huffy_n_dk

A new member to my family

2009-01-18T00:59:30Z

OK I am going to try it again. Its a green egg. Im thinking an arrow, or maybe a lantern

In RL, I am the proud person owned by a 4 yr old, orange on white tabby named Riddles.Will post pics when I get them developed.

FIC: My Nose Itches

2008-12-21T00:02:33Z

Ok this is a rather dark, moody piece but it is a personal piece. It relates to how I felt at certain periods of my life. Dick is kind of an avatar for me at this point.

My nose itches.

I'm really not sure where I am--things are still kind of fuzzy. I am sure of one fact--my nose itches. OK, think, Nightwing. Oh, crap, where is my mask? It's...GONE! I...I can't feel it. Someone knows who I am. If they know who I am, then they know everyone elses' secrets. I can hear my heart racing and I know I'm panting. I could just have condemned everyone I love to a painful death. At the moment, I'm glad that Babs dumped me. She's out of Gotham and she's safe. Oh, hell...Deborah! She...she doesn't even know anything about this, and now people will be trying to kill her to get to me.

She's already been threatened once. I should have known better than to fall in love. I should know it's a death sentence. I should just keep everyone safe and adopt a monastic lifestyle. OK, try to calm down now, 'Wing, and use your head. You're one step short of a panic attack. What I wouldn't give right now for Batman's ability to shut off all emotion and operate on cool logic. Cool logic tells me my ass is grass and he's the lawn mower.

My nose itches.

Ok, now...the last thing I fully remember was being on the cell phone trying to reach Tim, who was late. Tim�oh, no�Maybe they got him and that's how they got me. Here I was bitching and he might've needed me. Or...or, he shows up looking for me and they get him because I'm not there to help him. I swore to protect him so he wouldn't die like Jason. A lot of good I do at that, sitting in here. I've got to think of other's needs first. That's what I've been born and bred to do, first in the circus, then as a vigilante. I signed a contract as soon as I could write, that my needs would always be secondary. My worth is more in what I do for others. If I think of my needs, I'm selfish, arrogant, and a whiner.

Oh crap. I hear his laugh. I can't get that laugh out of my head--my memories, even when I try. Shit, I hear Harley's insane giggling and Croc roaring about something. Great,,, I'm in Arkham, the deluxe entr�e in the psycho feeding pen of the world. I've either helped bring in most of the residents, or am the son of the man who brought them in. With a clear head, I could make it out of here without a problem. I know where most of Joker's little escape hatches are hidden. But, right now, I can't get my body to cooperate. I�I can't even get my eyes to truly focus; everything seems to be hazy.

My nose itches.

That is not the worst part though. I�.I can't move my arms, and my legs take forever to cooperate. It's like the signals from my brain to the rest of my body are being rewired and rerouted. Okay, by really concentrating, I can feel fabric under my hands;, , and working up, I can feel it on top of my arms. Well, 'Wing, we're not totally paralyzed. Now I know what's happening. I'm in a straight jacket. In my regular mind this wouldn't bother me a bit. I could escape from it. Right now, though, I have a mind trapped in a body that is not totally cooperating. I can't get out myself. Time's passing, but the only thing to measure it by is the thunking and buzzing of the doors. I don't even have the freedom of coming and going like a person. I'm here until either the fog in my brain clears, or someone comes for me. I think I heard them order a guard to beat me; that would be fine. Each time the footsteps come, I wonder if it's the guard, and think about how I can try to defend myself in this condition. I'm feeling scared, but that's not allowed for me. I must show no emotion and no fear.

My nose itches.

I hate this. From the earliest I can remember, I've been an independent person. I've had a lot of latitude, even with Bruce and Alfred. I've prided myself in being self-sufficient and taking care of myself. I don't like asking for help. I love to give it, it's what I'm expected to do. It's what I'm best at. I'm good old dependable, reliable Dick. I like it that way. If I need help, I'm letting people down and being a burden to them. Being weak is for other people. I need to be strong and always in control. Yeah, part of me would like to have others take care of me, but that isn't an option. I found that out real quickly.

I am now powerless. I must sit and wait for others. I'm trying to be the strong one. I need to be; people are counting on me. It's just that, I do get scared sometimes. I do get lonely sometimes, too. Right now is one of those sometimes. I hear human beings at their worst--their most miserable points. I try to sleep but it's elusive. The shrieks and cries wake me up and I begin to wonder if I'm really losing my sanity. Do they know where I am? Do they care where I am? I mean, I know they care, but I also know I don't always merit a high place on their priority meter. I'm cool with that. I've really got no other option.

My nose itches.

I'm one in a sea of many. I'm used to it. Gotham must always come first. I've got to just accept it. If I don't, I'm being whiny and a brat. I'm just one hero; I've got to wait my turn like everyone else. Oracle has a lot of responsibilities and concerns. I'm just one more headache, and Robin already has the Titans and Cassie, and other things on his plate. Maybe it will be better for Robin if I stay here. Maybe if I rot, he can cut some deal and get Conner back. I've heard them whisper at the Tower over why I lived and Conner died, and how cruel that was for Robin. It was, but I don't know what to do about it. I've been trying to make it up. But, it wasn't even my fault. I'm just one more burden for Alfred, who already has enough on his plate. So, I've got to be strong and take care of me. Others taking care of you is a delusion or a privilege I'm really not entitled to. Hey, if one only relies on themselves, well then you know what you'll get. There's a consistency to it all. There is a predictability and an order to it all.

It's just hard when you don't feel strong. It's hard when you'd love to have a shoulder to lean on, to cry on, but none is offered. I'm supposed to be strong and resilient, and I am, but I'm not a robot or a machine either. Right now, I don't even have the dignity of shoes. They took the boots and I'm barefoot like a child again. Suck it up Grayson. No one cares. You're just whining and bitching, so suck it up. I've got to figure out how to get out of this situation...now. I'll think about the rest at a better time. Although, if I'm lucky, another time won't come, and I know no one is going to ask how I'm feeling and really want to know the answer. The only one who will is Alfred, and he won't press the issue. He'll also have Bruce or Tim or Stephanie or Cass that need him more. They'll mostly be quite happy and content with a "fine," because then I'll be free to hear their troubles and bear their burdens.

Right now, though, my nose itches. Right now, even diamonds can crack.

If you like this story, please go down and click on my little grey egg. If it doesnt hatch soon it wont. Le Sniff. Still looking for names too.

Another dragon for me.

2008-12-15T20:50:19Z

Sadly my dragon didnt hatch. It died. But I am going to try again. First I kill cactus now a dragon I am on a roll. Lets see if this little egg fairs any better.

huffy_n_dk @ 2008-12-15T14:43:00

2008-12-15T20:43:55Z

I guess Minot made the news, lol. Yep, we got A LOT of snow. I know the song is "White Christmas" but this is ridiculous!!!! It is very cold right now, Its -41 with the windchill. Because of my asthma I am trying to stay in but it is making me stir crazy. My brother and I though are both safe and reasonably healthy. We havent got our street plowed yet. Anyone want any snow, I have got LOTS of it. But that is typical of a North Dakota winter. They love to show Minot snowstorms on the news. Seriously though, with the snow, flooding could be a real concern this spring if we get more. Thankfully there is no ice, it didnt rain, went right to snow.

Please pray for me. I am waiting for my Doctor to call back with test results. I am on pins and needles since Thursday. Those who know me can guess where my anxiety menter is right now.

I'm excited and humbled.

2008-12-14T17:41:21Z

Last night, Bludhaven held their DFA awards. They are awards that are nominated by and voted on by the list members, kind of like the Oscars only better. ;0) I won three of them. I still really am in awe. I think winning an award can spark a couple reactions. It would be easy to let it go to ones head. i won't because to be honest, and certain friends will spork me, I can't help partly wanting to demand a recount, there has to be some mistake. The second is just to be humbled. An award is not something that you are really able to win without the help of a lot of people both large and small. In terms of a story, your story is really only as good as others deem it to be. For a long time I had zero confidence as a writer. I'd tried to go back to an old fandom and found out you truly can't go home again. I was treated as an old fossil, had my writing ripped apart, and made to feel I was encroaching on a private kliquey group. Then I landed in the 'Haven. I was made to feel a part of it right away from Day One. Im humbled and honored to have had my writings chosen to represent 3 categories for the preceding year. It is also a challenge to keep on.

