Becoming Nightshade

Later that night, Jason sat on the edge of his bed, staring out the window at Gotham's skyline. The dim city lights filtered through the curtains, casting long shadows across his room. He exhaled slowly, rubbing the back of his neck. Silence was rare in his life, and while it was welcome, it left too much room for his thoughts to creep in.

A voice cut through the quiet. "You know, for a guy who prides himself on being aware of his surroundings, you sure do let your guard down a lot."

Jason's eyes snapped open, his hand instinctively reaching under his pillow for the knife he kept there. He relaxed only when he recognized the voice. "Damn it, Grayson," he groaned, rubbing his face. "Ever heard of knocking?"

Dick stepped out from the shadows, arms crossed, that smug grin plastered on his face. "Where's the fun in that? Besides, I like to keep you on your toes."

Jason rolled his eyes, tossing the knife onto the nightstand. "What do you want?"

Dick leaned casually against the dresser, his expression shifting from playful to serious. "Just checking in. We haven't really talked since the whole Briggs situation."

Jason sighed, running a hand through his hair, the tension evident in his posture. "Yeah, well, what's there to talk about? We got out. Nobody died. End of story."

Dick studied him for a moment before pushing off the dresser and stepping closer. "No, I'm not here to lecture, but I am curious... What happened between you and Briggs before all this? Before you became Robin?"

Jason's jaw tightened, his gaze dropping to the floor. He let out a short, humorless chuckle. "You really don't let things go, do you?"

Dick shrugged. "I like to know what we're dealing with. If Briggs has a personal grudge against you, this isn't just some random thug problem."

Jason exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "It was a long time ago, alright? Before I even knew Bruce." He paused, staring at his hands before continuing. "Briggs ran with some of the smaller gangs in Crime Alley—protection rackets, stolen cars, the usual crap. I was just a street kid trying to survive. Sometimes that meant running jobs for guys like him."

Dick remained quiet, giving Jason space to continue.

"I boosted cars," Jason muttered, his voice tight. "Thought I was being smart, staying under the radar. But with Briggs, nothing's ever that simple." His fists clenched at the memory. "I stole the wrong car one day. Turns out it belonged to someone important—someone Briggs owed. He beat the hell out of me for it, said I cost him big time. And he wasn't gonna let it go."

Dick's expression hardened. "And what did you do?"

Jason smirked bitterly. "I hid."

Dick's brow furrowed. "For how long?"

Jason leaned back against the headboard, letting out a hollow chuckle. "Weeks, maybe a month. I lost track. Lived in abandoned buildings, alleyways... anywhere I thought they wouldn't look." He sighed. "Eventually, I got lucky. Briggs got himself arrested on drug charges before he could find me again."

Dick nodded slowly. "And now he's back."

Jason shrugged, his smirk fading. "Yeah. And now he's back."

Dick crossed his arms. "Jay, these people—guys like Briggs—don't forget. How many others out there might still have it out for you?"

Jason sighed. "A handful, maybe more. Crime Alley doesn't let go easy. There's always someone who thinks they're owed something."

Dick shook his head. "This isn't just about you anymore, Jay. It's Maggie. It's all of us."

Jason's jaw clenched. "I know," he admitted. "I thought I could keep it separate, keep it from bleeding into this life... but it keeps coming back."

Dick took a step closer, his voice quieter but firm. "You don't have to do it alone. Burying it won't make it go away. It'll just make you resentful of the people closest to you. Trust me, I know."

Jason looked at him, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "Yeah? How's that?"

Dick sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "When I left Gotham the first time, I thought I was doing the right thing. I needed space to figure myself out without Bruce breathing down my neck. But I wasn't just running from him—I was running from everything. The anger, the frustration… even Barbara."

Jason raised an eyebrow. "Babs? What does she have to do with this?"

Dick exhaled heavily. "She had everything figured out. Who she was, what she wanted. And I was a mess. I thought putting distance between us would give me time to figure things out, but instead, I just started resenting her. I blamed her for having it together when I didn't." He shook his head. "I shut her out instead of being honest. And by the time I realized I wanted to fix things, it was too late. I pushed her away, and I had to live with that."

Jason smirked faintly. "So, what you're saying is... you were an idiot."

Dick chuckled. "Yeah, pretty much. And I don't want you making the same mistake with Maggie. She's all in, Jay. But if you keep locking her out, it's going to push her away."

