Chapter Text
Dick watched as Cass dodged through the groups of people on her way over to him.
Apparently, Steph had finally decided on a makeup look for Cass, as her makeup was done. It was..rather eye-catching, but that wasn’t too surprising.
Cass stepped next to Dick and whispered quietly enough that no one else would hear.
“Meet at the garden?”
Dick hummed quietly and, after a few seconds, Cass started moving again. Dick watched as she interacted here and there as she made her way to the back exit.
Shortly after she had exited the room, Dick followed, heading towards the gardens.
Cass was sitting on one of the steps down and Dick made no effort to announce his arrival, he knew that she was well aware he was there. She was good like that.
“What’s up, Cass? Not that I’m not happy to be out of there, but you rarely skip out on these events when you’re actually there.”
Cass hummed and moved her hands to sign as she spoke, “I needed to talk. You’re good at listening.”
Dick nodded, “I am very inclined to agree with you! What’s up?”
She tilted her head, switching to sign.
Since it was kind of broken, because that’s just how sign language is , you have to make certain inferences based on facial expressions and context, Dick did his best to translate it into full sentences. He wasn’t the best at it, but he was getting better, okay?
‘Stephanie is always nervous around me. Just me. Never anyone else. And if I show up when she’s talking with someone, she shuts down.’ Cass frowned, ‘Did I do something to upset her?’
Dick furrowed his eyebrows, shaking his head slowly. “No..no, I don’t think so, Cass. Steph’s always so excited to hangout with you, and just..you know. Be with you.”
Cass sighed quietly, ‘A couple days ago she was talking to Tim. She said something about me, I know, so I showed. I thought she’d want to include me.’ Cass frowned, ‘She left instead.’
Dick slumped his shoulders forward, “Well..hm..” Dick stuck his tongue out as he thought.
Stephanie loved Cass, Dick knew that for a fact. She was the first to volunteer for something if it involved being around Cass at all. Hell, she never showed up to galas, not unless Cass was there. That was the only way to get her to one.
Dick paused, a realization washing over him very very slowly.
Steph loved Cass. Holy shit. What?
Cass took his silence as a sign to keep going, switching back to talking, “I am afraid I might have scared her.” She looked at him with furrowed eyebrows, and her eyes were so confused and worried. She shook her head, “I don’t want to scare her.”
Dick nodded, still reeling a bit, but he’d do his best for his sister.
“I know you don’t, Cass, and trust me, you don’t scare her.”
Cass paused and narrowed her eyes at him before hitting him upside the head. He yelped before she started talking, “You know something. Say it.”
“I..can’t. Not yet.”
Cass watched him for a moment before nodding.
“Steph’s not..scared, right?”
Dick shook his head, “Far from it, Cass.”
Cass relaxed a bit, “Okay. Why would she be nervous?”
Dick shrugged, “Well, hm, how do you feel around her? What do you think of her, Cass?”
Cass blinked at him and raised her hands, ‘Good, happy.’ She tilted her head, ‘Safe. Stephanie is good, she is kind.’ Cass smiled a little bit, ‘She is amazing.’
Dick smiled softly, “Yeah, yeah, she is.”
‘Why?’
“Oh, Cass..” He shook his head, “How does..” He thought for a moment. “How does Ivy act around Harley?”
Cass seemed to pause and furrow her eyebrows, ‘Nervous. Giddy. Protective. She cares about Harley a lot.’ She tilted her head, ‘They are together, yes?’
Dick hummed, “Yeah, they are. Now, rethink Stephanie’s behavior. How does she act, Cassie?”
“Nervous, giddy, and happy.” Cass paused, “She acts..similar to Ivy, but different? Because they’re different people. But still similar.” Cass looks at Dick, clearly confused, “Steph isn’t with anyone..right?”
Dick watched Cass’ shoulders fall, “Or is she? And then keeps it a secret from me.”
Dick sighed and shook his head, “Close, but no.”
Cass probably would’ve groaned if she were anyone else. As it is, she just looks very confused.
Dick sighs and bites his lip, “Cass…why do you think Ivy acts that way?”
‘Because she loves Harley.’
Dick nodded, “And does she act that way when Harley isn’t around.”
Cass slowly shook her head, ‘No.’
Dick looked at Cass expectantly.
Slowly, very slowly, Cass seemed to realize what he was implying. She silently mouthed ‘oh’ before blinking at him.
“How do I know if I feel the same way? What if I don’t?”
Dick hummed, “Well..have you ever liked someone before, Cass?”
She nodded, “Yes. But those were when it was a boy. This is different, right?”
Dick shrugged, “It could be. I’m not you. Here, let’s think of it like this. You know exactly how you feel about me and..” He thought for a moment, “Barbara, right?”
Cass nodded, and he continued, “Do you feel the same way about Steph? Do you feel the same way around Steph?”
Cass seemed to think for a moment, ‘No. Different. Very different. Stephanie is different.’
“How so?”
‘She makes me feel excited. Safe.’ Cass nodded slowly, ‘Like I am home.’
Dick melted a little bit. That was adorable, sue him.
“Yeah?”
Cass nodded, “You guys make me feel similar, but not exactly.”
“Okay..what do you think about being in a relationship with Steph? How does that idea make you feel?”
Cass’ eyes flicked around, “Happy? I don’t..it’s something like that. I can’t describe it.”
Dick chuckled, “Cass..well, I think you should talk to her about it. Be open and honest about how you feel, even if you don’t have the words. See what happens. Either way, Steph cares too much about you to lose you.”
Cass nodded, “I will. Thank you, Dick. Means a lot to me.”
Dick hummed, “Of course, Cassie. As weird as it is to think about my two younger sisters maybe getting together, I’ll accept it as long as you guys are happy.”
Cass nodded, a small, playful smile appearing, “We’re not sisters. Plus, we get together, she can be your sister in law.” Cass shrugged, “Official then.”
Dick laughed, loud and bright.
(Dick watched as Cass headed back inside. He was so proud of her, she had come so far. Although, Dick couldn’t wait to see Tim’s reaction to Steph and Cass, since he had no doubt they’d end up together eventually.)