A/N: So, I once again wasn't really sure how I was going to spin this chapter but after finishing 'Princesses' and 'Don't Cry', this song came across the playlist and I was able to envision a story that could go along with it. Plus, Sara Kays' music is awesome and there's another song I have planned for down the line that is also one of hers. I do feel like this story follows a similar tale of some of the others with Raven's dad being someone rich and powerful while Robin is well known as being a rich man (Bruce's) son.

Thx!

AMM

Disclaimer: I do not own the song or any song I have ever used in one of my stories.


Song: Rich Boy by Sara Kays

Rachel Roth has always yearned for a real connection, for the cheesy true love she reads under her covers at night in her corny romance novels. She dreams of meeting someone who loves her for her and she loves him for him, not for her father's money or his money, not for her father's fame or his fame, just loving each other as they are. Her father is hellbent on things going differently, however. At least her online penpal understands….

~Raven's POV~

Purple lips, sad face

Going on a stupid date

"This is so stu-"

"Hold your tongue, girl," my father growls from his spot on the other end of the dining room table, on the other side of the room. I huff and cross my arms like a petulant child but do as he commands. "You will do this so I don't have to deal with you anymore." He scowls. I desperately want to ask why he demanded I live with him on the other side of the world from my mother if he doesn't want me.

However, I say nothing and continue to glare. If I don't watch myself, I'll end up in trouble. I lower my eyes and reach out to push my food around my plate. After my father rose to be rather powerful through enough shady business deals, he suddenly became obsessed with luxury. We have a personal chef who only serves the most posh food and I'm now forced to wear elegant, snobby, preppy clothes when I'd be much happier in my ripped jeans and hoodies.

Give him a chance

Her father would say

"Richard Grayson is well known and you would do well to behave yourself around him. How can you so easily shun him when you've never met him?"

Bzzt bzzt

My hand immediately moves to my lap where I've tucked my phone but I know better than to look at it. However, only one person really texts me and my heart races at the thought of bickering and joking with him.

But she wouldn't want him

No matter the day

I love how my father cared enough to ask me how I felt about being set up on a date with some playboy. I've seen him all over the news. Billionaire Bruce Wayne's oldest adopted son who's always spotted out at posh nightclubs with women draped over both arms, just like his father. I have absolutely no interest in being arm candy or having to schmooze up to the arrogant prick just so my father can work out some medieval dowry to squeeze as much money out of Mr. Wayne as possible.

Knowing my father, he already has the wedding planned and some twisted plan to make the Wayne's foot the bill.

Play nice, dress up

Don't forget your makeup

"I expect you to be dressed to perfection. None of that awful dark makeup or depressing clothes you love so much. We need to hook into the Wayne's if I wish to continue climbing Gotham's socioeconomic ladder and Bruce Wayne is the perfect way to do that."

I fight not to protest, having heard Mr. Wayne is far smarter than most believe him to be, often trying to use him for their own gain then ending up embarrassed and humiliated by Mr. Wayne outsmarting them and taking them for everything they're worth. I wouldn't necessarily miss the luxury that my father has grown so fond of but I don't miss the nights my mother and I spent on the streets when I was a child and am in no rush to get back to living that lifestyle.

You really should impress him

Once you take your medicine

"I'm sure Richard will find you impressive enough. You get decent grades and know when to listen. It's just your gloominess and attitude I'm concerned about."

I know before the butler appears at my side what's coming.

"Can't I go without them just this once?" I try to plead but my father's eyes flash violently as a small plastic cup appears on the table beside my plate, two pills sitting innocently beside each other. My eyes glance up to beg once more but the scowl on his face and glare of his eyes causes me to look away and begrudgingly grab the small cup, tossing my head back to swallow the pills. I used to try and hide them under my tongue but he typically checks my mouth or has me wait around long enough that they'd dissolve anyways.

Ooh, daddy always had his ideas

Of being happy

Five minutes after I swallow the pills, I'm excused and I rush off to my room, wanting to talk to Robin before the drugs kick in. I gently close my bedroom door as to not tip off my father that something might be up before sitting on my bed to open Robin's message.

FlyingRobin:

Hey, dark girl, whatcha up to?

I roll my eyes, hating but loving the nickname.

DarkRaven:

Suffering through dinner with my dad

FlyingRobin:

yikes

DarkRaven:

Yeah

and he's trying to set me up on some kind of date

I really dont wanna go

FlyingRobin:

Then dont

Ditch the guy and come meet up with me instead XP

DarkRaven:

Dont tempt me

FlyingRobin:

*in a whispered voice* Come join me

meeeeet meeeeee

DarkRaven:

You're so cringy, you know that?

