Becoming Nightshade

The morning sunlight filtered into Wayne Manor through the large windows, casting long shadows across the polished floors. Despite the serene atmosphere, the house buzzed with quiet activity, the lingering weight of the previous night's events still evident.

In the Batcave, Bruce and Dick stood side by side at the Batcomputer, the room illuminated by the glow of the massive monitors. Bruce's calm, methodical demeanor contrasted with Dick's easygoing attitude as they worked to integrate the Batcomputer with Barbara's system in her role as Oracle.

"You're okay with this?" Dick asked, glancing at Bruce as he typed with precision on the keyboard.

Bruce didn't look away from the screen, his voice steady.

"Yes. This will ensure seamless communication and access to Gotham's surveillance grid. We need to stay ahead."

Dick nodded, leaning back in his chair as he stretched.

"Makes sense. But you know Babs—she's not going to let you take over. She's going to want to control the flow of information."

Bruce paused for a moment, then nodded slightly.

"That's the point. Her network complements ours. We're stronger working together."

Dick grinned. "Look at you, playing well with others."

Bruce shot him a brief, pointed glance before returning to the keyboard.

Meanwhile, Maggie and Jason sat together in the kitchen, the air filled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and Alfred's homemade pancakes. The butler, as always, moved with quiet efficiency, setting down a plate of pancakes in front of Maggie with a small smile.

"Thank you, Alfred," Maggie said, her voice still a little soft but warm.

Alfred inclined his head. "You're quite welcome, Miss Maggie. After last night's ordeal, a proper breakfast is essential."

Jason, sitting across from her, cut into his stack of pancakes, his tone light but teasing.

"See? Even Alfred agrees you deserve a break."

Maggie rolled her eyes but smiled.

"We both skipped school today. Don't act like you're doing me a favor."

Jason grinned, pointing his fork at her.

"Technically, I'm your emotional support bad influence boy friend.It's a full time job."

Maggie laughed, a sound that felt lighter and freer than it had in a long time.

"Sure, let's call it that."

Alfred glanced between them, his expression faintly amused.

"While I might not condone truancy, Master Bruce has made it clear that today is an exception. Use it wisely."

Jason leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms behind his head.

"Trust me, Alfred, we'll be very productive. Right, Maggie?"

Maggie smirked. "Sure, if by productive you mean catching up on sleep and maybe binging a movie or two."

Jason held up his coffee cup in a mock toast.

"To a well-deserved lazy day."

Back in the Batcave. Bruce and Dick continued their work, the Batcomputer's screens now displaying Oracle's network interface. Dick leaned forward, tapping a few keys to initiate the final connection. A moment later, Barbara's familiar voice crackled over the speakers.

"Nice timing, boys," Barbara said, her tone sharp but playful.

"I was starting to wonder if Gotham's most stubborn could actually handle a tech upgrade."

"Good morning to you too, Oracle," Dick replied, smirking. "We're just trying to keep up with your high standards."

Bruce spoke, his tone level. "The connection is secure. You'll have full access to the shared grid."

Barbara's voice softened slightly, though it still carried her usual edge.

"Good. This will make coordinating a lot easier. Especially if you insist on handling city-wide crises in the middle of the night."

Dick grinned, leaning back. "You know. Never a dull moment."

Barbara chuckled. "Just don't break anything. I'll monitor things on my end and let you know if I spot anything unusual."

"Understood," Bruce said, his focus already shifting back to the screen.

As the connection stabilized, Dick turned to Bruce, his expression thoughtful.

"You think Maggie's really okay after last night?"

Bruce paused for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly as he considered the question.

"She's fine," he said finally. But it'll take time."

Dick nodded, his tone softer, choosing his words carefully.

"And Jason? He's… you know, been spending a lot of time with Maggie. He's protective of her—maybe more than just the usual kind of way."

Bruce's hands paused over the keyboard for a brief moment before resuming, his expression still unreadable.

"They've been steady for a while now," he said, his tone even. "It's not surprising."

Dick leaned back in his chair, studying Bruce.

"Yeah, I mean… they're close. Really close. He's got a rough edge, though, you know? You're okay with it?"

Bruce glanced at him briefly, his sharp eyes meeting Dick's before returning to the screen. His voice was calm but carried a weight of certainty.

"Jason may have a rough edge, but he's loyal. He cares about her. They're good for each other."

Dick raised his eyebrows, a small smile tugging at his lips.

"Huh. That almost sounded like approval."

Bruce's expression didn't change, though a faint hint of a smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"It's not disapproval," he said, his tone carrying the barest trace of dry humor.

Dick chuckled, shaking his head.

"Wow, look at you. Progress."

Bruce didn't reply, focusing on the Batcomputer's screen, but the faint glimmer of amusement in his eyes said everything Dick needed to know. For Bruce, that was approval enough.

Jason and Maggie had settled into the living room, the glow of a movie playing in the background casting soft light across the space. Maggie leaned against Jason, her head resting comfortably on his shoulder as her fingers absently scrolled through her phone. Despite the peace of the moment, the faint energy of her shadow powers shimmered subtly around her fingertips, flickering like a forgotten thought.

