Chapter Text
Mary understood one thing: her whole life had gone wrong because of just one person. And that person’s name was Dick Grayson. All the calm life she once had with her family and friends was suddenly interrupted by something dark, full of lies and fear for her own life and the life of her family. Because she had sunk into lies and lived every day in fear that everything would come to light, and then it would all be over. Because who would protect her? That person had connections and money. So no matter how much she hid, he would find her. He promised that this darkness of Gotham mixed with the bright colors of his life would not touch her. That they would live happily and never see problems. And how naive she had been then. She believed those words that he spoke with his lips, which curved into a smile of hope that could also be seen in those blue eyes that seemed to follow every emotion on her face. But she said yes back then. She loved him as much as it could only be written in the books she used to read in childhood. So she believed everything he said and also hoped that everything would be good and without lies. But how can you build a normal relationship and even a family if even your first meeting started with a lie? He lied more and more, and it was very convincing… or she just didn’t notice it. But still, everyone knew his lies and believed them.
But looking with those then-in-love eyes at that boy who, on his first day at university, fell on her because of his own clumsiness, tripped over his own foot and spilled his hot chocolate прямо on her new clothes, and then fell on top of her…
“I’m so sorry! Damn, damn! I didn’t mean to!”
“Watch where you’re going! Oh, my clothes! My mom will scold me!”
“Let me help you? Please! I’ll help with anything you say!”
“First, get off me, Mister. That’s the only thing you can do for me right now. And then I would prefer not to see you or your help again.”
The boy quickly got off her and looked like a beaten puppy in this situation. His cheeks were red from what had happened, and also from ruining her clothes and falling on a girl who was more fragile than him. After all, he knew perfectly well he wasn’t light… His eyes darted from her to the people watching them. Clearly, he didn’t know where to start or what to do next, clenching his hands tightly into fists.
When Mary began to get up, he came to his senses and wanted to help, but the girl didn’t let him and stood up on her own, looking displeased at him and then at her clothes. Mostly at the shirt. A new, clean white shirt that was now covered in hot chocolate. Her face twisted even more when she realized she had to rush home to change, but classes… damn it! How did everything go so badly, all because of some guy in stupid glasses, with such long hair that many girls would envy its care? And the clothes? God, it was a nightmare. The shirt was completely unbuttoned and wrinkled. A blue T-shirt was visible underneath, also not ironed! And who wears a blue T-shirt under a white shirt? Crazy people. He looked like a mess. Or rather, like a child who had started living without parents and couldn’t do anything on his own because he didn’t know how. How did they even accept this idiot into New York University?
She sighed and realized she had probably met another rich or just lucky guy who either got in because his parents paid or accidentally ended up here without knowing what to do next. What a nightmare… the university administration should look more carefully at whom they accept.
Mary sighed, quickly gathered all her things from the floor, glad that none of her notes were soaked. Because then she didn’t know what she would have done to that idiot! But it was better not to think about it and hurry home. Or better call her brother so he could bring her clothes when he left home. The second option was clearly better. She needed to vent to someone about that idiot.
She was about to leave when he suddenly stood in front of her, still looking like a beaten puppy because of the incident.
“I still insist on helping you! It’s my fault you fell and ruined your clothes.”
“Oh no. No need. I don’t need your help. I can handle it myself. And now please don’t touch me anymore and let me go home in peace.”
“But—”
“Listen. No ‘buts.’ I don’t know how you got in here. Either with money or some incredible luck. But I don’t need anything from someone like you. Especially from—”
She quickly glanced at the books in his hands. First year. As expected. He clearly wouldn’t last long here because of the workload and the fact that he probably didn’t even know the basics.
“—especially from a freshman like you. So just leave me alone and go to your classroom. That’s it.”
The boy lost the ability to speak after her words, which she used to her advantage and quickly passed by him, already calling her brother. And hoping she would never see this clown again.
But how naive she was then.
She thought that was the end. After all, she was one of the top students at the university and had stayed in that top since the first year to the current third. So the thought of seeing such a strange freshman near her didn’t even cross her mind.
But the freshman boy thought differently.
Because she didn’t see him again. The rest of the day passed quietly and peacefully.
But a week later… during lunch, she was calmly sitting and eating when someone suddenly sat at her table, and coffee and several of her favorite dishes appeared beside her. She looked up from her book to see who was giving her all this as a gift.
And when she saw who it was, she almost cursed him out loud.
