CHAPTER SEVEN
'Welcome To Blüdhaven'

SAYEED ESTATE, GOTHAM CITY — PRESENT DAYS

MAHEEN'S ROOM FELT LIKE A SHELL OF ITSELF. Half-empty, stripped down to its essentials, the familiar chaos of her space now replaced by bare walls and quiet corners. The bookshelves, once filled with her collection, now stood like hollow sentinels—only a few stray books remained, their spines leaning at awkward angles, gaps where once-beloved novels and textbooks had been carefully packed away. The closet, too, seemed diminished, holding only a few clothes, those that wouldn't make the journey with her to Stanford. Her suitcases lay open on the floor, half-filled, awaiting the final push to be zipped up.

She should have been excited. She should have felt the thrill of new beginnings, the exhilaration of a dream realised. The past few weeks had been a whirlwind—choosing classes, meeting potential roommates, starting to move a few things into her dorm. It was the moment she'd worked for, the culmination of years of late nights and dedication. A fresh chapter, one that should have been filled with hope and anticipation. But all she felt now was the quiet, gnawing emptiness of something missing.

It wasn't supposed to be like this.

She should have been elated, bouncing with nervous energy as she prepared for her new life. But everything felt muted. Even the anticipation of what lay ahead seemed dulled, like a song she couldn't quite hear clearly, the notes lost in the static. Her fingers grazed the open pages of one of her law books, but the words on the page didn't pull her in. She couldn't focus. The future—once so bright and full of promise—felt heavy in her chest. The excitement, once vibrant and electric, now felt like a distant memory.

Maheen should have been running forward, eager for the unknown, but the one person who had always made everything feel more grounded, more bearable, was absent. She couldn't help but think that if Jason were here, everything would feel different. She could almost hear his voice in her head, teasing her about getting into every Ivy League school she applied to, making light of the overwhelming perfection that everyone around her admired. He would have laughed, maybe even rolled his eyes, but beneath the playful jabs, there would have been pride. He would have reminded her, as he always did, that she didn't have to take herself so seriously.

Without him, it all felt off. There was no one here to poke fun at her for being too perfect, no one to joke about how she had it all figured out. There was no Jason to keep her grounded in the chaos of her own success.

Her fingers tightened around the edge of the law book, the paper crinkling slightly beneath her grip. She exhaled sharply, frustration bubbling up from deep within her. It wasn't supposed to feel this way.

It wasn't supposed to feel so hollow.

She dropped the book onto the bed beside her and leaned back, staring at the ceiling. The quiet of her room pressed in on her. It was supposed to be a moment of triumph, a moment that marked the start of something new. But all she could feel was the weight of absence, the ghost of someone who should have been there, cheering her on.

Maheen closed her eyes, and for a moment, she allowed herself to sink into the memory of what it was like when he was around—the late-night talks, the shared dreams of what they could accomplish together, the way everything felt possible. Back when the future seemed like an open road stretching endlessly ahead, full of opportunities and laughter. Back when Jason's voice was there to remind her that nothing was as serious as it seemed, that they were in this together, no matter where life took them.

But now? The road ahead was quieter, and she didn't know how to navigate it without him.

She opened her eyes, blinking against the sting of tears that threatened to rise. The weight of the letters, the future she was about to step into, felt too much to bear in the silence of her room, with only her own thoughts for company. It should have been a celebration. But instead, it was just a slow, aching reminder of what wasn't there.

Maheen pulled her knees up to her chest, hugging them tightly as if the gesture could somehow keep her grounded. The world outside her room was moving forward, everyone else eager to see her take the next step, but she was stuck, lost in the hollow space where Jason's laughter should have been.

Her phone buzzed, faint in the distance, but she ignored it. She wasn't ready to talk yet. Not with anyone. Not when the weight of the moment felt too heavy, too full of things she didn't know how to process.

Her gaze drifted across the room until it landed on the navy blue folder sitting on the edge of her desk. Her high school diploma. It had been buried under papers, forgotten in the rush of packing and preparing for everything ahead, but now, it stood out against the chaos, a quiet reminder of something she had long since left behind.

When she picked it up, something in her chest tightened.

