HOMEMADE DYNAMITE !
❝ FOR THE FIRST TIME. ❞

FOURTEEN YEARS AGO..

ABIGAIL LANCE DID NOT BACK DOWN. Especially not when Dick Grayson was the one challenging her. It had only been an hour, but over the past sixty minutes, Abby had grown to like to the group of sidekicks her aunt had introduced her to — aside from Dick Grayson, she already couldn't stand him — and the quartet had, waywardly, decided it would be a fun idea to sneak out the manor.

Turns out, the four of them had more in common than the fact their legal guardians liked to dress up in costumes and fight crime. Not much more, but enough. Abby hadn't realised how nice it felt to have people like her around, people who she didn't have to hide her powers with, ones she could complain to about Ollie's brief run with green rights, and Dinah's insistence that she learn Krav Maga.

Anyway. Back to her current problem. AKA, why the hell had she agreed to sneak out of Wayne Manor when A) she was scared of heights and B) she was nowhere near as skilled in acrobatics as the people behind her. Oh yeah, that's right, because Dick said she wouldn't. So obviously she said she would. Logic. Well done, Abby, you're an idiot.

She glanced down at the daunting manor grounds beneath her. Corrections: A suicidal idiot.

Her knuckles gripped the stone of the outer walls, palms red from the friction of the surface. Before her, the tree she was supposed to use to swing down to the ground; behind her, her three friends waiting for her to go first. She could see the bright, neon carnival in the distance — the one Nora had suggested they go to.

"Anytime today, Lance."

Dick Grayson's bored tone erupted from behind her, breaking her train of panicked thoughts. Asshole.

She glanced back over her shoulder at him, "Nah, was thinking I might stand here all night."

He glowered at her from under dark lashes.

Donna was grinning over his shoulder and Nora wore thinly-veiled boredom despite the twinkle of amusement in her hazel eyes. The two girls were stood shoulder to shoulder, hands barely brushing.

Abby pushed out a low breath, staring across at the tree she was supposed to swing onto. She could do this. For no other reason than to prove Dick Grayson wrong. The brunette adjusted her grip on the edges of the window, then pushed forwards as hard as she could. Running rooftops was one thing, jumping from a window to a distressingly far away branch was another.

But hurtling through Gotham's cold night air wasn't the best time for her to think about that.

The tree trunk was getting closer at a quickening rate, the branch within reach. She was falling and it didn't seem like she was going to reach the branch. Her hands shot out instinctively, her smooth palms scraping roughly against the bark and bumps of the branch, and her fingers gripped tightly to it.

A loud whoop erupted behind her, cut off quickly by a hand. Abby spared a quick look to see Donna offering a pair of enthusiastic thumbs up with Nora's hand clamped over her mouth, mortification clear on her face. Dick was watching her, jaw set and his expression unimpressed but eyes glinting with what, in the faint light of the moon, she could've mistaken for pride.

Abby hung from the branch for a second, before mustering her strength again and heaving herself up, elbows bending slowly until she could swing a leg over. Within a few seconds, she was stood up, making her way quickly to the trunk. Moments later, she felt the tree shake and wobble, her grip on the trunk tightening in panic, she looked up to see Dick now balancing in front of her. Credit where credit was due... he certainly didn't stick the landing.

The dark-haired boy made his way forwards, easily overtaking her. He dropped down to the branches below with agile ease, the kind honed from years of experience, and weaved between the leaves.

She cautiously glanced back to the window in time to see Donna jump, landing on the ground effortlessly, barely affected. Nora was next, eyes suddenly a burning, brilliant white as her body became encased in dazzling light and she rose into the air. She looked like a falling star as she descended to the ground, and Abby couldn't help the look of awe it left on her face.

By the time she glanced back to Dick, he was practically at the bottom. She frowned and hurried up, dropping down two, three branches, hurriedly trying to catch up. But she felt a branch snap beneath her foot and even as her hand grabbed a new one, she felt her mind slip back to when she fell from the roof and she knew she was falling again.

Her chest seized up, eyes squeezing shut, and she froze.

But she wasn't falling.

She'd felt the branch snap, felt her footing giveaway and her grip on the other branch slip as she relapsed but she was not falling. She felt pressure on her wrists.

