"Man! I LOVED how you kicked the butt of that guy!" Cyborg laughed, beaming to Nightwing. 

"Wapow!" Nightwing made his sound affect. 

"Nightwing." Batman said, immediately stopping all the talking. 

"Yeah?" Nightwing asked.

"It's evaluation time. During the mission, you were seen repeatedly using some of Deathstroke's techniques." Batman said.

"Why does it matter?" Richard asked, getting defensive.

"Because Slade uses those to kill people." Bruce said, eyes narrowing.

"The techniques themselves aren't bad. It's how you use them! And in case you haven't noticed...I'M NOT KILLING PEOPLE!" Dick was angry.

"No, but them more techniques of Slade's you start using, the more susceptible to his ideas you are. What's next after using some techniques, stealing from people, killing them? When does Slade's training stop?" Batman growled.

Everyone in the Justice League was on high-alert. 

Some members even drew their weapons.

"It never stopped there. It was always going. If I didn't wake up in time when he snuck into my room, I'd be dead." Nightwing snarled quietly, but enough for everyone to hear. 

Everyone was shocked.

"He went into your room?" Artemis asked.

"I'm not talking about it. And if I use some of his techniques? It doesn't matter. I use techniques from everyone I've learned from. Sure, you and Slade both have the majority of the moves, but I still use a few moves from Black Canary and Wildcat. You want me to stop using boxing moves?" Richard asked.

"No, this isn't about using my training only. It's about Slade's training. You shouldn't be using a villain's training." Batman said.

"You are such a hypocrite! You use Ra's Al Ghul's training EVERY DAY! Don't tell me I can't use Slade's." Dick walked away. 

"I just don't want you to kill anyone, accident or not." Bruce called after him.

"If I do, it won't be an accident." Richard growled lowly at Batman.

Bruce's eyes narrowed at the obvious threat to him. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Alfred. When did my relationship with Richard go so wrong?" Bruce asked, sipping coffee in the kitchen while Alfred sipped tea.

"I believe when he first came here, it was already strained." Alfred said, honestly.

"I know. I told him I wouldn't replace his father. That I couldn't. But...is it wrong that part of me wanted to?" Bruce asked.

"Master Richard is his own man now. You can't do much. But I believe that he will come around when he cools down and thinks." Alfred said.

"I hope he does too." Bruce sighed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dick felt happy as he put his books onto his desk.

They finally arrived that day and school started on Monday.

He took a deep breath as he sat down, trying not to think of the HIVE Academy. 

He was going to do this. 

No matter how hard it is.

~~~~~~~~~~~

"Richard." Bruce said in the Batcave.

It was time for patrol in Gotham.

"Masks." Dick reminded him.

"I'm talking to Richard, not Nightwing." Bruce said.

"I'm Nightwing, not Richard." Nightwing frowned.

"Okay, Nightwing." Bruce gave, "I... don't want to see you go down the path that...I mean that I just...I don't want you to be the next Ra's or Deathstroke. I know that you're independent now and you don't need me anymore. You can make mistakes, but I don't want you hurting someone and in turn, yourself." Bruce said. 

Nightwing was silent. 

"I...I'm..." Bruce tried to say.

"I love you too." Richard nodded.

"I don't want to see you hurt anymore. I know I may not be the best, but... I'm trying to protect you. And I've forgotten that you did your growing up with Slade. I'm just... I just wished that you did that growing with me." Bruce said. 

"I do too. But I didn't. We can't change the past. We just move forward." Nightwing said, "That's what I'm trying to do. I just have to do it my way." 

Bruce nodded.

"I'm trying to be supportive. I'm going to mess up. Just let me try." Bruce said.

Richard nodded.

"Okay." 

A/N: So, I have a few plans in motion for this, so hopefully I can make this happen, lol XD