"You feeling better today?" Jason asked quietly, his arm draped protectively around her. His tone was gentle but carried a weight of concern.

Maggie nodded, her voice soft but certain. "Yeah. Still a little tired, but… it's different now. Like there's finally peace in my mind."

She flexed her fingers, the shadows curling and dissipating around her hand.

"No more voices. Just me."

Jason watched the faint flicker of shadows curling around Maggie's fingertips, his brow furrowing slightly.

"And the shadows? They're still there?"

Maggie nodded again, a small smile tugging at her lips.

"Yeah," she said softly. "But they're mine now."

Jason hesitated for a moment, his voice careful but curious.

"So… can you still do what you were able to do before? With them, I mean."

Maggie shifted slightly, glancing down at her hand. With a small gesture, the shadows responded, coiling and twisting like ribbons around her fingers. They were fluid, controlled, a far cry from the chaotic, wild force they had been when Lillyanna had influence over her. She held her hand out, and the tendrils stretched forward, forming into a small, tangible shape—a delicate bird that hovered above her palm before dissipating into smoke.

"Yeah," she said, her tone steady but thoughtful.

"I can still use them. But it's not like before. It's… quieter now. No voices pushing me, no pulling in a direction I don't want to go."

She flexed her fingers, and the shadows swirled briefly before vanishing completely.

"It's just me."

Jason nodded, his lips quirking into a small smile as he watched her.

"You're getting the hang of it."

Maggie smiled back, leaning into him again.

"I think so. It's going to take some time, but I'm not afraid of it anymore."

Jason wrapped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her closer.

"Good," he said quietly. "Because I don't think I've ever seen anyone handle it the way you do. It's pretty badass, actually."

Maggie chuckled softly, resting her head on his shoulder.

"Thanks, Jason. That means a lot."

Jason tilted his head, his hand gently brushing Maggie's cheek as he leaned in. His lips met hers in a soft, loving kiss, a moment of quiet affection that felt like the culmination of everything they'd endured together. The shadows around her seemed to settle, almost as if they, too, recognized the calm.

"Well, isn't this cozy," Dick's voice cut through the air, dripping with teasing amusement. "Should I grab a camera or leave you two lovebirds to it?"

Jason pulled back just enough to glare at Dick, his expression a mix of irritation and disbelief. "Seriously, Grayson? Do you not know how to knock, or is ruining moments your full-time job?"

Dick leaned casually against the doorframe, arms crossed and a wide grin plastered on his face. "Oh, I knew exactly what I was doing. Couldn't resist."

Maggie groaned, burying her face in her hands. "Dick, can you not?"

"What?" he asked, feigning innocence as he straightened up. "I'm just making sure you know I'm keeping an eye on you, little sis."

Jason rolled his eyes, wrapping an arm protectively around Maggie's shoulders. "Keep it up, and you're going to lose that 'big brother' immunity real fast."

Dick laughed, holding his hands up in mock surrender. "Relax, I'm just messing with you." He stepped further into the room, his teasing tone softening slightly. "Actually, I came to see if you two were hungry. Thought we could grab some lunch—there's a new spot that just opened in Gotham. Figured it's been a while since the three of us hung out together."

Maggie lifted her head from Jason's shoulder, her expression brightening. "That actually sounds really nice," she said. "What kind of place is it?"

Dick shrugged casually. "It's a little diner with a modern twist. Heard the burgers are supposed to be the best in Gotham."

Jason raised an eyebrow, a small smirk tugging at his lips. "You had me at burgers. But this isn't some overly fancy place, right? No five-star nonsense?"

Dick rolled his eyes. "Relax, Todd. It's not Bruce-level fancy. Just a good spot for real food."

Maggie chuckled, nudging Jason playfully. "See? Even Dick knows your burger obsession."

Jason feigned indignation, placing a hand over his chest. "It's not an obsession. It's… appreciation."

"Right," Dick said, his grin widening. "So, are we doing this or what? Maggie, you're calling the shots."

Maggie glanced between the two of them, her smile soft but genuine. "Yeah, let's do it. It'll be nice to spend some time together—without the whole life-or-death thing hanging over us."

Jason stood, stretching before slinging an arm around Maggie's shoulders. "Fine, but I'm holding you both to those 'best burgers in Gotham' claims."

Dick gestured toward the door, his tone light. "Trust me, you won't regret it. Now, let's go before Bruce decides to assign us some training."

As the three of them headed out, the teasing banter between Jason and Dick continued, Maggie caught in the middle but laughing along.

Dick slid into the driver's seat of the sleek black SUV, glancing back at Maggie and Jason as they buckled in. "Alright," he said, revving the engine with a grin. "Let's see if this place lives up to the hype."

Jason, sitting next to Maggie in the backseat, leaned forward slightly, resting an arm on the edge of Dick's seat. "You sure you know where you're going, Grayson? Or are we going to spend the next hour circling Gotham?"

Dick smirked, flicking on the GPS with a theatrical flourish. "Relax, Todd. Unlike you, I know my way around without blowing something up."