Red Letter Dat for Me - WHOO!

2008-12-12T14:25:17Z

Some of you know, I really battle with anxiety. I took a leap and it actually turned out better then I could ever have expected. I went out to Wal-Mart with my brother who had a safety class for his job there. I walked around Wal-Mart by myself for an hour. I got the groceries. We are expecting a huge storm. Felt really great to do. I even took a brief sojourn into the Toy section. Ok lol turned out to be very brief but it was progress. Sometimes with holiday shopping it seems to be taking your life into your own hands.

Today we are going to see about Christmas decorations. I am looking forward to that. I am thinking of making some cookies but that is ifffy with my diabetes. May wait until I get my A1C numbers from the Doc today.

Cheers and Happy Holidays.
Huffy

FIC: From Where I Stand - Rated G

2008-12-12T14:12:43Z

This is a moody, introspective piece. It was inspired by issue 681 and a beautiful pic on it of Dick alone.

Title: From Where I Stand
Author: Huffy
Rated: G
Parts: 1/1 (Yes Robin, lol that is a one. I have too many WIPs as it is)
Disclaimer: The copyright for the characters depicted or mentioned is held exclusively by DC Comics, a division of Time Warner Inc. BUT I think we all could do a better job. Pbtpbtpbt
Warnings: Contains possible spoilers for 250 and 251 of Nightwing and the conclusion of RIP.
Notes: This is dedicated with thanks to the loyal readers on Bludhaven. Thank you, I'm truly touched and honored by the nominations.
Summary: Inspired by the picture on the homepage and recent DCU Events. What's going on inside Dicks head as he holds the cowl looking at the fireball.
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From Where I Stand
By Huffy

I stare out at the water, just numb. I know what my eyes saw. There is no denying a huge frigging fireball. I can feel the heat. It's a weird feeling, you know Bruce. Aww h*ll, my lips are bound to call you Bruce, but my heart and mind have called you Dad for years. It's my mind so pbtpbtpbt I'm calling you Dad. I feel physically the heat of the fire and the cold of the rain. My hands can feel what I am holding. My ears can hear the cracking and popping of the fire and the flapping of your cape in the wind. It's comforting. As long as I have the cape and cowl, I feel like I still have you.

Inside though, where I live inside my skin, I am numb. I have so many emotions stirring through me. Dad, I need you. I can't figure this mess out. It's a Pandora's Box. There is rage, more rage then I've felt since that night. I'm angry at you Dad for leaving me. Ok, intellectually that is pretty stupid. It's not like you chose to take an exit. I knew this day would happen, we're both totally mortal, but I wasn't ready yet. There is still so much I want to know and so much I need you to teach me. It feels like I've been abandoned again, lost to you forever. It feels worse then the other periods of strain we've had. At least you were there, living and breathing, and I knew it would work itself out in the end. Now, you're not there.

I want to hunt down everyone who has ever hurt you. I want to bomb that stinking asylum to the ground. There is a dark, totally mad 8 year old in me that wants revenge and the visceral satisfaction of hearing the screams as these monsters that've caused so much pain feel the pain themselves. I bet they would turn into cowards, yelling, crying and screaming for their mommies. But, I hear your teachings again that vengeance isn't justice, and that killing is wrong.

I have so much sadness running around inside. It's like a whirlpool waiting to suck me in to oblivion. Selfishly, Dad, a part of me wants to say to h*ll with it. That part is so tired from all the pain and longs to, as Alfred taught me, 'shake off this mortal coil' and join you. I know though logically I can't. I have three brothers who will need me to be strong and guide them, now more then ever. I need to be there for Damian to teach him your ways so you are not buried under the Al-Ghuls. I have Gotham to protect. She is a lovely lady that needs a knight. The squire must step up and guard in place of her missing night. More importantly I have your legacy, your memory, to honor and protect. If I did, I know as soon as I got where we would be going, there you would be with the glare to end all glares, and preparing the ultimate dressing down in full Voice, followed by whatever intense training you could think of.

I can't and I won't disappoint you. I know a lot of people will start putting their oars in about who should do the job. I know there is a part of my brother's that want the cowl for their own. They each think in ways that they are superior to me. I don't relish the violence like Jason. I know it has to be done sometimes, but I like trying to use my heart and my brain to find a better resolution. You were always proud of me for that trait. You wouldn't always say it in words but the sentiment was there all the same. I knew, I could read you like a book, more then I think Tim or Jason were. Tim uses computers and logic. He feels my methods are faulty as compared to his. Tim scares me more then Jason. Jason is just still scared and confused. He will never admit it, but he doesn't know why he does what he does. He adopts that cocky, annoying bravado to keep anyone from seeing it. It is instinctual. What he really wants deep down is for someone to stick by him and rescue him from the sea he is sinking in.

As I stand here, I can understand and empathize. I know truly feel the sea. I was lucky that I had had you to rescue me quickly from the sea the first time. Tim, Tim frankly scares me to the core. He has turned off his emotions. He transfers what he feels into energy to his logic. He is becoming hard and cold. He buries himself in books and computers to find a logical answer. He is even looking at cloning or Pit resurrection to bring them back. What scares me is I see something in his eyes. I've seen ambition and a feeling of complete and total superiority. There is something in him growing that is turning him cold and calculating. There is something that is turning him slowly into a man like Luthor; or making him into Mr. Spock gone to the dark side. He reminds me of Anakin Skywalker and I'm afraid like Anakin he could be seduced to the Dark Side because it seems the solution to all pain lies there. I know he feels he deserves it and wants to be Batman. The legacy shouldn't go to the one who wants it. Ambition and the cowl can lead to darkness and tragedy. This city has seen too much of both.

Do I want the cowl? No, to be honest, my possessing the cowl would mean acknowledging the finality. It would mean you were dead. It would mean you were never coming back. I will because I know that is your wish. You expressed it to me at a young age and through all the turbulent years you have never changed your mind, or I don't think you have. Maybe you did though. Maybe you found some weakness in me that made me unfit. Maybe you want cold, hard logic. Maybe you want violence. Maybe you want someone more emotionally stable and more mature than me. Maybe you feel that since I can't manage my love life, I couldn't possibly manage Gotham and the myriad of duties that come with the cowl.

Or maybe you are beating yourself up again. A most annoying trait. It means you doubt everyone and everything around you.

I feel a small smile come to my face. My heart sings and throws me a life preserver. My head tells me to ignore it. Its blind fools hope. I need to accept the reality of the situation and move on. But, see for me, the reality is the connection. The reality is I have always been able to hear you and feel you, even if my

My eyes can't see you. The storm inside drowned it for a minute. It's a little fainter then normal but it is there. I know you are alive. I can feel it in my bones. I don't understand but I don't need to. To me, you have always had a magical quality, able to do magic. It is ingrained in me, burned into my bones. Sometimes I squawk at you. Sometimes I don't understand your methods or your actions, but I believe in Batman. I believe in Bruce Wayne. You took a cruise to find Batman. Maybe something happened in this mess and you felt you needed to find Bruce Wayne.

That's why I was able to see the cowl and the cape. It wasn't blown off your body or burned off. You took it off as a message of hope to me. A message to not believe my eyes and you will be back. You meant it to be a message of love and hope. You also meant it as an admonishment for me to not let myself drown and to be strong. I'm not alone. You're there, just like you promised me. Now I have my marching orders to be the man you've always seen inside and lead our family. I'll keep the cowl, the legacy safe for you until you get back. Then it's yours and I go back to Nightwing. Say, while you are gone, can I take the liberty of making a few fashion changes? A costume designed to accentuate my assets? I can't go around disappointing the ladies. They might go into mourning if my DFA is in hiding for too long.

No Elvis jumpsuit knock-offs and no shorts, too much DFA on display and too cold for you. Also, Dick, get a haircut. It's far too long.

