Taking place between Parts Four and Five.
"Harley!" Dick cried, running down the stairs. "You didn't take that pie out of the oven did you?" He swung around the kitchen door, holding onto the frame with one hand. Wally tore in after him, crashing into the kitchen table leg. When Harley turned around, Dick was shirtless and in black suit pants, his eyebrows knit in worry.
"What? No I was getting a bowl down." She stretched up to grab a bowl off the top shelf, a hand on her swollen stomach.
"Be careful!" he whined, crossing the room to help her.
"I am," she laughed. "And weren't you freaking out about pie?"
"Yeah, because I didn't want you to have to bend down to get it out-" he leaned over to check on the pumpkin pie in the oven.
"You worry too much." Harley kissed his cheek. "I was thinking about making homemade whipped cream," she set the bowl on the counter, "but if you're going to be overprotective, you're going to end up whipping all of it." Wally wove around her legs, his tail smacking against the cabinets.
"I just don't want you to hurt yourself," Dick grinned, wrapping his arms around her waist and leaning in for a kiss. Their doorbell rang. Wally barked and ran toward the door as Clark trotted after him.
"Am I going to hurt myself going to answer that?" she teased.
"Well I could answer it," Dick gestured to his bare torso, "y'know, give the neighborhood moms a thrill."
"You'd give old Miss Hopkins across the street a heart attack." She giggled and gave him a quick kiss before heading to open the door. Five of the neighborhood kids shouted 'trick or treat' when she did, dressed up from head to toe and grinning broadly. Harley could hear Dick humming in the kitchen, and the TV was on in the living room.
"Happy Halloween!" Harley grabbed the bowl of candy they had by the door and offered them some. They eagerly took some and ran off down the sidewalk, giggling and talking. Darkness was falling and kids were flooding the streets in costume.
"Harley!" Dick called from the house.
"Yeah?!" She closed the door, setting the bowl down and wandering back toward the kitchen to find him.
"I don't know what to wear," Dick grinned, running a hand through his hair. "The guys will be here any minute."
"You think you have problems. There's not many costumes for pregnant ladies." She gave him a sly smile. "Especially that one you tore in half a few months ago."
"You know what, Quinn?" Dick grinned, walking towards her. He pulled her into his arms, leaning in to kiss her. The doorbell rang again, and he laughed.
"Hold that thought," she giggled and went to answer the door again.
"Trick or treat!" Lilly shouted, Will and Molly standing behind her.
"Elsa!" Harley cried, kneeling down with the bowl of candy in front of Lilly and admiring her Elsa costume. Lilly grinned, twirling.
"Daddy wouldn't let me get a wig," she pouted. There were snowflake barrettes in her hair, holding it back. She pointed at Harley's belly; she wore an orange sweater with a jack-o-lantern face on her baby bump. "Did you eat pumpkin seeds?"
"I did," Harley sighed. "But we made pumpkin pie with the actual pumpkins."
"Oh. Can I have some?" She laughed, running into their house.
"Lilly, sweetie come back-" Will cried, and then stopped when he saw Dick. Molly covered her mouth and giggled.
"You're just missing the white cuffs and a bow tie," she laughed. Dick's eyes went wide.
"That is perfect!" he shouted, running up the stairs.
"Dick that is one costume that's off limits!" Harley called up the stairs after him. "You're not giving a show for all those kids!"
"Oh come on!" he cried. Will laughed, guiding Lilly back out the door.
"I am carrying your child!" she taunted.
"Don't tease me like that," he grinned, coming back down in a black t shirt. "You'd love it if I dressed like one of the characters from Magic Mike."
"Only when you dress like that just for me."
"Who's Magic Mike?" Lilly asked and the smile slid of Harley's face as she glanced at Will and Molly.
"It's a grown up movie, Lilly," Will patted her back. "And we should go, you have other houses to visit."
"There's magic? Like Elsa's?" Lilly trailed after her father, and Harley followed them to the door, grabbing the candy bowl when she saw the group of kids coming up the walk.
"Trick or treat!" they all cried, laughing. They took their candy and scampered off.
"Happy Halloween!" Harley called after them. She hugged Molly goodbye. "And happy Halloween to you guys too. You have to tell me all about the candy you get," she told Lilly.
"I will!" she shouted back over her dad's shoulder. Dick smiled and waved, closing the door behind them.
"Well now what am I supposed to wear?" Dick laughed.
"See," she moved closer to him, laying her arms over his shoulders, "I was more concerned with picking up with where we left off."
"Remind me where that was again?" Dick grinned, kissing her slowly as he wrapped his arms around her waist.
"I think you're just about there," she teased, biting his lip. Dick smiled and kissed to her ear.
"How bout now?" he whispered lovingly, stroking her belly gently with his thumb.
"Mmmm," she pretended to think, "I'll take it." She giggled. Dick smiled and kissed her cheek as the timer beeped in the kitchen.
"Pie is ready!" He took her hand and led her to the kitchen, grabbing a pair of oven mitts and leaning down to take it out of the oven.