Slowly, Abigail opened her eyes. Hazel eyes met dark brown and she saw the strained face of Dick Grayson staring down at her. His hands had a tight hold encompassing her forearms, his legs wrapped around the tree branch he'd previously been stood on like it was a trapeze.

The look in his eyes was pained. Not from holding her, or the position, but like ghosts were dancing behind his gaze, taunting him. She remembered then that it was tragedy that also tied the four of them together. Loss.

Parents, childhoods, their normalcy.

The two held one another's gaze for a moment, and then his grip slowly slipped from hers, and she dropped the rest of the way to the ground. She landed swiftly with a thud, knees bent in a crouch. He swung down next to her, landing perfectly.

She averted her gaze. "Thanks."

He nodded silently in response, the two occasionally glancing to one another as four then made their way out of Wayne Manor grounds and towards the neon city nightlife.

THE CARNIVAL WAS ELECTRIC, alive, brimming with tangible energy. Abby could taste it, touch it, feel it all around her. An hour in and they'd already made their way through most of the rides, taking on the carousel, the bumper cars (Abby had annihilated them), the bounce house and the array of miniature roller coasters.

"So just to let you all know," Donna announced, walking backwards in front of the trio, "if we don't go on the Ferris wheel next I will ditch you all and have zero regrets about it."

"Because riding the Ferris wheel by yourself, like a loner, is such a fun way to spend your time," Nora replied dryly with a frown.

Dick shoved another tuft of pink cotton candy into his mouth with a laugh and Abby felt the corners of her lips turn up in a smile as she sipped away at her now-purple slushie.

Abruptly Donna's eyes lit up, a gleeful grin spreading across her face as she turned back to the group, "Change of plans — we have got to go on the Wild West Shootout, oh my God."

As they handed over their money and lined up along the row of chairs,  Abby caught sight of faint perplexion in the features of the boy beside her as he picked up the paintball gun.

"What's wrong, Boy Blunder?" Abby inquired, a smirk on her lips, "Worried you're gonna lose to a girl?"

Dick scoffed, "Not on your best day, Bird Brain."

Before Abby could retort, a scream tore through the buzz of the fun and games around them. More screams joined the original as a small rush of people stampeded past. Abby frowned, exchanging looks with the other three before slowly placing her gun down and stepping back into the mob of people.

She was met with the sight of Scarecrow, crudely stitched mask in place, as he made his way through the entrance of the carnival, madly swinging a large scythe as he danced back and forth happily in his step. His appearance sparked panic, waves of families and friends streaming past the teenagers to escape the villain.

Abby clenched her fists, "Can't even enjoy one night off."

In the corner of her eye, she noticed Dick pull the hood of his coat over his face and Donna pull out a golden loop of rope from inside her denim jacket.

"No rest for the wicked," Nora muttered, eyes glowing blindingly as she stepped up beside Abby.

Dick appeared at her elbow, expression dark. "Don't breathe in his gas. Stay alert, he's lethal with that scythe."

"Pretty sure he's lethal without it too, genius," Abby pointed out.

Donna rolled her eyes at the duo and wound her lasso around her fist. "What's he even doing here? Carnivals aren't really his scene."

"Don't run, ladies and gentlemen!" Scarecrow howled, a maniacal joy to his voice, "There's no need to panic, you're all going to trial my new formula for me!"

"Well, that answers that," Abby muttered, fists tightening.

"A new formula?" Nora groaned, "Isn't one enough?"

"Clearly not," Dick murmured in response.

Scarecrow slowed to stop as the herds of civilians thinned enough to leave the four sidekicks on show. He twirled his scythe, pacing side to side. His gaze seemed to be focused on Nora.

"And who are you?" he asked, tilting his head, "Volunteers?"

"Disgruntled customers," Abby corrected sarcastically, pulling the hood of her jumper over her head as she charged forwards.

A jovial laugh cracked from his throat as he burst into action, bringing the scythe around in a large arc towards the young brunette. She slid under it, coming up close enough to land an upwards kick to his abdomen.

The villain stumbled back, swinging wildly at Abby, who barely rolled out of the way. Dick barreled in behind her, throwing a right-handed jab into Scarecrow's face; the villain let out an enraged roar, swiping Dick's feet from under him and stamping down hard on his chest. He batted Donna aside as she came to her friend's aid, cutting deeply into her side with his blade.

Nora and Abby came at him in a second wave instantly, managing to get in a roundhouse kick which sent Scarecrow reeling before he hit her with two punches and went straight for Nora, deciding she was the most prominent threat.