Do you always have to be a party pooper? Both are cool and unique fashion statements. Alright, you win. The shorts were no good in colder weather. However I reserve the right to replace the boots with blue pixie boots and maybe lighten up all the black. Nope, I'm not messing with the 'do. It is working just fine for me. Babs loves it. Figures I have lousy luck. She finally decided I'd found myself to her satisfaction and moved in with me. I mean that is a MEGA huge step. She wasn't even too pissed about Julie since I didn't really sleep with her nor do the nasty. Julie is a nice girl and I thought it would be fair to keep the date I had scheduled already and tell her in person. Breaking up by phone or now email or text message is the mark of a coward and decidedly NC. Now I'm getting called back to Gotham. Well I can see if I can get some help and get Babs and I moved. I don't know if its going to be the Penthouse or the Manor. This time I am going to let Babs have a say. I'll take a leave of absence and worry what to do with the Cloisters later. If I get the enchilada I'm thinking I'll get maybe I can have Wayne Tech start looking at making Bludhaven more inhabitable again. Would be a boon for the local economy and I miss my town. It's near to you so I can get there quickly and far enough that I'm my own man.

It's getting late. I have so much work to do. It is time for me to proceed with whatever your master plan is. I know my role. It will be the hardest thing in my life to tell everyone you are dead. At least with Carol I've had some practice recently. I still hate lying. I've taken enough time indulging in my own pity and emotions right now. I've got a family to guide and protect. I've got a void in the Justice League and with the outsiders that needs to be filled. I won't let you down. Like I said before and I'll say it again, I've got your back. Eww I can't stay here much longer it's turning my tummy. Hey, my head and I can call it a tummy if I want to. First I'll get a hold of Babs, and then I'll go face my brothers and Alfred. It's going to take all the strength in me that I've ever known I had and then some. I guess now its time. There is no other option. The Boy Wonder needs to step up and become the Man Wonder. For you, I'll do it though. I love you, Big Guy.

Ditto Dick, ditto. You've always been a man in my eyes.

The End of the story, but the beginning of a new chapter in Dick's life

huffy_n_dk @ 2008-12-06T18:48:00

2008-12-07T00:50:41Z

Meet the newest member of my family. Ah I dont know what its name or sex or ah anything is. Its a dragon though and I love it anyway. I can't have a real pet so cyber pets will have to suffice. If I get to pick the name, any suggestions?

Cyberbullies

2008-11-25T05:06:17Z

The internet is a forum for free expression. It is guarenteed by the first ammendment of the US Constitution. I don't see though WHY some people feel that gives them the power to tease, insult, belittle, and harrass others. It is usually done by people because simply they feel anonymous and they can. These same people would probably never dream of doing it in person to people's face. The curtain of being anonymous gives them a feeling of power, creating cyber identities left and right. That is bad enough but some go further and get others in on the act so they form a little cyber gang. They get away with it too often because good people do nothing to stand up and counter it. They sit back and think the idiots are simply doing it for attention. So they ignore it. Well, that gives these people an added feeling of power. There day is not complete unless they have gone online and tried to make other peoples lives miserable. Well this good person is tired of sitting back and doing nothing. I have been around off and on on the net since the mid nineties. Im saddened to see what is happening. Differences of opinions and logical discussion is one thing, flamng and name calling, and religious intolerance is something completely different, to quote the Doorman at OZ to Dorothy :That;s a horse of a different color." History has shown that evil prospers when good people do nothing. We need to stand in defence of the attacked and stay the high ground, not getting down to their level of name calling. Also, word to some readers, and you know who you are, the internet is not nearly as anonymous as you might like to think.

Shalom, Peace, Aloha, love and cheeseballs.

LOL I am still here

2008-10-10T02:16:54Z

OK, some of you know, I had a run in with an individual and needed to change my IM name. Sorry Fingy this is why I ve been incommunicado. my new YIM is kidcurrysgirl. Some of you already have it. Doing pretty good tonight. A little achy with the colder weather and a little of the depression but not too bad, all things considered. Working on keeping a positive mental attitude

Love the job. Will post more later.
Huffy :D

Had a really lousy day so far

2008-07-15T21:57:53Z

I am feeling hot, miserable, depressed and in pain today. I had to spend three hours in the dentist char and four fillings. The novacaine is wearing off and I am beginning to feel it now. Temperature is hot and muggy and my allergies are up. Had to use my rescue inhaler before 10 am. Had an attach where I could hardly breathe and it was pretty scary. Then I get jumped because I did not call someone back right away. I was trying to find the information she wanted. I feel like I just cant win for losing now a days. I'm getting less then six hours of sleep. My counselor and my case manager cant agree on my diagnosis and Ive got each pulling me in a different directoin. I just feel like a body in the desert and vultures are coming and picking into it. I hate being expected to support and take care of everyone. I said I was having a bad time of it and all the different things I am having to deal with on my plate. Her thing was if I was still going to come over and fix her computer and now I am also supposed to set up her converter box. It hurts to feel no one listens to you sometimes. I issued a challenge about caring for caregivers and even that I must have miswrote because people were not understanding what I was asking about. I just am having a real black dog day, been off and on black dog weeks. I just needed to vent. I just need a laugh or a feel good story. Even in being a Dick supporter I feel like I am an odd duck out. Just feeling like my time came and passed before having a chance to live it. I just wish I could make people understand better. Guess Im down too because I heard of someone trying to commit suicide this morning and is now on The Unit. I swear many days I am feeling like running and checking myself into the unit. That leads me to my major beef with Morrison. Now my guy is thrown in Arkham. I'd actually been working on a story for a while as therapy with Dick in a Unit. Now Morrison has put him there. I have nothing against it but no one really can get how traumatic it really is to be a Unit. Ive been there for 6 weeks in the last twenty years. It is my reality. I know how it is and how it feels. Is terrifying and humbling and demoralizing. You are stripped of your identity and made to assume a new one. I guess all I want to do is to write something that would help others to understand. Something happens in your mind that they do not take about in books or college classes. There is something profound that happens to you, something that you really don't ever forget, ACH Sorry. Just needed to get things out for a moment.

FIC: Partners by Night and Day (Bruce, Dick)

2008-03-20T21:13:07Z

Fic: Partners By Night and Day
Rated G
_________________________________________

Bruce Wayne had to chuckle as he saw the young man seated outside waiting for him. He hadn't understood why Dick was being so formal and had not just walked in. He certainly never needed to schedule an appointment. He’d even worn a suit for the occasion though Bruce knew it had to feel like a straight jacket. Bruce looked at the man beside Dick. Dick’s companion looked vaguely familiar. Bruce thought he should know the man but was not sure from where. He would ask Alfred. Alfred had a better memory for Dick's friends and associates than Bruce did. He wondered what his son was up to. Bruce waved Sheila over.

"Did he say anything about what this is regarding? It seems a little strange."

Sheila smiled. She had been Bruce's private secretary since Dick was ten. She enjoyed watching the small boy grow up. The staff always liked when Dick came around because he could defuse and distract Bruce. Bruce Wayne was a good boss but when something did not go the way he wanted, he was prone to outbursts. His outbursts at times bore a real resemblance to a toddler's temper tantrum. He had obviously embarrassed Alfred more than once with one of his dressing downs of an erring subordinate. She knew some staff missed the routine of the stupid, vapid playboy because at least then he didn’t express his displeasure. Some people referred to it as the “Ken doll” routine. Sheila personally liked the current personality better. It was honest, even if it did seem like dealing with a toddler on occasion.

For a while Bruce had seemed to treat Dick much like one of them. For several years his smiling face barely brightened the doors of the fifteenth floor. As unexpectedly as the situation had started it ended and Dick was back. The staff had been surprised to learn he was now a police officer. Bruce was always worried about him and if he was stuck in the office all day, the staff would see more frequent outbursts. Bruce recognized this and tried to avoid the office if it was a particularly tense day. The worst was when audits fell on the same day as Bludhaven had had a dangerous standoff between police and a group of dangerous felons. Everyone knew he wanted to go to Bludhaven personally or to the Manor but the IRS doesn’t alter audits. Unfortunately one of the divisions had neglected to file the necessary paperwork. Bruce had held it well but three of the division heads had felt the sharp side of his tongue. Thankfully Dick was safe, not a scratch on him, and Bruce had Lucius go and soothe the ruffled feathers a little bit. The staff was relieved that Dick now was working as curator for a Wayne property in Manhattan. The Gold Prince was close enough to defuse Daddy and most curators led pretty boring lives.

