#cl paladin of nerd fandom65 asks

[celaenaeiln]

Happy Turkey Day btw

Quickie Question:

What are your favorite Dick and Tim moments?

😂😂🦃

Same to you!! <3

With them I'm just living for Tim being an annoying, adorable little brother and Dick being an annoying, sweet older brother right back

Nightwing (1996) Issue #25

Robin (1993) Issue #67

I'm just about to start crying with laughter. Their interactions just SCREAM Older Brother and Younger Brother behavior.

Robin (1993) Issue #74

But what I love about them is how openly affectionate they are. Dick loves Tim and takes care of him. Even with their funny banter, Dick's always the first person Tim goes to for everything.

Robin (1993) Issue #156

As soon as Dick got a call from Tim, he dropped everything to talk to him. He wasn't getting in, he was leaving.

My favorite Dick and Tim moments though? These.

Young Justice (1998) Book 1 Part 3

Nightwin (1996) Issue #6

"He's family. The closest thing to a brother I'll ever have."

"So excuse me if I get a little severe."

Tim loves, adores his big brother:

Gotham Knights Issue #33

"We've all been through a lot, big brother."

Red Robin Issue #12

Tim adores Dick so much. He idolizes him.

Batman/Catwoman: The Gotham War: Scorched Earth

In complete seriousness, if someone ever said Dick wasn't the best robin in Tim's hearing range he would actually chew through their arms with his bare teeth.

His belief in Dick is unshakeable. His admiration has no bounds.

Young Justice (1998) Book 1 Part 3

Again and again Tim talks about good Dick is at everything and over and over Dick talks about how good Tim is. They really love each other from the bottom of their hearts.

What's special about Dick and Tim's relationship is what Tim says here: "You promised me that you'd do a quadruple somersault. And you delivered."

Dick will always deliver for Tim. Anyplace, anytime, he's ready to drop everything for him. That's how much Tim means to him.

I love reading about Dick and Tim's interactions because they tease each other in the funniest ways but there's almost an overwhelming undercurrent of affection in each of their voices. They're adorable.

Nightwing (1996) Issue #142

My favorite unhinged babies.

[celaenaeiln]

I saw in a panel one time that when Dick revealed his identity to the other Fab Five, Batman happened to catch him right in the middle of it and confronted him about it

Though of course Dick stood his ground verbally, stating his trust in them after what they’ve been through.

You think that might’ve played into the long arc of Bruce and Dick having differences between them emerge as Dick grew older and more distant from being that chipper partner Bruce could have by his side?

The Titans (1999) Issue #42

The Titans love Dick's independence but Bruce hates it.

I think you're mostly right but I think it's not so much of differences as it is freedom and self-governing.

Nightwing (1996) Issue #134

The thing about Dick's robin, Dick has always been a little too good to just be Batman's sidekick. Too good at fighting, too good at detectiving, too good at being an equal, a partner.

Batman/Scarecrow Issue #1

He can read Bruce's mind like he's eating candy. He's used to Bruce letting him do whatever he wants, but now all of a sudden, Bruce is telling him what to do and what he can't do. It's getting on Dick's nerves that one second he had all the freedom in the world and now Bruce thinks he can't do what he's so used to.

Dick think Bruce's sudden distrust in him is because he thinks Dick can't keep up or that he's doubting his skills somehow. So he starts acting out. What he doesn't understand is Bruce isn't doubting his competence, he's being protective. After a decade Bruce has finally realized that it's too dangerous for a child to be going around doing the things he has been doing, so it's not a reflection of Dick's abilities, but increased self-awareness and responsibility that Bruce has gained.

And this is what causes the friction.

The resolution of Dick's earlier conflict is this-

Nightwing (1996) Issue #135

Dick is fully capable of holding his own, of solving his own mysteries, and fighting his own cases. But Bruce believes that because he's too young to be at that level. So Dick sets an ultimatum. While Dick was looking forward to it like a kid waiting for his 18th birthday, Bruce was counting down the days like Doomsday Clock, dreading the moment. At finally when it was time, he made his move first because it's easier to fault the other person always.

It's not their differences really that caused them to fall apart. Their difference is what caused Bruce to love him. He loved that Dick was such a joyful, energetic, and eager child. It fear that turned into protectiveness that turned into control which soured their later relationships.

While Dick may have been excited and ready about becoming his own hero, Bruce ruined the moment because he didn't want to let go. That's partly why I think their later years were so tumultuous. They both knew what was coming, they just had different ideas of it.