There had been no graduation ceremony. No pomp, no circumstance. Just an envelope in the mail, and that was it. A piece of paper that signified something she had worked toward but never truly celebrated. No cap and gown. No cheering classmates. No family there to watch her walk across the stage. It hadn't seemed like a big deal at the time. In fact, she had been sure it wasn't. It was just high school, and she was ready to move on, to leave it behind.

But now, with the diploma in her hands, the absence of ceremony was sharp. It felt incomplete. It was as if something had been missing from the day that was supposed to mark her transition from one part of her life to another, and now she understood that absence in a way she hadn't before.

Her mind wandered to the idea of what that day could have been. She imagined Jason in the audience, his voice cutting through the crowd with that familiar sarcasm, his presence making everything feel a little less serious. She could almost hear him now.

"Look at you, Princess," he'd tease, "about to take on the world. How am I supposed to keep up?"

A smile tugged at the corners of her lips, and for a second, she almost laughed at the image of him sitting there, leaning over to make sure she heard his words, making her roll her eyes and laugh, even when it wasn't the right time. But the laughter didn't come. Instead, the silence in her room swallowed the words before they could form.

The absence of him—his sharp humor, his loud presence—felt louder than anything around her. It filled the room in a way that no noise could, the space between her and the world suddenly so vast, so deep, and so quiet. There was no one to joke, no one to make things easier. No empty chair in the audience, no moment where she could turn to him for reassurance.

Maybe it was better this way, she thought. No ceremony. No fanfare. No empty chair in the crowd. Maybe, without him there, the ache wouldn't have been as sharp. Maybe this way, it wouldn't have been cruel to celebrate something she couldn't fully embrace. It wouldn't have been right to pretend that everything was okay when the absence of one person made everything feel incomplete.

The phone buzzed again, louder this time. She glanced at the screen, half-expecting a text from Dick. Instead, it was just a message from her father, asking if she was ready. She sighed, setting the diploma back down on the desk with a soft thud.

Before she could process any more, a knock echoed through the stillness of the room.

"May, are you ready?" her father called softly from the other side of the door. His voice, warm as always, held that undercurrent of concern she had come to know too well. The concern that had never fully dissipated since Amir's death. The one that had become a quiet, constant presence in their home.

Maheen ran a hand through her hair, trying to force the smile back onto her lips, to make it convincing, to make it real. "Yeah, Baba," she said, her voice softer than she intended, "just about."

The door creaked open, and her father stepped in, his gaze immediately landing on the half-packed suitcase and the scattered papers on her desk. His eyes flickered with something unreadable, and Maheen could see the way his brow furrowed just slightly, his concern never far from the surface.

"You sure you're okay, habibti?" he asked gently, his voice carrying a weight that she knew well, the same weight that had hovered between them for years now. His perceptiveness hadn't dulled since the loss of Amir. If anything, it had sharpened.

Maheen opened her mouth to answer, to tell him she was fine, that everything was fine, but the words didn't come. Instead, she just nodded, forcing her smile to grow a little more.

"I'm fine, Baba," she said, though even to her own ears, the words didn't sound right.

Her father lingered a moment longer, his eyes softening as he studied her, his expression a blend of knowing and quiet concern. He didn't press her for answers. He never did. But the unspoken weight of the question hung between them, unvoiced yet felt. What was she really thinking? What was she really feeling?

"Let's get you ready, then," he said after a pause, his voice steady but gentle, a reassuring balm against the unease that lingered in the air. "You've got everything you need?" His words were more a statement than a question—he knew his daughter well enough to understand she wouldn't forget the essentials.

Maheen nodded, pushing the lump in her throat aside, trying to steady her breath. "Yeah. If I forgot anything, I'll survive."

Her father's eyes scanned her briefly, taking in the subtle signs of uncertainty she hadn't fully masked, but he said nothing. Instead, he pulled her into a brief embrace, his arms wrapping around her with a tightness that spoke volumes. It wasn't just a hug—it was the kind of embrace that told her how much he didn't want to let go. Maheen closed her eyes for a moment, inhaling the familiar scent of him, the scent of home. She squeezed him back, despite the chaos of emotions swirling in her chest.

