So, I had just finished this and was thinking of running to bed when I got a very amazing review that just kind of blew my mind. These type of things inspire me and so I decided to just ride this thing out. This next chapter is filler, fluff and fighting. Also, things will hopefully finally make sense! I actually wrote this while I was half asleep this morning after not sleeping last night. Chapter 5 will be the final for this one-shot. The music that really made me able to write this was more Florence and the Machine. "No Light, No Light" and " Seven Devils" are the soundtrack to this chapter. Seriously, I have a damn playlist for writing fanfiction that I need to post sometime. Enough rambles. Please enjoy and tell me your thoughts! :)

I woke up to Richard talking in Japanese.

No, really.

He threw the string of words together like a native of the language. I grinned, finding myself even more intrigued as I stretched myself out on the bed and watched him pace around in his underwear.

I was impressed.

I didn't know too many people who could imitate an accent so well. It was interesting to hear. Not to be out-done, he suddenly sighed, frustrated, and started spouting out French. If my hand had not been on my jaw, it would have fallen open in amazement.

He was...

That accent was...

Wow.

Hot.

I found my brain settling on one-syllable words as my eyes followed his ass. I didn't care if he caught me watching. I'm pretty sure my head started leaning to the side as I stared intently at it. He scratched his head and looked over at me, smiling and making an apologetic face. I merely smirked back, enjoying listening to him. He seemed to relax a tiny bit after seeing me watching. The language was rather musical with the way his voice rose and fell, finding his words. He switched back to English after a little while, which was much more boring, but at least I could understand what he was saying.

" Alright, alright. Yes, I'll tell him. No, that will be fine. By Monday, yes. Thank you," he said, the voice in the other end not even audible to me.

He turned his phone off and sighed, running his fingers through his hair and smiling over at me. He looked a bit tired as he placed the phone on the side table and sat down on the bed with me.

" Company issues in Tokyo and Luxembourg that apparently couldn't wait," he said, rolling his eyes.

I cocked my head.

" Strippers in Tokyo and Luxembourg?" I asked, really not knowing what he was talking about.

" Oh, sorry," he stated, clearing his throat.

" Richard Grayson. Adoptive son of Bruce Wayne, head of Wayne Enterprises. It's nice to meet you," he said, holding out his hand to mock me.

" Wallace West. Pizza delivery boy and starving student. Nice to make your acquaintance, Mr. Wayne. Wait, Bruce Wayne? Fuck," my eyes got big, finally processing what he was saying.

" You're joking," I laughed, then watched as his face didn't change.

" Nope."

I opened my mouth and closed it, pointing to him then blinking rapidly.

" Not to be rude, but wouldn't that mean you could afford something much bigger than this? Wouldn't you be in Gotham?"

" It's lonely enough in here as it is. Sometimes there are guests over. Sometimes I hold small parties, but it is usually quiet and empty to me. Something larger would be even worse, really. Gotham is too close to Dad. I work with him, but I hate the spotlight."

" So...how did you...get into the club business, exactly?"

" I was a performer, myself. I didn't want to travel quite so much anymore. I traveled all over the continents as a kid."

I nodded, wondering what crazy lifestyle this guy must have had growing up. I was trying to recall if I had heard about Bruce Wayne adopting, but I honestly never paid enough attention. He seemed like a boring dude who had a large amount of money. Apparently, his son was much more interesting. I felt a little underdressed all of a sudden.

" Mostly, I do it for them, my partners, my family. Random acts of kindness are rare from most people, but they do happen," he looked a bit distant at saying that, smiling sadly to himself.

"Years ago, when I was a kid, I traveled the world with my parents in the circus. We were known as the 'Flying Graysons'. One night, during a show, I watched a mobster kill my parents during their act. Bruce Wayne happened to be at the performance that night. He came up to me and kneeled down, comforting me and promising he would make the police catch the man. After debate and funeral arrangements, he decided to adopt me and try to give me a better life. I left the circus and got the best education possible. I have a degree in business, so I started to help him with Wayne Enterprises. I suppose his small act inspired me. I know the business is a bit distasteful to some, but they have an easier time this way. At my club, they are protected and paid well. It is like family, such as the circus. A safe haven in this forsaken city," he said, shrugging like it was no big deal to him.

" Oh god. I'm so sorry. I had no idea-I mean I couldn't have. That's a wild ride. Um. So, you own the place. You don't need to dance for money..." I started, trying to lead into something less morbid, but Richard interrupted my thought with a firm raise of his hand.

" Do you think I dance for the money? I have all the money I need. What I really like is the thrill of the crowd watching my body's every move. I love the look on their faces, the lust and enjoyment. I can't help it. It's rather addicting, really. Sort of like you, I guess," he chuckled, correcting me.