"I think he's coming to you with a business proposition. He might be trying to impress his friend who he keeps calling ‘Bones’. I nearly laughed when Dick gave me his full name and that he was here for his appointment with Bruce Wayne. No "Hey Sheila, Dad free?” He keeps telling his friend to relax and he will do the talking."

Bruce smiled. Now he remembered Dick talking about a Bones. Bones owned some athletic establishment and Bruce knew Dick was doing something with underprivileged kids and acrobatics on Saturday mornings. Dick was very excited about it and Bruce had penciled in to come down and see what his son was up to. Bruce would indulge Dick's little game and then give him whatever his son wanted. He knew he spoiled Dick but he figured that after all the serious screwing up he had done, a little spoiling was entirely justified. He decided he could play the game too. For the moment, he would be strictly Bruce Wayne, multibillionaire and shrewd businessman. Later he would be himself in the more comfortable fit of Bruce Wayne, very proud and doting father of Richard John Grayson-Wayne. It filled him with pride that Dick was using his full-hyphenated legal name more and more. Bruce was very proud of Dick being a Wayne and wanted Dick to be proud of being a Wayne. Bruce had deliberately made the papers reflect both names so Dick would not feel the need to choose one or the other.

He was going to need Batman's help in not losing the game right off. Just looking at Dick set him smiling. Dick was trying hard to act like a mature adult. Bruce would support him, though he had viewed Dick as an adult for a very long time. He drew the line at 'Richard' though. He was and always would be 'Dick' to Bruce, except on the rare occasions when he would be in trouble and then it was 'Nightwing' or 'Richard John'. In Bruce's mind, he actually preferred 'Dickie' but he reserved that for just the two of them as Tim enjoyed teasing his big brother over it. Alfred would simply shake his head bemused. No, Batman would have to help, though Dick was the one person in creation that could make the Batman crack a smile. If he relied too heavily on Batman, he might make the slip of calling him Nightwing. He would need to stop himself before that happened.

Dick saw his father and breathed deeply to still the adrenaline racing through him. He quickly wiped off his sweaty palms on his pants, though he knew by the quirked eyebrow that he had been caught. Bruce always caught him wiping his hands off on his pants. He could tell it even when Dick was standing in back of him.

He stood up and grabbed the briefcase, a gift Bruce had given to him when he'd decided to become curator. He told Dick it was a little more professional and befit his new status more than carrying around a spiral notebook with papers crammed into it or a beaten up army surplus backpack. Dick also grabbed the binder with the carefully prepared business proposal. Babs had proofread it through several drafts until she finally said that 1) it was good enough and 2) if Dick sent her it one more time to read over she would check into Arkham. He had been so desperate that he'd had Tim proofread it too. He'd discovered a whole new level of humiliation in having a sixteen-year-old brother cackling in glee. Tim had fun writing witty remarks about his errors. Dick would indulge Tim’s fun to a point but after a while the joke wore thin. Dick had been ready to take it to Dad and ask if no killing also covered no maiming or causing very painful but temporary injuries. Alfred had pronounced the proposal good and Roy had fallen asleep reading it.

He hoped his voice would not crack. He was well past puberty but his voice still played a nasty trick on him. When he got nervous, excited, or emotional, it had an embarrassing habit of cracking and jumping up or down an octave. It could go from Darth Vader to Alvin the Chipmunk to normal in the span of a sentence. The crooks found it very amusing, until he tore them apart and sent them running.

He stood and extended his hand to Bruce who barely suppressed an amused twinkle in his eye. "Mr. Wayne, thank you for agreeing to meet with us on short notice. Bones, Mr. Bruce Wayne. Mr. Wayne, Bones."

Bruce shook hands with Bones, very impressed with the firm and steady grip. "No problem at all, Mr. Grayson. Why don't you and Bones step into my office and we can discuss things?" Bruce had to turn away before they saw the pleased, proud smile break out. He also wanted to assist Dick in staying calm so that his son would hopefully not have his voice break. He knew it was a never-ending source of discomfort for Dick. He led them into the office and was not surprised that Dick naturally took the chair across from him. Bruce coughed and cocked an eyebrow as Dick had forgotten some of his game in the familiarity of the office. Dick was doing a cross between sitting and stretching out while playing idly with the round pencil cork on the desk.

Dick immediately straightened up and assumed a more professional position. He wanted to impress his father and Bones but this was going to be more difficult then he had planned. Now they were inside the office, one of his safe zones, it would be so much easier to call Bruce 'Dad' and just ask for the money like an allowance advance. No, he was a businessman now and he wanted to at least try to act like it. Besides, he didn't want Bones to assume he was just some spoiled little rich kid, (though okay, his trust fund had over seven figures not counting cents, and everything Bones was looking at now was one day going to be his). He did not want Bones feeling that somehow it made Dick better than him.

"Mr. Wayne, my associate Bones and I have a business proposal for you. Bones has a very successful health club in Manhattan. We’d like to expand the business. Even in Manhattan, there are many poor kids with no place to go." Dick turned red as his voice jumped into Alvin the Chipmunk range. Bruce discretely slid him a cold glass of water to drink. He looked up and counted mentally as he had a drink. He hoped it would be enough to steel his nerves. "On Saturday mornings, we’ve been running a free program for poor kids in the area. Bones opens up his building and I teach them how to perform on the trapeze. It’s good training, and it teaches them body control and self-confidence." 'Oh hell I could use that self-confidence now.' Dick thought as yes Alvin had settled down, only to find him replaced by Darth Vader. Humiliated, Dick sat down, covering his face with his hands. Bones had to think he was a first class dorkaramus now.

"Mr. Wayne, this has proven to be a very successful program. Dick’s very good with the kids and they instantly bond with him. The problem is that there are currently more kids who need the program than he can handle." Bones handed Bruce the binder, he was struck dumb momentarily when he knocked a picture over on Bruce's desk and there was a picture of Dick and Bruce and a younger boy smiling and clowning for the camera. Bruce quickly checked and reset the picture as if it were gold from Fort Knox. "We’d like to bring in tutors, instructors in other disciplines, and expand the Saturday program. We believe we can use the fun and the different activities for the kids as an incentive to try harder and stay in school. Mr. Wayne, our area kids have some of the worst attendance rates and grades in the State of New York. Dick has already found a volunteer to train the children in archery and another to work with the kids on boxing and martial arts."

Bruce took a look at the proposal and felt like he would burst with pride. Dick and Bones had put together everything in a way that would put most of the appeals to the Wayne Foundation to shame. He was not surprised to see that Dick had gotten Roy to agree to archery and Tim to agree to martial arts classes. Bruce felt a warm glow and figured that Batman and Wildcat might be able to sign on to do a little boxing training. He wondered if he could get Alfred to teach cooking and nutrition classes and make Saturdays a family affair. He took a look at the bottom line and blinked. He would still have to work with Dick in asking for money. It was much too low an amount for the fantastic potential.

"Bones, thank you for making me aware of your program. I am in total support. The Foundation will gladly partner with the two of you on this program. Now, the Foundation wishes to increase the bottom line by doubling it. This proposal is excellently done but you are asking for too little." He finally chuckled at the confused look on Dick who had lifted his head out of his hands, though he was still blushing, Bones was also screwing up his face. "Bones, first, do not feel anyone was playing a joke on you. No one was, Dick likes to act like everyone else when soliciting from the Foundation and I am very proud of him for this. My son though does not grasp how truly large the Foundation resources are and he tends to underestimate how much to ask for. The Foundation is the non-profit arm of Wayne Enterprises and as such it supplies a lot of tax deductions and improves the community. When we assumed control of the cloisters, we were also hopin to extend our philanthropic interests to the neighborhood and this is a golden opportunity." Bruce quirked a smile and he loved to tease Dick with the word 'golden' though Dick actually far surpassed gold to Bruce. Dick was pure platinum.