That boy again.
She thought she wouldn’t see him again, but no. There he was, sitting next to her, smiling sweetly and confidently. His eyes shone with some determination she didn’t yet understand. Though this time he was dressed better, though still awkwardly. The shirt was ironed, as was the T-shirt underneath, visible because two buttons were undone. Over it was a warm plaid shirt in blue tones. His hair was tied into a low ponytail, though his bangs remained. Seriously, who styles bangs like that? But compared to the first time, he clearly looked better.
But what did he want from her? Was he going to apologize again? She wouldn’t survive that…
“You again. What do you want from me?”
“And again it’s me~ And I want, just like before, to apologize for ruining your clothes and falling on you, Mary Fitzpatrick.”
“I already told you I don’t need anything from someone like you.”
Mary rolled her eyes when he said her full name. Looks like he had looked her up. It wasn’t hard—many people knew her. But the fact that he did that already annoyed her. And his theatricality—like now, when he placed a hand on his chest as if she had deeply wounded him. It actually looked quite convincing… if he weren’t overacting.
“Ah! Right in the heart, Lady Mary! How can you be so cold to a simple circus performer like me? I just wanted to apologize for my mistake and maybe even become friends with such a beautiful lady as you, Mary.”
“Circus performer? Oh, you’re quite the clown—and a headache for me right now.”
“Rude. But I’m not a clown, I’m a gymnast. Though for you, I’ll be anyone, Lady Mary~”
“Are you going to keep calling me Lady Mary?”
“Yes. I think it suits you perfectly. Oh, Lady Mary, look at me with your beautiful eyes and forgive that unfortunate incident!”
“Oh God…”
Mary sighed and covered her face with her book. How did he even fall into her life? And this “Lady Mary”… And “I’ll be anyone for you”? Was he flirting with her? Wonderful. Now a freshman was going to court her…
“Fine. Fine. I forgive you for that incident and accept your gifts. Just be quiet and let me eat, Mister…”
“Richard Parker, Lady Mary Fitzpatrick.”
“Then please, Richard Parker, let me eat and read in peace.”
“As you wish, Lady Mary~”
After that moment, he was constantly around her wherever she was at the university. He would find her in the hallways, even though they had different floors and campuses where their classes were supposed to be. But he still found her and looked very happy to see her, even if she ignored him or wasn’t very eager to talk. Or in the cafeteria, where he constantly sat with her and her friends. He quickly found something to talk about with each of them and even shared some hobbies, which surprised her.
What surprised her more was that he wasn’t as much of an idiot as she had thought. In terms of knowledge and grades, he was very good. Still far from her level, but if you didn’t look at the list of the absolute best, Richard was a very good student. Especially when Mary argued with him about something. Though usually, it was the boy who started those bets. And something told Mary that he knew she would agree to them. Maybe he was setting goals for himself? To prove that he could do it? It seemed so. Because he completed most of those bets at 110%. He would clearly go all the way… which was also shown in how he courted her.
He didn’t give up even in that. Sometimes it was small gifts that she liked. Sometimes compliments about how she looked. A new outfit, shoes, hairstyle, a bag—he noticed everything and put it all together perfectly. And sometimes there was flirting… strange flirting, and honestly quite silly, she would say. So she mostly ignored it. Let him put together outfits, but not flirt. And if he did flirt, then only when they were alone so no one would hear that nonsense.
But still… over those few months, she began to grow closer and closer to him. It seemed that despite all the difficulties she created for him, he kept going to the end, doing everything to impress her and melt her heart—and he was doing it very well. It seemed he knew perfectly how to talk to people, because they were naturally drawn to him. But with them, he only talked enough to stay acquaintances at the university. Most of his time he spent with her or her company—because of her.
And so, step by step, they opened up more and more to each other. Mary began to learn more about him. He had become an orphan at the age of eight and now had a guardian with whom he had a “small argument,” as he put it. So now he lived on his own without that guardian’s help here in New York and also paid for his studies himself.
Mary was curious about this guardian and what kind of argument it was. She wanted to ask him about it, but he always avoided the topic and stayed silent about it. Even when she wanted to meet his family—because Richard knew her parents and her brother, while she only knew his family from his words. She really wanted to form her own opinion about them.
But he always said “later,” “not now,” “they’re busy,” and came up with many excuses so she wouldn’t meet anyone from his side. Though sometimes there were slips about his younger brother. So she couldn’t help but grab onto that thread of hope and try to meet at least someone from his family. She had a brother too—an older one—and if Richard had a younger one, even better! Her brother Ben loved kids, so she didn’t think there would be any problems.