"What do you think?" Harley leaned against the counter. "Less than five minutes to the next trick or treaters?" She gauged by the stove clock. It was still early, and they were just getting started, but she doubted they'd be infrequent. Dick chuckled.
"I'll bet I can do a lot in five minutes," he smiled coyly, his hands taking her hips and pulling her against him as he leaned down to kiss her, grinning against her lips. "I've gotta leave the oven mitts on, you're so hot," he laughed. Harley giggled, clinging to his t shirt.
"Well only one of us has to stay presentable to open the door."
"Again I offer up: stripper costume," he laughed, his lips brushing hers.
"If the door rings early, maybe you should run up and change quick," she breathed against his lips. "Give me a private show."
"Oh you know you get what you want when you say it like that," he closed his eyes, grinning. He kissed her, slowly and gently, his hand coming to rest on the back of her head.
"I always get what I want," she giggled. She tugged him closer by his shirt and bounced up on her heels a little to kiss him better. Dick smiled into her kiss, and laughed when the doorbell rang. Harley sighed and rolled her eyes. She gave him a quick peck on the cheek before heading to the door.
The two children there shouted trick or treat, dressed as Batman and Harley Quinn.
"Happy Halloween! I love your costumes." She held out the bowl of candy to them. Dick laughed behind her, and they took the candy before scampering back down the sidewalk. Jason yelled 'boo' at them as he walked up it, and they scattered over the lawn, screaming.
"Jason, try not to scare the children," Harley scolded and set the bowl aside.
"Why? That's the only good thing about this suck holiday," he muttered. His face was painted in gruesome zombie makeup, his dark hair falling over his forehead. "Tim is parking the car," he gestured with a thumb over his shoulder.
"Well if you hate the holiday so much, you don't get any candy," Harley told him as she smacked his hand away from the bowl.
"Harley is this a good costume?!" Dick ran down the stairs in a tuxedo, his hair slicked back.
"What? Going as Bruce this year?" Jason asked, sneaking some candy while Harley's back was to him.
"No! I'm James Bond," Dick grinned. "Shut up, I can't think of a costume. Harley won't let me be a stripper."
"Oh my God that's so unreasonable," Jason mocked, tossing a mini Twix into his mouth.
"You look handsome." Harley kissed Dick's cheek. Dick grinned, and Jason cried out as the door hit him in the back of the head. Tim grinned around the frame of it.
"Did I get you?" He smirked.
"What do you think?" He slammed the door back toward him. Tim shouted angrily and pulled his head out just in time, and the door slammed.
"Hey!" Dick barked. "Knock it off, you two."
"He started it," Jason muttered.
"Go into the living room. Where's Ivy?" Dick frowned as he let Tim and Steph in.
"They're fighting," Tim mocked at the back of Jason's head. He wore a Superboy costume, and Steph, dressed as Supergirl, stumbled into the house behind him, giggling.
"Hey Steph." Harley laughed at the sight of her. She absentmindedly trailed a thumb across her stomach. "Happy Halloween."
"I brought you baby chocolate!" She squealed, holding out a bag of candy.
"She took it from some kid who gave it to her because she thought she was really Supergirl," Tim muttered, shutting the door behind them.
"Hey, she offered it up," Steph grinned. "I'm cold," she wrapped her arms around her torso. Her shirt barely covered her chest, and the skirt wasn't much better.
"Of course you are," Harley laughed. "Would you like a sweater?"
"And ruin the costume?" she cried, grinning. "I look hot," Steph laughed.
"Yeah," Tim agreed before blushing a bit. Dick laughed at the two of them as the doorbell rang again.
"Alright, go make yourself comfy in the living room-" he knelt and greeted the trick or treaters at the door, giving them their candy and sending them on their way. He closed the door and turned to Harley. "Sounds like we're not going to get a moment's peace," he smiled, kissing her gently.
"Get used to it," she teased, resting her hand on her stomach.
"I can't wait," Dick grinned, his fingers lacing with hers on her belly. The doorbell rang again, and he rolled his eyes. "Hold that thought, beautiful," he smiled, walking back to the door. Steph ran up to Harley and hugged her.
"Harley, Tim was saying inappropriate things!" she cried, laughing as Tim shouted angrily at her from the other room.
"But you think it's a good thing," Harley laughed. "So why are you telling me?"
"Because he's annoying," she shouted towards the living room with a grin, and then she turned back to Harley. "My head feels funny," she giggled.
"Yeah maybe we should get some food in you." She grabbed Steph's arm to lead her toward the kitchen. "Do you want some pie?"
"Yes!" Steph dropped down at the table as Selina came bounding into the room, wearing stilettos and fishnets and cat ears.
"Can I have some?!" she asked with a grin. Bruce was dragged behind her, his hand in hers. He wore a dark brown overcoat over a nice suit, and floppy brown dog ears fell over his own.
"Sure thing!" Harley called back as she disappeared into the kitchen. "Dick didn't get around to making any whipped cream so it looks like you're getting store bought."
