Faye Feng → Dick Grayson ✔

Late Night Swing

Dick didn't think the week could have gone past any slower. Time crawled on, seemingly jeering at him for whipping his phone out whenever it buzzed. Faye didn't respond as quickly as she once did, and he hated thinking of what she was busy doing. For as long as she was in Paris, only a few words were exchanged between the two of them, and Faye never made first contact.

Meanwhile, Batman had made no progress with the transmission. Staring night after night at the sound waves was enough to drive Bruce and himself insane. He didn't see Barbara much after the night they had gone on patrol, but Dick knew she was working on the case just as ardently as the Dynamic Duo were. They had tried slowing the screeching down, speeding it up, stripping it of a certain range, adding another layer of audio...nothing seemed to work. All that remained was a stubborn, unintelligible howling that they couldn't decipher.

An irritated exhale escaped Bruce's nostrils. Dick looked up, blearily rubbing his eyes. "Time already?"

"I'm going to the Watchtower," Bruce muttered, standing up from his seat. "Maybe something will come to me up there."

Dick nodded, stretching. "I've got to see Faye."

"You know what to do," Bruce said. A sharp reminder in spite of his words - the frustration was gnawing at Bruce, and Dick knew there'd be trouble if he didn't return with valuable information.

"See you tonight," Dick said curtly. The realization that his mentor didn't trust him to stay grounded hurt more than he thought it would.

Bruce didn't comment on his frostiness. Instead, he pulled on the cowl and walked away. Dick glared at the retreating figure, knowing that Batman could feel his stare.

Something rattled against the table. Dick swept up his phone before it was done vibrating.

My jet didn't crash, in case you were wondering.

A frown spread across Dick's features. He figured that she wasn't fresh off the plane - it was probably a few minutes after whoever she'd been with had taken his leave at the manor, and that thought alone was enough to sour his mood.

It was restored, however, by the message that followed. As he slipped into his costume and got ready to leave, Dick replied to her, the grin on his face growing wider by the second.

You owe me companionship on the next trip to France.

And when is that going to be?

Hopefully later rather than sooner. We have a party to attend.

I got the invite. Dad has already ordered our outfits.

I'm looking forward to seeing you in a suit.

You don't like my gym clothes?

Which consist of boxing shorts and occasionally a white t-shirt.

You haven't answered my question.

I don't hate your 'gym clothes', Grayson. I actually rather like the last part.

On or off?

If I tell you, your ego will know no bounds.

I knew I caught you staring more than once.

I could say the same thing about you. I'll talk to you at school tomorrow.

Tired from the flight?

You could say that.

Faye didn't respond, but not a second later, a blinking dot appeared on Robin's computer. It was the same crimson one that had appeared on Halloween, but he was filled with anticipation instead of dread. Robin pinched the digital map on his arm, enlarging Gotham's streets and houses. The red dot was a little beyond the walls of Feng Mansion, and Robin smirked knowingly.