A single man in possession of a good fortune (Dick and Steve)

[justlikeacircus]

The season was just beginning so of course the ball was absolutely packed, all the eligible debutantes vying to make a splash and secure themselves a good match - exactly the kind of scene that Dick hated, so of course he'd drawn the metaphorical short straw and had to be the one putting in an appearance, the one circulating the news that his father wasn't yet back from his business trip and was expected in a few days (while Batman stalked the streets and thus it could not possibly be Bruce Wayne behind the mask, for he was still away).
Later he would take to the streets himself, safe behind the comfort of his mask, back to doing things he was good at - but later seemed a thousand years away in the face of the throngs of eager suitors who would surely hear, before long, that Richard Grayson was not only single but also worth in excess of £10,000 a year and set to inherit even more one day, and then this ball would become insufferable.

Right now it was merely barely tolerable, for he'd agreed to attend this evening with Clark, an old friend to his family but a newcomer in this town and an attractive enough prospect that he was drawing most of the attention while Dick stood beside him, sipping champagne and trying to look as unapproachable as possible, giving just the barest of nods whenever Clark introduced him to each new conversation partner.
If he was really, really lucky, he'd make it through the whole evening this way.

Comments

[oldfashionedhero]

He is almost certain that he was only invited because he is a known member of the Avengers and good conversation fodder. His finances are less than desirable for this crowd and he knows the looks that are shot his way are more out of curiosity than actual interest. Tony has not stopped talking since they've arrived, which is not unusual but does make fading into a corner difficult. He has come to appreciate Tony's penchant for being the center of attention, even if it's for less than favorable reasons, but tonight he wishes he would pull back on his need to be a spectacle. He distances himself as soon as he's able, but somehow Tony finds him again, pulling him towards a pair of well dressed men.

"Mr. Kent," Tony says with a warm smile. "I'm happy to see that you've made it this evening. I want to introduce you to the Avengers, seeing as how your paper seems intent on pretending we don't exist. This is Captain Steve Rogers, Bruce Banner, Clint Barton, Thor Odinson and our dear Miss Natasha Romanov of Russia."

He looks at Dick and grins. "My, Mr. Grayson, haven't you ventured far from Wayne Manor? We're delighted to have your joyous presence with us."

[justlikeacircus]

Clark favours Tony with a genuine smile, giving each of the group a nod as they're introduced. Dick almost admires the ease with which he's so amiable, even if there does seem to be a naivety about it - Dick knows that part's just as much an act as his own stuck-up aristocrat routine, but he can't deny that that seemingly guileless charm wins over almost everybody eventually.

"I'm sorry to say that my editor doesn't seem to like stories about your work, Mr Stark, but I'll see what I can do the next time you all do something newsworthy. I'm sure it won't be long." From anybody else it might sound like an insult, but Clark delivers it with warmth. Dick resists the urge to roll his eyes.

"This isn't the sort of place I'd normally frequent, it's true." Dick inclined his head slightly at Stark's comment "But Mr Kent insisted I join him."

[oldfashionedhero]

"It never is," Tony agrees with a smile. Steve wishes he'd show some kind of restraint when it comes to his ego. After all, making the news means that the peace they fought to instill wouldn't last long.

His attention is drawn towards Mr. Grayson, who looked anything but joyful at being there. In fact, he seemed a little bored. Steve studied his suit and wondered how much it might have cost.

"Forgive me for being forward," Natasha said, stepping forward and offering Clark her hand. "But would you care for a dance, Mr. Kent?"

"Yes, you should dance," Tony said before Clark could even answer. He looks at Dick and grinned. Suddenly Steve felt himself being pushed forward. "I have the perfect partner for Mr. Grayson as well."

Steve can feel his face warm as he looks at the other man. He'll be sure to thank Tony for this moment, later. "Would you care to dance?"

[justlikeacircus]

"How could I say no, Miss Romanov?" Clark takes the offered hand with a winning smile, apparently not put off by her forwardness at all.

And before he could even really process what just happened, Dick finds himself alone with the remaining avengers, and one Steve Rogers being pushed towards him.

"I'm afraid I don't really dance." he says, the words coming out far more stiff and dismissive than he intends. It's sort of true, given how often he avoids these events, he's not really as familiar with the popular dances the way he should be, and he's suddenly incredibly conscious of making a fool of himself. He shouldn't care, what these people think of him shouldn't matter when he knows it's all just an act and he's far more himself behind a mask than he ever is in a suit, and normally he doesn't... but there's something about those blue eyes in front of him that's throwing off his normal apathy. He just wishes it had sounded like he cared...

[oldfashionedhero]

Steve nods stiffly, withdrawing his hand at Grayson's rebuttal. It's clear to him that the other man sees himself above dancing with someone of his station. He's pretty sure it's clear to everyone else present as well. He clears his throat.

"I see," he says, keenly aware of the defensiveness in his own tone. He glances to his right and meets Bruce's eye, sympathetic but intense in it's sudden dislike of Grayson. He nods towards the dance floor.

"I'll dance, Steve," he says and Steve finds himself giving him a grateful nod as Bruce allows him to save some kind of face. He glances back at Grayson, cool and handsome and above everyone else.

"Mr. Grayson," he says, excusing himself and still feeling his face warm from rejection and embarassment. Bruce does his duty and gives him a quick dance before releasing him. Steve is grateful but is eager to step outside to get some fresh air.

