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Beside Bruce, Dick walked with a strut that was a perfect mix of confidence and charm. His eyes sparkled with mischief as he searched the gala, leaning against a smooth marble railing and sighing.
“Behave. Me and Stark are on good terms. Don’t change that,” Bruce chastised, wiggling his finger in dicks face.
Dick smirked and leaned away, stretching his arms behind his head. “Relax, Brucie-bear. I won’t do anything too bad.”
Bruce sighed, eyebrows raised in defeat.
Dick’s eyes suddenly narrowed. There was Tony Stark. One of Bruce’s close friends, yet Dick had never got the chance to meet him… and beside him…
“Who's that?” Dick questioned, swerving to Bruce. He pointed to the boy, who was now smiling as Tony guided him around.
Bruce stepped beside Dick and watched the figures below. “That is Peter Parker, Stark’s intern.”
Dick grinned, but Bruce stopped him in his tracks, placing a hand on his shoulder.
“He’s off-limits. He’s important to Tony, and he would get pissed if you tried something with the kid. I don’t want you fooling around and-“
“Aw, don’t worry. There’s no fooling around here!” Dick shrugged, his nonchalant ease fading as excitement sprung into his eyes. “I’m just going to introduce myself, you know?”
“Be civil.”
Dick strolled down the steps, his eyes still locked on the boy that looked only a tad younger than him.
Peter had a couple adorable freckles, a young face and styled light chestnut hair. Dick’s heart jumped.
Dick waited. He stood beside a man carrying champagne flutes on a tray, grabbed two, and as Stark left, carefully made his stride over to Peter.
Almost as if he could sense him, Peter whirled around to the dashing face of Dick Grayson.
“Hi,” Dick said with an easygoing grin. He stuck his hand out. “Dick Grayson.”
Peter took his hand, eyes clicking in recognition, and Dick was embraced by a strong grip and callused fingertips. “Peter Parker.” Peter replied, meeting Dick’s eyes. “What can I help you with?”
“Right,” Dick spoke, holding out one of the champagne flutes. “Share a drink?”
Peter eyed him, as if deciding if he was trustworthy or not. “Well, Mr. Grayson,” Peter said, the corners of his mouth twitched up. “I’m not old enough to drink. But Mr. Stark would be mad if I put champagne to waste. Cheers.”
They clinked their glasses, eyes studying eachother.
“Care to dance?” Dick asked, offering his hand.
With a small amused shake of his head, Peter took Dick’s fingers in his own, being pulled close to Dick’s chest.
“So,” Dick said, looking away, then back. “Where you from?” He asked, swaying Peter back and forth.
Peter snorted. Adorable. “Queens, it’s pretty nice. You?”
“Bludhaven. I like it in New York, though.” Dick spoke casually. He took a small breath, eyes shining in determination. “You got a partner?”
Peter’s eyes flicked up in surprise, long, neat eyelashes nearly touching his brow. “No. Not right now, why? You got something to ask me?” He questioned playfully, letting Dick’s hands guide him through the dance.
“I don’t see a ring on your hand,” Dick pointed out smugly. “Think I can get a kiss by the end of the night?”
“Maybe,” Peter smiled, hazy eyes warm and easy to get lost in, chocolate waterfalls with highlights of gold. “The odds aren’t looking great, Grayson.”
“Game on.” Dick promised, watching Peter Parker walk off to talk to other guests, their moment broken.
“That was pathetic,” Jason’s voice quipped from Dick’s side.
Dick’s neck practically did a 360. “What?”
“Stark’s intern? Really?” Jason asked, sighing. “The one that Bruce said not to go after?”
“Well- I mean-“ Dick stammered. “C’mon Jason, look at him! He’s the prettiest boy here!” Dick swooned.
“Oh my god,” Jason mumbled. “You’re going to get killed.”
“A risk I’m willing to take.” Dick affirmed.
The next hour was a game of cat and mouse, Dick following Peter from a distance, observing him while casually speaking to others. He learned quite a few things.
One, Peter always helped others. Every time someone dropped something, or they needed directions, or a refill- he was there. And Dick really liked that. He liked that the boy was everything Dick felt as if he was not. Only problem was…
Peter was really hard to get his hands on.
Dick would walk past, close to Peter, starting to speak, then he’d be grabbed away by another fancy scientist that had heard of his studies. And Peter would always smile, flush a little bit, and go into depth.
God, Peter was smart.
Finally, Dick managed to get Peter alone, standing beside the bar. “I saw you helping everyone,” Dick nodded. “You’re really sweet,”
“Not all sweet.” Peter grinned, sharp canines poking out. “Just gotta get to know me.”
Dick pointed at Peter’s sharp canines, moving forward and brushing over the tooth. He smiled. “Look, you’ve got little vampire teeth. Cute.”
Peter grinned. “So do you.” He pointed at Dick’s own sharp, almost canine-like teeth.
“That’s adorable.” Dick grinned, reaching over and gently nudging Peter’s jaw, upward with two fingers, until he was eye to eye with Dick. He was strangely docile. “Do you always let people.. handle you?”
Peter laughed, a sweet sound that Dick had grown fond of. His hand gently rested on Dick’s wrist, bringing his hand down away from his face. “Trust me. I would know if you were going to try something,”
“I like that. Strong intuition.” Dick shrugged, looking down at the shorter boy. He looked up, eyes still the same chocolate mahogany pretty they’d been the whole night. “This is becoming a problem,” Dick admitted with a sigh, biting his lip.
