Work Text:
Roy: Can you take Lian to parent teacher night? One of my missions is going haywire – I’ll make it up to you
When the text comes in from Roy, asking Dick to sub in and take Lian to parent-teacher night, it’s a surprise – but a welcome one. Dick takes a moment to mull over his outfit – he’s just come from work, having taught a kids’ gymnastics class. He’s wearing a light, casual outfit, but it should be good enough for parent teacher night. It’ll have to do.
Dick, as much as he’ll grumble in order to get something out of Roy, doesn’t mind at all. There’s almost no one he loves as much as Lian in this world. She’s such a smart, sweet and funny kid.
He’d spend time with her even if he wasn’t in this… will-they, won’t-they, friends-rivals thing with her dad. Or maybe it’s all in his head and they really are just best buds. Who knows.
He runs a hand through his hair quickly, looking in the mirror on the wall, before he makes his way to pick up Lian. Hopping in the car, he starts driving toward Roy’s home– the place he stays more often than not, a second home practically at this point.
Or at least, that’s what he would call it. That’s what you’d call a place where you have multiple drawers filled with clothes– and secret vigilante costumes, right? A place where he has a toothbrush and a favourite mug.
He needs to stop thinking about it.
___
Dick parks in the lot and makes his way to the school with Lian. She’s bubbly and happy as always to see Dick.
Mrs. Johnson smiles brightly as Dick walks into the classroom with Lian by his side. She eyes Dick appreciatively - those piercing blue eyes, that messy black hair. It isn’t exactly what she expected… but nevertheless a sight for sore eyes. He looks a little young to be a parent, but so does Roy, who she’s met before.
The two sit down in front of her desk. Mrs. Johnson glances between Lian and Dick, a cheerful expression on her face.
“So Lian, it's great to see you brought your mum tonight!" she exclaims.
Lian blushes deeply and mumbles something. She looks like she wants the floor to swallow her up. Dick forces a charming laugh, deciding to roll with the unexpected. “Mum, huh? I'll take it,” he says lightheartedly, placing a gentle hand on Lian's shoulder.
Dick bends down, quickly whispering to Lian. “We'll talk about this later.” Lian looks relieved and nods in response.
“Lian just lights up whenever she mentions her mum,” Mrs. Johnson shares, smiling fondly at Dick. “I can tell you're very close. Not that I'm surprised, the way Lian describes you, you must be quite the involved parent.”
She continues, not catching onto the fact that something is amiss. “Why, just last week she was telling us all about the amazing pancakes her mum makes for her every Wednesday before school.”
Dick has to bite down a huge smile at that. He’s made it a sort of tradition – Pancake Wednesday, fully loaded with all the toppings any kid could want. Chocolate chips, blueberries, sprinkles, whipped cream– anything Lian thinks of goes.
"Ah, I make quite the mean pancake, don't I?" Dick replies.
“That's exactly what Lian said! That her mum whips up the fluffiest pancakes any kid could ask for.”
“They’re the best,” Lian adds, leaning into Dick. His heart melts at the gesture.
“You’ve really raised such a loving young girl – she’s your biggest fan. She says you help her with her hair, all those pretty, elaborate braids!”
Dick beams at that. He’s been learning how to do different fun hairstyles for Liam on YouTube, and clearly it’s paying off. She’s always so patient, sitting for however long it takes.
“I’m happy she likes them. Roy thinks she looks adorable whenever I do the little fancy pigtails,” He responds.
“Speaking of Mr. Harper… Lian mentioned her dad can't stop raving about how great you look in blue. Said he's got quite the crush on you.” Mrs. Johnson has an amused expression on her face.
Dick chokes on nothing and has to recompose himself. Mrs. Johnson is a little overly familiar, but Dick guesses Lian’s just shared a ton with her and that she’s quite understanding of different family dynamics.
He won’t think about the implication that Roy’s has been gushing about him to Lian yet. That he’s made his crush known.
He glances down at Lian again, who looks like she's trying not to giggle.
“Ah… Lian really is the best.” Dick can feel himself blushing.
"Dad says you're really pretty in that new shirt you got for the work Christmas party..." she says. Her small hand reaches out to grasp Dick's jean-clad leg supportively, like she knows she's divulging something special.
“O-oh, wow…” Dick flushes even harder, and tries hard to turns the conversation away from Roy, back to Lian. “Now… let’s talk about how amazing you’re doing in school!”
“Of course,” Mrs. Johnson responds. “Lian is doing great — she’s very involved in class and has a bunch of extracurriculars lined up as well. You should be very proud of her.”
Dick feels his heart warm at all the feedback, and he can’t wait to relay it to Roy. He’s probably kicking himself for missing this right now.
The three continue to discuss Lian’s performance at school; all good things, and Dick can’t wait for the recital coming up where Lian plays a major role. He’ll be there for sure.
___
It’s almost an hour later when he finishes chatting with the teacher and is back in the car with Lian, driving her to a nearby diner for food. It’s one of her favourites, and Roy probably won’t be home in time to eat together anyway.
Lian looks a little upset when he glances over at her in the passenger seat. Her quaky voice comes out a moment later. “Sorry, Dick. I mentioned you once or twice and Mrs. Johnson just started referring to you as my mum – and I didn’t want to correct her.”
