Chapter 31
Gotham Rooftops – 2:14 AM
Nightwing moved like poetry — fluid, fast, efficient. His escrima sticks flashed under the dim light as he dropped down on the mugger from above. Quick disarm. Clean takedown.
Classic Dick Grayson.
Above, in the shadows of a higher rooftop, Peter watched silently, crouched like a gargoyle. His mask hid the concern in his eyes, but it was there — sharp and heavy.
Because the guy behind the mugger had a gun.
And Dick hadn’t seen him.
Peter moved.
One web. One arc. One clean strike to the wrist. The gun clattered to the ground just as Dick turned in surprise.
Peter landed beside the would-be shooter without a word, fists already up in case another move was made.
The guy didn’t dare.
Dick looked at him, startled. “You followed me?”
Peter straightened, breathing slow. “I didn’t trust the scanner readings. Too quiet.”
Dick raised an eyebrow. “You thought I couldn’t handle myself?”
Peter didn’t answer at first. Then, with a shrug: “I didn’t want to take that chance.”
Dick softened. “You’re watching my back now?”
“I thought that’s what family does.”
Dick smiled, warm. “It is.”
Peter stepped back into the shadows, ready to leave just as quietly as he came.
But Dick stopped him. “Hey. You don’t always have to sneak off. You can walk beside me. You’re not in the shadows anymore.”
Peter hesitated. Then, after a breath, moved into the streetlight beside him.
For the rest of the patrol, they moved together.
Not as ghost and golden boy.
But as brothers