It felt surreal, knowing she'd be leaving in just a few hours. This room, this house, her family—it would all be waiting for her return, but the change would still settle in her bones, a reminder that the space she was stepping into would never be the same. Not without him, not without them.

When her father finally pulled away, he cleared his throat, wiping his hands on his pants as if trying to dismiss the tension between them. "Okay, let's go," he said, his voice returning to its usual steady warmth. "I'll take you to the station."

The drive to the train station felt quieter than it had in a long time, the usual hum of conversation replaced by the soft murmur of Aidan and Tamar's sleepy voices, the occasional rustle of a blanket, the rhythmic swish of the car's tires against the road. Maheen stole a glance at her little siblings in the back seat. Aidan, his eyes heavy with sleep, had his face pressed against the window, his breath fogging up the glass. Tamar was curled up in her seat, fingers lazily tracing the edge of her blanket, her eyelids fluttering in the midst of an almost-dream.

Maheen's chest tightened slightly, the weight of the fleeting moment creeping in. They were her heart, these little ones, and it was hard to picture leaving them behind for even a short time. But this trip—this little escape to Blüdhaven—felt like something she needed. She'd been carrying too much lately, too many unanswered questions, too many moments that had gone unspoken.

When they reached the station, Maheen was the first to unbuckle her seatbelt and slide out of the car. The air was cool, the early evening light casting long shadows across the parking lot. It felt strange, leaving Gotham—even if it was just for a brief time. The city had been her home for so long, but Blüdhaven... Blüdhaven held a different kind of pull. A kind of freedom.

Her father retrieved her suitcase from the trunk, his movements slow, deliberate. His eyes searched her face as he handed it to her, the familiar warmth of concern flickering behind his gaze. "Call when you get there," he said softly, his voice tinged with that quiet protective instinct she'd always known.

"I will," Maheen said, offering him a smile that was softer now, a little more genuine. It was the smile of someone who was finally letting go of a little bit of the weight they'd been carrying. "I'll be okay, Baba. You don't need to worry."

He nodded, though she knew the worry would always be there, tucked behind his calm expression. He brushed a stray lock of hair from her face, a habit he'd never outgrown. "Just make sure to check in often. And remember, no matter where you are, we're always here."

Maheen's heart gave a soft, quiet pang, a rush of affection that made her momentarily hold her breath. "Love you too, Baba," she said, her voice a little tight despite herself, and stepped back, offering a final wave.

Her father and siblings waved back, their faces soft and full of quiet love. As Maheen turned toward the station doors, she felt the weight of their gazes linger on her, warm and comforting. Her suitcase rolled easily behind her, the wheels clicking against the pavement, and she paused for just a second as the doors closed behind her. The world beyond felt open, a new chapter just beginning.

She breathed in deeply, letting the cool air fill her lungs.

She was ready.

Ready to leave, ready to move forward, and ready to spend the next two weeks in Blüdhaven. To lose herself in the comforting chaos of Dick's world. The city, with all its edges and contradictions, was waiting for her. And so was he.

⎯⎯⎯

CENTRAL STATION RAIL, BLÜDHAVEN

THE TRAIN RIDE TO BLÜDHAVEN FELT ENDLESS, but in an oddly soothing way. Maheen had spent most of it lost in the rhythm of the train's motion, eyes tracing the shifting landscape outside the window. The streets of Gotham had slowly given way to quieter, calmer surroundings, the frantic pulse of her home city ebbing into the slower, more grounded pace of Blüdhaven. She didn't know exactly what she had expected, but something about the change in scenery made her feel like she could breathe again, like she was leaving some of the weight behind, even if just for a little while.

As the station came into view—its towering structure looming in the distance—Maheen gathered her things, taking one last deep breath before standing. The brief stop at the station felt like the final moment before stepping into something new, and Maheen was ready for it.

The train slowed to a stop with a soft screech, and as the doors opened, Maheen stepped onto the platform, scanning the crowd for the familiar face she was seeking. It didn't take long. There he was, leaning casually against one of the support beams, his arms crossed over his chest. A smirk tugged at the corners of his lips as he stood there, looking every bit the effortlessly cool hero. He could've been straight out of an action movie, the kind where the protagonist leans against a wall, casually surveying the scene as everything around him happens in slow motion.

