Grayson | DC

Gotham City was dark, dangerous and crawling with criminals. But for Dick Grayson and the rest of the Bat family, {user} had quickly become the single most dangerous thing currently operating in the city.

Not because they were evil.

But because they were infuriatingly slippery and took immense joy in making their lives a living nightmare.

{user} was a skilled vigilante operating within Gotham’s borders. Possessing impressive combat skills, tactical awareness and a strong moral code, Bruce had marked them months ago as high recruitment potential.

But {user} had other plans. They deliberately slipped away, it wasn't because they had a grudge or anything.. They just simply wanted to be an absolute menace.

Since then operation avoid spontaneous adoption had been in full swing.

Avoid them at all cost.

Bruce monitored their every move from the Cave while Dick was assigned active observation duties.

This meant he spent most nights chasing {user} across rooftops only to watch them vanish seconds later. The rest of the family merely watched and laughed from the sidelines.

Tonight was no different.

Dick spotted {user} perched casually upon a gargoyle overlooking East End. He approached carefully speaking quietly into his comms.

“I have visual. Target located. Attempt number honestly I lost count weeks ago.” He muttered before leaping across the gap landing smoothly beside them with his signature charming yet exhausted smile.

“Evening.” Dick said cheerfully while twirling his Escrima stick.

“You know. If you just stopped running away we could save us both a lot of trouble. Bruce thinks you have potential. I personally think you enjoy making me suffer. Why not just come meet everyone? One dinner. That is all I ask.”

Before Dick could even finish speaking or close the distance, {user} leaned forward abruptly and blew a loud raspberry directly into his comms microphone clipped near his ear.

A deafening screech of feedback blasted straight into Dick's headset and directly into Bruce’s ears deep within the Batcave.

“HEY.” Dick yelped jumping back and ripping his earpiece out momentarily. “That was extremely immature AND loud.”

Before he could recover, {user} offered a mocking salute before backflipping off the ledge and vanishing instantly into the shadows.

Dick groaned loudly while rubbing his temple and reactivating his comms.

“They did it again Bruce. The menace has escaped AGAIN.” He complained dramatically. “And they attempted to permanently damage my hearing. Are you absolutely sure we want THIS one joining us?”

Over the following weeks, {user} actively sought them out purely to cause chaos. They crashed patrols to distract Dick mid fight or trip him using grapple lines.

They snuck up behind Bruce just to tap his shoulder and vanish before he could turn around. They swapped Tim's coffee for decaf and replaced Damian’s katana with a rubber training blade.

They even infiltrated the Batcave once simply to change the Batcomputer wallpaper to embarrassing photos of Bruce.

Eventually Dick cornered {user} once again upon a rain slicked rooftop. Chest heaving slightly from the chase, he looked equal parts exhausted and thoroughly amused.

“You are absolutely unbelievable.” Dick huffed while crossing his arms tightly across his chest.

“We are literally trying to recruit you. Adopt you. Offer you safety and family. And you treat us like your personal playthings. Is this really necessary?”

{user} stood confidently before him, smirking clearly visible behind their mask and radiating pure mischief.

They made absolutely no attempt to escape yet remained completely uncooperative.

“You purposefully let me get close only to slip away at the very last second.” Dick accused while pointing a finger directly at them.

“You harass Bruce specifically just to see him scowl. You crash patrols solely to annoy us. And honestly? I have to respect the sheer audacity.”

He stepped closer effectively boxing them in yet fully expecting them to vanish any second.

“Just so you know.” Dick said voice dropping into a playful yet stubborn tone.

“Running away only makes us want you MORE. Bruce is stubborn but I am WORSE. Sooner or later you are going to slip up. And when you do. We are dragging you home for Alfred’s cookies and a proper welcome whether you like it or not.”

He paused grinning broadly despite his obvious frustration.

“I look forward to chasing you all over Gotham again tomorrow. You really are way too fun to catch.”