Becoming Nightshade

Bruce's eyes flicked up from the Batcomputer, locking onto Maggie with that signature unreadable expression. He studied her for a long moment, the weight of a father's concern hidden beneath the stoic exterior of the Batman.

Finally, he spoke, his voice steady and firm. "Maggie, this isn't a game."

Maggie crossed her arms, meeting his gaze without hesitation. "I know it's not a game, Dad. That's why I want to be out there. To help. To make a difference."

Bruce leaned back slightly, his fingers steepling together as if considering his next words carefully. "Wanting to make a difference doesn't mean you're ready. You've trained, you're skilled, but there's more to this than just being capable." His voice lowered, carrying a weight that only years of experience could bring. "Every mission, every choice out there—it's life or death. And once you cross that line, there's no going back."

Maggie took a step closer, her tone unwavering. "I understand the risks. I've seen what you, Dick, and Jason go through. I've been through it myself, Dad. How many more times do I have to prove I can handle it?"

Bruce's eyes softened, the hard exterior of Batman momentarily giving way to something far more vulnerable. In a rare moment of openness, he stepped forward, wrapping his arms around Maggie and pulling her into a firm embrace. The weight of his grip, the steady beat of his heart against hers, spoke volumes beyond what words could express.

Maggie froze for a moment, caught off guard by the sudden show of affection, but then she melted into it, closing her eyes as she leaned into his chest. He held her tightly, as if she were the most precious thing in the world, as if letting go meant losing her to the darkness he had fought his whole life to keep at bay.

"You are different," he repeated, his voice quieter now but no less firm. "You're my daughter."

Maggie felt the unspoken fear beneath his words—the fear of losing her, of seeing her walk the same dangerous path he had carved out for himself, Dick, and Jason. She swallowed the lump in her throat and whispered, "I know, Dad."

Bruce exhaled, the tension in his shoulders easing ever so slightly, but his grip didn't loosen. "Once you take that step, Maggie… there's no turning back."

She pulled back just enough to meet his eyes, her own gaze resolute but filled with love. "I want to stand with you—with all of you." She glanced toward Dick and Jason, both watching silently, understanding the gravity of the moment. "I want to make a difference. Just like you taught me."

Dick, still seated on the medical table, winced as he sat up straighter. "Come on, Bruce. You know she's got what it takes." He offered a small smile. "I mean, if anything, she's better prepared than Jason was when he first suited up."

Jason smirked, leaning against the nearby console with his arms crossed. "Hey, I resent that," he said, but his voice lacked any real bite. His eyes flicked to Maggie, his expression softening. "But... Dick's not wrong."

Bruce's gaze lingered on Maggie for a moment longer before he straightened, releasing a quiet sigh. His voice was low, steady, but carried the weight of a father's deepest concern. "Is this what you really want?"

Maggie met his eyes, her heart pounding but her resolve unshaken. "Yes," she said, her voice unwavering.

Bruce remained silent for a long moment before he finally spoke, his voice softer now. "I just wanted you to have a different life." His words were quiet, almost hesitant, a rare admission of vulnerability. "A normal life."

Maggie's eyes softened, and she reached out, placing a hand gently on his arm. "Dad, this is my normal. Gotham, the mission... it's in my blood. I can't turn my back on it."

Bruce closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them, there was something in his expression—acceptance, though reluctant. "Alright." He straightened, the weight of his decision settling over him. "I'll have you going on patrols, but only after your homecoming dance."

Maggie blinked, caught off guard. "Wait, what?"

Dick stifled a laugh, while Jason grinned outright. "Seriously?" Jason said, leaning against the Batcomputer. "You're putting crime-fighting on hold... for a dance?"

Bruce's expression remained unwavering. "You only get one senior homecoming. You'll have the rest of your life for this." His eyes softened just a fraction as he added, "Enjoy it while you can."

Maggie's eyes widened, and for a moment, she just stared at Bruce, processing his words. Then, without warning, she lunged forward, wrapping her arms around him in a tight, grateful hug. "Thank you, Dad," she said, squeezing him with excitement she could no longer contain.

Bruce stiffened slightly, caught off guard by the sudden display of affection, but after a beat, his arms came up, returning the hug with a gentle but firm embrace. "Don't make me regret this," he murmured, a hint of warmth in his voice.

Maggie pulled back, practically bouncing on her feet. "I won't! I swear." She turned to Jason and Dick, grinning from ear to ear. "Did you hear that? After homecoming. That means it's official!"

Dick chuckled, shaking his head. "Looks like we've got a new recruit after all."

Jason smirked, leaning in with a teasing glint in his eye. "I hope you're not expecting some big welcoming party with balloons and cake."

Maggie rolled her eyes playfully. "Please. I'd settle for not having to do extra training drills for a week."

Bruce cleared his throat, his expression shifting back to its usual seriousness. "You'll still be training every day until then. You need to be prepared."

Maggie nodded quickly. "I know, I know. But still… thanks for giving me the chance."

Bruce's gaze softened ever so slightly. "You've earned it."

Bruce watched as Maggie practically bounced on her feet, her excitement barely contained. She beamed at him, eyes shining with a mixture of gratitude and determination.

"I better start designing my suit!" she called over her shoulder, already dashing toward the elevator that led back up to Wayne Manor.

Jason chuckled, shaking his head. "Well, that didn't take long."

Dick smirked, watching the elevator doors close behind her. "She's been waiting for this moment for years. Let her have it."

Bruce exhaled, rubbing his temples. "Just make sure she doesn't add unnecessary… flair." He shot Jason a pointed look. no skull motifs, and definitely no catsuit."