FlyingRobin: Raaaavvvveeeennnn

DarkRaven: Go away

FlyingRobin:

RRRRAAAAVVVVEEEENNNN

DarkRaven:

I'm going to sign out and delete this app

FlyingRobin:

*dramatic gasp*

you wouldn't

DarkRaven:

Watch me

FlyingRobin:

then do it

I bite my lip, stifling a giggle. My meds are kicking in, making me some giggly bimbo, acting like I'm permanently tipsy. I fucking hate this stuff.

Bzzt Bzzt

1 message from FlyingRobin

I'm waiting

DarkRaven:

Okay fine, you cot my bluff

FlyingRobin:

Cot?

DarkRaven:

*cught

*caght

UGH

However you spell it

FlyingRobin:

Woah

You good?

You never misspell stuff or give up on it or whatever

DarkRaven:

Yeah

My meds have kicked in

I realize a moment too soon what my loopy brain just admitted.

DarkRaven:

oops gota gooo

FlyingRobin:

Meds?

I put my phone down and stumble towards my bathroom, hoping I'll be able to do my makeup to my father's standards in this state. I can hear my phone vibrating from my bed but I can still understand that I shouldn't have mentioned anything.

As I shakily try to apply my mascara, I hear my phone continue to blow up and even with the 'happy pills', I can feel myself growing annoyed. Why can't he just drop it?

After missing my eyelashes for the fourth time from both the distraction of my phone and my meds still kicking in, I angrily set the eyelash wand down and storm into my room, surprised to see numerous messages flooding my lock screen, enough so that I have to scroll to see them all.

10 messages from FlyingRobin

I don't like the sound of that

What are you on meds for?

Is it serious?

R u okay?

?

Raven?

Please come back

Im sorry

I didnt mean to affend you

*offend

As I'm scrolling through the messages, a new one comes in.

1 new message from FlyingRobin

I wont bring up anything more about your

meds if you just come back and talk to me

Sighing, I check the time and decide I have enough time to send him a couple of texts to hopefully get him off of my back but then I have to go. Unlocking my phone, I open the message app, a text bubble immediately popping up as his messages are now marked as seen.

FlyingRobin:

Thank god

I didnt mean to fuck something up

Pardon my french

I can't help but chuckle and warm at the thought of him being so concerned about my feelings. It's refreshing.

DarkRaven:

No, i shouldn't have said anything

FlyingRobin:

its totally ok

I dont want you to feel like you cant talk to me

If you ever want to talk about anything, you can message me

ANYTHING Raven

I don't know how to respond to that. I'm not used to being assured and comforted. Then I notice the time and realize I have only 2 minutes to get my shoes on and find my bag before my father will be pounding at my door and I can't allow him to find my phone with all of my messages on it.

DarkRaven:

I really do have to go

Have somewhere I have to be soon

Talk later?

FlyingRobin:

yes, whenever is fine

No matter the time, I'll respond

I send back a thumbs up emoji before turning off my phone to dig quickly through my closet for my black ankle boots.

I'm sliding my bag up my shoulder when my father throws my bedroom door open, eyes scanning over my room before landing on me standing mere feet from him.

"Come, you're going to be late and that is inexcusable." He grabs my arms and hauls me out of my room, down the long flight of stairs before tugging me outside and shoving me into a town car. I barely manage to duck my head down to avoid smacking it on the doorframe of the vehicle. "Behave," he growls. "Or else." Then he slams the door.

Marry a rich boy

Be a rich girl

Buy a big house

On top of the world

I sigh as the driver pulls away from my so-called home, eyes unfocused as we drive into the heart of Gotham City. I suppose I should be grateful Grayson chose to meet at a small cafe for coffee rather than some upscale restaurant. I hate wearing stuffy clothes and eating ridiculous food.

Too busy in my thoughts, I hardly notice that we've pulled up to the street until my door is suddenly opened and a hand appears in front of me. Spooking from my thoughts, I jerk back a little, too accustomed to hands flying at me to deal a slap. However, upon realizing it's not my father outside of the car but a young man, I hesitantly accept the hand, allowing him to pull me from the car.

"You must be Rachel, I assume?" He asks politely. He nods to the driver, "thanks, Al!" before slamming the door shut and leading me towards an outdoor table. It's a nice evening, the breeze offering a nice way to cool down from the heat of a summer day.

"Yes, which must make you Richard?"

"Do I really look that different from the tabloids?" He asks as he pulls out my chair. He grins at me, as if expecting me to laugh at his joke. While I may not be "gloomy and depressed", as my father would say, I'm not exactly charmed either.

