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This fic can be read by itself, or if you want more context to the DickRoy relationship you can read the other fic here
The first time it had happened, Dick remained frozen in place, staring off into space, rationalizing why it had happened. The second time it had happened, Roy had been in the room as well, actively watching Dick freeze. “Honey, what did you call Dick?” Roy asked his young daughter. She shrugged and went back to her toys. “Did you just call him dad?” Roy’s tone was light, unaccusatory, and the corners of his mouth kept trying to suppress his smile. His amusement with the situation was evident as he kept throwing glances at a blushing Dick.
“Uncle Dick.” Lian corrected herself, looking back up at him. “Can we go get ice cream?”
Dick made eye contact with Roy before smiling widely at the five year old. “Absolutely princess!”
…
Lian happily shoved a spoonful of her treat into her mouth and immediately scooped more. “Slow down sweetie, you'll get brain freeze.” Roy cautioned.
“No I won’t!” She proudly boasted.
“Ok, we’ll see.” Roy teased a finger at her cheek. He let her continue with her rapid approach to eating ice cream and chuckled. Dick was enjoying his own confection when Roy made eye contact with him, pausing only a moment before licking his ice cream in a way that made him blush. Dick panicked at Roy being so openly sexual out in public. After all, Lian was right there! Then again she was too busy shoving spoonfuls in her mouth and probably wouldn’t understand what Roy was doing anyway, even if she did see it happening. In any case Dick didn’t want to get too excited and desperately needed a distraction.
“I’m getting more sprinkles.” Dick said while getting up from his seat, trying to avoid Roy’s obvious flirting. They'd been dating sporadically and sleeping together occasionally, but definitely not affectionate or physical in public or around Lian. They'd agreed they'd keep everything undercover for now.
As he left, Lian made a noise and swallowed quickly. “Dad wait! Can you get me some?!” She exclaimed hurriedly.
Dick’s eyebrows rose as he glanced at her actual father. Roy’s hand stifled his laugh. “Yeah dad, go get her some.” Roy teased.
Dick would normally sigh, or laugh, or tease back, but in that moment he just turned awkwardly and fetched extra sprinkles for himself and Lian. Dad? Was he really becoming that much of an influence in her life? He wasn’t around every day, but he had been around a lot more than normal. Would Roy coach Lian and put a stop to calling him dad? Would he have to do it himself? Should he? He and Roy weren’t exactly in a position to be a couple and Dick had never thought of taking on child rearing responsibilities. They’d definitely need to talk about this at home. At Roy’s home… obviously not their home. Dick inwardly groaned at his own thoughts. He wanted clarification on what was happening, but he wouldn’t ruin this moment by bringing it up now. “Here you go.” He slid a cup of sprinkles towards her on the table as he sat back down. Instead of her usual smile and thank you, she was scrunching up her face in anger. “What’s wrong?” He was worried he’d done something to offend her.
“Brain freeze.” Roy smirked.
“Brain freeze sucks!” Lian held the sides of her head.
“Yeah it does.” Dick smiled at her antics. Roy remained his same smirking self, watching Dick eat and making suggestive actions with his tongue again.
Dick shook his head and gave a look to scold him. Roy just grinned back. “Did you say thank you to Dick for the sprinkles, Lian?”
She’d recovered from her brain freeze and smiled widely as she dumped the whole container into her cup. “Thank you!”
“You’re welcome.” Dick smiled at her before she started scooping up mouthfuls again.
“Careful hon, go slow or it’ll freeze you again.” Roy warned. “And uncle Dick is going to love the sugar rush you’re getting right before bedtime.” He smirked at his best friend and lover.
Dick didn’t think he was staying over for the night, but maybe he was now. When they’d finally gotten Lian to bed, Dick flopped on the couch next to Roy. “How do you do this every night?
Roy scoffed. “I don’t feed her sugar before bed.”
“My bad.” Dick cringed.
“It’s fine.” Roy yawned and pulled Dick into his arms. “What do you say we head to bed ourselves?”
“Sure, but first…” Dick paused.
“But first what?” Roy leaned in, lowering his voice. “Did you want something from me? Did you want me to treat you like my ice cream cone?” He whispered. "You could be my own little treat. Although maybe not so little."
Dick’s cheeks flushed. “That would be nice, but I wanted to talk about Lian first.” He couldn't allow himself to be distracted by Roy's ardor.
Roy huffed. “Well there goes my boner. Thanks bro.”
