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Dick is vibrating with a mix of excitement and anxiousness as the car nears the venue. This is going to be his first public appearance as Richard “Dick” Grayson. The people who matter already know he's a guy, have known for years. All of his friends met Robin first, and Robin had never been a girl. Coming out to them was easy.
Coming out to the rich and famous of Gotham? That’s going to be another story entirely.
The strategy is simple, really. Show up in a suit, have Bruce call him by name in front of some reporters, and by tomorrow everyone will know. Still, the anticipation is killing him.
“How are you feeling?” Bruce asks.
“Nervous,” Dick admits.
“It’s not too late to turn around, do this another day,” Bruce assures him.
“No, I’m ready.” Dick takes a deep breath and straightens up in his seat. “I’m tired of hiding.”
Bruce gives him a smile and claps him on the shoulder. “Alright then.”
The car pulls to a stop outside the venue. Dick can already see the cameras flashing outside the tinted windows.
“Here we are,” Alfred says, turning in his seat. “Good luck, Master Richard.”
“Thanks Alfie.”
Bruce opens the door and exits first, holding out his hand to help Dick. He exits the car, closing the top button on his suit as he stands, the way Bruce had taught him. The flashing cameras and shouts from reporters are disorienting, but Dick has done this a hundred times by now, and he adjusts quickly.
They stop halfway to the door, and Dick notices a familiar face among the photographers. Since when does the Daily Planet cover charity galas in Gotham?
Clark can’t quite keep the smile off his face as he catches Bruce’s attention and gestures at Dick. “Who’s this young man with you?”
“This is my ward, Richard Grayson.” Bruce settles his hand on Dick’s shoulder, and he feels several feet taller.
“Call me Dick,” he says, meeting Clark’s smile with a grin. Clark winks at him, and Dick floats the rest of the way into the gala on cloud nine.
His joy dims somewhat when they actually get inside. He can feel everyone staring at him. It hasn’t been long enough for the news to spread, but him showing up in a suit would be enough to cause a stir at one of these events, trans or not. Still, he feels more confident being stared at in a suit than he ever has in a dress.
They’ve only been inside a few minutes when a familiar voice calls out to Bruce.
“Diana,” he says warmly. “It’s a pleasure to see you again.”
“You as well,” she says, a twinkle of humor in her eye. “This is my sister, Donna.”
Bruce shakes Donna’s hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Dick fights a grin, listening to the laughter in Donna’s voice as she pretends to meet them for the first time.
“Richard Grayson,” Dick says, extending his own hand. “But you can call me Dick.”
“Nice to meet you, Dick.” There’s something more genuine in Donna's voice now, and her smile is warm instead of mischievous.
“Donna,” Diana says, “why don’t you have Richard escort you around?”
“That sounds like a great idea.” Dick offers his elbow, and Donna entwines their arms.
“Thank you, sir.”
They can’t help giggling a bit as they drift away from Bruce and Diana.
“What are you doing here?” Dick asks quietly.
“I asked Diana for a favor.” Donna squeezes his arm. “I wasn’t gonna leave my best friend to the wolves.”
“Thank you,” Dick whispers.
“Of course.” Donna straightens her back, turning her gaze to the ballroom full of people. “Now, I believe we have a party to attend.”
An hour later, Dick and Donna are having yet another conversation with a handful of painfully rich Gothamites who are only barely hiding their transphobia behind a veil of passive-aggressive politeness.
“Well that’s certainly an… interesting name.” A socialite, the only daughter of an old money family, smirks at him.
Dick opens his mouth to, yet again, defend his choice of name. Before he can speak, though, someone else steps in.
“I like it,” Roy says, appearing out of nowhere and slinging his arm around Dick’s shoulders. “It suits him.” He winks at Dick, then turns to bare his teeth at the woman in a grin.
“I don’t believe we’ve met.” Her eyes are cold behind her smile. “I’m Elissa Vanderhalt.”
“Roy Harper.” He pointedly ignores the hand she extends to him. “Ollie Queen’s kid.”
Elissa scrunches her nose slightly. “I hate to run off, but I see a friend of mine.”
“Don’t stay on my account,” Roy calls after her as she and the rest of the group disperse. “They always scatter when I mention Ollie,” he muses. “I think they’re afraid of catching the socialism.”
Donna covers her mouth to muffle her laugh.
Dick frowns up at Roy. “You hate these things,” he says. “And so does Oliver. Why are you here?”
“For you, obviously.” Roy shrugs. “Dealing with those assholes is worth it.”
Dick blinks rapidly against the tears welling up in his eyes.
“C’mon.” Roy nods to the edge of the ballroom. “There’s a balcony over there.”
Roy leads them out to a small, empty balcony overlooking a carefully manicured garden. It’s dark out, and the cool air is refreshing after the stuffy ballroom.
Roy shucks off his jacket, rolling up the sleeves of his shirt. “These things are miserable,” he says. “I swear, no one has fun at these high society shindigs.”
Donna kicks off her heels. “They definitely don’t live up to their reputation. But maybe that’s just because I’m angry at how people have been talking about Dick.”
Dick shrugs, leaning back against the railing. “I knew it was gonna be like this.” He tips his head back, staring up at the few stars that have managed to shine through the clouds and smog. “But after tonight everyone will know I’m Dick Grayson, and that I’m a guy. One bad night is worth it.”
“Still sucks, though,” Roy says, loosening his tie. “On the plus side, you look great in a suit.”
Roy leans out to ruffle Dick’s hair, but he dodges out of the way. “Hey, knock it off. It took me like an hour to get it to look right.”
Donna brushes a few stray hairs off his face. “You look wonderful,” she says. “Very handsome.”
“Thank you. Both of you.” Dick flashes them a small, genuine smile. “For being here.”
Roy grins. “That’s what friends are for, right?”
Dick takes a deep breath. This night, the whole process of coming out, has been scary and overwhelming and even painful. But moments like these, dressed in a suit on a little balcony with two of his best friends, are what make it all worth it.
“Yeah,” he says, exhaling with a laugh. “Yeah, it is.”