He was mad that Dick ran away the first time, so how do you think he's going to react with the knowledge that Dick is going to officially leave him? Hence the firing.

You know in hindsight, this is probably another reason why Bruce will forever hate the Titans. He probably thinks they're the reason Dick's turned away from him and he hates that.

[celaenaeiln]

Wasn’t there one time during the 1996 Nightwing book when Boone, now an adult, and some henchmen had Dick captured, chained up with half of his outfit, belt and even boots off, only for the taser inside said suit to kick in and Dick was able to reverse the chains on his hands so that he can swing and used his bootless feet to literally kick the henchmens’ butts before confronting Boone one and one?

Just something that came to memory

Nightwing (1996) Issue #57

Dick has absolutely nothing to help him right now. He's completely on his own with no gadgets and the taser in his suit is only going to keep them down for a few minutes.

So what does he do?

Nightwing (1996) Issue #57

He swings himself up on the beam and perches there like a cat in the dark.

Nightwing (1996) Issue #57

Honestly this whole scene gives off such Harley Quinn in Suicide Squad vibes.

Nightwing (1996) Issue #57

If he's not so casually over-competent then is he really Dick Grayson? He's just so good at winning that it's relaxing reading about him because you just know that he'll always come out on top.

[celaenaeiln]

Out of pure curiosity here;

So in terms of how he did in Gotham Academy or other education facilities Bruce sent him to for schooling, it was only say in one or two stories where he was the target of resident bullies while more or less canonically he was actually on the popular kids? Just wondering?

Yea! He was one of the popular kids.

Guys and girls from his class loved him and he was actually nominated to be class president

Batman (1940) Issue #202

He wasn't able to go through with it though because he was forced to miss the speech giving due to Robin duties but he would've undoubtedly won given the number of people who loved him.

Girls asked him out to dances

Batman (1940) Issue #156

They crushed on him hard for his good looks

Robin/Batgirl Year One Issue #1

He's a hit at first sight

Archie Meets Batman '66 Issue #2

He was extremely good at sports and you already know how star athletes are treated.

Batman (1940) Issue #162

It didn't really bother people that he was rich since he was cool.

Robin/Batgirl Year One Issue #1

He certainly had enough sway to get people to listen to him.

Detective Comics (1937)

Not to mention, his friends were fiercely loyal to him. He was popular because of his personality and clubs. He was also in the journalism/newspaper club too.

Detective Comics (1937) Issue #493

He also had friends from D&D

Robin & Batman Issue #3

My favorite part about his friends is that they loved to go on a bunch of random adventures like climbing cliffs and going to haunted houses.

Batman (1940) Issue #175

He did get bullied in a couple comics but considering how it happened to Bruce too, I'd say he didn't get bullied because he was unpopular. The bullies just like to feed off trauma and jealous. Actually in one of the comics, his friends get really upset when he gets bullied for being rich.

Batman (1940) Issue #192

They ambush him later but his friend hops in and helps him and this turns into a robin adventure where at the end

Batman (1940) Issue #192

But Dick Grayson is Dick Grayson for a reason. He was born to inspire. So he turns a bully into a good guy, saves the day, and upholds the dynamic duo's oath to make Gotham a better place!

Overall he was very popular. He was a star athlete, extremely good looking, rich, had a great personality, had a great relationship with teachers, held a lot of respect from the student body, was almost elected class president, and converted bullies into friends with his special power of being an overwhelmingly good person. He basically holds the same importance in his school that robin holds to the superhero community.

He's the kinda guy every that everyone knows, loves, and wants to be. The teacher's pet and class favorite.

[celaenaeiln]

You know what’s interesting I recently remembered regarding Dick’s methods compared to Bruce;

Canonically, touching any sort of firearm, especially say a revolver/pistol, is almost certainly out of the question fir Bruce due to that weapon being what caused to lose his parents in Crime Alley in the first place

Dick, on the other hand, he’ll be likely to use rope burning acid, the original way Boss Zucco caused the Flying Graysons’ ‘accident’, for escape purposes and have no issue with it.

A perfect example is in the Grayson tie in to the (craptacular but I digress) Event Maxi Series Futures End. Long story incredibly short, Dick used that very acid Zucco used to slip out of a noose he was left in and live to fight another ray

Thoughts on this?

this scene

Grayson: Futures End

Dick has no reservation about doing whatever he wants. He's absolutely fearless and the only reason the world is still standing is because he's busy playing by Bruce's rules.