Jason sighed. "I don't want to push her away." His voice was quiet, laced with uncertainty.

Dick gave him a pointed look. "Then don't. You find a way to let it out, a healthy way. Because right now, you're carrying too much, and it's gonna blow."

Jason scoffed. "What's your brilliant suggestion? Therapy?"

Dick smirked. "Or just talking to someone who gives a damn." He softened. "You don't have to do it alone, Jay. You've got us."

Jason nodded slowly, the weight of the conversation settling over him. "Yeah... I'll try."

Dick's smirk returned. "Good. And while we're on the topic of serious discussions..." His expression turned mischievous. "How long were you gonna try to hide the fact that you and Maggie took things to the next level?"

Jason's eyes widened, his face heating up. "What the hell, Grayson?!"

Dick laughed, leaning against the doorframe. "Come on, Jay. Grease stains? Pajamas? The footage you tried—and failed—to erase? Not exactly subtle." He held up his hands in mock surrender. "I'm not judging. Just saying... Bruce doesn't like surprises."

Jason groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "You're impossible."

Dick grinned. "It's a gift." He paused before adding, "Just... take care of her. And maybe keep things a little more... discreet."

Jason glared at him. "Get out, Dick."

Dick winked. "Remember—wrapped, Todd."

Jason threw a pillow at him as he slipped out, laughing. "Seriously, get out!"

As the door clicked shut, Jason shook his head, leaning back against the headboard with a smirk. "Unbelievable."

Maggie sat cross-legged on her bed, her phone pressed to her ear as she absentmindedly twirled a strand of hair around her finger. The glow of the bedside lamp cast soft shadows across her room, highlighting the organized chaos of textbooks, college brochures, and a half-eaten bag of chips strewn across the bed.

Barbara's voice crackled through the speaker, light and teasing. "So, suiting up after homecoming, huh? Big step, Mags."

Maggie let out a soft sigh, sinking deeper into her pillows. "Yeah... it's kind of surreal, honestly. I mean, I've been training for this forever, but now that it's happening? It feels different. Like it's actually real."

Barbara hummed in understanding. "It is real. You're stepping into something bigger, something dangerous. But you're ready. You wouldn't be getting the green light from Bruce if you weren't."

Maggie let out a small laugh. "I think it's less of a green light and more of a 'fine, just don't get yourself killed' kind of deal."

Barbara chuckled. "That sounds about right."

Maggie glanced at the stack of college brochures beside her and sighed. "And then there's college. Applications, essays, deadlines... it's a lot." She hesitated. "I keep thinking—what if I end up going somewhere far from Gotham? What happens then? What happens to... all of this?"

Barbara was silent for a moment before responding, her tone thoughtful. "It's a big decision, Mags. And yeah, it's a tough one. But you have to think about what you want. Gotham will always be here, and so will the Bat-family. But your future? That's yours to figure out."

Maggie frowned, flipping through one of the college brochures. "I know, but it feels like I'd be letting everyone down if I left. Like I should stay and help."

Barbara's voice softened. "You wouldn't be letting anyone down, Maggie. You've got your whole life ahead of you. If college outside of Gotham is what you want, you should go for it. Trust me, Bruce will sulk for a bit, but he'll get over it."

Maggie smirked. "You think so?"

"Oh, I know so," Barbara replied with a laugh. "You remember when Dick left for Blüdhaven. He brooded for weeks, but eventually, he got used to it. He knows he can't keep you in a bubble forever."

Maggie smiled, her fingers tracing the hem of her blanket. "Yeah, I remember. He barely spoke to anyone, just buried himself in work like it was the end of the world."

Barbara chuckled. "Classic Bruce. I swear, he was one brooding gargoyle away from turning into an actual statue in the cave."

Maggie laughed softly, shaking her head. "But he did get over it... eventually."

"Exactly," Barbara said. "And he'll get over this too. The trick is making him think it's his idea to let you go."

Maggie groaned, flopping back onto her pillows. "Ugh, that's impossible. Bruce doesn't just 'let' things happen. He calculates, controls, and broods until the situation bends to his will."

Barbara smirked through the phone. "True, but you have an advantage. You're his daughter. He's been trying to prepare you for everything your whole life. And deep down? I think he knows you're ready. He's just not ready to admit it."