"Well, well, look who finally decided to show up," Dick teased, pushing himself off the pillar with a stretch that seemed designed to draw attention. His eyes glinted with mischief as he looked her over. "You're a little late, May-May. Was starting to think you weren't gonna make it."

Maheen rolled her eyes before she could stop herself, a soft groan escaping her. "Oh my God, Dick. Not in public." She threw her hands up in exasperation, but even as the words left her mouth, she felt the warmth of affection that had long defined their relationship. It was a familiar dance—his teasing, her eye-rolling. The kind of dynamic that had been a part of her life for so long it felt like second nature.

"What? It's cute. Everyone calls you May-May, right?" Dick said, his voice dripping with playful mischief as he threw his arm around her shoulders. She tensed slightly, but he didn't seem to notice—or maybe he just didn't care. "Hey, you can't blame me for being excited. My little sister's here to spend two whole weeks with me. You're stuck with me now."

Maheen gave him a sideways glance, trying to shrug him off, but it was like trying to move a brick wall. "Ugh, you're lucky I missed you," she muttered, her voice half amused, half exasperated. The young man had the energy of a puppy on caffeine, and she could never get away from it.

"I know," Dick said with a grin that screamed 'I'm insufferable and I love it.' He kept his arm around her, pulling her along like it was the most natural thing in the world. "You missed me so much you couldn't stand being apart. I'm practically a legend around here."

"Sure, sure," Maheen shot back dryly, though the corners of her mouth couldn't stay down. A tiny, reluctant smile tugged at her lips, even though she tried to fight it. It was impossible to stay mad at him, especially when he was this unashamedly Dick Grayson.

As they walked, their bickering was interrupted by a sudden bark, followed by the unmistakable sound of paws slapping against the pavement. Before she could react, a small, adorable pit bull came bounding toward them, her tail wagging wildly like a metronome.

"Haley!" Dick called out, his voice warm as he crouched down to greet the dog. She wasted no time, launching herself into him with a flurry of licks and happy barks. "Look who's here! Meet Maheen."

The dog's joyous energy was infectious. Haley danced around her feet, her tail a blur of motion. Maheen couldn't help but laugh, her fingers instinctively reaching down to run through the dog's soft, muscular fur. Haley nuzzled her with a bark that was more affectionate than anything else.

"Hey, girl," she murmured, a smile tugging at her lips as the dog pressed her warm, solid body into her legs. "You're so much cuter than he is."

"I know, right?" Dick chuckled, standing up with one hand on his hip, clearly amused by her assessment. "She's a handful, but I figured you could use a little chaos around here, too."

Maheen scratched behind Haley's ears, the dog responding with a wag of her tail and a happy grunt. "I think I'm gonna like her," she said, her smile widening as Haley nudged her hand again, as if to say, You're welcome, Maheen.

As they reached the street, Dick's grin grew even wider, his steps slowing just a fraction. He was clearly plotting something, a mischief lurking in his eyes.

"I'm glad you're here, May," he said, his voice shifting, just a touch softer, though still filled with that familiar teasing edge. "You know I missed you."

Before Maheen could respond, she was suddenly swept off her feet by Dick's infamous bear hug. His arms wrapped around her so tightly she nearly lost her breath, the world momentarily shrinking around them.

"Ahhh, I missed you so much, sis!" he exclaimed, his laughter bubbling up as he squeezed her so tightly she was practically lifted off the ground.

"Dick!" Maheen gasped, squirming in his grasp. "I can't breathe! Are you trying to kill me?"

"Oh, come on, you know you love it," Dick teased, his voice muffled against her shoulder as he finally let go—though not before giving her one last, playful squeeze. "You're lucky you're cute, or I'd just leave you at the station."

She shoved him lightly, half-grinning, half-eye rolling. "You're so embarrassing."

"Hey, you're stuck with me for two weeks. You better get used to it," he shot back, a playful glint in his eyes. "Now, let's get you settled in and away from the fans. Don't want to give you too much of a show."