Dick rolled his eyes as he pulled away. “She’s called me dad a few times now. I don’t know if she should be calling me that.”
Roy nodded. “Yeah.” He frowned. “Unless you wanted her to.”
Dick’s face contorted. “What?”
Roy shrugged casually. “I mean, you and I have been seeing each other for a while now and you’ve been here more. She probably feels safe around which is why she calls you that.”
Dick shook his head. “Yeah but we’re not a couple.”
Roy looked shocked. “We’re not?!” His face fell into teasing and Dick sighed.
“Not that I was aware of.” He huffed.
“We could be at this point if you want.” Roy said nonchalantly.
Dick felt his heart stop. “What do you mean?”
Roy let air escape through his teeth. “Yeah, yeah. You and your needing everything to be spelled out for you.” Roy combed his hand through his hair. “I’m asking you to be my boyfriend.”
Dick swallowed, pausing and letting his full range of emotions flood through him. He’d been dreaming of this day since they were teens, why was he hesitant? “I..”
Roy’s face fell from cocky to serious. “Look, I know I’ve been shitty to you in the past, and you’re nervous about my commitment issues, but I’m different now.”
Dick nodded. “So am I.”
He could see the look of heartbreak that Roy desperately tried to cover up. “So you’re not in love with me anymore? We’re just friends who date and fuck again? Cool.” He moved to stand up, but Dick grabbed his arm.
“I never said that.” He watched the confusion on Roy’s face as he thought over what he should say. “You know I still love you.”
“Ok. And I still love you, why shouldn’t we finally show it? Why shouldn’t we be together?” Roy shrugged off his hand and got to his feet, picking up Lian's toys and tossing them in her toybox. “I thought that’s what you wanted this whole time!”
“I did want it, but..” Dick started to explain, but Roy stopped him, turning to face him and pointing at him.
“No! Don’t do that. Don’t tell me you’re somehow magically opposed to commitment like I was, or that you don’t want to scare me away, or that you’re afraid of breaking things between us, because it’s all bullshit Dick! And you know it!” Roy defended harshly.
Dick stood and faced off against him. “So you think I’m just waiting for you to ask me to be yours and I’ll leap into it, just because it’s what I wanted back in the day?! There’s so much more going on now!”
“Why wouldn’t you? You said you still love me, so why am I getting a lukewarm response from you right now? Is it Lian? Is it my addiction recovery? Is it the distance between where we live?” Roy interrogated, his tone raising.
“Dad?” A tiny voice halted their argument. Lian was in the doorway rubbing her eyes and hugging her stuffed elephant.
“What’s wrong sweetheart?” Roy’s voice quieted and his whole demeanor relaxed.
She glanced at them both. “Please don’t fight. I don’t want him to leave.”
Dick felt like his heart had been pierced by an arrow. And Lian couldn’t even use a real bow yet. “I’m sorry baby.” Roy scooped her up in his arms. “Uncle Dick isn’t leaving. We won’t fight, I promise.” She hugged his neck tightly and he cuddled her close, looking into Dick’s eyes. “Uncle Dick has his own life though. You know he can’t be around all the time right? He doesn’t live here sweetie.”
She popped back up to look at Roy. “Even if you get married?”
This time it was Roy blushing, stumbling over an explanation while Dick held in his laughter. “Oh.. uh… I mean usually people do live together when they’re married, but not all the time, and that’s a huge decision for two people to make. We can’t make any huge decisions right now hon, just little ones. Uncle Dick doesn’t want to make big decisions before he’s ready and neither do I.”
She pondered his words and turned her attention to Dick. “Don’t worry, I don’t get to make big decisions either. But one day I will.”
Dick smiled. “Of course you will.”
“Time for bed now ok?” Roy hugged her close again as he walked her back into her room.
