Many Years Later
Third Person POV
It was a peaceful night. The moon was high in the cloudless sky, surrounded by glittering stars. Waves crashed against the shore of Titans Tower as the wind picked up mist and the scent of seawater and carried it off into the air. Nightwing stood on the roof of Titans Tower, looking at the bright lights of Jump City in the distance. He inhaled deeply, taking in the cool night air and letting it out slowly. He could barely remember a night where he felt this at peace.
He felt a hand slowly slide onto his shoulder as a pair of lips pecked his cheeks. "What are you still doing up?" Starfire asked, resting her chin on the edge of Nightwing's shoulder as she slid her hand down his arm until they were holding hands.
Nightwing turned his head to give Starfire a kiss on the cheek. "I could ask you the same question." He replied with a smirk, intertwining his fingers with hers.
The Tamaranean woman raised her eyebrow. "That is true. But I have asked you first, therefore you must answer first." She said smartly, pinching Nightwing's cheek scoldingly.
Nightwing sighed, rubbing his sore cheek. "Can't argue with that logic." He said with a chuckle. Nightwing released Starfire's hand and quickly spun around, grabbing his girlfriend by her waist and pulling her close. Starfire gasped in surprise as she wrapped her arms around Nightwing's neck. The muscular man planted a quick kiss on Starfire's lips and smiled, his eyes sparkling with mischief behind his mask. He dipped Starfire lightly and her long fiery red hair barely brushed the ground. "If you must know why I am still awake, it is because I cannot sleep." He answered, speaking in a mockingly proper voice.
Starfire's glowing green eyes narrowed. "Very funny." She said. Starfire removed her arms from around Nightwing's neck and flew out of Nightwing's embrace, straight up into the air. She quickly flew back to the ground and grabbed the man's ankles, lifting him into the air. The older man let out an unbecoming yelp as he dangled helplessly in Starfire's grip. "Now, why are you really still awake?" She asked, trying hard to hide her enjoyment of teasing Nightwing.
Nightwing was not so easily defeated though. He twisted in Starfire's grip, causing her grip on his ankles to loosen. He then swung his body upwards, pulling his ankles fully out of her grip. As he completed his swing, Nightwing latched onto Starfire's ankles and used his momentum to throw her to the ground. The two fell towards the roof, with Starfire slowing their descent so they would land unharmed. The couple landed on the roof of the tower and just lay there, staring up at the stars.
The man sighed. "I wish we could have more nights like this." Nightwing mused softly. He reached for Starfire's hand and felt their fingers intertwine. He could feel the warmth of her palm through his gloves and gave her hand a gentle squeeze.
"Well," Starfire began, "if Damian continues to show improvement in his leadership skills, I feel that we can leave the Titans in good hands." She paused briefly, then let out a small chuckle. "I do hope he does not kill Beast Boy before that happens though."
Nightwing laughed. "Those two just have a special relationship. When I first met Damian he tried to kill me too." Nightwing smiled as he remembered how that night went. It was totally worth all the stitches. "Besides, Raven and Blue Beetle do a good job of keeping them under control." Nightwing lifted his free arm and rested it under his head. "Do you think Raven will ever tell Beast Boy how she feels?" He asked absentmindedly.
He felt Starfire move closer to him and snuggle against his arm, squeezing his hand. "Perhaps if he were to mature a little more." She laughed.
Nightwing laughed in return and turned onto his side, propping himself up on his elbow. He leaned over Starfire and lowered his head to give Starfire a gentle kiss. His eyes closed as he kissed her forehead, then her nose, followed by both her cheeks and finally her lips once more. Starfire giggled like a child as Nightwing gave her little pecks on the neck. She retaliated by reaching up and tickling his abdomen. The man held strong, giving Starfire a raspberry on her neck. She laughed loudly, pushing against Nightwing, causing him to lose his balance and fall onto his back once more.
Starfire took this chance to pounce on him, pinning his wrists to the roof and gave him a raspberry on his neck in revenge. "No... Fair!" Nightwing shouted in between laughs. "You're... using your... powers!"
