dick grayson

chaos-hexes​:

Wanda’s offer released the little tension that remained and Dick shook his head, quickly reaching out to touch her arm. “No, we don’t have to go, I just didn’t want to interrupt.” It seemed intrusive to appear in her private world, without any real invitation, although he knew Wanda could have barred his entry if she wanted. That wasn’t the point, though. He didn’t want to be disrespectful. “It’s beautiful. Not just the moon... all of it.” It made him think again to that game of laser tag, how much fun Wanda had, and certainly one of the few times he’d ever seen Bruce smile. 

Suddenly his throat felt thick and his grip on her arm tightened. Without speaking a word, he embraced her tightly, closing his eyes as he felt her thick hair against his face. He hadn’t come here to talk about Bruce, because he wasn’t sure if that was what Wanda wanted or needed. Erik hadn’t given him clear instructions on the topic of Bruce or if it was something he should avoid. In retrospect, Dick wish he’d asked, because there was no excuse for how tightly he held her and the hitch that came in his breath. “Just - wanted to see you.” There was something comforting in her presence, in the thought that she’d given Bruce purpose beyond Batman, and the memory of him smiling. 

thatsjasonfkntodd​:

Normally Dick might have snatched some of the lunch meat for himself, but he didn’t particularly feel like eating right then. Even though Jason seemed to be taking Bruce’s death well, on the outside at least, he knew better than to think he was unaffected. They all experienced grief differently. He definitely couldn’t claim to have the healthiest coping mechanisms, but he worried much more about the others. Tim was quiet, Jason was asking like it was just another Tuesday afternoon, and he dreaded leaving Damian alone for long.

“Yeah. It’s safe. He didn’t have it on him.” Bruce’s phone had been left locked up back at the base of operations, an unnecessary precautionary measure that only Bruce would take. Of course it ended up working out perfectly for them. The thought made Dick smile. 

It would take a while for his new phone to update. There was a brief, tense hesitation, but then he picked up Bruce’s phone and powered it on. “Might as well,” he mumbled, even though he could already feel his chest getting heavy. “I’m guessing a couple thousand contacts. Approximately.”

fightbattlesthatmatter​:

It’d only taken one meeting with Steve for Dick to relate to him, even in small ways, and he had a great deal of respect for him as a person - and as a leader. Steve had been a good cop, but juggling a career in law enforcement and vigilantism wasn’t exactly easy. 

Steve had also been willing and able to work with Bruce, a feat considering Bruce’s tendency to isolate. Most of all, Steve hadn’t judged Dick for what happened at NOVA Headquarters. He’d kept the knowledge of what was on that disk drive to himself, and Dick would always be grateful for that.

Although Steve wasn’t the first person to check on him after Bruce’s death, it hit different coming from him. Typically, Dick deflected a bit, focused on other things, other issues, and he experienced his own emotions privately. But he didn’t have the option to isolate this time, he was needed here, and it was a struggle to stay in check. He wasn’t good at shoving his emotions down for very long. Even when he tried, they could always be read on his face. “I’m...” The word caught in his throat. He would probably choke if he tried to force himself to say it, because he wasn’t truly fine.

He made himself sit on the arm of the couch, for not having the urge to pace or fidget. “I’m really glad you came,” he finally said, his tone much quieter. “It’s been hard.” That was an understatement, but Dick didn’t know how to explain what he was feeling. There were too many vying emotions, and he felt twisted up and lost. “I think he’s really gone this time. You know? Gone for real. And I kind of went through this before, but it was different. I had to worry about other things, I couldn’t... think about Bruce. I couldn’t grieve.” He swallowed hard and spread his hands. “I knew this would happen eventually. We all did. I’m just not ready to accept it.” Even when Dick insisted he didn’t need (or want) one, Bruce had always been his safety net.

thebatsbutler​:

That made Dick smile faintly. “Me too.” When was the last time everyone had been under one roof? At the same time? Thanksgiving, maybe, but if so, it hadn’t been for long. People wouldn’t exactly call them a tight knit family, although he’d personally disagree. Just because they had their problems didn’t mean he couldn’t count on every single one of them to have his back. 