"As you might have suspected Bones, I am proud to say Dick is my son; but I’m very much a crime prevention advocate and the best way to help these kids is to keep them in school and show them life outside of the streets and the gangs. Please come back on Monday and meet with Mr. Fox. He will have all the necessary paperwork drawn up for a line of credit for the program as well as a list of vendors having existing discount programs with the Foundation. With that you should be able to buy whatever things you might need. If you run into any difficulties, just call Mr. Fox or myself. Now Bones, it is time for lunch and..." he now could freely slip into the proud and indulgent father mode. He liked this one very much, as much as being Batman. " If you have not figured it out yet, Dick can get cranky if he does not eat on time. If you start noticing him getting cranky it is his blood sugar. Make him eat. Simply tell him his father says he has too. I would like to take you and my son to lunch. It is Dick's favorite, Southern fried chicken at the cafeteria. May I buy you lunch?"

Bones still was in awe that Dick, plain old regular Dick, was also the famous crown prince of Gotham City. He had heard the rumors but he had never been one for following the society pages. It did, however, explain the paparazzi and the increase in rich clientele since Dick had been around. "Thank you but I have a training in forty-minutes. I'm barely going to make it back to the gym in time. Hope the traffic isn't too bad. I don't suppose you have any pull over the traffic do you?"

Bruce chuckled. He liked Bones. "Nope, sorry. Well Dick, I guess that just leaves the two of us. Care to go down and have lunch with your father?"

"You don't even have to ask twice. I do not, though, get cranky. I just get impatient. There is a difference. Bones, I will stop by tomorrow and see what we can get started."

"Take care Dick. Thank you again Mr. Wayne, or should I say Mr.Waynes." Bones walked out leaving father and son together.

"Thanks for letting me do that. I guess sometimes I worry whether people like me for me or because I’m rich. Bones liked me for me and he isn't rich by any means. I’m not ashamed of you, I just didn’t want him ditching out on me because he found out who I am."

"Don't worry about it, I know exactly where you are coming from. I like him and the program. I think Ted and I will come and do. Tim will be good with the martial arts and Roy should hit it off with the kids. You had a very good proposal. I was impressed, and that is speaking as Bruce Wayne, businessman and not Bruce Wayne, totally doting father. Very pleased to be doing business with you partner."

Dick cocked his head. "Well, I like doing business with you too, partner. I also really love doing business with both of my Dads, BW and BM. Now, we better go and get some of that chicken before I do turn cranky. Oh, can I get a lift home later? Bones drove."

Bruce grinned and mussed the younger man's hair. "I think my chauffer can take an extra passenger. Say, stay at home tonight. I got Two Face on the loose and could use the extra hands."

"Say no more, Dad. You know I got your back."

</div>

Wrestling Ramblings from an Old School Mark - 18 March 2008

2008-03-19T00:04:29Z

R.I.P. Gary Hart - Thanks for the Memories

This week wrestling has lost a great man, a true legend. Gary Hart has passed this mortal coil to go to the big squared circle in the sky. At least he is going to have some wonderful company.

Gary Hart was a true genius. He had a sense of style and a sense of flair. No, he had no megaphone, or sequeenced jackets, or turbans, or other gimmicks so many wrestling managers have used over the years. Gary had a style uniquely his own. About the closest possible peet would be Precious Paul Ellering. He had a style that left one mesmerized. When he was on the screen you knew it. Your eyes were drawn to him. I remember when I was younger, I used to be scared of the man. He had an intense look that seemed like he could see right through the TV and literally see you. He brought to the ring some of the most talented and unique personalities in the business.

He was the first manager of George the Animal Steele, at least according to Slam Wrestling. He also had Gino Hernandez of World Class and Southwest Wrestling. Rest your soul Gino. Just a word since Gino does not get the mention or credit he deserves. Gino Hernandez was a great wrestler and showman. Apparently he had struggles in his personal life, but when Gino was in the ring he was magic. He gave you a show. I personally feel a different time and different place Gino could have gone far. He would have become a legend. Unfortunately like a lot of bright stars he went Nova way before his time. He was one of the early managers of Kamala. I can still remember in my mind with a chuckle an early promo about Kamala being the 'Eighth Wonder of the World" and it was supposed to be a jungle but it looked suspiciously like someones back yard.

The two wrestlers I remember best of his are his Japanese superstars, Kabuki and The Great Muta. I remember originally being in awe of Kabuki. He did not look like anything most of us fans had ever seen before. He looked dangerous and wild. He also had the mist, long before Hunter and others took water and sprayed it into the spotlights. Kabuki would spit and spray this 'mysterious green mist' and oh man could Kabuki and his opponent sell it. The opponent would hit the mat rolling around like they were in the worst agony imaginable. They would always act blinded. As I recall some of them with a real sense of the theatrics would grab their throat and gasp like the could not breath. The camera would turn and catch Kabuki and he would drool and stick out his tongue with this green goop spilling out. It was a little like Gene Simmons of KISS and the fake blood as the Demon. He would look wild like he had been possessed by some evil ancient spirit or other. Oh could he get the fans up in arms. There would be shouting before his matches for the ref to check his mouth. Of course the refs didnt which gave us all, whether there in the arena, which unfortunately I was never able to be, or at home another reason to hate the zebras. He also brought to the ring an arsenal of martial arts that many of us marks had not seen before and it seemed like an unfair advantage.

Muta followed Kabuki. Muta was younger and he moved better. Technically he seems in my memory to be better than Kabuki. Muta did the same gimmics but here Kabuki had the upper hand. Muta could never look wild and possessed, looking a little more sick and constipated. Also after Kabuki the mist was not as scary or impressive. Sadly wrestling went corporate. World Class, SouthWest, MidSouth, AWA, alot of them folded up or were forced to really scale back and lost their TV exposure. It became so that you either ate at Mc McMahon or Burger Turner. Sadly it also saw eventually a true gentleman fade off of the radar and the TV screen.

He never needed to shout. Sometimes he would act so mellow and Zen you wondered if he was truly concious. Then the eyes would open and the intense stare. I really wish I could have gotten to one of his matches live, or an autograph signing or meet and greet for fans. I would have loved the chance to thank him personally while he was alive and able to soak them up.

Gary, on behalf of many of us Old School marks, we may never have known in person ye, but thank you for the years of wierd, wacky, and wonderful memories. Now get them boys working and in line up there. Put on a show for our fellow marks who are in that arena in the sky.

My thoughts and condolences to the family of Gary Hart. Thank you for sharing him with the rest of the world. You are in the prayers of this old school mark.

If anyone reading this is a fellow old school mark or maybe one of the guys who we loved to love or hated to hate and wants to share thoughts or memories about this great man, please feel free to comment.

(Alright, as you can see by the icon, I am eclectic. They are no angels, their wings are torn and their halos are crooked but I am also a mark of the Kliq now and forever.)</div>

FIC: Two Loyal Humans - Rated PG 1/1

2008-03-18T22:41:55Z

Table 07 (Teamwork Table) Prompt 05: Loyalty
Title: Two Loyal Humans
Rated: PG
Characters: Dick, Roy, Clark Kent (mentions of Konner, Ollie, and Bruce)
Author: Huffy
Summary: Clark gets a wake up in the aftermath of Bruce's banishment from the league by two loyal humans
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===============================================
Two Loyal Humans
DFU Free For All Teamwork Table Loyalty Prompt

"Oh hold still. You are being such a baby right now. You are acting worse than Lian does."

"Ouch Roy. That stuff hurts. It is just a black eye and a cut above it. It is not a big deal at all."

Roy dabbed the q-tip soaked in iodine on the cut over his eyebrow. It was deep but Roy did not think it would need stitches. He ignored the hand coming up and trying to slap it away. "Hey Robbie, it is me or I haul your butt to the Cave and let Alfred do this."

"You wouldn't dare. Oh man, Roy, he is going to flip a major artery if he sees this. The definition for over-protective barely begins to cover Bruce."

Roy sighed and threw the blood soaked q-tip away. He carefully applied a couple butterfly bandages. He would keep an eye on the bleeding and Dick's vision and play it by ear. He would go over his head and take him to the man if he needed to though,

"I still can't believe you did not just flatten him. It would have only taken one well-aimed punch. Oh shit, hold still, I think the bastard broke your nose. Why did you just let him hit you?"