"Poo, no fresh cream," Selina giggled, kissing Bruce's cheek. "You are so adorable," she played with the dog ears, kissing him again.
"How long do I have to wear these?" he asked.
"All night, until I get you alone and then even after that," she giggled and then purred, laying her head on his chest. "I wish you would have let me draw the nose on."
"And the answer is still no."
"Tim," Jason walked by munching on skittles. "Did you ask your boyfriend before borrowing his clothes?"
"She's not- what? Superboy?" He looked away from the TV confusedly and then threw a popcorn ball at him. "Shut up, ass. Where's your girlfriend?"
"She's on her way," Jason defended, but he sounded a little unsure.
"Oooh lady troubles? Want some advice?" Tim smirked.
"Why the hell would I want your advice?" Jason scoffed. He was stealing candy from the bowl when the doorbell rang, so he opened it to the chorus of 'trick or treat.'
"Cuz you can't keep a girl," Tim stage whispered as he walked past Jason, giving the kids candy. Dick came to the door and grinned at the other two. The kids ran back down the sidewalk excitedly and Dick clapped his brothers on the shoulders.
"You guys want something to drink? I've got cider, alcoholic and non, and plenty of other stuff if you're not interested in that," he smiled. "Jason, where's Ivy?"
"Ha!" Tim cried, pointing. "Halfway across the world, if she's smart."
"And what about you, huh?" Jason smacked the back of his head. "Where's your girlfriend?"
"She's- y'know what, a-"
"Tim is proudly single," Dick laughed, smacking Jason on the back of the head, too. "Now quit fighting. Damian will be here soon."
"Oh like he'll stop fighting," Harley teased. She handed Tim and Jason a piece of pie each. Dick followed Harley back to the kitchen with a smile.
"Look at you, mothering already," he grinned, wrapping his arms around her.
"They can't talk if they're eating," she giggled, kissing his nose. "You might want to get some pie before it's all gone."
"I think my pumpkin and I could make some more," he smiled, holding her close and nuzzling her cheek. "It's fun baking with you, cutie pie." Dick laughed.
"Your puns only get better." She rolled her eyes at him but couldn't help grinning.
"They get you to smile and that's all I could ask for," Dick grinned back, kissing her cheek.
"Well you could ask for some alone time." She smiled at the sound of all the voices in the hall and the doorbell.
"Oh could I," Dick smiled, kissing her slowly.
"Dick! Your doorbell keeps ringing!" Jason shouted. Dick groaned.
"Answer it!"
"It's not my house!"
Dick sighed and stole another kiss before answering the door to Batgirl. "Um- um- B-Batgirl?" He stuttered. Harley peeked around his shoulder and beamed.
"Nope," she grinned. Dick looked between her and Batgirl.
"Oh stop staring." Ivy stepped past Dick toward Harley, who'd followed behind him.
"Red!" She laughed. "You look great." She admired Ivy's bat suit. Dick still looked stunned, and Harley grinned at him.
"Well you weren't the batboy we were trying to startle, but at least we know it works," she grinned.
"At least we know what works?" Jason asked, stepping into the hall with his empty plate. He froze at the sight of Ivy. "What... what are you wearing?"
"A costume?" She hid her smile at his reaction, but it was still there. He stared at her for a bit longer.
"Harley!?" He stared at her incredulously.
"You look great," Harley repeated, hugging Ivy as she laughed. She pulled Ivy into the kitchen.
"So Jay, you never said what you thought of her costume." She stood behind Ivy grinning at him.
"It's... very Gotham themed," he muttered lamely. Ivy stared at him expectantly.
"Yeah?"
"Okay, no, stop it." He pointed his finger at her. "You know you're not dressed fair."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Ivy asked incredulously.
"I'm gonna side with Jason," Dick added quietly, before slipping out to answer the door when the bell rang.
"You know exactly what that means," Jason defended. "That's why you wore it." Steph giggled and stumbled over to Ivy.
"The Robins all have a thing for Batgirls," she slurred in a loud whisper before giggling harder.
"I'd beg to differ," Damian muttered as he walked into the room and handed Harley a bowl of homemade chip dip for the party. He wore a hat and a white scarf tucked into his suit jacket, complete with a tie. Dick followed him into the room, doubled over in laughter.
"Where have you been?" Bruce asked Damian, and he glanced over his shoulder.
"With a friend- who also put me in this costume and thought it hilarious- what is so funny, Grayson?" he demanded. Jason had started laughing too.
"Damian! You don't get it- like- Damien? The eight year old antichrist in The Omen?! That's funny stuff," Dick laughed again, and Damian scoffed at him. Harley elbowed Dick in the side.
"Thank you for the dip," she told Damian.
"I'll give Alfred your compliments," he replied, smiling a little.
"He's not coming?" Harley pouted.
"He said someone had to be there to hand out candy; the Manor is always a favorite trick or treat location," Damian put his hands in his pockets.
"Jeez Bruce, how much do you spend on candy every year?" Harley taunted, laughing. "Oh! I forgot the cider!" She dashed back into the kitchen.
