Nightwing

lysander had to wonder if this is what it was like to have a father – he had had thoughts like this before when it came to dick, but the man repeatedly proved himself expertly paternal and so incredibly kind to him that he couldn’t believe how much he’d missed out on as a child. was this what he had, indeed, deserved? the way that all children do? did dick even know how much this kindness affected him emotionally, or was he doing the right thing just because? lysander almost didn’t care what the intention was, selfishly, because the attention lovely regardless.

being asked if he would be okay with a hug was wildly important to lysander, and dick in his kindness and wisdom made sure to ask every time it seemed appropriate – it was a combination of the consideration of lysander’s own nervousness and dick’s extreme kindness that made him more likely to accept a hug than not. nodding slowly, lysander carefully wrapped his arms around the older man’s shoulders and sighed shakily. “hugs are… odd.” he said, “not bad, just… k-kind of confusing? a little bit. y-you know, the… the, uh, the closeness.”

Dick knows it’s probably not his place to be so.. fatherly, to act in such a caretaking kind of way with Lysander but he can’t help it. The kid’s been denied that his whole life, being the child of a psychopath. Dick’s not even sure he knows what it’s like and that in itself is heartbreaking. Even when Dick didn’t have parents - he had a home, he had people who cared for him in their own way, and he would be lost without that. He’s not sure it’s his place but.. no matter what, he’s going to be there for Lysander and make sure he knows he’s cared for, knows he’s loved.

“Perhaps a little.” Lucas just smirks, only growing wider at the kiss pressed to his cheek. He was a strange man, always aware of that, but never minded what people thought. “You’re going to teach me how to understand teenage lingo?” He teases with a laugh, but it was sweet. “I’d love that.”

“i’m not usually a big fan of birthdays,” they began to explain, shrugging their shoulders a little bit. “but your worth it, i-i’ve decided.” lysander’s cheeks coloured a little, but their admission was entirely genuine. birthdays were weird celebrations with too much focus on people and too much noise in general but dick had done so much to make them feel safe that lysander wasn’t anything to be ignored. putting aside any anxieties was worth it for dick. “a-assuming that’s okay, i-i mean.”

smiling, the redhead shrugged. “they’re not too difficult to work out. i-i picked something easy, just in case. it felt like a safe choice.” it was almost teasing, almost light enough to be a bit of banter, but it was still genuine. they had decided to buy something that was easy for dick to look after – they weren’t sure well the other would go at looking after plants, and so something basic and simple seemed like a good starting place. plus, lysander knew they would be an excellent resource for plant health, which meant they would be in contact much more often. “you’re w-welcome. it just felt… right for me t-to, uh, to do.”

“Oh.” Dick says softly, a little surprised and incredibly pleased to hear something like that. The idea that Lysander thinks he’s worth it, that - that he’s happy knowing Dick, that the boy trusts him enough to take part in something he doesn’t usually place a lot of stock in is... sweet, and wonderful. “Of course that’s okay, Lysander. That’s - that’s more than okay.” Dick assures him with a warm smile. “I’m glad you’re here. Glad - you want to be part of this with me.”

“Hey now — I needed to know all about how you move and think. It worked, but you impressed me by being way better in person. Video doesn’t so you justice, Grayson.” Lucas says softly which was his crazy way of flirting, but truthfully he thought that he was great. They came a long way, and he was comfortable here. “I don’t know what do the kids say these days? I can’t keep up with Jenny.”

“Remember when I watched every possibly video available of you fighting? I still think you’re remarkable — even now that I’ve gotten to know you up close and personal” Lucas admits as he leans in closer to his boyfriend as he speaks, resting his head over the other’s. “We can do that — FaceTime them since that’s hip now.”

“I could try, but I know you always get your way when you put your mind to something.” Lucas admits with a laugh, but doesn’t mind what they do even if it was staying in bed — they both deserved it. “I’m okay with that. You have me all day, we can stay right here if you want too.” He promises as he wraps an arm around Dick, pulling him closer against him.