There's a scene in Blackest Night: Batman where Dick and Damian have to gear up to fight a mass horde of intelligent zombifies. And Dick brings Damian to the Amry Reserve National Guard Armory

Blackest Night: Batman Issue #2

Blackest Night: Batman Issue #2

Damian makes a very good point - guns are on the don't use list. Except Dick has always been the best at walking the line. Bending the rules.

No guns? No problem.

Blackest Night: Batman Issue #2

Let's use flamethrowers instead.

This is what makes Dick such a good batman. Bruce has always been terrified of losing control. He firmly believes that once someone crosses the line, they can never come back. This is also why he grapples so hard with guilt over Jason's actions because in his own words, "Jason can do things Batman can't." So in an imaginary field, Bruce is standing on pristine white marble on the right, Jason is standing on pure black marble on the left, and in between them, on a line of gray marble, stands Dick.

Nightwing (2016) Issue #4

Which is the point he's making here. Dick plays both sides.

Batman (2016) Issue #66

The faceless man asks Selina, "He can't be happy and be Batman?" In similar words, she agrees.

Bruce believes that he can't be happy because he's Batman. But Dick was able to accomplish both.

Batman (1940) Issue #697

That's why he succeeded at being Batman. He wasn't wrecked with guilt at what he needed to do but he also wasn't caring of the citizens he needed to protect.

Dick's methods are gray. He weaves between the lines to do what needs to be done but never crosses them to the point of no return. He uses intimidation and fear and morally ambiguous methods but he's in control the whole time which is what makes him so good. He will always do what is right but the way he does it is what makes him so fun to read.

[celaenaeiln]

It’s funny at one post you mention Robin!Dick being possibly the scariest one of them when you consider that

1) Jason literally once used a firearm to fend off some goons covering Batman

2) Tim literally has a mini Batmobile he can control with an RC radio called The Redbird

3) While Tim had a bo staff, all Dick really hand at most were two sticks plus he was the one wearing green pixie boots

Not saying Robin!Dick was in any way outclassed by the latter two but it’s funny he got that rep around Gotham’s underground as a small child

Original post in reference

Yes!!

Like Jason had used a gun and almost used the sharp end of a Batarang and Tim had a whole robotic machine at his disposal, but it's absolutely hilarious that Dick terrorized the town in little green gloves and short-shorts!

His original entrance didn't even have a weapon, his weapon was being a full on psycho!

Batman (1940) Issue #1

Guerrilla warfare at its peak. I can literally hear that "boing" through the comic panel.

This kid was a nightmare for villains - post

Later he used a sling shot of all things

Detective Comics Issue #38

LOOK AT THE WICKED GRIN ON HIS FACE!!

He's using a construction crane as a crime fighting device, no net below or anything!!

I firmly believe Dick terrorized the Gotham underworld for the sole fact that they couldn't come to terms with his insanity. When you look at some of the stuff Dick did as robin, even the Joker's madness starts making sense and then put that ball of craziness next to the gloomiest, most anti-criminal man in existence as his back up?

The criminals were right to be worried! They're fighting for their lives and he's fighting for fun!

That little blue glob there? under Dick's feet? that's a man screaming on his way down.

But Dick on the other hand?

[celaenaeiln]

Heck speaking of that last ask, whose to say even for Dick’s more professional and cordial moments with those outside his family or closest allies, whose to say those aren’t a front to mask his more serious and strategic cunning to through those other people off guard if they’re suspected of doing bad?

I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU ASKED THAT BECAUSE YOU'RE SPOT ON!!!!

This actually happens in canon but this time it's within the family.

In Batman and Robin Eternal the whole Batfamily is forced to a clean up a lethal mess that Bruce wasn't able to solve during his and Dick's days. Their opponent is a woman named "Mother" for which she is aptly named because her brilliance and manipulation were so high that Bruce was forced to admit defeat, unable to deal with her.

During the investigation, the rest of the batfamily is blissfully unaware of Tim's actions, histories, and secrets-except Dick.

While leaving the rest of the family in the dark to avoid raising suspicions, he goes to get some answers.

Of course he would never betray his family's trust without some evidence.

While Jason and Stephanie are busy yelling at each other, Tim quietly sneaks away to answer a call by "Mother." Dick is at the Drake's while this is happening thus indicating that both Dick and Tim have their own share of secrets and battle plans.

He asks questions about Tim to his parents as if he's never met Tim before. Someone should get this man an Oscar.

Of course everything goes to hell when an operative of Mother's shows up and starts firing at Dick. Tim's mom utters a codeword that isolates her and Jack and also notifies Tim. Dick neutralizes his opponent.

And then Tim shows up.