"I spend a bit-" Bruce smirked into his cup, and Selina giggled.
"Don't run you don't want to hurt yourself!" Dick cried, going after her. He accidentally knocked Selina into Bruce, and she wrapped her arms around him, kissing his cheek.
"I could hurt you just a little," she whispered in his ear, twirling one of the floppy dog ears in her fingers.
"Not here," Bruce scolded with a small smile. Jason was sitting on the couch still staring at Ivy in her costume. Steph sank down on the floor in front of Tim.
"So where's your girlfriend?"
"We broke up," Tim sighed, looking down at the near empty glass in his hands.
"Good. I mean, that's bad. I'm so sorry." She nodded unconvincingly.
"Shut up," he nudged her with his foot, smiling a little. "It was… coming," he shrugged. Tim ran a hand through his hair.
"Jay," Steph giggled, "I can practically see the arousal on your face." She pointed her finger at him and he swatted it away.
"Oh go fly off a bridge."
"I don't get the fascination," Steph shook her head, leaning an arm on Tim's knees. "The suit is a curse. A tight, hot, leather curse with stilettos." She glanced at Jason, grinning.
"Jason!" Harley called. "Will you come help Dick carry the cider? He won't let me."
"But why ask me?" Jason whined.
"To rescue you," Tim laughed, and Jason walked to the kitchen. Dick glanced over his shoulder to check that Harley was across the kitchen.
"It kinda freaked me out too," Dick confessed. "Seriously man, good work. You lucked out," he smirked, glancing over his shoulder and jumping when Harley was right behind him. "But so did I," he laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Love you, dear," Dick grinned.
"Uh huh," she gave him a stern look, "go serve the cider."
"Yes ma'am," he muttered, grinning at her. Dick stole a kiss from her lips and dodged her swatting him away, carrying glasses of cider to Bruce and Selina.
"Is this alcoholic?" Selina asked with a grin, inhaling the scent of the spices.
"Do… you want it to be?" Dick asked, smiling.
"Definitely."
"Then yes!" he laughed. Selina giggled and sipped it, and Dick handed Bruce a glass.
"Am I allowed to get drunk?" Selina asked, downing the cider and giving Dick her glass before leaning on Bruce's shoulder with a smile.
"No," Harley told her as she walked in. She handed Steph and Tim glasses of cider. "You don't get any alcohol," she warned Steph.
"Why not?" Selina whined.
"Poo," Steph frowned, looking down. She elbowed Tim, wiggling her fingers at his cup. "Give me your cider."
"No. I don't want to get in trouble."
"Good choice," Harley advised him before heading back to the kitchen to grab more glasses. Dick met her there and kissed her cheek before walking behind her to grab more glasses of cider.
"Am I in trouble?" he whispered in her ear, kissing her cheek again.
"So much," she laughed, elbowing him away.
"Good. Maybe you'll teach me a lesson later," Dick spanked her, and Jason made fake gagging noises as he walked into the kitchen.
"Oh God why?!" Jason walked back out.
"We only do it to make you uncomfortable," Harley assured him as he left. Dick kissed her gently.
"Love you," he whispered.
"Good." She smirked and gave him a quick kiss. "Love you too."
Dick walked back into the living room, handing a glass of cider to Ivy with a small smile. "Thanks for coming."
"Harley asked me to." She shrugged.
"Either way," Dick smiled. "You make her happy."
"Well you make her happy now." She glanced over at Jason when he started laughing at Tim.
"You make him happy, too," Dick said quietly, watching her.
"Stop it," she warned him. "Stop it with the whole... Just stop."
"What?" Dick looked taken aback.
"You know what." She glared at him. "You always try and make everything better. Just say what you want to say without all the flattery. What do you want?"
"What?" He stared at her in shock. "I don't... I was just being nice."
"Uh huh. We never talk. So why are you here? Jason? The costume? Harley?"
"Because we never talk," Dick said quietly. "Sorry," he backed away, hands raised in surrender. Harley walked up behind him.
"What are you doing?"
"Apparently starting conversations with ulterior motives," he muttered, turning around. She glanced at Ivy.
"Ignore her. She's grumpy." She went and gave Selina her new glass of cider.
"Thank you!" she called after Harley as she went to go answer the door for the trick or treaters. Selina slid off of the arm of the couch and grinned as she landed in Bruce's lap, expertly avoiding spilling her cider. "I was going to make a joke about 'doggie style' but thought better of it," she grinned at Bruce over the lip of her cider glass.
"I think that technically counts as still making the joke." He rested his hands on her hips as he watched her.
"Whatever puts the idea in your head," she whispered, biting one of the floppy dog ears framing his face. Selina grinned at him again. "Come on, lighten up. It's Halloween! It's our night, isn't it? Black cats and bats?" She turned her cider glass around and raised it to Bruce's lips, making him drink it. "You should let loose for tonight. You have three hundred and sixty four other days to be as uptight as you like. Loosen up," she grinned. "Not to say that I don't like you stiff."
