Absolute Chaos (Dick Grayson)

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Two things lol- one, I have nothing against Artemis! I love her character. Don't freak out about animosity between her and Jessica, same with Jess and other characters. Second, I just want to remind everyone that this isn't canon compliant at all. I'm basically just using the entire Young Justice setting and characters post season one to create an entirely new story. Backstories before the show happened, such as Artemis' dad being a bad guy for example, are all still there, but stuff that comes up as an added thing during the show isn't, like the Roy/Arsenal thing and the missing arm. Other than that big disclaimer, hope you enjoy this epically LONG chapter haha.

also, please please PLEASE take a moment to comment if you see something you like, have a thought, a theory, anything! I don't get a ton of them but those that I do, I LOVE reading!!! I appreciate y'all.

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"What's the point of dating someone older if they don't order you booze?"

Dick laughs. "So that's all I'm good for? Booze?"

"Well," Jess says thoughtfully, "And sex."

He laughs good naturally. Jess bumps her hip into his playfully, and he returns the action. She does it harder this time, feeling a lot younger than seventeen - more along the age of seven, really - but it feels good, to be immature with him like this.

Dick is just about to retaliate when they hear the clearing of a throat nearby. It's the waitress with the copy of their bill in her hands.

"I have a feeling she's been there a while," Jess whispers, grinning.

"Thanks, Clara," Dick says, pocketing the paper. "You can put it on my-"

Jessica elbows him hard enough that he stops and says, "You can split it for both our tabs, please."

Clara raises a bemused eyebrow before nodding. "Okay, you two. Headed out the back again?"

"Nah, we're good. There's no one out on the street that's gonna care."

"Have a nice night," she says with a polite smile.

Jessica follows Dick out the doors of the restaurant, saying, "I like Clara, she always cuts through the bullshit and leaves no room for argument."

"So, like you?"

"I leave room for argument!"

"For your own entertainment," he laughs. Dick is wearing a casual blue hoodie and nice jeans. Jess is dressed similarly. It's perfect for the chilly wind sweeping through the city at this hour.

They always go to Verity, both for its delicious table d'hôte and their discretion. When the two first started dating, Jess was the first one to say she wanted to keep it a secret, and Dick agreed pretty easily. As a result, they had to find places to eat that wouldn't leave them open to falling onto the cover of city tabloids or be subject to gossip blogs about the socialite group they both fall into. Verity was one of those places.

They have had to go out the back door once or twice, but Clara still asks them regularly. Jessica's pretty sure its her way of making a joke, but its impossible to tell if she's using dry humour or just...being dry and stony as usual.

Dick reaches out and threads his fingers through hers as they walk. They're on the far side of the city, far from the usual action. It's one of those nights where there's just about no one around.