" Private dancing?" I asked, trying not to wince at the embarrassment of the question.

" I choose the clients that I want. I must admit, though, services aside from dancing are not something I do often."

" So, I was a special case, then?"

" A bit spontaneous, yes. I could tell you needed it, because it was in your eyes. I hope that I wasn't too forward. It's not a normal scenario."

" N-no-I mean-it did help. But in some ways, I feel like it might have made it a little worse. Now, I'm really intrigued by you, not just because you remind me of him. I didn't know that I could feel this confused," I said, slapping my head like I had seen Megan do when she forgot something important.

I suddenly felt horribly embarrassed and the guilt welled up inside. My hands came up on either side of my face to press down in a small show of fear.

Richard watched me closely as I practically crawled into a ball while still upright. His hand reached out to me and slid through my hair. The act was intimate and comforting.

" I don't want you to feel bad for me, and I am not bothered by you loving him," he said, fingers slowly working around the nape of my neck and steadily, my shoulders.

" I know. I can't help but feel like I'm just trouble to you. I mean, I show up and you blow me and I follow you home and-" he cut my rambling off with a fierce kiss, hands prying my own from my face.

I whimpered, my eyes closing and giving into his lips. The kiss was reassuring, but firm, telling me not to worry. He pulled back and I just stared into his eyes, watching them decipher my every thought, it seemed. Despite how chilling they could be, they were calm and collected, deeply peering back. His hand idly drifted through my hair. I felt my body relax, leaning into his touch.

At that moment, I was pretty damn sure I was falling for him.

It's not something you plan.

It just...happens.

Just like that.

" You really talk too much. Besides, who says that I'm not using you. You are like a virgin, and I get to slowly corrupt you," he said, smirking evilly.

I felt the heat build in my face quickly.

" Oh, come on, it's not like that! I mean-well-okay, maybe a little. Shut up," I pouted as he laughed at me.

I sighed and we just gazed at each other again for what seemed like hours. In the silence, I heard my stomach protest. I had not eaten anything that day, and my body wasn't used to it. He smirked like he had known me forever, kissing my cheek and getting up.

" We'll get some food. Come on, before it gets too late," he said, pulling a dresser open and collecting a pair of jeans.

I groaned and nodded, getting up to throw my own clothes on. I was a bit grateful for the hunger pains, since I could feel myself getting turned on again as I watched him move while he dressed. I sighed and tried to will the lust away as he got a lighter coat and pulled it on. Personally, I didn't know what stylish really was, but I was pretty sure that he was stylish. I wondered in the back of my mind if his jacket could be worth the down payment on my apartment.

" It shouldn't be too cold outside. I think you'll be fine, tonight," he chuckled, eyeing me as he went out the door. I pulled on my sneakers and followed him out into the hall and then finally out the elevator door.

The air was a bit cool in the evening darkness, but nothing compared to the frozen hell the night before. We walked a bit, and I watched how confidently he navigated the streets, despite how bad the city was known to get. He was treating it like an old friend that occasionally gave him trouble.

The dinner was good, conversation was casual, mostly talking about friends. He told me stories of some of his employees and some of the strange things that Bruce did. The guy had really done a lot for someone his age.

What was his age, anyway?

I decided to ask him, and was surprised to find that he was three years younger than me.

" I feel so unaccomplished. You've done all this cool stuff and your dad is rich. You're on your own with your own business, and it seems like the world is in the palm of your hand," I said, smiling.

" I know other things that are in the palm of my hand as well," he remarked coyly, making me almost squeal in embarrassment.

" Don't look at me like that in public. It's very distracting."

" Sorry, you're just so cute, especially when you're flustered like that."

I pouted, annoyed by the fact that he was figuring me out even quicker than I could figure myself out. Then again, he didn't know the real me. He didn't know that I could go the speed of sound and vibrate my body to scorching levels of heat.

He didn't know that.

It made me rather sad. Now, I could understand a little bit what Rob had explained before. He mentioned that it was dangerous to have people too close. It was dangerous to let a normal person into your life. I stared over at Richard, and could finally understand. I could feel myself slipping head over heels for him.

What if one of the Rogues showed up to kill me?

What if someone had been tailing me?

He would get hurt. Even as he was capable acrobat, it didn't mean he was a fighter. I could tell he was smart, but smarts didn't always help when there was a knife at your throat.

I bit my lip thinking about it, cursing my fickle heart and raging hormones for getting me into this mess. Richard peered over at me, seeming thoughtful but slightly worried. I hoped that he wasn't worried about me.

" So, I've been thinking about what to call this thing we have between us," he whispered, slightly out of the blue.