"Selina." He caught her hands. "Now is not the time," he said firmly but there was a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Why not? We're at a party, with people who fully understand and know and accept us. How could that not be the time?" She laughed, offering him the cider glass again.
"Because half of them are my sons?" He took the glass and took a sip before setting it on the end table. Selina scooped it up again and finished it off, wrapping her arms around his neck. Dick swept by the back of the couch and took the empty glass out of her hand. "Well then how about we ditch early?" She purred. "I bring the tricks, you bring the treat? We can meet on the Gotham Bridge, up in the dark; keep each other warm..." She pressed her nose to his, smiling happily as she closed her eyes. Bruce ran his hands up her arms.
"We should have a date night soon," he whispered. "It's been too long."
"You never have time for me," she whined, sitting back a bit and pouting. He pulled her back closer.
"Well we could do what you suggested. Gotham bridge was it?"
"Maybe. Overlooking the city," she sighed with a smile, wrapping her arms over his shoulders again. Suddenly, Steph thrust her face next to theirs.
"You two know you're not alone, right?" she whispered. Selina planted a hand on her face and shoved her away, laughing.
"Go get me more cider," she smiled.
"Harley won't let me. I'm not allowed near the alcoholic stuff," she muttered. Selina pouted and got up, stroking Bruce's cheek.
"Be back love," she purred and then shouted towards the kitchen. "Dick!"
He tapped her shoulder and grinned, handing her her glass.
"Jeez, try a little harder, that took long enough," she giggled. Dick shrugged.
"I like playing host," he admitted.
"You like playing other things too," Harley whispered as she walked by. Dick straightened up and raised his eyebrows, his cheeks pinkening a bit. He gave Selina her glass and glanced over at Harley with a smile. She was laughing and talking to Tim, her honey hair falling over her shoulders, thin in the long sleeve shirt she wore. One hand rested on her belly, and the other pushed her glasses up her nose. He sighed quietly and smiled, biting his lip.
"I apologize Selina," Bruce said, "apparently you're not the only one with that on your mind." He looked up at Dick. He glanced at them and did a double take.
"What?" He seemed to snap out of his haze, and Selina laughed. Dick looked down and blushed harder.
"So what kind of cider do you want?" Harley asked as she stepped beside him, smiling.
"Me?" Dick looked up in surprise. "I'll... I'll drink."
"Okay." She kissed his cheek before heading back into the kitchen.
"Dick," Stephanie called from the floor, "you're blushing."
"Am I?" He touched his cheek, smiling after Harley. He couldn't help it. A Charlie Brown Halloween special was playing on the TV, and Damian was enthralled, ignoring the rest of them. Dick glanced down at Steph. "Shut up," he muttered. She laughed at him.
"Why is Dick blushing?" Harley asked as she came back in. She offered Dick his alcoholic cider, sipping her regular one.
"Because he's Dick," Selina laughed, kicking his foot playfully. Dick raised the glass to his lips, shrugging. He still couldn't take his eyes off of Harley. She glanced at Steph then Ivy and Jason before back at Dick.
"Okay?" The doorbell rang, and she handed her glass to Dick to go answer it. He sipped his drink and looked down at Selina, who was watching him with a sleepy grin on her face. Dick frowned.
"What are you staring at?"
"You two are just so cute," she sighed, and he shook his head. Once the trick or treaters were gone, Harley came back in and took her glass back.
"Since you like hostessing so much," she grinned at Dick, "maybe you want to be the one to refill the candy bowl."
"Sure," Dick smiled, kissing Harley's head before walking out of the room. Selina giggled and stared up at Harley.
"You have not had that much to drink." She crossed one arm across her chest. "What is it?"
"You two are just cute!" She repeated, grinning. "He was blushing because Steph called him out for staring at you."
"Now you're trying to make me blush," Harley laughed. "Tim I saw that." She turned to glare at Tim. "I told Steph no more alcohol." He guiltily took his glass back from Steph.
"You're no fun," Steph pouted. Dick walked back into the living room and handed Steph her own glass. Dick rolled his eyes at the stern look from Harley.
"It's non alcoholic," he assured her, and then subtly winked at Steph. "But no more after that," he whispered, before walking across the room to Harley.
"Why do you get to be the fun parent, and I have to be the mean one?" she asked quietly before laughing.
"I don't know what you're talking about," he feigned innocence and then smiled, kissing her cheek.
"Uh huh." She rolled her eyes and elbowed him. "And are you going to be this accommodating if she," she put her hand on her stomach, "wants to underage drink?"
"No," Dick said firmly, raising an eyebrow. "She's not allowed to drink at all until she's moved out and not under my control."
"And yet you let Steph? Double standard." She grinned.
"Steph isn't my kid, and she makes her own stupid decisions," he laughed.
"So at least I'll be the fun parent." She giggled and kissed his cheek.
"I don't doubt it," Dick laughed, wrapping his arms around her. "You look terrific by the way."
"I literally look like a pumpkin," she laughed. "You like Halloween too much."
"Nope," Dick smiled, nosing his way to her ear. "So you gonna marry me yet?"
