a/n: how about i make these two go through one last crash out before the book ends?

dw, it's not gonna be this chapter ;)

for those of you who were asking, my titans fic "bad omens" is back up and here to stay ;)

and thank you for everyone who voted for this book in armageddon... it means the absolute world to me ❤️

"Do you mind telling me why Master Dick is staying in his old room when he has a perfectly fine house and family right here?"

"You don't want to know, Alfred."

"Mom talked about retiring, Dad didn't like it, they had an argument and now he spends nights at the Manor while Jason and I beg him to come home." Stephanie called out and Alfred turned to me with a raised eyebrow. "And don't worry! He stays here for dinner to play happy family with Vi and then leaves after she falls asleep."

"He's been teaming up with me more than usual. I think he's plotting to kill me!" Jason added while laying on the floor with Viola on top of him. "Mom, do something with him!"

"What do you expect me to do, Jason? I've tried talking with him again, but he says he's not ready to bring it up." I sighed.

"Another baby will fix the-"

"He got a vasectomy when Vi turned one. We are one and done over here and I'm glad."

"Miss Maeve, are you sure about retiring?" Alfred asked. "After all you and Master Dick went through-"

"Which is why I want to retire. Vi needs to grow up with both parents, not be yet another orphan in this forsaken family."  I interrupted and rubbed my temples. "If I don't stop being Domino, I'll turn into Batman and that's not the life I want for Viola. I don't want her to grow up like we did."

"You all chose this, Miss Maeve."

"And that's why this cycle needs to end, Alfred. Because look at all of us! Jason died and was brought back, Stephanie has severe PTSD from Scarecrow, Tim turned into Joker, Dick killed a Talon, Damian almost died his first week of being Robin, Cass barely sleeps anymore... and let's not even start with me because Arkham was more than enough reasons for me to want to give this up."

"They've payed their dues, Alfred." Jason sighed and sat up. "We've all risked everything, but I've never met anyone who has risked more than Mae and Dick have their entire lives... Besides, we've got it handled out there. Domino trained us well."

"Besides, it's not like Joker's running amok again." Steph added. "What we're dealing are with petty crimes and the occasional Riddler chaos. If there's any time for them to retire, I'd say it's now. We can definitely handle the rest."

"And B certainly ain't retiring anytime soon. Despite he's getting way too old to be leaping off buildings... Dickbird just needs to understand that there's a whole army of us out there protecting our cities and Vi because he's turning into Batman and I don't like it."

"I plan on announcing my retirement tonight at dinner." I decided and Alfred widened his eyes. "I'll take the heat from Bruce and whatever comes. At this point, Dick can do whatever he wants... I'm not spending any more time arguing with a man who doesn't even want to listen."

"Miss Maeve, are you certain this is the best course of action? Announcing such a monumental decision over dinner may not allow for the nuanced discussion this deserves." Alfred asked surprised.

"Nuanced discussion? C'mon, Alfred. You haven't seen them. They've been going in circles for days. If anyone needs a reality check, it's Dick." Jason scoffed

"Jason's right," Stephanie chimed in. "He's stubborn, but maybe hearing it laid out plain and simple, especially with all of us backing her, will finally get through that thick head of his."

"I'm not doing this to make him reconsider. I'm doing this to make sure Bruce knows I'm done with this for good and that I'm done letting this mission keep me away from what's important." I defended and stood up.

"I understand your resolve, Miss Maeve, but do consider that Master Dick's reluctance may stem less from defiance and more from fear. Retirement, to him, may feel like relinquishing control over the one thing he believes he can still protect."

"Dick isn't just afraid of stepping back. He's afraid of losing what he thinks gives his life purpose. And I get it. I do. But he doesn't see that there's purpose in just... living. Being a husband, a father, a brother. Those are the things worth fighting for... not the endless grind of this so-called mission."

"Master Dick has always carried the weight of the world on his shoulders, even as a boy. Convincing him to set it down... will be no small feat, Miss Maeve. But I see now that you are determined, and rightly so. If anyone can make him understand, it is you." Alfred gave me a small smile and I nodded. "Then I guess tonight calls for a celebration for all of Domino's years of service. Make sure everyone dresses nice tonight."

"Thanks for always having my back, Alfie."

"You are my daughter as well, Miss Maeve. Never forget that."

"And you and I are Alfred's favorites!" Jason called out and we all laughed.

"That too, Master Jason."

