Creatures of Chaos

“I mean I am. I just meant- actually never mind forget it.” she waved it off. She smirked at the thought of giving him an reputation. As if everyone from Bludhaven to Star City didn’t know about the sexcapades of Nightwing. Still she humored him, putting her hands up in a silent apology. “Sounds good Kcid. I’ll be there in a minute.” she nodded to him. Being told Rachel was at least getting some sleep calmed her mind a bit more.  One less thing to worry about. 10 or so minutes later she walked out of the building, dressed a lot more casually. It was easier for her to blend in right after a show otherwise they’d be bombarded. Bruce Wayne’s ward and one of Gotham’s favorite celebrities? It was like paparazzi candy. “So where are we going? “she asked coming up behind him.

Dick’s brows furrowed as she waved off whatever it was she had been about to say and he made a mental note to ask her again later before heading out to wait for Zatanna. “I...didn’t get that far” he admitted with a sheepish grin, turning to face her. She looked amazing (not that he could say he had ever seen her look bad) but Dick thought it best to keep that thought to himself. “Wasn’t sure that you would say yes” he explained, offering up his arm for her. “What are you in the mood for? We can get your favourite?” he offered, down to eat wherever they wound up. He was just relieved that they could still be friends because losing Zatanna wasn’t something Dick could overcome. 

Bruce/Dick: 

“Pretty much, and you have such glowing confidence what better person to pair Duke up with than you” Bruce chuckled looking at the other and shaking his head “Of course they are dull, we are pandering to a very select group of people when we do those things, trust me I’m not the type to always enjoy those either but as Alfred states, one must always make an appearance” He mused before nodding his head “of course I will, it’s been nice seeing Damian working a project all his own I admit, I want this to go well for him.” He mused before rolling his eyes “ are we sure Haley can handle being alone? Maybe it’s time for a brother or sister” He teased the other, unlike his younger brother who seemed to accumulate animals.

“Ah, well, what can I say?” Dick grinned, giving a dramatic bow. “There’s nothing wrong with knowing how awesome you are” Or with a little bit of faking it before making it. “You could have fooled me” he snorted, shaking his head. “You’re great with them - Better than me, anyways. I try my best to pretend to be interested in what they’re talking about but I just don’t understand how there can be so much to say about this stuff” Dick rolled his eyes, knowing that there was no use in complaining. He was Bruce Wayne’s ward; His appearance was expected. “If anybody can get Gotham City to care about the strays, it’s Damian” he agreed, nodding fervently. “Oh - I’m very sure. I’m not home enough to train another dog...Although, it might be nice for her to have some company while I’m working”

Kori continued to clean up, floating above the mess in order to not track more of it as she swept out the remaining flour. Her eyes continued to flick to Dick as she awaited his answer. She frowned at the i’m fine. she frowned even deeper when he admitted to having felt better. The mess was suddenly put on the back burner. She went to him, taking the rag from his hand. “Talk to me. What is troubling you?” she asked him, taking his face in her hands lightly. “I will do my best to remedy it.”

“Kori-” he protested, trying to take the rag from her as he turned with a sigh. Moonlight was trickling in through the blinds, illuminating her alluring features now that she was so close. “There’s nothing to talk about” Dick was quick to assure her, shrugging it off. “You’re sweet to want to but...Some things aren’t so easily or quickly put right, you know?” It would take a little bit of time to move on but it wasn’t as though Dick hadn’t found a way to do it before. It would be harder with her still here, though. A constant reminder of what he’d lost. “Are you going to re-join the team now that you’re back?” 

𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 @creaturesofchaos​ 𝐉𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 - 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐨𝐥𝐝

          Jason extended his arms to reach for the younger man’s shoulders. He wasn’t usually one for physical contact but nothing else was getting through the panic. “Woah, woah, woah… slow it down a few miles, huh? What’s going on? Where’s the fire?”

“Jason?” his breathing was still erratic as he frantically took in his surroundings, grounding himself. Conner had assimilated back into his old life with more ease than he had expected but he was still haunted by nightmares. Something that he’d been successfully keeping to himself by staying at Tim’s safe house until now. He must have fallen asleep in the middle of movie night if the blanket that had been draped over his frame was anything to go off of. “No...no fire. It’s fine” he blinked, coming down from his panic now as he shrugged the other’s hands off of his shoulders. 

𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 @creaturesofchaos 𝐑𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭 - 𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐨𝐥𝐝

       Rocket glanced over his shoulder, noticing Peter standing there. Turning his head back to his work, he was hit with the realization that something was off about the image behind him. Turning back to look at Peter again, he paused what he was doing. “Did you do something different with your hair?” He asked curiously. “It looks terrible.”

“Hey, what’s wrong with my hair?” Peter asked, brows furrowing. He’d been long overdue a haircut and while it wasn’t perfect by any means, he had at least thought that it looked okay. Nobody ever humbled Peter quite as quickly nor brutally as Rocket did, however, and while it was annoying at best, it did keep him in check sometimes. “It’s not that bad”

-

Eleven gasped softly as Steve spoke, her hands clasped in her lap as her eyes widened. “Her sister?” she repeated. She shook her head. “I did not see that coming,” she declared solemnly, looking up at Steve. She smiled at him. “I will enjoy it,” she promised him, as if she could really guarantee that type of thing before seeing the movie. But even if she didn’t like it, she wouldn’t tell that to Steve – not after he was so enthusiastic about explaining it to her. “Watching it is different.” She smiled again and shrugged as he spoke. “We can watch this first,” she said. “Maybe later we can watch…” She considered for a moment. “Something funny?” she suggested.

“Right?” Steve nodded energetically, only egged on by how invested Eleven had been in his dramatic retelling of the plot. “Ah, okay good” he loosened a relieved sigh, glad to hear that he hadn’t ruined the movie for her. It was one of Steve’s favourites and one he was more than happy to watch again with her. “Yeah, yeah....you know what? You’re right. It’ll totally hit differently when you get to actually see it” He was sure it would at least be more captivating than his narrative of it, anyways. “Funny sounds good to me. Anything you particularly had in mind or should we go take a look?”

𝐉𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 - 𝐒𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐚

      Sasha always seemed to know just what Jason needed. That had been the case since he first saved her from the hospital. They were two peas in a pod, two sides of the same coin. Their synchronicity was astounding. It was something he had never experienced before her and was sure never to find after her. “You know, sometimes I think you can read my mind. And if you can this isn’t going to be Thai food.” Jason had nothing against Thai food, it just reminded him of someone and something he didn’t want to think about. He smirked, breathing out a soft laugh. “There’s nothing to talk about. Let’s just eat.”

She set the bags down on the coffee table, already starting to lay out the containers of take out when she smirked. “I’m a woman of many talents but luckily for you, I’m just intuitive” Sasha teased, not that Jason would ever have anything to feel embarrassed or ashamed about with her. “Chinese food - the superior choice, if you’re asking me” she explained, motioning to the table for him to dig in already before making herself comfortable. “Alright, fine” She wouldn’t push. Jason either wanted to talk or he didn’t and that was rarely changed. “No talking it is”

“Hey, it’s not my fault your mentor has a ridiculous temper.” Mike winced, cracking the bones in his neck back into place. He let out a sigh as he felt the sensation in his body return. He finally stood up, giving his body a little stretch to make sure everything was back in its’ place. “ Seriously all I said was that his sister was hot. You think i knocked her up or something.”

“You do seem to have a talent for pushing all of his buttons, though” Sasha shook her head. The two disagreed a lot, sure , but she had never known a bond as strong as the one that he and Jason shared. “I’m pretty sure that you wouldn’t get up again if that happened” she snorted, moving to sit on the couch as she tucked one foot under her knee. “Which one?” Sasha had always thought that all of Jason’s siblings were attractive but unlike Mike, she was smart enough to keep that thought to herself. She wasn’t interested in romance, anyways. 

Koriand’r did not miss the sound of disappointment in his voice. She looked up at him, but was behaving that all was alright. Dick has always been a master of masking his emotions, and Kori wondered if she had answered incorrectly. “Oh Dick you do not-” she started to protest but he was already beginning to clean up. She smiled, floating over and kissing his cheek. “Thank you.” she smiled before going back to cleaning the floors. She continued to sneak little glances at him, noting that there was something.. odd in the air. “Dick? Are you feeling well?”