I raised my eyebrows and flushed a little pink, legs tensing up as I looked back at him.

" Yeah," I answered, not quite sure what to say about it.

" Is this a date?" he asked, smirking over at me.

I blushed a bit more and sighed, nodding but not even able to look him in the eyes or say it. He giggled, seeming to love watching me battle with myself.

" Good. I like you," he said, sipping at the red wine that he ordered with the meal.

I smiled softly, able to look up as I chuckled.

" Yeah, I like you a lot myself, more than I should or is necessary for my own good," I chuckled, poking at the food on my plate, feeling my body warming.

I suppose I was pretty content right then.

Even as I couldn't show him who I really was, the rest of me was laid very bare. I could feel myself slip into his gaze and forget that there were any troubles out there. I couldn't quite tell what he was thinking, though. Even as he smiled, there was a small bit of secrecy and mystery to him that I couldn't place.

He was something else, I suppose.

We finished up the food and he paid. I tried not to watch how much he tipped, but couldn't help but peer over. He was very generous. Perhaps because he lived in the neighborhood and wanted to help keep the place going. The point aside, we were warmly nodded to as we left into the night air. It had gotten a little more chilly while we had eaten. I zipped up my sweatshirt and he looked guiltily over at me as we walked.

" Maybe I should have let you borrow a coat," he said.

" Naw. I'm fine. It's not a long walk," I smiled, carefree and rather happy.

He chuckled.

" What? What's funny?" I asked.

He shook his head.

" Nothing, just the way you smile. Like I said, it's cute."

My face heated up even further and I playfully bumped into him with my hip.

" Stop saying stuff like that, it's...embarrassing," I whined, then looked up as his body posture changed.

My eyes narrowed as I watched him. He sighed deeply and brought his hands out of his pockets. I looked around me. Sure enough, a couple of guys were taking point, a good six of them pushing forward to us. My jaw went stiff. I couldn't use my powers. I couldn't just disappear, either. I didn't have my costume, and as I looked around at the thugs, I realized just how scary it was to be human. They were slimy and tall. They wore the look of predators that had fed on the weak for ages. Studded earrings and brass knuckles. Ripped cloth and leather. The smell of tobacco filled my nose.

I felt the cold metal against my head, but for some reason, Richard had seen it already and was shooting a glare to the man holding the gun behind me.

" Kid, that's a nice coat you have there. Why don't you hand it to me? Wallet, too, and I don't have to shoot a bullet through your little boyfriend's head," he chuckled, and I frowned in anger.

I wasn't little at all.

Damn it.

Damn this to hell.

Richard's eyes were like ice as he stared the man down, looking a foot taller than he actually was. He pulled his wallet out from his coat and took it off, holding them out to another man who had closed in on us.

" Let's see if it's worth the trouble," he said, thumbing through the wallet.

The man grinned and cackled.

" Rich parents or something. He's loaded," he said, waving the wallet around.

I could hear the grin in the man's voice behind me.

" Good. But what to do about the redhead. He seems like he wants to run for it. You scared, little rabbit?" he said, thrusting the gun a bit roughly against my scalp.

I breathed quietly and deeply, making sure not to move.

" Put the gun down," Richard uttered, and I felt a chill go down my spine as he said it.

" I don't need to hurt you if you put it away," he said, almost hissing through clenched teeth.

My heart felt like it would explode out of my chest. I felt so conflicted, wanting so badly just to use my speed to take care of the gun and whisk him away from here. I had dealt with messes like this a million times, before. I couldn't risk that in front of seven people. I watched as Richard balled his fists, muscles tensing and eyes shooting daggers towards the man behind me.

" Like a little punk like you could scratch me. I'd like to see you try," he said, laughing.

There was an exchange of smirks around the men in agreement.

" You asked," he said, fist sailing up towards the nearest member of the gang and the sound of crushing bones was heard.

There was a wail of pain and a look of panic and shock on the men's faces as they watched their comrade collapse into a bawling heap on the cold pavement, incoherent babbling about his nose flying from his throat. I saw the blood gushing down his face, a small bit on Richard's knuckles as he threw his leg up into the next man's rib-cage. My eyes went wide and the man behind me hesitated. As they were distracted by his strange show, I shot my hand up to push the gun out of the way, maybe using a little speed to help. The surprise blow caused the gun to go off into the sky, and I slammed my elbow back into him before moving out of the way.

Richard jumped a good couple feet and slammed his foot into the armed man, his body hitting the ground with a loud noise. He wasn't light, but he had gone down like a man half his size. More kicks and punches landed on another man near me, and I decided that I could help by snatching up the gun and unloading it, rendering it useless unless he found enough time to load it again before Richard got to him. I watched in utter horror and amazement as he dodged the various attackers, three of them ganging up on him. He kept his arms close to his chest for protection and I watched as he threw down one of the men with his leg, using him as a stepping stool as he brought a knee into another's face. The third tried to grab him, to which he only grabbed back and twisted, more sounds of shattered bones filling the air.

