One More Favor
Pairing: Titans!Dick Grayson x fem!reader (most of this fic takes place in/around Titans 1x2)
Summary: When Dick takes Rachel out of Detroit, he needs help, but he'll have to call in a few favors first.
Word Count: 5.0k+ words
Warnings: POV changes (that hopefully make sense), fluff, a little bit of angst, descriptions of injuries/self-harm (reader cuts her arm open to remove a tracker), several descriptive fight scenes, guns?, spoiler for Titans.
A/N: This is my first Dick Grayson fic, and I actually wrote it several months ago and just got around the editing it. Dick may be OOC, but I hope you enjoy this and please let me know what you think!
Masterlist | DC/Dick Grayson Masterlist | Request Info (OPEN)
Gotham City - 4 Years Ago
The heavy door creaks as it is pulled open, warm air blowing out into the cold rain. You step inside, dropping your umbrella in the overflowing bin and wiping your shoes on the mat. Shivering slightly, you run your hands up and down your arms, attempting to warm up.
“Hi, Alfred,” you greet as you look over at him, your smile dropping at the solemn look on his face. “What happened?”
“Master Grayson left last night. He left you this,” Alfred answers as he hands you an envelope, your name written in Dick’s handwriting across the front.
“He’s not coming back, is he?” you ask, tears welling in your eyes.
“I’m afraid not. Would you like some tea?”
“No, thank you, Alfred. I’m going to go home,” you say as you pull the door open and step out, waiting for the door to close behind you. You take a deep breath and start running, not even thinking about the umbrella you left. As your tears mix with the rain on your skin, your heart feels about as warm as the Gotham City air.
Fremont, Ohio - Present Day
“Where are you taking me?” Rachel asks, spinning one of her rings on her finger as she looks out the window.
“To see an old friend. She can help us,” Dick answers, his knuckles white as he grips the steering wheel.
An hour later, Dick checks his phone while he waits in the car as Rachel goes into a truck stop. He tracks her through the window as he dials a number he hasn’t called in years. It rings several times, and he thinks he won’t get an answer.
“Hello?” A voice asks as the line connects.
“Hi, Alfred, it’s me.”
“It’s been a long time, Master Grayson.”
“I know. This is a one-time thing; I need a favor.”
Omar, Ohio – Present Day
You enter the diner, sighing as you fall into a booth. Looking up at the television mounted in the corner, you see a story about yet another murder in Detroit. It’s almost as bad as Gotham City these days.
“How’s my favorite customer today?” Dan asks as he walks to the booth, his apron still on.
“I’ll bet you say that to all of your customers,” you counter with a smile, your hood still pulled over your head.
“I most certainly do not. What can I get you today?”
“Just some tea, please.”
“You need to eat.”
“Will you let me pay?”
“You know the answer to that.”
“I’m not letting you give me free food every day, Dan. Just tea.”
“Fine,” Dan sighs, returning to the kitchen and passing your order to a waitress.
The bell above the door chimes as it opens, a few sets of footsteps echoing as the door closes. You pull your hood up further, turning to face the back corner. Kelsey, Dan’s only waitress at this hour, drops off the mug of tea and a book, smiling at you as she walks away. She’s been lending you books since you first visited two months ago. You slide it closer, shaking your head as you read the summary: a vigilante who gets a new partner. Sounds familiar.
Benton, Pennsylvania – 3 ½ Years Ago
You take a deep breath before you dig the knife into your arm, making a shallow slice from the middle of your forearm up to your elbow. After you drop the knife into the hotel bathroom sink, you grab a pair of tweezers from the first aid kit and dig around, gritting your teeth as you ignore the pain. When you finally see a glint of silver, you grab it and pull. The tracker makes a ‘clink’ sound as it falls into the sink and goes down the drain. You sigh as you pick up the pre-threaded needle and start on the stitches. Good luck finding me now, Bruce.
Norwalk, Ohio – Earlier Today
“If the police are looking for me, is it smart to be on an interstate?” Rachel asks.