Peter tilted his head like a puppy. “Why?”
“Cause’ I intended to walk over here and disobey my dad and flirt with Stark’s cute intern...”
Peter smiled. “And?”
Dick laughed softly. “He’s actually really gorgeous. And charming.”
“Wow, I’m flattered,” Peter droned, trying to play sarcastic but the flush that creeped up his neck gave him away.
Dick whistled, resting his hand on Peter’s waist and lowering his voice. “And… You sure you won’t kiss me?”
Peter smiled slyly. “Would you still respect me if I did?” He asked, straightening Dick’s tie. The touch electrified an urge in Dick’s brain.
”Yes, of course I’d respect you. I want you on my team.” Dick declared, clearing his throat and searching hungrily over the other.
“So does everybody else.” Peter replied, cool and amused. He winked and stepped back.
Dick reluctantly let go of his waist, sighing contently. “Don’t leave me for too long.”
“Can’t make any promises.”
It was only a little bit later when Dick accidentally bumped into Tony Stark.
“Ah, Richard Grayson! Pleasure to meet you, finally.” He spoke, an unfamilar tone lacing his words. “I’m quite familiar with Bruce, as you know, but I’ve never really got the chance to meet the rest of the… batfamily,” he decided, a charismatic smile splayed on his face.
Dick could understand why the man was so popular.
“Pleasure to meet you, sir,” Dick smiled respectfully, shaking hands with tony. But his eyes were searching behind Tony’s head and locked on Peter.
Tony turned around slowly, understanding creeping into his eyes. “So,” he said, shrugging. “You taken interest in Peter?”
“Uh- I mean-“ dick paused, taking a breath. “Yeah, I think so. He’s really pretty- I mean, smart and sweet.”
“Yes. He’s a very, very good kid. In fact, I consider him my own kid.” Tony got closer, quieter. “Now listen. I’ve seen you two tonight. The only reason I’ve let it happen is because Peter doesn’t look uncomfortable.”
Dick felt a small burst of pride.
“But,” Tony continued. “The second he does- you’re out. Peter trusts people too easily,” Tony adjusted his watch. “If you hurt him… you’ll have a very angry Avengers team after you.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” Dick swallowed, nodding nervously at Tony. “I would be the stupidest man on earth to hurt him.”
“You would.” Tony agreed, eyes searching and calm. He clapped his hands. “Right. Off you go, little acrobat! Fetch your dad for me when you can.” He waved his hand, turning with a smile to discuss with other business partners.
—-
Dick didn’t fetch Bruce. However, he found Peter sipping water, leaning against the cool stone of the wall. Peter’s eyes landed on Dick approaching, amusement clouding his vision. “Couldn’t get enough?” He asked, his lips twitching upwards.
“Nope,” Dick grinned. His eyes tracked Peter’s suit, from the fabric to the brand, to the way it sat perfectly on his lean frame.
“Well, what’s your angle?” Peter asked, allowing dick’s hand to rest on his waist. They swayed lightly to the faint music in the background.
“Wait,” Dick paused, his teeth white and shining. “I don’t mean no harm.” He leaned in close. “But I can see you with my T-shirt on.”
“I can see you with nothing on,” Peter immediately responded, matching Dick’s tone, his eyes narrowed with a sultry look.
Dick grinned, “I’m a freak, you shouldn’t say those things.”
Peter scoffed, rolling his eyes dramatically and smirking once again, his fingers tracing lightly on Dick’s clothed shoulder. “I’m only trying to get inside of your brain,”
“Already are.”
“I already am?” Peter raised an eyebrow, pushing him further.
“You’re teasing me,” Dick huffed. “You know what I want.”
“Eh, do you? What do you want?” Peter asks innocently, his lips cracking into a smile.
“You to kiss me? C’mon, I got what you need.”
Peter chuckled, stepping onto Dick’s fancy black shoes. “I admire the determination,” he purred, grabbing onto Dick’s tie and tugging him downwards. He hesitated.
Dick cupped Peter’s cheek and moved forward, meeting the boy in the middle.
Peter didn’t let him have too much. After a second of the passionate, sweet kiss they shared, Dick wanted more. Peter stepped off his shoes.
“Ah, not yet.” Peter teased playfully, “I don’t make the rules,”
“Whaaaat.” Dick groaned.
“You forget, I still need to work this party. Come find me after.” Peter winked, clearly enjoying the torture he put dick through. He pulled out a small notecard with his phone number and held it out, his eyebrows raised as he waited for dick to take it.
Dick snatched the card and before Peter could move again, pulled him into one more kiss.
A voice sounded down the hallway. “Dick-“ Jason turned around the corner, his face scrunching up as he saw the scene. Peter glanced out the side of his eye. He pulled off.
Peter wiped his mouth, holding eye contact with Dick. “We don’t have to play games anymore.” He smirked, walking off. “Text me.”
When Peter walked off, dick immediately grabbed his phone.
“You lasted like 10 seconds without him,”Jason sighed.
Dick doesn’t even look up as he punches the digits in. “Shut up.”
“So we’re making out with Spider-Man now?” Jason asked causally, leaning beside him.
Dick whirled his head around. “What? He- Peter- what?!”
Jason laughed and patted his shoulder. “You’re dense.”
Dick grinned. “Well damn! Not like I’m complaining.”
“Oh my god.” Jason face-palmed.
“What? He’s smart, cute, and he kissed me!”