"You are so beautiful."

It slips out, and though he means it, he gets a suspicious look in return.

"What makes you say that?" Cleo asks. She turns back to the setting sun on the horizon.

"I'm an honest guy."

He sees her smirk, but she continues to stare out the car window.

Cleo had left Sunset City earlier than promised when she came to live with Dick in Gotham. To pay for it, she is visiting a day earlier, with only her parents knowing. If her siblings had known he's sure she would have been suffocated- death by nine hugs -the moment they got off the plane.

"Bet you can't wait to get back in the water."

She nods, "As much as I have come to love our pool, I'm a beach baby." 

"You love your pool?" A bewildered Mai, who is driving, suddenly interrupts."You?"  Both Cleo and Dick understand. One of the many things she had complained about was trading the salt for chlorine.

Annoyed by the input, Cleo glares at her in the rear view mirror. As much as she missed her fake bodyguard, alone time with Dick had become something so well loved that she would fight for it.

Instantly a plan comes to mind. She reaches up and slides her hand over Dick's cheek. They were already sitting so close they had looked squashed, but she pulls him further in and speaks lowly, just loud enough that Mai can hear.

"Well, I love our pool for other reasons. So many uses." 

Dick is enraptured immediately, lovesick, hypnotised and held still by those purple eyes. The sultry stare moves back to Mai in the mirror. 

"Hey, can I borrow your car while we're here?"

"Never." 

"Why not?" She frowns, "Hallow and Gordon are using my Rover because they totalled the Prius dad bought them." Cleo suddenly plants her hands on Dick's chest and shoves him down onto his back. 

He goes with a curious laugh, head just missing the door on the other side.

"And look! He fits perfectly."

"Stop that!"

"Never," Cleo mocks, before leaning over her husband. Dick smiles at her and runs his thumb over her cheek. Cleo smiles back and her hand over his.

"This is why I hid my Gotham car before I left!"

"And we're gonna find it and ruin it when we get back."

Mai doesn't say anything, so Cleo kisses Dick loudly as a final blow. She finds that it settles her nerves a little bit. She's never scared to see her family, but knowing the shambles the company is in, as well as the shift in her relationship with Dick, the reunion is unpredictable. Only guesses can be made.

Her mother will be overjoyed, but smug in an 'I told you so' way. Alan will likely reap the benefits. The kids will have mixed feelings, possibly negative. Other than Hallow, they were not particularly fond of the Waynes.

It's fine though- it's disgusting in her opinion but she is ready for absolutely anything with this man.

She'll just have to ease her family into their relationship slowly. 

Suddenly, the car door their heads are pressed against swings open to the sounds of multiple young voices screaming, "CLEO!", just as the vehicle slows to a stop.

The kissing couple are snapped from their heaven, both looking up to find the entirety of the Perich siblings standing there. The youngers are crowded in the forefront, with the older twins, Ethan, Fantasia and Demitri at the back. All are frozen and silent, staring at their eldest sister on top of a very flustered looking Dick Grayson.

"Uh-" Cleo starts.

"Ew!" Logan, Jeremy and Klover shriek before the latter slams the door shut again. Cleo moves but Dick doesn't have time to and the interior smacks him on the head.

"Ow!"

"You fucking asshole!" Cleo reaches around the driver's seat for Mai, who opens her own door and tumbles out after switching the car off. "I'm so gonna ruin this fucking car!"

In the next second Brittany appears at the door and opens it again with the children running away behind her, a champagne glass in her hand.

"Welcome home dear," she smiles, leaning down into the sedan where her daughter remains seated on her son-in-law's stomach. "Seafood for dinner?"

"Maman," Cleo snaps, unfazed by her position, "Why did you tell them before we arrived? I wanted to surprise them!"

"As if it's my fault you two were smooching back there?" Brittany shrugs, "If you must know, they were suspicious of your father being home so early."

Cleo rolls her eyes, slaps her hands on Dick's chest and dismounts him smoothly. She gets out of the car and ends up in her mother's arms immediately.

"I missed you my baby," the woman coos. Cleo is far taller than her, but it doesn't stop Brittany from pinning her daughter's head to her shoulder. Cleo doesn't notice, too busy glaring and flipping off Mai as she takes the luggage from the trunk with a smirk. "Every day I look out onto the surf and think about you."

A warmth blooms in Cleo's chest. She stiffly returns the hug, happy, only to Dick's trained eye.

When she steps back, the Perich Matriarch turns her eyes on Dick, who suddenly remembers the position he's in. He sits up quick-smart and gets out on the other side. The garage is full of expensive cars, likely belonging to the older siblings.

"Lovely to see you Dick," Brittany greets warmly, meeting him at the back of the car with open arms. Dick puts on his best charm and hugs her.

"You too. Sorry about before... We didn't realise how close to the house we were," he smiles sincerely, "Hope we didn't scar them."

Brittany waves it off, "Don't worry, I understand. Alan and I were all over each other when we were your age."

"Mom!" Cleo shrieks in disgust, followed by a gagging noise. Dick just laughs.