Dick sat down on the couch once more and felt his heart pounding. Roy had asked him for a relationship! Roy was actively wanting and fighting to be his. This was what he’d wanted for so long! He took inventory of his feelings and current life situation, trying to imagine how Roy would fit in. Then he had to consider Lian. If it were just Roy he might say yes quicker, but it felt more important to be careful about the little girl. She’d already adjusted to Dick being around and didn’t want him to leave, but what would happen if he and Roy ever broke up? He couldn’t stand the thought of disappointing Lian. Then again he was the adult here. He needed to make his own decisions with Roy and hope for the best. And what about the danger he’d be introducing? With Lian’s family being who they were, she was already exposed to a certain amount, but Dick’s family and enemies would only add to that. And what would Bruce say? Dick chuckled to himself at the thought of introducing Bruce as Grandpa Bruce to Lian and watching the man have a stroke. Would Ollie say anything negative about them dating and discourage Roy? Would Jade show up and try to kill him? Roy having an assassin ex wasn’t worrying at first, but now Dick wasn’t so sure. One by one concerns cycled through him and he navigated around them rationally. Bruce and Ollie had no say in their private affairs. Jade wouldn’t pose a threat if he took care of Lian properly and protected her. He would do that anyway, regardless of his relationship status with Roy. His enemies and family were his to deal with. Roy wouldn’t hesitate to help, but it wouldn’t be any worse than it already was now. He continued his thoughts and had seemingly gone through every possible outcome in his head before Roy returned. Dick stood up when Roy entered the room, making an impulsive decision. “Yes.”
Roy looked at him tiredly. “Huh?”
“I said yes.” Dick smiled, his heart racing.
Roy stood, seemingly stunned. “Yes, what?”
Dick couldn’t help but feel giddy. “Yes, I’ll be your boyfriend.”
Roy showed immediate relief and moved quickly toward him. “Finally.” He pulled Dick in for a kiss.
“What do you mean finally? It was you that made me wait this long!” Dick sassed, breaking away.
“Shhh.” Roy pointed at the hallway. Lian didn’t need to be woken up again. “I’m sorry I made you wait.” He whispered. “Can I make it up to you?” He asked, pulling their bodies together again. “I’ll make it up to you any time you want.” He grinned.
Dick sighed and whispered in his ear. “Any time?” He teased.
Roy let out a breath. “You ask for it babe and I’m yours.”
Dick made a mental note to test that out at some point in the future. “So we’re actually in a relationship now?” His chest filled with excitement as Roy smiled.
“Yeah babe.” He leaned in, capturing his lips in a slow kiss. “Can you believe it?”
Dick hummed. “Get back to me in the morning, I’ll let you know.”
They kissed gently, nearly hesitantly before deepening it. “Speaking of the morning.” Roy pulled away slightly, brushing his nose against Dick’s. “Tomorrow’s Saturday. Lian will want pancakes. Hope you’re up for that.” Dick knew it was a roundabout way of Roy wanting to know if he was ok with Lian being a part of the picture. As far as Dick was concerned, there was no relationship with Roy without his daughter involved.
“Yes. That sounds amazing.” Dick drew him in again.
“And I hope you don’t mind Jade coming by in the afternoon?” Roy tried to keep kissing him, probably to distract him.
Dick pushed him away. “Cheshire is here? I thought she was in…”
“Hey!” Roy hushed him to keep him from waking Lian. “No going detective mode off duty.” He whispered with a smirk. “She’s been back and forth. Usually to spend time with our daughter on weekends. She said she’ll be in town tomorrow at noon.”
“We’re never off duty.” Dick’s eyes narrowed. “I’m guessing I’m not allowed to share that information anywhere.”
“If you don’t mind.” Roy raised an eyebrow. “God knows you’re great at keeping secrets.”
Dick rolled his eyes. “Fine. I’ll probably be visiting more often now won’t I?”
“You definitely should.” Roy tugged his hand, leading him into his room. “You already have a drawer here, should I let you have another?” Roy flopped on the bed.
Dick closed the door and sat next to him. “Let’s see how things go for now. I won’t take your closet just yet.” He leaned down and kissed him again, being pulled into his arms desperately. “Wait.” He paused before they could get too far along. “About Lian calling me dad, I think we need to tell her to stop for now. Let’s just take our time.”
Roy seemed to think over the request. “If that’s what you want, I’ll tell her to keep calling you Uncle Dick, or just Dick. I really don’t mind taking things slow with you. We have time.”
“Good.” Dick smiled happily, kissing him again. “I can’t believe we’re finally together. For real this time!”
Roy tugged him closer. “I’m glad we are. It took too long, but let’s make it worth it.”
Dick wanted to cry. All the years of emotion between them was finally coming to a head. “I love you.” He meant it. It felt so good after so many years of dancing around each other, things were finally becoming real.
Roy pressed their lips together. “I love you. Will you stay for the weekend?”
“Like old times?” Dick grinned.
“Like new times.” Roy smiled, pulling him back into his arms to hold him close. They were both prepared for the road ahead this time. They both knew it would be tough, but they had never had things easy before. The time and experiences they’d shared led them to finally being together and moving into the future together. As one.