I own absolutely nothing. Every character is property of DC Comics.

"So," Roy said slowly, trying not to panic. "What are you saying?"

Jason looked annoyed with him, but not in the playful banter sort of way the team was used to. "I'm saying I'm taking a break. For today. Tomorrow I'll be back and we'll be a team or whatever, but we're not today. I-" he paused, struggling to reveal what he wanted to say. He realized quickly he was too proud for it. "I can't be here today, okay? I'll see you tomorrow."

Kori stood open-mouthed and confused. Jason Todd was avoiding someone's gaze? It made no sense. He stood only a moment before moving to his bike. She went to follow, but Roy caught her by the wrist. She stopped moving, and watched the man leave without a single gun or mask. "What's going on?" she finally asked, turning to see a somber look on her teammate's face.

"Don't worry," Roy replied, and smiled a small fake smile. "It wasn't something we did. I don't think he'll be back for a little bit, though. It'll take him a day just to get to Gotham."

"Gotham?"

"Yeah. Gotham." Roy sat in the sand, his hat shielding his eyes from Kori's hurt and confused expression. "That's where his headstone is."

Jason arrived in Gotham at around seven, but the city was already dark, dirty street lamps shedding small amounts of light on the cracked sidewalks. He couldn't remember a time when he witnessed true light here. He had been careful crossing the bridge into Gotham, didn't want themto notice he was there, but in his haste to leave his team behind he had forgotten all his weapons and any ability to hide his face. Parking his bike in a forgotten alleyway, he flipped the hood to his sweatshirt as far over his head as it would go, and hoped it would be enough to get him to his first stop- Crime Alley.

Damien simmered in his rage alone in the cave. He had been given the night off and could do nothing about it. No amount of yelling could sway the Dark Knight's mind. The young Robin suddenly heard soft footsteps behind him and turned to see Dick Grayson in his guise as Nightwing. Damien turning back around and continued sulking.

"So, Bruce has you down here and not with him?"

Silence.

"He didn't tell you why, did he." It was more statement than question. Dick sighed as he knew that was the case.

"You could always tell me," Damien finally grumbled.

Now it was Dick's turn for silence, for contemplating what should be said. He settled on simplicity. "It's Jason."

Robin immediately jumped to his feet, cape whirling around him as he turned to his older brother. "Is he here? Is Father taking him on? I could help combat Todd!"

Dick shook his head quickly. "No, it's not like that. I'm not sure where Jason is right now. He's got a team following him around these days. People I used to know." He sighed once again before continuing, the mood of the day getting to him somewhat. "This marks the anniversary of Jason's death. Bruce used to go it alone today, but when Jason came back as Red Hood and started fighting us, everyone was too distracted to mark the occasion. I guess now that Jason's away, he's picked up the tradition."

Damien scoffed, rolling his eyes at the explanation. "Todd should have stayed dead," he spat.

Dick tensed, outraged for a moment as a flicker of instinctual brotherly bond washed over him. "How could you say that?"

"How could you not?" Damien defended himself. "You're an idiot if you don't see it, Grayson. That imbecile crawled and clawed his way out of his own grave to meet a world that's only in harmony when it pretends he's still in the ground. And even before he became a criminal, he was only remembered as a failure."

Dick stood, eyes and mouth wide open, for a few uncomfortable seconds before absentmindedly taking a seat on the steps. Damien eyed him cautiously and also sat down; he had never said how he felt about the second Robin aloud to anyone before, and, judging by the reaction, he reasoned it was best to keep silent when Batman came back.

"You're right," Dick whispered, snapping Damien out of his own thoughts. "He died. Jason was dead. And it didn't matter what he was doing when he came back, we should have at least told him we mourned the loss. God, he doesn't even know we mourned him."

Damien masked his nervousness in annoyance. "I didn't say those things so you could pity him."

Dick's eyes were still unfocused; he barely heard the remark and didn't acknowledge it at all. Everything had suddenly clicked into place. Every punch, every stab, every gunshot. It all made sense. And it was all his fault.