"It's your secrets, Tim. I respected your privacy. Never looked too close, until that became a luxury I couldn't afford...I thought you weren't one of Mother's children. Hoped you weren't. But I had to know."

While Tim is rightfully hurt, but the thing is-they can't trust anyone right now because Mother, their enemy, is inseparable from the batfamily. She gets into people's heads and uses them as operatives over their entire lifetimes from childhood to adulthood. And first and foremost, Dick is a detective. It's ingrained into him to identify any threat and act accordingly.

This scene is extremely important because Bruce was almost killed by Mother and Dick loves Bruce. For his part Bruce almost killed their world just so Dick could live and reversely, Dick would do anything to make sure Bruce was safe.

But here's where Dick's manipulation and cheerful demeanor come into play. The batfamily has no idea how good Dick is at manipulating people.

When Dick runs off to do this, they only say

They have no idea.

Dick never does anything without a plan, a backup, and a safety net. The only mistake in their understanding is that while they think that Dick looks for a safety net second, they don't know that Dick's already created his own net and the one they see is the one Dick tossed out to his allies when he needs them to catch him.

Even now, Tim only found out because his mom activated the alarms in his house. If Dick's enemy hadn't blasted in and opened fire at him then it's suffice to say that everyone would be none the wiser about his little side quest.

I don't think the batfamily will ever realize how cunning he is. They see him as a kind older brother who is too adherent to Bruce's rules. Afterwards Jason makes fun of Tim in an older brother way by implying if he's mad at his mommy lol.

The DC vs Vampires and why every single member of the family was blindsided was because they underestimated him and never expected it of him. That's how good of a manipulator Dick is and that is why they will never know.

Tim once said Dick was "ranting and raving" in Arkham during Future State but for someone who had supposedly lost his mind, he still was the reason they defeated the government and came out on top. Future State: Nightwing is a peak example of Dick's genius when it comes to controlling people even if it seems like lunacy from the outside.

Everyone sees him as the nice one and Dick is the nice one of the family but when his family's life comes into danger he will unearth any secrets that he let you have in order to keep them safe.

So basically he'll let you do anything: keep secrets, lie to him, ignore him, but if you endanger his family he is coming for you because as the song lyrics goes-

"I may be next to you but you don't know I'm undercover."

And that is what makes his character so excellent. The greatest spy and threat the good has ever had.

This is my favorite personality trait of his because he's the James Bond and Mata Hari of DC.

[celaenaeiln]

Bear in mind too that Robin!Dick can be a menace to crooks, criminals and bad guys just being in a good mood

Imagine how he’s like when he’s ticked off in the field…like say Batman gets badly hurt or tossed off the side of an edge and Dick can only think the worst happened to him

oh he would tear them apart. I already showed what happened to the hero community when they killed bruce in Nightwing: New Order - he ended them.

The thing about Dick is that he's casually over competent. Like things such as fight skills, charming people's pants off, or common habits just come naturally to him.

He can throw people with his thighs, catch weapons with them, have someone fall in love just be existing, or drop 40 ft off a balcony, tuck into a roll, and walk it off. Things just come easy to him. Yes, he put in the work to get there, but I feel like he and Bruce overshot his skill requirement to be robin which is why he has so much being it. It's like taking candy from a child for him except in this case it's guns and their villains. So he's always cackling with delight and bouncing of enemies' bodies and all around having a good time.

That being said, that only works when his partner is alright. But when Bruce is hurt? All hell breaks loose. No holds barred because all that over competence he accumulated? There's nothing stopping him from hurting the people who did that to the most important person in the world for him (aside from Alfred).

One slip of control and he puts too much force and rips off a cloth head with a staff.

And I know it's hard to believe it's really freaking hard to tear a potato bag which I believe is the same material this construct is and with a staff (a wooden stick)? That's a lot of force.

That's why I love him so much. His skillset is off the charts and-

"Top of his CLASS in just about every SCHOOl his roving circus life TOOK him to." "Made BLACK BELT a few weeks before he turned NINE."

Dick came into Robin as the greatest. Batman just made him unsurpassable.

"If he is going to be in the company of demigods, he will need to know how to defeat them."