“L-Lian, baby, that’s not your fault at all. I’m not upset at all about that!” Dick scrambles out, brushing a hand against the back of her head. “You can call me anything you want at school. I don’t mind.”
“Okay,” Lian bites her lip, hesitating briefly before continuing in hushed tones. “Y’know, dad has been single for so long… I think he needs love.”
"Y-Yeah, he does…” Dick manages.
“Dad says sometimes when he can't sleep, he'll just lay there thinking about...about your smile...and your eyes and stuff.” She glances up at Dick, taking in his reaction, her brow furrowed in adorable concentration. “He thinks you're really beautiful…”
"W-wow..." Dick stammers, his cheeks flaming. "Lian, you can't tell your dad I know about this, okay? It'll be our little secret."
Lian nods vigorously, a determined look in her eyes. “Don't worry, I won't tell! But...but why doesn't Dad just tell you how he feels? He's such a bonehead sometimes.”
She pouts a little in exasperation. Then her expression brightens, "You should be with Dad! Then you could make him happy and stay for pancakes every morning!"
“You know what, Lian? I’ll talk to him about it.” Dick swallows hard, emotions swirling inside him. This innocent little parent-teacher night just turned his whole world upside down. All these years crushing on Roy without really getting the courage to say anything… maybe this is the push he’s been waiting for.
___
Dick finds Roy lounging on the couch after putting Lian to sleep, looking more handsome than ever, even though his red hair is all messy and out of place. Gathering his nerve, Dick takes a deep breath before speaking in a slightly unsteady tone.
“Hey Roy? I uh...had an interesting conversation with Lian and Mrs. Johnson today.” He runs a hand along the back of the couch, eyes fixed on his best friend. "Something tells me you might have been...talking about me a bit...recently?"
Roy chokes on the sip of beer he just took. “Dick, I can explain!” he splutters, face burning crimson.
Dick can't help but laugh at Roy's reaction, nerves flying away, though he's far from calm himself. “Save it, Harper. Seems your little girl can't keep secrets.”
He steps closer, voice lowering further as he peers into Roy's mortified expression. "Guess your nighttime thoughts about my smile and eyes slipped out. Care to tell me more about those?"
"W-well, you do have a gorgeous smile and beautiful eyes,” Roy replies, still red in the face.
"Look, Dick - I know I've been… I've wanted you for so long, Dick." Roy confesses. “I’ve been scared as hell - to admit it to you, to admit it to myself, scared to mess it up. But I love you."
He says it with such conviction that it takes Dick's breath away.
The silence that follows hangs thickly in the air, punctuated only by the soft thudding of Dick's racing heart. His eyes are glued to Roy's, trying to process the depth of emotion behind his words.
"Roy..." His voice comes out barely above a whisper. "You don't know how long I've waited to hear you say that."
Roy instantly comes alive when he hears the words come out of Dick’s mouth, closing the distance between them. He brings a hand behind Dick’s head and crashes their lips together.
Their first kiss is everything they've imagined and more - tender yet intense, slow yet full of promise. They both feel it - the spark, the rightness of it. Roy runs his hands through Dick's hair as he deepens the kiss, pulling him closer until there's no space between them. Dick wraps his arms around Roy's neck, getting lost in the feeling of finally letting himself fall.
“Dick, having you in Lian's life has been a godsend. I don't know what I'd do without you..." he says, taking a breath, voice thick with emotion.
"I think about what it would be like to wake up next to you every morning...to fall asleep beside you at night." He glances back up at Dick, his eyes searching his face. "I want you, Dick. In every way.”
“Roy...I..." He pauses, trying to gather his thoughts and calm his fluttering nerves. "I want that too… Being there for Lian...being with you..." He trails off, a small, almost helpless smile playing on his lips. "It's everything. It makes me so happy. You make me so happy."
When they finally break for air, Roy whispers, "I love you," again, his voice thick with emotion. Dick just smiles, brushing away a stray tear before leaning in for another kiss, hungry for more.
"Love you too," he murmurs against Roy's lips. "So much."
Roy pulls Dick into his lap – any space between them just feels like too much right now. Dick lets out a surprised gasp that quickly turns into a contented hum. He winds his arms around Roy's waist, eager now to explore.
"Mmm, you feel so good," Dick purrs, his fingers trailing lightly over Roy's chest as he presses another searing kiss against Roy’s lips.
Roy chuckles lowly. “Damn, Dick… you’re so close to making me lose control right here on the couch." His hands roam down Dick's ass, gripping him tighter.
"Is that a challenge?" Dick grins playfully, nipping at Roy's bottom lip. "Because I love a good challenge."
His own hands drift lower, fingers dancing along the waistband of Roy's pants.
“You're gonna be the death of me,” Roy whispers. There’s nothing he wants more than to take Dick apart, touch by touch, everything he’s always wanted but never had the courage to do. “I can’t believe how long it’s taken me to do this.”
“Shut up and fuck me,” Dick says, grinning between kisses.
Roy takes him to his room, Dick’s legs wrapped around his waist. He does exactly that. And Lian gets a lovely surprise a week later, screeching with glee, when they announce that they’re together together. And Dick can make her as many pancakes as she wants– as long as she eats her vegetables too.