While the world wondered who Nightwing would ultimately settle with, Batman already had his former ward's love life pegged from the start. A flashback reveals Bruce Wayne's thoughts on Dick Grayson's time with the Teen Titans and where he thought it would lead Nightwing in terms of love.
There is no more hotly disputed romance in the DC Universe than the love life of Nightwing. In Dick Grayson's time, two women have captured his heart more than any others. Batgirl, his longtime associate in the Bat-Family, and Starfire, his close ally from the Teen Titans. For years, Nightwing's love triangle has been the subject of debate among fans who are desperate to see the hero settle down with the hero they believe to be the right choice. Currently, it seems like Dick has finally made up his mind and has gone all-in on a committed relationship with Barbara Gordon.
However, years before Dick would even think about settling down, Batman already had an inkling on how Nightwing's love life would wind up. In Batman: Gotham Knights #43 by Scott Beatty and Roger Robinson, what should be a fun night in for the residents of Wayne Manor is ruined when Bruce Wayne runs into some legal troubles. Barbara Gordon accidentally lets in a process server disguised as a pizza delivery person who informs Bruce about a case regarding Jason Todd's death. This sends Batman to go to the Batcave for a moment of self-reflection. He ventures to the area where he keeps Jason's Robin costume and thinks back to a time shortly after Dick left the role. In the past, Barbara talks to Bruce about his falling out with Dick. Batman changes the subject and mentions that Dick still loves Barbara, saying "the thing with the alien won't last".
Despite the minor slight to the Teen Titan Starfire, Batman wasn’t entirely wrong with his prediction. While Dick and Koriand'r had quite the passionate relationship and nearly made their commitment official via marriage, fate had other things in store and the couple broke things off. Though the two remained friends, they never appeared to rekindle the romance they once shared. While he was right about Starfire, Batman's comment is all the more interesting that he was also correct about Dick ultimately winding up with Barbara.
If there’s one thing Batman is good at, it’s reading people. Even when he and Dick weren’t seeing eye-to-eye on things, Batman knows Nightwing on a level few in the world do. While his comment about "the alien" might sound like a parent that doesn't agree with their child's rebellious phase, Bruce knows the kind of person Dick is and what he is looking for in a partner. He also knew that Barbara complimented Dick so well that it was only a matter of time before the two found one another again. It may have taken Nightwing some time to realize it, but Batman has known for some time that his partner would find love with Barbara.