Ducking under a few photon blasts and taking a blow that reduced him to one knee, Scarecrow was finally close enough to spray her with the fear gas. The raven-haired girl collapsed, lights around her body flickering as her eyes went glassy and she limply grasped at her throat.

Her name ripped itself from Donna's throat, horror carved into her features, as the brunette sat up from the ground.

Abby's eyes widened in fear and she ran towards her new friend, barely making it five steps before the butt of Scarecrow's scythe jabbed painfully into her ribs. She stumbled back with a gasp, although her breath was cut off as his gloved hand wrapped around her neck and he lifted her off the ground.

Nora reached towards her feebly, her fingertips sparking with light that died just as quickly as it came, her body beginning to convulse.

"Oh dear," Scarecrow mused monotonously, "Seems there's only so much fear even superfreaks can take."

Nora let out a terrified scream, her very bones trembling. Donna struggled to her feet, clutching a wound that oozed blood. Abby's eyes rolled until they were white, fingers scratching at the hand cutting off her windpipe.

Dick watched his friends suffering, the most powerless one amongst them, yet the last standing. His ribs ached and even breathing hurt. What could he do? They were kids. Just kids. They weren't prepared for this.

But his eyes drifted to the crowded of people, innocent bystanders huddled as far away as they could push theirselves from the scene. Dick ground his teeth, pushing himself to his feet with a huff. His eyes moved to Abby, whose skin was taking on a blue tinge from the lack of oxygen in her lungs.

His feet shuffled on the damp concrete, the cold chill of the night biting into his red cheeks. He had to stand, he had to fight. His friends needed his help.

Abigail watched as Dick raised his head, watched the determination set in his face. She could feel now the effects of hypoxia seeping into her body, could feel her brain beginning to grow faint. She reached out into the air around her. She could do this. Her fingers gripped tighter on Scarecrow's wrists, her bones grew rigid and tense. She could do this. COME ON.

The air around her began to move, the very atoms moving, shaking, curling like a coil ready to explode. She let out a violent yell. Powerful vibrations erupted from her body, knocking Scarecrow backwards, letting her drop to the ground. She collapsed in a heap, coughing and spluttering as she dragged in air in gulps, fingers quivering.

Scarecrow rose to his feet again, and Abby saw Donna do the same, Dick already beginning to make his way towards the rogue. Weakly, she raised her arm, hand ready to send another poorly-aimed vibrational blast at the Scarecrow. He beat her there, his foot cracking down forcefully on her arm, breaking it.

She let out a loud scream, the pain overwhelming everything, flooding every system like an overload, and her vision turned black.

PAIN, that was the first thing she felt. A faint, throbbing ache in the back of her mind. She knew it was there but was unable to reach it. Abigail Lance's blurred vision opened a moment later, her dark eyelashes fluttering open and squinting against the dazzling, artificial lights.

"Oh, thank God. Dick — Dick, she's awake."

A dark figure appeared at Abby's side, gentle hands resting on her shoulder tenderly. The brunette shifted slightly, and let out a pained cry. She looked down, and saw her right arm in a freshly wrapped sling tucked snugly to her chest.

The rest of her view fell into focus, and she became aware of the fact she was laying in a bed, stone walls and dark shadows making up the room around her. She saw an IV drip stemming from her hand up to the stand, heard the quickening beep of the heart monitor beside her.

Panic began to take over and she tried to move again, the silhouette at her side became clear, the brown hair and worried eyes of Donna Troy taking its place. Dick Grayson sat quietly in the seat beside her bed, an unreadable expression plastered plain as day across his face.

The whole night came flooding back to her like a bad dream, and she dropped her head back onto the pillow. After a moment, her gaze trailed to Donna.

"Did we win?"

A soft smile spread over her features. "Hell yeah, we did."

Abby let out a sigh of relief, nodding slowly. Her eyes closed for a moment before they rose again. "How did we get out?"

Her hazel gaze drifted downwards and she noticed the thickly wound bandage encasing Donna's torso. Abby's lips parted in surprise. How did they get out alive?

Donna sighed. "By the skin of our teeth. Your blow managed to disorientate Scarecrow enough for Dick to get the upperhand. I finished him off. We... we dragged you and Nora back to the mansion after that."