"He was upset and I did not want to make a scene. I know he has a right to think how he wants about Bruce but I don't have to agree."

"No, but you also don't have to put out like a human punching bag either. Stewart was totally out of line tonight. He had no reason to be shooting off his mouth like that in public especially not in front of you."

"Stewart was drunk. I know it is no excuse but I would not feel right punching a drunken man. It would have put me at an unfair advantage. I decided to reason with him instead. I mean it should never have gotten out but I understand why he did it."

Roy walked to the kitchen and filled a pack with ice. He walked back to the bathroom, wrapped it in a towel and handed it to Dick. "Hold that on your face and let's see if the swelling goes down. It is really going to hurt later." Roy sat down on the edge of the tub across from Dick. "Yeah, I know why he did it to and as one of the non-meta humanoids I appreciate it. I think he just scares them Robbie because he refuses to be intimidated by them or to feel inferior. He keeps the playing field level. I know you were taught not to fight, but Short Pants, I think Bruce would have understood."

"I just don't get it, Roy. Why? He created the League; hell 90% of everything is built with Wayne technology and paid for by Wayne money. He and Ollie answer every call even though they are always going to be the most vulnerable. Hell, Ollie has even died once. Superman started it all by giving Bruce the K-Ring years ago so he could kill him if he ran amok."

"I don't know. I ask myself the same thing. Hell, I have been trying to get Wally to give me a rundown of names and votes so we can go and personally discuss the matter with them. I think it is safe to assume where Stewart lies on the scale, not that I had a doubt for a minute."

"Bruce told me to leave it, that it really does not matter. I don't believe that for a minute. He just does not want to see me get hurt. Guess that didn't quite happen. Oh man did I mess up."

"No, Short Pants. You just are being loyal to your father. It's harder for you then for anyone else. Stewart was deliberately trying to goad you. He seems to have a grudge in his craw against us all. I think he can't get past the skin color and all the green on our trees. All you did was go to the restaurant. You are a hero too and frankly not everyone agrees with what the League did. I know Ollie is madder than a wet hen. A lot of the older guard understands. It largely seems to come down to the aliens and the rest of us."

"Isn't it funny Roy? Once upon a time all of us were us who weren't a them. It never seemed to matter whether you were human or alien or genetically mutated like Gar. We were all one in a common cause. Did we miss a change in the rule books or something?"

"No, they did. For some reason a lot of them seemed to begin to feel that since they could do fancy stuff that the rest of us could not, that somehow made them better. They began to look down on the rest of us. They just don't understand. I wonder sometimes what happened to the oath that they always used to say at the start of the meetings. I remember being so in awe of that oath and saying it to myself and dreaming of the day I would join and say the oath myself."

"Me too. I remember we would just stand there in awe. That was one of the first things I ever memorized and it made Bruce proud. We even borrowed parts of it for the Titans. Remember when they were the good guys; they were the heroes? Now, it seems like they don't give a damn about justice or truth. It seems they only care about themselves and how a plain ordinary man could figure out the chinks in their mystical armor. I guess I could understand it from some of them. Some of them just have never gotten him or tried to. No, the one that hurts the worst is Superman. I can't believe I used to call him Uncle Clark. He was supposed to be his best friend. He was supposed to be a champion. He was supposed to understand and to care."

"I do Dick, I know you don't believe that right now but I do." Superman attempted to enter through the bathroom window when an angry Roy stopped him.

"Go away, Kent. You are damn well not welcome here anymore. You are on enemy turf, this land is owned by our fathers, you sure it won't contaminate you and your sense of pompous self-righteousness?"

Dick sighed, looking from the hurt look on Superman's face to the angry expression on Roy. He did not say anything right away. He needed a second to decide in his head what he wanted to say and how he wanted to say it.

"You didn't even do anything when Stewart was spewing his garbage. You just stood there like a damn statue. You watched as Stewart punched him for no damn reason. You claim to be such a good friend. Sorry, I have a different vision and I don't sit idly by and watch them attacked. Then again I don't sit there and stab them in the back and throw them under the bus either."

"Roy, Dick, please just listen. The vote was not easy for me at all. I was torn and conflicted. I am his friend and I can understand where Bruce is coming from. I also though am one of the Trinity and I had to look at the greater good of the League. He needs to get over his paranoia."

"You know Clark, since I was nine, all I have heard from people again and again is about his paranoia. I don't really see it. He lost everything with having his parents killed. He was a kid so no one gave a shit. He had to make his own way in the world. He had to learn to only trust himself because he sure had discovered the world could love you one minute and kick you to the heap the next. You all call it paranoia to protect you and yours but see Clark, to me that's not paranoia. We are merely trying to stay alive the best way that we know how. We don't have bulletproof skin, or mystical powers, or fancy little rings. We have tools, and arrows, and our brains. Our best defense is a good offense and so we merely go and figure how to protect ourselves in the event that something happens. Oh hell Clark, you and your alien buddies know what it would take to kill us in a heartbeat. We have to work with you all the time knowing you could kill us and trusting you don't. Funny, when he gets that information, then suddenly you all scream paranoia and trust. Why are we to trust you all but you can't return that trust to us?"

"Dick, you are wrong. Ok, yes we do know what it would take to kill humans. We need to know it to protect you."

"Whoa, I don't know about Robbie, but Kent, I have been protecting myself since I was at least 14. I grew up on a reservation watching decent people be treated like dirt because they were different. They spoke different, dressed different, and believed different. It seemed that made them open game. I never saw you on the reservation when the Dineh were getting beaten up for no reason. I never saw you when Ollie and I were trying to help the people on the streets. Where was this great protection when Ollie went off to 'find America' and I got into Heroin? Where was this great protection when Lian was taken and the only people I had to help were Short Pants and the paranoid pointy-ears? Hell where was your protection when Robbie was being tortured by Blockbuster or I lay there fighting for my life? Oh yeah, I forget you all just go for the damn global issues. The needs and concerns of two orphans just ain't going to make your radar."

"That is not true Roy."

"Stop it Clark. It is true and you know it. You have never spent a day in the filth of your own city. You leave the common stuff to the police while you focus on Luthor and global or super powered threats. Well Clark, sorry but the cops can't be everywhere and the people really need the heroes like the Bats and the Arrows willing to crawl in the filth and make it all a little better for everyone. You can get selective hearing when a couple is yelling, scared to death they are going to get whacked simply because they chose to walk down the wrong street at the wrong time. Oh that's right no cameraman like Jimmy Olson or no reporter like Lois, or film crews from the major networks. No glory in tracking a rapist through the sewers like there is in stopping a Tsunami in Japan.

That Clark is what you don't understand about Konner. He cares about all people whether they are rich or poor or have a PR machine with them. He is just as happy helping some homeless family as he is stopping a major criminal. He might be a 'clone' and 'corrupted by Luthor DNA' but he is out there every day helping whether people notice or not. He doesn't sulk when no one remembers who he is or gives credit to someone else. He sees still the big picture of the world but not loose sight of the little puzzle pieces that make up the picture. You simply shove him off because you don't want to deal with the embarrassing questions. You decide to dump him in Smallville where he knows no one and nothing about the life because it is easier and more convenient for you. Well you know Clark, Bruce has had people question whether I am or am not his illegitimate bastard and I am sure it gets embarrassing for him to. You know what though, for all his faults, he never has farmed me out or sent me to boarding school. He loves me as best he can and deals with whatever embarrassment might come his way. Funny all that from a paranoid man that doesn't know how to love or trust."

