There was a time when I was that kid—the one eager to join a team, to prove myself, to stand in the shadow of legends and make my mark. I remember the rush, the thrill of finally wearing a suit, the weight of responsibility mixed with excitement. Now, sitting in the dimly lit study, the reality hits me harder than I expected. My kid… my child is about to step into that world.

I should be proud. I am proud. But I also know what comes with it. The late nights, the bruises, the impossible choices. The missions that change you, that force you to grow up too fast. I’ve been there. I’ve seen what this life takes from you.

I look at the picture on my desk—Kory, radiant as ever, with that same fire in her eyes that never dimmed. We've been through so much, and now… now our kid is about to start their own journey.

I trust them. They’ve got the skills, the heart. But that doesn’t stop the knot in my stomach from tightening. How do you prepare for this? How do you let go enough to let them find their own way, knowing the dangers, knowing that they’ll face enemies who won’t hold back just because they’re a kid?

Bruce would tell me it’s a rite of passage. That it’s necessary. I can almost hear his voice in my head, calm and steady as always. But Bruce wasn’t… well, he wasn’t a dad the way I’ve tried to be. I’ve wanted to give my kid more than just the tools to fight. I want them to feel safe, to have a normal life. But I also know… you can’t hold back the tide. They’re ready.

I sigh, running a hand through my hair, trying to figure out when exactly I became the worried father. The kid who swung from rooftops, fearless and eager, now sitting here with a thousand thoughts swirling.

But I know one thing for sure. When they step onto that team, I’ll be there for them. Not as Nightwing, not as a mentor—but as their dad. That’s what they’ll need most. And I won’t fail them.