[celaenaeiln]

Hi friend

I don’t know if ever got this ask, but I am willing to ask again

In relation to that post of what Bruce would do should Dick get wounded or worse, one cannot discount to other canonical times it’s happened

1) Dick getting blasted by Alexander Luthor Jr from Earth 3 in the event Infinite Crisis, left in critical condition and it got Bruce so furious, he picked up one of Slade’s firearms and aimed at Alexander. It only took Diana reminding him that heroes don’t break the One Rule to get him to put it down

2) When Dick was strapped to that world destroying device by The Crime Syndicate connected to his heartbeat in Forever Evil. Prime Verse Lex Luthor then proceeded to temporarily stop Dick’s heart but Bruce objected greatly to it to put it mildly and had to be held back by Selina and others from pulverizing Luthor. Thankfully, Luthor injected some adrenaline to restart Dick’s heart once the device was defused, allowing Dick being safely detached

Thoughts on these?

og post in reference

Yes!!

When Luthor's son blasts Dick, Bruce goes absolutely ballistic

HE ALMOST KILLS LUTHOR'S SON WITH THE WEAPON HE HAS FORBIDDEN HIS ENTIRE FAMILY FROM TOUCHING FOR THE MERE FACT THAT HE ALMOST TOOK AWAY DICK.

Infinite Crisis (2005) Issue #7

It takes Wonder Woman drawing out a freaking sword in order for Bruce to back. All for an "almost".

And during the iconic Forever Evil scene -

Forever Evil Issue #6

"Luthor, you hurt him and I will kill you!"

Forever Evil Issue #7

Batman almost strangled Lex Luthor to death with his bare hands and would have succeeded had Luthor not literally electrocuted him off of him.

If Dick dies Bruce absolutely will break his one rule - no killing. He also breaks another non-negotiable rule of using guns and on top of that, using guns to kill people?! It's like a cascade of breaking nonnegotiable rules if Dick were ever to die. 1 - no killing, 2 - no guns, and 3 - the biggest one. No killing heroes. Which Bruce flagrantly attempts to destroy in the Superman vs Batman movie. Honestly, if Dick died, the world would burn by Batman's own hand.

[celaenaeiln]

Curious to ask; usually in most versions of the origin story, shortly after the ‘accident’ we see Dick almost immediately taken in by Bruce as a foster child with little to no seeing him being taken away from the circus for any variety of reasons (whether it be for his safety or because without the full act of the Flying Graysons, the circus couldn’t be able to keep him etc).

Though there are two canonical places he was placed into prior to being taken in by Bruce. In Batman Year Three it was a humble orphanage run by a kindly nun while more in)famously in Robin Annual #4, it was a run down youth center/juvenile detention center

In regards to that part of the origin, what’s your preference for where Dick ends up at before being accepted into stately Wayne Manor?

Batman (1940) Issue #436

Robin (1993) Annual #4

I think the best place for Dick was with the nun. Dick's pre-robin era wasn't characterized by anger, but rather pain and loneliness. This is the reason why Dick keeps telling Bruce over the years that he saved him, it's because he was there for Dick.

Batman (1940) Issue #339

Robin & Batman

So the best place for Dick to be is with people who were there for him and cared about him. The Nun was a perfect parent. The juvenile detention center was so bad for Dick's mental state that he escaped out of pure desperation to leave the place. He was alone and lonely. He didn't know where he was going to go but anywhere was better than there.

So I'm glad he ended up with the nun before Alfred came to collect him. He really loved her and she made him happy which makes me happy.

[celaenaeiln]

You know that scene between a slightly younger Green Arrow and Batman as they argue about the fact the latter just got Dick to work along side him in Green Arrow & Black Canary #4?

There’s one bit of dialogue from that scene i personally would like to correct a bit if you don’t mind, only to see if it slightly works better Ethan what we got; (clears throat)

Ollie: What is it the big idea dragging someone like a kid like him against your regular criminals, Batman? What are you? a warlord employing a child soldier to do your dirty work?

Bruce: He’s not a soldier

Ollie: Bullcrap! He takes orders from you! Wears an outfit with colors that can draw fire from those henchmen who might have decent aim! And you constantly put him into the more dangerous parts of each battle while you stand back in watch! If that’s not a soldier than I don’t know what is!

Bruce: You don’t seem to understand. He’s not a soldier or any sort of lapdog who obeys me. I didn’t drag and enlist him in the war against crime, he volunteered. He’s much more than a solider, far more, he fights by my side not for me. You probably understand until you get a partner of your own.

Thoughts on this?

You wrote it so much better than DC did.

Honestly this feels like way more accurate account of what happened.

Dick 100% volunteered for the job but unlike people's perception of his robin career, he didn't do it out of anger. He actually did it out of loneliness because he says in Batman and Robin Issue 1, that becoming robin didn't save him from loneliness. It was Bruce.

From the very beginning Dick has always fought to be Bruce's partner, his equal, and immediately takes issue when Bruce commands him what to do.