Starfire ceased in her ticklish attack. "One must use the gifts given to them." She replied smartly, moving her hands from his wrists to his hands, though she still kept him pinned down. Starfire planted a kiss on Nightwing's lips before giving him a puppy face. "You know you can't stay mad at me sweetie." She said, playfully.
Nightwing's body went limp as he gasped for breath after the tickling fest. "You don't play fair, you know that right?" He scolded lightly, smiling up at his girlfriend.
The Tamaranean woman smiled in response. "I have no idea what you're talking about." She released Nightwing's hands and got off him. The man sat up and crossed his legs. Starfire leaned against her boyfriend's arm, snuggling close. They sat in silence, staring out at the waves reflecting the moonlight.
"Um... Am I interrupting something?" A voice asked from behind them, sounding slightly guilty about interrupting the couple's moment.
Nightwing and Starfire leapt to their feet and spun around to see who had arrived on their roof. They stood in battle ready positions but quickly relaxed. Their jaws nearly dropped to the floor when they saw who it was.
A man with white boots with black and green cuffs on the top. He wore a black HAZMAT suit with white stripes running from his shoulders down the sides of his chest and forming a belt-looking stripe over his abdomen and a green oval in the center. He wore white gloves with metallic silver and green striped canisters attached to arms. His long white hair breezed in the night air as a familiar symbol glowed green on his chest. A small P inside a larger D.
"Hey." He began, giving Nightwing a small wave. "Long time no see, bro."
The older hero ran towards his brother before the white-haired hero even finished his sentence, throwing himself at the younger man and wrapping his arms around him in a tight hug. Nightwing buried his face in Danny's shoulder as Danny wrapped his arms around Nightwing, doing the same action. They stood there in silence just holding each other tight.
"You got taller." Nightwing said, squeezing his little brother.
"Nah, you just got shorter." Danny retorted with a chuckle. This caused him to received a light punch from his older brother. The two separated with a handshake and Nightwing ruffling Danny's long white hair. The hug break didn't last long as Starfire quickly took up Nightwing's spot. She breezed past Nightwing and squeezed the former Teen Titan member, briefly forgetting her own strength.
"We have missed you so much!" She cried happily, resting her chin on Danny's shoulder and squeezing the younger man. "It has been too long since your last visit!"
Danny raised his arms to hug the Tamaranean back, but quickly tapped on her back. "Star, I've missed you too. But, I'd rather not fly home with a broken rib like last time." He laughed.
Starfire immediately released the halfa. She blushed and lowered her eyes. "My apologies." She said. Danny patted her on the shoulder, giving her a quick hug which she happily returned; though she kept her strength in check this time.
"How much trouble did you get in with the missus for that?" Nightwing asked, smirking as he crossed his arms. Danny sent his brother a short glare. He opened his mouth only to be cut off.
"He was in the doghouse for quite a bit." A new voice said from the entrance to the roof. All eyes turned to the new arrival. A woman with bobbed black hair with a high ponytail and a purple steak running through it. She wore black combat boots paired with loose blue jeans and a black t-shirt. She also wore a knee length purple coat with a small DP symbol in white on the collar.
"Babe!" Danny cried, flying to the Sam's side. "I told you to wait for me and I would help you up the stairs." He hovered around her, obviously fretting but she waved him off as if he were a fly.
"Oh hush you. I'm perfectly fine." Sam said, slightly annoyed but there was no venom in her voice. She gave Danny a quick peck on the cheek and shivered. "Honey, would you mind transforming back? You're too cold in ghost form for me." She said, pleading slightly.
Danny immediately did as his wife asked and transformed back into his human self. He wore red sneakers with dark blue jeans and a white shirt with a red oval in the center of the chest paired with a black leather jacket. His black hair was cut short and there were white streaks in his hair along the back of his neck.
A sense of familiarity washed over Nightwing. "Please tell me that's not the same shirt you wore when you were a teenager." The older hero sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
Danny whipped around. "Of course not! Apparently this style is really popular." He said, slightly sheepish. He quickly resumed assisting Sam, despite her protests. The two made it over to where Nightwing and Starfire stood. Both heroes gave Sam a hug, all of them saying how it had been too long since their last reunion.