｡ﾟ•┈୨🃏୧┈• ｡ﾟ

"Y'know, there's nothing more comfortable than wearing a three piece suit in my own home. I definitely don't want to wear sweats and-"

"Oh, shut up, Tim." Jason scolded and I rolled my eyes. "It's a special occasion! Though, I could go without the tie."

"What's the-"

"I've decided to officially retire." I said and they all froze. "I think it's time I hung up the mask."

"You're serious?" Tim's eyes widened and I nodded. "But... But you're the Domino! You were one of the first!"

"This isn't something I decided last night, Tim. It's something that's been on my mind for a while... Vi needs me just a bit more than Gotham and Bludhaven needs Domino."

"I've... decided to retire too." Dick finally admitted and I turned to him. "You were right. Our dove needs us more than some thankless job."

"It's not a thankless job." Bruce defended. "What's going to happen when something big happens?"

"B, all the worst things that could've happened, did happen. Jason died, Tim turned into Joker, and those two? I consider it a miracle they actually manage to sleep more than two hours a night." Steph pointed out just as Vi jumped down from Tim's lap and practically ran to Dick's. "And they've both got bigger things to worry about."

"Steph's right," I said, stepping closer to Bruce. "We've faced every nightmare imaginable, and we've come out the other side... scarred, yes, but alive. This family is stronger than it's ever been. And now it's time for us to focus on what really matters which is being there for Viola."

"You think the fight stops just because you step back?" he asked quietly. "The city will still need you. The world will still need you."

"No, you think the fight doesn't stop," Jason interjected, leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed. "But guess what, B? It's not just on you, or them, anymore. Look around. You trained us all to handle this. We've got it covered. Gotham doesn't need to chew them up and spit them out the way it did to you."

"Bruce, we grew up lonely and scared." Dick sighed, cradling Vi close to his chest. "I've spent my whole life trying to live up to you, Bruce... trying to balance everything the way you did. But I've finally realized I don't want to. I don't need to."

"I understand why you're doing this," Bruce said, his voice measured. "I just hope you're ready for the consequences. You can't erase what you've done, what you've seen. That part of you doesn't just... disappear."

"It's not about erasing it," I said. "It's about choosing something else. Something better. Viola deserves to grow up with her parents, not two people who are always chasing shadows."

"And if they come for her?"

"Then I pity that poor bastard." Dick spat, covering Vi's ears which made her laugh. "And don't you fucking start, Bruce. After all the shit we've been through, I think we damn well deserve this."

"You've earned it," Bruce finally said, his voice low. "Both of you. But that doesn't mean it'll be easy."

"Nothing worth having ever is," I replied, stepping closer to Dick and resting a hand on his arm. "We're not walking away from who we are, Bruce. We're walking toward who we need to be... for her, for us."

"B, you should take notes." Jason teased. "You're like one pulled hamstring away from needing a wheelchair!"

"Wouldn't kill you to let us run loose every once in a while." Tim added and I chuckled. "I've got enough Joker Venom in me to make sure those thugs don't even think about showing their face in broad daylight!"

"Do the thing I used to do and laugh in the middle of an abandoned alley covered in fake blood and holding a machete! I used to do that when I started as Domino and I've never seen those bank robbers since." I laughed and their eyes widened. "I did!"

"Mama is crazy." Vi said and Dick nodded.

"She is, isn't she? She even convinced me to do the impossible, my dove." He laughed and smiled at me. "Y'know... Papa's going to be home a lot now, right?"

"Like Mama?"

"Not exactly... But I'll be awake just in time for morning pancakes!"

"All days?"

"Every single day until we're in a pancake coma and Mama has to drag us away from the kitchen."

"She might actually take it seriously, birdie." I laughed.

"I do draw the line at the dad bod. There's no way I'll be in my late twenties and not be Bludhaven's sexiest cop!"

"Grayson, please." Damian finally spoke and rolled his eyes. "But it's about time you both retired."

"You'll miss us, Damian." I teased and leaned over the table to pinch his cheeks. "Just beware that Bruce might be grumpier than usual for a while."

"Oh, take me with you!" Tim begged. "I'll sleep like Harry Potter! I hate it when Bruce is in one of his moods!"

"I will end you." Jason rolled his eyes and turned to us. "Don't let him move in. That house is reserved for your favorite children only."

"Oh, so just Vi?" Dick smirked.

"You're lucky you're holding the heir to all my fortune, Dickbird."

"Try me, Jaybird... I'm retired but still got all my moves."