He's absolutely more than a lapdog and definitely not an obedient follower.

He is not a mere soldier.

[celaenaeiln]

Annnnnddddd meanwhile back in New Order if you like closely at the DickKory Wedding panel

Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, Im just a countryside DickKory fan but here’s some evidence to the contrary of DC editorial. Proof that, it really is just their biases at play

I rest my case XD

YAAAASSS!

[celaenaeiln]

Freeze!

you're under arrest for being so lovely. copy this message to 10 other blogs (only if you want to) that you think are beautiful and deserve it. keep the game going and make others feel beautiful

Awww thank you!! Right back at you <33

[celaenaeiln]

Small scenario ask:

A kid version of Robin!Dick gets teleported into the present day of the DCU, in particular during one of those times that Batfamily are split up and at each other’s throats with only Tim(my) and Alfred sort of trying to keep the peace.

They don’t know he’s present until he jumps in from out of nowhere to help the Batfamily take on a Scarecrow attack.

How would they react to this tiny version of Dick and his more chipper and lively attitude especially once he starts asking Batman if these other guys around them are their allies or something?

OMG I AM SO EXCITEEDD!!

THE FUNNY THING IS IVE ACTUALLY BEEN THINKING ABOUT THIS TOPIC SEPARATELY IN MY HEAD!!

Not this exact scenario but just like how much Dick has changed over the years.

This is SUCH a good fanfic idea!!!

Okay so Dick would jumps into the future where the whole family is fighting and all of a sudden, a brightly colored boy just "POP"'s into the dark batcave.

Everyone at that point had been growling and snarling and screaming at each other over ethics and morals and course of action for a case that devolved into tearing at family lines and loyalties.

The tensions are high and no one is on anyone's side because as united as the batfamily is, they are just as divided.

They're seconds from coming to blows when - pop (goes the weasel. lol jk) - a 3 foot 2'' boy in the most canary yellow cape, scarlet vest, and emerald green scaled shorts blinks into existence.

The batfamily immediately goes for their weapons at the sound and most barely refrain from throwing them at the sight of a boy but some weapons slip out people's hands too fast for them stop.

They watch with their hearts in their throats and move as one to prevent it, their minds barely registering the sight in front of them, the only thought in their heads is - STOP! As if mere words could halt assailing weapons hurtling at breakneck speeds towards the child.

They've barely started moving when the small child - he couldn't have been taller than Batman's hip at the height he was - suddenly bounced on his right foot and used the moment to twirl horizontally in the air. The brilliant yellow cape swirled around his body as he turned, almost acting like a cocoon. The batarang sailed underneath their twirling body while two knives sliced the air harmlessly above him, all three weapons embedding themselves soundlessly into the cave walls behind him.

The batfamily makes an aborted move forward, halting in their tracks as the imminent danger passed and the walking traffic light of a child uses their split-second of decision to stop to take the time to gracefully land on his toes before flipping far out of reach. His back arched back into a perfect elegant little backflips which absolutely should not be possible or done so smoothly for a boy as young as he, but the kid manages anyway to land perched on a railing from the upper batcave level, looking down at them from his spot.

Duke glanced around to see if the rest of them had seen the same thing he did. Clearly not because Bruce, Tim, and Alfred looked like they'd seen a ghost. Jason and Damian looked grudgingly impressed. Steph looked openly impressed.

"So, we’ve got surprise visitors, huh? Gee, swell! You folks friends of B? Wait a sec-that can’t be right. B doesn’t have any friends except for me!" The kid chirped - and Duke swore, honest to god, chirped - with a cheeky grin, hands on his hips like he'd just cracked the world's funniest joke.

Duke just stood there, mouth slightly open, like his soul had momentarily left his body. The kid’s mask squinted as if narrowing his eyes at Bruce.

Duke blinked hard. Am I hallucinating? Did I eat bad takeout? He thought.

Bruce, meanwhile, stood frozen, looking like he was wondering where in his life he went wrong.

“Gee whiz, mister, I don’t mean to jump to conclusions or nothin’, but it’s kinda bad manners to go borrowin’ somebody else’s clothes without asking first!” He gave Bruce an exaggerated once-over, the grin on his face making it clear he wasn’t intimidated in the least. “I mean, that cape looks swell and all, but it isn't exactly screaming ‘your size,’ ya know?”

He tilted his head and piped up, “A friend of Catwoman’s?” His voice was light, full of curiosity and mischief.

Jason suddenly snorted. "A friend of Catwoman's, alright."