He skulked over to the man who had been aiming at my head and brought his foot down hard on his kneecap. Even I had to cringe at the snapping and bending of the bone as it was rendered useless. The last man went out cold with a solid blow to the head. I stared at the unconscious bodies and screaming faces covered in agony and blood, looking at Richard. My eyes opened wide and everything came flooding in.

I was possibly the most moronic person in the world right now.

The fighting style.

The icy glare.

The street smarts.

I almost forgot to breathe for a second as I watched him grab his jacket and wallet, kicking the man again for good measure and stalking off.

I almost didn't want to follow him.

But I did.

We walked in silence to his apartment and we went up. Even in his living room, I couldn't even find words for a while, just standing there, rather dumbfounded.

" How long did you know?" I asked him coldly, crossing my arms and flushing madly in anger and embarrassment.

" Only since this afternoon. I thought you would figure it out, sooner, really. I feel stupid for not seeing it earlier, myself," he said, pressing a hand to his face in frustration.

" Why didn't you just -" I asked, but couldn't finish, because even I didn't know what he could have done.

"What? Just laugh it off and tell you right then? Scare you off? I needed to let you see it on your own," he said, running his hands through his hair.

" Seriously, Rob. You're the son of the world's greatest detective and you didn't fucking know my real name? You left to come to Bludhaven and became a stripper? I mean, all things aside, isn't that just a tad bit insane? Oh, and it didn't occur to you that I was slightly worried? That everyone was worried? No, I suppose not. Boy Wonder is perfect, after all," I scoffed, glaring over at him.

He remained silent, letting out a long breath as he leaned against the wall. I clenched my teeth and paced around a bit, finding it hard to believe that it had taken me this long.

" Were you going to play me until I figured it out?" I asked.

He was quiet for a bit before answering.

" I thought it would be best for our friendship if I didn't know your real name. It was tempting, but I figured that it would only worsen the problem I already had with you. I thought about playing you. Things were going reasonably well, and I figured that I might as well enjoy it," he said, the look in his eyes and the tone of his voice sending shivers down my spine.

" Stop that. Cut the bullshit. You sound like the Bat. Don't try to intimidate me into forgiving you," I said, pointing my finger hard at him.

He almost rolled his eyes, but seemed to catch it before the rude gesture took over.

" Things here are a bit different," he stated, voice sounding more tired than angry.

" No shit! It's fucking Bludhaven!" I shouted, wanting to pull my hair out.

I had let him live this long in such a dangerous city without knowing.

No wonder he came back with those bruises and cuts.

The black eyes.

He was getting beat up weekly, probably. He was protecting his employees. I choked back a small sob, feeling it welling up without much control. I turned from him, not able to look him in the eye as I tried to wipe the tears off.

" All this lying. I'm so sick of it! What's the point of being best friends if we can't even tell each other who we are? It's like we're not friends at all!"

" I know, KF," he said a bit more calmly from behind me.

I was a bit too upset to see reason, still, and I slapped his hand away as he tried to take mine.

" Damn it, Rob, don't touch me!" I spat, part of me really not meaning it.

It wasn't a hand this time as he used his strength to pull me close to him. I struggled, smacking him away until finally he used sheer force to drive me roughly against the wall and pin me there. His strong fingers grabbed my wrists and held them fast as he pressed himself against me. Just as I was getting my balance back to writhe under him, warm lips found mine. I thrashed around to no avail as he refused to budge. Tears of frustration ran down my face as I sobbed and groaned into his mouth all at once.

The kiss was rather chaste, no tongue pushing to explore my mouth, and he pulled back quite quickly. I opened my soggy eyes to see him looking sadly at me, lips just an inch or so back.

" I'm sorry. God. I love you, KF. I loved you before this. This whole thing just...just sent it home, you know?" he whispered, forehead pressing against mine.

" You jerk. You fucking arrogant, self righteous, egotistical jerk," I whispered back, leaning forward to catch his lips in mine, tears smearing against his face.

*I don't want to brag, but I actually went to see what places could be the main international partners for Wayne Enterprises. Wayne Electronics would most likely have a strong connection to Tokyo, since it has the largest metropolitan economy in the world, and Wayne Steel to Luxembourg, which houses the largest production company of steel in the world, ArcelorMittal . It is actually the second richest country in the world, as well. That is why Dick is speaking French and Japanese. I didn't just put it there to make him look awesome.*