick would have said if he wasn’t patrolling right now.
There were tons of people who he knew as a civilian that didn’t recognize him as Nightwing, so how the hell did she? Especially when they had never spoken as adults?
“Who might you be?” He said, flashing that camera worthy smile. Of course he knew, but the timing.. the circumstances. If was all.. *odd.*
“Seriously, Richie? You don’t remember me? Your favorite partner on the—“ she paused, deeming her efforts futile before continuing. “Never mind. I’m kinda out of time here. But, it was good seeing you.”
“Wait.” He stepped forward “Stay awhile, won’t you? Maybe you’ve got me mixed up with someone else? We could find your ‘little Richie’ or whatever.” He couldn’t let her leave, not yet.
Y/N stared at him. She raised a brow but she wasn’t about to pass up an opportunity to catch up with an old friend. Well, even though said old friend claims that he isn’t.
“Tempting offer. Let’s hope my dad doesn’t kill me for this.” She smiled back before walking to the edge of the rooftop and taking a comfortable seat. Soon, Dick joined her.
This added to the already confusing situation. This *was* the Y/N he remembered, he couldn’t shake that feeling of familiarity even if he tried. But.. ‘dad’? No, she was an orphan, he knew that. Plus, the Y/N he knew hated the very idea of losing her freedom, so her getting adopted was such a stretch to him.
“You always go silent when you’re confused, eh? Some things never change.” She was looking straight at him, through the holes of his domino mask. It was almost as if she could see right though it. Right through him.
“When you left the circus.. stuff started getting boring. Routine wasn’t fun, neither were shows. So I uh.. I looked for my parents. I met my bio dad and I’ve been with him ever since.” Now she looked at the moon.
“I thought having parents would be as bad as the tigers in the cages. No freedom and being told what to do.. but it’s not so bad. My dad’s really chill, demanding, and makes me work a lot, but chill nonetheless.”
“Yeah? So life’s been good for you, then?” He murmured before he could stop himself. With a sigh, he took the mask off. She knew, anyway. No point in hiding. Besides, she seemed harmless. “That’s good.” He looked back at with a smile.
“There you are..” she chuckled “I guess I’m not the only one hustling. You being Nightwing..” she trailed off, a frown slowly playing upon her lips.
“What?”
“In a way, we’re enemies.” She said out of the blue.
“Enemies?” Now he was confused. Where had that come from?
“My dad.. he really hates you. I mean I only just found out recently. I was going through some stuff, saw your identity, tracked you down. You know Deathstroke?” She cocked her head to the side, giving him a knowing look.
“No way. Your dad’s *Slade Wilson*?” It was almost a hard pill to swallow. Almost. It would explain the footsteps and the knowing his identity though the mask, at least.
“Mhm. He’s trained me for some time, I do some of his missions. That’s why I stuck with him. It’s hard work but I’m still free so-“
“Seriously, Y/N? You let him coax you into murder? No - what? You were afraid to go to bed without a story years ago and now you’re.. jeez..”
“Well, when you put it like that, Richard, it sounds bad.” She rolled her eyes.
“It IS bad.”
“Look it’s not like I have much of a choice. He’s given me everything; food, clothes, a roof over my head, a parent-“
“Slade’s no parent.” Dick couldn’t help but scoff. “He’s getting old and needs someone to take his place. That’s it. This lifestyle is a choice, Y/N. One you can absolutely walk away from. You’re an adult now. You don’t need to depend on him.”
Silence in the air ensued as she took in his words.
“You make it sound easy, yknow that, little Richie?” She gave a half smile before getting up. With that, she slid her hood back on and turned to leave. “I’ve gotta go though, good to see you.”
“It’s your choice, don’t forget!” He called after her as she made her way through the city. After all that, it dawned on him that he just let a murderer go. And that she might’ve been a possible lead on Slade’s whereabouts.. Bruce was gonna be on his ass for sure.