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Nightwing had just finished his patrol around Blüdhaven, leaping from rooftop to rooftop, his mind still buzzing from the events of the night. The city had thrown more than its fair share of curveballs at him tonight—gunfights, a few run-ins with petty criminals, and some unexpected punches. His ribs ached, a nasty gash on his cheek was stinging, lip busted- but it was all part of the job.
As Nightwing, he didn’t mind the bruises, but tonight had been particularly brutal. He had barely survived an ambush at an alleyway when a well-placed punch left him stunned for a moment. And to top it off, his suit was torn in several places, leaving him feeling exposed and vulnerable.
After finishing up his patrol, Dick made his way through the darkened streets toward his girlfriend’s apartment. It had been a rough night, and as much as he did not want her to see him like this—battered, bruised, and exhausted, it seemed like his brain automatically brought him to her place. So he ended up walking past her building, glancing up to see her light still on.
His heart softened. She was probably working late on some project like she always did when she was on a deadline. He couldn’t resist, so he went ahead and made his way up to her apartment.
Dick made his way up to her window, why would he use the door like a normal human being anyway. As he reached her window, he knocked on it for the first time to try and get your attention. After a second time of knocking, he decided to just slide the window open. Landing with a soft, and unnecessary, leap on her wooden floor.
You were sitting at the small table by the window, your laptop open in front of you. Completely oblivious as you were blasting some music through your headphones. Until someone, which you figured to be Dick very fast, took off your headphones.
"Hey, Grayson," you greeted him with a playful smile, your eyes immediately scanning over his dishevelled appearance. He wasn’t hiding the damage tonight. "You look like absolute shit.", you said ironically, but with a hint of concern.
"Just figured I’d swing by. Had a rough night," Dick said, attempting to sound nonchalant despite his winces and the noticeable exhaustion written all over his face.
You raised an eyebrow, already noticing the deep purple bruise starting to form near his jawline and the ripped edges of his suit. "It looks like Blüdhaven got the best of you tonight," you teased, though there was a tinge of concern in your voice as you stood up from your desk. "Do you need some help?"
Dick rubbed the back of his neck with a sheepish grin. "Yeah, probably… but I didn’t want to bother you."
You walked over to him, your hands instinctively going to his cheek where the bruise had begun to darken. "Bother me? You’re kidding, right?" You reached up to touch his face lightly, trying not to hurt him as you gently wiped away a bit of dried blood. "Let me guess, another night of ‘saving the world’ didn’t go according to plan?"
Dick smirked at your sarcasm but couldn’t hide the small wince when you touched a tender spot. "Something like that. Just one of those nights, you know?"
"Let’s get you cleaned up," you said, your voice softening as you began to guide him toward the couch. "Sit down, I’ll get the first-aid kit."
He sighed in defeat but complied, sitting down with a groan as he tried to stretch out his sore muscles. "I swear, I’m getting too old for this," he muttered under his breath.
You smirked as you rummaged through a drawer for the kit, trying not to laugh at him. "Oh, please. You’re twenty-six. You’re not even close to old yet, Dick."
Dick chuckled weakly, leaning back on the couch as you made your way back over with the kit. "Feel old when you’re getting your butt handed to you by random thugs," he joked. But then his tone shifted, and his smile softened as you took a seat next to him.
"Let’s just get you patched up first, tough guy," you said, already preparing some ointment and bandages. You started with cleaning the small cuts and scratches along his arms and face, working carefully to avoid causing him too much pain.
Dick couldn’t help but notice how gentle you were, even when you saw the damage done to his body. Your touch always made him feel better, no matter how sore or battered he was from patrol.
"Thanks for doing this," he said quietly as you focused on his injuries. "I don't know what I’d do without you."
You looked up at him, pausing for a moment. "You’d probably just get yourself even more beaten up, but that’s beside the point." You continued tending to his wounds, your hands brushing against his skin as you applied ointment and rewrapped some of the bandages.
When you finished, Dick reached for your hand, pulling you closer. "I’m serious, though. I don’t think I’ve ever been this lucky to have someone like you in my life."
''Cheesy much'', you said jokingly, yet your heart melted at his words. Before you could say anything, he kissed you gently, pulling you into his arms. "I love you," he whispered between kisses. "Please let me stay the night."
"Of course," you murmured, your hand resting on his chest as you let yourself relax into him. "But no funny business, Grayson," you added with a teasing glint in your eye. "You’re way too beat up right now."
Dick groaned but smiled. "You’re no fun."
You laughed softly and snuggled closer into his embrace. "You’re lucky I even let you get this close after all the damage you’ve done to yourself, feels like you will fall apart if I touch you'', she said jokingly.
He pulled you in tighter, his voice soft as he kissed the top of your head. "Yeah, I’m lucky. And I know it."
As you both settled in for the night, the world outside seemed to quiet down, and for once, Dick could finally breathe a little easier, knowing you were by his side.