When I don't laugh or even smile, his grin falters. I sit in the seat he's pulled out, watching him scurry around to the other side of the table. I won't deny that he's attractive, with shocking steel blue eyes and perfectly mussed dark raven hair, but I won't be fooled by his looks or supposed charm.

"I don't typically read gossip rags or tabloids. You must be in them quite often if you think that's where I'd recognize you."

"Ooh, feisty." He tries to tease. "No, I try to avoid the press but it can be difficult. Everything I do seems to be worthy of the magazines or 'scandal worthy'." He makes air quotes with his fingers. "So, tell me a bit about yourself."

"You first." I begin to pick at my fingers as he sits silently for a moment, eyes scanning over me. It's not quite in a predatory way but it still makes me uncomfortable.

"Well, I'm one of three adopted sons, as I'm sure you know. I quite enjoy more nimble activities such as gymnastics or parkour." He pauses, a small line appearing between his eyebrows and it's unfortunately quite cute. "When I was growing up, I wanted to be a police detective, I take martial arts classes, am actually a pretty decent cook, and my favorite animal is a robin." I hadn't paying too close attention until the last fact. A robin? "Your turn."

"Oh, um," I trail off, not really wanting to be here, let alone tell this random stranger about me when I hope to never see him again. He must be able to read my expression as he sighs and leans forward, hands clasped and elbows resting on the table.

"Look, I know this wasn't what you wanted to do on your Saturday night but my dad's trying to appease your dad and now we're here." I look down guiltily, hating that my dad has dragged him into this, his threat from earlier ringing through my head. Or else.

"Fine. Um, I love to read and prefer tea over coffee. Coffee hypes me up and I'd rather calm down with a soothing cup of tea." I refuse to look at him. "I have six half-brothers, all of us from different moms, but none of them live in Gotham. They're spread out all over the place."

"Are you close with them?" He asks when I trail off, surprising me.

"With who?"

"Your brothers?"

"Oh, no. They're all much older than me. I'm the baby of the family."

"Is your mom in the picture?" I hunch back in my seat at the unexpected mention of my mom.

"No, she and my dad don't get along very well so she's not in the picture." I say after a moment, voice hardly audible.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked. I wouldn't have liked it if someone brought up my parents." His parents. It's a well known story in Gotham. Richard was born to traveling acrobats, the youngest of the Flying Graysons when his parents were tragically killed. Mr. Wayne had taken him in when he'd had no one, having been able to relate. His other two sons' backstories, however, are more of a mystery.

"It's okay. It was a while ago." I shrug before perking at the sight of a waitress stepping out of the coffeeshop.

"Let me buy you something to make up for my blunder." He offers and I don't deny him, requesting a chamomile tea with a swirl of honey when the waitress turns to me. I didn't miss the way she checked Richard out but I have no say in it so I keep my mouth shut.

"So what else do you do, Boy Blunder?" His eyes widen at the nickname and my face flushes but I don't correct myself.

"Uh, I work at my father's company. Boring office work stuff but it's simple enough."

"Why not join the police force? Do you still want to be a detective?"

"Yeah, but I don't want to cause Bruce any additional stress. My younger brother is quite the handful already." I nod, having heard numerous things about the middle Wayne son. Jason is known as the wild child.

You'll be a princess

You'll be a queen

But her and her daddy,

They never agree

We talk for another hour or so when the same town car from earlier appears. I begrudgingly find myself mentally admitting that I didn't have such a bad time. When Richard can get over himself, he's actually quite easy to talk to.

He stands to pull my chair out for me, offering me his arm to walk me the few steps towards the towncar. It's easy enough to see myself possibly dating someone like Richard but I don't know that that's a path I necessarily want to go down.

However, as he opens my door, I find myself leaning up to press a kiss to his cheek before self-consciously ducking down in the car and pulling the door shut, immediately kicking myself for doing something so cheesy. There's no way he's interested in me anyway.

I watch him as I pull away from the curb, his eyes following the car for a couple yards when he looks down to pull his phone out of his pocket, turning away from the street and my heart drops a little. Stupid happy pills, making me get my hopes up.

17, it's getting late

So listen to me

And do as I say

Baby, you're not gonna

Make it on your own

A week after that first "date", father announced that I would be going on another one, this time, though, I wasn't lucky enough to be going to a small cafe. No, this time I would be attending a gala on the arm of Richard Grayson, who I hadn't heard anything from since that night.

I've hardly messaged Robin at all either, unsure of where we stand after my slip up about my meds and too anxious to message him and figure it out.