"Whoa!" Jason paused as he was walking by them to refill his cider. "That was terrible. Don't say yes to that."
"Oh come on," Dick called after him, grinning. He'd actually started saying it every now and then, and it was practically an 'I love you.' They both knew if he was serious, he would ask sincerely eventually.
"Say yes to what?" Steph shouted after Jason.
"He asked her to marry him again!" he called back.
"Ugh it can't have been good!" Tim added.
"Does he even have a ring yet?" Selina cried, peeking over the back of the couch. Dick went red and looked down, his lip catching in his teeth.
"Leave him alone," Harley laughed, resting her forehead against him. "You keep asking me, I won't know if you mean it when you really want to ask." She grinned.
"Ok," Dick muttered, his cheeks still pink. He couldn't meet her eyes, still embarrassed. She poked his cheek.
"You don't have to be embarrassed. It's cute."
"I'm sorry," he quickly apologized, smiling a little. "I'm going to get some more cider. Be back," Dick kissed her cheek and walked into the kitchen as Jason returned to the living room.
"Stop making fun of him," Harley told him. "I mean, Tim's here, and you're going after Dick?"
"Hey!" Tim objected as Harley grinned. Jason shrugged.
"Both of them had it coming. He just happened to be the easy target that time," he smirked. "And I think I've almost tortured Tim enough. Almost. And apparently you not enough for that," he nodded at Ivy.
"I just needed a Halloween costume," Ivy shrugged with a sly smirk.
"Uh huh." Harley scooped up a popcorn ball and threw it at her. "You're just asking for trouble in that outfit."
"What do you think, Dami?" Steph giggled, watching Harley and Ivy like a tennis match as she threw her arms around Damian.
"I am not getting involved in that," he replied, not taking his eyes away from the television.
"You're one to talk," Harley laughed at Steph. "Aren't you two technically cousins?" She gestured between the Superman symbols on Tim and Steph's chests.
"Yeah, but what's that got to do with anything?" She stuck her tongue out, and Tim's cheeks turned red.
"Ask Tim." Harley grinned. The doorbell rang, and she went to answer it, the chorus of 'trick or treat' echoing back into the living room.
"Tim what's she talkin' bout?" Steph said in a southern accent, throwing her arms over his shoulders.
"Nothing." He laughed self-consciously. "Cider?" He offered her his glass.
"Smooth," Jason taunted him.
"Oh they'll turn out ok," Selina laughed, watching Steph tear her arms away from Tim and skip away. He turned redder and looked away from her tiny skirt flouncing up with every step. "Stephanie you could have worn a little more than just underwear," Selina whispered as she passed her, and Steph stopped, distressed for a moment before she shrugged and went on. Selina grinned. "Then again, I'm not," she purred in Bruce's ear, a hand tightening on his shoulder.
"Bruce!" Harley called as she rejoined them. "That little kid was the cutest Batman I've ever seen."
"Oh?" he replied, a bit flustered.
"I think the fact that kids want to dress like you is sweet," Selina grinned, kissing his cheek. Harley laughed and sank onto the couch beside Damian.
"You are way too into this movie," she told him.
"Grayson and I used to watch it every year," he muttered. "It's puerile and nonsensical but I enjoy it." Onscreen, Linus was being berated by Sally for keeping her in the pumpkin patch all night.
"Yeah, he made me watch it with him this morning in case you and Bruce were going to go on patrol tonight." She smiled. "He wouldn't stop talking through it."
"He never does," Damian rolled his eyes and scoffed.
"He also sings through most movies too," she laughed. Damian smiled a little and glanced at her.
"It's beyond annoying," he agreed. Harley hugged him before he could object and stood up. She went to the kitchen to look for Dick.
"Dick?"
"Yeah?" He looked up from the slice of pie he was meticulously putting whipped cream on. She laughed as she watched him.
"It's not rocket science you know."
"I know," he chuckled a little sheepishly, putting down the spoonful of whipped cream.
"So Michelangelo is your masterpiece ready?" she teased, leaning against the doorframe.
"Do you want some?" He offered it to her, and he couldn't help but smile at her.
"I wouldn't dare ruin it," she laughed before kissing his cheek as she moved past him to refill her cider. Dick quietly ate a bite of pie, glancing at her.
"Does it bother you when I do that?" he asked. "When I say… will you marry me like that." She turned to look at him, carefully setting the cider down.
"Why would it bother me?"
"I don't know. Everyone else seemed like… I just didn't know if I should do it anymore," he shrugged.
"Who cares what they think?" She moved closer to him, pushing his pie away and wrapping her arms around his neck. "Besides, Selina and Steph only tease you because they want you to actually propose." It was the same reason she did. "And Bruce is always disapproving, so what's the matter?"
"I guess I worry too much," Dick smiled, holding her close.
"Always," she grinned and gave him a quick kiss. Dick grinned and hugged her tight, burying his face in her neck.
"I'll try to relax," he whispered, kissing her shoulder.
"Liar," she giggled, resting her head on his. Dick sighed happily and then cried out when Stephanie shouted 'boo' behind them.