Cass gently smiled. Duke suspected she had known from the beginning who he was and thus had not moved a muscle during the chaos. Duke couldn’t shake the feeling it wasn’t because of uncertainty. Nope, Cass had known. She always knew.

He sighed internally. Why was he always the last to catch on to these Batfamily mysteries? On the other hand, maybe he should be grateful. He was still wiping off the remaining sludge off his suit from the last batfamily mayhap.

"Dick?" Bruce’s voice was raw, breaking apart as if it couldn’t decide whether to hope or mourn. It was the sound of disbelief and desperate longing, the kind of ache you didn’t just hear—you felt it. Duke’s chest tightened, a lump forming in his throat. He couldn’t imagine what it must mean to Bruce, but the pain was so thick it was almost unbearable.

"Who are you, mister?" Dick - holy fuck that was Dick. Wait- Duke whipped his head around. Where was their Dick?!

Tim was looking a little peaky in Duke's opinion and that was saying something since the other guy always looked pale.

Bruce raised a shaking hand to his cowl, dragging it down the back of his head almost looking like he wanted to do anything but. "Bruce. It's me, Bruce."

"I know you're a guy who looks like Bruce, but you're not my Bruce."

If his kids' previous deaths hadn't killed Bruce, then that one single sentence did, Duke thought, watching the man.

He saw a flicker of something break inside Bruce. The hardened mask Bruce wore cracked, revealing the raw, vulnerable man beneath. It was like hearing the one thing he feared most—that he wasn’t enough for them—and the way it pierced him was brutal. The light left Bruce's eyes for a moment, and Duke could almost feel the weight of that rejection.

It probably hurts to hear it from an 8 year old version of a person that adored you. Duke realized sadly. He wasn't there for Dick's childhood with the man - none of them were - but he was sure it wasn't called the Golden Ages by everyone for show by all those who had known them then.

"Wait, Alfred?" Dick asked, boring holes into the elderly butler.

So, he recognizes the same Alfred but not Bruce? Duke fought back a hysterical laugh. That's gotta sting. Sorry, man. Duke sent a silent prayer to the man who looked like he didn't know if he was going to start sobbing or glaring daggers.

Alfred cleared his throat, rather wetly in Duke's opinion. "Yes, son." He said and smiled warmly.

The boy gave a hoot of laughter that sent the bats in a flurry as he threw himself off the railing. Steph and Jason scrambled to catch him but mini-Dick (Duke was still half-panicking over where big-Dick went. Big-Dick. Haha) hopped onto Jason's shoulder used Stephanie's back as a personalized springboard and landed happily in Alfred's arms.

He hugged the man's neck like it was a plush toy and Alfred tightly held the boy with one arm under his thighs and the other around his waist.

Duke noted with no small amount of surprise that Dick perceptively didn't point of Alfred's suspiciously wet eyes and near-silent sniffling. It was damn loud for the cave though.

"Hey, did you whip up some cookies? I gotta say, that casserole’s a real knock-out, and your filet mignon? Spot on! Say, after we chow down, how about a rousing game of badminton? I’m on fire today! Let’s shake a leg, have some fun, and see who’s got the best swing!"

"Of course, Master Dick." Alfred said and the two continued conversing as Alfred carried the boy up the stairs of the batcave.

"Say, did you get to the next chapter of Lady in the Lake? I gotta tell ya, there's something fishy goin' on there, like a real gumshoe mystery. I can smell a twist coming a mile away, like a crook with a bad alibi! Whaddya think? There’s more to this dame than meets the eye, I betcha!"

Dick's voice faded as the rest of them dumbfoundedly realized they needed to follow after the two of them. Except for Cass, of course, who was already tugging a stiff Stephanie along.

Duke couldn’t help notice Tim. The guy was practically glowing in the corner like he was about to faint, his face flush with excitement. Duke knew all about Tim’s obsession with Grayson—Steph had spilled enough gossip to fill a novel. Tim had ranted about Dick for years, quoting everything from his acrobatics to his smile. But now, seeing the younger version of Grayson in front of him? Tim was this close to passing out. His eyes were practically sparkles. If there were stars in the Batcave, they were all shining in Tim’s eyes.

“Tim, dude, you alright?” Duke teased, but Tim couldn’t even form words. He just gave a thumbs-up so exaggerated it might as well have come with a marching band soundtrack.

Duke couldn’t shake the feeling that Damian was acting a little… off. The usually fierce, unflappable kid was clearly trying to maintain his tough exterior, but Duke could see the subtle signs. The way Damian’s eyes flicked over to Dick with just a hint of nervousness, his stance rigid, like he was bracing for something, but not quite sure what.