Maheen rolled her eyes, but a soft warmth spread through her chest. It felt like no time had passed at all—just like old times with Dick, and now with Haley too. It was as if the world had pressed pause, and she was stepping right back into the comfort of familiar chaos.

⎯⎯⎯

1013 PARKTHORNE AVENUE, BLÜDHAVEN

AFTER HALEY FINALLY CALMED DOWN (WELL, A LITTLE), Dick led Maheen through the lively streets of Blüdhaven. They took a few turns and passed a couple of blocks before reaching the building where his apartment was. Dick gave her a quick tour of the neighbourhood—pointing out the best pizza place, his favourite coffee shop, and, naturally, the areas you should avoid after dark.

"You know, just the usual Blüdhaven stuff," he grinned, but there was a seriousness to his tone. "You gotta stay on your toes around here, May."

"Are you seriously giving me a safety lecture in your own city?" she shot back, arching an eyebrow. "That's rich, coming from Mr. 'I'm Too Cool For Gotham.'"

Dick chuckled and nudged her playfully as he led her to the elevator and punched in the code for his floor. The doors slid open with a soft chime, and they stepped inside, the hum of the elevator accompanying their ascent.

      "So, what do you think?" he asked, a grin tugging at his lips as the elevator came to a stop. He opened the door to his apartment, revealing a cozy but sleek living room. It had a few personal touches scattered around—bookshelves filled with well-worn novels, a guitar leaning against the corner, and Haley's favourite toys strewn across the floor. It wasn't lavish, but it had that comfortable, lived-in feel.

"It's... nice," Maheen said, eyeing the space. "Kind of minimalistic. I thought you'd have more... flair."

"Well, I've got the flair where it counts," he replied with a wink, strolling over to the coffee table and picking up a few papers. "Plus, I like to keep it simple here."

      "Right, right. Simple," Maheen replied, her voice just a touch skeptical. She scanned the room before her gaze landed on something across the space—a door leading to a nearly identical apartment, just opposite his. She paused, narrowing her eyes. "Wait... what's this?"

Dick's grin widened, clearly anticipating her question. "Ah, that. You're gonna love this part. So, I rent out the apartment across the hall from mine."

Her eyebrows shot up in disbelief. "You rent two apartments? Are you... serious?"

"Oh, yeah." Dick nodded, looking almost too pleased with himself. "It's all part of the plan."

Maheen stared at him, wide-eyed. "Dick, that's... so... Bruce Wayne of you."

He chuckled, the smugness practically radiating off of him. "Well, not exactly Bruce Wayne. I'm not parking the Batmobile in the lobby or anything. But yeah, you get the gist."

"Uh-huh, sure," Maheen said slowly, her voice flat. She crossed her arms, studying him for a long beat. "So you've got a whole separate apartment... for what, exactly?"

Dick's grin widened, clearly relishing the moment. "For Nightwing activities, obviously." His voice was light, full of his usual playful charm, but there was a serious undertone that wasn't lost on her. "I need a place to keep things organised. Blüdhaven's... unpredictable. You know, bad guys, secret identities, all that jazz. You can never be too careful."

Maheen crossed her arms as they walked past the apartment door and toward the other one, the one across the hall. "Okay, seriously," she said, casting a sideways glance at Dick. "You rented out a whole apartment just to keep it secret, but what exactly are you calling yourself in the building?"

He hesitated just long enough to give her that mischievous grin—the one that screamed, I know exactly what you're about to ask, and I'm already preparing something ridiculous. He lowered his voice into something overly official, just a bit too dramatic for the moment.

"Dr. Fledermaus," he declared.

A stunned silence followed.

"What?" Maheen blinked rapidly, clearly thinking she'd misheard.

Dick's grin widened to a smug, almost gleeful extent. "Dr. Fledermaus," he repeated with a mock bow. "It's a German name. Very professional. I thought it was... mysterious."

"Mysterious?" Maheen echoed, her voice dripping with disbelief. "Dr. Fledermaus? Really?"

"Yes!" he said, his chest puffing with pride. "It's a secret identity, without being too on-the-nose. It's got mystery, it's got grandeur. What's more professional than that?"