"Very nicely said Robbie. Bravo. Now Superman, I think you need to leave. We orphans are doing just fine without YOUR protection and with our faulty human dads. Maybe one day you will wake up and see that humans are different but we have a lot to offer and a lot to teach your so called evolved races. Before you judge the Manor or Ollie's place, you better check your own home first and make sure that is clean. You don't need to justify to us. We ain't your guilt removal service Kent. Go home and talk with your own kid and figure out how to fix that then you go and fix it with our parents. You won't get our understanding or forgiveness until you get theirs. After all we are just simple weak little humans who need to be protected and told what to do. Now get the hell out."</div>

FICLET: Fatherly Ramblings - 1/1 Rated R

2008-03-06T03:26:43Z

Title: Fatherly Ramblings

Auther: Huffy

Rating: R for threats of violence and language

Table 07 Prompt 16 Love

Pairing: Batman, Nightwing

Setting: Batman’s thoughts when searching Bludhaven in Nightwing “Love and War”

When I find him I am going to skin every last inch of him. Of all the stupid, idiotic, crazy, asinine things for him to do well this is at the time of the list. I raised him better, I trained him better than this. Yes, I can understand at some level what he is doing. He loves this vile, filthy, vermin infested pit much like I love Gotham. Okay, yes I would be doing the exacted same thing but there is a big difference. I’m not my son. I’ve lived a long life and hell I have done more than a few things to deserve a painful death over. He is still just a baby, my baby. He is barely into his second decade of life. I am nowhere near ready to lose him yet, not by a longshot.

No, he didn’t listen to Superman but I don’t listen to Superman either. Oh hell, to be honest no one has really listened to Clark with any real caring since he was killed! He should have called me, but he would not because he would know exactly what I would have said, what I would have done. I would have yanked his sorry rump home. That is what I still intend to do. Richard John Grayson Wayne what in the hell are you thinking? Oh hell you have not been thinking for months now. I used to consider myself an expert on you, I felt confident that at any given time I could figure out where you were and what you were up to with a 99% level of accuracy. Right now though these past few months have been hell because you are not acting like yourself. DAMN IT NIGHTWING, this is not how I made you. You are not using your brain. You are taking risks that are making me blanch. You are causing more than a few gray hairs and my ulcers are developing ulcers.

Some days. between you and Tim. I am ready to declare myself way to old for this shit. I am going to have to turn on the tracking and hope that somehow I get a break. Oh hell son, I love you and a father is not made to bury his son, even a father who is as lousy as me. I know I suck at it. I do love you, Brat, more than anything. If I lost you in this this hellhole right now I don’t know what I’ll do. I can’t stand to lose you any time. See, didn’t you read the fine print in the contract we did as Robin, see unwritten in the oath is the clause that you are not allowed to predecease me unless I give you express written permission in triplicate. I am nowhere near ready for that. Ah, I got a signal. At least a few gray cells were working in that thick, swiss cheese thing in between your ears that has been serving as a brain lately.

Say goodbye to independent living, kiddo. You are soo grounded. I don’t care if technically you are over 21, sue me. I have the keys to all the toys and I can still ground you. You are also penciled in for one mega spanking over my knee for, well I will think of plenty before this little adventure is over. I also am sitting your rump down and you and I are going to have us a father son soire, after you give me oh about six months of status reports. I know, part of this is all about Blockbuster still. ARGH! That man has done more to ruin these people, this city, oh hell everything he touches. Newsflash Dickie, I am damn well not going to let him destroy you. I am glad you have built me up on a mountain of such high moral standing. Son though, I am mortal and I have feet of clay. I have walked away, I have stood and done nothing. Way before I met you, I actually did kill. I have never been a sterling silver night on a white charging steed. I am black and I have more blood on my hands in more ways than one then there is water to wash off. You, Richard John, are the purification of my soul. The way that I am in your eyes is what gives me the power to fight off the demons and monsters that still live inside me barely under the surface. When I drove you off, when I shut you out, I was forced to see parts of me I did not want to see. I need you in my life to be better then I am.

I am sorry for everything. I need to start again. Oh hell, WHERE ARE YOU?!!!!! I just saw a young man dead, Dick. He was your age. My heart tore through me thinking it was you. I felt so odd walking up to the crying woman and getting a look at the young man. I hurriedly walked on, I did not want her to hear my sigh of relief that it was not my son, that it was not you. OK the signal is getting stronger. I am going to rip every bone out of your socket. I am going to make a hidden room and lock you in until you are 30. I am going to string you up by your toes. I am going to make you clean every inch of the drive panels on your hands and knees with a toothbrush. I am going to make you stand on your head and recite to me every rule and protocal you have broken in English and Kryptonian. I am going to make you walk all over the Satellite with some embarrassing sign Tim can think up.

Ok, signal is showing you are on the other side of this door. Why the heck are you in a building owned by the unlamented Blockbuster? Yes, there might be civilians but so help me Richard John, you mean a hell of a lot more to me then any one of these teeming masses in Bludhaven. I would take you and leave with you and not look back. Cold, yes. Hard, yeah. Unfeeling, oh hell yes but I am Batman. To be honest, I only care about you and Alfred. Tim is there but not next to you by any means. Hmm, door wont open, well no damn door ever built can keep me from you and you know it. A little dose of C4 and yep, one door out of the way. I still say Alfred should have let me use a little C4 when you would lock your door in a tantrum. Blow the door off the hinges one time and you would know to open it the next time. Alfred never would though, said it was much too dangerous and a young boy needed his privacy. Well, Tim is getting C4. I plan on testing my theory. Oh, your butt is coming back home, at least on a whole lot of visits and if you ever try to lock it I will C4 it, well I better check that you haven’t snuck in a date first.

I love the sight and sound of C4 detonation. Hehe to quote my favorite TV show, “blew ‘em up real good.” No more door! Now where are you? Oops, you are under the door. OK now THAT was an accident. I did not intend Nightwing to blow a door down on you, okay and a good section of wall. Its not my fault they don’t make walls like they used to and how was I supposed to know you would be right on the other side of the door. Well, at least digging you out of debris with my bare hands gives me something to do with my anger. Furious does not begin to describe how I feel right now. Nope, not even the tip of the iceberg. I can understand at this moment what might drive a father, even one like me who loves his kid to death, to consider filicide. I think I am going to find you a pile of debris and make you move it with your bare hands. Trust me it is not fun, especially when doing it one step away from a full blow panic attack.

Oh man, I drop down next to you. I can finally see you breathing. I can finally touch you. My knees are shaking and I don’t trust to stand. I can feel such relief washing through me. All the fire of my anger is burned off. All I can feel now is euphoria. You are alive. I have more precious time with you. It is times like this when I realize how damn stupid and pointless every one of our fights are. They seem so major because we are so much alike that we just cant fathom how the other most intelligent person in the universe does not understand where we are coming from. In reality they are basically down to about as major as do we have Burger King or McDonalds, or do we park close to the building or at the far end of the lot.

I stick a breather in your mouth and I am filled with so much love for you all over again. So help me when I get you back on your feet from this, I am going to give you the biggest butt chewing you have had in a long time. I am going to scare the devil out of you so you never risk that beautiful, precious neck like this again. I’m going to try to hug you tight and make you tell me what is going wrong with you and then try to fix it and make it better. I am going to try again to say how much I love you and how much you mean to me. This has scared me straight into my priorities. You are my new priority one, you and your brother Tim. Even if I can never say the word Love I will show you ever day I do the best I can and somehow I know at least you will understand.

Don’t get cocky though Richard John Grayson Wayne. I am still angry at all the stupid risks lately. You are still doing those status reports and getting the poo scared out of you. Also I may still spank that what they call DFA until it is red and shiny and you don’t sit for a week. See Brat I am the Dad. I love you and that is my job, Dickie, and don’t you ever forget it. Oh yes, I can call you whatever I want because I am Dad.

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FIC: Dynamic Dynamics

2008-02-15T03:40:03Z

Table 07 Prompt 22
Title: Dynamic Dynamics
Author: Huffy
Rating: G
Characters: Batman/Nightwing
Summary: A New Ritual is Born

He followed behind, just at the edge of where he knew his perimeters were. It could be a tricky dance but he knew the moves by heart. He had been horribly wrong. No, by anyone’s thoughts he had done the unforgivable. He had struck him son. He had driven him away. He did not want him to die like Jay did. He did not want to bury another son. It was in reality a flimsy excuse. Dick was never Jay in the same way that he could never force Jay to become Dick. They had similarities but they were completely different. Dick was his own person but unless pushed by him, and he conceded pushed very hard, he would not run off and defy him.