Maggie sighed, twirling a loose thread on her blanket. "I hope you're right, Babs. I just... I don't want to disappoint him."

"You won't," Barbara said firmly. "Bruce may have high expectations, but he's proud of you, Maggie. Even if he doesn't say it outright, it's there. You just have to trust yourself."

Maggie nodded, even though Barbara couldn't see her. "I guess... but it's not just Bruce. It's Jason, too."

There was a pause, then Barbara's voice took on a knowing edge. "Ah, Jason. Now we're getting to the heart of it."

Maggie groaned, flopping onto her back. "Don't start."

Barbara laughed. "I'm just saying, it's a factor, right? Long-distance isn't easy, especially when one of you is running around Gotham beating up bad guys."

Maggie sighed. "Yeah. I mean, we haven't really talked about it yet, but... I know it's gonna be a thing. And I hate the idea of being away from him. "

Barbara's voice softened again. "I get it, Mags. But if anyone can make it work, it's you two. You've both got this... stubborn loyalty thing going on."

Maggie sighed, rolling onto her side and hugging a pillow to her chest. "I love him, Babs. Not in a puppy dog, high school kind of love... but the kind that lasts. I think?" She hesitated, the uncertainty creeping into her voice despite the conviction in her heart. "I mean, I've never felt like this before. It's not just that I want him around—I need him, you know? And it's not just about the crazy stuff we've been through, it's... everything. He gets me in a way no one else does."

Barbara was quiet for a moment before responding gently. "Yeah, I know exactly what you mean. When it's real, it's not just about the butterflies. It's about the late nights, the tough conversations, the days where you drive each other crazy but still wouldn't trade it for anything."

Maggie smiled softly, her fingers tracing idle patterns on the blanket. "Exactly. And it scares me a little, how much I feel. How much I want this to last."

Barbara chuckled. "Love's scary, Maggie. Especially when you're with someone like Jason who, let's be honest, isn't exactly known for being the 'open up and talk about feelings' type."

Maggie laughed, shaking her head. "Tell me about it. He's stubborn as hell, and sometimes I just want to shake him until he gets it. But... I don't know, Babs. When we're together, it's like everything else fades away. It's just us."

Barbara's tone turned teasing. "You sure it's not just you two sneaking around the manor trying not to get caught?"

Maggie's eyes widened, and she sat up abruptly. "What? What are you talking about?"

Barbara's laughter echoed through the speaker. "Relax, I'm not Bruce. But let's just say... helping Jay scrub the security footage? I may have gotten a little more detail than I needed."

Maggie groaned, covering her face with a pillow. "Oh my God, Babs. Please tell me you didn't—"

"Oh, I did," Barbara cut in, still laughing. "You know, for a guy who's supposed to be stealthy, Jason's not exactly subtle when it comes to covering his tracks."

Maggie peeked out from behind the pillow, her face burning. "I'm going to kill him."

Barbara teased, "Hey, I'm just saying—Bruce might be in the dark, but you should probably make sure you guys really cover your tracks next time. Or at least, y'know, don't use the garage."

Maggie groaned louder. "I hate you."

Barbara grinned audibly. "No, you don't. You love me for giving you this heads-up."

Maggie muttered, "Remind me why I called you again?"

Barbara smirked. "Because I give great advice. Look, I won't say anything, and I doubt Dick will, but... just be smart about it, alright? Bruce may act clueless, but you know he notices everything."

Maggie sighed in defeat. "Yeah... thanks for the heads-up. And for, you know, not telling the entire Bat-family."

Barbara chuckled. "What are sisters-in-arms for?"

Maggie smiled, feeling a little lighter despite the embarrassing turn in the conversation. "Thanks, Babs. For everything."

"Anytime, Mags," Barbara said sincerely. "And hey—just remember, whether it's Gotham, college, or Jason, you've got people who have your back."

Maggie nodded, her voice softer. "I know. And I'm really lucky for that."

Barbara's voice warmed. "That you are. Now, get some sleep before Bruce finds another reason to put you through an extra round of training tomorrow."

Maggie laughed. "Yeah, yeah. Night, Babs."

"Night, Mags. And tell Jason I said... actually, never mind. He already knows."

Maggie groaned again as the call ended, flopping back onto her bed and staring at the ceiling.