Dick sighs, knowing she is right. He pulls off at the next exit, getting on a small Ohio state route and heading south. They drive for about thirty minutes before coming to a small diner, claiming to have the state’s best chicken and waffles. Dick is ready for a break, so he doesn’t fight Rachel when she asks him to stop. They walk into the diner, and Dick looks around, planning escape routes and scanning for trouble. The waitress and the cook both say hello as Dick and Rachel sit by the window, the kitchen and the door visible. Dick looks at the only other customer, a girl in an oversized sweatshirt leaning over a book and nursing a mug of something.
“I’m Kelsey. What can I get you, folks?” Kelsey smiles as she approaches their table.
“Chicken and waffles, please,” Rachel orders.
“Coming up, and for you, sir?”
“Just coffee,” Dick answers, smiling.
Dick watches as the cook takes the order from Kelsey before nodding toward the girl in the booth. Kelsey walks over and starts talking to her, but Dick can’t tell if it is a friendly conversation or a ‘you need to leave’ conversation. Kelsey’s shoulders drop as she turns around and walks back to the kitchen pass-through, shaking her head as she speaks to the cook. A plate and a mug slide onto the counter, and Kelsey carries them over to Dick and Rachel, telling them to let her know if they need anything.
“What are you looking at?” Rachel asks.
“I’m trying to figure out what’s going on over there,” Dick answers, gesturing across the restaurant with his chin.
Rachel looks over and cocks her head slightly, “Kelsey’s happy but a little worried, the other one is really hard to read.”
Dick nods, sipping his coffee as he looks up at the television screen. His heart drops as Rachel’s picture appears on the screen, but it is gone before he can say anything. Dick looks toward the kitchen, but no one is there. Turning his head, he sees the cook talking to the other customer, sitting at the booth with her. Kelsey and the cook stand, and the cook returns to the kitchen as Kelsey walks toward their table.
“How is everything?” Kelsey asks.
“Great. Those were definitely the best in the state,” Rachel answers.
“Need anything else?”
“Just the check,” Dick answers, reaching for his wallet.
“It’s been covered,” Kelsey assures before clearing the table.
“By who?” Dick asks, eyebrows furrowing as Kelsey smiles.
The girl in the booth looks up suddenly, leaning to look out the window. She stands and moves toward Kelsey, telling her something before walking out the back door, the book she had been reading abandoned at the booth. Kelsey whispers something to Dan before turning quickly to walk back to Dick and Rachel.
“Someone is here for her,” Kelsey says to Dick, gesturing toward Rachel, “there’s a room through the kitchen with a back door.”
Dick and Rachel stand quickly, following her through the kitchen. They all freeze at the sound of gunshots, then begin moving again.
“Why are you helping us?” Dick asks.
“Favor for a friend,” Kelsey answers as she opens the back door. “Be careful.”
Dick nods as he ushers Rachel to stand on one side of him, gripping his gun in his other hand as they slowly round the building. The girl in the sweatshirt, who Dick really needs a new name for, is standing in the parking lot, a pipe falling from her hand and three unconscious men sprawled on the ground around her. She looks up before dropping her head, putting her hands in her pocket, and walking away. Dick hears one of the men groan and decides to leave before they come to. Rachel keeps asking him if he knows the girl, and the only answer he can supply is, “I don’t think so.” Maybe he should make it his new catchphrase.
Gotham City – 4 Years Ago
You enter your apartment and grab your backpack, dumping its contents out on the floor before you run around and grab what you consider “essentials”: an extra pair of shoes, a change of clothes, cash, a fake ID, a sweatshirt, a blanket, and the letter from Dick. You slide the letter into the protected laptop pocket of my backpack, promising yourself you will read it someday, but not right now. You put on your best pair of sneakers, comfortable and warm clothes, and a jacket with a hood before walking to the ATM, emptying your account, and ditching your card before boarding a bus to Princeton. As you watch Gotham City fade behind the bus, you cry because you lost a part of yourself, and you know it would hurt too much to see reminders of him. So, you leave.
Glen Easton, West Virginia – 2 Years Ago
You check into the small motel with cash and a fake ID, grateful you can sleep in a real bed for once. You find your room and collapse against the small mattress, setting your backpack beside the bed. You open it and pull out a change of clothes before showering. The letter from Dick is still in the computer pocket, unopened. When you think you are finally ready to open it, you get scared about what is inside it and change your mind.