"Damn it, Steph," he cried, laughing.
"What are you doing?" Harley demanded. Her hand was over her heart as she tried to steady her breathing.
"It's Halloween, so... Boo?" She frowned, and Dick waved her away.
"Its ok, Steph- are you ok Harles?" he asked, helping her to a chair.
"Yeah, I'm fine," she sighed. "Since when am I so easily scared? Pregnancy is turning me soft."
"No. You're just hormonal, you'll be fine. Still tougher than me," Dick assured her with a smile. She pursed her lips.
"It's gonna hurt," she breathed. "And I'm scared." She blushed as she admitted it.
"What? Oh Harley..." Dick cupped her face and kissed her forehead, looking her in the eyes. "You'll be ok. And then we'll have her forever."
"I know, it's just..." She furrowed her brow. "All the Lamaze and the books and the lessons, I know I'm supposed to be calm and happy, and all the moms who've had kids say it's worth it but... it's still going to hurt. A lot. And-and-" She looked down.
"Hey," Dick held her face, stroking her cheek. "I'll be right there beside you the whole way. It's going to be alright."
"Do you have to push a baby out?" she muttered. "I'm sorry. I know. I'm just overreacting."
"You're not overreacting. And you're right, I have no idea what you're going through. I'm here for you no matter what."
"I know." She leaned her forehead against his chest. "Just don't judge me if I bawl like a baby."
"I'll be right there crying with you," he grinned, hugging her tight.
"Then maybe they'll give you the pain meds." She nudged him. "Dr. Canley says they'd have to keep building up the pain meds to keep me numbed with my immunity, but they baby might not have that tolerance so now I'm wishing Ivy had given me an epidural not the Antitoxin," she giggled.
"I'll be right there with you," he repeated, his cheek resting on her forehead. She was stressed, he knew, but he didn't know how to help. Especially when her talking about going through it made him terrified. He didn't want her to have to go through that, and there was nothing he could do.
"Thank you," she breathed. Her hands bunched in his jacket as she held him close. No matter how scared she was, she'd been trying to avoid thinking about it and she'd been especially trying not to worry Dick about it. He worried enough as it was.
"Do you want to rejoin the party? Or do you want to go lie down? I can kick everybody out," he laughed, kissing her head.
"Don't you dare. Bruce'll try and go on patrol, and you need to watch the movie with Damian because he misses you. Besides," she leaned back to look at him, "you're having too much fun hosting."
"I am," Dick chuckled. Tim shouted from the other room.
"Hostess!" he cried, holding up his glass. Dick rolled his eyes.
"Less so, now," he groaned.
"Go." She kissed his cheek. "Appease the crowd."
Dick kissed her one last time and walked out into the living room with drinks in his hands, replacing Selina and Tim's cups.
"Happy now?" He smirked.
"Ecstatic." Tim made a face back at him before gulping his cider.
"Good," he chuckled when he frowned at the glass. "It was non alcoholic," he clarified, and Jason laughed at him.
"Apparently the cutoff tonight is-" he looked at an imaginary watch- "too early." He chuckled, leaning back on the couch, Damian had migrated to the floor, playing with Wally.
"I wish Cass was here," Steph muttered. "She'd sneak me some of the good cider." She was leaning against Clark who was napping by the couch.
"No she wouldn't," Selina grinned, kissing Bruce's cheek. "And we're all done enabling you."
"Boo!" Steph called. "This holiday sucks!" Clark lifted his head up at her loud voice and looked at her. Dick laughed and shook his head.
"Sorry, Steph. You're cut off for tonight before you make some bad decisions." He took her empty glass with a smile.
"I'll make bad decisions no matter what, but with more alcohol, I don't have to remember them," she reasoned with a grin. Dick paused to consider that and frowned at Harley.
"Why does she make sense when she's drunk?"
"It may make sense," Harley shrugged, "but it's not a good thing." Steph stuck her tongue out at her. Dick laughed and walked back into the kitchen, putting the glasses in the dishwasher. The doorbell rang and he went to answer it for the trick or treaters.
"Ugh," Ivy groaned from across the room. "This thing is so annoying." She pulled the Batgirl cowl off, and Jason leaned away from her arm in surprise as she tossed it to Steph.
"I warned you," Steph laughed. "I don't want it." She threw it back to Ivy who promptly flung it at Harley.
"Whoa." Harley grabbed it before it smacked her in the face. "You guys are so immature. At least you get to wear costumes." She pulled the cowl on and played with the rim of it across her cheeks. Dick made a strangled noise when he saw her and he tried to turn around and walk out, only to run into the doorframe. He winced and chuckled nervously.
"Ha ha, take it off," he said, his cheeks turning red again. Steph laughed.
"Aww, you scared him. Happy Halloween, loser," she smirked, and Dick scowled at her.
"What?" Harley asked. "I didn't get a costume. Why can't I wear it?"
"Because you're not a redhead," Steph offered.
"Neither were you," Harley retorted and Steph made a face of surprised agreement. Dick laughed again but remained by the door, his hands on his hips.
