It's Christmastime.
And Dick isn't going to let that be upstaged by Bruce and Selina's wedding. Final tuxedo and dress fittings were enough work for one day, and to ensure that his family takes a break from the chaos, he suggests a festive ice skating trip. Open invitations.
After the last time at the skating rink, Dick is still as unsure on his feet as ever. Harley's invited her nephew Nicky in hopes that he and Damian may hit it off, and Jason's invited his new 'team'. Surrounded by friends and family, they can forget about the wedding and their nightly duties; and of course chaos ensues.
Harley hummed to herself as she tied her skates, reaching around her stomach. She glanced up when she heard Steph cry out from on the ice. Tim was skating after Jason who was skating backwards away from him, laughing. Harley rolled her eyes.
"Did Bruce really feel the need to bribe the rink to do closed skating?" she asked Dick, standing up on her skates.
"We're kind of a large group," Dick shrugged. "And when you're a billionaire, why not?" he stood, wobbling a bit. He bit his lip and steadied himself, hobbling over to the opening. Dick carefully stepped out onto the ice and slid a few feet, waving his arms. Jason shot past and knocked him over with a laugh, and Dick sat up. "Watch it, asshole!" he snapped, getting unsteadily to his feet again. Harley giggled into her mittens as she skated over to him.
"You okay?"
"I'm fine," he mumbled, straightening up. He wobbled a bit and skated forward with her. Dick glanced in her direction, smiling a bit. "You look cute. And that dress really did look beautiful on you. On all of you. Selina has good taste."
"I got the feeling you liked it better on the floor," Harley teased.
"Ew," Jason hissed, skating by them. He veered across the ice, circling around Tim and Steph. They yelled at him. Damian stuck a skate out and tripped him as he went by. Jason quickly got up, swerving around Cassandra to chase after him.
"I can't argue with that," Dick chuckled, narrowing his eyes at Jason. "How does he do that?!" he cried, pointing at him as he skated a graceful arc, one foot in front of the other. His attention off of his own feet, Dick nearly toppled forward.
"Practice," Harley said, catching his arm. "You'll get better after a while."
"This is crazy. Why can I walk on a tightrope, but not do this?" he cried.
"Maybe you need proper motivation." Harley let go of his hand, skating forward. She turned around and started skating backward in front of him, her hand on her stomach. "You always seem to learn pretty fast when you're worried. I could make you try and catch me," she offered with a grin. "See if I can do jumps."
"Harley don't even joke," Dick's brow furrowed, his dark bangs swooping up from his forehead under his navy blue knitted beanie. His black hooded cargo coat was unzipped at the high collar to expose his neck and collarbone. Ice was still melting on his jeans and his black gloves from his fall. He skated a little faster, still shaky.
"Fine, fine." She skidded to a stop on the sides of the blades and waited for him to catch up. "Wipe the worry off your face."
"Stop giving me reason to worry," Dick muttered, grabbing her hand. He squeezed, smiling slightly. "You don't very often, but stop doing it now." He stared down at his feet, biting his lip.
"I was only joking." She gave him a kiss on the cheek. "I know you'd just tear your skates off and chase after me."
"Yeah, and that I can do," Dick smiled. His cheeks and nose were pink. Selina and Bruce were on the ice now too. She held tightly onto his arm as she chatted; they made a slow arc around the rink. Jason was hassling Damian, and Cass looked about ready to punch him. Harley and Dick made it to the entrance of the rink just as Alfred walked over.
"I have fetched Nicholas as requested," he told them. Harley beamed as Nicky shuffled over to them.
"Hey! It's good to see you."
"Whatever." He shrugged, skating off on the ice. Harley saw Barbara and Sam entering the building as she and Dick skated by.
"This was a really good idea," she told Dick.
"Yeah. I figured… Every guy needs a break from a crazy girl," he smirked, glancing at Nicky. "It's a lot to deal with."
"Oh, is it? Because I could go see if Damian wants to skate with me."
"Joking, Harley, I was joking," he smiled, elbowing her and nearly knocking himself off balance. He winced, almost falling again.
"And you told me not to joke." Harley giggled, rolling her eyes. "I still can't believe you don't know how to skate. It's not that hard."
