-Dick's POV-

Barbara walked out of the closet, spinning around slowly. Her blue dress flowed around her heels. I yawned and nodded my bored amazement.

"Dick, I asked for your help!" She slapped my arm as my eyes started to close. I had been sitting on the bed for almost an hour, waiting and judging her every outfit. Everything looked the same to me. Barbara was gorgeous in whatever she wore.

"Barbs, that one is perfectly fine. Why do you care about it so much?" I asked. Standing in front of the mirror, she smoothed out her dress so it gripped at her body but fanned out at the bottom.

Barbara turned around with her hands on her hips. "This is the GCPD office party. I've been going every year since I was six. And there are going to be a lot of important people there," She placed a string of gray pearls around her delicate neck, "I have to dress to the nines."

I shrugged and stood up, stretching my muscles. The more I stared at my girlfriend, the harder it was to tear my eyes away. Barbara was a pretty girl. Anytime we went out, guys flirted with her, sometimes while I was standing there. Thinking of all the young police officers that were going to attend the party, I reached for Barbara's hand, "Are you sure you don't want me to go with you?"

She chuckled. "The only person even remotely near my age is Lucas Fox. You jealous of Lucius's son?"

A memory of meeting the kid came to mind. He was only about a year younger than me, but he was taller and bigger. He had perfectly tanned skin and I remembered how cool he looked in his glasses. "I can go get dressed right now," I grumbled.

"Shhh," Barbara pressed her cherry lips to my stubbly chin, "Go hang out with your friends. I'll be fine."

I bit my lip as Barbara left. I called up Wally, trying to distract myself from Lucas Fox and my girlfriend waltzing around the GCPD together.

"Hello?" Wally answered. I could hear Artemis and Bart arguing in the back as Barry laughed.

"Family dinner?" I laughed as the noise got louder and louder.

"Every Saturday since I got back," Wally sighed. I heard him shuffle around as the background quieted down. "What's up?"

"I'm bored. Wanna have a guys' night? It's been awhile," I snuggled the phone between my ear and shoulder as I pulled on a pair of jeans.

"Guys' night? I wanna go!" Bart swiped the phone. I wheezed with laughter as I heard the struggle as Wally chased after Bart. Bart giggled into the receiver the whole time.

"Give it back Barto!" Wally shouted. The nickname was one Wally and I came up with to tease Bart when he first showed up. Every time we called him 'Barto' he would chase us both around, screaming at us.

Eventually, Wally got the phone back and managed to shoo Barto away. "So, are you down?"

"Yeah. I'll be over in no time. Are you inviting all the guys?" Wally asked.

I went through my closet and grabbed a t-shirt. "Of course bro."

"Great. Where we going?"

"Hmm...a new bar just opened up down the street from me," I said, looking out the window, "It's a pretty chill club."

"Don't tell Artemis we're going to a club, she would legit--"

"You're going to a club!?" I heard Artemis in the back. Wally quickly tried to explain himself. I always loved their relationship. Artemis was viciously jealous and Wally was possessive over her. Even with that in mind, they still made it work. And Wally had already dropped the bomb to me that he was planning on proposing.

After a while of arguing and laughing in the back, I hung up and called the other guys. They definitely weren't as exciting as Wally. I styled my hair and prepared for a night out as Dick Grayson, Bruce Wayne's younger ward. Being famous in Gotham had it's ups and downs. For one, everyone was so nice all the time. But, they also expected me to be a specific way. If I acted out of the way they thought I was, I would be talked about everywhere.

I arrived at the club and took a scan of the bar. Wally -- in his flannel and jeans -- was cracking jokes with another familiar face. Guardian was dressed a bit more formal, with a button down shirt, black suit pants, and nice shoes. Superboy was chatting with another red head. Connor was wearing a Superman t shirt with ripped jeans and a leather jacket. He had a pair of round glasses on. I guess M'gann had convinced him to wear them after all.

Roy leaned back in his chair, sipping a drink and talking to Connor. He looked like a hot mess. With one look, he seemed to be messy. But, then you realize that he was actually very stylish. It was the first time I saw him at a club where he wasn't winking at girls who passed by. I guess Donna had convinced him to stop doing that. My boy was whipped. Literally.

"Brother," A strong hand grasped my shoulder, "it is good to see you." I met Aqualad's tanned face as he smiled. He had a suit on, but still managed to look casual in it.

"Kaldur!" I pulled him in for a quick hug and patted his shoulder. "How has Atlantis been? I heard you took a break to lead while Aquaman was gone."

He grinned even wider and bowed his head gently. "Indeed. It has been a challenge, but one I enjoy. I see you're back in Gotham," he noted, his eyes darting around the bar.

"Uh, yeah. I'm following a new villain: The Red Hood."

"I heard of him on the news."

"He's a slippery one," I chuckled, "let's join the others. Looks like they're starting pool without us!"