Jason rolled his eyes but smirked back. "Just saying, if we get lost, I'm not above hijacking this thing to find the place myself."

"Noted," Dick replied, chuckling as he pulled out of the long driveway of Wayne Manor and onto the main road.

Maggie leaned her head against the window, a soft smile playing on her lips as she watched the familiar Gotham skyline blur past. The day was cool but bright, the kind of rare Gotham afternoon that didn't feel weighed down by its usual gloom.

"How'd you even hear about this place, Dick?" Maggie asked, glancing up at her older brother.

"Barbara," Dick said with a shrug. "She mentioned it a few weeks ago. Said it's a little hole-in-the-wall spot, but the food's incredible. Thought it'd be a good excuse for us to get out of the house for once."

Maggie smiled, warmth spreading through her chest. "I like it. Feels normal, you know?"

Jason reached over, taking her hand and giving it a quick squeeze. "Yeah, we could use a little normal."

The drive wasn't long, and soon they pulled up to a modest diner tucked between two larger buildings in a less chaotic part of Gotham. The sign above it read "Gotham Bites" in bright neon letters, with a playful burger logo underneath.

Dick parked the car and turned to them with a grin. "Alright, let's see if this place is worth the hype."

Jason opened his door, stepping out and glancing at the diner with an appraising look. "If the food's as good as the name is cheesy, we're golden."

Maggie laughed, stepping out after him and slipping her hand into his. "Come on, Mr. Burgers-Are-My-Love-Language. Let's see if it's as good as you hope."

The three of them walked into the diner, the bell above the door chiming softly. The interior was cozy, with red leather booths and vintage Gotham memorabilia adorning the walls. The smell of sizzling burgers and fresh fries filled the air, making Jason immediately perk up.

"Alright," Jason said, sliding into a booth. "I'm already sold."

Dick sat across from him, Maggie sliding in next to Jason. A cheerful waitress approached with menus, her smile warm and welcoming. "First time here?" she asked.

"Yeah," Dick said, returning the smile. "What's the can't-miss item on the menu?"

"The Gotham Stacker," the waitress said with a wink. "Double patty, loaded with everything you can imagine, and our secret sauce."

Jason grinned. "You had me at double patty."

As the waitress finished jotting down their orders and walked off, Jason leaned back in the booth, one arm draped across the backrest while the other fidgeted with the edge of the menu. Maggie leaned comfortably into his side, her fingers tracing lazy patterns on the table.

Dick glanced between the two of them with a knowing smirk before breaking the silence. "Alright, since we've got some time to kill, let's get this conversation started. How's it feel, Mags? You're officially shadow-power extraordinaire and free from the Lillyanna voiceover."

Maggie chuckled softly, her expression thoughtful. "It's… weird, honestly. I still feel the shadows, but it's like they're part of me now instead of something separate, you know? No more whispers, no more tug-of-war. It's just quiet. Peaceful."

Jason tilted his head, looking at her with a small smile. "And it better stay that way."

Dick leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. "And you're handling it okay? You know if you need help—"

"I know," Maggie interrupted, her smile reassuring. "You're all here. That's what makes it easier to deal with."

Jason gave her hand a quick squeeze. "You've got the backup squad on call twenty-four-seven."

Dick rolled his eyes playfully. "Backup squad? I prefer elite support team."

Jason smirked. "Same thing. Just don't forget I'm the VIP on this squad."

"Sure you are," Dick said with a laugh. He turned his attention fully to Maggie, his tone softening. "It's good to see you smiling again, though. Last night was… a lot."

Maggie nodded, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the edge of her glass of water. "It was. But I'm glad it's over. I feel stronger now. Like I know who I am, finally."

Dick smiled warmly. "That's all we ever wanted for you."

Jason leaned over and kissed her temple. "Well, that and making sure you don't get kidnapped by some world-ending entity again."

Maggie laughed, shaking her head. "Yeah, I'd like to avoid that too."

Dick leaned back, his smirk returning. "So, now that you're officially the family's shadow-wielding powerhouse, what's next? You gonna join me and Bruce on patrol? Show Jason how it's done?"

Jason rolled his eyes. "As if. Maggie's not stepping into your territory. She's got better things to do than follow your lead, Grayson."

"Like following yours?" Dick countered, raising an eyebrow.

"Exactly," Jason shot back, grinning. "At least I make it interesting."

Maggie sighed, pretending to look exasperated as she glanced between them. "You two are impossible."

The waitress returned with their drinks and food, the enticing aroma of burgers and fries momentarily stealing everyone's attention. Jason immediately dug into his Gotham Stacker, groaning in satisfaction after the first bite. Maggie laughed softly, taking a sip of her milkshake before grabbing her burger.

"This is so worth skipping school for," Jason mumbled through a mouthful of food.

Dick rolled his eyes, a small smirk playing on his lips as he took a bite of his own burger. "Classy as always, Todd."

"Shut up, Grayson," Jason shot back, though his grin betrayed his good mood.

As the group settled into a relaxed rhythm, the tension from the previous day faded further into the background.