She stood frozen, staring at him in utter disbelief, as if she was trying to understand whether this was some elaborate joke or if he was genuinely serious. "I can't believe you did this," she muttered, shaking her head in stunned amazement. "This is so something Bruce would do. Only Bruce would rent out an entire apartment and give it some ridiculously formal name."

Dick shrugged, his grin unwavering. "Well, I do share a certain... flair for the dramatic. I am his protégé, after all," he added with that unmistakable Grayson cockiness, clearly proud of his over-the-top approach.

"Is there a reason you're doing all this?" Maheen asked, a mix of disbelief and genuine curiosity in her voice. "Like... just for your Nightwing stuff?"

"Well, yeah," he said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "The alias. The apartment. It's all part of the 'secret identity' gig." He paused, a mischievous twinkle dancing in his eyes. "Can't have the building super weirded out by a random vigilante lurking around."

Maheen stared at him, unimpressed, her eyebrows arching in disbelief. "Dr. Fledermaus. Honestly, I don't even know what to say. It's both impressive and ridiculous at the same time."

Dick snickered, clearly unfazed by her skepticism. "I think it's brilliant. You just don't understand greatness when you see it."

"Oh, I understand," she replied with a dramatic eye roll. "I just don't get how anyone would ever take Dr. Fledermaus seriously." She couldn't help herself—she snickered despite the absurdity of it all.

He winked at her. "You'll come around. I'll make a believer out of you yet."

Maheen shook her head, smiling in spite of herself. "Yeah, right. Well, enjoy your super-secret lair, Dr. Fledermaus. I'll be over here, shaking my head at you."

The week had flown by in a blur of laughter, adventure, and late-night talks over takeout. Dick had been determined to make the most of Maheen's time in Blüdhaven, taking her to all his favourite spots when he wasn't Nightwing-ing. They'd wandered along the docks, made a stop at a quirky little café where the barista knew Dick's name but had no idea who he really was, and whiled away a lazy afternoon at the local arcade.

But the best part? The quiet, spontaneous moments when he would drag her into something totally unexpected, pushing her to do things she wouldn't normally try. Like today.

"Come on, May-May!" Dick cheered, standing triumphantly in front of a go-kart track, his grin stretching from ear to ear. "You've never raced before?"

Maheen crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes, a skeptical eyebrow rising. "Why would I race go-karts? I'm not eight."

He smirked, unfazed. "Right, you're sixteen, which means you're way too cool for go-karts... except not, because you're coming with me."

"Okay, listen," she said, raising her hands in mock surrender. "This is going to end badly for you. Do you realise I have the skills of an actual race car driver?"

Dick leaned back, hands on his hips, clearly amused. "Sure, May. You just keep telling yourself that."

She rolled her eyes, but a playful glimmer sparked in them. "I still think you're out of your mind for dragging me to this. But fine, let's see who can drive a go-kart without taking out the person next to them."

They signed in at the front desk and grabbed their helmets. Dick immediately threw his on with an exaggerated flourish, adjusting it as though preparing for a high-stakes battle. Maheen reluctantly took hers, grimacing at the oversized design.

"What is this, some kind of... evil villain aesthetic?" Maheen asked, holding the helmet up to her face like it was a cursed relic.

Dick chuckled, looking completely unbothered. "Nah, I just like looking cool while pretending to be responsible."

She shook her head with a small laugh, tugging the helmet on. "You're the last person who should be pretending to be responsible, but okay. Lead the way, Dicky."

The raven-haired handed her the keys to her kart, giving her a once-over before raising an eyebrow. "Just don't crash into anything, alright? I don't want to be dealing with your meltdown over a go-kart."

Maheen shot him a glare so sharp it could've melted steel. "Shut up, Grayson," she muttered, firing up the engine with a twist of her wrist.

The race began with Dick zooming ahead, obviously taking an early lead. But Maheen wasn't about to let him have all the fun. She gripped the steering wheel with confidence, easily closing the gap between them. She was a natural behind the wheel, and she wasn't about to let Dick get away with thinking he was the better racer—especially when he was wearing that smug grin of his.