Jason grinned, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "Hey, she's got her own style. But if she asks, I might suggest something practical. You know, something bulletproof."

Dick folded his arms, leaning against the Batcomputer. "She's got a good head on her shoulders, Bruce. She's not gonna make the mistakes we did." He glanced at Jason. "Well, most of them."

Jason rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. I get it."

Bruce's gaze lingered on the empty elevator shaft for a moment before he turned back to his work, but there was the faintest trace of a smile at the corner of his mouth. "We'll see."

Dick clapped Jason on the back. "Come on, let's give her a head start before we go check on her designs. Knowing Maggie, she's probably got a Pinterest board full of ideas already."

Jason snorted. "Great. Another Wayne in a suit. Gotham's gonna love this."

The manor was silent, the kind of quiet that felt heavier in the dead of night. Maggie lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, her mind racing with thoughts of everything that had happened earlier—Bruce finally giving her the chance she'd been waiting for, the idea of designing her own suit, the reality of stepping into Gotham's dangerous world. But sleep refused to come.

Sighing, she threw back the covers and slipped out of bed, her bare feet padding softly against the cool floor. The dim hallways stretched before her, filled with shadows and the faint ticking of the old grandfather clock downstairs. Maggie hesitated for a moment, then turned toward Jason's room. Maybe he couldn't sleep either.

She knocked lightly on his door, waiting a beat before slowly pushing it open. The room was dark, empty. His bed was unmade, a sure sign he hadn't even tried to sleep tonight. Maggie frowned, her brow furrowing as she scanned the space. His leather jacket was missing from its usual spot, but his helmet sat untouched on the desk.

Maggie sighed and closed the door quietly behind her. If he wasn't in his room, there were only a few places he could be. She moved through the manor, checking the library, the den, even the kitchen, but each room was empty. She finally stopped outside the garage, hearing the faint clinking of metal and the low hum of music playing softly.

Slipping inside, she found Jason bent over the open hood of an old muscle car, his focus locked onto the engine. His sleeves were pushed up, revealing the lean muscles of his forearms streaked with grease. Tools lay scattered around him, and the sharp scent of motor oil filled the air.

Maggie smirked, stepping further inside. "Figured I'd find you here."

Jason glanced up briefly, wiping his hands on an already grease-stained rag. "You know me. When in doubt, tinker with something until it makes sense." He gave the engine one last glance before setting the rag aside. "What about you? Shouldn't you be upstairs, dreaming about homecoming and capes?"

Maggie rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the amused smile tugging at her lips. "I couldn't sleep. Too much to think about." She hopped onto the nearby workbench, swinging her legs lightly. "Everything's changing so fast, you know?"

Jason set down his wrench and leaned against the car, wiping his hands on the rag before tossing it aside. He studied Maggie for a moment, his green eyes softer in the dim light of the garage. "Yeah, I know," he said quietly. "It's a lot."

He stepped closer, resting his hands on either side of her on the workbench, his voice gentle but laced with that usual edge of protectiveness. "You're stepping into a whole new world, Mags. He paused, his eyes searching hers.

Maggie sighed, leaning forward slightly, their foreheads almost touching. "I know it's serious, Jay. But I want this."

Jason reached up, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face with a calloused hand. "I get it," he murmured, his thumb lightly tracing her cheek. "And you know I'm behind you, one hundred percent." His lips quirked into a small smirk. "Even if it means making sure you don't get yourself killed in the process."

Maggie smirked back, resting her hands over his. "You worry too much."

Jason chuckled softly, the sound low and warm in the quiet garage. "Yeah, well, you give me plenty of reasons to."

Before Maggie could respond, he tugged her closer, his hands resting firmly at her waist. Their bodies pressed together, the familiar warmth of him wrapping around her like a shield against the cool night air. Maggie's breath hitched slightly, her heart pounding against his chest as he gazed down at her with that half-smirk that always made her stomach flip. Without another word, Jason leaned in, his lips capturing hers in a slow, lingering kiss. It wasn't rushed or desperate—just steady, sure, and filled with all the unspoken emotions between them. His hand slid up her back, fingers threading gently into her hair as he deepened the kiss, drawing her in even closer.

Maggie melted into him, her hands clutching the fabric of his shirt, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath. Her fingers trembled slightly, but with a newfound confidence, she tugged at the hem and slowly pulled his shirt over his head. Jason let her, his breath hitching as the cool air met his bare skin, but his eyes never left hers—dark, intense, and filled with something that made Maggie's heart race even faster.

He smirked slightly, one hand trailing down her arm as he leaned in again, his lips brushing against hers with a tenderness that sent shivers down her spine. "Taking charge now, huh?" he murmured against her mouth, his voice low and teasing.

Maggie smiled against his lips,has she takes off her t-shirt revealing her bare breast, pressing closer, feeling the steady thrum of his heartbeat against her chest. "I figured it's only fair," she whispered.

Jason's hands found her waist, his grip firm but gentle as he pulled her even closer. He kissed her deeply, has he takes her to the backseat of the car he was working on. His body on top of hers.He kissed her deeply has he felt her hands tugging on his pants, pulling them down.

Jason pulled back just enough to rest his forehead against hers, his thumb brushing over her cheek. "You sure about this?" he asked softly, his eyes searching hers with a tenderness.

Maggie nodded, her lips parting in a breathless whisper. "Yeah... I'm sure."

Jason smiled, that signature cocky smirk tempered by something softer, something deeper. "Then come here," he murmured, guiding her onto his body, holding her close as they lost themselves in each other. The world outside fading away as the only thing that mattered was the way their bodies fit together, the way they moved in sync, and the quiet, unspoken promises woven between them.