Red Hood x Reader x Nightwing

Ch 4: Welcome Back Parties

You and Jason made your way to the Wayne Mansion in a car he hijacked from parking lot nearby your house.
      "Have you ever been to a party?" he asked, breaking the silence between you two.
     "Only once, and that was at my old school for a dance. I don't really think that counts though," you replied, adjusting the fist under your chin.
     Jason hummed in contemplation. "Was there alcohol? Or drugs?"
    "I went to Catholic school."
    He made a face. "Ewe, I'll take that as a 'no fuckin' way'."
     A nod.
     The Mansion neared and you soon parked. "It'll be fun," Jason said as he closed your door. "Trust me."
     "Okay," you breathed and followed him inside.
     The entrance was mostly empty, save for a few people here and there, talking and having a good time on their own. You could hear music beating from below the floor and feel Jason's tug on your hand as he pulled you further into the Mansion.
     You headed down a staircase and he patted on a wall a few times. "What are you doing?"
     "Shh!" he hissed. "Absolute silence is key."
     You put your hands up in defence and took a step back. He glanced around and pressed his fingers into one of the stones. It pushed back and out popped some sort of scanner.
     Making a face, you said, "Don't tell me that's a"—he levelled his eye with the small platform on the scanner—"eye scanner. Oh that's so cliché, even for you."
     It beeped and he grinned, straightening. "Yep, that's Bruce for you." He turned to you. "Hey at least it works."
     You stared at the wall, the rock unmoving. "Nothing's happening."
     "Wait," he said, his hands on his hips.
     Suddenly the rocks shifted and opened, and the beating of the music blared in front of them. People danced and ground against each other in scandalous bathing suits of all kinds. Jason smirked from your side and he peeled his shirt off—revealing the rippling abs that he was so proud of, along with the hundreds of scars you didn't even want to suggest as a conversation starter.
     You didn't realize you were staring when Jason said with a cocky grin, "Like what you see, Gorgeous?"
     You blinked and shook your head, a scowl developing on your features. "No. Go flirt with someone else for a while, why don't you? They'll actually appreciate your efforts." You waved him off and headed toward a chair before he could protest.
     You looked around you and took in your surroundings a little more. It seemed to be a large room carved out of stone. There was a massive pool in the centre, with chairs and tables cluttered around it, overflowing with drinks and snacks. Most were covering at least a small portion of their bodies with scraps of fabric, while others shamelessly swam and walked the pool deck nude.
     You spotted Dick sitting around a group of flamboyant women and even some men. He caught your eye and rose, coming in your direction. You followed suit and met half way.
     "Hey I didn't know you were into parties!" you yelled over the music.
     He rubbed the back of his neck. "Guilty, but I haven't been to a part since Barbara and I hooked up," he said with a sigh. "I get mauled a little more than I'd like at parties!"
     You frowned. "Then why are you here now?" you asked, your voice still raised loud enough to hear.
     His happy expression faded a little and he sighed again. "Barb and I broke up today, she said something about me not being faithful." He shrugged. "I don't know, I was getting ready anyway. Besides, I've got my eyes set on someone else right now. I'm glad she did it—if I had said something she would've ripped a strip off me."
     You chuckled. "Yeah, I guess you're right." A long pause fell between you two as you watched the water of the pool ripple. Finally breaking it, you said, "So how are you doing with that? You two going to stay friends?"
     His bright eyes flicked to yours. "I'm alright, we have to stay at least talking to each other, though."
     "Why's that?"
     He stiffened. "No reason really," he said. You knew it was for the team, but you didn't want to confront him about it—not yet.
     "Alright then," you said, peeling off your hoodie and shorts. "You going to swim?"
     He stared, wide-eyed at your bathing suit. You had chosen the one with the Batman symbols on it, to spite Jason. Perhaps it would do the same for Dick. "What?" you asked.
     He shook his head. "Nothing. You look good, been working out?"
     You shrugged. "Now and then, what about you?" You punched his chest lightly. "You're ripped."
     He chuckled. "I have to be, I'm a gymnast."
     You placed a palm on his chest and stepped forward. "Well, it looks good on you. I don't think you'd look good overweight," you admitted, earning another chuckle.
     "Thank you?"
     You patted his pectoral and smiled up at him. "You're welcome. I guess this means I can touch you without getting scolded now, huh?" You playfully traced a circle over the hard muscle.
     "I suppose so," he said. The music blared around you.
     You took a step back. "But you probably wouldn't want that considering you've 'got your eyes on someone else'."
     "I've got my eyes on you, (Your Name), and I think she knew that. I think she treated you like that because she knew," he closed the gap between you. "I saw what Jason did in the hall."
     "And?"
     "And I didn't like it. If you two have something going on there, I won't interfere, but—"
     You interrupted, "There's nothing. Nothing between us at all. I don't know what yesterday was."
     "What were you doing today? You didn't come to school." His fingers brushed your love handles.
     Your ears heated. "I was with Jason all day."
     His expression dropped. "Oh..." He took a step back, his hands balling at his sides. His mouth tightened before parting to say, "As your friend, and not the guy that likes you—stay away from him."