"You're seventeen, Rachel!" My father shouts, catching my unhappy face in my vanity mirror. My plastic cup of pills is sitting off to the side, my father being merciful enough to allow me to prepare for the gala before taking the dreaded things. "If this were a different time, I would've had you married off years ago! You won't be desirable for much longer! Men always want younger and you're nearly out of that stage!" He paces behind me, supervising each accessory I put on, each tendril of hair I curl, and each swish of a brush applying makeup to my face.

I feel ridiculous and far too exposed in the dress my father had picked out. It had a high neck, wrapping around the base of my throat similar to a choker and the only thing keeping the dress up. From there, the material split to show the center of my clavicle and line of my cleavage with far too much of my breasts exposed. The dress reconnected at the bottom of my ribcage before draping elegantly to the floor, a large slit starting at the very top of my thigh. I feel like I've been dressed far too risque for a gala and know that I'll be looked down upon and judged, as if the dress was my idea.

"Bruce said that your last meeting with Richard was successful and if you ever want to be successful with your life from here on out, you'll accept Richard and be grateful for this opportunity. You will never be something or get anywhere in your life if you continue moping around and letting what little you have go to waste.

Stand tall, suck in

Laugh to show you're into him

After throwing back the pills and dry swallowing them, my father commands me to turn. I do so, wanting the night to be done with already when his hand darts out and snags my chin. "Lose that defiance in your eyes, girl, or risk my wrath." His eyes flare furiously as he drops his hand. "Suck it in, shoulders back. Need to cut down on your portion sizes." My cheeks flush in embarrassment.

The next hour flies by as I'm driven to the gala by the same driver. Al, I think Richard had called him. "Your dress is stunning, Miss Roth." The older man says from the front. It's hard to tell if he's just trying to be polite or if he truly meant it but it makes me want to cover up either way.

Bzzt bzzt

Startled, I glance down to see a message from Robin.

1 message from FlyingRobin

Havent heard from you in awhile and wanted to check in

I sigh, opening the message.

DarkRaven:

It's been a hectic week

Sorry

FlyingRobin:

No no dont apologize

Just wanted to make sure your ok

That we're ok

DarkRaven:

I'm fine and we're fine

And it's *you're*

FlyingRobin:

There she is

There's my grammar correcter

DarkRaven:

*corrector*

FlyingRobin:

See? What would I do without you?

DarkRaven:

Apparently not spell things correctly

FlyingRobin:

Hey it happens to everyone

The small grin that had been forming on my lips from our banter falls at the reminder of the fool I made of myself last week. Whether it was made to be a slight jab, I still no longer feel like messaging anymore.

DarkRaven:

yea i have to go

FlyingRobin:

oh ok

Probably for the best. I have to be

somewhere in a few minutes anyways

Talk soon?

DarkRaven:

yea

I close out of the app just as the car pulls to a stop at the base of the galas steps. I slip my phone into the clutch I brought before taking a deep breath and move to open the door. However, before I can push it open, it's pulled open and Richard stands in front of me with a kind grin, offering me his hand.

Accepting the hand, I notice as his grin morphs into something a little more surprised as he takes in my appearance.

"Wow," he says as he closes the door behind me.

"My father chose it. It's not something I would typically wear." I brush imaginary lint off of the midnight blue material.

"Well I think you look stunning." He begins to lead me up the stairs, tucking my hand into the crook of his arm. I force a nervous giggle, remembering my father's orders to make sure Richard knows that I'm in to him, like laughing and feigning interest.

I heard he's got a million

So be a lady, not a friend

"The Wayne's are rich and well known. You're there to suck up and be seen as his future bride. This whole 'I'll only be his friend' act ends tonight." My father's words ring through my head. So, for the rest of the night, I play dutiful date, smiling at people he talks to, keeping opinions to myself, turning down drinks or food so I don't come off as a drunk or a pig, as my father would call me.

Marry a rich boy

You'll need the money

So maybe one day you'll

be worth something, honey

As the night draws to a close, I fight not to complain about how sore my feet have grown. I've been standing all night and am unaccusomted to wearing heels for a long period of time. I danced numerous times with my date and clung to his arm the entire night.

"Are you ready to head out?" Richard finally asks and I can't hold back my enthusiasm when I nod my head, causing him to chuckle. We stop at the entrance, collecting my clutch before heading out. However, I slip on the stairs leading down to the cars, having been trying to find a different way to walk in hopes of not making the blisters forming on my heels any worse.