"Come now! Our new chef has prepared a beautiful meal."

The pink-clad woman leads the two through the front door. Cleo admires her surroundings and how they have hardly changed. As little as she cares for her family's material possessions, home feels comfortable and relieving.

Even if this isn't home anymore. 

"Wait, what happened to the old chef? Michales?" She asks as they head through the hall.

Brittany hums as if she can't quite remember, "He quit suddenly by email, haven't seen him since."

"I see," Cleo murmurs. Dick catches the disappointment and thinks of the server on the plane. Staff stick to the family even if they don't communicate much.

Still, he remembers her distinctly saying, 'If we ever need time off or are unhappy, Mrs Perich is happy to hear it and to help.' Strange that she cares little for the chef.

They arrive in the pretty lounge room Dick remembers from his first time here. The Perich beach mansion is everything Wayne Manor is, made modern. Over-sized, extravagant, but it lacks the regality of the manor. With no better word, tacky. 

As he observes a sofa which looks as if it has been unused since it's purchase, three young sets of eyes peer over the backing.

Dick smiles at Logan, Klover and Jeremy. They quickly duck back down again.

"Little shits," Cleo says loudly.

Brittany yells Language! from wherever in the house she has disappeared to.

"Guess you didn't miss me huh?"

Logan pops up immediately, "I did!"

Then Klover, "Me too!" Her eyes turn on Dick and she glowers, "Not him though."

Dick feels a spark of pain at that and quickly darts his eyes to Cleo. She stares back at him, at his sympathetic smile, deciding on what to do.

"Too bad," she says it quickly as she takes his hand, leaving behind the gawking children for the dining room. Instead of an empty place where they can re-group, Demitri, Ethan and Fantasia stand at the opposite end of the gigantic table. This is the confrontation Dick feared the most.

It's silent for a few awkward seconds. Cleo is about to unkindly tell them to go away when Fantasia speaks.

"Why bring him?" She gestures to Dick.

Cleo moves slightly, just in front of him as if intending to protect. Dick smiles internally and squeezes her hand.

"Why wouldn't I?"

"Because he's your fake husband?" Demitri says like it's the most obvious thing in the world.

"Didn't seem fake when she was on top of him," Ethan murmurs, though he looks significantly less offended than the others. Cleo doesn't know what to say to any of them because it might confirm her plans to remain with Dick in Gotham after the contract is up.  

Alan suddenly enters, drawing all of the negativity to himself as he buttons his cuff links, looking exhausted.

"This is your fault," Fantasia snaps accusingly.

It takes their father a moment to realise he is the target. He looks up blearily at the three first, before his eyes dart over to his visiting daughter.

"Cleo!" He smiles, demeanour changing immediately. She observes him intensely as he comes towards her. Deep dark bags beneath his eyes, red veiny eyeballs, greying skin- and he looks thinner than usual.

Unhealthy is her first thought, followed by sad. 

"Hey dad," she surprises herself when she says it and shocks the entire room when she hugs him back. Alan looks happy, like it's the first hug she's given him in years. In fact, it probably is. She has to let go of Dick's hand for a moment, but immediately returns to the hold (mostly to spite her brothers and sister).

"Richard," Alan holds out his hand. He doesn't put up any fake façades like he did when Bruce was there.

"Call me Dick." He shakes Alan's hand back, right as Fantasia and Demitri snigger at the nickname. 

"Your names are literally Demitri and Fantasia. Shut the fuck up."

Cleo's words wipe the smiles off their faces. The fear of their older sister sets in.

Brittany reappears with Hallow and Gordon shuffling in behind her. They look as shadowy as the others and regard Dick with disgust. Cleo squeezes his hand and flips them off. Dick wishes he could kiss her.

While he's not one to brag, he considers himself very likeable. He's faced this adversity in a mask, maybe, but he's never felt like an entire room of people hate him.

"Dinner is served," Brittany smiles, acting oblivious to the tension in the room. Cleo gestures to Dick to sit at the corner. Alan sits at that same end with Brittany at the other. 

Dimitri seems to rush to sit across from Dick, who continues to focus on Cleo instead of his in-laws' teasing. Once everyone is seated, Ignatier is the last to enter. She wraps her arms around Cleo's neck in a hug, looking to be the only one unfazed by the events. Cleo squeezes her arms affectionately.

She takes the empty seat between the oldest and Jeremy.

On cue, the house staff start bringing the dishes out on big silver platters. Lobster, crab, fish, different salads, a few smaller dishes. The absolute works.

As soon as everything is down and they are given the all clear to start, the chaos reigns.

"So, Dick," Demitri begins. Cleo's hands squeeze the chair so tight that it cracks. Dick pretends not to notice her strength but still puts his hand on hers. "How's that redhead friend of yours? You know, the one who had to be written into the contract?"

Cleo curses, "Were you this much of an asshole before I left?"

"That's enough Dem," Ethan mumbles.

"No," Fantasia cuts in. She stares at Dick directly, "Are you cheating on her with Cleo?"

"Excuse me," Brittany snaps at her.