"... Is— is Nora...?" Abby stuttered out, afraid to ask.

"She'll pull through."

A new voice joined the conversation. Looking to the foot of her bed, Abby saw Bruce Wayne stood ominously, stone-faced.

"Her parents are with her. She reacted badly to the toxin, her recovery may take a while," Bruce continued, making his way around the bed.

Donna slowly stood to her feet, "Can I... is she conscious?"

"Skittish, but yes," Bruce nodded, "She's still unstable. We don't know what Scarecrow's gas made her see."

Donna nodded to him but didn't speak, making her way out the door as fast as she could, heading towards the stairs. Bruce hovered for a moment, before tapping the bed with his hand

"Sneaking out was reckless." Bruce began, and Abigail wasn't quite able to decipher his tone. "But what you did, standing up to Scarecrow, protecting those civilians, that was brave. What you four did took courage. Good job."

He nodded to Dick and Abby before ducking out of the room, and Abby felt a small, proud smile curl up her lips as she dropped her gaze to her lap.

She turned to Dick, after a moment, "Thank you."

He looked over to her in confusion, "What?"

"For staying with me," she clarified, her voice little more than a whisper, "Not just leaving me to wake up alone."

The corners of Dick's lips quirked up. "Course."

Abby's eyes dropped to her lap again and she began fiddling with the intravenous needle nervously. He frowned.

"Stop messing with your IV," he muttered.

"It itches," she mumbled back absentmindedly, but stopped nonetheless.

He let out a quiet laugh, which prompted a faint smile onto her tired face. A moment of silence washed over them, a second of tranquil peace. Then a door slammed open somewhere nearby, and Dinah Lance appeared in the doorway, a melting pot of fury and relief burning on her face.

"Abigail Laurel Lance, you are—," she cut herself off, glaring furiously, "You are grounded — in fact, you're more than grounded, you're... you're — I dont know what you are but you are in deep shit, young lady!"

Abby dropped her face into her undamaged hand, groaning in mortification as her cheeks flushed bright red and she closed her eyes in horror.

Oliver appeared at her elbow, simply solace and concern spread across his features, he made his way past Dinah and to Abby's side, where he pressed a relieved kiss to the top of her head, brushing strands of brown hair from her face.

"We're glad you're okay, Squirt," Ollie sighed, squeezing her shoulder reassuringly.

"Of course we are!" Dinah agreed, her voice still angry, "But you're still so much trouble — what were you thinking? Taking on Scarecrow?! I mean you scared the shit out of us when Dick dragged you in!"

She began pacing at the edge of the bed, before abruptly taking a seat at the end on the edge. She placed a gentle hand on her lower leg.

"Next time you decide taking on a deranged lunatic, who spends his free time wearing a fucking sack over his head, please just... y'know... just let us know, yeah?" she let out an an exasperated huff, sighing in exhaustion, "I need some warning if I'm gonna find you looking half dead."

Abby looked up from her palm, timidly, face still a rosy pink and a look of embarassed horror on it. She offered an impish smile. "But I'm not dead...?"

A half-hearted glare appeared for a moment before Dinah shook her head, "I'm going to have so many grey hairs. This is even worse than the time you gave yourself arsenic poisoning after accidentally eating a contaminated fish in Corto Maltese and we thought you were dying or something because you had green sick for—."

"Dinah!" Abby whined in horror.

Oliver let out a laugh, "And remember when it gave her the s—."

"Okay shut up both of you, oh my God," Abby spluttered humiliation, voice high pitched, "You're so embarrassing!"

A small chuckle came from Dick, still sat in the chair beside her, hand over his mouth to stifle to laughter. She glanced over to him, their eyes meeting, and she felt a smile of her own spread across her face at the sight of his. His grin only widened, and he found himself noticing the small dimples that appeared in her cheeks when she smiled.

It felt like he was seeing her again, for the first time, and his stomach fluttered a little at the feeling of it.

NOTE!
yknow i started this chapter with such a different vision of how it would go — for starters, it would have a lot more parallels to the scene in chapter 7 where abby and dick discuss this bUT I KINDA LIKE IT? i struggled with what villain to use, especially with the circumstances/scenery of the chapter. what did we think of scarecrow?

also whAT DID YOU GUYS THINK IN GENERAL? they may have been soft in this but dickabs start taking on the "pretend they hate one another" vibe soon after