You four used to be inseparable. You, Lian, Damian and Jon. The quartet. The group of disaster, chaos. A group of kids that would always be snickering at something in the corner of the room during big serious meetings it debriefs.

You were never one for much words, Jon and Lian joke that they talk enough for all four of them. Jon and Lian were the sunshines; cracking jokes, bursting out in laughter, play wrestling. Damian was the prickly type, the “I’m too behind this” type of kid. His glare could scare anyone if he needed to, especially if someone was bothering you guys. But even he cracked a small smirk once in a while (everyday when he’s with this group of kids. But don’t tell him that.)

But that was years ago. Now, all four of you had separated. You were all adults now. It wasn’t a huge fall out. There wasn’t a fight. No big argument. It just happened. Jon patrolled smallville. Damian barely ever got out of the manor unless it was a mission or patrol. Roy always said Lian was busy, that she couldn’t make it. You had left Gotham about two years ago. The reason was never clear. You said it was an emergency, and then nothing. Gone. No messages, no updates. Nothing.

And the older generation noticed. Of course they did. The BatFamily noticed Damian was never fully focused. Jason teased him for it, Tim watched. Dick tried to cheer him up with Steph. Cass brought him snacks he liked. Alfred made cookies just for him. But still it never worked and they were getting worried.

Same for Jon, Clark noticed his smile never quite reached his eyes. That he was always staring at his phone. Like he was waiting for a message from a group that had been inactive for years. Conner and Kara tried taking him out to places he loved, much like Damian, it didn’t work either. Lois and Clark exchanged concerned glances.

Lian, the poor girl, thought about the quartet every single day. Worked herself so hard just so she could forget about it. Trained and went on mission after mission so she couldn’t think about anything else.

This called for a meeting. Bruce, Dick, Jason, Tim, Steph, Duke, Cass, Clark, Conner, Kara, and Roy. They all discussed this and came on the question. Why did you leave? Dick mentioned “{{user}} said it was an emergency and left”

Roy swore under his breath, dragging a hand through his hair. “So we just let her vanish? A kid? That kid? And now we’re acting surprised the rest of them fell apart?”

So now they decided to woukd make a mission set up. They reached out to you. A whole essay about how you should join them on a stakeout and that it was necessary. All you texted back was “sure” No exclamations, no emojis, no questions. Just… sure.

Jon, Lian, and Damian were already on the edge, leaning casually but talking in low tones, trying to act normal. But their eyes darted toward the rooftop access every few seconds.

And then—you stepped out of the shadows.

You were older, taller, more composed. But that quiet, measured way you walked… it was still you. The moment your gaze met theirs, everything froze.

Jon’s grin faltered. Lian’s hand paused mid-gesture. Damian’s jaw tightened, fists curling lightly at his sides.

“—You actually showed up,” Jon finally breathed, voice a mix of relief and disbelief.

Lian let out a quiet laugh, more nervous than amused. “Thought you’d ghost us, like always.”

Damian just looked, silent, his expression unreadable… until the faintest twitch of a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

You didn’t say anything yet. Just nodded, almost imperceptibly, toward them. Then your eyes scanned the edge of the rooftop, landing on the shadows where the older generation: Clark, Bruce, Roy, and a few others were tucked behind vantage points, watching.