You retrieve the sweatshirt from the bottom of the backpack and put it on. Then you order a pizza and turn on the TV. The sweatshirt is the only thing that provides you comfort after leaving Gotham City. You left everything that tied you to that life, except the sweatshirt, and nights like this make you wish you had realized Dick was going to leave and chased him.
Omar, Ohio – Present Day
“Why are we driving around in circles? I thought you were taking me somewhere?” Rachel asks.
“I’m looking for the girl that helped us,” Dick mumbles as he looks across the street.
“Oh,” Rachel says with a smile.
“What does that mean?”
“You’ve felt different since you saw her in the diner.”
“She just reminded me of someone I used to know.”
“Someone you knew. Seems like a lot more emotion than simple acquaintances.”
“Fine, we were best friends. We did- some stuff together and we were super close,” Dick said, failing to find a way to explain their vigilante activities.
“You did stuff together?” Rachel repeats incredulously.
“Not like that,” Dick huffs. “We just- she was my best friend, and I haven’t seen her in a while.”
“Why?”
“I left.”
“You left her?”
“I didn’t leave her; I left the life I had then.”
“And by extension, her,” Rachel scoffs. “Why haven’t you called her?”
“I tried, once. Her number had been disconnected and I didn’t know her new one. Or if she even wanted to talk to me.”
“Surely you know someone who would’ve stayed in contact with her. Call them.”
Dick sighs and runs a hand through his hair. He does know someone.
“Right now,” Rachel adds, “I can feel your sadness and it’s bumming me out.”
Dick pulls over, pulling his phone from his pocket and typing the number. “It’s me again. I need one more favor,” he says when the line connects.
“Of course, Master Grayson,” Alfred agrees.
“I’m looking for,” he glances at Rachel, who is listening intently, before finishing, “her. I was wondering if you had a new number for her. Or know where she is?”
“Master Grayson,” Alfred says sadly, “we haven’t seen her in four years.”
“Four years?” Dick asks, eyes widening.
“Yes, sir. She left right after you did.”
“Did you give her the letter?”
“I did. She ran out of the manor, literally, after I gave it to her. We have not heard from her since.”
“Any idea where she went?”
“Last we knew she was in Benton, Pennsylvania. But that was nearly three and a half years ago. I’m sorry, Master Grayson.”
“Thanks, Alfred,” Dick says before hanging up.
“Sorry,” Rachel says quietly, “I shouldn’t have made you call.”
“Not your fault,” Dick assures her before pulling out. He slams on his brakes and backs up, turning into an alley and parking.
“What?” Rachel yells, gripping her seat.
“I think she’ll go back to the diner, they seemed to know her. Enough to give us free food on her behalf.”
“That’s what you think happened?” Rachel asks sarcastically.
“You’re the one that read their emotions.”
Rachel sighs before agreeing, “You’re right. She’ll go back.”
They find a small motel and get a room for the night, leaving their stuff in the room before returning to the diner. Entering, Dick and Rachel look around but only see the cook and a different waitress.
“Welcome back,” the cook, who introduces himself as Dan, greets.
“Hi, Dan. We’re looking for the girl who was in here this morning. She was wearing a grey sweatshirt, reading a book, and left quickly out the back door,” Dick explains.
“Yeah, I know her. Why are you looking for her?”
“She helped you. That’s why you’re so nice to her, if not a little protective, isn’t it?” Rachel asks.
Dan’s brow furrows as he answers, “Yes, she helped me.”
“We’re not trying to hurt her or get her in trouble or anything. She helped us this morning and we’d like to repay the favor,” Dick promises. “Could you at least give us her name?”
“I don’t know her name,” Dan answers. “But she’ll probably come back here in the morning.”
“Thank you,” Dick and Rachel say together.
The following morning, Dick checks out of the motel and drives to the diner. They both look to the booth where she sat yesterday as they walk in, frowning when they see no one there. Kelsey smiles as she greets them and takes their order, exactly as they had yesterday. Dick spins his mug around as he watches the television, trying to keep himself from staring at the door.
“Dick,” Rachel whispers a few minutes later. She gestures toward the counter, where the girl is now sitting, wearing the same sweatshirt as yesterday.
Before Dick can do anything, Dan’s voice fills the diner. “All three of you need to get somewhere safe. Everyone in town is talking about some secret service agents asking about you folks.”
“All of us?” The girl in the sweatshirt asks.