As Starfire and Sam ended their hug, Nightwing smiled. "I see Lilith is going to be a big sister soon." He said, eyeing Sam's stomach.
The raven haired woman smiled, placing a hand over her small baby bump. "Almost 3 months along now." She said. Danny placed his own hand over Sam's and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
As the couple removed their hands from Sam's stomach, Starfire knelt to the ground and pressed her ear to Sam's stomach. Her eyes lit up with joy as her face broke into a large smile. "I heard it move!" She shouted happily. She then clapped a hand over her mouth and began whispering to Sam's belly, with Sam watching feeling slightly embarrassed and happy at the same time.
Danny clapped Nightwing on the shoulder. "I see that you and Starfire are getting along quite nicely." He chuckled.
The older hero smiled as he watched Starfire whisper to Sam's belly. His eyes sparkled behind his mask as he watched her face light up with joy when she heard the baby move or when her eyes filled with childlike wonder as she whispered to the baby. "I really love her, Danny." He said softly, crossing his arms. "I want to spend the rest of my life with her."
The halfa squeezed his brother's shoulder reassuringly. The two locked eyes and Danny smiled at Nightwing. "I'm happy for you Dick." Danny whispered, patting his elder brother's shoulder.
Nightwing smiled back at his brother. "Thanks Danny." The younger man nodded, patting his brother's shoulder again. He took a step away from Nightwing and moved in front of the older hero.
"Um, I have something to ask you, Dick." Danny began, clasping his hands together. Nightwing gave Danny his full attention. "Lilith's fourth birthday party is next Saturday." The halfa said, tilting his head closer to his older brother. "She said she really wants all her aunts and uncles to come. Especially you bro." He finished with a small smile.
Nightwing sighed, scratching the back of his head. "Can't believe the little squirt is growing up so fast." He laughed. "Seems like just yesterday I was holding her in my arms as a newborn." Nightwing moved his arms to seem as if he were holding an infant, remembering that time fondly.
"You should see her." Danny chuckled. "She's already showing signs of inheriting some of my powers." He laughed, running his hand through his hair. "You wouldn't believe how many mornings I've woken up with an excited toddler hovering above my head. Nearly gave me and Sam a heart attack the first few times."
Nightwing laughed as well, wrapping his arm around Danny's shoulders and pulling him close. "As they say, like father like daughter. That's the price of parenthood my dear brother." He mused, obviously making fun of Danny. The halfa raised an eyebrow as he phased out of the older hero's grip, causing him to slightly lose his balance. Nightwing quickly recovered and dodged a shove from Danny. "Nope, not falling for that again little bro." He laughed.
Danny smiled and shrugged. "Eh, was worth a shot." He walked closer to Nightwing, looking into his eyes hidden behind his mask. "But you'll come to the party, right?" He asked, raising his hand to Nightwing.
Nightwing grinned, gripping his brother's hand. "Wouldn't miss it for the world." He answered. "I'll just have to borrow Cyborg from the Titans East and ask them watch over the Tower while babysitting Robin and Blue Beetle." He added with a teasing smirk.
Danny chuckled. "Better not mention that last bit to Damian." The brother's laughed, thinking about how annoyed the young Wayne would be hearing that he needed a babysitter. The Tower would probably be destroyed.
Sam and Starfire rejoined the brothers with Starfire supporting Sam slightly. "Hun, it's getting pretty late and we promised your parents that we'd pick up Lilith before ten." Sam said, taking Danny's hand. "Not to mention Tucker is coming over later after he finishes up at City Hall and Jazz is coming over once she closes her clinic."
"Alright, we'll get going." Danny replied, lifting his wife's hand to his lips and giving it a kiss. "But promise me that you'll let me help you down the stairs this time." He said, his tone slightly pleading.
Sam rolled her eyes and sighed. "Fine." The pregnant woman began walking back to the entrance to the roof. "But you owe me one now Ghost Boy." She shouted over her shoulder.
The adult halfa sighed, realizing that he still lost to his wife. He shook his head and smiled, turning back to Nightwing. The two shook hands firmly. "See you next Saturday." Danny said. The older hero nodded with a smile. Starfire and Danny exchanged a quick hug before Danny transformed into his ghost form and flew after Sam before she got impatient and decided to break her promise. Danny and Sam waved goodbye one last time before disappearing through the door.