“Hey - could you hand me that paintbrush?” Dick asks with a smile, gesturing towards the spare paintbrush sitting on top of the tin. He doesn’t mind spending a day or two trying to pull Paragon back together. “Sorry - mine kinda slipped into the gutter, I figure using a clean one is probably the better way to go here.”

“I wouldn’t have let you go to work otherwise.” Lucas teases, although truthfully he knows that he would never force Dick to do anything, but after the day they had he doesn’t think going to work is a wise choice. “I’m not going in either, I can’t deal with bartending tonight.” He says while rubbing his eyes. “I’ll stay the night sure — I’m not going anywhere. Jenny is with Apollo so I’m all yours.”

they couldn’t remember the last time they had celebrated a birthday properly. anybody’s, not just their own. it was nice to have an opportunity to buy something nice and get excited about something so innocent. lysander didn’t really know if dick celebrated his birthday too much, but the redhead couldn’t just let the day come and go without acknowledging it at all.

“it’s kind of simple,” they began, pulling the little plant from behind their back. “it’s maybe a little predictable of, uh, of me. but i chose something easy to look after! a-and it’s in a sweet l-little pot.”

Dick is sure the gift itself is going to be great, but it’s the thought behind it that really touches his heart. The fact that Lysander went to such trouble to remember his birthday, to come and see him, to bring him a gift is all so wonderfully sweet and touching that Dick can’t help but feel a little overwhelmed with emotions. In a wonderful way, of course.

“ papá ! “  she knew he was close the moment she heard his VOICE ( she had a great memory when it came to voices , sometimes she could even recognize someone by their scent ). “ what are you doing here ? “ she let roo lead her to her dad. she had thought about leaving the room she was assigned to and make herself proud but in the end she decided AGAINST it.

@cfdickgrayson

@cfdickgrayson said: “Tell me who, and I’ll thank them for it.”

“You sure you want to start thanking your adoring fans? It could set a dangerous precedent.” 

birthdays were an odd experience for lysander. though they liked to celebrate that of others, they hated his own, and often forgot everyone’s – the first person who’s birthday they’d remembered without needing a reminder set for them was dick’s, and in typical lysander fashion, they’d come to the older man a few days late for fear of interrupting something that they might not have been invited to. [ @cfdickgrayson ]

“uh – i hope this isn’t weird.” and maybe it is, maybe it isn’t, but he for once lysander wasn’t sorry about it. holding the small potted plant behind their back, the redhead offered him an almost confident smile. “i got you something. for your b-birthday… and everything.”

Dick hadn’t really expected anyone to make a big deal about his birthday this year. Truth be told he was happy to let it slide by without much attention, really. Still, he can’t help but give Lysander a surprised sort of smile when he approaches, more than a little touched that they went to any lengths to do something for him.

      the slammed door is the first announcement of jeannie’s presence as she ran into the room,  nicely brushed hair a pipe dream – messed with dirt and apparently a twig (?) – the heavy panting is the second give away as she presses her body up against the closed door.   ‘ you –     you have to help me barricade the door ! ‘ jeannie announced,     a desperate plea to any of the people she’s now apparently decided to lock in the room,   ‘  – he’s coming – god he’s gonna kill all of us. ‘   // @cfdickgrayson​

Lucas knows that he didn’t have to do this, and while he doesn’t do these grand gestures often, he thinks it’s important to do them still.  He also recognizes how much of a surprise it is. “Well that’s a relief.” He teases with a grin. “Trust me I’ll be enjoying myself. I get to eat good food, and talk to YOU. Where can I go wrong with something like that?” He also knows that punching robots isn’t very romantic anyway — and not a good date.

This was a side to him that Dick might not know yet, and that excites him to show the man more of it. This was a first date, and that often does mean you need to make a good first impression. He’s not really worried, a smile forming on his face at the kiss pressed to his lips. “I hope you’re right. It’s off to a good start at least, that makes me feel good already.” Lucas pulls him in for another kiss.