“You know how these people feel about cops, but they’ll come in here eventually and you don’t need to be here,” Dan says.
“11 North Country Road 29,” the girl in the sweatshirt calls as she stands, “you got that?”
“Yeah, we got it,” Rachel answers, practically dragging Dick to the front door.
Dick gets in the car and speeds toward the address, hoping that the girl in the sweatshirt will meet them there. And give them her name. He parks between the house and a row of trees, where the car is hidden from the road. The back door is unlocked, and Dick sweeps the house before ushering Rachel in. Several minutes later, the back door opens again, and the girl in the sweatshirt walks in, coming face-to-muzzle with Dick’s gun. Her hands are raised as he lowers the gun.
“Sorry,” Dick apologizes as he holsters it.
“Not a problem. I’d give it a few hours before leaving,” the girl says, moving past them.
“Thank you. For yesterday and right now,” Rachel says.
“Least I could do. I’ll be in the back room if you need anything.”
Rachel waits until she is out of earshot to turn toward Dick and ask, “She really reminds you of this girl doesn’t she?”
“Yeah,” Dick sighs. “That obvious?”
“Your shame is practically choking me. Why did you hurt her?"
“I didn’t mean to.”
“That’s not an excuse, Dick.”
Rachel walks toward the back room, determined to find a way to help Dick get over his hurt.
Omar, Ohio – 2 Months Ago
“Take your hands off the girl,” you demand as you enter the dark room.
Three men turn toward you, one raising a gun as the others take a step closer. You see a girl tied to a chair, a gag in her mouth, blood everywhere, and fear in her eyes.
“You don’t know who you’re messing with, sweetheart,” the man with the gun growls.
“Right back at ya,” you say, taking a threatening step toward him.
The two other men charge toward you. You catch one of their fists as they throw it toward you, twisting him in front of you to encounter the brunt of the other man’s hit as he throws it. Their shared momentum knocks them both to the floor. You slide across the floor, elbowing the third man’s knee as you grab his hand, flipping his wrist so the gun falls to the floor. You pick it up and level it at his temple.
“One more time: let the girl go,” you demand slowly.
One of the men on the floor throws a knife, which spins in the air and nicks your arm. You glance toward him before swinging the gun and taking three shots, taking out one knee on every man. As they groan in pain and roll on the floor, you untie the girl and ask her where to go. She directs me to her father’s diner.
“I’m looking for Dan,” you say as you carry her through the back door.
Dan comes running, grabbing his first aid kit as he sits beside her. “Your arm needs attention?” he asks as he points to your scarred forearm and the small bloody patch from the knife.
“No, I’m all good. Thank you.” You begin to stand, but he stops you, refusing to let you leave until you eat something.
“You’ll never pay here. Come back anytime,” Dan says when you leave an hour later.
Omar, Ohio – Present Day
“Sorry about him,” Rachel says as she walks into the back room.
“It’s completely fine.” The girl in the sweatshirt laughs softly, her hand playing with the sleeve of her sweatshirt. “Are you alright?”
“Yeah, I’m fine,” Rachel says as she sits in a chair across from her.
“How long have they been looking for you?”
“About a week. Since they killed my mom.”
“I’m sorry.”
Rachel shrugs. “Just so you know, the guy I’m with, Dick, he’s a cop. And he’s not usually this weird.”
She laughs again, looking up long enough that Rachel can see her face.
“You remind him of someone he used to know.”
She shakes her head before changing the subject. “You’re Rachel, right? I’m assuming you can do something, otherwise, they wouldn’t be looking for you.”
“I can feel what other people are feeling. There’s something inside of me, but I don’t know what it is.”
“Rachel, you can learn to control it. It’s obvious you’re a good person.”
“I tried to read your emotions at the diner yesterday,” Rachel admits, “but you have a lot, and they were overlapping.”
“A lot has happened to me in the last few years. I don’t even know what I’m feeling all the time.”
“They’re clearer now. You’re sad and regretful,” Rachel says quietly.
“I don’t care that you’re looking, Rach. The more you use your powers, the better you’ll get at them. And you’re dead on.”
“Sometimes, when I touch people I can see some of their memories,” Rachel explains.
The girl in the sweatshirt smiles. “You don’t even know my name.”
“What’s your name?”
She extends her hand and answers, “Find out.”
