AN: Alternate Universe, no superheroes. I know everyone hates them, feel free to skip. Special thanks to my buddy Arina for the prompt.
Dick glanced at the speedometer, making sure he wasn't over the limit. Bruce might confiscate his license if he got a ticket. The dashboard clock read 11:02. Nearly an hour before curfew. He could've stayed at Roy's longer, but he was feeling restless. He'd have preferred his motorcycle, but Bruce said he could drive it during the day. As soon as the sun set, he was confined to the Mustang.
He was out of the city proper now, heading into the upscale suburbs. There was a long stretch of uninhabited roads and empty fields between the two clumps of civilization, the only light the moon, scattered stars, and Dick's head lights. He was on Hemlock when he spotted movement up ahead. Someone was walking alone, in the dark. "What the hell…" Whoever it was, they were wearing a uniform jacket that matched the one from his school. As he got closer, he could make out a mop of black curls.
Dick pulled up next to the walker, slowed to a crawl, and rolled down the window. "Hello?" Xavier Maxwell peered in through the window.
"Hey rich boy."
"What are you doing out here Maxwell?"
"The cheer-squad was hanging out at Kitten Walker's house."
"You, live around here?"
"At the Brandimore place. My dad's their head of security, we live in their guest house." He pointed North, into the dark.
"The Brandimore place? They're on Crown Court, that's more than an hour walk."
"So?"
"So?! So, it's dark out here." Dick stopped the car and hit 'unlock'. "Get in. I'll take you home."
Xavier hesitated, but got in. Dick took his foot off the brake.
Under his jacket, Xavier was still in his cheerleader uniform. They must have had practice today. Xavier was co-captain, along with Kori Anders. Everyone knew his family wasn't wealthy, and Dick had assumed he was there on a scholarship. He bit his tongue, resisting the temptation to ask if the Brandimores were paying his tuition. "How long have you been living on the Brandimores' estate?" He asked instead.
"Since I was eleven. Mr. B's crazy protective of his girls, wants his bodyguards there at all times." Xavier stretched, slinging his arms over the back of the seat, and propped his feet on the dash. The muscles of his chest, visible under his sleeveless top, flexed and stretched. "My dad was a Captain in the Marine core, and an NSA field agent. He's got a black belt in three styles of martial arts, and an expert in fire arms and edged weapons. This whole neighborhood was clambering for his services, but the Brandimores out bid them all."
Dick smiled. "He sounds like Bruce…"
"Really? Wayne's into all that?"
"Everything except the guns. He hates them." Dick hesitated. "His parents were shot in front of him."
"I think I heard about that. Rich people tend to talk a lot." Xavier gave his a glance. "Where are you coming back from?"
"The Queens'."
"Ah, Roy Harper." Xavier chuckled. "Is he as much of a jerk as he acts?"
Dick smiled. "Um. Yes. He is. But, you know, heart of gold, secret soft-side, yadda yadda yahyah…Are the Brandimores as stuck-up as they seem?"
"The younger daughter, Jackalynn? Yes. Totally. Mr. B's pretty cool, for a guy who grow up as first cousin to a royal family. His wife's a bit of a snob. Rinnie is," He paused, rubbing his chin as he thought. "Weird. But not snobby." He smiled a little, eyes fond.
"Are you and Rinnie dating?" Dick blurted out.
Xavier jumped. "What?! Me and—No! She's practically my sister!"
"You guys seem attached at the hip." He mumbled.
Xavier rolled his eyes. "She's my friend. Besides, I've got two black belts myself. Rinnie hates bodyguards, so her old man compromised, said she didn't need any if she went to a private school and took me with her out in public."
"…Oh."
"You sound relieved, rich boy." Xavier eyed him, posture suddenly on edge. "You got a thing for Rinnie?"
"NO. I mean, Rinnie's great, she's—but I, I mean, I'd never—"
"Relax. What, you think I'm going to kill you and leave you in a ditch? I won't, I swear. My dad would, if Mr. B asked him to."
"I swear. I don't like Rinnie. I barely even know her."
"I believe you." Xavier eyed him for a few seconds. "If Wayne's such a Hard Man, how's he feel about you being on the gymnastics team?"
Dick's eyebrows shot up. "He, doesn't care? Why would he?"
"Isn't it considered, I don't know, girly?" Xavier sounded nervous.
"…Does your dad give you a hard time about cheer?"
"He didn't mind back in elementary, but he thinks it's time for me to 'be a man'." Xavier blew out a sigh.
Dick wanted to reach out, squeeze his hand or something. "I'm sorry. That's really fucking stupid. No offense." He added quickly.
"Whatever."
"Is that why you didn't call home for a ride?"
"Yeah. He'll tolerate me being on the squad, but hanging out outside of practice drives him nuts. He thinks Kitten's trash, he called Kori a slut, he just…" Xavier pinched the bridge of his nose, eyes closed. "Be glad you don't have a Catholic dad."
Xavier waved to the security guard working the gate of the Brandimore estate, and they were let through. Dick insisted on driving him to the guest house. The main house was massive, built like a castle. Xavier pointed to a tower in the south east corner. "See that window with the light on? Rinnie." The guest house was bigger than most middle class houses, with a flagstone path connecting the front door to the main house's backdoor. A slender Hispanic women in her thirties was waiting on the porch. "Great." Xavier muttered. Dick stopped the car, and Xavier got out.
Xavier didn't move towards the house. They talked to each other, in Spanish, for a couple minutes, and then the woman went inside. Xavier walked around to Dick's side of the car, and he rolled down the window so they could talk. "My madre. She wants to know where I was…uh. I told her I was with you?" He phrased it as a question.
"That's fine. I'm sorry you need to lie."
Xavier's smile was dazzling. "You rock rich boy. See you Monday?"
"Yeah." Dick's throat felt dry. It went even dryer when Xavier leaned closer and gave him a fleeting kiss on the lips.
"I know it's not Rinnie you like." He straightened up, and sauntered into house.