"It is that hard!" he muttered as they skated around the curve. Dick cried out as he straightened up a little too high and toppled backwards. "Ow," he groaned, sitting up and looking at her, his hat askew on his head. Harley laughed.
"Don't hurt yourself."
"I didn't," he stood up unsteadily, smiling at her. "I'm ok, I'm ok…" he yawned a bit and then took her hand again. Across the rink, Damian skated towards Nicky.
"Who are you?" he sniffed, cocking his head. His hands were in the pockets of his black wool button down coat, with one buttoned across his chest. His black and gray plaid scarf was tied around his neck and tucked into the collar of his coat.
"Why should I tell you?" Nicky snapped.
"Because you're here alone, and you're not part of my family," Damian shrugged, narrowing his light blue eyes. "But fine, I don't want to talk to you either," he said petulantly, skating away. Nicky huffed, skating the other way.
"Hey!" Jason cried, skating to the opening. "Kori, Roy. I didn't think you'd come."
"I didn't want to," Roy told him, letting Kori drag him onto the ice. Dick glanced over, just as Kori spotted them across the ice. She squealed and sped over near them, beaming.
"Joy! I am so glad to see you both! You look so wonderful, Harley!" Kori giggled, grabbing her hands and pulling them out to her sides, examining her belly. She grinned. "It is the happiest of holidays, and I wish the happiness on you both!"
"Um, thank you?" Harley glanced at Dick, pulling her arms back to her sides.
"Have I crossed the metaphorical line?" she asked hesitantly as Jason skated up next to her. She put her gloved hands up by her mouth.
"Nah," Jason told her. "Just a little warning before you invade strangers' personal space."
"Oh." She giggled a bit. "I suppose I still have not learned that lesson very well. I do apologize, Harley," Kori giggled, her long red hair tumbling down her back and over the chest of her coat.
"You're fine. I should be used to it by now." She shrugged a little.
"Hey," Jason nudged Kori, "let's see if I can steal that kid's hat." He watched Nicky skate by, chasing after.
"Jason play nice with the other kids," Harley called after him. Kori giggled excitedly.
"I am sorry, but I am just so excited. You're so grown up," she cooed, pinching Dick's cheek. He laughed and pushed her hand away. "I am so very happy for you! Keep him out of trouble. And you must let me see the little baby when she is born!" she nudged Harley, and then skated off after Jason, twirling on the ice. Dick rubbed his cheek irritably, muttering to himself.
"Aw, you're so grown up." Harley kissed his cheek, giggling. Barbara glanced away from Sam long enough to smile at them as they skated by.
"Yeah Bruce doesn't seem to think so," Dick smiled, kissing her cheek. He moved a bit unsteadily, but he was getting better.
"That's because he's so tall, he's always looking down on people." Harley laughed at her own joke. Dick snorted, squeezing her hand. Damian skated up to them.
"Why is your nephew such an ass?" he asked, sounding mildly curious.
"Why don't you go ask him?"
"He won't talk to me. I don't care to talk to him, either," he sniffed, crossing his arms behind his back.
"If you don't care, why are you asking me about him?" Harley countered. There was a loud noise as Nicky tripped Jason, putting his hat back on his head with a glare. Damian smiled slightly, watching Nicky skate away from Jason.
"I'm curious," he shrugged. Tim skated towards them.
"Hey Damian, you should go talk to that other kid!" he smiled, his cheeks flushed. Damian's eyes flashed.
"No one asked you, Drake!" he snapped, skating past him and hitting his shoulder. Tim winced.
"Ow! Jeez, little demon…" he muttered, and Steph pulled him away. Dick and Harley started off again; Dick feeling more confident with each stroke of his skates.
"I think I might be getting the hang of this," Dick smiled.
"Careful." Harley grabbed his arm, pulling him to a stop as Jason flew by, Damian and Nicky right behind him.
"I don't know about those two. I think they could get along, though. I couldn't break through Nicky's shell. Then again, It's not as easy as it looks, getting through to a Quinzel. And I can't charm my way into the heart of a pre-teen," he smiled, laughing to himself.
"Eh, depends on the gender," Harley giggled. "But who says he needs to break through Nicky's shell? Have we even broken through Damian's?"