"Well go on, give us a pose," Selina grinned, waving a hand at Harley.
"Why?" Harley laughed. "What am I supposed to be? Batmother?"
"You wanted a costume," Selina shrugged, still beaming. Harley played with her hair sticking out of the bottom of the cowl, turning her head back and forth.
"How can you guys wear these?" She grinned at Dick. "They're so restricting."
"Well don't look at me," he muttered, and then cleared his throat. "I mean, I've always thought so. Ask Bruce and Tim; I never wore one except when I was Batman," he shifted a bit, crossing his arms. Tim shrugged.
"Mine's got a cape attached," he said simply. "I dunno. It's comfortable."
"Wearing a mask at all is a complete hindrance of your field of sight," Damian added irritably and, Bruce shot him a look. Selina giggled.
"Never needed one," she agreed.
"It's completely useless. You can't move your neck," Harley muttered. She tried to look around to see her hair, playing with a strand. "But the hair part is fun." She and Steph grinned at each other.
"This one's old," Steph pointed out. "The newer ones are a lot more flexible. Much more mobility." She nodded enthusiastically.
"It's still really cool," Harley admitted. She tried to make a straight face in the mask but couldn't help giggling. Dick bit his lip watching her. Selina laughed, glancing at Dick before doing a double take. "Jesus, you look like you're in pain. Take a deep breath, Boy Wonder," she rolled her eyes and Dick chuckled nervously.
"I'm not- it looks good. You look good," he shrugged, shifting a bit. Bruce watched him with amusement in his eyes.
"Is something wrong?" Harley's brow furrowed in confusion as she looked at Dick.
"He's the one who invented the crush crush thing," Steph giggled.
"Oh." Harley blushed. She pulled the mask off and handed it back to Ivy. "Sorry." She wouldn't meet anyone eyes as she retreated back to the kitchen. Dick followed her.
"Harley I'm sorry- it just kinda freaked me out," he admitted, and she felt the warmth of his hands on her arms, turning her to face him. "I overreacted- it was just a lot of weird conflicting feelings all at once-"
"-No. It's okay. I just didn't think about it." She shook her head. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be. It was my stupidity," he whispered, a hand tightening on her shoulder. He felt terrible. It had spooked him, seeing her in the Batgirl cowl. The worst part was, he didn't even know why. He didn't have feelings for Barbara anymore, at least not in a way that should ever conflict with his feelings for Harley, but he didn't know how to tell her that in a way she'd believe. "You looked much cuter in it than she did," he smiled a little, watching her. Harley rolled her eyes.
"Thanks, but I'm pretty sure you have to say that." She kissed his cheek. "I won't go putting other people's costumes again."
"You're sure you're ok?"
"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"
"I just don't want you to think... Nothing. I love you." He kissed her head and wrapped his arms around her, hugging her close. "I'm sorry if I embarrassed you."
"I'm pretty sure you're the one they're all making fun of in there right now not me," she laughed. "I'm fine." She wasn't sure what she felt or what she wanted to feel.
"Yeah," Dick looked down. "At least they're having fun even if things haven't gone as planned for the party." He sighed slowly. "How are you feeling? Do you need to sit down? Eat something?"
"Can you feel it kicking?" Damian said quietly, and Dick jumped.
"Why does everyone keep doing that?!" he cried, but Damian ignored him.
"Her. Can you feel her kick?" he said again.
"No," Harley laughed. "She's not kicking right now. Why?"
"But you can? She moves?" He stepped forward curiously.
"Yeah, she moves around a lot actually. I can feel her move a lot, but she only kicks hard enough for others to feel her every now and again."
"Is that not strange?" Damian narrowed his eyes, watching her.
"No?" She grabbed her glass of cider. "It's completely normal. Sure it felt weird at first, but it's kinda reassuring."
"Strange," he repeated, eyeing her belly. Dick laughed. Damian glanced at him and scowled.
"I promise I'll let you know if she starts kicking," Harley assured him. "And you were a baby once too, so you were strange."
"I was designed in a lab by the world's top geneticists. If you want strange, look to your left." Damian said matter of factly. Harley looked up at Dick.
"Hey!" he whined.
"No one is strange," Harley interrupted. Damian smirked a little.
"Says the ex-murderous psychopath carrying the child of the ex-circus vigilante boy. We're all strange, Harley Quinn." Damian walked out of the room with a popcorn ball, leaving them alone again to rejoin the noisy party in the other room.
"We'll never get a moment's peace," Dick sighed, smiling lovingly at Harley.
"That's what I keep trying to tell you." Harley giggled and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Dick smiled and closed his eyes, and the doorbell rang as Tim and Jason shouted for him from the living room.
"You get the door, I feed the guests?" he asked, grinning and taking Harley's hands.
"Deal." She beamed up at him. "And we both know I'll be dealing with with the more mature group."
"Absolutely," Dick grinned and then kissed her cheek. "Happy Halloween." Harley giggled and gave him a quick kiss.
"Happy Halloween!"