Finally thanks to Tim they were beginning to approach each other, but Dick was still angry which Batman could deal with. What bothered him was Dick had become skittish like a wounded animal with him. He could see in his eyes that Dick was fighting an internal war between his love and loyalty, and his fear. Batman hated the fear. He had never wanted Dick of all people, deep down, to be scared of him. Respect him yes but he found it made him chill and hurt to know the fear was not of just Batman. Right now the fear was of his total self. That was a picture that was hard for him to accept, but little by little, stroke-by-stroke, he had painted the picture for his son.

He knew it was not a painting he wanted his son to keep. He wanted to tear it to pieces and watch it burn in the fireplace. He had always thought himself a good father, at least as far as he knew. He took care of his son’s needs, provided for him, pointed him on the path that he must go, and kicked him out of the nest when it was time for him to fly. Oh hell whom was he kidding? He could guarantee that no child psychiatrist would advocate physical assault, emotional torment, terminating coldly a whole facet of their relationship together, and giving a precious part of his identity to another. No, he did not think anyone would view that and nominate him for father of the year. He did far worse with Dick then Alfred had done with him. He had always been at Bruce’s side and Bruce had come to love the quirky butler. He knew in countless little ways that Alfred loved him, even though he was grown. He still supported him in his decisions even if he did not agree with them.

He’d been selfish and petty. He watched with pride as the figure in black and blue sailed ahead. The figure could calculate distances in his head faster then most could make pocket change. Maybe it was the training of the trapeze or a photographic mind, but Dick seemed to have an innate ability to judge just how much t-line to use and the precise right moments to release. Tim was progressing very fast but even he did not have an easy time with the lines. Batman had to learn much from trial and error, and he also admitted now, from watching his son. He still was in awe watching him soar. He really was the epitome of poetry in motion. He would bet if Shakespeare had seen Nightwing in action, he would have never have begun writing those boring, depressing plays. He would have stayed with the light, romantic Sonnets. Of course then Batman would probably have been forced to arrest him as a stalker and that would not be good. He figured it was best for all concerned that centuries separated them.

He watched his son stop. He could tell by the body posture that the night was hitting him now. Dick always would try to work on this night, regardless of how difficult it was. If the relationship were as it should be, as he wanted, he would step up and call it a night. He would hold him and take him home. He would walk over with him and stand by the oak while Dick did his ritual. Many times though he would sneak over and do his own ritual with his parents. He would update them on their grandson and how proud they would be. He’d asked his parents to help him figure out all he needed to know to get his son through another year. He would silently vow that he would make each year just a little better.

He had quit doing his ritual years ago. He had gotten cocky and felt he knew all there was to know about parenthood and about his son. He realized it was something he never should have stopped. He needed to revive the vow now more than ever. Jay’s death should have made him appreciate how little time any of them had left. It should have served to remind him how fast it could all be taken from him. He closed his eyes and suddenly had a chilling, horrific vision of standing by his son lying cold, still, and dead in a coffin. He heard whispers in back of confused mourners wondering who the man in the fancy suit was at the young officer’s funeral. He looked like money, certainly no Bludhaven local. Some whispered that this was Bruce Wayne but no one believed it. What would Bruce Wayne have to do with a dead officer in this hellhole of the Haven? “I’m his father.” He said softly and then suddenly something came alive again. Something he had taken so for granted he never knew it had left. His heart wanted to scream it from the rooftops. He was embarrassed at the prospect. Many would take it as proof that Batman had finally turned certifiable.

For once in his life he did not care. He did not care if some villain saw and figured out who Nightwing was to Batman. He reasoned it was silly anyway since any of his long term villains with an ounce of smarts would be able to deduce easily that Nightwing was in fact Robin I grown up. Joker was not even sane but he had connected the dots. He knew it was time to reclaim what he’d nearly thrown to waste. He looked up at the stars and breathed a “Thank you” to the parents and grandparents who still watched over the fallen mortals like him. It suddenly seemed fitting that it was happening on this night. This night was where it had all begun so somehow it was fitting that this night it would begin again. He launched himself to the building.

He landed on the building and could see the trembling from here. He knew the old and newer memories were overwhelming him and he was finally acknowledging the pain. Dick would always push himself physically until exhaustion began to overtake him and he was forced to ride the feelings. He knew he had to approach slowly tonight especially. He did not want Dick to turn skittish and run. He wanted to burn the picture tonight. He started to whistle; it was an old lullaby Alfred used to sing to both of them. He could not sing and could barely remember the words but he never forgot the melody. He used to whistle it in the Batmobile to bring Robin down after an emotional patrol so he would calm and sleep. Funny every night that Dick was missing at the hands of Brother Blood, while he worked alone in the Cave he would whistle it. It made him feel close to his missing son. Of course he said nothing. His pride would not let it but Dick made no moves without him knowing. He smirked remembering the unusual costume that looked like something that would make Elvis Presley enraptured. As huge a fan as Bruce was, he had to admit Elvis never would have been able to do the suit justice.

He could see that it was reworking its magic. The anger and the skittishness were fading away in the faint breeze. The breeze was blowing the hair free from the ponytail and it fluttered after him. He could detect a faint shiver. Bruce really wished he could convince Dick to add back a cape to the ensemble. It was not merely for effect but on chilly nights like this it could be wrapped around one for warmth. Though maybe the coldness had nothing to do with the physical cold. He remembered the countless nights he would stand behind him, his boy, his son, and wrap his cape around them both. It would wrap around the boy like a protective shield. Proof he would never be alone.

Still whistling, he walked up behind him, pleased Dick was making no sign to bolt or to stop him. He wrapped an arm around Dick’s shoulders. He felt him tense for a moment. Bruce was afraid he was going to bolt. Suddenly though, just like always, Dick relaxed and leaned back into the warmth and protection of Batman. Batman drew his cape around them both again.

“I’m sorry Son, I am so very sorry, for everything.” Batman impulsively rested his chin on Nightwing’s hair. He suddenly was struck remembering how young his son truly was.

“S’okay, my fault too. You remembering shows me you love me more than hearing you say it.”

Together they stood like this in silence. This was how it should be. This was when their worlds were right.

“What do you say, Son, we call it a night. We go home, do our things, and then have Alfred make a pot of cocoa. The Classic Movie channel is doing Errol Flynn tonight.”

“Mmm, sounds good.” Bruce heard Dick’s voice hitch suddenly and tense a bit. “Can I still be your Son, your boy, in the morning? Can I be home in the morning?”

Bruce winced and held his son tighter. He had never dreamed he had sent that message. It was as far from how he really felt as could be. He had driven Dick away out of love, pure love that could not survive it if Dick died. Now he could tell Dick had seen it as rejection. “Shh, Chum. Yes, you will be my son in the morning, the afternoon, the next year, anytime. You are my son forever and always and no matter where I live, even if the earth is destroyed and it’s a satellite in space or the Watchtower, my home is your home too. I want to try again but always know that sentence I just said is the truth, even when I go off like a jerk. I will always be your jerk and you will always be my brat.”

He was pleased to hear the contented sigh and feel Dick melt into him again. Soon they would leave but right now they were making a new ritual.

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My Batman/Nightwing Prompts Table

2008-01-25T08:54:30Z

01.	teamwork	02.	partnership	03.	trust	04.	friendship	05.	*loyalty*
06.	leader/leadership	07.	sacrifice	08.	mentor	09.	apprentice	10.	dedication
11.	noobie	12.	veteran	13.	discipline	14.	strength	15.	following orders
16.	*love*	17.	responsibility	18.	accountability	19.	bonding	20.	understanding
21.	hazing	22.	*ritual*	23.	hero worship/idol	24.	energy	25.	party
26.	the gang	27.	fight	28.	exhaustion	29.	coffee	30.	work
31.	late hours	32.	delegation	33.	got your back	34.	mixing work and pleasure	35.	determination
36.	defense/defensive	37.	falling out/falling apart	38.	betrayal	39.	cabin fever	40.	in the way
41.	annoying/annoyance	42.	overwhelmed	43.	rough road	44.	invisible	45.	spite
46.	long day	47.	solid	48.	honor	49.	close quarters	50.	heaven
51.	hell	52.	blood	53.	home	54.	son	55.	writer's choice