"I think someone did, once. You and I, not completely, but I think Carrie did," Dick looked down. "I don't know if he will really trust anyone after that." Harley's hand tightened in his.
"I know. He's looking a little better at least." She watched him and Nicky sizing each other up. "He's young. He has a lot more love to look forward to."
"I know." Dick smiled. "I also know what it's like to fall in love so young, and think it's the only love there is. And someday he'll realize that's wrong, just like I did," he said calmly, and then kissed her nose. "And he'll find the right girl, like you say."
"Why thank you, Sir." Harley giggled. "I may also know a thing or two about thinking you're in love."
"Together, we've got years of experience," he chuckled. "Why, I bet one of us could become a therapist."
"I call dibs!" She beamed at him, swinging one of her legs as she slid across the ice on the other skate. Dick wobbled a bit, and put his hands in his pockets.
"I call dibs on marrying the sexy doctor," he grinned.
"Yes." Harley fist pumped. "Score." She laughed into her mittens. Dick watched her, still beaming at her, admiring the way her honey colored hair shone in the light, falling in waves down her collar. Dick clumsily skated to a stop and wrapped his arms around her waist.
"You, my future Mrs. Grayson, are absolutely stunning. Completely breathtaking," he smiled, nuzzling her nose with his.
"And you, my current Mr. Grayson- preferably not future Mr. Quinzel, are pretty breathtaking yourself." She slid her hands into his back pockets. "Are you spoken for? Or do you think we could go out sometime? Just don't tell my fiancé. He's the jealous kind."
"I think we can keep things quiet. Although I don't know if I'd want to fight him. He's got a rep as a pretty hardcore guy," Dick beamed, holding her tight.
"Yeah, he would totally kick your ass. And his dad's pretty scary." Harley giggled.
"I think you'd be worth it," he laughed, resting his forehead against hers, his breath fogging up her glasses. Dick laughed again.
"Sorry though. I don't think I'm willing to cheat on him like that. I love him too much." Harley kissed his bottom lip.
"How very noble of you," Dick sighed, closing his eyes. His lips chased hers, and he kissed her gently. Harley smiled into the kiss, nibbling on his bottom lip for a second. She pulled away, a gleam in her eyes.
"I do love you though."
"I love you too, Harles," he smiled gently, stroking her cheek with one gloved hand.
"Well if you love me, why don't you marry me?" she asked before giggling. Dick rolled his eyes.
"You know, I tried to, for a while. If I recall right, you're the one that kept saying no," he kissed her cheek.
"I could have kept saying no," Harley countered. "To, you know, the times you actually got the question out." She raised one eyebrow, smirking.
"What's that supposed to mean?" He laughed.
"That really was a perfect dinner at the circus." She gave him a quick kiss. Dick smiled.
"I know. It would have been good." He looked down, laughing to himself. He laced his fingers behind her back.
"It was still a pretty good proposal. I mean, it's no wings and grape juice to a band, but it was pretty perfect." She grinned.
"For us, yeah," Dick kissed her cheek, turning to start skating again with his arm around her waist, and her hand still in his back pocket. He grinned.
"Look. Red." Harley waved to Ivy who reluctantly skated over to her.
"If no one else saw me, can I leave and pretend I never came?" She put her back to where Jason was laughing with Kori. Roy was practicing his skating around them, still a little unsteady.
"Nope. You're here, and you're staying here," Harley told her. Dick looked down.
"I second that! You need to smile more, Red," he laughed.
"Sure." She skated off by herself, sticking to the edge.
"See even Red knows how to skate," Harley pointed out.
"Well I'm terrible. I don't know how you people do it," he laughed.
"It's a secret cult you have to join," she assured him.
"Damn it, I knew it." Dick looked up at the ceiling. "Well there's no chance for me then, I can't let it corrupt my wholly good heart," he chuckled.
"Good because I'm the only not wholly good thing that can corrupt you." She winked. Dick beamed, kissing her cheek. Damian and Nicky looked like they'd decided to double team Jason; Kori followed along after them, laughing merrily.
"You know you are."
"Hey." Harley grinned. "Are you hungry? Because I am."
"I could grab a snack. And by that, I mean I need an excuse to get off the ice," he laughed, following her to the opening.
"Good because I was thinking wings."