Kaldur and I joined our group. The boys almost all had their designated drinks as they crowded around a pool table. Roy and Wally were already trash talking. It was a normal occurrence at that point. The two gingers of our group loved to compete to earn the ultimate title of 'Best Red Head.'

"Kaldur, you're on my team," Wally grabbed Kaldur's arm and tugged him over to his side of the table.

"Then I get Connor," Roy smirked, leaning on Superboy's gigantic shoulder. The group was split up and the game started.

The game evolved from an innocent competition to a full on betting war. After Roy-the-Gambler won all our cash, we transitioned into drinking games. For every shot missed, you had to take a shot of tequila without a chaser. My throat burned, but I wasn't too drunk.

"Get in there, Grayson!" Roy shouted, shoving me forward. I missed and was immediately handed a shot glass. The bartender had shrugged us off hours ago and just left the bottle on the felt table. After all, there were two well-known playboys at the table.

Eventually, the game came to an end with Roy's winning shot. He took a large swig of tequila to celebrate and downed the entire bottle. Wally, who was equally as tipsy, stabbed Roy in the stomach with his stick and scattered the balls across the table. The two got in each other's face for a very tense moment before eventually hugging it out and melting into laughter.

We hit the dance floor next. At that point, even the responsible ones were reaching the legal limit. Kaldur danced like a professional, even break dancing. Connor flexed in front of fawning girls, but turned them down anytime they tried anything. Roy and Wally were inseparable, but still managed to make dancing a competition. They even had a bet that they could get more numbers despite the fact that they were both in relationships.

Guardian had to leave early after forgetting he was meeting his girlfriend's parents in the morning. We waved him out and continued on with our night.

I was the most sober through most of the night. I was only a little tipsy and dizzy. I was still having fun just watching my friends stumble around. I chatted with some girls about completely clean things. However, they almost always left me alone when I told them I had a girlfriend.

Somewhere after midnight, I pulled out my phone and called Barbara.

"Hey Dick. You alright?" She answered after a few rings.

"Yeah, we're just at a club and I'm kinda missing you," I admitted, blushing slightly, "how's the party?"

I could hear her smile. "It was really nice. My dad and Lucius offered to take us out to get dinner."

"Who's us?"

"Lucas and I," I gripped the phone, "Don't go getting jealous. We've just been talking about the future of Wayne Enterprises and technology. Does that sound fun?"

I sighed and couldn't hide my slight giggle. "You're right. How is he gonna get in your pants when he won't stop talking about micro computers?"

"Exactly," Barbara laughed, "see you at the apartment?"

I looked to my left just as Wally and Roy collapsed onto the floor. "Probably sooner rather than later."

I hung up and rejoined my group. Kaldur and Connor had each of the boys propped up against them as we all walked out. I payed the long bill and put the two crazy gingers into a cab.

A reporter came out of no where and pushed a microphone into my face. I backpedaled into Connor, knocking him almost over.

"Did you hear that Victoria Smith is back? How do you feel about her return? Is there something going on between you again?" The girl asked quickly and excitedly. I let my jaw hang for a few seconds, shocked by the question.

"Uh...cool, I guess?" I felt my face get red as I panicked.

"That doesn't answer anything!"

Kaldur stepped in and put his hand out like a body guard. Even drunk, he was responsible. "We're just trying to get home."

Connor stumbled through the zeta portal. Kaldur stopped me before he went in. "Are you okay, Dick?"

I met his eyes. They were foggy and struggling to focus. I grinned at his obvious drunkenness. "Of course. Get home safe."

I called my own cab. The whole drive, I kept thinking about the questions.

Did you hear that Victoria Smith was back? Of course I had heard that Victoria Smith was back, of course, but I had never really been asked about it. When she left, everyone just assumed we broke up.

How did I feel about her return? Well, that was harder to answer. I had been mad at her before, but this time, I wasn't mad at her. I was mad at myself mostly. I didn't resent her as much as I had when she first left. I just kind of...lived with her. It was less of a connection. It was the strangest feeling. It was like she was a stranger to me. I didn't feel strongly about her either way. I hadn't decided if I was mad or happy that she was back.

Is there something going on between us? I didn't think so. I felt that that part of my life was over. I actually hadn't seen her in a while. The last time I saw her was when we were on patrol with Bruce together. I hadn't really noticed our lack of contact. I had Barbara and Red Hood as a distraction. Athena wasn't my main priority.

I knew that was probably due to the lack of contact. Over the last two years, I had gotten so accommodated to being without her that it had become normal. Every time I came in contact with her, I lost my own sense of self. All my usual contained emotions became uncontrollable and I felt things in huge dosages.

It was best to keep her at arms length. Barbara was such a painkiller. Athena was a drug. I was sure that I didn't feel anything for her anymore. I was sure that I could control my emotions when I saw her, but how could I know? It was best not to risk it.

That lack of confidence in my own will was what really made me mad. Why wasn't I sure?

~~~~~~~~Summer is almost here you guys! It's going to be so mint this year! I can't wait. I want to finish this book before school starts and I think I can do it tbh. I will try my best!~~~~~