Each turn, each corner, was a challenge, but one she tackled with a carefree energy she hadn't felt in ages. The kart zipped through the track, and for a few minutes, everything else faded away—the weight of college applications, the ache of missing Jason, all of it dissolved in the blur of speed and laughter.

As they sped into the final stretch, her kart surged forward, closing the gap between her and Dick. She wasn't about to let him take the win that easily. He glanced over, an arrogant grin tugging at his lips.

"C'mon, May-May, you're really not going to let me win, are you?" he teased, leaning into a sharp turn with the kind of confidence that only someone who thought they were untouchable could muster.

Maheen's eyes glinted with mischief as she twisted the steering wheel harder, cutting across the track with a burst of speed. "Don't get too cocky, Dicky," she shot back, sarcasm dripping from every word. "I might not be behind the wheel of the Batmobile, but I'm still gonna win."

Dick's head whipped toward her, eyes widening in mock horror. "You did not just say that! First of all, you're never driving the Batmobile. Secondly, the only reason I crashed it that one time was because—"

"Because you were going too fast trying to impress someone and spun it out," Maheen finished, a sly smirk playing at her lips as she zipped ahead of him. "Yeah, I remember."

He threw his hands up in exasperation, laughing despite himself. "That was one time! And it was a total freak accident! Who could've predicted that giant puddle in the middle of Gotham?"

Sure... one time.

"Oh, sure, blame it on the weather," Maheen teased, her grin growing wider as she crossed the finish line just a fraction of a second before him. "Your driving skills are officially questionable, Grayson."

He pulled off his helmet with a flourish, shaking his head in mock defeat. "Okay, okay, you got me. I'll admit it: I'm technically not the safest driver in Gotham."

Maheen hopped out of her kart, chuckling. "Technically? Definitely." She nudged him with her elbow, still grinning. "I told you I had skill."

⎯⎯⎯

1013 PARKTHORNE AVENUE, BLÜDHAVEN

THE SOFT GLOW OF THE TV FLICKERED ACROSS THE DIMLY LIT LIVING ROOM, casting long, shifting shadows along the walls. The remnants of their impromptu movie night lay scattered across the coffee table—half-eaten popcorn in a crumpled bag, a handful of candy wrappers, and an empty soda can tilted precariously near the edge. The movie, some over-the-top action flick that Dick had insisted on, played on, but neither of them was paying much attention anymore.

Maheen sat curled into the corner of the couch, her legs folded beneath her, absentmindedly toying with the hem of her hoodie. The warmth of the fabric was grounding, a small comfort against the quiet hum of the apartment. Across from her, Dick sprawled out like he owned the entire couch, his long legs stretched out, one arm lazily draped over the backrest. He looked entirely at ease, but Maheen had known him long enough to notice the subtle tells—the slight furrow in his brow, the way his fingers tapped lightly against the fabric, like he was mulling something over.

For a while, the only sound was the distant explosions from the TV, filling the silence between them. Then, Dick shifted slightly, turning his head toward her. His expression was softer now, contemplative.

"You know," he started, voice quieter than usual, "I'm really proud of you, May."

Maheen blinked, caught off guard. She turned to face him, arching an eyebrow. "For what? Beating you at go-karting?" she teased, but her voice lacked its usual bite. There was something about the way he said it, the way his words carried more weight than just a casual compliment.

Dick chuckled, shaking his head. "For everything," he said simply. "For making it this far. For getting into Stanford. For handling... everything life's thrown at you and still coming out on top." His blue eyes softened, shining with something fond, something deeply proud. "You're gonna do wonders there, you know that?"

Maheen swallowed, her throat suddenly tight. She wasn't sure why, but hearing him say it—really say it, with no teasing, no over-the-top dramatics—made something ache in her chest. It was the kind of praise she hadn't even realised she'd been craving.

She dropped her gaze, fingers absently toying with a loose thread on her hoodie sleeve. "I don't know if I would've gotten here without you," she admitted, voice quieter now. "I mean, no one ever told you that you had to be my older brother, but you just... were." Her brows furrowed slightly as she exhaled, trying to put into words what had been sitting in her heart for years. "After Amir... I think I would've been really lost if you weren't around."