He nearly runs head first into Mr. Grayson himself.

[justlikeacircus]

"Mr Rogers." Dick's face is impassive as he offers the other man a slight nod, watching him disappear into the throng of dancers with well-concealed regret. He should have just said yes, but it was too late for that now.

With Clark occupied by the dancing, he excused himself to take a moment in the gardens, liking both the fresh air and the brief escape to solitude before he's required back at the party. It turns out the solitude is not to be, and he's quickly cornered by an over-enthusiastic young woman who's asking him all about what it was like to meet the Avengers. Wanting to put her off talking to him further, he employs probably the worst of his rote responses - one designed to distance himself from vigilante behaviour.

"Personally I think their showy antics only make matters worse for the constabulary who need to deal with the flamboyant villains who crop up to battle these costumed interlopers. Good day, madam." he gives the woman a curt bow and turns in search of actual solitude... and instead has to catch himself from walking into a certain blue-eyed blond.

"...Mr Rogers." he says stiffly.

[oldfashionedhero]

"Mr. Grayson," Steve says, his voice icy cold. He hadn't missed his opinion about the Avengers. The very idea that they caused people to step up to fight them made his blood boil. They had worked hard and at their own risk to help others. And they weren't the only ones trying to fight for the common man. There were others, though they weren't as open.

"I couldn't help but overhear your conversation. Easy words for someone of your station to say. There are plenty of others with less means who don't have the privilege of your security and need protecting."

[justlikeacircus]

For some reason, the idea of Steve thinking he actually thought like that was mortifying. Perhaps it was professional pride, or some desire to be recognised by someone in the same line of work however much he could never admit to it, or perhaps it was a much more simple desire for Steve to think well of him. Regardless of reason, it genuinely wounded him to hear the coldness in the other man's voice - but he also knew he couldn't backtrack on what he'd said.

"Is that not what the constabulary are for?" he pointed out calmly, though he was kicking himself for saying something so inflammatory. Surely there was a better way to smooth over this conversation, and yet...

[oldfashionedhero]

"You mean the men that are so easily bought that they turn a blind eye to those that truly suffer?" He can feel the warmth moving into his face, though he's trying to keep his tone impartial.

Mr. Grayson would be handsome, were it not for the haughty tone of his. A man of his class and stature could easily sit back on his haunches and watch the world fall apart around him. He would remain untouched. Unlike Steve's only family, or the men he called brothers.

"You can keep your constabulary, though I doubt they're worth a quarter of what your class buy them for."

[justlikeacircus]

Dick doesn't want to argue against that point, he's made it himself a hundred times over - it was part of the reason he wanted to join the constabulary himself, to try and change them from within, but of course that would be absolutely unacceptable for a man of his standing.

"You think the only way to protect those that suffer is to put on a mask and fight?" it's kind of a change of subject and a little mean since that wasn't exactly what Steve was saying, but it at least means he doesn't have to keep arguing the total opposite of what he thinks, and he can fall back on somewhat firmer ground "I would say the kind of work my father does investing in local businesses and the community is far more benefit."

[oldfashionedhero]

He was feeling himself losing his temper. Something for which he should be ashamed at for how easily the other man was hitting his buttons, but without Bruce or any of the others to keep him in check his mouth was a run away train.

"Some of us don't have money to throw at the problems our people face," he says. "All I have are my fists." He gestures towards Dick. "And I don't have your fine clothes, sir. The mask is not something I hide behind, it's a symbol of how help should be. Without strings attached."

[justlikeacircus]

There was something about Steve; his passion, his conviction for what he did. Dick didn't disagree with a single word of it, and the man was stunningly beautiful when he was angry. Dick was annoyed now as well, but entirely at himself - here was a handsome, eligible, principled man and Dick was ruining any chance of romance by riling him up with opinions he didn't even really hold, and for what? Pride? Reputation? A secret his father insisted on keeping?

Stupidity, that's what it was, plain and simple. But there was nothing he could do about it now.

"I see that we will simply have to disagree, Mr Rogers. Good day." He says stiffly, bowing to Steve. At least he could escape this hellish conversation and go and quietly mourn the death of his chances in a corner somewhere.

[oldfashionedhero]

Steve huffed at Grayson's dismissive reply. Of course he wasn't going to pursue him into more of a verbal fight, even if Steve was more than willing to do that and more.

"Good day," Steve said, not returning the bow, but instead staring him down. As far as first impressions went, Mr. Grayson had just made a terrible one. And, as was evident by the woman staring at him openly, he had also done just as terrible a job. He turned and set out for the stables. He'd had enough of society for one night.

[justlikeacircus]

Dick watched him walk away and then immediately went to go and find Clark, because if anybody understood making a fool of himself for the sake of his reputation, it was Clark - not because he'd done it himself, but because he'd listened to Dick's father lament doing it enough times that he was well practiced in handling the following existential crisis. Can you actually be said to be a decent fellow if you act like a stand-offish snob every time you actually speak to a real human person? Clark promises that he can, but Dick isn't convinced.

Which is why, when the opportunity comes to take some information that Batman has gathered in support of the Avengers' latest mission, Dick leaps at the chance for Nightwing to be the one to deliver it, because even though it won't help Steve's opinions of Dick, at least it might end in a marginally pleasant conversation with the blond.

So one evening there's a black-and-blue clad figure leaning casually on one of the Avengers' Manor's upper balconies, waiting to be noticed by someone inside.