Dick had gotten rather good at cleaning up other’s messes over the years. He’d had a lot of practice, after all. He had no doubt that Kori could have cleaned this up by herself but it was late - hence his trying to sneak out quietly - and it would take her hours on her own. “Don’t worry about it” he insisted with a gentle smile and a wave of his hand, barely looking up until he felt her lips on his cheek and Dick couldn’t help but watch as she made her way back across the kitchen. “I’m fine” he muttered, still wiping up all of the spilt ingredients before he hesitated, loosening a sigh. “I’ve felt better”

Zatanna’s head turned, smiling as she saw Dick. They hadn’t really seen much of each other since he said he was pursing Kori. She had to admit, it bruised her ego a bit. But she wanted him happy, even if it wasn’t with her. “I’m doing good?” she said a question in her tone. Wondering what everything he was referring to. “Dick Grayson, first you break my heart. Now you want to take me on a date? A girl could get mixed signals.” she teased him, knowing the dinner was platonic of course. This was a check up. “I’d love to eat though. Give me 10 to change and handle some show ending formalities?” she asked him. She was happy Rachel was doing better. “Sleeping?” she asked curiously. 

“You sure about that?” Dick chuckled at the question in her tone, raising a brow as he watched her carefully. Zatanna was arguably one of the strongest people that he had ever met, but much like Dick, she could also be terrible at leaning on those around her. Even if they wanted to help. “You’re going to give me a reputation, you know” he teased back, unsure how else to respond. She would only rebuff any more apologies. Too proud. “Alright, no worries. I can meet you outside?” he offered. There was no need for him to get anymore in the way than he already had. “That’s what she tells me”

𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 @creaturesofchaos 𝐃𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐚 - 𝐃𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐨𝐥𝐝

        “Why don’t I make you a cup of tea, and you can tell me all about it?” Donna didn’t give Dick a moment to protest, knowing that if he even had the chance he likely would. He wasn’t as difficult to get things out of as the rest of the men in her life, but he wasn’t as eager to talk about things as some of the women in her life. She blamed it on Bruce and his parental techniques. Walking into the kitchen she filled a tea kettle and set it on the burner, flipping the knob to high. “Do you want lunch too? I can order us takeout.” 

Dick opened his mouth, ready to protest that there wasn’t anything wrong before he caught the look in her eye. He had never been a great liar in general but Dick was terrible at lying to Donna. “There’s nothing to talk about” he opted for instead with a small shrug as he settled onto a nearby chair. Dick always had somewhere else to be or somebody else to worry about or take care of, it was just who he was, even if it meant pushing all of his own troubles onto the backburner. “Lunch sounds great” he agreed with more enthusiasm. “I’m good with anything, though. You pick”

𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 @creaturesofchaos 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 - 𝐃𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐨𝐥𝐝

          “Wow… that pun was so awful, it actually became good again. Nicely done!” Wally held his hand up to high five the other man. “Dude, you know at some point you have to become a dad with these jokes, right?” 

“Thank you, thank you..” Dick bowed dramatically, lips stretching into a wide grin as he looked over at his old friend, leaning over to high five him. “It’s kind of my specialty” he laughed, happy to have his terrible jokes appreciated by a familiar crowd. “Oh - I mean, one day, sure” A very far away day. Dick still felt like he was seventeen despite being a lot older in reality and  besides, he hadn’t dated anybody seriously since Koriand’r had left. “Don’t hold your breath on it, though”

-

Rae’s eyebrows drew together in confusion. “It’s not…” She frowned as she glanced over at the couple in question. “I’m not jealous,” she said, her head tilted as she looked over at Ace. “He’s free to do what he wants.” It wasn’t as though Wolf was her boyfriend – in fact, she’d never had a boyfriend and wasn’t particularly passionate about having one. “I don’t think…” She paused, trying to think of what she wanted to say. She had never really thought about it before. “He doesn’t…it’s not like that,” she said finally, looking over at Ace. Trying not to consider if she wanted it to be like that or not.