Dick didn't answer right away. He was quiet for a beat, like he was letting her words settle between them. Then, without hesitation, he reached over and pulled her into his side. It wasn't one of his usual, dramatic, rib-crushing hugs—the kind where he lifted her off the ground just to be obnoxious. It was steadier, quieter. Just a firm, reassuring warmth that wrapped around her shoulders and said I'm here.

"Hey," he murmured, squeezing her slightly, "that's what big brothers are for."

Maheen let out a small breath, letting herself lean into him—just a little.

"I'm proud of you too, Witcherd."

She wouldn't say it out loud—not yet, maybe not ever—but she was grateful. Grateful for every stupid nickname, for the relentless teasing, for the times he had gotten on her nerves and the times he had shown up when she hadn't even asked him to.

For being there. For being hers.

The movie played on, explosions flickering across the screen, but neither of them was really watching.

And for the first time in a long while, Maheen felt like everything—just for this moment—was exactly where it was supposed to be.

⎯⎯⎯

WAYNE MANOR, GOTHAM CITY — THIRTEEN YEARS AGO

THE NIGHT HAD SETTLED OVER WAYNE MANOR, wrapping the estate in a blanket of quiet. Bruce was tucked away in his study, Alfred moved about finishing his nightly tasks, and in the living room, Dick lay sprawled out on the plush carpet, staring up at the ceiling.

Beside him, Maheen had claimed her usual spot, half-draped over his side like a tiny, clingy octopus. Her little fingers idly toyed with his, tracing the lines on his palm with the kind of absentminded focus only a toddler could have.

"Dicky?"

He hummed in response, tilting his head slightly to look at her. "What's up, May-May?"

She wiggled her toes, her tiny brows knitting together in thought. A beat passed before she asked, in a small, curious voice, "Are you my real big brother?"

Dick blinked, caught off guard by the question. He turned onto his side to face her properly. "What do you mean?"

She chewed on her lip, her little face scrunched up in deep thought, as if she were trying to piece together a puzzle too big for her hands. "Like... you're not my first big brother like Amir," she said slowly, each word careful, delicate. "But you feel like one."

Dick stilled for a moment, his heart giving a squeeze he didn't quite know what to do with. He propped himself up on his elbow, studying her. "Well... do you think I'm your big brother?"

Without even a second of hesitation, she nodded. "Yes."

His smile was instant, warm and easy. "Then I am."

Maheen considered this for all of two seconds before sitting up abruptly, determination lighting up her little face. "Let's pinky promise," she declared, holding out her tiny hand.

Dick blinked at her outstretched pinky, amused. "Oh? What exactly are we promising?"

She held up her free hand, counting off her fingers like she'd seen Alfred do when he read off recipes. "That you're my big brother fowevah. And I'm your little sister fowevah. And we can't un-promise."

Dick let out a small chuckle, but there was something undeniably fond beneath it. "That's a pretty serious contract, kiddo."

"Very serious," she agreed, wiggling her pinky insistently.

He pretended to think it over for dramatic effect, rubbing his chin like a detective in a noir film, before finally nodding. "Alright, May-May. Pinky promise. Forever."

She latched onto his pinky, squeezing as tightly as her little fingers could manage. "Fowevah," she echoed solemnly.

IZIA'S NOTES

new chapter!! one thing about may? she'd make sure to think of jason every chance she gets 😭 you'd ask her if she wanna have some ice cream she'd start thinking about jay's favourite flavour (good luck to anyone dating her—). dicky and may-may? my shaylas 🥺😭 dick is that batfam member she's been around most of her life (excluding bruce & alfred) and their relationship is just so <33 she was kinda like the breeze of fresh air for ten-year-old dick who just lost his parents and became robin shortly after in an effort to tame his anger, while he was hers when her brother died in a moment where she couldn't really grasp the concept of "gone" :/ they're just cutie patooties. AND YES HALEY, I NEED TO SEE THAT DOG ON MY SCREEN ONE DAY.

hope you enjoyed this chapter and please don't forget to vote, comment and share! it's always a pleasure to read your comments ❤️

© ADONYSIAC ― IZIA™