Gotham City is cold in winter, and the freezing rain is not helping the temperature issue. Robin is fighting behind me, our backs touching as we take down the last of the numerous bad guys.
“Nice work,” Robin says as he smiles at me. “But you’re cold, stop touching me.”
“Oh? I am cold? Your Kevlar is practically frozen,” I respond sarcastically.
He pulls me into his side, pressing the button on his belt to turn on his cape heater.
The setting changes: a large door opens, and an umbrella is placed in a bin, destined to be forgotten.
“-left last night. He left you this.”
An envelope trades hands, and a name is written on it. The door is opened and closed, then running in the rain gives way to stressed packing and boarding a bus. The same envelope is unopened years later, a new scar appears on a forearm, the same backpack is stashed in a motel, and a sweatshirt is the most prized possession.
Omar, Ohio – Present Day
“It was you,” Rachel says, her eyes wide as her hand slips from yours.
“What was?” you ask.
“You’re the girl Dick left, the one he’s feeling so guilty and sad about.”
“He what?”
“He saw you in the diner and was reminded of a girl he used to know. He said they ‘did stuff together.’ You don’t look like that girl; you are that girl.”
“What did you see?” you ask, confused about how exactly her powers work.
“I see some of the most important things in your life. I saw you fighting with Robin and then learning that someone left. You’ve been on the run since then, haven’t you? And the sweatshirt means something.”
“What do you know about Robin?”
“I know who he is. I know what he went through. I think you two should talk.”
A noise outside causes you to stand suddenly. “Stay here.”
You walk out, seeing Dick holding his gun as he moves toward a window. You move to the other side of the room, by another door, and stand against the wall as the door is kicked open. A hand holding a gun comes inside; you grab the wrist and slam it down against your knee. The gun hits the floor and slides away. The man raises both hands to your shoulders, pushing you backward and into the wall. You form a fist and slam it up into his chin, his head snapping back as his grip on you loosens. While you fight him, Dick takes on a second man who enters the house.
Dick moves behind the door, grabbing the man’s shirt collar and flipping him to the floor. He attempts to get information from him but comes up empty. Slamming his fist to his nose repeatedly, Dick doesn’t stop until the man loses consciousness. He looks over and sees the girl in the sweatshirt standing from the floor, wiping blood from her nose.
“That was impressive. You two could be partners,” Rachel says as she walks in, smirking as she looks over at you.
Dick opens his mouth to say something, but you cut him off, telling them, “You two should get out of here while you still can.”
“I’m not leaving,” Rachel says, crossing her arms. “Not until you two talk.”
“About what?” Dick asks.
“Rachel,” you warn.
“She’s right. We do need to get going.”
“Show him.”
“Either we need to leave, or I need more information,” Dick sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose.
A phone rings in the back room, and you walk away to answer it, releasing a breath as you realize it was Kelsey.
“What was that about?” Dick whispers.
“You two have to talk before you never get a chance again,” Rachel says.
“Someone broke into your house and assaulted several officers,” you say as you return, “the police are calling a nationwide manhunt for you, Rachel.”
“I am not leaving without you,” she says, stepping toward you and grabbing your hand.
Her eyes fall to the sleeve before she glances up at you and pushes the sleeve up. You push it back down quickly and look away from her.
“I can’t go with you,” you say sadly, shaking your head.
“You can if you want to,” Dick offers, “you’ve been a huge help.”
You look toward Rachel, who only nods as she squeezes your hand.
“Just tell him,” Rachel whispers.
You take a deep breath before you look up and pull your hood down. “Hi, Dickie.”
Dick’s eyes widen as he takes a hesitant step forward.
“Rachel said I remind you of someone,” you say. “I thought-“
Dick cuts you off by rushing forward and hugging you tightly. You return the hug, gripping him tightly and burying your face in his shoulder.
“I’m sorry I left,” Dick whispers.
“It’s okay.”
“Tell him everything else,” Rachel encourages from beside you.
You squeeze Dick one more time before pulling back and saying, “I left Gotham City after you did. Alfred gave me the letter and I just ran. I’ve been in a bunch of small cities since then, but nowhere as long as here. I saved Dan’s daughter from some kidnappers and just stayed for some reason.”
“Alfred said he didn’t know where you went after Benton,” Dick says.