     Your eyes widened. He knows, you thought. This was it—now or never. "Are you Nightwing?" He seemed to flinch. "Don't lie to me. Tell me the truth. I'll know if you're lying."
      Dick took your hand and brought you to the wall you and Jason had entered through. He pressed into a stone and it opened enough for them to pass through.
     Once on the other side, he stood so close to you that you could feel his hot breath against your face, and your bodies were close enough to touch. "Yes I am. I wouldn't lie to you," he finally answered.
     You said, shaking slightly, "And you know what Jason is? Who he's become?"
     "Yes." His voice wavered.
     "He still loves you—as a brother. He misses that. Every day. He just hates Batman because—"
     "Because he's a sadistic asshole that couldn't care less what Bruce's intentions were. He meant well. He went to get him, save him. The tracker was broken, he had no idea where the hell he was." Dick was shaking ferociously. Why'd I have to ask? you mentally slapped yourself. "You don't understand, (Your Name), he doesn't either. We all miss Jason. Even Bruce. He hates himself for letting him die, for letting him suffer."
     "I'm sorry I asked. I shouldn't have."
     His eyes flicked up to you. "How do you know the Red Hood, (Your Name)?"
     "He saved my life."
     Not entirely a lie... You and your father would have starved and gone homeless had it not been the money you were stealing nightly. Though Black Mask threatened to 'blow your brains out' on your first night if you didn't agree to work for him, your new 'job' ended up saving your life.
     His eyes widened in surprise. "He did? Really?"
     You shrugged. "It's not exactly an uncommon occurrence with us. He does it often—I almost got hit by a car today."
     He frowned in question.
     You shrugged again. "Walked onto the crosswalk when I wash supposed to. He was the one that suggested J-Walking, though."
     He hummed. You placed your hands against his broad biceps. "Let's have fun tonight, Ricky. Forget Jason, forget Barbara, and forget anything else that's worrying you. Let's have fun." You offered a smile and after a moment, he returned it.
     "Alright," he breathed.
     Your grin widened. "Great!" you exclaimed and kissed his cheek. "Now how do you open this thing?"
     "(Your Name)?"
     You turned to him. "Yeah?"
     He grabbed you by the waist and pulled you in for a kiss. You were surprised for a moment before returning the gesture and holding his cheeks. He pulled back. "Wow, I didn't think you'd do that."
     You let a smile play on your lips. "What, did you think I was going to punch you?"
     "Yes. Barbara did that on our first kiss."
     You gave him a look. "Do I look like Barbara to you?"
     "No you don't. You don't kiss like her either. So you must not be her." He grinned.
     "Must not be," you said as you leaned in for another kiss. Your body trembled as you seemed to melt into him. Your fingers went to his hair, wanting him closer.
     But you heard footsteps down the hall, and pulled away immediately. A red headed woman turned the corner. Barbara's eyes widened in hurt and fury. She didn't say a word as she twisted and stormed away.
     "Yeah she's never speaking to me again." Dick laughed.
     You punched him then, and kissed him again. When you pulled away you said softly, "I don't actually know why I did that. I'm kind of confused right now, to be honest."
     He gave a warm smile. "That's alright, let's go back in."
     Dick opened the rock wall and stepped through. He spotted Tim and said, "I'm gonna go talk to him, I'll see you later. Maybe tonight? Movie?"
     You put a dramatic hand to your chest. "Why, Richard John Grayson, are you asking me on a date?"
     He laughed. "No, but if that's what you want then sure."
     You huffed. "I'd love to but I can't. Not tonight. I'll give you a call or something if I get some time though. I'd love to hang out, now that I won't get spited for it." You waved saying, "Later."
     He nodded and walked off.
     "So what are you two lovebirds doing?" Venom dripped from Jason's words.
     An elbow went to his ribs. "Nothing, Jay."
     He snaked an arm around your waist. "Good," he muttered. "When do you want to leave?"
     "I don't know," you said shrugging. "My dad said he'd be home tonight earlier so we should probably go back in about an hour."
     He folded his arms. "Well... I guess I'll try not to get you wasted then." You tipped your head back and laughed.
     "I don't like drinking."
     "What the hell? We're changing that, come on."
     Jason dragged you towards the bar. "Scotch please," he said to the tender.
     He nodded and turned around.
     "Best shit ever. Trust me," he said to you.
     "I've learned not to, and I think that's a safe bet on my part."
     "Whatever," he said, waving a hand. A glass was set in front of him and he handed it to you. "Drink."
     You scowled and took it, sipping a little. Your face scrunched up and you shook your head rapidly, giving it back. He laughed at you and knocked it back. "You're pathetic, give her a Radler," Jason asked the guy and he reached down, coming up with a yellow can and sliding it to you. You cracked it and sipped the beer. "That's way better," you said and took another sip.
     You and Jason finished your drinks and went to the pool. "Ready?" he asked and you arched a brow.
     "For what?"
     "This," he said and pushed you in the water. You gasped when you reached the surface, hair in your face. You dunked your head back in to get the (hair colour) hair out of your face. "You ass," you hissed.
     He held out a hand and said, "Need some help?"
     "Sure," you replied and took his hand, pulling him in the water with you.