Starfire reached for Nightwing's hand. "It is hard to believe that they already have another child on the way." Starfire said softly, leaning her head on her boyfriend's shoulder.
"Well," Nightwing started, "Danny always talked about how he wanted to start a family of his own." He couldn't help but smile as his brother continued on a path of happiness with his loved ones. He was also very thankful that Danny had decided to keep Dick in his life and even allowed him to meet his niece and be involved in her life. Now he had another niece or nephew on the way. His chest swelled with happiness at the mere thought of it.
Starfire inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. She lifted her head from Nightwing's shoulder and stood in front of her partner. "Do you think one day, we too..."The Tamaranean took Nightwing's hand in hers and placed it on her stomach, "could start a family?" Starfire asked, hope shining in her glowing green eyes.
Nightwing was silent, his mind in shock over what Starfire had just said. As the silence went on the hope in her eyes faded. She blushed and released the older male's hand quickly, turning away from him. "I'm sorry. I have said too much too soon!" She cried as she began to float away.
The hero quickly snapped out of his trance as he ran to his girlfriend. "Star, wait!" He shouted, grabbing her wrist. Starfire turned to Nightwing, tears in her eyes. Seeing Starfire like that hurt Nightwing deeply, especially since he was the cause of her tears, but he was going to set it right. "I... I want to start a family with you too." He said, taking off his mask and locking eyes with Starfire.
The Tamaranean's eyes welled with tears, not out of sadness but joy. The two embraced and kissed under the moonlight. They looked forward to the many years in the future they would spend together with their children and with each other. Their happiness knew no bounds.
Dick pulled away from Starfire gently, laughing to himself. "I think the baby-making should wait until after my niece's birthday." He said happily.
Starfire smiled. "You mean our niece." She corrected. Dick smiled, happy that she was so excited. Starfire gasped suddenly. "This means Sam and I can be belly buddies!" She shouted with glee.
Dick couldn't help but laugh out loud at his girlfriend's outburst. Starfire ignored him though as she rubbed her stomach and thought of bonding with Sam over their baby bumps. Starfire knew pregnancy would be hard but she had Dick and Sam and Danny and the rest of the Titans to help her. They were all family. And family sticks together. No matter what.
As the sun began to rise on a new day, Starfire and Nightwing returned to the interior of the tower to share the invitation to Lilith's party with Raven and Beast Boy. They would also have to call the Titans East to tell Cyborg and ask the other members to watch over Jump City for them. Chaos would soon break lose as everyone scrambled to find a gift for Lilith that would make them her favorite. As for Nightwing and Starfire, they planned on giving her two gifts. Though the second one would have to wait a while. They hoped that the future cousins would get along well.
A/N: Thank you all so much for reading. I don't know if anyone is still following this book since it was completed a while ago and I've been otherwise dead on Wattpad. A lot has happened in my life recently. But I'm back on track now and should have more works pumping out soon.
Just a few quick updates: The Halfa Prince RE-DO is still going to be continued, though it may not be a very long book, but with it will come a completely re-done Phantom Prophecy and maybe and extra special treat I have in the works.
I am also planning out the two spin-off books for The Ghost Brother. One giving more depth to the 20 years Vlad spent as a prisoner and one on the AU where Dark Danny defeats the Titans. Both will be canon among this timeline and tie into the main story. If you're interested please check them out (once I actually publish them lol)
Finally, I am starting up a new Danny Phantom fic. This one I have a lot of ideas for and I' currently brainstorming like mad. I hope you'll all check it out once I get it published. I have no official dates for any of the upcoming books but keep your eyes peeled.
Thank you all once more for your support, kind words, and even just reading the book. It all means a lot to me and I want to thank each and every one of you. The voters, the commenters, the people who just read the book for the sake of reading it, thank you all.
See you in the next one!
(Also, let me know your thoughts on this chapter. I'm thinking of doing a few more like this one. Just little glimpses of the future. Would you guys be interested in seeing more of chapters like this one?)
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