“I cut my tracker out in Benton,” you explain, pulling your sleeve up and exposing the scar.
He reaches forward and gently runs his fingers up the scar. “Tracker?”
“Right. Bruce told me he sedated you when he gave you yours, something about you being too excited about being in the bat cave.”
“He put a tracker in me?”
“He put trackers in all of us.”
The phone rings twice before silencing. “That’s our cue to leave,” you say.
Columbus, Ohio – 1 Week Later
“How’s your arm?” you ask as you enter the room.
“Healing quickly,” Dick answers, smiling as he looks up at you from the hotel bed.
“Looks good,” you say, gently holding his arm, “yours probably won’t scar.”
“Pizza’s here,” Rachel calls as someone knocks on the door.
Dick answers the door and gets the pizza while you and Rachel get drinks from the mini-fridge. You all sit on the small couch as you eat, and you can’t help but think of old times. The following morning, you, Dick, and Rachel load into Dick’s car and drive toward Covington.
“Are you going to tell him?” Rachel asks as we wait in the car while Dick goes into a police station.
“Tell him what?’
“That you still love him.”
“I-“
“I can feel it. I could feel it when he was Robin and when you found out he left, in the safe house, and right now.”
“I don’t know, Rach.”
Dick sighs as he gets back in the car. “I got the description of the woman who broke into the crime scene.”
“Where to now?” you ask.
“Arcade. 5 miles north,” Rachel answers.
You laugh lightly as you shrug at Dick.
“An hour,” Dick says as he puts the car in gear.
“And a half,” you and Rachel correct together.
You give her some cash before you and Dick find a seat where you can see the entire arcade.
“You’re good with her,” you say as you steal a fry from his plate.
He playfully swats your hand away before moving his plate closer. “So are you,” he agrees.
You watch Rachel for a moment before looking down at your sweatshirt sleeve.
“Are you okay?” Dick asks, his hand landing on your arm.
“Yeah,” you say with a nod, still looking down. “This sweatshirt is the only connection I’ve had to you for the last four years.”
“What?”
You extend your arm toward him, watching his face as he grabs your wrist and looks at the sleeve, his initials and a small Robin messily embroidered on it.
“You kept it?” he asks.
“Of course, I did.”
“Mine’s in the trunk of my car,” he admits, smiling as he looks back up at you.
“Really?”
“You think that I’d leave it after all the hard work we put into them? I couldn’t leave it behind; it felt like leaving you behind. I tried to call you.”
“I left my phone; didn’t want Bruce to come after me.”
“Why does Rachel keep telling you to talk to me?”
You laugh before answering, “There’s something I haven’t told you and she wants me to.”
“What?”
“That I’m in love with you,” you whisper, looking into his eyes.
Dick is silent as he stares at you, his hand still wrapped around your wrist.
“Sorry, I shouldn’t have said any-“
Dick pulls your wrist gently, slamming his lips to yours. His other hand raises and wraps around the base of your neck, pulling you closer. You move your hands to his waist, pulling yourself closer to him as you kiss him like he’s your source of life.
“I take it you told him,” Rachel says, suddenly standing on the other side of the table.
Dick pulls back, smiling at you before saying, “Shut up, Rachel.”
“I’m out of money.”
Dick pulls a fifty from his wallet, handing it to her and smiling in gratitude as she walks away. She nods and returns the smile.
“I love you,” Dick says.
“I love you,” you respond, stealing another one of his fries.
“I missed you.”
“I missed you, too. I wanted to find you but had no idea where to look.”
“Rachel was right. We could be partners. Again.”
“Whatever you say, Mr. Grayson,” you smile before kissing him again.
“You didn’t read the letter did you?”
“I couldn’t,” you admit, shaking your head, “hurt too much. Why?”
“I wrote it to tell you I loved you. I wanted to take you with me but was scared.”
“I guess I should read it then, because I love you, too, Dickie.”
You and Dick watch as Rachel walks toward you, a tall woman with bright Magenta hair on one side and a green-haired boy on her other side.
When they reach the table, Rachel says, “This is Kory and Gar. They have some interesting stories.”
“This feels familiar,” you mutter to Dick as you stand up.
“I’m gonna need a bigger car,” Dick says as he wraps his arm around your shoulders.
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