He looked down at the documents, sighing softly, but nodded as he scanned the first page. “Who’s going to be invited?” It was hard to imagine Alfred doing a big ceremony, but he knew Bruce had been a public figure. Taking a deep breath, he flipped to the next document. “I’ll fly out to Gotham tomorrow. I can talk to the lawyers and get all the paperwork squared away with Wayne Enterprises.” It would be better if he went. The press would be on Alfred like white on rice. Of course, they’d get word that the oldest Wayne kid was in Gotham, but he could still keep his business discrete - especially if he stayed in Bludhaven. “Tim and Jason should be fine without me for a few days.” He hesitated. “The three of us are going to wear the cowl.”

As soon as Alfred posed the question, Dick felt his insides grow cold. He hadn’t touched Bruce’s things when he’d “died” the first time, although he’d gone in his room. Talked to him. It was strange to dread something so fully and yet want to do it. “Yeah, Alf. I’ll help. Lead the way.”

kryptoniansteel​:

The bond Dick felt with Clark went deep. When he was a kid, before Haly’s Circus and Robin and his life was derailed by fighting crime, Superman had been his hero. Not Batman. The stories about the Kryptonian in Metropolis would reach him, camped out in whatever city they were performing in that week, and Dick would be fascinated. His first time on the flying trapeze, even under the bright lights and gasps of the crowd, he pretended he was Superman. That was where he’d drawn his strength and his courage, even before he had the honor of calling him a friend. Mentor. Father-figure. Because Clark had been all those things - and more. 

It was devastating to see him like this, broken and guilt-ridden over something that hadn’t been his fault. Even if he had pressed the button that ended Bruce’s life, Dick knew the circumstances, he would never hold him responsible for what he’d done under the effect of Joker’s twisted toxin. 

“I know.” It was the only thing he said before embracing him. His throat felt tight and he had to swallow past the prickly, painful feeling. “But it wasn’t your fault.” No one ever considered, for a second, that Clark was to blame for what happened at the NOVA facility. “It was Joker’s.” Even as he said it, Dick knew it wouldn’t take away that aching guilt Clark was experiencing. It was a trait they had in common: they carried burdens that weren’t ever theirs.

originalravager​:

Dick knew Grant was right. The league had been given every reason to think the bomb was underneath Star City. There was no way to anticipate the events that unfolded, but hindsight was always 20/20. He was feeling pretty stupid about a lot of things he did and didn’t do. It was difficult not to linger on them, especially because making a different choice could have resulted in Bruce still being alive. “I know it could have been a lot worse.” There were casualties from the bridge too, but that was a far cry from decimating the population of an entire city. 

“I’m just checking in. Want to make sure there’s nothing I should be worrying about. Joey told me a little about Daken.” The mention of Bruce made Dick pause, but he nodded in acknowledgment and managed a faint smile. “Thanks, I appreciate that.”

commissionerjg​:

Jim always had a unique position when it came to his place in the family. He was connected to Babs and to Bruce closely. It was strange to think that Jim might not have even known how involved he really was with their family until later. Their identities had created a shitstorm that would have been much worse to handle, had they not had NOVA to distract the SCPD. Vigilantism was outlawed at the time, but there had been bigger fish to fry. Leaving the department still seemed like the best choice. Maybe it was even something he should have done sooner, if only to preserve Gordon’s reputation. Having a vigilante on staff didn’t usually scream professionalism. 

It was hard to hear the word son. It twisted up inside of him and Dick did everything he could to push past it. He needed to keep it together. There were a lot of things to do before the funeral, and he hadn’t even booked his flight yet. “We knew the day would come,” he replied in a low, solemn voice. “It doesn’t really mean you’re prepared, I guess.” Clearing his throat, he gestured to the couches and the table where Alfred left the tea. “How’s Babs handling it?” He’d only had one chance to talk to her alone - but it was chaotic time, right when he’d returned to the manor after the mission that killed Bruce.

chrsgts​:

Chris was the only cop, other than Jim, that Dick still maintained regular contact with once he left the force. He considered him to be a good friend, not just a partner. He’d been great to work with, too. They always seemed to be on the same page. He’d even thought, more than once, that Chris would have made a good vigilante. 

When he found out that he was a mutant, he kept it to himself. He knew others knew, but no one was going to say anything while NOVA still held sway over the city. It was too dangerous, especially because he didn’t think Chris even lived in District X. He had no protection, no team to back him, and this was starting to give Dick an idea. 

There was that and more on him mind when he answered the door. His expression was tired, but he still smiled when he who it was. “Hey, man,” he said, his tone subdued, and reached out for a tight hug. “It’s been a while. Things have been a little... crazy, I know.” Chris was probably here about Bruce. Dick knew that. Everyone had been stopping by lately.