“Listen, I’m not trying to tell you that that’s bullshit or anything, but...” Ace shook his head, raising his brows. “There’s only two things that’ll make you care what’s going on over there and neither are easy pills to swallow” he began to explain. Ace might not have had any experience with dating before, but he had observed enough to have picked up a thing or two. “One. You don’t like it because he’s a good friend of yours and you’re concerned that he’s going to get hurt...And don’t take this the wrong way, but you don’t seem all that angry-” Just hurt. Or confused seemed more accurate. “Two. You want to be her and it’s why you can’t take your eyes of of them” He hesitated for a moment before lifting his arm and giving her shoulder a gentle pat. “You’re gonna be fine, either way”

Wynn opened her mouth to say something but promptly closed it. She got nothing from him, even his facial expressions were difficult to read. “Yes but even though I can’t read anything from you, your happy-sad-angry facial expressions all look the same!” she complained. Wynn was intrigued by him, mostly because she wore her emotions on her face and her heart on her sleeve. “I’m not that obvious am I?” she pouted. She liked Jasper but she didn’t think she was incredibly loud about it - well - perhaps after the bonfire, Jasper had held hands with her. 

“I don’t know what to tell you” Ace couldn’t help but laugh. He had never been a particularly expressive person but those that had known him for years seemed to have found a way to determine the differences in his moods - Unless, of course, they were just better at guessing than Wynn was. “No, no, no” he frowned, shaking his head to reassure her. “I’m just observant, I guess. You always seem to be looking at him from across camp, so” Why Wynn or his sister looked upon Jasper with such adoration would always be confusing to Ace, but he supposed that everyone, even Jasper, was somebodies type. 

Ryo/Ace: 

Ryo chuckled softly looking at the other after all this flirting was just starting to get horrible to watch “of course when you are completely plastered and wont remember anything the following day” he mused before tilting his head. Ace was strange, given his hatred of Jasper they never really made the full break of friendship but Ryo always found him useful in terms of being friends. “Me? I’m quite alright, that poor girl on the other hand looks as though she might die if you keep attempting to bad joke her to death” he mused winking as she took her leave of them.

“Ah - Why do you think we have parties all the time over at the Ares cabin?” he chuckled, smirking. Truthfully, Ace didn’t actually know why there seemed to always be a party happening around him but he had never complained. It felt nice to be surrounded by so many people while remaining detached to them all at the same time and to just stop feeling lonely for a little while. “Eh, she was a means to an end. Just killing time” Ace waved his hand, dismissing the subject as he gave a lazy shrug. It was hard to pursue anybody else when his mind was so stuck on Naomi.

-

El giggled, pleased by what she perceived as approbation. It was hard for her to tell still if people were happy or sad, confused or following her, although it was easier with the party, and people she knew well like Steve. “You’re welcome,” she said, glad that she had given Lucas a little bit of happiness. After everything they had all been through, even the momentary joy of a cookie was something to be cherished. “You can get milk,” she joked. “Next time.” She smiled at him. Not so long ago, she would have wondered just what one was supposed to be, but she was getting better with that, too. “Do you want to stay?” she said, and pointed toward the kitchen again. “For dinner?” She was sure Joyce wouldn’t mind.

Sarcasm was Lucas’ main method of communication so he was used to others outside of the party struggling to grasp whether or not he was serious. He was sure that El had probably struggled initially as well but she did rather well these days. That or she didn’t bother to ask for clarification anymore. “You got it” he chuckled. “I don’t know the first thing about baking but we could try to make some at my place sometime...if you wanted” And by that Lucas of course meant that he would watch El make cookies and offer moral support before enjoying the baked goods when they were ready. “Plus, Mike will want to see you, probably” he shrugged. Lucas considered himself lucky to room with his friend, getting to see him far more often than he might have otherwise. “I could eat”

Bruce/Dick: 

“Thank you, Dick, I’m sure once he gets the hang of things, he’ll be more comfortable taking on other tasks” Bruce mused he saw great potential within Duke and wanted the young man to expand his connections beyond just himself. “Of course it is, meaning no one should have any objections about attending his fundraiser knowing it won’t be anything like mine” He joked before rolling his eyes “I just want him to know we all support his dream, plus who knows maybe you could find a little pet of your own” he teased.

“He’s got the ability, it’s just the confidence we need to work on” And who better to teach anybody about confidence than Dick himself? “It’s not that we don’t want to support you, B, it’s just that the crowd that attends those things are so dull” he chuckled. “I’ll be there, though. Just let me know a time and a place” Dick wouldn’t miss it for the world. Damian was extremely selective when it came to people, but he had always had the biggest empathy for animals. “I have Haley already. I’ll never say no to puppy cuddles, though”