Being Batman was something Dick hadn’t wanted for a really long time. Part of him still didn’t want it, but he knew that Gotham needed Batman, and that was more important than what Dick wanted. So whether or not it was Bruce under the cowl, they wouldn’t know. It was all in the name ; Batman was all they cared about.
But he also didn’t want people to think Nightwing had up and left them, either. So donning the ( old? ) suit had been something he had been planning, leaving Damian with some research to do and having good faith he wouldn’t go out without him. But this—- this guy was unexpected and Dick had cautiously made his way over, brows knitting together.
❝—-I hope you’re talking about the
view over the city.❞He stopped when he was at a safe distance, but close enough to catch the other if need be. Lips pressed together and his chin rose a fraction, brows rising.
❝I haven’t seen you ‘round before.❞
Tim couldn’t blame Dick for wanting one night of freedom from the cowl. After all, he was used to seeing the best in people, whereas Batman forced him to view people as puzzle pieces, in a way: seeing which one would cause the most damage to Gotham if he pulled it out.
It was obvious that Nightwing was trying to block off any escape routes by the amount of distance he left between them, but the tactic only brought a smirk to Stray’s features. The vigilante’s approach was slow and cautious (always wary of the unknown, hm?), but the thief remained relaxed and uncaring. Popping a hip out, Stray loosely folded his arms over his chest.
❝ I don’t plan on running, you know.
Wouldn’t want to miss the show~. ❞
Of course, Stray wouldn’t know that it was actually Nightwing himself that now donned the cowl, so Tim played ignorant. He kept his tone playful but direct for his next response. Under the orange lenses of his goggles, his eyes gleamed with intensity.
❝ You leave Gotham for even a little
while, and you miss a lot. Speaking
of which, where have you been, hm? ❞