"Is it just me, or is Dick an absurdly happy kid?" Duke suddenly spoke, thinking about Dick's demeanor. The older Dick Grayson was so strict and while he joked, there wasn't a free-hearted levity in him that his child version carried.

The kid had been practically shining, bouncing around the Batcave as if it were his personal playground. This was the same kid who had grown into the stoic, responsible, and sometimes brooding Nightwing. The difference was like night and day. Duke could see the weight of the years had changed him, and as he watched this boy, full of energy and warmth, he realized just how much had been lost. This wasn't the Dick they all knew. This was a Dick that had never seen the kind of pain that had hardened him into the man they looked up to.

It was a version of Dick they would never witness - laughing so freely, so full of life - one that was locked away in Bruce's heart, his memories paying tribute to their god-like figure he'd embellished of their brother.

It was a homage Bruce had unknowingly clung to and fed into, and a part of Duke wondered how much of this Dick, too, had buried inside himself.

Duke felt an ache in his bones, realizing just how much was buried under the weight of Dick’s current life. The boy before him was a ghost of the past that no one would ever get back.

Jason groaned. "One depressing revelation at a time, Duke." He stomped his way up the stairs followed by near swooning Tim, and an anxious Damian.

Bruce hadn't moved an inch. It was as if the air around him had thickened, suffocating both of them with tension. Bruce, usually so composed, was now locked in a frozen tableau of silent agony. His face was unreadable, but his eyes - Duke could see them - betrayed a terrible storm. Guilt, loss, and a deep, unspoken grief. The kind of grief that didn’t make noise but settled in your bones and dragged you under.

But Duke was The Signal. He was the Light, that's what his emblem meant. While Bruce was drowning in his own anguish, Duke could not afford to drown with him. So he patted the man on the back and followed his brothers up the stairs, readying himself for more horrifying realizations about the loss of innocence and joy from their favorite brother.

[celaenaeiln]

https://www.tumblr.com/paladin-of-nerd-fandom65/764460378626441216/well-look-at-thismore-mary-and-dick-being-mother

Since you’ve been back lately. Here’s a small Little present for you ;-)

AWWWW IT'S SO CUTE!!!

Holy crap did you get like every singe instance of Mary and Dick? Wow!!!

My favorite depiction of them is Nightwing (2016) Annual 2 - the art is so pretty and they're so sweet!

Nightwing (2016) Annual 2

[celaenaeiln]

Out of curiosity and admittedly it’s been a bit since I touched my collection of New Teen Titans books but for the sake of it;

Has Dick ever recognized similarities between say Slade and Bruce in terms of how they operate, their behavior with their allies, loved ones and how they interact with him in particular, just they happen being in opposite sides of the spectrum between good and bad?

okay I don't know if Dick has explicitly recognized the similarities between Slade and Bruce but Slade was created to be a darker version of Bruce.

Evidence of this lies in the way Dick treats Slade vs the way he treats Bruce. The parallels are uncanny.

Deathstroke the Terminator (1991) Issue #14

"I want to talk to him--not be the one who brings him down."

This is exactly how Dick treats Bruce on his worst days.

Batman (2016) Issue #137

"I'm gonna head into Gotham to see if I can talk Bruce off his 'moral ledge'."

Note that Bruce here is the worst version of himself. He's gone almost evil, completely out of control. This is who Slade Wilson is supposed to be.

But at the same time, when someone hurts his family, Dick doesn't hold back at all.

Batman and Robin (2009) Issue #12

Batman (2016) Issue #138

Their relationship is extremely interesting because as we know, Bruce hinges on Dick to keep his sanity together. To prevent him from going to the dark side.

Slade and Bruce are essentially the same person. They both have fathers that left them, they both have sons that died, and they both are manipulative and abusive of their children. They're just two sides of a coin which is why Dick's rivalry with Slade is so interesting. Since Dick exists as a source of light for Bruce's darkness, he would view a dark Batman to be the exact opposite of everything he's fighting for.

However there are several instances in the comics where Dick treats Slade more as a dangerous ally rather an enemy but that's when Slade's not actively fighting him. He treats Slade the same way he treats Bruce but in a more wary sense because they're not on the same side. Maybe subconsciously Dick sees Bruce in Slade which is why he just banters back and forth with Slade on their better occasions but still fights him like a villain.

All this considered, it only makes sense why DC keeps writing Slade as the Moriarty to Dick's Sherlock.