"Your name is a penis!" Logan suddenly yells, like he can't contain it. Klover and Jeremy giggle. Rage flows through Cleo knowing how important Dick's name is to him. His parents chose it for a reason.

"You shut the fuck up too," Cleo snaps at the three of them.

Logan looks hurt immediately, the entire table stunned (not into silence).

"See, he's changed you!" Jeremy and Klover chime together.

Gordon and Hallow do the same, "Or Gotham has. Also, are you cheating on Cleo with the red head?"

"Her name is Barbara," Fantasia states.

"Ew."

"Old grandma Barb."

"Hey remember when he bought you the wrong ring?" Hallow brings up. The siblings- excluding Ethan and Ignatier -recite a collective oh yeah! 

"Remember when you told me he stayed on his phone the whole first date? Or when he abandoned you on your goddamn Honeymoon?" Demitri continues. 

Cleo and Dick are equally flustered and frustrated.

"It was just an arrangement back then," Cleo grits her teeth, barely containing her rage. Before, her relationship with Dick had felt so progressive, such a good thing she thought she'd never get to experience.

"'Back then'? What is it now then?" Gordon frowns.

"Are you pregnant?" Asks Fantasia, causing the three youngest to gag. 

"Children that's enough!" Brittany shouts.

"No it's not," Fantasia laughs.

"Dad sells you off like a prized hog and you just settle?" Demitri keeps it going.

"That ugly ass wedding and a signed contract. Hot start to a relationship."

"Now you just sound fucking stupid."

"What did you expect? We were excited to see you- the real you. Where the fuck did our sister go?"

The chair breaks in Cleo's hand, finally, "Don't know asshole but I can tell you were she's never coming back!"

"Oh you think it's gonna go down like that?" Hallow laughs.

Gordon adds, "You and this pretty girl riding off into the shit-stained Gotham sunset?"

"Oh I know it's going down like that, ass-hat. I only came here to get the rest of my shit 'cause even after the contract I'm not coming back!"

The first beat of silence enters the room as everyone processes the information.

"What?" Demitri glares. 

"You're going to live in Gotham!?" Hallow and Gordon yell together.

"When in the fuck did you turn on me? Before you couldn't wait for me to be on him like you were on his brother!" Cleo shifts her focus to Hallow.

"That was before I heard him and Tim talking. You know they looked up your dead ex, right? Got all the deets-" 

"Big fucking deal! When we found out about Barbara you had her social security on-hand straight away!" 

"Wait, are you really moving to Gotham?" Ethan finally speaks.

"You bet your ass I am."

"Why?" Klover asks, stuck between being sad and angry.

"Isn't it obvious Klo?" Gordon grunts at her. 

"Jumping ship before the family goes down with the company?"

"Hallow," Brittany warns.

"I suppose she did without us for four years, couldn't wait to get away again," Demitri says nastily.

Fantasia fires the final blow, "Or maybe she's happy to have finally replaced that Jack guy from-"

Cleo jumps to her feet and slams her hands down on the table, the force knocking over every glass and jolting each platter.

"Actually it's because I love him you assholes!" 

The entire room freezes. Dick drops his head, eyes widening. The anger, pain and remorse fades for happiness as his heart bursts from the confession.

She loves him. 

"I'm so sorry you want the angry, lonely me from before! So sorry I found someone who makes me happy!" She glances over her shoulder, "Mai! We're leaving!" 

"Wait, Cleo-" Alan starts.

"As for you," his daughter turns on him viciously, "I've been preparing to fix your fuck-up in that city this entire time. I don't know what you're up to, dad, but I'm gonna find out."

Fear sparks in Alan's eyes. Dick quickly gets to his feet and gently leads Cleo away from her seat so he can push their's in. She looks over the room again, at each of their varying faces, before he's forced to watch as she starts to break down.

She speaks in a low, pained voice, "I love every single one of you. That's why I thought you'd understand." She points at Fantasia who also looks like she's about to fall apart, "And for you to use Jack to try and make some bullshit point is so fucking low. Sometimes you guys are all I can think about. I know you think you care, but if you did, you'd just accept this for what it is."

Their oldest sister turns away abruptly, grabs Dick's hand and drags him out. He can see her shoulders shaking.

"Enjoy life without me assholes!"

No one says anything.

Mai has the car going already. It's dark, but Dick gets ahead of her to open the door. Cleo doesn't say anything. She slides to the middle and buckles up, still obscuring her face with her hair. Dick gets in next to her and the interior light shuts off when he closes the door.

As soon as Mai pulls out, he gets his arm around her and pulls her against him. She hides her face in his shirt but he knows she's crying.

They mean everything to her.

Speaking of they, he looks out the back window to see Ethan, Hallow, Gordon, Ignatier and the younger three running to the end of the driveway, only to miss their opportunity as Mai speeds off. Dick has a feeling she did it to protect pride as she weeps into his chest.

He himself feels dejected. He loves her, so he hoped they'd at least like him. 

Then, as if remembering, he brushes her hair back away from her ear and responds to her confessions softly.

"I love you too."