Richard immediately catches me, halting my fall and pulling me close to his chest. He hesitates for a moment, eyes darting between mine when he begins to lean in. My mind begins racing between whether or not to allow him to actually kiss me but I don't decide on something quick enough as his mouth makes contact with mine.

Rather than being repulsed, though, I find myself melting in his hold, arms moving to wrap around his shoulders. But when I hear someone whispering behind me, I immediately pull back, trying to push my way out of Richard's arms. Not only am I not the type for public affection, I also hardly know this guy and should not be kissing him.

"I'd like to go now." I mutter, glancing down at the ground, refusing to make eye contact. Richard helps me right myself before escorting me down the stairs to the car.

Can't you see

He's what you need

To live in this society

It's only the reality, baby

I sigh as we reach the towncar waiting to take me home. "I'm sorry if I overstepped any boundaries." He apologizes and when I finally bring myself to look in his eyes, I can see the sincerity.

"It's alright. I'm just conflicted, I suppose."

"Oh? About what? I thought you were rather quiet this evening but didn't want to pry."

"I'm not supposed to have an opinion, or so my father says." I admit quietly, eyes darting away again. "No, what I'm conflicted about is what to do about us. My father is pushing me towards you because he knows how powerful your father is." Glancing back at Richard, I can see something has shifted in his eyes.

"Is that what this is? You're trying to get to my father through me?"

"No! That's not what I'm trying to do but it is what my father's trying to do. That was his whole plan in putting us together."

"But what do you want?"

"Me? I want to sit curled up with a good book and hot cup of tea in my pjs." The answer is effortless, one I've given people before. And it seems to give Richard pause.

"You don't want a relationship?"

"I want someone to like me for me and I want to like them for them. I don't want to be a piece in my father's game but it's unfortunately the hand I've been dealt. My father says that in order to remain powerful, you need to make partnerships with powerful people. How else can you remain prevalent?" I shrug a shoulder.

"I don't-You wouldn't possibly be on a messaging app, would you?"

I freeze, thrown completely off guard. "What?"

"You know, like one of those apps that lets you talk anonymously with people in the area."

"I….am…?" I answer hesitantly, unsure where this is going.

"Are you DarkRaven?" My eyes widen and I take a step back. I only talk to one person on that app.

"Robin?" I gasp.

"Oh my god," he starts laughing, throwing his head back. "What a small fucking world." He suddenly reaches for me, pulling me into a tight hug. "Who'd have thought I'd be set up on a date with my dream girl." He mumbles into my hair. My arms slide around him to return the hug.

"I don't even know what to say." I respond quietly before realizing the last two words he said. "Dream girl?"

"Duh, who wouldn't think of you as their dream girl?"

"Uh, everyone?" I respond but he just laughs again and squeezes tighter before abruptly pulling back and opening the towncar door. "She's with me tonight, Al." The driver nods when- Richard? Robin?-slams the door shut. "This way," He grabs my hand and pulls me behind him. We circle around to the back of the building when I spot the shiny sports car parked in one of the VIP bays.

"Thank god," I can't help but exclaim, knowing that I'll be off of my feet.

"What?" He asks, glancing at me over his shoulder as he continues to tug me along.

"My feet are killing me." I lift up the hem of my dress to reveal the blisters forming. Richard immediately stops, spinning on his heel and sweeping me into his arms before resuming his pursuit towards the flashy car.

"Why didn't you say something?"

"I already told you I'm not supposed to have an opinion." Now that I know Richard is the man I've been talking to online for the last two years, it's suddenly like I've known him in person my whole life and I have no problem openly talking to him now.

"God, he sounds like such an ass."

"He is. I wish I had the ability to get away from him." I relax in Robin's arms, resting my head against his shoulder.

"You can, you know."

"Can what?"

"Get away."

I scoff. "Yeah right."

"No, seriously. Raven, I don't want to be without you ever again but I also don't want you to feel like you're being forced into some kind of relationship with me. We can go to my dad, we can tell Bruce everything and he can get you out and ruin your father in the same phone call."

"I don't know if it's that simple. My father knows a lot of not-so-good people. I don't want to put your family at risk."

"There's more to my family than you might think. Bruce didn't get to his position in Gotham by playing nice and kissing babies. He's not doing illegal things like I would guess your father is but he's no saint either."

I remain quiet for a moment, considernig my options. "I wouldn't have to go back?"

"Never. Not if you don't want to."

"Even when you grow tired of me? When you want someone better?"

"Rae, there's no one better than you."


A/N: Would you believe me if I said I don't like how this chapter turned out either? I feel like I have a really good storyline in mind but then when it comes time to execute it, it's never what I had been originally wanting to write.

Thx!

AMM