There was only one problem… convincing that stubborn dog to agree.
Because Richard, lying on his bed in his apartment, clearly wasn’t happy with her idea.
“What’s the problem, Richard? I think it’s a great idea. I’ll bring my brother, you bring yours. We’ll talk, get to know each other. And most importantly, I’ll finally meet someone from your family.”
“Mm… maybe we shouldn’t do this. I just don’t really want to go back to the manor… Ahem! I mean, home, where my guardian might be.”
“Then come when he’s not there and tell your brother you want to go for a walk and introduce him to your university friend.”
“Friend… Ahem! I just think Jason won’t have much fun in our company… Oh!”
Before Richard could say anything else, Mary walked up to his bed, sat down, and placed her hands near his head. He watched as she smiled and tilted her head. And there was nothing he could do about it. Because he knew he simply couldn’t refuse her right now. Not when she was so close, when he could see that beautiful face and all its features.
For a long time, he had dreamed of just leaning in and kissing those lips that always had a faint trace of lipstick, smudging it during a kiss so it would also be on his lips. Just to throw everything away and show how much he loved her and wanted her. What he would do for her… anything. And she knew it. She knew it perfectly—and used it against him right now. It was unfair. But he still fell for it. Because with this girl, he felt something he had never felt before, as if he could love someone like this.
“Richard Parker. Why are you hesitating like a virgin girl before her first time?”
“What!? Mary! How can you even—”
“I’m not finished. You can avoid introducing me to your guardian for as long as you want. But I want to meet at least someone from your family. You know my family, and they accepted you as one of their own. So why can’t I get the same from yours? Even if it’s just your younger brother. That’s already better than nothing. So choose: either you arrange it, or you can forget everything.”
“Mary… you… you…”
Her words made him feel worse and worse. First, he was shocked that she used such improper language—it was very rare. And then… she was right. No matter how much he wanted to deny it. Her family had welcomed him so warmly and kindly. Well, except for her brother Ben, who had been suspicious at first, but later shook his hand and approved of everything.
And he… he was still feeding her promises about introducing her to someone from his family. A family he hadn’t spoken to for a month? Or more? He had already lost track of how long it had been since he visited the manor or saw Bruce, or even that boy Jason, who was now the new Robin… or Alfred. He had cut everything off so abruptly…
And now Mary was forcing him to choose. Damn it. Not that she would leave him—he didn’t really believe that. But he still didn’t want to test her patience or face her anger.
So…
“I… fine. Next weekend I’ll go and bring Jason here so you can meet him.”
“Great. See? You can do it when you want to.”
“You literally blackmailed me! That’s unfair! Ah! I never thought a Lady like you, Mary, would stoop to that!”
“A Lady simply wants to meet the family of her loyal circus performer. So she uses tricks.”
“Still unfair.”
He said the last words with a laugh, and after that, silence fell between them. They just looked at each other, as if studying each other all over again. It could have gone on longer, but Mary came to her senses and realized what situation she was in—and that she needed to do something. Or rather, leave. More precisely—go home.
She stood up from the bed, fixed her clothes, and cleared her throat.
“Then I’ll see you next weekend. And now I need to go home. It’s getting late.”
“Yeah… you’re right about everything. But at least let me walk you to the door and maybe a bit further.”
With those words, he sat up on the bed and was about to stand when Mary’s face suddenly appeared very, very close to his. His heart started pounding so loudly he could hear it in his ears. God, this girl could drive him crazy just by being near…
“No need. I can manage on my own. So goodnight, Richard.”
And with those words, she kissed him.
It was a very quick kiss on the lips, but even that was enough to short-circuit Richard’s brain—he clearly hadn’t expected it. And if he had, then only in his fantasies or dreams. And now… Mary, the girl he was so deeply in love with, had just kissed him. Him. Kissed. Mary.
When those words finally came together in his mind, he snapped back to reality, blushing deeply as his heart pounded like it might jump out of his chest. And while he was in that state, Mary—who was also flushed from her own actions—decided to use his moment of shock and leave quickly.
And so she did.
By the time Richard came to his senses, he only heard the apartment door close—his dear Mary was already gone.
Which was probably for the best… because she didn’t hear the muffled shout of happiness into his pillow that followed.